Abstract: This invention provides sports ball having asymmetrical traction and/or asymmetrical surface structure. The asymmetrical traction is useful for differentially controlling ball spin and trajectory height as the ball is projected from a pitching machine. The asymmetrical surface structure is useful for differentially controlling the lateral component of the ball's trajectory. Optionally, the ball is a pitching machine ball. The method also provides a method of projecting the ball from a pitching machine.

Abstract: A wobbling toy is configured to spontaneously re-orient itself in an upright position solely under the force of gravity. The self-righting toy includes a weight that is confined to and movable along a pathway such that the weight defines a dynamic mass that is sufficient to cause the housing to spontaneously pivot along a convex outer surface profile in coordination with a position of the weight in the pathway. The self-righting toy is configured to maintain a positional relationship of the weight so that the housing is spontaneously pivotable along the convex surface without external force supplied by a user.

Abstract: A three-dimensional maze structure contains: at least one body and at least one ball. Each body includes a central shaft, multiple partitions, and multiple paths. Each path is defined between any two adjacent partitions, among each path and any two adjacent partitions is formed a trapezoidal oblique surface, and each partitions is distributed by multiple semi-trapezoidal stop pieces, the stop piece has two peripheral ribs horizontally extending outward from two sides of each path to prevent the ball rolling out respectively, and between two facing peripheral ribs of any two adjacent stop pieces is defined a window. Each path has multiple fences and plural passages arranged in an irregular manner. Each ball rolls in each path of each body and a point with the trapezoidal oblique surface, hence each ball rolls and is stopped by the stop piece and then moves through horizontal path of any two adjacent partitions.

Abstract: A golf system that includes a tee or other area for striking a golf ball; and a golf green having a concave surface with a ball receptacle located at the lowest point in the surface so that a ball landing and remaining on the green will roll into the ball receptacle. The green includes a resiliently compressible layer coinciding with the concave surface. The resiliently compressible surface may include at least one layer of corrugated plastic material and may be covered with an artificial turf surface. The golf system may be used to play a unique game, wherein a plurality of balls are rolled on the green and travel in a spiral manner into the ball receptacle. The golf green may be mounted on a portable frame.

Abstract: A golf system that includes a tee or other area for striking a golf ball; and a golf green having a concave surface with a ball receptacle located at the lowest point in the surface so that a ball landing and remaining on the green will roll into the ball receptacle. The green includes a resiliently compressible layer coinciding with the concave surface. The resiliently compressible surface may include at least one layer of corrugated plastic material and may be covered with an artificial turf surface. The golf system may be used to play a unique game, wherein a plurality of balls are rolled on the green and travel in a spiral manner into the ball receptacle. The golf green may be mounted on a portable frame.

Abstract: A balance plate intelligent game apparatus, structured to include a lower tier balance plate having a circular arc-shaped bottom portion and a transparent upper tier ball disk combined with a transparent top cover. A ball is disposed interior of the game apparatus so that when a young child treads on the balance plate with both feet and swings his body left and right, the ball is caused to roll into a helical groove of the upper tier ball disk from a helical groove of the lower tier balance plate, the ball then falls into a hole located center of the helical groove of the ball disk and drops into the helical groove of the lower tier balance plate, thereby enabling the ball to continuously roll between the upper and lower tiers.

Abstract: A dual path helical ramp consisting of a wire rail formed as a helix, a straight rail, a closed transparent cylindrical wall rail, and a ball. The helical rail extends between a first elevation where the ball enters or exits the ramp to a second, lower elevation where a ball exits or enters the ramp. The straight rail extends through the center of the helical rail for the length thereof. The cylindrical wall rail extends outside of the helical rail for the length thereof. The helical rail is joined at either end of the straight rail and the straight rail is joined at either end of the cylindrical wall rail, thereby forming two elevations. The helical rail is dimensioned such that the distance between it and straight rail and it and wall rail is less than the diameter of the ball.

Abstract: A magnet movement gaming device includes a base and at least one track extending upwards from the base. A traveling magnet is movably mounted on the track and a propulsion magnet which is generally freely movable about the traveling magnet is used to propel the traveling magnet along the track upon the propulsion magnet being moved generally adjacent the traveling magnet. The traveling magnet is moved along the track via magnetic force between the propulsion magnet and traveling magnet.

Abstract: A play unit for moving at least one rolling element (14), having a considerably horizontal, changeable-inclination play surface (11) on which a rolling element (14) is guided and moves in dependence on the inclination of the play surface (11), the play unit being designed as a play table, of which the play surface (11) is mounted on a base (B) via a bearing device (F).

Abstract: A serpentine ramp is rotatable about a horizontal axis between its center and its upper end to lift a pinball from a lower play surface to an upper play surface. A ball is directed from the lower surface into a ball receiving portion in the lower end of the ramp. This closes an optical switch causing the ramp to rotate between a receiving position and a discharge position. A ball disposed in the receiving portion rolls on the ramp to its upper end and then onto the upper surface. A second optical switch is closed by the return of the ramp to the receiving position which terminates the operation of the device.

Abstract: A combination drinking glass lid and game includes a base which operates to cover and seal a drinking glass. The base includes an opening there through for passage of a drinking straw. Supported upon the base is a game of skill or chance, such as a target game.

Abstract: A device for creating an illusion includes a helix and an object in an arrangement which gives the illusion that the object and helix move relative to one another as the helix is rotated. The helix can be flexible or of a stable configuration such that it can be free standing. Support for the device can include a base or a swivel arrangement for suspending the device. The device can be free to rotate in moving air and, in situations where there are lesser amounts of air flow, a fan can be attached to the helix. Where there is an absence of moving air an electric motor can be employed. Variations in the arrangement and size of the components of the device can create variations in the illusion of relative movement. The use of colors and materials which glow in the dark in situations where there is low light, along with variations in lighting, will also vary the illusion of relative movement.

Abstract: The present invention is a game apparatus capable of temporarily storing a plurality of spherical game pieces, and then consecutively and independently releasing each of these game pieces into any one of a plurality of compartments. Included is a spiral passageway and a tubular funnel through which each game piece travels before being randomly directed into one of the compartments. If desired one or more of the compartments could be obstructed to prevent the entrance of game pieces thereinto.

Abstract: A hand-held miniature snowman game, or toy comprises a transparent see-through cover, and a solid-colored base, containing three different diameter white balls within and having a ramp for the balls to roll up on while unit is held in an upright position, and a singular stake for the balls to fall in sequence to create a minature snowman large ball to go on stake first then medium ball to go on second and smallest ball to go on stake last. There are three different versions, the only difference is the amount of holes in each of the white balls, also is a round rule disk mounted at the lower part of the unit. A game or toy for 5 year old children and on up to all ages including adults.

Abstract: The invention provides a toy of skill usable as a test for evaluating the psychomotricity of an individual comprising an axis to which and around which is associated at least one curved element forming a track on its inner face extending substantially parallel to said axis, and at least one ball adapted to roll on said track by exerting a rotation of the toy around said axis maintained in a substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: A game apparatus including a manipulatable container with a sinuous track having a concave surface mounted within the container and extending along a three dimensional path between a starting point and a finishing point, the track including a longitudinal twist between the starting point and the finishing point. A ball rolls along the track as the game is manipulated by a user. The container may contain two compartments communicating with one another through an aperture.

Abstract: A croquet post includes a base having a movable target and an activating arm attached to the target. A post extends upwardly from the base. A movable collar is supported by the post and is engaged by pins extending from a rod within the post. The rod is actuated by the arm to release the collar and allow it to slide down the post thereby providing a visible indication when the target is struck. A bell is struck by the rod providing an audible indication when the target is struck.

Abstract: Entertainment apparatus providing a game and including a spring positioned normally vertically on a base, a plurality of travelling objects positioned slidably along the length of the spring between the top and bottom thereof and upon a player displacing the spring from its normally vertical position and releasing the spring, the spring vibrating and returning to its normal position and the vibrating spring causing the travelling objects to slide downwardly along the length of the spring from the top to the bottom thereof and the player first causing all of the travelling objects to reach the bottom of the spring being the winner of the game. The apparatus may further include a plurality of markers disposed on the base around the spring which markers define positions or directions toward which the players can displace the spring. Further, the entertainment apparatus may include mechanism for randomly selecting one of the plurality of markers toward which a player is to displace the spring.