Abstract: A portable basketball return apparatus adapted to be attached to a rim attached to a backboard by a bracket, comprising, a holding clamp for attachment of the apparatus to the bracket, a spine attached to said holding clamp, a return panel attached to said spine, said holding clamp comprising an upper plate and a lower plate adapted to fit over said bracket, a screw passing through said lower plate, pole means to lift the apparatus, from the ground onto the bracket and to rotate the screw to tighten the holding clamp onto the bracket.

Abstract: A self-training batting practice machine includes an upright support member, lower and upper support members, flexible ball suspension rod and at least one elastic member. The lower support member is attached to the upright support member close to a lower end thereof and extends horizontally outwardly therefrom. The upper support is supported on an upper end of the upright support member such that the upper support member is rotatable about a vertical pivot axis. The ball suspension rod is secured at an inner end to and rotatable with the upper support member and extends substantially horizontally outwardly therefrom and at an outer end has a ball-shaped object thereon for a player to swing a bat at and to hit in order to practice batting.

Abstract: The device allows a beginner to learn the game, or an advanced player to develop new skills by simulating ball movement from the time that the opponent strikes the ball until the first bounce of the bail in the player's court. At this time a real ball is delivered at a speed and trajectory preset by the player. This simulation allows the practicing player to interact with the device in preparing stance and having a fluid back swing and swing of the tennis racket. The real ball having been struck by the player hits a large catch net located immediately in front of the device. The devise can be used in an enclosure the size of a one car garage or small basement, allowing use during rain or winter months.

Abstract: An automatic table tennis ball serving device is disclosed as having a generally vertically extending enclosure with a table tennis ball feeding passageway including a lower ball entrance and an upper ball dispensing outlet. Ball feeding arms are mounted to the enclosure adjacent the lower ball entrance for feeding table tennis balls upwardly in the ball feeding passageway against the force of gravity. A ball dispensing head is mounted to the enclosure adjacent the upper ball dispensing outlet for serving table tennis balls to a player at selected rates and trajectories. The ball dispensing head includes a ball size adjustment mechanism to enable table tennis balls of at least two diameters to selectively pass through the ball dispensing head when one or another diameter of the at least two different ball diameters is selected by the player.

Abstract: A ball throwing device capable of throwing or pitching balls at more than one speed without having to readjust the device. The ball throwing device generally includes a base, a motor and at least two ball throwing assemblies. The motor is supported on the base and includes a mounting flange, a drive motor and an output shaft driven to rotate by the drive motor. The output shaft includes at least two tire flanges carried thereon. Each of the ball throwing assemblies includes a feeder assembly and a wheel. Each wheel defines a ball gripping surface and is mounted to a tire flange. Each wheel defines a different diameter. Each feeder assembly is supported proximate the ball gripping surface of one of the wheels to guide the ball to be thrown against it. The feeder assemblies are supported via the mounting flange.

Abstract: A backstop and sports ball return assembly for facilitating building a users skill and accuracy by providing the return of a selectable sports ball to the user includes a base assembly. The base assembly includes a collection well and a chute extending from the collection well. The collection well includes an inclined bottom surface and at least one angled wall such that the collection well directs a sports ball towards the chute when the sports ball enters the collection well. A pair of side wall members are coupled to the base. The side wall members extend upwardly from opposite sides of the base assembly. A rear assembly is coupled to the base assembly, the rear assembly extending between the side wall members. A top assembly is coupled to the side wall members and the rear assembly, the top assembly extending generally between the side wall members.

Abstract: A projectile machine for use in practicing various activities including the practice of basketball shots from various positions on a basketball court. The projectile machine when practicing basketball shots automatically returns the basketballs to the person practicing shots thereby eliminating the necessity for the practicing player or other players to retrieve the basketballs that have been shot and return them to the player practicing the shots. More specifically, the present invention enables basketballs that have been shot towards the basketball goal or hoop to be automatically collected and mechanically returned to a selected on-court location at varying elevations, trajectories and velocities. The projectile machine can also be used during various activities relating to the practice of various endeavors in which an article is projected in a desired trajectory. The projectile machine may be supported from a support post for the backboard and goal for use as a home unit.

Abstract: A basketball practice assembly a case including a box-like receptacle which is open at a front side thereof, and a pair of doors hingedly connected with two lateral sides of the box-like receptacle, a pair of fixing members fastened in the box-like receptacle by screws and having a vertical dovetail groove, a pair of telescopic arms each having two inner ends and two outer ends, one of the inner ends being fixedly engaged with the vertical dovetail groove, another one of the inner ends being slidably fitted in the vertical dovetail groove, a net arranged on the telescopic arms to form a rectangular member with an open top, a backboard installed in the receptacle, and a basket pivotally mounted on the backboard.

Abstract: The apparatus of the within invention is quite sophisticated. Its primary purpose was to adapt a rotatable return of ball on an existing basketball hoop. The principal feature is an inverted L-shaped circular ring that conforms to the locus of the hoop. The inverted L-shaped ring sets down on the hoop with the vertical flange extending downward and inside the hoop while the horizontal flange rests on the hoop. Extending downwardly a sufficient distance below the hoop is a mechanism that grabs the ball, squeezes it, and then throws it back in the direction of the player who has been shooting the ball at the hoop. The throwing mechanism comprises of a motion system for turning roller, one of which squeezes the ball, and feeds it and the other of which spins and throws the ball at the player.

Abstract: A golf practice apparatus which comprises:a base;an elongated support arm coupled to the base and having a free end;a tether guide including an eyelet coupled to the elongated support arm adjacent the free end; anda reel attached to the elongated support arm near the base and remote from the free end, the reel including a spool,the spool having a central axis which is aligned with a center of the eyelet.

Abstract: A hockey puck shooting range including a planar surface for accommodating sliding movement of hockey pucks; a collection system disposed at a peripheral edge portion of the planar surface and arranged to collect hockey pucks propelled off the planar surface at the peripheral edge portion; and an ejection mechanism for sequentially ejecting hockey pucks onto the planar surface. Also included is a conveyor system for conveying to the ejection mechanism hockey pucks collected by the collection system. The range significantly enhances the effectiveness of puck shooting practice. The range includes a hockey net disposed along the peripheral edge portion and the collection system collects hockey pucks received by the hockey net.

Abstract: An interactive throwing game apparatus and method includes a longitudinal game table provided in an arcade game environment. An upright ball target is mounted across the front end of the game table at a location facing a human player standing at a player station adjacent to the rear end of the apparatus. A pitching mechanism recessed beneath the game table ejects individual balls toward the human player, who then attempts to throw each ball to a defined target. The object of the game is to cause the ball to impact the target area before a simulated runner visible along the game table reaches a finishing position adjacent to the ball target. Visual and audible messages are provided to the human player dependent upon the accuracy of each throw and the timed sequence at which a given ball impacts the target area in relation to the movement of the simulated runner.