Abstract: Sports equipment, particularly game balls, are printed with an ink cured with light in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The ink uses a photoinitiator that absorbs light in both the ultraviolet region and in a range of from about 400 nm to about 690 nm in the visible light region, a Type I photoinitiator compound absorbing in only the visible region, or a Type II photoinitiator compound either containing an abstractable hydrogen or used with a free radical-curable material comprising an abstractable hydrogen.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing elongate wooden handles for floor mops and the like comprises (a) splitting a green bamboo cane lengthwise and then spreading it into the shape of a sheet, (b) planing both surfaces of the sheet to give it a substantially uniform thickness, (c) cutting the bamboo sheet into an elongate section of selected width, (d) drying that bamboo section, (e) providing an assembly comprising a pair of dowels, at least one elongate core member, said bamboo sections and an adhesive, with the bamboo section wrapped around the dowels and the core member and the adhesive disposed between the bamboo section and the dowels and core member, (f) heating that assembly under pressure so the adhesive will bond the dowels and core member to the surrounding bamboo section and thereby form an elongate pole, and (g) turning the elongate pole to a selected outer diameter.

Abstract: A sport-specific training and conditioning device for a sport using a hand-held implement having a grip portion, includes a handle shaped like the grip portion of the implement, the handle having first and second ends, and a weight on the second end of the handle, the center of mass of the weight being less than about 13 inches from the first end of the handle.

Abstract: A sporting good item or other product includes a “shrink-label” formed from a shrink-sleeve, shrink-wrap, or a stretch-sleeve adhered to or otherwise affixed to an outer surface of the item. The shrink-label includes pre-printed graphics and closely conforms to the item's outer surface, including any contours or tapered regions, so that the graphics may be displayed anywhere on the item. The shrink-label may optionally be applied to the item via an automated device. A clear coat or other protective layer may optionally be applied to an outer surface of the shrink-label to increase its durability and resistance to abrasion, which is particularly beneficial when the shrink-label is applied to an item intended for impact applications, such as a ball bat.

Abstract: A toy or game includes a head assembly having dimensions to provide a planar contact surface for the continuous bouncing of an elastomer ball off of the assembly surface. Located opposite the striking surface of the club head is a back surface that includes a concave pocket cavity that is large enough to hold at least one ball. The head assembly also has a bottom surface that is convex located adjacent to the back surface, and a hosel for attaching a shaft to the head assembly. The concave pocket and the oversized head allow a player to volley the ball, scoop the ball up or hit from a surface, and toss or catch the ball to/from another player.

Abstract: A shaft adapted to move through a fluid, wherein the shaft has a surface, diameter, and length, and wherein the shaft comprises at least two ridges extending along at least a portion of the length, such that fluid resistance encountered by the shaft as it is moved through the fluid is reduced.

Abstract: A tubular structural member that provides directional resistance. The tubular structural member has a flexural resistance that is greater in one direction than in another. The tubular structural member can be employed in variety of devices or structures so as to effect the overall stiffness of the device.

Abstract: A velocity indication system is comprised of a force measurement sensor shielded by a protective covering that measures the level of force at the point of impact of the sensor with an object, and transmits the measurement, via a transmission carrier, to a computing unit that calculates the force measurement into a velocity measurement and projects that information on a display. A system carrier has an impact and a holding area. The invention is designed for use in sports such as hockey, tennis, baseball, cricket, golf, and the like; generally a sport with a racquet or stick.

Abstract: An improved broom ball stick. Features include a stronger shaft that penetrates further into the head than conventional sticks to reduce head break off. The head end of the shaft is preferably tapered to accommodate a tapered head design. Ball control protrusions and stick reinforcing mechanisms are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention includes an athletic apparatus such as a golf shaft that includes a first tubular segment, a second tubular segment, and a bond apparatus to couple the first and second tubular segments. The first segment includes an inner surface defining a passage. The second segment includes a shoulder and projection extending axially from the shoulder. The projection defines a bonding surface and extends into the passage. The bond apparatus is between the bonding surface and the inner surface of the first segment. The bond apparatus includes an adhesive coupling the first tubular segment to the second tubular segment and a separation element engaging the inner surface of the first segment and the bonding surface of the second segment to maintain at least a predetermined separation distance between the inner surface and bonding surface.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing device is designed for use in ballgame goods having a tubular rod-shaped body and is composed of a tubular body and a weight. The tubular body is made of a soft elastic material. The weight is disposed in the tubular body such that weight is connected with the tubular body, and that an interstice is located between the outer surface of the weight and the inner wall of the tubular body so as to enable the weight to vibrate in the tubular body. The tubular body of the shock-absorbing device is disposed in the inner wall of the tubular rod-shaped body of the ballgame goods. The tubular body is capable of absorbing shock wave of the ballgame goods. The vibrational motion of the weight is capable of canceling shock wave of the ballgame goods.

Abstract: A baseball bat which includes one or more colored bands with transferrable colored pigments in or adjacent to the hitting zone to assist a batter in determining where a ball is hit on the hitting zone of the bat. The colored bands on the bat have a color pigment that will mark the ball when hit. The marked ball will provide an indication of where the bat impacted the ball. This information can be used to better train the players in hitting the balls.

Abstract: A game played on either an indoor/outdoor court. The game includes a bat, a game ball and two sets of balls which are of different colors. The bat has a substantially round drive head with which to bat balls. A game ball is hit up the court. Then one player hits their ball up the court and as close to the game ball as possible. The game continues until all the balls are hit. Then the person or team with the ball(s) closest to the game ball scores a point for each ball that rests closer to the game ball than the closest ball of the opposite side or team.

Abstract: There is disclosed a broomball broom head, comprising a molded solid body having opposed faces with edges, a top end and a bottom end spaced therefrom, at least one of the opposed faces having a concave area spaced inwardly from the edges and the lower end, the top end having a stick receiving opening being confined to the top end.