Abstract: A stand for a vertical pole support for a tether ball type game includes a base which can contain ballast and a lid, through which the pole passes and a formation on its floor for receiving the end of the pole. The lid and base are attached by a two stage attachment arrangement. The first stage includes inter-engageable tongue and groove formations which are capable of attachment and detachment by application of finger pressure, and the second stage includes locking devices at points around the periphery of the base container for a positive lock of the lid to the base, so that the first stage cannot be broken other than by the use of excessive force having regard to the conventional use of the stand.

Abstract: A training device intended for use with a ball or object, which is to be retained after striking or throwing, is disclosed. The device employs a retaining pouch which is capable of easily receiving a ball without modification or damage to the ball, yet securely retain same within the pouch and provide sufficient strength to prevent the ball from escaping the pouch during maximal acceleration. The pouch has a plurality of apertures which allow weaving of the tether therethrough and when drawn tight, prevent escape of the ball through the, now closed, end of the pouch. The ball can be easily exchanged by simply releasing the tether and opening the pouch.

Abstract: A legged mobile robot possesses degrees of freedom which are provided at roll, pitch, and yaw axes at a trunk. By using these degrees of freedom which are provided at the trunk, the robot can smoothly get up from any fallen-down posture. In addition, by reducing the required torque and load on movable portions other than the trunk, and by spreading/averaging out the load between each of the movable portions, concentration of a load on a particular member is prevented from occurring. As a result, the robot is operated more reliably, and energy is used with greater efficiency during a getting-up operation. Therefore, it is possible for the robot to independently, reliably, and smoothly get up from various fallen-down postures such as a lying-on-the-face posture, a lying-on-the-back posture, and a lying sideways posture.

Abstract: A kick-strengthening practice soccer ball is given a little extra weight but preferably softened also for enhance shock absorption when kicked. The practice ball has an inflatable bladder, a carcass of tough durable material, and an intermediary sheath of substantially non-stretchable, flexible material for restraining expansion of the bladder when inflated to pressure. Thus the sheath thereby reduces the outward pressure on the carcass while also increasing the dimensional stability of the ball. A shock-absorbing weighting material interposed between either the bladder and sheath or sheath and carcass. The weighting material accounts for between about 4% and 40% of the total weight of the practice ball when inflated to pressure. If a nominal average weight for a standard matchball is taken to be between 14 to 16 ounces, the weighting material adds an additional increment from anywhere between about 1 and 10 ounces.

Abstract: A ball game practice apparatus comprising a ball, a practice apparatus main body that hangs the ball and at the same time regulates the ball flying range, the practice apparatus main body possessing a frame that can hang the ball at a specified position via an elastic means and a column for supporting this frame, wherein the elastic means comprising a frame connection extended along the frame and mounted to the frame and a ball connection that hangs the ball, characterized by the frame connection of the elastic means mounted to the frame which is turned back by at least a pair of turn-back portions with a rotatable turn-back mechanism.

Abstract: A stand for a vertical pole support for a tether ball type game includes a base which can contain ballast and a lid, through which the pole passes and a formation on its floor for receiving the end of the pole. The lid and base are attached by a two stage attachment arrangement. The first stage includes inter-engageable tongue and groove formations which are capable of attachment and detachment by application of finger pressure, and the second stage includes locking devices at points around the periphery of the base container for a positive lock of the lid to the base, so that the first stage cannot be broken other than by the use of excessive force having regard to the conventional use of the stand.

Abstract: A batting practice device comprising a resiliently flexible and elongate retaining rod, a target member coupled to a distal end of the elongate retaining rod, and a clamping structure for clamping a proximal end of the elongate retaining rod to an environmental structure, such as chain link fence. The target member may be coupled directly to the distal end of the elongate retaining rod as by having the elongate retaining rod pass through a bore hole in the target member. A fixed or selectively removable ball stop may retain the target member on the elongate retaining rod. The clamping structure may incorporate a first clamping block and a second clamping block and a threaded clamping nut that selectively presses the blocks together. The first and second clamping blocks can have first and second elongate clamping furrows for engaging adjacent strands on a chain link fence.

Abstract: A device for practicing striking a standard sports ball that also has means to be held, particularly by magnetic or magnet-attractable materials located beneath the ballcover and not exposed to the atmosphere. The ball is usually retained on a minor portion of the upper 75 percent (relative to vertical) of the outer surface of the suspended ball so that its propelled trajectory and the striker's path are essentially not hindered before, during and after the strike and release against gravity and released upon sufficient impact. A ball contains means for both retaining and releasing itself from a mating pivotable, attachment arm that is generally downwardly supported to allow the ball to be suspended above the ground, be struck, released and propelled in a preferred downward trajectory, e.g. a volleyball spike.

Abstract: A ball kicking apparatus for (1) practicing kicking a soccer-type ball; (2) training to be a goal keeper to receive a ball; and (3) obtaining aerobic exercise, where a frame has two upstanding members for supporting a soccer-type ball by a first cord to be kicked and a second cord for controlling the path of the kicked ball. A netted bag for holding the soccer-type ball can be used and arms can connect the frame to a wall for positioning and storing on the wall.

Abstract: A portable dual batter trainer device that includes a collapsible support stand; a trainer top plate assembly secured to the collapsible support stand; and two tethered batting balls suspended from the trainer top plate assembly. In a preferred embodiment the portable dual batter trainer device also includes a removable fabric safety divider securable to the collapsible support stand between the two tethered batting balls.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for practicing batting that includes a frame, a net, and a ball. Each lower terminal end of the frame has a ball-engaging eye bolt. A pair of net-engaging uprights of the frame have a pair of tubes that are formed as one-piece therewith for ease of manufacture by eliminating a need for welding. Button fasteners replaceably maintain the members of the frame together for ease of fabrication and collapsing by eliminating a need for nuts and bolts. A second upper member of the frame has a plurality of ball-engaging blind bores. A lowermost terminal edge of the net drapes so as to prevent any balls from rolling thereunder while providing a dampening effect for the ball when hit thereagainst and is free as a result of the frame being void of a lower cross member for eliminating rebound of a ball that hits low on the net.

Abstract: A horizontal arm is cantilevered from a lock position location so that a ball is suspended by a line from the free end of the arm. The line extends through the arm and exits at the lock position location so that the height of the ball can be adjusted by controlling an appropriate length of line. The arm is designed to allow the ball to drop free when its momentum is spent without the line becoming wrapped around the arm. The lock position location includes a position locator that extends from the arm and has a polygonal cross-section. The position locator is received by a complementary lock position receptor in the form of a recess with a polygonal cross-section that complements the cross-section of the lock projection. The attachment permits the ready dismantlement of the arm for storage or transport to another location, while simultaneously providing against inadvertent rotation of the arm during ball handling or ball hitting practice. It also permits easy adaptation to different sports--e.g.

Abstract: A batting practice device for use by a person acting as a pitcher and another person acting as a batter. A pole has a first end placed on the ground and a second end held substantially vertically. The pole is longer than the height of the pitcher, but is not permanently mounted in the ground. The pitcher prevents substantial movement of the first end of the pole by placing a foot in an anchoring loop provided at the first end of the pole. A line is operatively attached, via a freely rotating mount, to the second end of the pole. The line has a swivel connection to prevent twisting of the line. The line is operatively connected to a ball via a ball harness. The ball harness has two straps sewn together, with the ends of the respective straps having loops for receiving one end of the line. Various sizes of conventional balls can be easily inserted and removed from the ball harness.

Abstract: A sport training and exercise system (20) is provided. System (20) has a pair of base members (24), a pair of upright members (26) coupled to the pair of base members (24), and a transverse member (28) coupled to the pair of upright members (26). System (20) may have a tether-attachment device (46) coupled to one of the pair of upright members (26) at a tether-attachment-device location (52), and a tether (38) tethering a singly-tethered ball (22) to the tether-attachment device (46). Alternatively, system (20) may have a pair of tether-attachment devices (46) coupled to the pair of upright members (26) at a pair of tether-attachment-device locations (52), and a pair of tethers (38) tethering a doubly-tethered ball (80) to the pair of tether-attachment devices (46). System (20) is also configurable as a soccer goal (90) or a football goal (110).

Abstract: A tethered-ball training device used for repetitive training exercises in a variety of sports. The tethered-ball trainer has a ball support means, a retraction means, and a ball. The retraction means is mounted on the support and the tether connects the retraction means to the ball. The retraction means, or tether-rewinding device, allows the tether to feed-out when a force is applied to the ball and provides for a controlled retraction when the force is removed. In alternate embodiments, the retraction means is a spring-wound cord reel and either one or more may be used. Various embodiments include one or multiple-tether devices, a sensor for determining the boundaries of ball travel and speed, completely collapsible support means, and length adjustment means for the support means.

Abstract: A batting practice apparatus having a lower support base with a vertically disposed upright support assembly with at least one horizontally disposed extension arm located over a conventional home plate. A tethered suspended ball simulating a baseball in appearance is located near the end of the arm over a lower home plate. The ball may be suspended from different arm positions correlated to the different home plate positions for different simulated thrown balls after they have passed over different parts of a lower home plate within the "strike zone". Added features include a counter for counting the number of ball rotations for struck balls around its their section arm extensions and height adjustments for the extension arms relative to the upright support. A motor may impart motion to the suspended baseball to simulate a thrown ball in flight as the batter attempts to strike it.

Abstract: A practice area for children to sharpen their soccer skills, preferably taking place in an indoor arena or recreation room. A soccer goalkeeper is positioned in an aesthetically pleasing and inviting environment which will entice children to participate. For example, a castle can be erected having an entranceway to the castle which is actually a practice soccer goal. The goal may be varied in shape and size with varied net structures. A goalkeeper is positionable in front of a goal of the castle in an infinite number of positions. The arms, legs and torso of the simulated goalkeeper, in the form of a mannequin or a remotely controlled robot, can be varied in position so as to present various defensive postures. Once positioned, the soccer goalkeeper will maintain this position until manually repositioned or electrically manipulated to occupy a different position.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a means of physical training in the area of developing explosive leg power and improving hand to eye coordination. The invention is comprised of a tethered ball or other object which is attached to a tether, the tether being mounted to a supportive structure. The object can, in some variations, be adjusted according to various heights or distance away from the supportive structure. The user typically jumps up and interacts with the object (ball) to perform a variety of skill functions such as basketball "tip-ins" or "rebounds". The tether limits the displacement of the object from the supportive member, which in the case of basketball would likely be a basketball goal. Many times the tether includes an elastic component that stores energy when the object is displaced by the user.

Abstract: A device for practicing striking a standard sports ball that also has means to be held against gravity and released upon sufficient impact. A ball contains means for both retaining and releasing itself from a mating pivotable, attachment arm that is generally downwardly supported to allow the ball to be suspended above the ground, be struck, released and propelled in a preferred downward trajectory, e.g. a volleyball spike. The ball is usually retained on a minor portion of the upper 75 percent (relative to vertical) of the outer surface of the suspended ball so that its propelled trajectory and the striker's path are essentially not hindered before, during and after the strike and release.

Abstract: A number of swing training assemblies are disclosed. One of the assemblies is for use in a gymnasium and includes a main support member or rope which extends between the two basketball rims and is detachably interconnected therewith. A plurality of ball suspension members or ropes are spaced along the main support member or rope and extend downwardly therefrom. A ball is detachably connected to each of the ball suspension members.

Abstract: An athletic training apparatus includes a support frame with a plurality of detachable frame segments. The support frame is supported by removable anchor pins affixing side members of the support frame to set the position of the side members on a surface and supported by taut lines connected to an upper portion of the side members and connected to anchors. The athletic training apparatus is easy to assemble and transport has a sturdy frame that connects quickly and securely. The apparatus includes a suspended ball, such as a regulation soccer ball, which is easily adjusted in height to support desired training techniques. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a support frame having a plurality of detachable firm frame segments including a first side segment, a second side segment, and a top segment. The apparatus also includes a first anchor pin affixing the position of the first side segment on a surface and a second anchor pin affixing the position of the second side segment on the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for practicing sliding into a baseball base (502) includes a first baseball (22) connected by a first tether (24) to a support structure (30). The length (L) of first tether (24) is adjusted so that first baseball (22) is suspended between approximately one and six inches above the ground (500). First baseball (22) is swung in pendulum fashion, and a sliding player attempts to touch a baseball base (502) without being hit by the swinging first baseball (22). In another embodiment, a second swinging baseball (42) is added.

Abstract: A volleyball practice device and method that enables a player to practice spiking a volleyball. The device includes a tether with an attachment device at one end that enables the tether be attached to a regulation play volleyball. The tether is suspended from a support bracket that can be attached to a basketball hoop. The tether is used to hoist the volleyball to a height that is appropriate to practice spiking. The tether is then placed in a quick release mechanism, wherein the weight of the suspended volleyball keeps the tether taut in between the volleyball and the quick release mechanism. As the volleyball is spiked, the tether detaches from the quick release mechanism. The volleyball therefore travels in the direction that it was spiked without being significantly hampered by the attached tether. The tail end of the tether is anchored. After the volleyball travels a predetermined distance, the tether pulls taut and the volleyball is stopped.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for use in enhancing explosive leg power. Included is a supporting device for supporting an object which is selected to maximally motivate the individual seeking explosive leg power. Included is a device for allowing the individual to displace the object and for retracting the object upon release of the object.

Abstract: A batting practice system having a base flange which can be attached to a chain link fence or a support pole. Attached to the flange is a horizontal support member with a tip at the end to which is attached a rope with a ball on the end. The base flange also has apertures to which resilient cords, such as "bungee" cords may be attached to stabilize the base.

Abstract: A game system includes two uprights formed of three telescoping sections. The lower section extends into a base which is positioned into the supporting surface or related ground. A plurality of securing structures are positioned along the length of each upright to receive a net. The net has at least two elastically-deformable straps extending away therefrom for securing the net to the uprights for use at least two sports. Alternate game structure may be secured to the upright, including a tetherball, a soccer ball, a soccer net, a golf ball receiving net, and a baseball practice structure. Also, net-securing structure may be secured to one of the uprights to receive a net for storage.