Abstract: A rope or cable connection is made between first and second lengths of rope or cable by a clamp device including an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member which are hinged together. The upper jaw member defines an open ended engagement slot through which the lengths of cable or rope extend. The jaw members may be pivoted apart to an open position, or alternatively, pivoted together to a closed position. When in the closed position, the open end of the slot is bridged by the lower jaw member and the lengths of rope or cable are compressed within the slot. A latch means holds the upper and lower jaw members in their closed position while permitting quick attachment or disengagement of the clamp device without the need for tools. Slot inserts may also be provided with the clamp device which are dimensioned to be received within the slot. The slot inserts permit cable or rope lengths of different diameters to be clamped together.

Abstract: A tack system having at least two tack elements, each tack element including a body having upper and lower opposing faces, and a plurality of pins extending through the body and positioned in a predetermined pattern. Each pin includes a spike portion protruding from the lower face and a shank portion having a bore defining a hole for receiving a spike portion of another tack element. A first tack element may be mounted on a bulletin board or the like to attach a sheet of material thereto, and a second tack element attached to the first tack element in stacked relation to hold a sheet of material therebetween by inserting the spike portions of the second tack element into the bores of the first tack element. In order to secure the tack elements in stacked relation, the spike portions include serrations to grip the bores of associated tack elements.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a generally rectangular playing field defined within a pair of spaced, parallel baselines and a pair of spaced, parallel sidelines. A pair of support posts are positioned outside the playing field, each such post being positioned adjacent the midpoint of a respective one of the sidelines. A support line extends between the pair of support posts and is attached to the posts adjacent their upper ends. The support line bisects the playing field and extends generally aparallel to the baselines. A tether line is attached to the support line by means of a tether line ring. A playing ball is attached to the opposite end of the tether line, whereby the playing ball may be struck by one or more players on either side of the support line and caused to travel repeatedly over the support line.