Abstract: An adventure game including a first themed communication element having audible or visible indicia introducing an intermediary, identifying the intermediary as an author of said first themed communication element, identifying that the first themed communication element is directed to a target, and explaining that a person is interested in the target; a second themed communication element having audible or visible indicia identifying the intermediary as an author of the second themed communication element, identifying the target as the recipient of the second element, and expressing additional information concerning at least one of the person, the intent of the person, and what is expected of the target; a third communication element directed to the target and including audible or visible indicia inviting the target to be at a certain place at a certain time; an instruction guide including audible or visible indicia instructing the person to send said first themed communication element to the target first, to

Abstract: An apparatus for training goalkeepers including, in combination, a reel containing a quantity of line and a goal. A reel support member is provided to which the reel is mounted. A reel support line guide is positioned on the reel support. A line anchor is positioned on the reel support. The goal has a first lower corner and a second lower corner. A first lower corner line guide is positioned in the first lower corner. A second lower corner line guide is positioned in the second lower corner. A remote end of the line is fed from the reel through the reel support line guide, the first lower corner line guide, the second lower corner line guide and back to the reel support line guide; with the remote end of the line being secured to the line anchor. The line provides an outline of a shooting zone. The shooting zone is dynamically changeable during training sessions by feeding or retracting the line from the reel.

Abstract: A breakaway basketball goal is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention the goal includes rim structure which pivots about self-lubricating bearings when a predetermined force is applied to the rim.

Abstract: A compatibility game provides a series of questions in several categories relating to personal traits and characteristics, which a player may ask of two or more respondents. The player provides a numerical value for each response, in accordance with the degree to which that response agrees with the needs and desires of the player. The aggregate numerical response totals may be added and/or averaged to provide a relative ranking of compatibility between the player and each of the respondents. The present game is primarily intended for use between members of the opposite sex, with a player being of one sex (e.g., male) and the plural respondents being of the sex opposite the questioning player. While the game is primarily intended for entertainment purposes, it can serve as a way to "break the ice" at various gatherings, and for individuals to get to know more about one another and their common interests, or even provide some insight to the player as to potential partners.

Abstract: An apparatus providing a novel challenge to skill and dexterity includes a projectile and a deformable container having a drive medium contained therein. The deformable container is in fluid communication with a launch member, such that deformation of the container is communicated to the launch member, thereby causing the launch member to impact the projectile. Deformation may be caused by physical pressure applied by an operator. In this case, when an operator strikes the deformable container, it is compressed, forcing the drive medium, which may be air, to the launch member, which may be a piston, causing the launch member to strike a game ball, sending it toward the target. The deformable container may comprise resilient and rigid foam. Alternatively, a plurality of independently compressible containers, each actuating a separate piston or other launch member may be provided.

Abstract: A game of skill includes a lighted circular target intended to simulate the sun. A joystick is used to manipulate a crane mechanism and buttons are provided to allow the crane mechanism to be lowered and raised with an included magnet being used to allow lifting and dropping of magnetically attractive disks. The object of the game is to lift each disk, in turn, and to manipulate the joystick to cause disks to be dropped onto the simulated solar target surface to cover as high a percentage of the solar target surface as possible. An indicator is provided to indicate how much of the solar target surface has been covered, and a timer display displays the elapsed time.

Abstract: A toy for projecting water or other fluid matter employs a generally unpredictable discharge actuating mechanism to provide a surprise discharge from a rotatable nozzle. The toy further employs a manually operable discharge stopping mechanism to allow users to strike or press on the toy to stop a discharge once it has begun. A variety of propulsion mechanisms may be employed for rotating the nozzle to allow discharge toward players in multiple directions.

Abstract: A saucer-shaped water skipping device including an upper disc and a lower disc with each disc having a concave shape formed of a lightweight and generally rigid material, each disc further having a central axis, an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a peripheral edge interconnecting the exterior surface and the interior surface; an annular flexible edging positioned in axial alignment with the disks; and a coupling mechanism for coupling the discs together with the edging positioned therebetween and in contact with the peripheral edges to create a saucer and with the edging having an exteriorly positioned outer portion serving as a grip for throwing the saucer to place it in flight and further serving as a bumper for cushioning the saucer when it strikes a recipient external object when in flight.

Abstract: A ball play system provides a confined play area that has a plurality of balls and a ball cleaning apparatus for cleaning the balls. A target structure is disposed in the play area so that balls which strike a target area pass through a ball supply outlet while balls that miss the target area rebound into the play area. The cleaning apparatus receives balls from a conveyor that communicates with the ball supply outlet of the play area. Cleaned balls from the cleaning apparatus are returned to the play area at a ball inlet by means of a ball return apparatus. The ball return apparatus is a chute, a blower to propel the balls upwardly in the chute to a chute outlet and a rail assembly that receives balls from the chute and returns them to the play area under gravity fee. The rail assembly is serpentine and of a sufficient length so that the cleaned balls undergo drying during transit. A method utilizing this ball play and cleaning system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A basketball system having has a ballasted base, an adjustable support system comprising two pole sections, a backboard, a hoop structure, and a net. They include an upper pole section and a lower pole section, and may be operated either telescopically or non-telescopically. The base has a first socket that receives the lower pole section, and a second socket is sized to receive the upper pole section when the system is operated in the non-telescoping mode. The hoop structure is provided with a neck flange for attaching the hoop structure to a recess in the upper telescoping pole section. The net is attached to the hoop structure by a net retention hoop on which the net is threadedly engaged.

Abstract: A rear peep sight for use with an archery bow has a sighting body with front and rear surfaces joined by a side surface and a mounting groove formed in the side surface for retaining the sighting body on a bowstring. A sighting aperture and a plurality of locator apertures extend from the rear surface to a bottom surface of a cavity in the sighting body. An insert body in the cavity is formed of a light transmitting material for transmitting light incident at the front surface through the locator apertures to an eye of an archer located at the rear surface. The insert body is removably retained in the cavity by the bowstring such that it can be replaced by an insert body of a different color. Shutters formed on the sighting body rear surface, opaque areas on the insert body and shutter apertures are utilized to vary the amount of transmitted light reaching the eye of the archer.

Abstract: A target, especially for thrown missiles such as darts, has a disk member divided into target fields. An evaluating unit to receive and process electronic signals or actuated contacts of the disk member is associated with the disk member. At least one target element is formed on the target fields. The target element, when subjected to loads by a missile, actuates a contact which is connected to the evaluating unit. Each target element is given a predetermined value by the evaluating unit. Further, at least two target elements may be combined to form one value unit.

Abstract: A game of skill involves a housing made to resemble an old-style cash register. When the game is played, a motor causes oscillation of the cash drawer in and out while the player shoots coin-like disks toward the drawer attempting to land the coins within compartments within the drawer. Each compartment corresponds to a point score that is displayed on a display on the simulated cash register. Each time the game is played, the player is given a pre-set number of coin-like disks.

Abstract: Device for improving the accuracy of shooting a basketball, comprising an annular member shaped to define the desirable path of the shot basketball, a ball striking flap disposed within the annular member, and electronic indicators in communication with the ball striking flap to indicate that a ball, although passing through the device, was shot with a less than ideal trajectory path. In a second embodiment, the device also comprises a user guideline, foot placement pads, means for increasing the visibility of the top annular surface and securing straps for securing the annular member to the standard rim of the basketball goal.

Abstract: A maple-seed simulating autorotating flyer. The flyer is provided with a spherical shock absorbing nose section and a wing section having a substantially straight leading edge, a curved tail, a spine conformed to said leading edge and tail and a curved trailing edge. The wing is constructed of a substantially planar sheet of a lightweight, semi-rigid fabric of uniform thickness. The weight of the nose, the length and width of the wing are configured so as to impart aerodynamic characteristics to the flyer such that when thrown upward, the flyer will autorotate during descent. The flyer is used in accordance with the method of the present invention, wherein the maple-seed simulating autorotator is thrown upward from a designated throwing area. A plurality of scoring targets, each having a designated point value, are randomly positioned around the throwing area. The thrower is awarded the number of points assigned to the scoring target that is hit by, or closest to, the autorotating flyer upon landing.

Abstract: A board game in which the object involves fishing for a prize, in which fish spring into the air when contacted and becomes attached to the "lure" on the fishing string and rod, and teaches a beginning fisherman how to cast and retrieve using an actual fishing rod and reel.

Abstract: An improved arm wrestling apparatus for competitively matching the physical strength of two or more players as between the players. The apparatus includes first and second arm rods for transferring the forces exerted by one or more players along to the other players. The first and second arm rods are rotatably connected to each other through first and second couplers and a connector bar to prevent the arm bars from rotating beyond a predetermined angle. A set of arm bars are fixedly connected to the ends of the first and second arm rods for accepting and exerting the forces exerted and accepted by the players. The arm wrestling machine also includes a locking assembly for halting and releasing the connector bar. The locking assembly includes a support for the locking pin, a spring for biasing the locking pin in one direction, a lever for transferring force to the locking pin, and a controller for exerting or removing forces on the lever. The arm wrestling apparatus also includes a game portion.

Abstract: A brace for training basketball players has a base for fitting over an arm of a user. Either the upperarm or forearm of one arm of a user is referred to the "base member," the remaining member being the "moving member," regardless of which member actually moves. A yoke extends away from the base, forming a cradle for receiving the moving member. The yoke restrains the moving member from closing against the base member at less than a certain angle. The yoke also urges the moving member and base member into a predetermined relative rotation with respect to one another. A band attaches the base to the base member. The band may be a flexible, non-extensible strap having fasteners at the ends for opening, closing and adjusting the strap. A hook-and-loop fastener permits adjustment of a single, wide strap along the length of the base. An adjustment member may be provided for adjusting the position of the yoke relative to the base.

Abstract: Two net support assemblies each comprise a sleeve and a telescoping member configured to slidingly fit within the sleeve. A net is configured to be stretched between the net support assemblies. The sleeves are each separably attachable to a plate such that the sleeves and the telescoping members extend substantially upwardly from the plate when the apparatus is assembled and ready for use. A floor stand assembly is separably attachable to the plate. A sand bag is separably attachable to the plate to provide stability to the apparatus.

Abstract: A broadhead type arrowhead having a plurality of blades mounted on a body in which the blades have a rear extension portion which extends rearwardly beyond the near end of the body so that the new extension portion is adjacent the arrow shaft when the broadhead is mounted on an arrow shaft.