Abstract: A non-sliding solenoid valve has an armature supported by a spring for movement with no sliding contact with other valve surfaces. An inner perimeter of the spring is snapped into position adjacent to an inner perimeter reference surface on the armature. An outer perimeter of the spring engages a reference surface on a shell of the valve, and another reference surface spaced, from the spring reference surface, receives an outer perimeter of a seat for the valve. When the seat is positioned against its reference surface, this urges the inner and outer perimeters of the spring against respective reference surfaces and completes the assembly with assured accuracy.

Abstract: An oblong hoop formed of six tube pieces fitted together end to end has tube junctions at each of four beveled corners. A pair of telescoping side junctions preferably connects side tubes together to make the oblong hoop extendable and retractable in length. The hoop can be used in three ways during three stages of learning—first, with the pupil supported in the front region of the hoop and an instructor within the hoop and close behind the pupil, second, with the pupil remaining forward in the hoop and the instructor moving to a rear region of the hoop, and third, with the pupil remaining in the forward region of the hoop, and the instructor moving outside the hoop to hold onto a rear region of the hoop.

Abstract: A cue stick tip tool includes a shaper that can contour the tip to a nickel or dime radius by using an abrasive formed within a hollow shaper body. Also included is a ferrule guide surface leading to abrasive material usable to trim a side of the cue tip while holding the ferrule clear of the abrasive material to avoid scuffing the ferrule. Another included tool has a concave cylindrical grid of upstanding pointed spikes that can be rolled over the cue tip to make a pattern of chalk holding indentations in the cue tip. The tool package preferably also includes a conical recess for burnishing a side of the cue tip, arcs to measure nickel and dime radii of the cue tip, and a container holding a chalk block and talcum powder—all arranged to be carried on a belt clip.

Abstract: Injection molded parts having bodies and lids connected by living hinges have the lids closed against the bodies during an opening sequence of mold plates. The lid closing mechanism is arranged in an intermediate plate disposed between a movable B plate and a fixed A plate. Movable and fixed cavities can meet within the intervening plate where a lid closer accomplishes lid closing as mold plates separate during mold opening. Accomplishing the lid closure during a mold opening sequence avoids any increase in the mold cycle time.

Abstract: Confronting intra-finger gussets, peripheral banding strips, and stitching lines extending from wrist to fingertip across a palm face of a soccer goalkeeper glove help to hold the glove in a curved configuration that protects the fingers and thumb of the wearer from bending backward when hit by a soccer ball. These features, alone, or in various combinations, also contribute to a realistic feel in handling a ball.