Abstract: A surgical instrument having a suture needle guide at one end and an instrument gripping and guiding handle at the other end. The instrument has a general longitudinal axis. The handle is elongated and curved along its length away from the longitudinal axis to facilitate gripping and the needle guide has an exposed concave surface to underlie and guide the needle as it is passed into the surface to be sutured.

Abstract: A general purpose target for defining a window in space is provided by an F shaped frame having spaced parallel vertical ribbons extending between opposing horizontal arms of the F shape to define a strike zone. One of the ribbons may be removed to enable a bat to swing through the strike zone. The frame may be elevated when the window in space should be higher, as for an archery target, for exmaple. A colored sleeve may be disposed on each horizontal arm to define the width of the strike zone. The F shaped frame may be yieldably mounted by a spring on a support stand, or the frame may be rotatably mounted in the stand, to bend or rotate when struck by a thrown ball or swung bat.

Abstract: A golf tee of a one piece integral molded form comprises a plurality of flutes which project generally radially from a central support pedestal. The flutes form support points to provide a support structure for supporting the golf ball in an elevated stable relationship on the tee. One or more of the flutes may be configured to facilitate proper orientation of the golf tee. The rigidity of the flutes located between the club head and the ball is greater than that of relatively flexible flutes located between the ball and the intended flight path of the ball.

Abstract: A board game in which players, using markers representing different types of global influence, challenge individual opponents. The outcome of the challenge being effected by point values of the markers of a selected type of global influence. In one form the markers are tiles and a balance beam is provided to determine the outcome of a contest without having to numerically add the point value on the markers.

Abstract: Playing or games board on whcih several games or the like can be played has a skeleton or framework which consists of a base with upright walls at the sides. Between these side walls a number of parallel upright partitions are placed. These partitions are joined perpendicularly at the top by narrow bars so that the upper face of the game board is divided into squares defined by the partitions and narrow bars. Into this framework of squares a number of bodies are rotatably fixed. The bodies are fixed so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation, without communication between the bodies and each element or body has a number of faces directed outward which can be mutually changed in position by rotation of the body. Each face of an element has a different image or picture or the same image but of a different color.

Abstract: A board game is provided in which a planar playing surface is defined by an array of hexagonal spaces. The hexagonal spaces are grouped together by color. There are twelve different colors, each representing a different "zone." The object of the game is to place as many "starships" as possible in a "zone" and thus, win the "zone". The player winning the most "zones" wins the game. The play is initiated by rolling a colored dodecahedron die and moving a playing piece counterclockwise around the board's perimeter to the color indicated on the die. The player then places the number of "starships" indicated on the corresponding "zone" in order to strategically control that "zone.

Abstract: A method of surgical repair using a needle having two sharpened ends, under arthroscopic control by passing a needle into the joint until the eye of the needle just emerges from the skin on the distal side of the joint, then pulling the suture through the joint to the outside while the needle remains partially within the joint capsule and passing the needle back to the opposite side of the joint so as to reverse the maneuver, so that the needle remains partially within the joint capsule.

Abstract: An archery bow having spaced upper and lower pulley assemblies rotatively mounted on either end of the bow handle. Upper and lower limbs are pivotally mounted on either end of the handle. A bowstring extends between the tips of the limbs. A pair of tension cables connect the upper and lower limbs together, with each of the tension cables engaging one of the pulley assemblies. The tension cables further engage another set of pulley assemblies each rotatively mounted on the upper and lower limbs. Adjustment devices are provided to independently adjust the tension on the tension cables.

Abstract: There is provided a method for enabling the placement of a severed tendon to a position in its associated sheath to be repaired or passing a tendon end through any small enclosed space. An elongated, flexible hollow tube with openings at both ends, and is received in the sheath. The tube has two sections with one section being somewhat rigid, although flexible, while the other section is thin, collapsible, and flares out. The flared section receives an end portion of the severed tendon. The opening in the end of the more rigid section is connected to a source of suction. The suction holds the tendon in place within the tube and causes the flared section to collapse tightly about the end portion of the tendon. The tube and the tendon are pulled through the sheath to the place where it was severed for repair.

Abstract: A training device for pitchers. The training device provides a target comprising a catcher figure and separate batter figure. Both the catcher figure and batter figure are adjustable in height to simulate different sized batters from Little League to adult size. The batter figure can be supported as a left or right handed batter and is pivotable as well as adjustable in distance from the catcher to simulate different batter box positions. A catcher's mitt target is supported on the catcher figure in different positions for different pitches and has an alarm in the pocket of the mitt to indicate an on-target pitch.

Abstract: A box for storing social games having the form of a book and comprising two symmetrical parts forming the covers of the book which are articulatedly mounted on one another by hinges. The box is movable between a closed position and an open position. When the box is in the open position, the symmetrical parts are positioned one adjacent the other on one plane so that game pieces can be placed thereon. When the box is in the closed position, each symmetrical part is pressed against the other and a male component is provided having a salient portion which forms the back of the book. The two symmetrical parts forming the covers of the book form a female component of the book which is further provided on the side of the hinges within an aperture into which the salient portion of the male component can be inserted to secure the box in the closed position.

Abstract: A method is provided for snagging a surgical suture wherein a device is introduced to the interior of the patient's body through a cylindrical cannula. The device includes a resilient loop which collapses as it passes through the cannula. The loop is crimped at its end whereby when a length of suture material is passed through the loop and the device is withdrawn from the patient through the cannula, the suture is snagged within the crimped portion so that it does not escape the loop.

Abstract: A sports racket having a protector strip wound around the frame thereof in a helical path. The strip is passed between the strings of the racket with each convolution and is held in position by virtue of a set shape and the resilient or plastic memory characteristic of the strip. Preferably the set shape is a tubular helix of lesser diameter than that of the racket frame cross-section.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a playing board having a plurality of positions, each position having a plurality of numerically identified regions. Each position also selectively controls the energization of selected lights associated with the position. Each player position also has a plurality of chips adapted to be received on the numerically identified regions of the board.

Abstract: A method for playing a modified chess game, on a modified chess board having a main playing area of eight squares by eight squares with each side extending four rows to form a plus-type design having a total of 128 alternating black and white squares, uses two to four sets of conventional chess pieces, each set being a different color. At least two of the sets are arranged so that all queens occupy the same colored squares. Then all pieces move in the conventional manner. In addition, when a pawn takes an opposing piece and enters into one of the four extended rows, it continues on a straight path toward the furthest row of that extended area.

Abstract: A cover for rackets, such as table tennis rackets having an impact portion and a handle portion, comprises a casing having two connected plate-shaped members forming an inner space therebetween for insertion of a racket. An opening is provided in the casing as access to the inner space. The casing has a stop to position the racket in the inner space. Each of the plate-shaped members has holes facing each other into which a ball can be inserted after the racket is placed into the casing to lock the racket in the inner space. The ball is removable from the holes to free the racket and allow its removal from the casing.

Abstract: A spring loaded arm mechanism is incorporated into a baseball home plate support for tossing a regulation or practice baseball, from ground level, upwardly into the batter's strike zone. A ball launching arm, arm bias spring, arm latch and a release are all arranged in a compact, low-profile unit flush with or just slightly protruding above the home plate support. The arm is cocked, using an arm engaging hand tool, by rotating a ball launching arm end downwardly against the biasing into a latched position. After positioning the baseball, the latch is released, either by the batter or by another via a remotely actuated release, to cause the sprung arm to rotate with great force through a limited arc, propelling the baseball vertically up into the strike zone. A practice embodiment includes a lever arm release actuated by the operator's bat and may further include an elastic ball return tethering cord having an in-line swivel to relieve line twisting.

Abstract: Board game including a board provided with an annular path along which player's tokens may advance, the annular path being arranged concentrically about a central pivot axis and being divided into twelve equal segments each representing a respective one of twelve astrological house signs. A pair of segmented wheels are mounted for independent rotation about the central pivot axis and are arranged whereby the segmented portion of each wheel is visible. Each segmented wheel is divided into twelve equal segments, each of the segments of one wheel designating a respective one of twelve zodiac signs and the segments of the other wheel designating planet signs. An alignment indicator is associated with each segment of the wheels for indicating an operative scoring alignment between the wheel segments and the path segments.

Abstract: A coin- or token-operated game duration controller for a game utilizing a net stretched across a court between a pair of posts. The controller is attached to one of the posts and comprises an electrically driven winch winding and unwinding the net cord cable for raising the net at the beginning of a game period and for lowering the net at the end of a game period. The electric motor is controlled by a coin or token operated switch and timer. The invention requires no modification or alteration of conventional existing net support posts.

Abstract: A racket string straightner including an elongate holder having a straight row of individually slidable teeth mounted therein. Each tooth has a string-receiving notch, and the notches are aligned along the row so as to straighten a string received therein. An aperture is provided in each tooth so as to extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the holder, for receiving a string transverse to the string to be straightened.