Abstract: A bodyboard with skins covering the top and bottom surfaces of a foam plank that forms a core in the bodyboard. The top skin is prepared by heat-expanding a foamable matrix layer having a polyolefin film deposited on the top surface of the matrix layer. With the application of heat, the matrix layer becomes a foam, and the polyolefin film softens and integrates with the foam. Graphics carried internally on the film become an integral part of the foam.

Abstract: A play ball has visually distinctive colored patches distributed over its exterior. Portions of the ball exterior may be uncovered with patches, and have a color distinct from the color of patches. Regions of different tactile patterns are impressed on the ball, and these regions may match all or parts of differently colored patches. A method of making a game ball with patches on its exterior is provided.

Abstract: A play ball having visually distinctive colored patches distributed over its exterior. Portions of the ball exterior may be uncovered with patches, and have a color distinct from the color of patches. Regions of different tactile patterns are impressed on the ball with, and these regions may match all or parts of differently colored patches. A method of making a game ball with patches on its exterior.

Abstract: A flying disc having a disc body of thermoplastic injection molded material, and a laminate layer integrally joined to the disc body and forming the exterior of the disc. The laminate layer includes an outer clear lamina and an inner white and opaque lamina, and imaging material sandwiched between the lamina. A groove extending about a rim portion in the disc bounds an edge in the laminate layer.

Abstract: A play ball having visually distinctive colored patches distributed over its exterior. Portions of the ball exterior may be uncovered with patches, and have a color distinct from the color of patches. Regions of different tactile patterns are impressed on the ball, and these regions may match all or parts of differently colored patches. A method of making a game ball with patches on its exterior.

Abstract: An foot pedal switch assembly including a panel for mounting a foot pedal and a switching mechanism, wherein the panel includes a debris fence surrounding the switching mechanism and the pedal has a cap structure molded in the bottom to telescopically engage around the debris fence forming a substantially continuous barrier to the entry of dust and debris into the switching mechanism.

Abstract: A bodyboard for riding ocean surf is provided which includes a layer of stiffening material beneath the outer skin of the board in selected regions of the board. The stiffening material is in the form of one or more layers of open-weave or open pattern, crosshatched fiber mesh laminated into the semi-rigid foam which makes up the majority of the board's interior. The stiffening material is preferably located adjacent the bottom skin of the board in order to resist or inhibit creasing of the planing surface on which the board rides. The board retains sufficient flexibility for maneuvering and for comfort, while resisting bottom skin damage due to stresses exerted on the board in use. Alternative embodiments of the invention include using stiffening mesh beneath the side rails of the board and using one or more additional layers of stiffening mesh in selected regions between the foam core and the outer skin of the bodyboard.

Abstract: A swim fin having differential stiffness characteristics is provided which includes shoe and blade portions, the shoe portion being configured to receive a swimmer's foot and the blade portion being configured to provide the desired hydrodynamic effect. The shoe portion defines a cavity which is formed in part by a differential stiffness expanse which overlies the forepart of the user's foot. The expanse includes a resilient toe region which covers the swimmer's toes and a less resilient instep region which covers the instep of the swimmer's foot. The blade portion extends from the shoe portion and is operatively connected to the instep region so as to provide the wearer with instep-directed blade portion control.

Abstract: A bodyboard is provided having a top riding surface with a purchase-enhancing region disposed thereon. The purchase-enhancing region includes plural ridges which extend diagonally thereacross to impede forward shift of a bodyboard rider.

Abstract: A textured bottom surface is provided for bodyboards of the type which have a semi-rigid foam core and which are used to ride on waves such as ocean surf with the rider in a prone or procumbent position. The improved bottom surface comprises a plurality of discreet depressions formed in the bottom of the bodyboard, numbering at least 50-depressions over the entire bottom surface, and preferably numbering more than 1500 such depressions. The depressions are believed to generate bubbles in the air-water mixture passing beneath the board which help reduce the shear forces in the water. The effect is called air lubrication and results in reduced drag and greater speed, as well as a lighter "feel" for the board on water. A bodyboard incorporating the improved bottom surface, and a bottom skin for bodyboards which includes the texturing depressions, are disclosed. A method of forming the textured bottom skin is also disclosed.

Abstract: A free-wheeling safety switch is intended for controlling a power supply for a motor and includes a linked single-throw conductor and a double-throw conductor. A fusible link is located between the poles of the conductors. A connection between the double-throw conductor and the single-throw conductor switches the conductors sequentially such that the double-throw conductor switches between its normally closed position and its switched position prior to the single-throw conductor shifting from its normally-off position to its on position. The single-throw conductor is switched from its on position to its off position before the double throw conductor switches to its normally closed position. The power supply is electrically connected to the motor only when the double-throw conductor is in its switched position and the single-throw conductor is in its on position.

Abstract: A battery recharge interconnection system is provided for use on an electric toy vehicle or other load device powered by a rechargeable battery. The interconnection system includes a charger receptacle, operatively connected to a rechargeable battery, covered by a rotatable disc. An opening in the disc permits a plug from an external charger to be inserted through the opening and into the charger receptacle whenever the disc is rotated to a predetermined position in which the opening overlies the receptacle. The rotatable disc is also mechanically coupled to an actuator which engages and operates a cut-out switch or other device. During normal operation of the battery-operated device, the disc is rotated to a first position in which the charger receptacle is obstructed by the disc and the cut-out switch is disengaged. To recharge the device, the disc is rotated to a second position in which the opening in the disc overlies the receptacle, permitting a recharger plug to be inserted in the receptacle.

Abstract: A bodyboard is provided which incorporates selected regions of differing stiffness in order to combine in one board the speed associated with relatively stiff bodyboards and the maneuverability of soft bodyboards. Laminated into the layered structure of the bodyboard is a fiber mesh which has a size and orientation designed to stiffen the rear four-fifths of the bodyboard. The remainder of the board, adjacent the nose, incorporates a pattern of parallel arcuate channels which increase the bendability of the nose portion of the board. Because the board is stiff in the region supporting most of the weight of the rider, it has less drag than soft bodyboards and is fast. The flexibility in the nose area enhances maneuverability. The design of the reinforcing mesh and the bendability-enhancing nose inhibits the formation of permanent creases and allows the board to retain the overall general appearance and internal laminated structure of prior art bodyboards.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for applying a graphics-imprinted skin to a substrate of expanded polyolefin foam. The system is used to create bodyboards and other foam devices with durable graphic images. The skin is made of a plurality of thin-film polyethylene layers adhesively bonded together. The outermost layer is a sheet of nonopaque (i.e., clear) polyethylene with graphic images imprinted on one side. The images are printed in reverse pattern and viewed through the polyethylene sheet from the other side. The nonopaque sheet is then adhesively bonded to an opaque backing sheet along the graphic-imprinted surface. The result is a flexible laminated skin material with visible graphics on one side. The skin material is then thermolaminated to the foam substrate with the graphics facing outwardly. A method of continuous fabrication is also disclosed.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism is provided for controlling external devices by means of coaxial actuating cables or other suitable linkages. The actuator includes an internal slide element movable to selected detent positions by means of a lever arm which pushes against the slide when raised. The slide is returned to its starting position by depressing the lever arm. Indicator openings are provided in the body of the actuator permitting visual inspection of the position of the slide to indicate the control setting selected. Use of the actuator to control and position retractable fins or skegs on a water board is also disclosed. The actuator is positioned on the upper surface of the water board just forward of and between the rider's knees and coaxial actuating cables link the actuator to retractable fins on the underside of the board. The actuator can be easily manipulated with one hand to retract or extend the fins quickly. The indicator feature indicates the fin setting selected.

Abstract: A bodyboard is provided with a pair of elongate side-rail grip contours formed in the top surface of the board for providing an improved handhold along the side edge of the bodyboard. The grip contour includes a ridge extending from the nose end of the board approximately one-third to four-fifths the length of the bodyboard. Immediately adjacent the ridge is an elongate depression or channel which extends into or below the top riding surface of the bodyboard. The depression is sized to accommodate the thumb of a hand gripping the side edge of the board with the thumb resting comfortably within the channel touching the inner and outer faces of the channel. The grip contour extends from the side edge of the board inwardly toward the center line of the board a distance of between about 2.3-inches to 3.3-inches.

Abstract: A bodyboard is provided which incorporates selected regions of differing stiffness in order to combine in one board the speed associated with relatively stiff bodyboards and the maneuverability of soft bodyboards. Laminated into the layered structure of the bodyboard is a fiber mesh which has a size and orientation designed to stiffen the rear four-fifths of the bodyboard. The remainder of the board, adjacent the nose, incorporates a pattern of parallel arcuate channels which increase the bendability of the nose portion of the board. Because the board is stiff in the region supporting most of the weight of the rider, it has less drag than soft bodyboards and is fast. The flexibility in the nose area enhances maneuverability. The design of the reinforcing mesh and the bendability-enhancing nose inhibits the formation of permanent creases and allows the board to retain the overall appearance and internal laminated structure of prior art bodyboards.