Abstract: A stopper for stoppering a bottle having a bottleneck and containing a beverage pressurized by carbon dioxide. The stopper includes a hollow body, preferably made of plastic, having a top opening which is able to be closed by a cover, the hollow body having a shank. A compressed elastic, for example, a spring, is being positioned in the hollow body. A charge carrier is arranged on an end of the compressed elastic and is directed toward the opening of the hollow body. The charge carrier is locked into position on the end of the elastic and is retained in a compressed state for as long as the shank of the hollow body is in the bottleneck of the bottle and is hindered by the bottleneck from giving way outwardly.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided to shoot both arrows and slugs. A crossbow has a longitudinal groove for guiding a feather of an arrow being shot by the crossbow. An attachment may be added to the crossbow to enable the crossbow to shoot slugs. When the attachment is used two longitudinal grooves cooperate to form a bore to guide the slugs.

Abstract: A disk launcher includes a generally cylindrical housing having a handle depending downwardly therefrom. The housing further defines an interior cavity within which a launching shuttle is pivotally movable under the urging of an internal power spring. An opening in the housing is provided through which a disk may be inserted. A trigger mechanism permits the swept launching member to be locked in a launching position in which the inserted disk is positioned for launch. As the trigger mechanism is released, the launcher sweeps through a pivotal motion and hurls the disk outwardly through an exit slot in the housing. A magazine apparatus is provided which provides for the serially launching of a succession of disk objects.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device and method for better enabling outdoors-people to see more wild animals up more closely by helping to cover up or mask their human scent at a greater distance. In the method of the present invention the outdoorsman arrives at his or her desired location and then proceeds to launch scent missiles (loaded with desired scent) in different directions, using the launcher. Typically four such scent missiles will be launched in directions approximately ninety degrees from each other. This surrounds the outdoorsman with natural woodsy odors thereby covering up or masking his/her own human odors.

Abstract: A hold down device for a crossbow arrow or bolt uses a magnet supported and adjustably positionable in the tray beneath the ferro magnetic arrow head to hold the arrow against the arrow rest.

Abstract: A combination of a shooting bow and a guide assembly is provided for use with a projectile. The bow includes an elongated frame. The guide assembly is connected to the frame and includes a guide member for slidably supporting and guiding the projectile. The guide member includes a top portion and extends longitudinally in a shooting direction of the bow's bowstring. The guide assembly also includes a control member which also extends longitudinally in the shooting direction of the bow's bowstring. The control member controls upwardly movements of the projectile during its sliding movements on the top portion of the guide member. The control member leaves a substantial portion of the top portion of the guide member open.

Abstract: In a crossbow of the type wherein a bolt is supported solely at its front and rear ends, a spring-loaded bolt stabilizer is provided which cooperates with the front bolt rest to maintain a bolt in position. The stabilizer may be pivotally mounted on the crossbow and biased toward a bolt-engaging position by a coil spring, and a finger tab may be provided to permit the stabilizer to be pivoted upwardly to facilitate placing a bolt on the bolt rest.

Abstract: A ball projecting machine comprises a ball striker in the form of a bar secured to a shaft rotatably mounted by bearings in a part of a machine frame. The striker carries a pin on the same side of the shaft as the end of the striker which strikes the balls. A tension spring is connected between a fixed part of the machine frame and the pin to bias the striker. The striker shaft is arranged to be rotated by a manually operated lever so that during a cycle of rotation of the striker in the striking direction, the tension spring is stressed during a first part of the cycle and during a second part of the cycle urges the striker to rotate in the striking direction. The lever is connected to the shaft through a first one-way clutch including a coil spring and drums fixed respectively to the lever and to the shaft. The shaft is connected to the machine frame part through a further one-way clutch including a coil spring and drums fixed respectively to the frame part and to the shaft.

Abstract: A volleyball setting machine includes a leaf spring powered propulsion assembly mounted on a portable main frame. Several volleyballs are carried in a ball holding rack and are delivered one at a time to be positioned by a ball positioning track up against a discharge chute. The leaf spring is depressed vertically and released to impact on the ball in the chute, and the chute guides it into a desired trajectory.

Abstract: An elongated guide member is positioned on a bow and extends longitudinally in a direction of shooting motion of the bow's bowstring. The guide member includes elongated parallel portions for guiding both short projectiles and arrows. A short projectile is provided which slidably engages the parallel portions. The guide member also includes projections which engage recesses in the support. The guide member also includes a resilient element to allow passage of oversized or deformed projectiles. A projectile includes a groove or slot extending longitudinally along the body portion of the projectile. Another projectile has elongated ridges positioned at the base of its wings. Another embodiment of the guide employs rod-like parallel portions.

Abstract: A toy vehicle carrying case and launcher having a clip for carrying on the belt of the user. The clip retracts as the case is placed on a surface for launching. The vehicle and launcher are completely enclosed in the carrying mode. A ready button releases a vehicle carrier to swing out into a launching mode. A firing button launches the vehicle and is operative only when the carrier is in its ready position.

Abstract: An apparatus for launching toy vehicles utilizes a hexagonal magazine, rotatably mounted on a frame, having a plurality of pairs of open-ended chambers therein. The magazine is rotated to align a pair of chambers having toy vehicles therein with, respectively, a first and a second ram disposed on the frame, positioned, by an arm, against the urging of springs, back from the openings of the chambers, and locked in place. The rams are selectively, independently releasable, upon forward motion of the arm, which simultaneously engenders a revving sound, to enter corresponding chambers and launch toy vehicles therefrom.

Abstract: A machine for propelling a ball comprising an elongated barrel having an axially compressible coil spring therein that is controlled by an axially reciprocable screw disposed coaxially with and internally of said spring. A nut is threadably engaged on the screw whereby said screw is axially advanced and retracted. A coupling on the end of the screw first engages then releases said spring.

Abstract: A spring-actuated plunger in an elongated tube imparts a directional force to a spongy projectile. A gravity release pin for cocking the plunger permits rapid firing. A loading magazine with a releasable spring-loaded ball permits either gravity or manual loading. Dye-impregnated projectiles stun rather than injure would-be attackers and leave an imprint not visible to the naked eye.

Abstract: A target structure comprising of at least one target and means coupled to the target for exploding the target when the target is hit by an object. In a particular embodiment, the target is a horizontal panel and projector means is located beneath the panel and projects the panel away from the target structure when the panel is struck by an object. The projector means is spring-loaded and is triggered by the force of the object striking the panel.

Abstract: These amusement devices enable users to experience the sensations of zero gravity or weightlessness in free flight, with the sensations heightened because the users experience gravity forces in excess of one while being accelerated into and retrieved from free flight. The apparatus comprises coordinated, cooperating acceleration and retrieval means. The flight may be essentially vertical or have a parabolic trajectory. Use of the apparatus is not dependent on the physical condition and ability of users.

Abstract: A ball projecting apparatus is described, including a spring biased plunger for striking a hollow ball positioned within a guide tube to project the ball out of such tube. The ball projecting apparatus is useful as a baseball hitting trainer. An adjustment device is provided for changing the position where the plunger inpacts that ball to enable the path of the ball to curve to the left or right to simulate baseball pitching. Also the top half of the guide tube is removed to reduce its resistance to lateral spin of the ball across its direction of travel. In one embodiment, the plunger impact position is adjusted by changing the angle of the plunger shaft relative to the ball guide tube axis. In another embodiment, this adjustment is achieved by supporting the plunger shaft substantially parallel to the guide tube axis but spaced therefrom and rotating such plunger shaft about such axis into different rotational positions relative to the center of the ball.

Abstract: A machine for throwing a ball with a cylindrical aperture. The machine comprises an arrangement for mounting a rod which carries the ball and which is rotatably mounted to fall from an initial vertical position to a selected angular position after a preselected period. At the selected angular position, a spring drive projects the ball through the air. In a preferred embodiment the ball, which may be of any type, is projected with a spiral motion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a marble shooter device which features: a frame having two elongated sides attached together at one of their ends in a spaced-apart relationship by a front end frame piece and attached together at their outer ends in spaced-apart relationship by a rear end frame piece; a barrel mounted to the end frame pieces and between and substantially parallel to the elongated sides, the barrel having a loading port on its upper side for loading the barrel with a marble and a barrel trigger notch in the top of the barrel and rearward of the loading port, and a pair of slots on opposite sides of the slot and rearward of the barrel trigger notch; a striker which is fittable within the barrel which has at least one striker trigger notch on its upper side; a power source attached to the frame and the striker to propel the striker towards the front end of the barrel; a trigger attached to the frame, the trigger extending into the trigger notch to contact and hold the striker in a rearward position by

Abstract: An improved pitching mechanism and ball construction for miniature baseball games of the table-top variety. A pitching arm protrudes through an opening in the playing surface at the pitcher's mound from below. A horizontal pin at the upper end of the pitching arm extends toward home plate and is formed for slidable mating engagement within a conforming bore in the ball which is constructed of a lightweight material such as balsa wood. The pitching arm is pivotally rotatable in a vertical arc to provide a range of angular ball release positions combining various amounts of elevation above the playing surface and horizontal distance from an imaginary line between the pitcher's mound and home plate. The pitching arm is retractable away from home plate against the action of a spring such that increasing amounts of retraction provide greater speed of the ball upon release.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for a game including a playing board having means for pivotally mounting a plurality of projectile shooting cannons. The playing board includes first and second orthogonal grid indicia arrays so that the location of a movable target may be designated by indicating specific first and second grid indicia, of the first and second orthogonal arrays, respectively. Also included is a plotting chart which comprises a scale reproduction of the playing board, including grid indicia arrays which are scaled duplicates of the grid indicia arrays of the playing board. A direction and range finder is provided for use with the plotting chart so that the direction and range of the movable target on the playing board may be determined by marking the location of the target on the plotting chart with a plotting pin and then rotating the direction range finder until it engages the plotting pin.

Abstract: There is disclosed in the present application a spear fishing gun assembly adapted to project toward a target either a captive spear or a free spear depending upon the circumstances. The captive spear is projected a distance of up to approximately nine feet from the user and remains coupled to the gun or firing device. The free spear is projected free of the gun although it may for convenience remain connected to the gun by a flexible strand or cord. The propelling force applied to the spears is obtained from a tensioned spring wrapped around the barrel of the assembly.

Abstract: An upstanding face member, having decorative indicia thereon in the form of a pirate ship, is provided with an aperture. A pair of projectile firing devices are positioned behind the face member, with the barrels from the firing devices extending through the face member to simulate guns. A plurality of pirate-simulating targets are rotatably mounted for movement from an upright position extending above the face member to a collapsed position. Such movement of the targets occurs when the targets are struck by projectiles fired from an opponent's firing device. A container is mounted behind the aperture and is movable between a closed object-containing position and an open position where objects are released through the aperture. A controlling member coacts with the targets and the container to retain the container in its closed position so long as at least one of the targets remains in its upright position.