Abstract: A hand-held device for joining fishing line segments of monofilament, fluorocarbon, and/or braid lines of similar or differing sizes or combinations. The device is electrically powered and is portable. The device includes an encasement for orienting the fishing line segments in a closed chamber in close, tensioned, non-contacting orientation. A material is injected into the closed chamber to encase the lines. This material can be adhesive material or a flowable polymer material having, typically, a melting temperature lower than the line segments to be bonded. Alternatively, A pre-formed, flexible polymer sheath (or sleeve) is used to retain the line segments in the chamber. A heater heats the polymer sheath (or sleeve) within the encasement to allow the polymer to flow and encase the line segments without melting the line segments. Bonding of the line segments can be achieved without melting, abrading, compressing, or impairing the integrity the line segment(s) to be encased.

Abstract: A ball hitting training device has a ball hitting implement such as a baseball bat or golf club, a shoulder harness or anchoring device for wearing on a player's leading shoulder when taking a swing with the hitting implement, and an elongate tether of flexible, non-extensible material having a first end secured to the shoulder harness and a second end secured to a location at or adjacent the ball striking end of the hitting implement. By maintaining the tether taut during a practice swing, the player can establish a so-called magic triangle between the hands, the ball hitting end of the hitting implement, and the leading shoulder, and can maintain this triangular relationship throughout the swing.

Abstract: A ball hitting training device has a ball hitting implement such as a baseball bat or golf club, a shoulder harness or anchoring device for wearing on a player's leading shoulder when taking a swing with the hitting implement, and an elongate tether of flexible, non-extensible material having a first end secured to the shoulder harness and a second end secured to a location at or adjacent the ball striking end of the hitting implement. By maintaining the tether taut during a practice swing, the player can establish a so-called magic triangle between the hands, the ball hitting end of the hitting implement, and the leading shoulder, and can maintain this triangular relationship throughout the swing.