Abstract: A novel journal guard for the journal portion of a wheel axle for use during transport, handling, and storage is provided which includes a resilient tubular housing member with an annular mouth and a resilient house base opposite the mouth. The base member has a thickness which decreases towards its center to accomodate thermal expansion of air trapped within the guard. The guard also includes means for securing the tubular housing about its annular mouth to an axle section mediate between the journal and wheel seat. The housing is preferably secured to this mediate section by means of a radial compression device disposed between two shoulders which extend about the outer perimeter of the housing mouth. The guard protects the journal section of the axle and any other structures outboard of the journal during transport, handling, and storage. The guard is easily secured to or removed from the axle and is reusable.

Abstract: An improved shock absorber and shock absorber assembly, particularly suited for table games, which cushions the impact of a player figure against the surface of a journal in which the player figure shaft is mounted. It includes a shock absorber body molded of relatively dense rubber and a low coefficient of friction-bearing element molded unitarily therewith. A bore through the member has a cement which grips the shaft and another segment whose inner surface is spaced radially from the shaft. The external shape of the member is frusto-conical with the smaller end facing the playing figure.