Abstract: A peumatically operated playing device for randomly casting at least one discrete article includes a substantially rigid cubic enclosure having a first opening on one wall thereof and a second opening on another wall thereof; a first elastic membrane covering the first opening; a second elastic membrane covering the second opening; a retraction element on the first elastic membrane for retracting the first elastic membrane; and the substantially rigid enclosure and the first and second elastic membranes defining a hermetically sealed chamber within the substantially rigid enclosure, such that retraction of the first elastic membrane results in a consequent retraction of the second elastic membrane, and subsequent release of the first elastic membrane causes the second elastic membrane to impart a force to any discrete articles which may be positioned in engagement with the second elastic membrane.

Abstract: An indoor baseball game includes apparatus comprising a rectangular enclosure having netting walls and roof, a playing surface of synthetic grass or the like within the enclosure has a minature baseball diamond marked thereon and a bonus "home run" area is defined on the wall of the enclosure behind second base, a "running line" is marked on the diamond 11.5 meters past home, first and second bases, and must be reached by a runner to avoid being "out", before the baseman on the proceeding base contacts the base with the ball in hand. Various parts of the walls of the enclosure are defined as providing bonus bases when the batter hits the ball so as to contact such parts. Bonus bases are in addition to those achieved by running and to which safe passage is ensured. A complete set of rules for playing the game are set forth.

Abstract: A puzzle game or toy is disclosed comprising two spherical shells made of hard plastic or metal material and having over their surface a multiplicity of circular holes cut therein in a random pattern, the holes being of equal diameter with the exception of one hole having a slightly larger diameter. The second spherical shell has an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the first spherical shell and mounted over the first shell such that the two shells are freely rotatable relative to each other. A spherical ball of metal or plastic is positioned inside the two spherical shells and is of a diameter such that it will pass through the two large holes but none of the other holes.

Abstract: A compound bow using a toggle link assembly to provide improved arrow speed, greater accuracy and improved ease of tuning and use. The bow basically includes first and second spaced bow limbs having a bowstring extending between their outer ends and having their other ends attached through power links to the opposite ends of a main riser. An adjustable connection between the limbs causes them to move in unison. A power canister is secured to the riser adjacent to one of the limb attachments. A toggle link assembly is connected between a power storage compression spring in the canister, and a link on the adjacent limb. As the bowstring is drawn with an arrow in the conventional manner, the toggle link assembly causes energy to be stored in the canister, such as by compressing the spring. When the bowstring is released, the stored energy imparts acceleration to the arrow through the toggle link assembly, limbs and bowstring.

Abstract: Opposing jaws of a retractor are pivoted together and extend oppositely from handles manually swingable to move the jaws relatively toward and away from each other. Generally rectangular blades extend downward from the swinging ends of the jaws and have planar leading bottom portions continguously engageable for fitting between closely adjacent bone such as metatarsals. The trailing portions of the blades are flared outward and rearward from the planar contiguously engageable portions for wedging the adjacent bones apart and have concave depressions for receiving the bones. With the bones received in the concave depressions, the jaws are swung apart to spread the bones and maintain them in spread-apart condition for convenient access to the facing surfaces of the bones, such as to excise a neuroma.

Abstract: The lengths of string (22 and 24) of a racket, more specifically a tennis or squash racket, are trained over bend points of the frame (12) with a low degree of friction and are so strung backwards and forwards across the frame that the spacing between two parallel strings of the same length of string (22) is at least equal to the radius of a ball. Between these strings (22c and 22d) there are parallel strings (24d), that are parts of other string lengths (24). This system of stringing the frame makes it possible for tension forces produced on ball impact to be transmitted to other parts of the array of strings not contacting the ball.

Abstract: A surgical closure device having two mating members is disclosed. The first member comprises a plurality of pins, an indentation ajacent the proximal end of each pin, and at least one synthetic tissue compatible first fiber connecting the distal end of each adjacent pin. The second member comprises at least one synthetic tissue compatible second fiber having a plurality of knots essentially equal in number to the plurality of pins. A method of closing a wound of living tissue using the surgical closure device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A floor hockey puck is formed of two separate materials, the first being harder, less compressible and more dense than the second so as to provide mass and strength to the puck. The second material is softer and more resilient than the first so as to provide the resilience necessary for the proper handle of the puck and also to reduce bodily harm on contact with players. The two separate materials may be arranged in layers through the body of the puck.

Abstract: A multilevel rotary maze comprising a series of stacked maze elements which are rotatable relative to one another. Each of the elements has a series of apertures, at least one of the apertures passing therethrough, and at least a portion of the apertures define a serpentine path throughout the maze which can be attained upon selective sequential rotation of the maze elements to align predetermined apertures thereof. A ball is located in the maze to pass through the apertures as they are aligned.

Abstract: A decoy board game is provided including a gameboard with a grid pattern divided into four segments defining discrete squares of different representations, such as water, land, mountain, island, starting, headquarter and airstrip in which four players can play the game. The players are provided with four sets of game pieces adapted for movement along the grid pattern formed by the squares. Each set of playing pieces includes six different types of pieces having predetermined movements and capable of removing an opponents pieces in accordance with rules of the game and by result of a random number generator.

Abstract: An anastomotic device for temporary installation in a damaged blood vessel, having a generally tube-like shape, and whose purpose is to maintain blood flow within the blood vessel while substantially halting bleeding. The device is so inserted into the damaged blood vessel that it reconnects and reforms the blood vessel through the damaged area. The device contains an enclosed chamber, inflatable from an external source, concentric about an inner cylinder with open ends. The inner cylinder maintains blood flow while the inflated air chamber causes the device to fit snugly enough within the blood vessel to halt external bleeding.

Abstract: A retractor device to facilitate aligning and opposing the edges of a wound preparatory to its closing. The retractor is a resiliently flexible strip member having hooks attached at each end thereof. The hooks are adapted to engage the extremities of the incision when the strip member is bent to a partially bowed configuration so that the resulting tension which is applied through the hooks operates to align the edges of the wound along the entire length of the incision.

Abstract: A racket sport teaching aid device comprises a frame that includes a pointing member. Unexpectedly good results are achieved when a weight is attached to the lower end of the frame. The weighted frame physically maintains the face of the racket perpendicular to the plane of the ground at both the back swing and at the ball impact point. The weighted frame serves the triple functions of stabilizing the head of the racket at the time of impacting the ball, of maintaining the head of the racket at a proper angle with respect to the ground, and of providing a directional guide to be visually observed by the player. This helps the player both to remember to maintain the racket head at impact at a proper angle with respect to the ground and actually physically assists the player in performing this task. The device also assists the player in following through on the stroke such that the follow-through is up and in the direction of the intended shot.

Abstract: A telescoping self-defense keychain includes a keyring attached on a swivel for tethering one or more keys. The keychain may also be used for self-defense or by police to control a suspect during arrest. The keychain has a telescoping member which may be extended to increase the overall length of the keychain to provide more effective use as a weapon. The telescoping member is held in the extended position by a flared end on the telescoping member which wedges into a swaged end of the handle. A leaf spring engages the flared end of the telescoping member to retain it in a retracted position.

Abstract: A device for straightening misaligned strings of a stringed racket, including an elongated rigid member forming a substitute finger. One end of the device includes a gripping member for gripping the device and a hook is supported from the other end of the elongated member and extending transversely thereto. The hook has both forwardly facing and rearwardly facing bent portions, so that it may be used alternately for pushing or pulling a selected string.

Abstract: A racket comprised of a frame connected to a handle wherein the frame has a retaining channel that extends around its outer periphery. The frame also has a plurality of holes extending therethrough for receiving individual strings. Slidable within the retaining channel are a plurality of retaining members that have recesses in their end portions. The recesses serve to define string holes when the retaining members are placed together. Each of the strings has a portion of increased extent at each end such that the strings can be passed through the frame hole while at the same time being secured to the frame by way of the string holes on the retaining members. Since the string holes in the retaining members are smaller in size than the portion of the string of increased extent, the strings are held in place in the frame.

Abstract: A portable pitching mound is disclosed which is comprised of a concave horizontally disposed shell member which has a pitching rubber area. A first receptacle is indented into the surface of the shell member and is located immediately forwardly of the pitching rubber. A second indented receptacle portion is located in the forward portion of the shell member. A quantity of earthen material is located in each of the indented receptacle portions, and the earthen material is graded to conform to the contour or shape of the shell member.

Abstract: The archery bow arrow rest and side pressure plate assembly includes an arrow rest formed of an elongated mounting block, a rear transverse cross bar adjustably connected thereto and a forwardly and upwardly extending resilient flexible arrow support connected to the free end of the crossbar. The side pressure plate sub-assembly includes a cross shaft adjustably threaded transversely through the block in front of the crossbar and bearing on its free end a flexible, resilient bent pressure plate having a pair of sloped surfaces joined at a laterally extending point and contactable with the side of an arrow shaft. The pressure plate may be V- or U-shaped and backed by a tensioning plate. It may be received in a close fitting slot in the free end of the cross shaft so that it will not inadvertantly pivot. The arrow support may also be backed by a tensioning plate. The pressure plate may include a long arm so that it extends well forward or rearward of the cross shaft for improved arrow clearance.

Abstract: An archery bow stabilizer and embedded arrowhead remover formed by a bolt having a head at one end and internal and external threads at an opposite end, two weights carried by the bolt, and a relatively thin disc being sandwiched between the weights. The latter structure is utilized as an archery bow stabilizer by threading the external thread to a stabilizer socket of a bow. To remove an arrowhead embedded in a tree or the like, one of the weights is removed, the bolt is secured to a threaded stem of an arrowhead from which the arrow shaft has been removed, and the remaining weight on the bolt is manually reciprocated against the bolt head to create impact forces which are transferred through the bolt to the arrowhead to, thus, facilitate the removal thereof.

Abstract: The archery bow assembly includes an archery bow having a riser with arrow window, arrow rest and handle, a pair of limbs and a bowstring. The assembly also includes a novel arrow holder which prevents an arrow from inadvertently rolling off the rest but which automatically releases the arrow as the arrow is drawn during shooting of the bow. The holder includes a flexible resilient elongated line of rubber or the like having a high frictional resistance with the surface of the arrow, connectors at one or both opposite ends of the line, an anchor bolt or the like anchoring one end of the line through its connector to the riser, preferably at the rear end thereof, and a smooth surfaced slide pin or the like interconnected to and projecting rearwardly from the riser and slideably receiving the connector at the opposite end of the line, after the line is passed over the arrow when the latter is on the rest. Preferably, the pin is carried by a crossbar.