Abstract: An inside antenna is provided comprising a housing, a capacitor and an inductor located within the housing and cooperating to form an LC network, a radiator connected to the inductor, and a coaxial cable with its central conductor tapped to a selected location of the inductor. The capacitor is formed by a radiator plate to which the radiator and inductor are connected and a ground plate. A set screw is carried by the housing and engages the ground plate so that movement of the set screw varies the position of the ground plate relative to the radiator plate.

Abstract: A golf putting game is provided and consists of a rectangular framework for use on a flat surface and pockets disposed within the framework for capturing a golf ball during the play of the game. The sides of the framework has a bottom undercut to receive a felt floor mat when the apparatus is assembled. The framework sides are further provided with a plurality of pockets, each pocket having an inwardly inclined floor to positively retain a ball therein.

Abstract: An improved golf ball teeing device provides a method and apparatus for conveniently and automatically positioning golf balls on a tee (38) so they can be hit by a golf club in the hands of a golfer. The golfer can activate the entire operation with a golf club from an upright position or stance. Upon activation of the golf ball release and transfer assembly, a golf ball from a single line of golf balls supplied by a golf ball dispenser follows a path from golf ball receiver (60) to a downward sloping guide track (36) and a runner provided by the two side arms of a pivot arm assembly (43 and 49) where the golf ball is centered upon a tee (38). A spring (51) provides tension on the pivot arm assembly. The teeing device is designed for use with two different sizes of mats with fixed tees. Both of these mats (39 and 81) have an opening which allows the teeing device to be so positioned within the opening at the outer end of the pivot arm assembly (43 and 49) that the tee (38) will be properly aligned.

Abstract: A blocked impurity band detector having a high fill factor is comprised of a radiation detecting layer and an overlying blocking layer which are interposed between a plurality of rear contact regions and a frontside common electrical contact layer. Disposed over the surface of the frontside contact layer is a layer of metalization formed as a substantially transparent grid. Radiation enters the detecting layer through the grid, contact layer, and blocking layer. Each of the rear contact regions is conductively coupled to an end of a metallic conductor, or via, which is disposed through an insulating substrate. The opposite end of each of the metallic conductors exits the back surface of the substrate and is adapted for connection to an integrated circuit readout device.

Abstract: A football holder for place-kicking a regulation NFL type football comprises a base a vertical support member connected at its lower end to the base, a holding arm pivotably connected at its proximal end to the upper end of the support member for movement about a pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the holding arm, the lower surface of the holding arm at the distal end being adapted to engage a tip of the football, a stop member connected to the upper end of the support member to prevent the holding arm from rotating below a predetermined lowest position, and an adjustable tensioning mechanism for causing the holding arm to exert an adjustable amount of tension on the football. The lower surface of the holding arm at the distal end has attached thereto a foam rubber pad for contacting the tip of the football.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a base coupled to a water source, the base outputting a stream of water for supporting a toy ball in mid air. The base includes filtering device for substantially eliminating turbulence from the water stream so that it is substantially laminar. The flowing stream contacts a toy ball and lifts it into a position of equilibrium where the upward force of the stream balances the downward force of gravity acting on the ball so that the ball is suspended in mid air. The flowing water clings to the surface of the ball and generates a force tending to center the ball in this supporting stream. If the ball becomes off center, an unequal force on the side of the ball furthest from the center of the stream will force the ball back to the stream center.

Abstract: A baseball game played with a bat and a pitched ball includes a ball detection system, a scoring device and a plurality of ball sensing field zones. The ball detection system is located near a batting position for providing a passage signal in response to passage of said ball through said batting position. Ball sensing field zones are spaced from and face the batting position for intercepting the ball. Each ball sensing field zone provides, in response to ball penetration, a zone signal signifying the position of the ball. The position corresponds to a hit, foul or out. The scoring device is coupled to the ball detection system and ball sensing field zones for registering a hit, foul, or out in response to the zone signal, following production of the passage signal.

Abstract: A tennis ball return apparatus associated with a tennis net which has its lower edge disconnected from supporting posts to enable balls striking the net to drop substantially straight downwardly rather than rebounding from the net with the apparatus of this invention causing the tennis balls which strike the net and drop downwardly to enter a channel-shaped area having a horizontal tray or trough in the bottom thereof which has a driven endless cord with knots thereon for returning the balls to a putter-type mechanism to project the balls back towards the base line of a tennis court.

Abstract: A ball hitting practice device comprising a planar base, a vertical pedistal of an longated flexible first member having a specially prepared molded ball fixedly attached to the terminal end and the other end being telescopically inserted into a second elongated rigid tubular member, a safety lock at the end of the first member to prevent it from being removed from the top of the second member, an adjustable lock on the first and second members adapted to secure the first member at the desired height, and a coil spring the top end of which is fixedly attached to the bottom of the second member and the bottom end being fixedly attached by a bolt to the planar base.

Abstract: A foot positioning training aid for training and instructing individuals in the proper positioning of their feet when engaged in various activities in which the position and movement of the feet are critical to proper execution of desired functions. The training aid includes a generally rectangular panel which can be supported on various supporting surfaces and is provided with a raised rear edge portion and raised side edge portions to position the feet but not form barriers to movement. The side edges of the training include progress numerical indicia and VELCRO alongside of the indicia together with positionable indicators on the VELCRO to provide indicators for initial position of the feet and also indicators to indicate movement or secondary positions of the feet for optimum performance of certain functions.

Abstract: A training device (b 10) for receiving thrown, hit or kicked balls includes a main frame (11) carrying a target frame (14) defining an open target area which is backed by a net (15). The size of the open target area is adjustable so that the user may practice with target areas of varying sizes. Adjustment of the target size is made possible by the provision of horizontal and vertical frame members, the horizontal frame members (23) being slidably adjustable on the vertical frame members (19). A plurality of spaced apart grooves (27) are placed along the vertical frame members (19) and an elastic ban or O-ring (28) is selectively placed in a groove (27) to hold the horizontal frame members (23) in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A supporting device for the mounting of net posts for tennis nets on tennis courts comprises an alignable lever having elastic feet on its lower side. The feet extend flat over the ground of the court toward the horizontal stress created by tension in a net. A support structure is provided for the vertical mounting of a net post. The device has rollers, which are mounted eccentrically of a lever weighted portion and are freely rotatable.

Abstract: An improved base assembly for a Little League baseball field in which there are provided a plurality of staking pins connected to the strap end portions of the base via a plurality of metal clips, each metal clip having one loop for receiving therethrough a respective strap end portion, another loop for slidingly receiving therein a respective staking pin. During the securement of the base to the ground, the staking pins are hammered into the ground, and, owing to the spacing of the staking pins from the straps and the side surfaces of the base, the hammer blows contact only the skating pins. An insertion tool is provided for inserting a new strap into the base which includes a substantially elongated flat metal member having an enlarged end in which is formed a coutout for threading therethrough a first free end of a new strap.

Abstract: A portable self-supporting post assembly designed for supporting sports nets, tarpaulins, awnings and the like includes a post anchor with downwardly extending prongs adapted to be imbedded in a penetrable support surface such as sand or soil. The pongs are fastened to a base plate of the post anchor at locations displaced outwardly from a post or pole which extends upwardly from a top surface of the base plate. The prongs are formed of flat spring metal and are outwardly curved to enhance their gripping action in the support surface. The resiliency of the prongs maintains the tautness of a net, tarpaulin, awning or the like which is supported between a pair of the post assemblies.

Abstract: A baseball pitching target with a ball return is provided and consists of a return chute angularly elevated to extend away from a box-like enclosure having an open front end with a target frame vertically suspended between the open front end of the enclosure and the chute. A person standing behind the chute can pitch a baseball through the target frame. The baseball is stopped by the enclosure and falls into the chute to be returned back to the person. One end of the return chute has a front wall removably attached to the return chute by a tongue and groove arrangement whereby the wall can be removed to allow a ball to roll out of the chute and into the field of practice.

Abstract: The "Throwing Aid" consists of a base of a flexible but substantially rigid material, approximately the width and length of the thrower's forearm. It is attachable to the back of the arm, centered at the elbow, and contoured to fit the arm snugly but with a bend to hold the arm in a slightly bent position. The base has a central portion bent inwardly so that its opposite ends converge towards each other. The side edges of the base converge toward each other to form an inner side concave face. The converging ends of the base converge on the inner side of the base.

Abstract: A new game is disclosed, involving substantially the same rules as American football (e.g., NFL or NCAA) except that kicks or passes into the end zone may be deflected back onto the playing field as a playable ball by a rebounding assembly that surrounds the goalposts. Upon an attempted field goal, an errant kick will result in the ball hitting the rebounding assembly instead of passing between the vertical uprights of the goalpost. The reflected ball can be caught before it hits the ground by only players of the team defending the goal. Once caught, the defending team may advance the ball toward the opposite goal in accordance with the normal rules of American football. If the ball reflected off of the rebounding assembly hits the ground before it is caught by a player of the team defending the goal, the ball is free for players of either team to advance.

Abstract: A tennis guide training device utilizes an actual size tennis ball which is secured to an axially adjustable elongated mounting stem. The mounting stem is adjustably secured to a clamping device which is adapted for engagement with the top edge of a conventional tennis net. In a first embodiment, the clamping device is in the form of a resilient spring clip which is provided with a threaded mounting socket. The adjustable stem is formed from a coil spring which is received within the threaded socket. The height of the tennis ball target above the top net edge may be adjusted by screwing the mounting stem into or out of the threaded socket. In a second embodiment, the clamping device is in the form of a resilient clip which is provided with a mounting socket having an axial bore for the reception of a mounting stem. The mounting stem is formed from a cylindrical rod of a rigid material and is secured in adjusted axial position within the mounting socket by a thumb screw.

Abstract: A pocket billiard table is quickly and easily converted to a snooker table by a removable pocket reducer. The pocket reducer includes a pair of rail assembly extenders 20, 22 substantially identical in cross section to a permanent rail assembly 18 extending about the periphery of a playing field 16. An elongate flexible strap 30 interconnects the rail assembly extenders 20, 22 and conforms to the interior wall of the pocket. Further, end portions 32, 34 of the strap extend below the rail assembly extenders 20, 22 and contact the edge of the playing field 16 to inhibit the extenders from being displaced onto the playing field 16. A leaf spring 38 arcuately connects the rail assembly extenders 20, 22 and biases the rail assembly extenders 20, 22 against the permanent rail assembly 18 to aid in maintaining the rail assembly extenders 20, 22 in their desired position.

Abstract: A golf tee made from peat moss admixed with a water soluble binder in an amount sufficient to bond the peat moss together in a coherent and rigid body by cold or hot pressure forming is disclosed. The water soluble binder may be a lignosulphonate in an amount up to 50%, preferably about 10 to 30%, by weight of the composition. The composition preferably has a moisture content of 5 to 22%, preferably 9 to 18%, by weight. The water soluble binder may be a water soluble polymer in an amount of 3 to 20%, preferably 5 to 15% and more preferably 8 to 10% by weight of the composition.