Abstract: The invention relates to a tennis ball holder and storage apparatus incorporated with a garment to be worn by a tennis player. The garment is previded with a hook element and a loop element of a hook and loop connector. The hook element is attached to the garment along a pocket open end and the loop element is attached to a pocket flap which exteds over the pocket opening such that the hook and loop elements will be aligned and engaged. The hook element on the garment can further be engaged with the nap surface on a standard tennis ball to thereby attach the ball to the garment. A pouch having a loop portion of a hook and loop fastener attached along its upper edge and adjacent its opening is provided. The loop portion on the pouch can be engaged with the hook element on the garment to thereby provide the garment with an auxiliary pocket for holding tennis balls.

Abstract: A martial arts training focus box comprising a resilient strike board with pile fabric material affixed to the side edges and a perimeter portion of the front surface thereof. Four wedge-shaped strike guide elements having hook fabric material affixed to the base portions thereof removably attach in a variety of positions to the pile fabric material on the strike board to define a strike zone area. The martial arts trainee practices his/her kicking and punching technique by impacting the strike zone. If the technique is poor, one or more of the guide elements will likely be struck and detach from the strike board giving immediate visual indication of the incorrect technique.

Abstract: In order to help a golfer to develop "muscle memory" for consistently executing an ideal swing, there is provided a grid plate on which is defined a ball contact zone. Enabling the golfer to see the head of the club as it is swung through the contact zone is a battery-powered L.E.D. mounted on a Velcro-fitted wrap-around jacket. By installing the jacket on the club head and illuminating the L.E.D., instantaneous visual feedback is provided so that aberrations from the ideal path defined by the ball contact zone are detected, interpreted and can immediately be corrected in subsequent swings. Both the jacket and the grid plate possess special features helping to protect against the harmful results of forceful, inadvertent impact between the clubhead and the grid plate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a football having an end appendage which is a long, narrow flexible sheet material, e.g., cloth or flexible vinyl, which functions as a tail when the ball is thrown or kicked and which provides directional stability for the football while in flight. When the football is thrown in a normal manner, the tail extends backwards, providing a slight drag to cause the back tip of the ball to align itself with the front tip, thereby resulting in the straight and accurate flight of the ball. The appendage can be fixedly or removably attached to the football, and for this purpose, can be attached with attachment tabs formed of hook and loop materials, commonly known as VELCRO.

Abstract: A ball game apparatus including a ball-projecting gun, at least one ball, and a coat-type garment having a plurality of ball adhering portions to which the ball adheres to when projected by the gun. The coat type garment includes scoring indicia for each ball adhering portion which correspond in value to the extent of injury that would be caused by a projectile striking a corresponding portion of the body. Thus, a ball that adheres to a ball adhering portion located close to the heart of the player is scored a higher value than a ball that adheres to a ball adhering portion located on the arm of the player.

Abstract: A baseball practice device with a sleeve for a bat and a lightweight ball which can be caught on the sleeve. The sleeve has a catching surface covered with one component of a two-component hook and loop fastening system and the ball has an outer cover covered with the second component of the fastening system. The catching surface corresponds to a predetermined hitting zone so that when one swings a bat with the practice sleeve against a ball of the practice device, the ball will contact the catching surface and the accuracy of the swing will be immediately apparent.

Abstract: A game and sport apparatus is set forth which is played by two players for placing a ball on a target. Each player carries a frame which is belted to the player's waist. The frames are connected by an elastic cord from which a body covered with a hook and loop fabric is suspended by a flexible string. A target surface consisting of a hook and loop fabric is provided on each frame and to play the game, each player by various body movements causes the body to move about the elastic cord and attempts to catch the body on the target surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a modified throwing object, such as a modified football or frisbee, and a corresponding glove or wrist strap or finger-band worn by each player. Both the object and the gloves or wrist strap or finger-band are covered with coacting elements which are preferably a limited amount of the material comonly called velcro. This material attaches to itself by its well-known design of fabric hook pieces gripping onto fabric loop pieces. The invention is so designed that then the object is held in a typical throwing position, prior to being thrown, there is interaction between the velcro on the glove and the velcro on the object. Upon release of the object during a throw, the bond between the velcro on the object and that on the glove, wrist or finger of the thrower is separated with a slight difficulty, thereby casuing the object to spin as it leaves the thrower's hand.

Abstract: An adjustable golf swing training device is provided together with a method for its use to guide a golfer through a golf swing with proper hip turn and body rotation. The device comprises an adjustable belt to be affixed to the golfer which is movable with the gofler during a golf swing, a stake for affixing the training device to a ground mass, and a resilient cord. The resilient cord includes a first end which is affixed to the stake and a second end which is adjustably affixable to the belt at different locations circumferentially of the golfer's waist and adjacent a hip. The resilient cord is stretchable to create a bias on the belt which is sufficient to guide the golfer through a down swing with proper hip turn and body rotation.

Abstract: A golf club practice apparatus is provided for use with a conventional golf club. The practice apparatus includes a sail having opposed front and rear surfaces, and attachment means along the central axis of the sail for attaching the sail to the golf club adjacent the club head with the front surface of the sail squared away with the impact surface of the club head. The attachment means included gripping means for gripping the golf club when the sail is attached to the golf club to prevent the sail from twisting on the shaft from the squared away position. When the apparatus is attached to the golf club, it raises the wind resistance of the golf club relative to the amount of wind resistance exhibited by the club during swinging movements made without the sail being attached, and this increased resistant is obtained without creating any torque forces on the club.

Abstract: A pair of golf gloves for teaching a golfer to maintain his grip about a golf club during a golf swing. The pair of golf gloves comprises of a control-hand glove which fits about a golfer's control hand and a power-hand glove which fits about a golfer's power hand. The control-hand and power-hand gloves are designed with an audible emitter which audibly signals to the golfer when the golfer's hands initially begin to break or separate during the golf swing. The audible emitter consists only of a first cooperating VELCRO.RTM. section strategically attached to the control-hand glove and a second VELCRO.RTM. section strategically attached to the power-hand glove. The first VELCRO.RTM. section located about the palm side of the base area of the thumb of the control-hand glove, and the second VELCRO.RTM. section located about the palm side along the lower base area of the power-hand glove. The cooperating first and second VELCRO.RTM.

Abstract: A foam rubber (Ensolite.TM.) football produced through the standard injection mold process is covered with VELCRO Fleece material and with thin strips of VELCRO fleece material on each of the football's four seams (for ease of gripping and throwing) and used in conjunction with a cotton glove with an elastic wrist band and rubber coated ("dot coating") palm surface with thin strips of VELCRO hook material secured on the palm side of the thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger. The foam rubber football is covered through a process whereby the VELCRO fleece material is cut with a die into the pattern of a football and secured to the foam rubber football with rubber or silicone-based contact cement; the additional strips of VELCRO fleece material are placed on the football seams and secured with contact cement.

Abstract: A golf practice apparatus including a golf club including an elongated shaft, a head portion defining an object striking face, and a hosel portion joining the head portion to one end of the shaft portion; and an accessory for removable attachment to the golf club, the accessory including an elongated band having front and back surfaces, each having middle and first and second end portions; a face cover secured to the middle portion of the front surface between the first and second end portions, the face cover formed from a first material adapted to releasably engage a complementary second material; a first fastener secured to the first end portion of the back surface, the first fastener formed from a third material adapted to releasably engage a complementary fourth material; a second fastener secured to the second end portion of the front surface, the second fastener formed from a fifth material adapted to releasably engage a complementary sixth material and the third fastener secured to the second end porti

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable putting and chipping practice apparatus that includes a platform comprised of two portions connected by a hinge. A removable putting surface, preferably made of a carpet-type material, is secured to the top surface of the apparatus. A hole is placed through the surface near one end of the platform, and a backboard surrounds that end of the apparatus. A gutter, which is embedded along the top edges of the apparatus, collects golf balls and is sloped to cause the golf balls to reutrn to the golfer. Under the hole, an embedded tunnel leads golf balls entering the hole back towards the golfer striking the golf ball. The line or speed of the putts may be adjusted by placing small blocks under a side of the apparatus. The golfer may also practice putts of different speeds by replacing the surface material with a material of a finer or heavier cut.

Abstract: Articles for a game of selective hitting and catching includes a mitt consisting of a rigid rear disk, a flexible front catching layer, an intermediate layer of cushioning material between the rigid disk and flexible front catching layer, a ring extending circumferentially about a peripheral edge of the rigid rear disk, and an adjustable strap on a rear surface of disk adapted for attachment of the mitt upon a person's hand. A cover is removably attachable upon the mitt and provides a rigid front hitting surface, the cover having a rim sized for snap fit engagement upon the ring. The mitt retains a ball on contact of the ball with the catching surface by engagement of complementary hook-and-loop elements on the respective catching surface and the ball surface.

Abstract: A wrist positioner for a bowler comprised of hand, forearm and finger backup members. Fastening means secure the positioner to the back of the bowler's forearm and hand. The hand and backup members are rotatably connected by two aligned pivotal connections located at opposited sides of the wrist of the bowler. The position of a pin extending through the intersection of slots in the hand and backup members may be adjusted to set the angular orientation of the backup members, relative to each other within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A ball game set comprised of a racket, and a ball covered with a layer of fastening fabrics, the racket being comprised of a ring-shaped frame covered with a membrane at one side and a layer of fastening fabrics at an opposite side, the ring-shaped frame being to define with the membrane and the layer of fastening fabrics a sound chamber, wherein striking the membrane against the ball causes the ball to be bounded from the racket, and simultaneously causes the sound chamber to produce a sound; striking the layer of fastening fabrics against the ball causes the ball to be caught by the racket.

Abstract: A golf swing and grip aid that extends from between the rear flaps of a golf glove in the view of the golfer while addressing the golf ball, that advantageously uses the coacting hook and loop fastener patches of the glove to achieve its attached relation to cooperating loop and hook fastener patches provided on the body of the aid.

Abstract: A golf putting training device includes a laterally adjustable spacing member, a pair of pivotally adjustable forearm bracing members attached on opposing ends thereof, and an adjustable strap on one of the bracing members for securing the training device to the user's forearm. The training device is adjustable to the varying spacial and angular alignments of the user's forearms and can be adjusted to accommodate a plurality of different user's forearms for use during the putting stroke. The adjustable training device correctly positions the forearms in spaced relation, and effectively stabilizes them, thus preventing relative motion with respect to one another during the putting stroke.

Abstract: A golfer's aid having a body in the shape of a clip which can be attached to the belt, pocket or waistband of the user or to a golf bag or other article. A strip of hook and look fabric is attached to the straight outer surface of the body for attaching the user's glove. A blade is rotatably attached to the end of the body. One end of the blade is a divot repair tool and one end is a curved surface for checking the roundness of golf balls. One square tooth and one pointed tooth are provided on the arms of the divot repair tool for cleaning the grooves in the heads of golf clubs. Ball markers may be included with the accessory. The ball markers preferably are equipped with a spot of hook and loop fabric on one the side so that the ball marker can be carried on the hook and loop strip on the body. Alternately, a hole surrounded by a small magnet may be provided in the body above the strip for receiving the spike of a ball marker which is either made of metal or provided with a metal collar.

Abstract: A golfer's square includes a ball position pointer or the like. The ball position pointer includes an elongate substantially parallel-sided pivotable rule with a pivot end and a pointer distal to the pivot end, and the ball position pointer or the like is rightly attached to an elongate substantially parallel-sided right rule attachable to the pivotable rule, with hook and loop material such as VELCRO (Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.), to make the golfer's square. The golfer's square or the ball position pointer may be used separately in methods to assist the golfer align his stance properly. A protruding right angle edge may be provided on the right rule to faciliate orienting both rules prior to attaching same together.

Abstract: A toy including a flexible cover having a fish-like shape, a filler material contained within the flexible cover, and an engagement material attached within an indented area within the flexible cover. The flexible cover has an area at one end defining a mouth for the fish-like shape. The filler material is generally pliable. The filler material at least partially fills the flexible cover. The engagement material is suitable for contact engagement with another material exterior of the cover. The engagement material is threadedly fastened to the mouth area of the flexible cover. The engagement material is a loop material. The loop material is suitable for contact engagement with a hook material. A fishing lure apparatus is provided. The fishing lure apparatus is covered with a hook material. This hook material can engage the loop material of the mouth of the flexible cover.

Abstract: There is disclosed a game where the players wear vests with Velcro.RTM. surfaced targets and are provided with soft elastic balls surfaced with complimentary Velcro.RTM. fabric. The players throw the balls at each other and attempt to stick the balls to the target areas, which can be assigned numerical scores depending on location and exposure. The players can duck or and try to avoid being hit and the player with the highest score wins the game. The invention also includes an elastic, soft ball formed of foamed elastomer which has a single through passageway along a diameter thereof and is partially covered with a plurality of bands of Velcro.RTM. attachment fabric which extend along great circle arcs on the exterior surface of the ball and pass through the internal passageway of the ball, thereby securely attaching the Velcro.RTM. bands to the ball. This attachment of the bands can be augmented by adhesive bonding between the Velcro.RTM. bands and the exterior surface of the ball.

Abstract: A device to improve one's golf swing made of hook and loop engageable material. The hook material is fabricated into a club face cover preferably highlighting the sweet spot on the golf club. The design is fabricated from many separate pieces held together with double back adhesive tape filament holding the design together on one side and adhering to the wood or iron club face on the other side. The loop material is wrapped around a low mass soft sponge ball and is attached to a foot commonly known as a tee forming the target. When the club face cover hits the target, the nature of the hook and loop material causes the target to engage the club face's loops thus marking the spot the target engaged the club and showing the manner in which the target was hit as the target temporarily changes its shape.

Abstract: A golf training aid comprises a cuff for releasable attachment about the wrist of the golfer's leading arm and a sleeve for releasable attachment to the grip of a golf club. A hook Velcro patch is attached to the cuff and a pile Velcro patch is attached to the grip sleeve such that when the golfer grasps the club the Velcro on the cuff attaches to the Velcro on the grip. When executing a short stroke such as a putt, the wrist of the leading arm should stay close to the grip. If it does not, the Velcro patches separate creating an audible noise informing the golfer of the incorrect movement.

Abstract: A golf swing training device includes a flat substantially rectangular base with two forwardly directable edges along which are located club head alignment aids, spikes for securing the base to a practice surface, a substantially rectangular hitting surface with two forwardly directable edges spaced apart a distance less than that between the two forwardly directable edges of the base, hook and loop fabric material for adjustably attaching the hitting surface to the base, and optionally, either a ball position pointer pivotably associatable with the base, which includes an elongate substantially parallel-sided pivotable rule with a pivot end and a pointer distal to the pivot end, or a golfer's square, which includes the ball position pointer or the like, an elongate substantially parallel-sided right rule rightly attachable to the pivotable rule, and hook and loop fabric material for attaching the rules. The device, or a suitable portion thereof, can be used to provide golf swing instruction.

Abstract: Articles of play for use with the game of catch including a ball covered with VELCRO and a multi-layer catcher's mitt with a front layer also covered in mating VELCRO like material. The multi-layer mitt includes a rigid concave rear layer, a first intermediate flexible layer, a second intermediate flexible layer, and said front layer of VELCRO.

Abstract: Apparatus for a projectile-target game includes at least one projectile and at least one cap. The projectile is soft, lightweight and resilient and has an outer surface consisting essentially of a felt-like material suitable for releasably bonding with a hook-like material. The cap is configured and dimensioned to be releasably worn on and about the head of a player of the game, the cap when worn having an exposed outer surface defining at least one target area including at least one region of a hook-like material suitable for releasably bonding with the felt-like material of the projectile.

Abstract: A device to improve one's golf swing made of hook and loop engageable material. The hook material is fabricated into a club face cover preferably highlighting the sweet spot on the golf club. The design is fabricated from many separate pieces held together with double back adhesive tape filament holding the design together on one side and adhering to the wood or iron club face on the other side. The loop material is wrapped around a low mass soft sponge ball and is attached to a foot commonly known as a tee forming the target. When the club face cover hits the target, the nature of the hook and loop material causes the target to engage the club face's loops thus marking the spot the target engaged the club and showing the manner in which the target was hit as the target temporarily changes its shape.

Abstract: Articles of play including a racket having a handle portion and a board portion integrally formed together, the board portion including a plate, a flexible layer and a front layer coupled together, the front layer having all of its front surface defined by VELCRO materials, and a ball having all of its surface defined by VELCRO materials, and the ball can be hit by the plate of the racket and can be caught by the front layer of the racket.

Abstract: A fractal mathematics learning kit includes a plurality of boards each in the shape of an equilateral triangle having defined thereon a pattern of ten smaller equilateral triangles, and a plurality of manipulative elements made of one or more connected equilateral triangles which are attached to the equilateral triangles defined on the boards. A set of tokens thick enough to stand on an edge and comprising combinations of equilateral triangles to represent numbers is also included. Also included in the kit is a mat defining rows and columns of fractal representations of numbers by which various mathematical operations can be understood. A set of nesting pyramids of graduated sizes representing numbers of magnitudes generally corresponding to the sizes is also provided, as are pyramids of different sizes which can be stacked through the use of trays and transparent covers. The kit includes a work book and a user's manual.

Abstract: A collapsible fishing raft comprising pontoons and a seat which, when secured to the pontoons, maintains the spaced relationship between the pontoons.

Abstract: There is disclosed a golf instruction aid which is readily adjustable to permit the stiffening support of the leading arm to be released between strokes for the greater convenience and comfort of the golfer. The device is comprised of a flexible sleeve; a tensioning strip attached to and depending from the sleeve, the width of the strip being substantially the same as the length of the sleeve, the strip having a first side, a second side and an end remote from the sleeve; a first fastener disposed on the first side of the strip at the remote end; and a second fastener disposed at a point on the second side of the strip, whereby the strip may be wrapped around the sleeve and maintained in tension by securing the first fastener to the second fastener.

Abstract: A game of skill playable both indoors and outdoors includes two flat circular target boards, the upper surface of which are covered with a deep pile fabric. The game also includes toroidal-shaped throwing rings having a flexible cover and filled loosely with a quantity of small weights such as pebbles. Strips of fabric hook material having an abundance of tiny protruding hooks adapted to engage the pile of the target board covering material are attached to the upper and lower annular surfaces of each throwing ring. When a ring is cast upon a distant target board, the hooks protruding from the ring become entangled with strands of the fabric covering of the target board, adhering the ring to the board. Movement of the weights within the throwing ring produces an oscillation-damping action which minimizes any tendency of the ring to bounce off the target board after impact.

Abstract: A tabletop action game to be played by two, three or four players. In one version, each player wears a head mask which carries four locks of simulated hair which are each removably fastened to the head mask. In another version of the game, the locks of simulated hair are removably fastened to a replica of a head designated for each player on a game board. Each player has a marker which is moved along a path on a game board with the movement decided by the roll of a die. Instructions or indicia on the spaces forming the path tell the players to remove locks of simulated hair from the head masks or replicas thereof of other players or to transfer locks of simulated hair to the other players. The winning player either collects locks of simulated hair of all the different colors involved or looses all of the locks of simulated hair except the single lock of simulated gray hair.

Abstract: A method for playing a poker-type card game in which distributed cards by a dealer are sequentially bid by sequential players, wherein each bid is defined by a number of like cards held by each bidder or believed to be held by opposing players, whereupon each bid if successful awards a bidding player a predetermined amount of money from each opposing player, wherein such bid is challenged by an opposing player successfully, a bidding player must pay each opposing player an equal predetermined amount of currency.

Abstract: A golf practice apparatus which includes a centrally angled "V" or "U" shaped perimeter framework securing a centrally angled "V" or "U" shaped net wherein the framework extends forward of the target to maintain the angled netting in a secured arrangement in use, thereby creating a receding "V" or "U" shaped backstop. The target is attached to elastic straps which encircle the upper and lower target supports, and supports cross forward of the center framework support. The target is adjustable vertically up or down. A mat is provided which is adjustable horizontally either closer to or away from the target and angled "V" or "U" shaped perimeter framework. The mat is adjustable by supporting it with a board and shims.

Abstract: An aid for gripping implements or objects, particularly in athletic and sporting endeavors. A fabric member impregnated with non-slip material is attached in layered fashion to a terry-cloth towel which is so arranged to enclose and protect the impregnated layer when the layered structure is held in a folded position by detachable members. Portability of the gripping aid is made possible by means of a suitable hanger.

Abstract: A ball retrieval concept or idea using hook and mesh components in engaging relationship to one another. Application of the two components in any fashion to retrieve a tennis ball. One being a racket with a section of hook material attached at the butt of the handle. Secondly, fitting a covering of intermeshing material around a tennis ball. When the butt of the racket is put in contact with tennis ball having the mesh covering, the ball will fasten temporarily to the racket. This eliminates the problem of having to constantly stoop to pick up the ball.

Abstract: A game set for ceiling play composed of a shaped lighter-then-air master balloon tethered to a line to be held by the player, and a group of shaped lighter-then-air, free-floating slave balloons which when released rise to the ceiling of a play room. The respective balloon shapes and their number are appropriate to the game. Thus in a fishing game, the shapes of the slave balloons are those of different species of fish, and that of the master balloon is of a standard float at the end of a fishing line. Attached to the surface of the master balloon is a patch forming one element of a velcro fastener, and attached to the surface of each slave balloon is a patch forming the complementary element. In ceiling play, the player seeks by manipulating the tethered master balloon to position it so that the patch thereon engages the complementary patch on a selected slave balloon on the ceiling, at which point the caught slave balloon can be brought down from the ceiling.

Abstract: A golf ball position marker detachably secured to a supporting strip attached to a golfer's belt or golf bag. A pouch having a pair of tabs may be supported on the supporting strip, either by looping the tabs thereon or by attaching the tabs directly onto the supporting strip. Interpenetrating fibers are provided on coacting faces of the marker, supporting strip, and tabs, so that the marker and tabs may be detachably fastened to the supporting strip.

Abstract: A device for improving and training a right golf grip comprises a pair of gloves, wherein at least the back side of the thumb part and the back side of the index and middle finger parts together with their intermediate part of one glove, and at least a portion of the palm side of the little finger part and at least an area of the palm part of the other glove are provided with fastener means, preferably loop and hook tape, respectively. These fastener means cooperate with each other for interlocking the gloves in the right golf grip. In this device substantially the full palm side of the little finger part of the other glove is provided with fastener means and said area with fastener means of the palm part of this other glove extends with a large width substantially diagonally along said palm part from the insert side of the glove opposite of the little finger part.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is provided with a training head that, when the club is swung, strikes a movable, upright target composed of a yieldable, light-weight material. The target presents a relatively broad, laterally facing target surface and, when struck, becomes attached to the head and is carried thereby through the remainder of the swing. The addition of the target to the head provides increased resistance to train the player to increase club head speed at impact and beyond. The training head provides visual feedback at the finish so that the player will know whether a proper swing was executed.

Abstract: A golf tee retrieval system for retrieving a golf tee lying atop the ground utilizing a golf club. The system includes a golf tee having one member of two part releasably engagable hook and loop system connected atop the golf ball receiving and supporting surface of the golf tee. The other portion of the hook and loop system is connectable onto the upper end of a golf club. Thus, the hook and loop members so opposingly connected, cooperate to allow the user to simply touch the golf tee head with any portion of the upper end of the golf club to quickly retrieve the golf tee after use.

Abstract: A wrist band is provided for each of the user's wrists, such wrist bands being removably attachable to the wrists by wrapping therearound and securing in place by a fastening device such as a Velcro fastener. Each band has a looped thong extended therefrom in the direction of the user's fingers, the user's middle finger fitting through the thong such that palmar flexion of the hand is restricted. The wrist bands are joined together by a strap which is attached to the bands in the region of the user's thumbs. The user's wrists are thus joined together so that in preparing for and in making a tennis stroke, the arms move together so as to facilitate the training of a player to turn the shoulders and twist the body. A single one of the wrist bands can also be used on the hand used for making the toss in serving to train the player to toss the ball straight up or on the racquet holding hand to train the player to avoid palmar flexion while driving the ball.

Abstract: Articles of play for use with the game of catch including a ball covered with VELCRO material and a multi-layer catcher's mitt with a front layer also covered in mating VELCRO material. The multi-layer mitt includes a rigid concave rear layer, a first intermediate flexible layer, a second intermediate flexible layer, and said front layer of VELCRO material.

Abstract: An apparatus which is attached to a tennis racket at one or more locations and which is configured to securely grasp and pick up a tennis ball, thereby permitting the user to use the tennis racket to pick up the tennis ball and eliminate the requirement for the user to bend down on numerous occasions. The apparatus has two key elements. The first is a removable ball gripping member which is configured in an arcuate shape conformed to the shape of the ball which is being retrieved such as a tennis ball and which further includes gripping means to grasp the surface of the ball. Second, the removable ball gripping member includes removable fastening means by which the removable ball gripping member can be attached to any desired location on the retrieving object such as a tennis racket and the tennis racket includes mating gripping apparatus at selected locations to hold the removable ball gripping apparatus.

Abstract: An improved portable target assembly for toss type games comprising a cup shaped target member centrally located on one side of a flexible mat, the flexible mat having a centrally located portion with a plurality of peripheral edge portions around said center portion and extending outwardly therefrom, the edge portions being foldable and having end portions which are cooperatively engageable in a variety of ways to form alternative configurations of upstanding side walls for containing playing pieces tossed thereat so as to enable changing the degree of difficulty and skill level required to play the game, the cup shaped target member being detachable from the flexible mat and the mat being rollable into a cylindrical shape for convenient handling and storage.

Abstract: An engine-spiraled, stabilized toy football including a skeleton made up of a plurality of spaced ribs collectively configured as a truncated football. An external skin of strong, thin plastic covers the skeleton. A generally conical zone at each end of the football is not covered by the skin. The circular opening thus formed at one end accommodates an air intake pod. An engine mounting tube is disposed centrally on the interior of the football and is secured to the skeleton of the ball and opens out of the opposite end of the ball from the air intake pod. An engine is secured in the engine mounting tube and drives a propeller housed within a gyroscopic propeller ring. The propeller and gyroscopic ring turn freely within the skeleton and skin, and function to pull air through the air intake pod and force the air out the open end of the engine mounting tube at the opposite end of the ball. A system is provided within the ball for starting and fueling the engine.