Abstract: A self-aligning arbor nut system is disclosed. The self-aligning arbor nut system, according to the present invention, includes a body formed with a duct substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the body. A substantially circular ring known as a swivel also is provided. The ring is engageable with either end of the duct. An o-ring is included. The o-ring is engageable with a groove in the wall of the ring, and with a slot formed on the inner surface of the duct at both ends of the duct to reverse engagement of the nut with an arbor. The swivel is engageable with at least one end of the body, and in fact is engageable with both ends of the body. When mounted on an arbor, the swivel aligns and helps prevent a bent or distorted arbor. A circumferential depression may be formed around the outside surface of the body. One or more bores is formed in the circumferential depression for manipulation with a key.

Abstract: A housing and hub for an apparatus for securing a workpiece to a rotatable machine member are provided. The machine may include a lathe. The workpiece includes a rotor such a brake rotor. The apparatus includes a hub slidably engageable with a rotatable driven shaft of the lathe. The hub is formed with a first banded channel. Also included is a centering device axially positionable on the shaft. A spring having a distal end demountably insertable in the hub, and a proximal end connectable to the centering device, is included. The apparatus also includes a retaining ring attachable to the hub for retaining the centering device in the hub. A housing is provided that is freely movable axially on the shaft for securing the rotor substantially vertically on the shaft. The housing is formed with a second banded channel. A locking nut is included to secure the components of the apparatus on a machine member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving batting a baseball is provided. The apparatus includes at least one tube formed with a substantially uniform cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube. Also included is a handle removably attachable to one end of the tube. A grip knob is provided at one end of the handle for restraining hands during swinging. A compressible sleeve is slidably engageable with the handle for providing a hand grip. The apparatus and method for improving batting is used in combination with a training regimen to improve batting skills.

Abstract: A self-aligning arbor nut system is disclosed. The self-aligning arbor nut system, according to the present invention, includes a body formed with a duct substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the body. A substantially circular ring known as a swivel also is provided. The ring is engageable with either end of the duct. An o-ring is included. The o-ring is engageable with a groove in the wall of the ring, and with a slot formed on the inner surface of the duct at both ends of the duct to reverse engagement of the nut with an arbor. The swivel is engageable with at least one end of the body, and in fact is engageable with both ends of the body. When mounted on an arbor, the swivel aligns and helps prevent a bent or distorted arbor. A circumferential depression may be formed around the outside surface of the body. One or more bores is formed in the circumferential depression for manipulation with a key.

Abstract: A removably mountable cleat. The cleat includes a plate. One end of a shaft is connected to the plate. The shaft may be connected substantially to the center of the plate. The other end of the shaft is formed with threads for removably mounting the cleat on footwear. The plate and shaft are inserted into a mold containing a compressively yieldable elastomeric material which forms a body around the plate and the shaft. The elastomeric body also is formed with a lower surface that comes in contact with turf or other facilities and equipment associated with a sport and athletic activity. The lower surface of the elastomeric body that may be in contact with turf or other facilities and equipment associated with a sport and athletic activity is formed to include one or more concentric annular rings. The lower surface of the elastomeric body also is formed with a hemispherical chamber within the smallest of the concentric annular rings.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing harmonics and vibrations of a rotatable base piece, such as a brake rotor to be resurfaced or refinished, is provided. A plurality of interconnected chain links are included. The plurality of chain links are sized for maximum contact with the rotatable base piece. The plurality of chain links are interconnected to form a belt assembly open at the ends. One or more demountably selectively attachable connectors for securing the belt assembly to the rotatable base piece also are included. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more demountably selectively attachable connectors is a spring member. Each spring member includes a nonidentical length arm extending monolithically from the ends of the spring member. In addition, a semi-circular hook members is provided on one end of the nonidentical length arm. No other mechanical structural elements are included.