Abstract: An apparatus for semiautomatically teeing up golf balls utilizing very low air pressure as an operating medium. Balls are loaded onto a contoured dish at the upper end of an open ended upright cylinder and pass from the dish into a flexible tube wrapped helically around the outside of the cylinder. The lower end of the tube is blocked by a ball dispenser. When a user trips a lever on the ball dispenser, one ball is permitted to roll to a stop above a hole in the hitting mat directly above the air operated teeing device. The teeing device includes a teeing tube attached vertically above an expandable chamber and extending just to the top surface of the hitting mat. A very low pressure stream of air constantly flows through the chamber and escapes via the teeing tube. When a golf ball comes to rest above the teeing tube, the escape of air is terminated, causing the expandable chamber to fill, thereby raising the teeing tube and the ball to the teed height.

Abstract: An integral cooling garment for protection against heat stress characterized by a pair of separate linings stitched together to form tube-receiving chambers which microporous tubes are detachably connectable to a source of liquid carbon dioxide which converts to a solid phase and then gradually sublimates to carbon dioxide gas that is released into the chambers for cooling a wearer of the article of clothing, and the article being untethered to the source of liquid carbon dioxide when worn.

Abstract: The invention comprises a score marker for tennis including a base pierced with three slots arranged in U form. Each slot is provided with a cursor associated with positioning means which in the case of the two parallel slots enables retention of the cursor in four predetermined positions so as to display the points 0, 15, 30 and 40 and in the case of the third slot enables retention of the cursor in three predetermined positions in which it indicates in the central position equality of the players and in the end positions to which player the advantage belongs.

Abstract: A method of fastening biological tissues using a fastener having two opposing heads joined by a connector. The fastener is installed by driving the heads through needles having a slotted bore. The needles are pierced through the tissues and rods are then used to drive the heads through the needle bores. The needles are removed and the heads then move against the tissue surface. The connector draws the heads inward against the tissue. The heads are provided with recesses to securely receive the rods.

Abstract: An anatomically configured racket grip which includes a rotationally symmetrical gripping surface having a uniform midsection whose length is approximately its cross-sectional dimension, an upper transition region varying the cross-sectional dimension from that of the uniform midsection to that of the racket shaft, and a lower transition region varying the dimension from that of the uniform midsection to a reduced cross-sectional dimension. The hand while grasping the improved grip has improved surface area contact therewith, has the muscles thereof positioned near their resting position for optimal exercise of force and control, and the pressure against the regions of the hand which can cut off circulation to the tissues of the hand is minimized to reduce fatigue resulting from use of the grip.

Abstract: A catheter manifold for an angioplasty balloon catheter assembly houses a plurality of serially arranged luers. Longitudinal sections of the luers are joined by tubular connectors, and with the connectors form a central passage through the manifold. At the most distal tubular connector is a reduction in passage diameter. A plurality of elongate, longitudinally directed flutes are formed in that connector just proximal of the diameter reduction. The flutes are engaged by a guide wire insertion tube or fiber insertion tube as it is loaded into the manifold, and tend to center the tube in the passageway. The flutes tend to maintain it in coaxial relation to the passageway, while permitting fluids from the proximal luers to flow in the passageway exteriorly of the tube.

Abstract: A question and answer game which requires a coded reference surface having a depiction thereon, preferrably in the form of a map is taught. The reference surface is subdividable by a coded cell-type network. The players correctly answer different questions provided on cards by identifying the appropriate coded area on the depiction with the answers to the questions appropriately associated therewith. The individual cells of the network are further dividable by a separate lens-type member having division lines thereon defining further coded areas. In this way, the answer accuracy may be increased and the depiction is not unduly cluttered.

Abstract: A blocking sled for use in training football players includes runners which the player straddles to train him to keep his feet apart. The coach rides on a platform behind the athlete watching the athlete move forward and push the dummy at the front while keeping his body low and below chute bars above him. Outriggers outside the runners give the sled stability.

Abstract: A method of making a bow limb which comprises the steps of wrapping impregnated fiberglass strands around a frame to create a fiberglass and resin blank or package. The wet blank or package is then placed in the mold to be shaped and cured. The package has a calculated predetermined number of fiberglass strands, and also a calculated predetermined volume and weight of plastic resin. The mold, has two parts, a male and female. The volume of the mold may be simultaneously thinned and widened in forming the mold in such a manner that the cross-sectional area is constant at any given point. The thickness of the limb can be varied in accordance with the depth of penetration of the male member of the mold into the female. A tail of the excess fiberglass and resin extends from both ends of the mold, and after the formed unit or paddle is first cured and then removed from the mold; these are removed with a saw cut.

Abstract: A tennis practice apparatus including a ball secured to a string. The apparatus (1) is essentially composed of a plurality of string members (3), (5), a plurality of fastening members (11), (12), (13) for the string members, and a frame body (2) which is provided with the fastening members at first and second positions in the same plane and at a third position which is above those two positions. The three positions to which the fastening members are attached constitute the vertices of a triangle formed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the base portion of the frame body. The string members have a guide rope (3) stretched between the fastening members (12), (13) at the first and second positions, and an elastic string (5) which freely extends or contracts with one end secured to the fastening member (11) at the third position and the other end slidably secured to the guide rope. At least one, or, if necessary, two balls (4) are attached at the intermediate portion of the elastic string ( 5).

Abstract: A table tennis training apparatus adapted to be attached to a table tennis table and which apparatus ejects balls towards a user. The apparatus has a plurality of ball projection tubes, each communicating with a source of compressed air. The tubes include a first ball ejection tube having an air regulating device and a plurality of adjustable ball ejection tubes. Balls are fed to the first tube by a magazine loaded with balls and are fed to the second tubes by being sucked by air from the table surface through openings in the tubes adjacent the table surface. A screen is provided about the ball projecting apparatus for arresting and directing balls to the apparatus after being hit by a player.

Abstract: A pivot assembly includes a shank member to which a club shaft is attached. A connecting member having detent balls is attached to the shank member from which a dirt shield and a bearing disc depend. The disc has a pair of bearing faces and includes a pair of journal bearings extending therefrom. The head has a hollow core in which are a pair of facing ring bearings which engage the disc bearing faces and journal bearings. A pair of abutments upstand from the head assembly outside the cavity and are formed with first and second sets of depressions at different spacings from a reference plane. As the shaft is rotated from one extreme position to the other, the detent balls engage the depressions in one abutment or the other alternately to provide closely spaced detent positions of the club shaft.

Abstract: A game apparatus comprises a board having a playing area divided into two cartels. Each cartel is allocated an equal number of weighted contest tokens which are placed within each cartel. Players wager contest tokens in successive rounds of play. A spinner determines whether contest tokens wagered for each turn will be removed from or added to the playing area. The number of tokens wagered are determined by player selected groups of transaction outcomes and a chance device. Contest tokens removed from the playing area are placed on a designated side of a calibrated scale. With the completion of each turn, the balance or imbalance of the scale determines the odds of the outcomes for each cartel in the following turn. Cards from one of two sets are drawn by each cartel at the end of each turn, one set for the cartel achieving the greatest disarmament in the turn, the other set for the other cartel. Each cartel may accumulate cards for redemption at a later turn.

Abstract: A batting practice apparatus includes a batting cage which has a relatively small, closed rear end and a relatively large, open front end. The batting cage is located above a level playing surface and extends over a batting position which is proximate to the closed rear end, and remote from the open front end. A vertical retaining screen is located in front of the open front end of the batting cage and extends in an arc thereabout. Indicia on the retaining screen define a plurality of horizontally extending bands, one above another. Baseballs hit from the batting position through the open front end of the batting cage will either strike the ground before reaching the retaining screen, or strike the retaining screen without first hitting the ground. The vertically adjacent horizontal bands indicate that a ball striking the retaining screen without first hitting the ground is classified as a single, double, triple or home run.

Abstract: A game apparatus for playing a strategic game of economic and political development includes a game board organized in a map format wherein ficticious continental regions are located in an ocean region. The continental regions are sub-divided into territories, and the map is overlaid with a gridwork of lines defining a matrix of sectors. The territories are distinguishably indexed and some of the territory are indexed with markings designating native resources. A set of territory cards indentify the territories, and a set of resource cards, some of which have additional resource designations, are in one-to-one correspondence with the territory cards. Each player has a scoresheet which accumulates point factors; each scoresheet is organized as a chart of point factor category rows which relate to developmental characteristics, and the rows are formed in sequential columns corresponding to rounds of play.

Abstract: An anchor for a compound archery bow includes a yoke portion formed at one end thereof and a reusable clamp formed at the opposite end. The anchor provides a way of securing the inside cables of a compound bow to the tips of the bow limbs adjustably and releasably.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus 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. The apparatus includes 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: This invention concerns a table top game capable of being played on a reversible table surface having a football playing field on one side and a rugby playing field on the opposite side. Each game is suitably marked with the necessary markings and preferably contains a green base to simulate the real game. Opposite ends of the game include goal posts that may either be fixed or removable, depending on the wishes of the user. A flexible reversible table surface is also described together with a fixed reversible table surface capable of being played on any supporting surface including the floor. Each of the games is played with a miniature ball that is kicked off by a flip of a player's finger.

Abstract: A bow includes a centrally arranged handle and a bow limb emanating from each end of the handle, with a cord being tensioned between the outer ends of the bow limbs. The inner ends of the bow limbs are shaped into forks whose tines (which act as springs) are fastened separately, each to a frontal face of the handle. The special configuration increases the energy stored in the bow and reduces the force required for tensioning the cord.

Abstract: A chance game apparatus having five secondary wheels positioned outside of and along the circumferential edge of a primary wheel. Each wheel has a sequence of winning and losing indices with each sequence different from one another. Each sequence defines a different probability of a random selection of one index resulting in a winning index. A winning situation is created by matching a winning index on a secondary wheel with a winning index on the primary wheel.