Abstract: A figurine launcher is described. The figurine launcher includes at least two shell components. The shell components are hingedly attached with one another to move between an open position and a closed position. An open mechanism is attached with at least one of the shell components and is adapted to allow a user to selectively separate the shell components when in the closed position. A launch positioning mechanism is attached with at least one of the shell components. The launch positioning mechanism is adapted to engage with a figurine and conceal the figurine within the housing when the shell components are in a closed position. Alternatively, when the shell components are in an open position, the launch positioning mechanism is adapted to move the figurine into a launch position. When in the launch position, the user can compress the shell components to force the figurine from the launcher.

Abstract: An infant activity device comprising two or more arches configured for creating an activity space therebelow defined by a location of articulation of the arches, and further comprising an arch configuration member configured for displacement between different articulation configurations of the arches by sliding with respect to at least one arch and further configured for retaining the arches at any desired articulation configuration to thereby alter the activity space.

Abstract: An arrow rest for a bow, according to various embodiments, comprises (1) a launcher, (2) a cord, and (3) a locking mechanism disposed adjacent the launcher. The launcher is adapted to lift an arrow from a first position to a second, ready-to-fire position, the cord is adapted to move the arrow rest from the first position to the second, ready-to-fire position when the cord is pulled, and the locking mechanism is selectively adapted to exert opposing lateral forces on the cord to selectively lock the cord in place while the launcher is in the second, ready-to-fire position.

Abstract: Bow having a centerpiece, two flexurally elastic limbs, a string, at least one string pulley, mounted in one end of a limb and intended for accommodating the string, and at least two cable pulleys, connected rigidly to the string pulley and intended for accommodating and guiding compensating cables, and in each case at least one cable pulley is arranged on both sides of the string pulley, and the subassembly made up of the string pulley and cable pulleys is mounted in a rotatable manner in each case, and at least one deflecting stop is present for the purpose of limiting the deflection of the string, and this deflecting stop, when the string is deflected, strikes against a limb or against a stop element connected rigidly to the limb.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, for metered ball delivery. An apparatus includes a secure enclosure housing a reservoir of tennis balls, a battery power supply and a battery powered portable tennis ball machine, the secure enclosure and tennis ball machine communicating via a wireless network to determine a location of the portable tennis ball machine.

Abstract: A toy projectile launcher includes a body having a magazine for storing at least one cylindrical projectile. The body has an elongate barrel in communication with the magazine. The barrel is shaped for travel of the projectile from the magazine to an exit end. The barrel has an intermediate opening between the magazine and the exit end. A drive wheel is powered by a motor to spin about an axis of rotation. The drive wheel can be coupled to the body by a drive wheel biasing member. The drive wheel intrudes into the barrel though the intermediate opening to contact and propel the projectile down the barrel. The drive wheel can include a resilient part. The axis of rotation of the drive wheel can deviate from being perpendicular to the length of the barrel by a predetermined angle selected to impart spin to the projectile.

Abstract: A cable guard for a compound archery bow includes a body and a cable retaining member connected to the body by a joint. The cable retaining member may retain at least one cable of an archery bow. The body of the cable guard has a length sufficient to position the joint at least at the drawn position of at least one of the cables retained by the cable retaining member. The joint connecting the cable retaining member to the body of the cable guard permits the opening of the cable retaining member to swivel forwards towards the mounting portion. Swiveling forward, the opening of the cable retaining members brings at least one of the retained cables closer to the bowstring plane of travel of the bow to which it is mounted.

Abstract: A ball feeding arrangement (101) comprising: a rotor element (123) for pushing a ball (145); a transmission element (127) connected to the rotor element; and a drive element (130) for driving a rotational movement of the rotor element (123) via the transmission element (127), which drive element (130) is intended to be driven by a drive motor (122), wherein one of the drive element (130) and the transmission element (127) has at least one protrusion (140; 140a-b), and the other of the drive element and the transmission element (127) has a guiding surface (133) adapted to guide the at least one protrusion (140; 140a-b) during relative rotation between the drive element (130) and the transmission element (127), wherein the at least one protrusion (140; 140a-b) is yieldingly biased against the guiding surface (133), wherein the biasing force, a shape of the guiding surface (133) and a shape of the at least one protrusion are adapted to enable transfer of a rotational force of a given magnitude from the drive ele

Abstract: A crossbow bowstring drawing mechanism comprises (1) a generally cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end; (2) a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing has a first end that at least partially extends through the housing first end; (3) at least one rope spool received on, and rotationally fixed to, the shaft intermediate the shaft first and second ends; (4) a handle operatively coupled to the shaft; and (5) a clutch mechanism received on the shaft. At least one of the rope spools is configured to attach to a first and a second end of a rope that is configured to be releasably attached to a bowstring. The clutch mechanism is configured to at least temporarily rotationally fix the shaft to the housing to prevent the shaft from rotating in a first direction and an opposite second direction until a force is exerted on the handle to overcome the frictional forces exerted by the clutch mechanism.

Abstract: A hand-held flinging device includes a launcher that engages the projectile and improves control of the launcher and projectile, during a throwing/flinging motion, until centrifugal force causes disengagement of the projectile from the launcher. The engagement system involves the rearward portions of a launcher shaft and the projectile bore, so that, upon disengagement, frictional engagement and interference of the engagement system with the projectile is prevented or limited as the projectile moves forward to fly off the launcher. The engagement system may include a member that snaps into engagement with a hole or recess to hold the projectile on the launcher even through the wind-up portion of the throw that may include the launcher distal end being pointed downward. The preferred projectile covers the entire or nearly the entire launcher shaft distal of the hand grip and is heavier toward its front end.

Abstract: A handleless slingshot with a folding storage compartment is disclosed. The slingshot does not require that the user grip a handle to shoot it and the folding storage compartment may be removed or omitted if desired. The slingshot includes a storage compartment that can store projectiles (such as steel shot) and/or other supplies. The storage compartment is foldable such that it can be folded into the base of the slingshot to create a compact, portable unit. The slingshot includes a quick-release interchangeable band system that uses clips that matingly engage grooves formed at the ends of the slingshot arms to secure the band. The slingshot includes guard area which protects the web area of the hand when shooting the slingshot. The slingshot moves the thumb and index finger contact points forward of the band to increase stability and eliminate the need to grip a handle when shooting the slingshot.

Abstract: An apparatus for one-handed operation of archery equipment may facilitate drawing and firing of an arrow from a bow. The apparatus may comprise a release aid having jaws for selective engagement and disengagement of a bowstring and a trigger mechanism operable to open and close the jaws. Head gear may be configured for attachment to the head of an archer and may be coupled to the release aid with a connection mechanism such that the archer may resist a tension in the bowstring with the headgear. An alternative apparatus comprises an automatic drawbar and engagement head such that an archer may manipulate drawbar controls to draw and release an arrow from a bow.

Abstract: A portable and adjustable clay target launching apparatus for use with a clay pigeon launcher includes a framework. A tilt adjustment assembly is coupled to the framework, and includes a shaft and a tilt assembly input member operatively coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is rotated by operation of the tilt assembly input member. A base member is configured to secure the clay pigeon launching device, the base member being operatively coupled to the shaft and configured to tilt side to side when the shaft is rotated by operation of the tilt assembly input member. A rotational adjustment assembly operatively couples the base member to the tilt adjustment assembly, the rotational adjustment assembly being movable between a released configuration at which the base member is selectively rotatable about a sprocket and a locked configuration at which the base member is not rotatable.

Abstract: A compound bow comprises at least one limb that extends continuously between opposed rotatable members. In some embodiments, the bow comprises a second limb that extends continuously between the opposed rotatable members. In some embodiments, the limbs are parallel to one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spring-loaded air rifle which includes a trigger that actuates a firing mechanism that controls an interconnection part, which exerts a force on a counter-pawl that releases a spring that actuates a piston, in which said firing mechanism is an electronic firing mechanism which includes a flexible rod for actuating a switch.

Abstract: A compound bow or crossbow employs bowstring cams with bowstring cam grooves and power cord cam grooves. Preferably a pair of generally identical power cord cam grooves are positioned axially above and below the bowstring cam groove. The power cords are anchored to a fixed anchor point, e.g., a pylon, on the near end of the riser or on the near side of the crossbow bar or stock. The power cords do not cross over to the other limb. The reduction in the number of cam wheels and pulleys and in the number of strings or cords results in greater efficiency and higher transfer of energy from the bow to the arrow or bolt. There is no drop-off in pull weight at full draw. The bolt or arrow accelerates throughout the travel of the bowstring, resulting in significantly higher velocity.

Abstract: A machine for launching disk-shaped targets has two faces located on each side of an edge. The machine includes means for loading a target into a launch area, an arm for launching the target placed in the launch area and a surface guiding the target by means of contact with at least one of the aforementioned faces thereof. The guiding surface has at least one portion wherein the areas that come into contact with the face of the target are not continuous. The machine is particularly suitable for shooting practice, such as archery.

Abstract: An archery bow stabilizer including a stabilizer body and a plurality of asymmetrical dampening extensions radially extending from the stabilizer body. The dampening extensions can be laterally offset with respect to the stabilizer body from an adjacent dampening extension and/or can include laterally extending protuberances that extend in an opposite direction from as adjacent dampening extension.

Abstract: Bow stabilizer and video camera mount system is a dual-functioning bow stabilizer and camera-mounting unit to help reduce the noise and vibration produced when a bow is shot, to provide forward weight to help balance the bow when the hunter draws it back, and to record images when aiming the bow. Bow stabilizer and video camera mount system can also be used for both right- and left-handed bows by moving the external mounting platform to the desired side of the bow. Hunters can also use this device to position the video camera to the same side as the bow sights, making it easier to see the viewfinder of the camera than when using other devices. The unit includes a bow stabilizer rod, a dampening cover, and a horizontally rotatable camera mount.

Abstract: An archery bow has upper and lower rotatable draw force modules. The draw force modules each define first and second grooves. The bowstring and a first cable are anchored in the first groove; and a second cable is anchored in the second groove. The design of the draw force modules and the anchoring of the bowstring and cables to the draw force modules allows the cable pull to be more centered to the limb during operation yielding less limb twist and draw force module lean, resulting in improved durability and accuracy.