Abstract: A racket stringing machine comprises a support frame, a tension head assembly, a lateral clamp head and a longitudinal clamp head. Movement of the tension head assembly is controlled by a brake motor which is controlled by the signals transferred from a limit switch. The limit switch is normally pressed by a contact element and released when a string clamp head pivoted on the tension head assembly is spring biassed to pivot away from the clamping frame and a contact element fixed on the string clamp head is separated from the limit switch. The lateral clamp head comprises two lateral clamp arms for clamping the lateral sides of a racket frame to be strung by a pivotal movement accomplished by an actuating block sliding along a rotating bolt. The longitudinal clamp head comprises a clamping sheet with a rack extending downward from the bottom surface for meshing with a sector gear so as to be rotated by a handle in order to clamp the upper surface of the racket frame.

Abstract: A racket for tennis or like games utilizing one or more weight straps, preferably flexible, that are detachably fastened to the frame head by strings in tension for easy weight and balance adjustment by users in accordance with subtle difference in personal preference and to provide a safe weighting device which is unlikely to detach and cause accidental injury during use of the racket. The weight straps consist of a plurality of unit sections that are separated by spaced notches. The spaced notches permit a portion of the weight strap to be severed from the rest of the weight strap so as to allow variable weighting of the racket. The unit sections of the weight straps have holes located therethrough that are aligned with the string holes in a racket. Thus, the weight straps are held in place on the racket through the strings which pass over the weight straps.

Abstract: A neutral or a demilitarized zone (DMZ) is provided for a matrix-type "detente" piece-capture board game in which only one piece at a time can occupy a given square or point, with the neutral zone providing a safe haven for all elements utilized in playing the game. The neutral zone can take the form of an offset cruciform arrangement of spaces or a square outline of spaces. The neutral zone can be differentiated from the other spaces on the board by color differentiating the spaces within and outside the zone. Alternatively, the neutral zone can be differentiated by a line that circumscribes the zone.

Abstract: A multi-stepped gameboard apparatus which is preferably made in a checkerboard design and divided into separate sections constructed in monotonic steps. The sections may be arranged in a variety of configurations to form a "mountain", "valley", or mixed mountain-valley configuration. Furthermore, the stepped gameboard sections are nestable to form an assemblage for carrying and storing the gameboard when not in use. Preferably, magnets or any other acceptable means known in the art are used to hold the sections together in the variable configurations. Storage areas for playing pieces are provided in each section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a games racket having a strung head and additional structure for adjusting the playing properties of the racket. Removable weights are attached to the circumference of the head by way of carrier members which are secured to the head in the region of the transverse axis through the center of percussion of the racket. The carrier members have recesses into which the weights can be inserted.

Abstract: A racket for ball games and more specifically, a tennis racket, has a frame forming a racket head, a shank and a grip secured to the shank with a force fit so that the grip may be turned in relation to the racket head into different settings. The force fit connecting elements are simple to manufacture, yet permit an exact stepless setting and a satisfactory transmission of the forces produced while still avoiding a slip clutch effect. The grip and the racket shank are joined with each other by a surface area of substantial size which assures the required frictional engagement for the force fit in the angular direction while providing a form locking connection in the axial direction. The shank is part of an integral, one-piece handle bar which also has a cylindrical section and a conical section integrally interconnecting the shank to the cylindrical section.

Abstract: A racket, especially a tennis racket, having a frame surrounding a stringed hitting area, the frame being formed with a shaft on which a grip sleeve is mounted.

Abstract: A tennis racket having an unconventional weight and stiffness distribution providing for the same swing weight as rackets of the prior art, a large distance of the center of percussion from the handle end, and a weight means in the grip portion of the racket for reducing the shock and vibration transmitted to the player's arm, when the player impacts the ball with the racket.

Abstract: A variable balance racket has a weight moveable from an inactive or rest position near the grip of the handle to an active position adjacent the head of the racket to increase the striking force of the head. The weight can be moved to the active position and held in this active position by a retainer, against the action of an elastic element which returns the weight to the rest position. The weight is released in response to the centrifugal force of the swing of the racket so it is automatically returned to the rest position before the next swing. This arrangement enables the player to move the weight to the active position prior to a serve or anticipated smash, while returning the weight to the rest position after such a swing for normal play or repositioning in the active position by the player.

Abstract: A game (1) for two players has as its object the entrapment of a particular playing piece of one player by a playing piece or pieces of the other player. A game board (3) is divided into a plurality of individual spaces. A plurality of individual playing pieces are distinctively identified to form two sets (5 and 5') of pieces. The pieces are manuverable between spaces on the game board to capture pieces of the other set. Movement of pieces is governed by a set of rules. An overlay (11 or 11') is placeable over a portion of the game board by a player. The overlay is divided into spaces corresponding to the spaces on the game board. Two sets of barrier pieces are provided, one set for each player. Each set includes barrier pieces (17 or 17') a player may position on his overlay. The barrier pieces establish barriers around and over which playing pieces of both players must be manuvered during the game.

Abstract: A global domination board game for a plurality of players having the object of total global domination by one of the players without excessive destruction of the planet. A game board has a map of a planetary surface divided into a plurality of continental powers, and further divided into a plurality of territories within each continental power. Each territory is identified as having a primary asset including population, resources or technology. A deck of cards is used which includes a territory card for each of the territories identified on the map of the game board and a plurality of wild cards. Players have a plurality of active playing pieces including pieces representing conventional forces, tactical weapon systems and strategic nuclear weapons. Players conduct simulated military attacks on territories occupied by opposing players.

Abstract: An adjustably weighted racquet includes a head having a frame with multiplicity of holes distributed throughout the frame for receiving strings. The frame has a plurality of bores distributed throughout the frame, each of which are spaced from the holes. A plurality of individual weights are each insertible in a respective one of the bores and are movable from bore to bore for weighting the racquet as desired. A device such as E-rings or spring-loaded ball bearings is also provided for detachably locking the weights in the bores.

Abstract: A racquet having interwoven longitudinal and transverse strings, with most of the transverse strings being arranged in pairs in a pattern locating the two transverse strings of each pair in close proximity to one another, and with successive pairs being spaced apart a distance greater than the individual strings of a pair. The two strings of each pair of transverse strings are interwoven with the longitudinal strings in phase with one another, so that both of the strings of the pair are received at the same side of each longitudinal string. In conjunction with this stringing pattern, there is provided at least one elongated positioning element associated with and closely adjacent one of the pairs of transverse strings and extending therewith past a series of longitudinal strings and having locating surfaces acting to block lateral deflection of the longitudinal strings.

Abstract: An improved ice hockey stick is disclosed which is made with a handle component whose lower end tapers to fit closely into a closely conforming groove in the rear edge of a hardwood table. The handle component may be made of hardwood or it may be made of foam injected plastic material in accordance with another aspect of the subject matter disclosed. The foam injected handle component has a centrally located filler member and, on each side, a reinforcing strip of unidirectional strands of fibers in a suitable bonding agent mounted flush with the wide sides of the handle. A process for making a foam injected plastic component is disclosed as well as a method of making an ice hockey stick using the novel joint applicable to conventional hardwood handle components and to foam injected plastic handle components.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a graphite composite racquet frame having a particular structure that provides internal and external shock absorption. The internal shock absorption is provided by a core material having high impact strength such as an aromatic aramid. External shock absorption is provided by a fiber reinforced plastic wrapping. The shock absorption elements allow graphite fibers to be used for construction of racquets which are commonly subject to a great deal of physical abuse such as racquetball racquets.

Abstract: The game disclosed has a board showing a voting area marked House of Representatives, a voting area marked Senate, a vice-president's voting booth located inside the Senate, and a president's voting booth located between and separate from the House of Representatives and the Senate. Inside both the House of Representatives and the Senate voting areas are eight industry voting booths where players (representing industries) try to accumulate more and more voting chips. An area numbered 2 thru 12 on the game board specifies what is done when each player's turn comes and two regular dice are rolled as a means of chance. Election cards allow players to win voting chips in the House of Representatives, the Senate, the vice-presidency, and the presidency. Politics cards give players a variety of political advantages. Legislation cards target different game industries (players) for potential financial gains or losses, dependent upon votes taken in Congress.

Abstract: A racquet is provided having a transverse compliant edge system that supports the racquet strings and has independent elastic transverse movement of the string supports while inhibiting accompanying radial movement. The transverse compliant edge system includes rigid string support rails inside an outer channel in the racquet frame. Each string support rail has an outer groove that contains and supports the racquet string and an inside contact surface supported by the racquet frame and that acts as a pivot point. The string support rails are spaced away from the walls of the outer channel in the racquet frame and the spaces are bridged with compliant material or springs. This arrangement allows the string support rail to rotate about its inside contact surface pivot, thus allowing elastic transverse string movement while inhibiting accompanying radial movement, independent of transverse string movement caused by the elasticity of the ball, strings, or racquet.

Abstract: A board game which allows players to travel back in time to uncover the many lives they may have lived. The game is divided into four periods of history, namely, Ancient Times, The Dark Ages, The Age of Kings and The Age of Industry. The players travel backwards in time, while attempting to accumulate wealth and treasures, and to avoid specific hazards and pitfalls. The first player to reach "Nirvana" brings the board play to an end. A "Book of Past Lives" is included in the game which lists and describes numerous past lives in ascending progression of desirability and significance, with each past life being equated to a different accumulated point score. All of the past lives described in the book are taken from actual history. Each player refers to the book for his "past life" as determined by the number of points he has accumulated when the first player reached Nirvana.

Abstract: A game board apparatus with a game board and two types of playing pieces. The game board is provided with a playing surface which displays a plurality of interconnected first symbols that may represent specific geographic locations interconnected by transportation routes. At some or all of the first symbols are reversibly positioned second playing pieces that may represent passengers or cargo. Each second playing piece is marked in a manner to indicate a specific first symbol that is its destination. Each of two or more players employs and moves at least one first playing piece, which may resemble an airplane or other vehicle, to carry a finite number of the second playing pieces to their specified destinations.

Abstract: A bingo chip comprising a disk-shaped member of transparent material having a preformed slot concentrically positioned in and opening to the upper surface of the disk-shaped member. The preformed slot is shaped to accept a structure of magnetic material. The structure of magnetic material is positioned within the slot and secured in place by way of a layer of transparent material disposed over the structure and within the preformed slot.