Abstract: A new type of baseball and softball practice hitting device which is easily adjusted for use in training young ball players comprising a planar base to which is attached vertical sections, the top end of the pedistal being fixedly attached to a baseball or softball, and the bottom end of said vertical pedistal being fixedly attached to a coil spring which in turn is attached to a pivoting member which permits the pedistal to be inclined to the side, back or front depending on the desired position of the ball and then locked in place.

Abstract: A device for practicing the motor skills associated with striking a moving ball. A series of balls are successively released from a ball magazine and deflected into a batter's hitting zone. Apparatus is provided for predetermining the approximate post deflection trajectory of each ball, thereby selectively positioning each ball within the batter's hitting zone. A timing feature for signaling deflection of the ball is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ball hitting practice device including a supporting base, a vertical support post, and an elongated support bar pivotally attached to the support post for movement between operative and inoperative positions. A protective net is supported in cantilevered relationship to the elongated support bar so that a major portion of the net extends downwardly toward the ground at a distance away from the support bar. A ball, which may be a baseball, softfall or tennis ball is suspended by means of a cable from the elongatged support bar, and is provided with a visual indicator, such as a fluorescent stripe about its middle portion, to aid the user of the device. The cable may also be provided with a kinetic energy damping device to more effectively control the ball and to reduce the interval between successive swings at the ball.

Abstract: A ball target assembly (10) for providing target practice and practice of timing in relation to the movement of a ball through the air. The device (10) comprises a frame section (12) positioned in a substantially upright position providing support for the device on the ground, a movable boom section (16) pivotally attached at the top and in front of the frame section (12) providing horizontal and vertical reciprocal movement of a ball receiver target section (66) to restore the target to a flush-upright position after being struck by a moving ball, a cable support system (85) providing support between the frame (12) and the target (66) so that the target (66) remains in the flush-upright position in a selected stationary position, and a backnet section (20) comprising a sack-oriented netting material received by the rearward portion of the frame (12) for timely collection and retrieval of the moving balls.

Abstract: Pitching training apparatus including selected target areas, each in the form of a frame supporting a ball catching device, such as a net. One target area is generally elongate and rectangular, with another target area being of a configuration corresponding to a rectangle with a corner removed, with a portion of both of these target areas being in those areas of the strike zone corresponding to inside or outside edges and the corners of a strike zone.

Abstract: An ostomy device for releasably connecting an ostomy bag to an adhesive backed label including a mounting member for connecting one of two coupling parts to the label. The mounting member comprises an expandable portion for facilitating displacement of the connected coupling part between a normal position and an expanded position. The expanded portion comprises a pair of accordion-like folds including an inner fold and a smaller outer fold. The connected coupling part comprises a rib portion having a deflectible sealing strip extending therefrom. The rib portion is connected to the mounting member adjacent the outer folds such that the sealing strip is positioned intermediate the inner and outer folds when the coupling part is in the normal position. The inner fold guides discharge from the stoma into the bag and away from the interengaged coupling parts. In an alternate embodiment, the mounting member is affixed to the label.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a training device for hitting a baseball comprising a shoulder harness with a chin holder connected thereto in a manner to allow for movement of the chin holder on a plane from the right shoulder to the left shoulder in an elliptical fashion.

Abstract: A billiard cue chalk holder having a housing with side walls, opposed end walls and a hollow internal cavity having a cross section configured to stationarily receive a cubical billiard cue chalk block. An aperture is formed in at least one of the end walls and disposed in communication with the cavity in the housing to allow insertion of the tip of a billiard cue stick therethrough into contact with the chalk block housed internally within the housing. Mounting flanges formed on the housing receive fasteners to stationarily mount the housing on a flat surface, such as the side of a billiard table. The length of the cavity is configured to receive one or more cubical billiard cue chalk blocks, all of which are accessible for applying chalk to the tip of a billiard cue stick through the apertures formed in one or both of the end walls of the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a play feature for a pinball game able to assume a plurality of scoring positions. Various embodiments are disclosed, including two-position targets and four-position targets. The devices are actuated by a solenoid which cooperates with a cam to provide linear or rotary output to change the target position. The solenoids are actuated by a switch associated with the targets. The positions of the targets are sensed to provide different scoring values for each of the different positions.

Abstract: An appartus for enabling the remote handling and placement of golf balls and tees by an individual without requiring the individual to bend or stoop and which includes an elongated handle having a pair of generally concave opposing jaw portions which are selectively movable relative to one another and from which extend a pair of generally concave gripping elements which may be utilized to selectively engage a golf ball or golf tee and which further includes a cup for allowing the selective placement of the golf ball and golf tee relative to one another prior to inserting or setting the golf ball and tee into the ground.

Abstract: A portable baseball practice device (10) functioning as either a batting tee or a strike zone indicator is disclosed. As a batting tee, a pair of adjustable stanchions (40 and 50) are mounted on planar, horizontal members (20and 30). One stanchion mounts on an extender member (30) abutting a base plate member (20) which serves as home plate. A cup (46) for resting a ball is at the top of this stanchion. The second stanchion is positioned in the base plate member and adjusted in height relative to the first stanchion so that, for example, a contact-type hitter practices hitting the ball in front of home plate with a slight downswing. As a pitching device, both stanchions are mounted in the extender so that they straddle the base. Indicators such as color bands on the stanchion surfaces provides the high-low range of the strike zone.

Abstract: A yieldable baseball base construction with improved mounting assembly for baseball, softball, and other ball games. The mounting assembly includes cooperating male and female members; two guiding rods fixed in a base frame carry the male member.

Abstract: A tethered ball baseball pitching practice apparatus whereby the apparatus is comprised of a support base having a rotatable, vertically extending post attached thereto. Attached to the upper end of the post is one end of an elongated horizontally extending arm. The free end of the horizontal arm has attached thereto a semi-rigid arm. A ball is attached to a free end of the semi-rigid arm. The arm is provided with spring elements to dampen oscillation of the ball after being struck by a batter.

Abstract: An elongated, portable cage is constructed from a plurality of arcuately shaped frame members to which a net is secured so as to form an arch shaped enclosure. Anchoring cables are attached to the frame members and the support surface so as to maintain the frame members in an upright position. The frame members are formed by a plurality of releasably coupled plastic pipes. The net includes a plurality of sleeves through which the frame members extend. The cage can be used either indoors or out of doors and maintains the environmental conditions on the interior of the enclosure. A floor mat permits the cage to be erected indoors without causing damage to the floor covering. The net is secured to the frame so as to hang loosely therefrom. The frame members are formed of material of such flexibility as to be laterally and longitudinally movable such that the impact energy of a ball hitting the net and/or frame members will be absorbed without substantial ricocheting of the ball.

Abstract: A ball return/target for racquet sports includes a resilient pad and at least one disk suspended from the pad by a filament. The pad is flexible polyurethane open cell foam of a thickness to cause a projectile hitting it to be deflected back at the source. The disk is a double thickness of fabric or like material with two faces, each face visually distinguishable from the other. When a projectile hits the suspended disk on one face, the disk rotates 180.degree. exposing the other face to give evidence that the target had been hit.

Abstract: A baseball training device that is worn upon a fielder's glove hand for aiding the wearer in developing proper fielding skills. The device has a thick triangular shaped pad that encompasses the entire hand. Webbing on the back surface of the pad encircles the thumb and first three fingers of the glove hand to position the apex of the pad over the wearer's wrist and the base leg of the pad extended beyond the wearer's fingertips. The pad is comprised of a resilient material that will deform upon being struck by a ball over the heel region of the hand to provide the ball sufficient residency time on the pad to enable the wearer to bring his or her or other hand over the ball and thus complete the catch. Balls striking the pad in other areas are provided little or no residency time and are thus more difficult to field.

Abstract: A football blocking apparatus having a telescoping ram assembly supported in parallel spaced relationship to a support sled. The ram assembly having a blocking pad for simulating a torso of an on-rushing defensive lineman attached to the extending end of said telescoping ram assembly and a thrust bar attached to the telescoping ram assembly for imparting thrust forces to selectively extend or retract the telescoping ram assembly to simulate the rush of a defensive lineman. The apparatus further adaptable to simulate a torso of a football player attempting a cut block.

Abstract: A road hockey puck in the shape of a cylindrical body. The body is defined by a pair of mating cylindrical sections having inner and outer faces. Each inner face is provided with hemi-spherical cavities which extend through the outer face. A spherical ball is placed in each cavity such that when the mating sections are joined to form the cylindrical body a portion of each ball will extend beyond the outer surface of each section and thus provide a puck which can be propelled on each of its flat faces.

Abstract: A surgical needle holder having a pair of clamping jaws at an obtuse angle to respective elongated handle portions forming a vertex therebetween which are clearly defined. Cooperating latching mechanisms having portions on each handle portion and engageable to hold the handle portions and the respective jaws together to clamp a suturing needle. The jaws are parallel and substantially straight and of uniform cross-section. The handle has two manually grippable portions that cooperate to define a cylinder when the jaws are clamped together. The overall size, shape and weight of the subject needle holder are similar to and feel like a mechanical pencil when held by a surgeon. The needle holder is part of a family of tools having common handle characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is apparatus to precisely determine if a tennis ball hits in or out of the tennis court area. A pressure sensitive layered material which changes colors upon the tennis ball striking it is placed outside the tennis court bounderies and gives an indication whenever the ball strikes out of bounds. The material returns to its original color a short time later.