Abstract: A shooting aid for basketball players designed to keep the elbow of the shooting arm in towards the center line of the body during shooting. The shooting aid comprises a sleeve adapted to fit around the shooting arm of the basketball player; a clip adapted to be secured to clothing worn by the basketball player; and an elastic cord with two ends having one end attached to the sleeve and the other end attached to the clip, wherein the cord is of sufficient length to restrain the position of the player's shooting arm when the player shoots a basketball. In another embodiment, a belt adapted to be worn by the player can be used instead of the clip.

Abstract: Methods for handling a plurality of sample containers to be processed by an instrument are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a retaining device holds the sample containers and is indexed to align one of the sample containers to a position where communication with a sample input port of the instrument is established. A stripper moves a sample container into engagement with the sample port and, most preferably, also urges the sample container into sealing engagement with the sample port. An interference fit created between the stripper an the sample container provides a positive force that permits the sample container to be withdrawn and returned to its initial position. A lower arm assembly is disclosed which acts as a stop relative to the sample container and thus, as the stripper continues to move while the sample container is being withdrawn it overcomes the force of the interference fit and disengages the stripper.