Abstract: A brake bar assembly having a U-shaped frame, a sliding friction bar positioned on the U-shaped frame near a closed end of the frame, a fixed friction bar attached to an open end of the U-shaped frame, and a lockable center bar assembly positioned on the U-shaped frame between the sliding friction bar and the fixed friction bar having a spring operated locking mechanism which allows the center bar to be releasably pivoted on the frame.

Abstract: Provided is a swimming assistance apparatus with an ICT function. The swimming assistance apparatus includes: a body part made of a material which floats on water or having a hollow tube which floats on water; a fitting hole formed in the body part and defined to penetrate through the body part to surround a part of a user's body; a cut part defined on at least one side of a wall of the fitting hole; and a sensor unit for measuring at least one of the user's posture information, work rate information and bio-information, so that the user's body floats on water by buoyancy of the body part when the user swims in a state where a part of the user's body is inserted into the fitting hole.

Abstract: A method for forming a golf ball with a graphene core disclosed herein. The method includes mixing a graphene masterbatch material with a polybutadiene material to form a core mixture, wherein the graphene masterbatch material comprises graphene in an amount from 0.1 to 80.0 weight percent of the graphene masterbatch material mixed with a carrier polymer in an amount from 99.9 to 20 weight percent of the graphene masterbatch material.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising an inner core layer including a thermoplastic material and having a geometric center hardness less than the surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. An outer core layer is formed over the inner core. The outer core includes a thermoset rubber composition and has an inner surface hardness less than an outer surface hardness to define a positive hardness gradient. A cover layer is formed over the outer core layer. The cover layer includes an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The thermoplastic material of the core includes an acid copolymer of ethylene and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid, optionally a softening monomer comprising alkyl acrylate or methacrylate; a plasticizer; an organic acid or salt thereof; and a cation source present in an amount sufficient to neutralize from about 70 to about 100% of all acid groups present in the material.

Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.

Abstract: An ultra-low compression golf ball is disclosed herein. The core preferably has a PGA compression less than 30. The mantle layer and cover have approximately the same thickness. The cover comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane material and has a specific gravity greater than the core and mantle layer. The golf ball has a PGA compression less than 75 and a COR of at least 0.780.

Abstract: A sport training ball for use underwater includes a resilient spherical body. An internal chamber may be positioned within the resilient spherical body and configured to receive a low-density medium having a density less than water. A second internal chamber may be positioned within the resilient spherical body and configured to receive the low-density medium. A buoyancy reduction device may be positioned within the resilient spherical body and configured to have a density greater than or equal to water.

Abstract: A resilient face insert for a golf club head, preferably a putter head, is disclosed herein. In particular, the face insert comprises a plurality of hinge features spaced from a striking surface to ensure consistent ball speed across the striking surface. At least a portion of each hinge feature extends parallel to the striking surface without making contact with the striking surface. In the preferred embodiment, each hinge feature comprises a tab portion that is spaced from the striking surface by a stem portion and that extends parallel to the striking surface. The hinge features may be co-molded with a polymeric backing material having a plurality of parallel grooves in order to further improve performance of the face insert.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to golf club having a crown a sole and a face and a primary alignment feature including a paint or masking line which delineates the transition between at least a first portion of the crown having an area of contrasting shade or color with the shade or color of the face. In some embodiments the golf club has a primary alignment feature comprising a paint or masking line which delineates the transition between at least a first portion of the crown having an area of contrasting shade or color and the area of shade or color of the face and the club head also includes a secondary alignment feature including a paint or masking line which delineates the transition between the first portion of the crown having an area of contrasting shade or color with the shade or color of the face; and a second portion of the crown having an area of contrasting shade or color with the shade or color of the first portion.

Abstract: An aerodynamic golf club head having a crown section that imparts beneficial aerodynamic properties due in part to the location of a crown apex and the curvature of the crown section.

Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a hollow body portion having a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a bottom portion, a top portion, a plurality of ports on the bottom portion and a plurality of inner support portions in the hollow body portion. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: An enhanced club head for a golf club that improves the distance achieved on a golf shot. ‘Metal head’ golf clubs, such as drivers, fairway metals, and hybrids have metallic sidewalls defining an interior cavity of the club head. A clubface of the metal head is enhanced by inserting a plurality of screws in a spaced apart relation to improve the sweet spot of clubface. It is believed that the plurality of screws in the clubface reduces the deflection of the clubface when the club strikes the golf ball, thereby imparting greater energy into the ball to obtain a greater distance.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to sets of iron golf clubs, and more particularly, to sets of iron golf clubs that are comprised of significant tungsten weighting to maximize the MOI about an axis through the CG that is parallel to the shaft axis.

Abstract: A golf club head with at least one cavity including a fill material comprising a polymer and a plurality of microscopic bubbles, and methods of manufacturing such golf club heads, are disclosed herein. In particular, the golf club head comprises an internal cavity that is at least partially filled with the fill material, or a medallion comprising the microscopic bubble fill material. The plurality of microscopic bubbles constitutes at 5-70% of the volume of the fill material, and more preferably approximately 20-30% of the volume of the fill material. The polymer material preferably is a polyurethane having a Poisson's ratio of 0.40-0.50. In some embodiments, the fill material takes the form a medallion affixed to a rear surface of the striking face, while in others, the fill material is injected into the internal cavity.

Abstract: A freestanding putter with a T-shaped head and rounded clubface is disclosed. The rounded clubface prevents a ball from bouncing or skidding when struck by the putter. The freestanding nature of the putter enables a golfer to repeatedly step away from the putter for a view of the ball to the cup and return to the putter to adjust the direction in which the putter is aiming. Once the golfer is ready to attempt a putt, he or she can address the putter and ball without losing the previously established aim of the putter. Accordingly, the putter enables the golfer to aim and subsequently strike a golf ball with greater accuracy and consistency.

Abstract: A weight member for removable attachment to a weight port of a golf club head is provided. The weight member comprises a head that has a tool mating port for operatively receiving a portion of a fastening tool. The weight member further comprises a shaft that is associated with the head such that the shaft terminates at an end surface. The shaft has a threaded external surface and a non-threaded internal bore that extends from the end surface.

Abstract: An improved golf club grip 10a, 10b, 10c with a well-defined and pronounced reminder rib 20a, 20b, 20c includes in one embodiment of the present disclosure a groove 32 positioned in the exterior surface 34 on each side of or surrounding a ridge 24a that extends lengthwise inside the body 14a of the grip 10a. When the golf grip 10a is installed on a golf club shaft 12, the groove 32 facilitates the flexing of the grip material for forming the reminder rib 20a. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the grip 10b, 10c is provided with a raised portion 36 of a selected material in a select region on the grip 10b, 10c. When the golf grip 10b, 10c is installed on a golf club shaft 12, the raised portion 36 becomes the reminder rib 20b, 20c.

Abstract: A golf club head includes a head unit, and an insertion unit including a housing body, an intelligent unit and an encapsulant. The housing body defines a receiving space, and has a base wall, a surrounding wall, an external thread for engaging an internal thread of the head unit, a recess formed in the base wall, and multiple hollow portions formed in and extending between the base wall and the surrounding wall. The intelligent unit is received in the receiving space, and includes a first circuit board, two charging electrodes disposed on the first circuit board, and a capacitor connected to the first circuit board and the charging electrodes. The encapsulant is received in the receiving space, partially covers the first circuit board, and exposes the charging electrodes.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure describe a frameless basketball backboard assembly and a method for producing a frameless basketball backboard assembly. A mounting structure is attached to one side of the backboard assembly, and a support assembly mounted to the backboard assembly connects the backboard assembly to a base. A rim may be added to a side of the backboard assembly by attaching to the support assembly.

Abstract: A striking target apparatus provides audible satisfaction feedback to the user when struck, and provides substantial focus training with minimal impact. The apparatus may be hand-held, mounted onto a wall or other smooth surface, or attached to a stand.

Abstract: A system for coordinating radar data and image data to track a flight of a projectile includes a radar, an imager, and a controller. The imager provides an image of an area into which a projectile is to be launched. The controller receives the image and an identification of a target within the image and identifies a target line connecting the target and a launch position of the projectile. The controller also receives data from the radar relative to at least a portion of a trajectory of the projectile, generates image based trajectory data by correlating the radar data and the image, and alters the image to include the image based trajectory data within the image and the target line within the image.

Abstract: A sports mat system incorporating a reversible thermochromic leuco dye includes an impact pad portion having a reversible thermochromic leuco dye incorporated into it in order to provide a temporary visual indication of the path of a sports apparatus swing. The impact portion changes color with a temperature change due to frictional contact between the pad and the equipment being swung, in order to visually illustrate the swing path of the club along with the club head/face orientation during impact. In another implementation, a racquet is provided incorporating a reversible thermochromic leuco dye into a portion of racquet strings to temporarily visually illustrate the contact area between the racquet face and a ball being struck, in order to provide the user with feedback relating to characteristics of their swing.

Abstract: A ball tossing apparatus includes a support frame and a plurality of launch devices fixed to the support frame and arranged in a two-dimensional array. The launch devices include cylinders having a spring fixed therein, with a ball carrier fixed to the spring. The balls are retained in a loaded position (springs compressed) and then upon activation of the launch devices are launched vertically into the air to the sports player. In another embodiment, the launch devices include a rotating lever which is acted on by a biasing member to launch the ball vertically from the cylinder. A method for launching the balls includes the steps of loading the balls into a two dimensional array, and then launching the balls according to a launch sequence. An electronic control system for use with the ball tossing apparatus includes a launch module for launching the loaded balls in the plurality of launch devices according to a launch sequence.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a foldable throwback device comprising a front frame, a base frame, and telescoping angle members. The front frame is adapted to secure a bounce-back surface and is foldable into at least three sections without removal of the bounce-back surface. The base frame is coupled to the front frame by hinge brackets that allow the base frame to fold substantially flat onto the front frame without significant disassembly. Each telescoping angle member extends from the base frame to the front frame, and is adjustable to allow angling the front frame relative to the base frame. Each telescoping angle member may include a rotation-limiting mechanism and a safety mechanism that prevents unintentional detachment.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to shoulder protection devices that are configured to reduce compression injuries to an athlete's shoulder. Embodiments are configured to limit the axis of rotation of a compression deflection lever coupled to an arch of a shoulder protection device.

Abstract: Shoulder pads for a player playing a contact sport, such as hockey, lacrosse or football, are provided. The shoulder pads comprise a front member, a back member, left and right shoulder arches, left and right shoulder protectors, and an adjustment system allowing the player to adjust a fit of the shoulder pads. The adjustment system may allow the player to adjust various components of the shoulder pads, including the front member, the back member, and the left and right shoulder protectors, in various directions.

Abstract: An attachment means for connecting a goalie pad to a skate. Has a string which has elastic characteristics and which is retained substantially at its mid-point by a pad attachment member and which has its two distal ends capped with a hook means and a loop means. The string is wrapped first under and then over the skate (or vice versa) so that the hook and loop means can mate and thus securely retain the lower part of the pad onto the skate.

Abstract: An apparatus that secures a skateboard platform to a snow ski with a base that has a sliding member and stationary member. An adjustment mechanism urges the sliding member to move toward or away from the stationary member. A stabilizer is movable toward and way from the sliding member via a guide path in the base. The stabilizer has two components that move one inside the other to lengthen or shorten a distance between their respective ends. The sliding member has a protruding portion that fits into a front snow ski binding. The stationary member snaps into the rear snow ski binding. The front binding is sandwiched between the stabilizer and the sliding member.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for simulating an outcome of a game, the device including a die having a plurality of faces, each face of the die being associated with an index value, a first wheel having a surface for rolling of the die, and a randomization mechanism coupled to the wheel and configured to cause a randomized motion of the wheel and die for a period of time to generate an outcome of game play, the outcome of game play being defined at least in part based on the index value of an exposed face of the plurality of faces of the die after the completion of the randomized motion.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for communicating information between a gaming device and a portable electronic device using a multi-functional peripheral device associated with the gaming device are disclosed. The multi-functional peripheral device may include a sensor to detect sensory input from the user and/or the portable electronic device associated with the user to play a game of chance on the gaming device.

Abstract: A system for associating virtual activity of a user in a virtual space and a real-world activity of a user in a physical environment are presented herein. User activities and/or experiences within the physical environment and/or the virtual environment may be created (e.g., new experiences/personalizations being presented to the user), changed, accelerated, and/or otherwise managed such that each one enhances the other and/or enriches the overall experiences of the users over time.

Abstract: An example system includes: a contactless communication part that performs contactless communication with a data storage medium having a contactless communication function; a data writing part that writes data to the data storage medium by the contactless communication part; a storage part that stores the data written by the data writing part; and a corruption determination part that determines whether the data stored in the data storage medium is corrupted or not. When the corruption determination part determines that the data is corrupted, the data writing part writes the data stored in the storage part, to the data storage medium.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems provide a user of a social network system access to a game over a network from a user device. The social network system matches the user with players of the game based on respective skill levels of the players and/or social proximity between the user and the players. The social network system sends a list of matched players to the user device for selection by the user, and sends an invitation to one or more of the players selected by the user to enable the user to play the game over the network with the one or more players.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an information processing device for accessing a file included in game data, the game data having a correspondence file associating a hash value of full path information of the file with information for identifying a recording location of the file. The information processing device includes: a receiving section receiving a readout request including the full path information of the file from a game; a deriving section deriving the hash value of the full path information; an obtaining section referring to the correspondence file, and obtaining the information for identifying the recording location of the file using the hash value; and a file access section accessing the file on a basis of the obtained information.

Abstract: A method includes multicasting by a server center of streaming interactive video/audio streams to multiple destinations via an outbound Internet traffic interface. A given video/audio stream is routed to multiple destinations simultaneously. At least one of the video/audio streams is received at a delay buffer of the server center, the delay buffer storing a replayable portion of at least one of the video/audio streams.

Abstract: A method of and system for handling latency issues encountered in producing real-time entertainment such as games of skill synchronized with live or taped televised events is described herein. There are multiple situations that are dealt with regarding latencies in receiving a television signal with respect to real-time entertainment based on the unfolding games played along with the telecasts. Systemic delays, arbitrarily imposed delays of a broadcast signal and variances in the precise broadcast times of taped television programs have to be equalized so as to provide fair entertainment.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and/or a system of an electronic puzzle game comprising a set of extendable lines combinable to form a puzzle image is disclosed. In one embodiment, an electronic puzzle game includes a set of instructions, which when operated through a processor communicatively coupled with a memory operate in a manner to: generate a set of positions, wherein when at least some of the set of positions are combined together along a predetermined pathway, the combined ones of the set of positions form a puzzle image, generate a plurality of lines that are maneuverable onto each of the set of positions through a control interface, and extend the plurality of lines responsive to an action of a user along the set of positions, and when the plurality of lines are extended across the predetermined pathway by the user, the extended lines combine together to render the puzzle image.

Abstract: A game system causes an enemy character that is caused to battle with a player character to appear by implementing a first lottery, and implements a battle between the enemy character that has been caused to appear and the player character. After the battle has started, when a player has performed an operation input that selects one item among a plurality of types of items for acquiring the enemy character, the game system implements a second lottery based on the win probability that corresponds to the type of the selected item and gives the enemy character with which the player character has battled to the player when the player has won the second lottery.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing recommendations of online games to friends of social network are described. A method for processing recommendations includes identifying a gaming session of a user on an online game provider network, accessing a use profile of the user for the online games of the online game provider network, and accessing a social graph of the user to identify friends of the user and respective friend profiles from the social network. The method further includes producing a recommendation of an online game. The recommendation includes an identification of a target friend of the user and is being provided by examination of the use profile of the user and friend profiles in the social graph. The method includes providing the recommendation to the user. The recommendation also includes an offer incentive to the user to share the recommendation with the target friend.

Abstract: A method includes steps of admitting a first player and a second player to play an on-line video game implemented in a virtual environment, establishing a definition of proximity for any two objects or avatars in the virtual environment, tracking location in the video game for each player avatar or object controlled by a player, noting an event each time the two players are in proximity, as defined by the proximity definition, recording time period that the two players are in proximity for each event, and issuing to one or both players a Friend suggestion for the other player, based on proximity events and time in proximity.

Abstract: A method and system for playing a fantasy sport competition among a plurality of users includes the creation of user rosters comprising a prioritized list of players according to positions. A server receives rosters from users and invited users, each playing the game against one another from remote locations. The prioritized rosters from each user are reconciled against one another to create unique rosters for competition, and enhancements are provided to allow either user to affect the other user's roster or scoring.

Abstract: A toy vehicle track set is provided including a track segment. The track set having: a track segment for a toy vehicle; a contact member mounted adjacent to the track segment and configured to be actuated by a toy vehicle on the track segment; and a character adjacent to the track segment, the character including a first portion and at least a second portion movably coupled to the first portion, wherein the at least a second portion moves relative to the first portion in response to actuation of the contact member by a toy vehicle.

Abstract: A gyrating disc is disclosed having a circular and flat shape with an edge extending perpendicularly around its circumference. The gyrating disc has a weight on the interior or exterior of the edge, or between the center and the edge. When the gyrating disc is launched in a clockwise or counterclockwise manner, the disc achieves a gyrating flight, moving on its horizontal plane and stable at the vertical axis established in the center of the disc.

Abstract: A treater combination unit wherein the functions of a heater treater and one or more of a sales gas heater, instrument gas heater/dryer, two-phase separator, and a free water knockout are incorporated into a single unit are included in a single, self-contained and optionally portable unit. In one embodiment, an instrument gas dryer can also optionally be incorporated into the combination unit. In an alternative embodiment, the instrument gas dryer is added to the unit as a retrofit.

Abstract: A purification device (1), for the purification of a liquid-crystal mixture, has a flow chamber (2) which has an inlet opening (3) and an outlet opening (4), arranged opposite the inlet opening, in order to be able to introduce the liquid-crystal mixture into the flow chamber (2) and discharge it from the latter, and at least one flow distribution element (5) which is arranged in the flow chamber (2) in the region of the inlet opening (3), and at least one filter element (6) which is arranged in the region of the outlet opening (4), where a length of the flow chamber (2) measured in the flow direction is at least a factor of 2 greater than a greatest internal dimension of the flow chamber (2) transverse to the flow direction.

Abstract: The current invention is directed to a chromatography column separator which separates the chromatography column in an upper chromatography column chamber and a lower chromatography column chamber, and which has a variable position within the chromatography column, and which is embedded by the chromatography material. The separator allows the replacement of the chromatography material in the upper chromatography column chamber without the need to replace the chromatography column material in the lower chromatography column chamber and it allows also the combination of two different chromatography materials with different chromatographical functional groups in one chromatography column.

Abstract: Contemplated gas-liquid separators and especially subsea gas-liquid separators have a main pipe with a plurality of descending branch pipes that are fluidly coupled to the main pipe and each other such as to allow disengagement of the gas into the main pipe while liquid and sand descend into the lower ends of the branch pipes. Sand accumulation in the lower ends of the branch pipes is preferably prevented by lateral serial flow of liquid and sand from one branch pipe to the next and use of a flush liquid that is drawn from one or more branch pipes.

Abstract: A de-aerator for removing dissolved gasses from water in a water heating system and a water heating system comprising such a de-aerator are disclosed. The de-aerator includes a vessel defining a chamber for receiving water which has been heated by a primary water heater, an inlet through which water can be supplied into the chamber and an outlet through which the water can exit the chamber; and a vent through which gas can exit the chamber. A diameter of the chamber decreases in a direction from the inlet towards the outlet. The chamber side wall being curved and having a non-constant radius of curvature, the radius of curvature being smaller near the outlet than near the inlet, so that water supplied into the chamber is accelerated as it flows from the inlet towards the outlet, to thereby promote de-aeration of the water. De-aeration gasses exit the chamber through the vent.

Abstract: A settling basin insert for controlling fluid flow into a settling basin has a first and second side wall in opposition, and a top surface extending between the first and second side walls, defining a sump extending from head to end. Fluid apertures extend through the top surface to permit fluid to communicate with the sump and an access aperture in the top surface permits a vacuum hose to pass into the sump. The first side wall is taller than the second side wall, and the first and second side walls each define a guide wall extending above the top surface. The second side wall is configured to be adjacent the settling basin. The first and second side walls direct inflowing fluid along the settling basin insert and through the fluid apertures in the top surface, decelerating the fluid for settling of sediment in the settling basin insert.

Abstract: A technique using a curved channel of a spiral device to introduce a centrifugal force upon neutrally buoyant particles flowing in a fluid, e.g. water, to facilitate improved separation of such particles from the fluid is provided. As these neutrally buoyant particles flow through the channel, a tubular pinch effect causes the particles to flow in a tubular band. The introduced centrifugal force perturbs the tubular band (e.g. forces the tubular band to flow in a manner offset from a center of the channel), resulting in an asymmetric inertial migration of the band toward the inner wall of the channel. This allows for focusing and compaction of suspended particulates into a narrow band for extraction. The separation principle contemplated herein implements a balance of the centrifugal and fluidic forces to achieve asymmetric inertial equilibrium near the inner sidewall.