Abstract: A multi-purpose implement is provided, including a racquet, having a handle portion and a flexible planar area held under tension by a frame, and a ball basket attached to the racquet and adapted to lift a ball directly from a generally horizontal surface. A method of using the implement, without contacting the ball with one's hands, includes holding the handle portion in one or both hands, maneuvering the ball basket into contact with a ball lying on a generally horizontal surface, lifting the ball directly from the generally horizontal surface with the ball basket, tossing the ball from the ball basket into the air, and while the ball is in the air, striking the ball with the racquet.

Abstract: A multi-purpose implement is provided, including a racquet, having a handle portion and a flexible planar area held under tension by a frame, and a ball basket attached to the racquet and adapted to lift a ball directly from a generally horizontal surface. A method of using the implement, without contacting the ball with one's hands, includes holding the handle portion in one or both hands, maneuvering the ball basket into contact with a ball lying on a generally horizontal surface, lifting the ball directly from the generally horizontal surface with the ball basket, tossing the ball from the ball basket into the air, and while the ball is in the air, striking the ball with the racquet.

Abstract: A multi-purpose implement is provided, including a bat, having a handle portion and a barrel, and a ball basket attached to the bat and adapted to lift a ball directly from a generally horizontal surface. A method of using the implement, without contacting the ball with one's hands, includes holding the handle portion in one or both hands, maneuvering the ball basket into contact with a ball lying on a generally horizontal surface, lifting the ball directly from the generally horizontal surface with the ball basket, tossing the ball from the ball basket into the air, and while the ball is in the air, striking the ball with the barrel of the bat.

Abstract: A ball lifting, tossing and striking system, by which a user can pick up, toss and strike a ball in such a way that the ball does not come in contact with the user's hands, includes a ball and a multi-purpose implement that may be carried by a user in one or both hands. The multi-purpose implement includes a striking implement, having a handle portion and a striking portion, and a ball basket attached to the striking implement and adapted to lift the ball from the ground. To use the multi-purpose implement, a user may grasp the handle portion of the striking implement, lift the ball from the ground with the ball basket, and without touching the ball with either of the user's hands, toss the ball from the ball basket into the air such that it may be struck by the striking portion.

Abstract: A multi-purpose implement is provided, including a racquet, having a handle portion and a flexible planar area held under tension by a frame, and a ball basket attached to the racquet and adapted to lift a ball directly from a generally horizontal surface. A method of using the implement, without contacting the ball with one's hands, includes holding the handle portion in one or both hands, maneuvering the ball basket into contact with a ball lying on a generally horizontal surface, lifting the ball directly from the generally horizontal surface with the ball basket, tossing the ball from the ball basket into the air, and while the ball is in the air, striking the ball with the racquet.

Abstract: A submerging air pressure projectile launching toy, suitable for use by children, includes a main device body, a launch structure connected to an upper end thereof to define an interior air chamber, and a projectile, all for use in water. The main device body has a hollow elongate member, defining a longitudinal axis, and a water intake, in fluid communication with the interior air chamber, at a lower end thereof, and the water intake opening is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The projectile is temporarily mountable via to the launch structure to semi-seal the interior air chamber. When the lower end of the main device body is pushed into a body of water, air within the interior air chamber is compressed until a frictional or other coupling force between the projectile and the launch structure is overcome, causing the projectile to launch into the air.

Abstract: An artificial nail having a three dimensional feature. The three dimensional feature may be a three dimensional representation of any known or imagined person, place or thing. The three dimensional feature may have a protrusion that is graspable. The protrusion may be used to assist in placing the artificial nail onto a fingernail or toenail. The artificial nail may include a tool or writing implement that may be extendible/retractable, movable and/or rotatable. The artificial nail may include removably attached three dimensional features. The three dimensional feature may include hair. The three dimensional feature may include a sound emitter or be designed to emit sound. The three dimensional feature may be plush or made from fabric. The artificial nail may include a power source and a light emitter to emit light from a portion of the three dimensional feature.