Abstract: A stabilizing vane for use with an archery arrow includes an elongate vane body with an inclined surface attached thereto. The inclined surface is confined substantially within the upper portion of the vane body spaced from the arrow shaft so as to be cooperable with an arrow rest. The inclined surface can be oriented to optimize arrow rotation and centering.

Abstract: A training device is provided which spaces the palm of a basketball player's hand from the basketball such that only the fingertips contact the surface of the ball. The device is releasably engageable with the hand of the user and has a generally trapezoidal cross-section. The interior surface of the device is contoured to generally correspond to the arcuate shape of the basketball. The result of the using the structure is the training of the player to more accurately shoot the ball.

Abstract: A broadhead for an arrow having a mechanism for securing expanding cutting blades to the body portion or ferrule of the broadhead which insures true alignment of the longitudinal axis of the broadhead with the longitudinal axis of the cutting blades. A compressible ring holds the cutting blades adjacent their proximal ends to form a ring-cutting blade assembly. The ring is placed over a post member extending from the body portion. A washer may be provided for positioning between the ferrule and a cylindrical insert located at the distal end of the arrow shaft. Inserting the post member into the arrow shaft and insert forces the washer to move distally and apply pressure to the ring-cutting blade assembly. The pressure applied to the ring-cutting blade assembly compresses and wedges the ring within a circular gap formed at the point where the post member extends from the body portion to firmly secure the blades to the broadhead.

Abstract: A basketball rim security lock protector is a single, one piece device which prevents unauthorized use, vandalism and destruction of unoccupied goal rims or hoops. The basketball rim security lock protector contains a sheet of hardened, sturdy material whereby the opening of a basketball rim is temporarily sealed, an appendage which has a claw for attachment to a standard basketball rim, and an opening on the sheet which allows for adjustment and attachment to a standard basketball rim.

Abstract: A nock that mounts to an arrow shaft. The nock is designed of a light weight plastic material. It incorporates the use of a mechanical locking mechanism to secure it to the end of an arrow shaft. The portion of the nock that is inserted into the arrow shaft, or the insert end of the nock, is expanded by a small set screw located inside a cavity in the insert end of the nock. This expansion of the nock presses against the inside walls of the arrow consequently locking the nock in place. The nock is designed to mount securely to the arrow shaft without the use of adhesives or glue.

Abstract: A toy maze comprising a container with a ball having a plurality of passage levels with vertically extending wall segments forming passageways. Each level is separated by a tray having a plurality of apertures, some of which are trap-holes with a mechanism for limiting the movement of the ball to only one direction.In a preferred embodiment of the toy maze of the present invention, the mechanism for limiting the movement of the ball to only one direction comprises at least one flexible flap which flexes to permit the ball to pass through an aperture from one level to the next level and resiliently blocks reverse movement of the ball.

Abstract: A game element, a game and a method for playing a game employing a plurality of game elements. The game element comprising a body that is disposed in contact with a playing surface and in an upright position relative to the surface. Incorporated in the body is a sound emission assembly which emits a sound component directly from the body when the body moves from the upright position in a predetermined displacement. The game comprising a plurality of game elements having respective sound components and being disposed uprightly to form an array so that, when toppled in cascade, they emit the respective sound components sequentially along the array to generate one or more sound sequences.

Abstract: A metal mounting frame (10) has a pair of parallel frame portions (20, 22) connected to each other to support a basketball backboard (12). Each frame portion (20, 22) includes a lower upwardly facing channel-shaped base member (24), a downwardly facing channel-shaped upright member (26), and an adjustable diagonal bracing member (28) extending between members (24) and (26). In a flat collapsed position, upwardly facing channel-shaped base members (24) are received within downwardly facing channel-shaped upright members (26) and diagonal bracing members (28) are received in the space between the channel-shaped base members (24) and channel-shaped upright members (26). For erection of the mounting frame (10) from the flat collapsed position, upright members (26) are unfolded from base members (24) and the lower free ends of diagonal bracing members 28 are then secured to the extending free ends of base members (24).

Abstract: A height adjustable basketball backboard is pivotally attached to a support member by a parallelogram linkage. An adjusting link is a pivotally attached to an extension on one of the parallelogram links, is adjustably mounted to the support member and is weighted to act as a counter balance force to the weight of the basketball backboard to reduce the effort necessary to raise and lower the basketball backboard. A conversion kit for converting existing basketball backboard support system to the above referenced adjustable counter-weight design and methods for adjusting the counter-balance effect of the weight are disclosed.

Abstract: A basketball game area for recreation consisting of multiple zones, each having at least one hoop and backboard combination, multiple shooting indicators, and obstacles which can be free standing, and/or affixed to the hoop or backboard. The location of the obstacle in relation to the indicator changes the trajectory required to shoot the ball into the hoop. The placement of each indicator increases the difficulty in placing the ball through the hoop. The game rules provide the order of proceeding through the courts and proceeding through the sequential shooting indicators within each of the courts. The first player proceeds to the first courts, attempting to shoot the ball through the hoop, avoiding the obstacle, scoring points for placing the ball through the hoop. The players continue shooting one at a time until all players have taken a shot at the first basket from each of the indicators and then continue to proceed through the courts.

Abstract: A breakaway basketball rim assembly in which there is a release assembly which operably interconnects the base member and the rim member, the release assembly being configured to release the rim member in response to a downward load which is received at any point along an extended frontal arc of the circular hoop, so that the hoop tilts downwardly generally in the direction of the load. There is also a reaction load mechanism for returning the hoop to its horizontal playing position. In a preferred embodiment, a U-shaped fulcrum joint extends between the reaction load in the hoop so as to provide a pivot point in line between the reaction load and any impact point along the extended frontal arc of the hoop. The joint is configured so that the rim releases in response to a substantially identical impact load anywhere along the frontal arc.

Abstract: A mirror game including a visual image alteration device has a mirror positioned therein to alter an image seen in the mirror by a person playing the game. A support mechanism is used to hold the mirror adjacent the eyes of the user so that the user looks into the mirror to see the altered image. An attachment device is used to hold the support device to the head of the user so that the support device is suspended therefrom. An upper wall, a lower wall, side walls and a flange member limit the player's vision to only the altered image as seen through the mirror.

Abstract: A vend every time skill crane wherein a vendable prize, such as a capsule containing an item, is dispensed every time money is inserted into the machine while the claw and associated manipulator are simultaneously energized for an allotted play opportunity to allow a player to attempt to grasp and retrieve a prize, such as a stuffed toy animal or other items.

Abstract: A plurality of medals are placed both on a fixed table and a movable table. A player supplies medals one by one on the movable table via a medal feeding rail. The movable table moves forward and backward in a reciprocating motion to drop medals placed on the fixed table into a medal outlet so as to give the medals to the player. A field table which is placed under the fixed table revolves around a tower, while containing a large number of medals accumulated therein, thereby circulating a large number of accumulated medals. Medals in the field table are automatically taken out, when the amount being in excess, by an overflow prevention device. Thus, the game machine permits the player to continue the game, free from concern about any medal overflowing from the field table.

Abstract: A combined dart and writing implement, such as a ball point pen. Each are contained within the same housing and movable from a retracted to an extended position. When extended, their tip portion extends through an orifice in the housing. Both the dart and writing implement have springs to retract them and each is moved by pushing a finger operated button.

Abstract: A horseshoe for pitching for recreation and in National Horseshoe Pitchers Association of America competition, wherein lugs or calks on top of a first horseshoe near the heel points can engage and shoulder against raised surfaces on the bottom of a second horseshoe positioned atop the first horseshoe. An alternate feature positions the transverse center of balance nearer the heel end of the horseshoe than prior art.

Abstract: A redemption-type arcade game apparatus with a game token return. A token receiving mechanism on the game apparatus receives a game token or coin having a monetary value from a player. A game having a finite duration is started on the game apparatus in response to receiving the token. A desired goal can be achieved by a player during the game, such as guiding a playing piece into one or more apertures on a playing surface, or having the playing piece fall into a collector for a progressive bonus award. If the player achieves the desired goal during the duration of the game, an award dispenser dispenses a nonmonetary award to the player. When the desired goal is not achieved by the player during the duration of the game, a token having the same monetary value as the inserted token is returned to the player. The game apparatus also includes progressive features which provide an award to the player based on a progressive score if the player achieves a progressive goal.

Abstract: A method is taught for stimulating mixing at social gatherings. In one form, portable display articles such as name tags that bear one or more indicia or symbol are distributed to the guests. The guests are then given criteria for forming into groups with other guests. The guests move about to compare indicia with other guests, with a view to form groups wherein at least one indicia of each guest in a group relates to at least one indicia of all of the other guests in that group in accordance with the criteria. The process may be periodically repeated to form the guests into a series of different groups. The guests thus get to be in groups with different people, meeting new people and having the opportunity to interact with them. The portable display articles may take a variety of forms such as name tags, bracelets, food or drink containers, clothing such as hats, T-shirts, etc. The indicia may be single or multiple aspect and may be individual, in sets, or in multiple sets.

Abstract: A basketball backboard aiming device. The device includes a backboard member for attachment to a standard basketball hoop. The backboard has a front, planar surface. A linear array of indicia are disposed along the backboard, the array including a plurality of individual targets. Each of the targets is selectively viewable by a shooter disposed along a unique axis forming a preselected angle with respect to the plane of the backboard. One side of the angle is defined by a line of sight extending from the shooter to the target and the second side by the plane of the backboard. The selectively viewable target provides an aiming point for a shooter disposed anywhere along the line of sight when said player attempts a bank shot.

Abstract: A collapsible support unit for basketball basket which allows the ball to return to the player after a shot is made at the basket so that the player needs not to run about in order to take back the ball after making a shot. It also allows the ball to be confined so that the ball would not do damage to anything or hurt anybody nearby. The collapsible support unit includes a backboard mounted with a basket and a main upright frame for supporting said backboard. A plurality of auxiliary upright frames are arranged in a row with said main upright frame and are collapsible to the upright frame by means of a plurality of extendable linkage units coupled therebetween. Furthermore, an enclosure defined by a net is formed around said basket for confining the ball, and a ball rolling path defined by a flexible piece extends from the bottom of said backboard to the top of the outermost auxiliary upright frame, allowing the bounced ball to roll back to the player.