Abstract: Aligning apparatus for directing the passage of racing motor vehicles at the start of a race including: a frame overlying a race track, and resilient track dividers depending from the frame which define racing lanes through which the racing vehicles pass in parallel paths.

Abstract: A compressed gas- or air-operated firearm, comprises a gun stock with a gun sleeve affixed to the gun stock and with a gun barrel having an associated compression cylinder adjacent the inner end thereof with a spring-actuated piston movable therein and an associated trigger mechanism which is movably supported within the gun sleeve by roller bearing structure. A power accumulator is arranged between the relatively movable parts and it biases the parts into a neutral position and includes structure for absorbing the reaction force due to the movement of the piston during operation of the weapon.

Abstract: A game for simulating launching and landing of spacecraft. An elongated channel attached to an upright stand defines a predetermined path for a moving game piece. A notched rotating disk mounted on the stand transversely above the channel prevents passage of the game piece except when the notch coincides with the channel. The effective circumferential extent of the notch can be selectively varied by a movable shutter for simulating approach corridors of varying widths. Alternatively, a target plaque pivotally mounted in the notch rotates from a first to a second position if struck by a simulated missile. Game pieces that fail to pass the rotating disk are prevented from bouncing back into the approach channel by a one-way barrier and are then removed from the channel by flanges protruding from the face of the disk. The disk may be rotated with constant angular velocity or with continuously varying velocity by means of off-center gears.

Abstract: A soil conditioner for use in combination with a cultivating implement drawn behind a tractor to break up the soil and leave a prepared seedbed in a single operation. The conditioner is mounted to a framework extending rearwardly behind the cultivator. It comprises a set of reels each mounted to the framework for free rotation about a transverse axis. Two sets of axial blade members are provided about each reel. The blades are equiangularly spaced about the axis and are arranged so that each blade of one set is angularly spaced midway between adjacent blades of the other set. The first set of blades include ground-engaging edges spaced a first radius from the axis. The corresponding edges of the remaining set of blades are spaced a second radius from the axis that is less than the first radius.

Abstract: A pivot ball assembly for use in swivelly attaching a bulldozer blade to a support arm, and the assembly includes an inner race member and an outer race member. The support arm receives the assembly and restricts the movement of the outer race member, and a retainer ring is supported on the support arm and engages the outer race member and is held to the support arm by screws. Extending through the center of the inner race member and the outer race member is a bolt, which bolt is secured in place by a nut mounted on one end thereof. Spacers are provides around the ends of the bolt to prevent excessive tightening thereof.

Abstract: A game of skill including a frame for supporting a game board having a plurality of ball-receiving pockets located about the periphery thereof and formed in the supporting frame of the game board. A ball-propelling mechanism including a base and a swingably mounted impact member is movable about the game board to propel a cue ball to impact with object balls. The base includes symmetrically-disposed recesses for receiving the cue ball so that it may be automatically aligned with the impact member. The ball-propelling mechanism is also provided with a sighting edge so that the impact member and cue ball may be properly aligned with an object ball. The supporting frame of the game board also includes rebound bumpers and a bumper mounting system which provides an enhanced rebound action to the playing balls.

Abstract: A plastic annular floor is attached to the ground by tacks. The outer periphery of the floor is bent vertically upwards to form a wall. A circular vertical band abuts the outside of the wall. The floor is held against the band by clips which are driven into the ground. Thus, a squat vertical cylinder with a wide diameter is formed, with an open top. In winter, the cylinder can be filled with water which after freezing can be used to provide a surface for skaters. In summer, the cylinder without water can be used to provide a surface for roller skates.

Abstract: An improved compressed fluid ball projecting machine convertable for baseball and tennis practice. Improvements are in maneuverability, oscillation of the tennis barrel and immobility of the baseball barrel, remote control power for coaching options, replaceable and interchangeable barrels, variable timer speed control and a reliable hopper and feed system to enable firing of up to two hundred tennis balls unattended and without malfunction. Regarding the oscillation or lack of oscillation of the barrel, an actuator rod mounted on a rotatable disc causes such oscillation. When this rod is removed and the barrel clamped, this oscillation is eliminated. Concerning the variable timer control, such control is varied by two relatively movable rotatable notched discs. These dics contact a valve actuating mechanism and permit opening of a valve operated thereby only when the notches of the pair of discs are aligned and in contact with the valve actuating mechanism.