Abstract: A portable basketball unit with a base, moveable support frame members rotatably connected to the base for movement between an upper position and a lower transport position, a beam supporting a backboard and rim member moveably connected to the support frame members, forward wheels with a means for retracting the wheels when the support frame members are in an upper position, and a means for moving the wheels downwardly when the support frame members are in a lower transport position.

Abstract: A gymnastic bar has a textured non-smooth surface throughout its length to enhance its strength and to facilitate the gripping thereof by gymnasts. The texture of the bar is created by subjecting the bar to a shot peening process wherein the bar is subject to being impacted by a plurality of high velocity, hard particulate material to create indentations in the surface thereof throughout the substantial area of the surface. The bar, of stainless steel material, is heat treated before being subjected to the peening process. The bar is subjected to the process until it achieves a tensile strength of approximately 190,000 p.s.i.

Abstract: A breakaway basketball rim assembly with a mounting unit with a vertical baseplate and a horizontal mounting plate, and a rim unit having a circular hoop portion and a pivot plate that projects rearwardly from the hoop portion in spaced relation above the mounting plate. A ball bearing is positioned between the pivot plate and the mounting plate to provide the pivot point for releasing the rim unit when a downward load is placed upon the hoop portion. At least one stop is placed on top of the mounting plate to restrict the movement of the pivot plate and load a plurality of spring-loaded attachments that extend from the pivot plate through the mounting plate to return the rim unit to a generally horizontal position.

Abstract: A stabilizer apparatus for gymnastic bar assemblies has an elongated floor plate with outer and inner ends. A vertical post having upper and lower ends is pivotally secured by its lower end to the outer end of the floor plate. A length adjustable bar having opposite ends extends between the upper end of the post and the inner end of the floor plate. The bar has opposite ends which are pivotally secured to the upper end of the post and the inner end of the plate. A pulley assembly is secured to the upper end of the post.

Abstract: A balance beam utilizing a conventional beam member with pivotally mounted leg members. The leg members are mounted in a clevis secured to the bottom surface of the beam by a pin which extends through aligned bores in the clevis and leg members. The leg members have floor support members, upwardly extending sections rigidly secured to the center of the floor members, and horizontal sections rigidly secured to upwardly extending leg sections. Secured to the horizontal leg sections are removable resilient bumpers that engage the lower surface of the beam. When a gymnast lands on the beam, the weight of gymnast compresses the bumpers moving the beam to a lower horizontal position. The immediate recovery of the bumpers imparts some impetus to the gymnast as the gymnastic routine continues.

Abstract: A ball pitching machine includes a head assembly for ejecting a ball therefrom, operably mounted on a vertically extensible piston to permit selective vertical adjustment of the head assembly on a base assembly. The base assembly includes an upright tubular mast within which the piston is slidably journaled, the mast having a plurality of legs supporting the mast above the ground. A lock mechanism on the mast permits selective securement of the piston within the mast. The head assembly has a mounting bracket rotatably connected to the forward end of an elongated handle to permit selective rotation of the head assembly about the axis of the handle. The handle has a shaft rotatably mounted in a bracket on the upper end of the piston, permitting selective rotational movement of the handle about the shaft on the piston.

Abstract: The balance beam of this invention has an elongated beam member having opposite ends, a center portion, a top and a bottom, with legs on the bottom thereof adjacent the ends. Each leg has an upper and a lower end. A resilient support and trolley assembly is mounted within the elongated beam adjacent the ends thereof with each support assembly having a depending arm member extending downwardly therefrom with each arm member being pivotally secured to one of the upper ends of the legs. The legs extend downwardly and outwardly from the arm member in the plane of the beam member so that the lower ends thereof dwell substantially under the ends of the beam member. Elongated links are pivotally secured by their ends to one end of the beam and one end of each of the legs to hold the beam member in an erected elevated horizontal position. The resilient support and trolley assembly is longitudinally movably positioned within the beam and has two end blocks rigidly secured to a trolley.

Abstract: The training pad for a gymnastic vaulting horse has a first elongated pad with a vertical height substantially equal to the height of the body of the vaulting horse. A second elongated pad has a vertical height substantially equal to the combined height of the body and the supporting stand of the vaulting horse. An elongated flexible blanket has its opposite sides connected to the first and second pads and is adapted to engage and span the lateral width of the top of the body of the vaulting horse. Straps are secured to the pad for attachment of the pad to the body of the vaulting horse. The length of the pad is slightly less than the length of the body of the vaulting horse.

Abstract: A clamp for securing a vertically disposed elongated antenna to the horizontal edge of a volleyball net has a base wall and an oppositely disposed spaced clamping wall secured together at adjacent edges by a U-shaped live hinged portion. The clamping wall extends in a tapered direction towards the base wall to define a narrowed net receiving access lot opposite to the live hinge portion. A vertically disposed shoulder extends outwardly from an outer surface of the base wall, and a vertical bore is located in the shoulder to receive an end of an elongated antenna. The clamp members are comprised of a single piece of plastic material. An elongated lift member is on an elongated horizontal free edge of the clamping wall and extends outwardly from the access slot. A plurality of serrations are formed on an inner surface of the base wall opposite to the clamping wall. The shoulder on said base wall has a vertical length greater than the vertical height of the base wall.

Abstract: A balance beam has an elongated beam member having opposite ends, a center portion, a top and a bottom, with legs on the bottom thereof adjacent the ends. Each leg has an upper and a lower end. A resilient support assembly is mounted within the elongated beam adjacent the ends thereof with each support assembly having a depending clevis extending downwardly therefrom with each clevis being pivotally secured to one of the upper ends of the legs. The legs extend downwardly and outwardly from the support assembly in the plane of the beam member so that the lower ends thereof dwell substantially under the ends of the beam member. Elongated links are pivotally secured by their ends to one end of the beam and one end of each of the legs to hold the beam member in an erected elevated horizontal position.

Abstract: A balance beam is disclosed which utilizes a conventional beam member with conventional support legs wherein the upper ends of the support legs are mounted in a bracket secured to the lower surface of the beam. The bracket has spaced elongated angularly disposed slots in which a transverse pin is mounted. The pin is also secured to the upper ends of the leg members. A spring mechanism is secured to the bracket and engages the upper end of the leg member to hold the pin and the upper end of the leg member in a position at the upper end of the slots. When the gymnast lands on the beam, the weight of the gymnast causes the spring mechanism to compress which permits the pin in the upper ends of the leg members to move downwardly in the slots to partially absorb the impact of the gymnast's weight. The immediate recovery of the spring imparts some impetus to the gymnast as the gymnastic routine is continued immediately after the moment of impact.

Abstract: A weight exercising machine especially adapted for variations in height, stature, and strength of persons using the machine. The apparatus consists of a frame containing a base and upright members to which a horizontal bar secures the upright members at the top, and a T-shape member slidingly attached to the upright members and telescopingly fitted over a center post which is secure to the base. Extending outward from the post and from the T-shaped member are horizontal rods which are in axial alignment with one another and onto which weights may be placed. When the horizontal rods are spaced a distance apart from each other which is less than the width of a weight members, the weight members may be so moved from one rod to the other. The apparatus may also include gripping devices for use in pulling the weights which consist of U-shaped members forming an upper bar for taller persons, and a lower bar for use by persons of similar stature.