Abstract: A vibration dampening device for use with hand held sporting rackets, particularly tennis rackets, having a face or striking surface formed of two intersecting sets of parallel strings. The device of this invention comprises a block of viscoelastic foam which is compressed and inserted between the strings on the striking surface. This block of foam is preferably in the shape of a cylinder and when it is inserted between two, adjacent parallel strings it assumes a generally spherical shape. Typically, this compressed block engages four adjacent strings of both sets of strings, or three strings and the racket frame. This block may be placed at various positions on the racket striking surface, and significantly reduces vibrations created in the racket by the striking of a projectile, such as a ball. The device may be constructed of various combinations of different types of foam, and may have any desired color or design.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toy which has an annular frame with a curved, osed interior surface. A small toy vehicle is movable by manually moving and orienting the frame, for rolling on wheels around the curved interior surface. A retaining tether attaches the toy vehicle to the frame to permit the wheels to leave the interior surface of the frame but not to separate it entirely from it. In the preferred embodiment a continuous channel is provided throughout the entire interior of the frame and a slit communicates between the interior channel and the exposed interior surface of the frame. One end of the tether is tied to the toy vehicle and the other end is tied to a bead retained within the channel and freely moving throughout the entire length.

Abstract: The purse string applicator has a pair of tissue engaging arms which can be extended from the applicator to grasp apertured tissue and to subsequently flatten and move the engaged tissue over an anvil carrier. The arms are mounted on a tube which can be slid through a handle by means of a tissue knob held by a surgeon. The arms are also movable transversely by means of a control knob at the proximal end so as to engage and flatten the apertured tissue. A pair of handles are provided to staple a purse string about the apertured tissue after postioning of the tissue on the anvil carrier.

Abstract: A game-board representing a simulated football field, on which the placement and movement of a ball marker representing a football is determined by the selection and interpretation of a message on cards drawn from one of the five decks of cards. Each deck of cards is provided with an active decks area and an adjacent used deck area. The decks of cards are initially placed on their corresponding active deck areas. The selection of the deck from which a card is chosen is made with reference to the play according to the rules of football. The players draw for the privilege of choosing whether to kick-off or receive and the players draw cards on offense until they lose possession of the ball. The opponent then takes possession and draws cards in turn until he loses possession of the ball. After each card is drawn and used it is placed on its corresponding used deck area. The game is over when all the down deck cards have been used. Players visually compare the relative heights of the active and used down decks.

Abstract: A retention suture apparatus for maintaining a wound closed with a retention suture. The apparatus includes a relatively flat and stiff bridging member adapted to be placed across the wound. One end of the bridging member is adapted to have one end of the suture coupled thereto with the suture extending through the skin on one side of the wound, passing transversely to the wound under the skin and tissue and exiting from the skin on the other side of the wound such that its free end may engage the other end of the bridging member. A plurality of apertures are formed through the bridging member. The apparatus also includes a fastening member having a main body and a band. The main body has a hook fixed at one end and a wrapping projection extending transversely from its upper side. A channel extends longitudinally outward from the central portion of the main body to the other end of the main body where the channel forms an opening.

Abstract: This invention relates to a play feature for a pinball game. The invention includes a plurality of targets mounted on a target carrier. The target carrier can be raised above the surface of the playfield where the targets can be hit by a ball or lowered below the playfield so that the ball will pass over the targets. Located behind this first set of targets on the playfield is a second set of targets. This second set of targets is either covered by a visor or exposed to be contacted by a ball. The visor is operatively connected to the target carrier such that downward movement of the target carrier results in upward movement of the visor. In this manner, the two target areas are alternately exposed to the player to vary the scoring opportunities.

Abstract: An improved clip (15) and method for supplying hygienic projectiles (22) to a ballistic implant gun (10) is disclosed. The clip (15) includes a plurality of cylindrical chambers (20) which each contain a projectile or bioligical bullet (22). The clip (15) also includes indexing means (27) which automatically advance the clip (15) transversely of the gun's housing to supply a projectile (22) to the gun (10) after the preceeding projectile has been discharged. The clip (15) further includes a stop mechanism (14) which notifies the user when all of the bullets (22) have been discharged. This stop mechanism comprises a blocked chamber (14) located at one end of the clip (15) which contains a plurality of tabs (30) therewithin. After the final bullet has been discharged, the blocked chamber (14) can be advanced to align with the gun's firing chamber.

Abstract: A projector for projecting a tennis ball through the air. The projector has a housing containing a loading opening and two spaced recesses. A wheel with a roughened periphery is rotatably mounted in each recess. At least one of the wheels is motor-driven. The wheels are spaced from one another sufficiently that a tennis ball directed between them will be gripped and ejected from the housing toward a tennis player. The distance between the two wheels may be adjusted. A backstop is provided to stop a tennis ball driven by the tennis player. The backstop directs the stopped ball to the loading opening of the projector for reprojection to the player.

Abstract: An inflatable generally toroidal suspension tube for resiliently suspending and retaining a stringed inner frame insert within an outer frame of a racket head. Different parts of the tube are able to expand at different rates in response to increased inflation pressure, so as to control distortion of the outer frame of the racket head. The tube may be of a thermoplastic material and tubular restrictors surround the portions of the suspension tube which are intended in use to be located where the radius of curvature of the frame is greatest, in order to prevent distortion of those parts of the racket head frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a clay target throwing machine on a towing hitch ball which is coupled with a vehicle or a post anchored in the ground. A framework is coupled with an upright cylinder which engages the hitch ball or post allowing movement or apparatus about the vertical axis of the hitch ball or post.

Abstract: A patient (10) having cardiocirculatory arrest is resuscitated using a supple band (12) that is passed around the thorax (14). The thorax is clasped at its side portions, for example, between contoured band-guide assemblies (16 and 18), one (16) being fixed and the other (18) adapted for traversing movement. The band is guided, as by the assemblies (16 and 18), over the clasped portions of the thorax so that a tautening of the band exerts the clasping action and produces force components (62, 64, 66, 68) directed inwardly of the thorax around a major portion of its periphery. The band is alternately tautened and loosened, for example, using a pull roller (72) driven manually through a torque-measuring wrench handle (110) or by a motor device (170). The tautness of the band may be limited as by an adjustable mechanical stop arrangement (128, 130, 132).

Abstract: A compound bow (20) with a moment transfer pulley system (28) for reducing the holding force at the maximum bowstring draw position and for attaining and maintaining a high amount of stored energy. The moment transfer pulley system includes a pulley assembly (38) having a primary axle hole (76) and a primary axle (44) upon which the pulley assembly rotates. A secondary axle (64) is mounted to the pulley assembly. Mounted on the bow limb tip (24) on opposite sides of the pulley assembly are two moment transfer cams (52 and 54). These transfer cams are held in fixed relationship to the limb 24. The transfer cams include a notch (78) for receiving the secondary axle (64). As the bow reaches the full draw position the secondary axle (64) is received into the notches (78).

Abstract: A practice device for assisting a batter in learning a proper swing includes an elongated, lightweight, tubular member having two longitudinal ends which forms a longitudinal extension of the handle of the bat. The extension is circularly symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the bat and has a fastener at one end for attachment coaxially of the member to the bat handle.

Abstract: A game device including a bordered playing field having a number of pockets formed in the field to receive target balls. The device includes a star-shaped rack having five spaced compartments, each of which receives and aligns a group of three target balls in a broken ring around a centrally positioned target ball. The shooter ball is positioned outside the ring and the game player uses a cue stick to strike and propel the shooter ball toward an appropriate target ball. The height of the playing field is adjustable and the playing field rotates to provide convenient access to elderly or handicapped players. The device is also conveniently disassembled for storage or shipping.

Abstract: A pitching aid is shown which includes a backstop having sides which define an open interior with a front facing opening. A target is suspended from the backstop within the open interior to define a three dimensional strike-zone. The target has a rigid top and a rigid bottom suspended from the rigid top by flexible sides. Flexible cables connect the rigid bottom to the backstop to suspend the target in tension within the open interior.

Abstract: In a sailing game, a number of movable land masses each having a habor therein for placement upon a game board. At least two types of sailing vessels, each having different navigational abilities when moving over the game board. Wind speed and direction indicators for determining the possible movements of the vessels during each turn, wherein all vessels on the game board, and not within a harbor, must be subject to the indicators. Facility and buoy cards acquired by each player allow the player to alter the effects of the wind speed and direction indicators upon his vessel. The winner being the first individual to navigate his vessel from the home harbor to all of the other harbors and return back to the home harbor.

Abstract: A racket, for playing a game using a ball of limited resiliency, such as a tennis racket comprises a racket head frame portion provided with stringing, a handle, and a shaft arrangement connecting the racket head frame portion and the handle. The resonance frequency of the racket head frame portion at least approximately corresponds to the period of time for which a ball is in contact with the strings of the racket when struck thereby, and the natural frequency or oscillation frequency of the racket substantially corresponds to the excitation frequency of the ball. The thickness of the racket frame as measured in a direction normal to the plane of the stringing is greater than the thickness of the handle as measured in a corresponding direction.

Abstract: A shooting bow includes a bowstring, an elongated frame extending longitudinally in a shooting direction of the bowstring, a pair of arms for providing a tension for the bow, and a pair of rotatable bowstring guide members on the pair of arms, respectively. The bowstring includes a main span extending between the guide members and a pair of end spans or cables extending from the guide members, respectively. The bow also includes a bowstring catch and trigger mechanism positioned on the frame for holding the bowstring in a drawn position and for releasing it to propel a projectile. Each of the arms includes a rigid portion and a flexible portion respectively. The flexible portions extend in a forwardly direction. A pair of pulleys on the frame positions the bowstring end spans forwardly of the guide member.

Abstract: A solar ray energy radiation device for use in medical treatment comprises a transparent or semi-transparent cylindrical member, a cover member for closing off one end surface of the cylindrical member, and an optical conductor cable having a light ray emitting end placed on the cover member. The solar ray energy transmitted through the optical conductor cable is radiated from the light ray emitting end into the cylindrical member. An open-ended side of the cylindrical member is facing the treatment area in order to administer solar ray energy onto a person receiving treatment. The cylindrical member is comprised of at least two cylindrical portions which are capable of sliding telescopically within one another in the direction of the axis of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A two-piece vaginal speculum has upper and lower blade members pivotally connected to each other by a slot and pin arrangement for relative pivotal and spatial adjustment of the blade members. Slots are formed in the sides of the upper blade member, and trunnions with lugs directed outwardly through the slots are formed on the sides of the lower blade member. Cheek plates in the upper blade member sides have ribs formed therein for selective engagement with teeth formed on cheek plates of the lower blade member sides. The ribs extend in the direction generally parallel to the slots, and achieve sliding engagement with the teeth so that the position of the trunnion lugs can be moved from one to another set of notches formed on the slots. The teeth and rib have engaging surfaces which are back angled at about seven degrees so that compressive forces of the patient's vaginal wall on the blades will urge the rib and the engaging tooth, and their supporting cheek plates, into engagement.