Abstract: An in-line roller skate for use by children has a stability enhancing mechanism and a movement limiting mechanism. The stability enhancing mechanism includes two rollers, mounted on an axle, that are selectively positionable side-by-side in a normal mode or spaced apart in a stable mode. A combine arm having two fingers pivots downward to cam the rollers inward from the stable to the normal mode. Alternately, a separator arm pivots downward to slide the two rollers apart on the axle from the normal mode to the stable mode. The movement limiting mechanism includes a roller, mounted on an axle, that has teeth formed on the radially inner surface of the cylindrical outer portion. A pawl has a pawl arm extending into the inner cylindrical portion of the roller to engage the teeth and a pawl tongue that extends into a pawl adjuster.

Abstract: The present invention provides for projecting supported objects, such as baseballs, footballs or golf balls. The apparatus includes a movable striker having a first surface (a target surface) for receiving a force, and a second surface (a projecting surface) for projecting the object, with the object being supported by a supporting surface. The supporting surface may be a portion of the second (projecting) surface or another surface on the striker, or alternatively may be a portion of a support member separate from the striker. The target surface receives a force from the user, the force being subsequently transmitted through the striker to the supported object via the projecting surface. The striker may be movably coupled to a base, with the striker being limited to fore-and-aft movement relative to the base, so that the object will be projected forwardly in a predetermined direction even if the target surface is not struck in a squarely forward direction.

Abstract: A three-wheeled collapsible stroller which can be used on terrain that is more bumpy or uneven than the smooth terrain suitable for a conventional small-wheeled stroller, but that is also more maneuverable than a conventional three-wheeled "jogging stroller." The stroller has a folding frame and automatic side latches so that it is conveniently collapsible into a compact form for transportation and storage. The stroller also had a seat back that is quickly and conveniently adjustable between reclined and upright seating positions and that remains in the same reclined or upright position when folded and unfolded. The brakes of the rear wheels are automatically set when the stroller is fully folded.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint for connecting one end of a rail member to a base member includes a ball mounted on the end of the rail member. A socket and a radial slot in the base member permit pivoting of the rail section relative to the base between a first position and a second position. The socket also permits rotation of the ball in the socket to permit rotation of the rail member about its longitudinal axis relative to the base member between a locked orientation and a unlocked orientation. When the rail section is in the locked orientation it cannot pivot relative to the base member and when the rail section is in the unlocked position it is free to pivot relative to the base member.

Abstract: A play enclosure apparatus includes a plurality of panels that are detachably connectable to each other at their sides to form a play enclosure. The panels may be connected to form enclosures of various shapes, and two of the panels may be connected to trap the remaining panels between the two panels for portability or storage.

Abstract: An odorless container having a selectively openable flexible sleeve that creates a seal between a holding chamber where waste is deposited and a storage chamber where waste is stored so that odors from the storage chamber do not escape when waste is deposited into the holding chamber. Operation of the pail involves opening the lid, depositing the waste into the holding chamber, and closing the lid. The flexible sleeve is then opened allowing the waste to fall from the holding chamber into the storage chamber. Finally, the flexible sleeve is closed to prepare the pail for the next deposit of waste. Therefore, odors from the second chamber are never directly exposed to the outside environment.

Abstract: A gate has a first panel member coupled to a partially overlapping second panel member so that the panels are slidable laterally relative to each other, thus changing the overall width of the gate. An over-center type toggle linkage has a pivot link and a handle link and is operable to laterally expand and contract the lateral distance between the ends. One end of the pivot link is pivotally connected to the first panel and the other end is connected to a medial portion of the handle link. One end of the handle link is pivotally connected to a sliding carriage that slides relative to the second panel and the carriage and handle link end are selectively engagable with the second panel by a releasable engagement mechanism. When the engagement mechanism is disengaged, the panels are free to slide laterally to change the width of the gate. When the engagement mechanism is engaged, operation of the toggle linkage expands or contracts the overall width of the gate.

Abstract: A caster assembly for a traveling body has an automatic swivel lock that prevents the caster from swiveling when the caster is a trailing caster on the traveling body and allows the caster to swivel when the caster is a leading caster on the traveling body. The caster assembly includes a lock assembly pivotally mounted to support arms that extend from the swiveling wheel mount. A fixed locking member extends from the traveling body's frame to engage a locking lever extending from the lock assembly when the caster wheel is a trailing wheel on the traveling body. A cam follower engages a cam surface on the inside of the wheel to pivotally disengage the lock assembly from the locking member when the traveling body reverses direction so that the caster, which has become a leading caster, is free to swivel.

Abstract: An adjustable-height free standing slide apparatus has an overall slide surface length that can be increased or decreased by changing the orientation of a single component. The slide apparatus includes a frame that supports a slide member. The frame also supports a block member that can be mounted to the frame in a first orientation in which a first surface on the block forms a substantially horizontal platform surface leading to the top of the slide and a second orientation in which a second surface on the block forms a slide exterior surface meeting substantially contiguously with the slide surface to extend the overall slide surface length.