Abstract: A football instructional device comprises a plurality of blocking/tackling practice devices with a net releasably spanning the devices. Each device comprises a circular base having a truncated cone extending therefrom. The cone presents a dummy for delivering impact forces thereon. At the top of each dummy is a telescopic rod assembly with clamp thereon for adjusting the height of the net above the ground. The configuration of each device with and/or without the net forces the player to stay in a low position while practicing blocking/tackling techniques. The dummy/net combination can also define a course for players to perform muscle strengthening techniques such as "crabbing," "duckwalking" or other exercises requiring the player to move in a low position underneath the net-like ceiling.

Abstract: A composite hockey stick shaft of generally uniform cross section along a longitudinal axis having a first pair of opposing sides perpendicular to a neutral bending axis, and a second pair of opposing sides parallel to the neutral bending axis, wherein the first pair of opposing sides has a lower compressive strength and strain than the second pair of sides.

Abstract: A portable self-standing sports enclosure which may be opened and closed by a single person. A carrier frame contains at least one foldable frame section. Each foldable frame section includes an enclosure support member. The foldable frame sections fold into and are locked to a carrier frame for transportation. The foldable frame sections may be hinged to allow the frame to fold to half their normal height. An optional carrier frame with wheels allows easy transportation. Netting proximate the frame members completely encloses the sports activities inside.

Abstract: A device used with billiard table for sensing balls dropping into the pockets and scoring as well as collecting and arranging the balls. The device is mounted under the dropping opening of the collecting ball rail of the billiard table for sensing the balls hit down into the pocket and automatically scoring as well as locating the balls at the location in the ball holding tray. After all the balls on the table are hit down, sensed and rendered in the ball holding tray, the device automatically re-arranges the balls at the preset triangular location on the billiard table for next game.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable length pool cue for billiards, pool, snooker, and the like. The invention includes a cue rod having a butt end which is telescopically received within the open end of a tubular cue rod handle. A disc-shaped cam is eccentrically mounted on the butt end of the cue rod for rotatable movement between an unlocking position, wherein the cam is axially and peripherally aligned with the butt end of the cue rod to facilitate sliding telescopic movement of the cue rod within the cue rod handle, and a locking position, in which the cam is axially and peripherally offset relative to the butt end so as to frictionally grip and cammingly engage the cue rod handle, thereby locking the cue rod in a length-desired fixed position relative to the cue rod handle.

Abstract: A batting practice system having a base flange which can be attached to a chain link fence or a support pole. Attached to the flange is a horizontal support member with a tip at the end to which is attached a rope with a ball on the end. The base flange also has apertures to which resilient cords, such as "bungee" cords may be attached to stabilize the base.

Abstract: This invention relates to a batting exercising device for baseball, it includes a longitudinal axis, an adjustable tripod used to support the longitudinal axis, a V rack which can horizontally rotate around the longitudinal axis, and a ball-like component installed on the end of the V rack, in which a switch providing an elastic resistance to the V rack is installed between the engaging pans of the V rack, and the single-way controllers which provide frictional resistance to one rotating direction of the V rack are installed on the top and bottom of the engaging pans respectively. By constructing the above components, the elastic and frictional resistance of the switch and the one-way controller can decrease the rotation speed of the V rack for safety consideration when the V rack is driven to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise by the ball-like component struck by the player.

Abstract: A tennis aid for improving the stroke of a tennis player. The aid includes a wrist band for encircling the wrist of a tennis player and an associated elastic cord attached thereto. The cord is attached to the wrist band near its midpoint and at opposite ends thereof may be attached to the head of a tennis racket. When the handle of the racket is properly held by the tennis player tension in the cord will tend to prevent the player from bending or flexing the wrist during a tennis stroke.

Abstract: The batting practice aid includes a single handle, which is sized to be grasped by a single hand of a user, is connected to one end of an impact absorbing line having a soft rubber ball connected to its other end. The line is resistably stretchable along its entire length to permit it to absorb sudden tension forces suddenly applied to the line, wherein the resistance to stretching of the line increases as the amount of stretch of the line increases. The ball is rotated in a circular pattern about the handle by the user. The ball is spaced apart from the handle by a critical safe distance of between about six feet and about 111/2 feet to enable the aid to be used in a safe and yet controlled manner according to the inventive method.

Abstract: A batter training device (10) is provided for training a batter (B) to effectively strike a baseball by controlling the batter's stance. The device (10) is positioned on the ground (G) in front of a leading foot (F) of the batter (B). During the batter's swing, the batter (B) steps forward with the leading foot (F) until the leading foot (F) strikes the device (10). The device (10) includes a rear plate (40) fixed to the ground (G) and a forward plate (20) hingedly attached to the rear plate (40). A spring (99) is oriented between the front plate (20) and the rear plate (40). The device (10) is oriented so that the front plate (20) will be located adjacent to a final destination for the leading foot (F) when the front plate (20) has been pivoted towards the rear plate (40) and against maximum spring (99) compression. The spring (99) is selected to exert sufficient force between the rear plate (40) and the front plate (20) so that the batter (B) must stride forcefully into the front plate (20).

Abstract: A pro pitching device (10) comprising a backboard target (12) having a bull's-eye central aperture (14). An assembly (16) is for elevating the backboard target (12) in an adjustable vertical position above the ground (18). A person (20) can stand at a distance away from the backboard target (12) and throw a ball (22) towards the backboard target (12) and into the bull's-eye central aperture (14). A facility (24) is for stopping the ball (22) after entering the bull's-eye central aperture (14) and allowing the ball (22) to fall gently to the ground (18).

Abstract: A table tennis ball projecting apparatus which can be used as the ball propelling mechanism of a table tennis robot. Its construction is such that balls entering its entrance port sequentially, will be ejected by a motor rotated rubber-rimmed thrust wheel. Two smaller rubber-rimmed wheels each on its own smaller motor, provide clockwise or counterclockwise spin on the ejected ball. The lighter spin-producing wheels and motors facilitate the production of rapid spin direction and magnitude changes on consecutively ejected balls thereby closely simulating practice between two humans.

Abstract: An object hitting apparatus has an object, such as a ball (7), attachable to a swivel arm (1, 33) which may actuate an impact-measurement device (11, 14) when the object is struck with a bat, a racket, one's foot, hand or other hitting device. On a ball-joint embodiment, the swivel arm (1) is rotated and oriented universally on a ball-joint hub (6) to assimilate flight direction for analyzing trajectory and distance of flight of an unattached baseball, tennis ball, golf ball, puck or other object so hit. On a hinged-arm embodiment, flight angle is indicated by a hinged swivel arm (33). The object can be returned to a position for hitting at an adjustably desired height. Optional electronic means are provided for readout of impact force, flight trajectory and distance of travel of an actual object hit the same as the attached object.

Abstract: An attachment for bats designed principally for use in batting practice comprising a thin wall tube of rubber-like material of length approximating the length of the contact zone of the bat. In one embodiment, the tube is closed at one end with the closed end covering the end of the bat. An edge rim of greater thickness is present in one embodiment to protect the end from tearing and in other embodiments, raised patterns are present on the external surface of the tube.

Abstract: A frame or rack for creating a compact formation of billiard balls on a table. The interior of the side walls of the frame is angled inward to urge the balls into a compact formation. Sleeves, attached to the frame, house support legs. The relationship between the sleeves and the support legs provides for and controls the motion of the frame and likewise, limits undesired motion of the frame until the frame is clear of the ball formation. The player's effort is limited to pressing down on the frame to compact the ball formation, while springs within the sleeves bias the frame upward. Spring loaded contacts or projections may be housed within the inner walls of the frame to reduce contact between the balls and the frame.

Abstract: A new and improved device for practicing baseball hitting comprising a vertically extending post which has a plurality of spaced apertures formed therein. Further included is a base which has an upstanding centrally located brace adapted to be coupled to the post. The base is fabricated of high density polyethylene. Next included is a horizontally extending arm formed of a semi-rigid elastomeric material. The arm has an interior end and an exterior end, with an intermediate portion coupling therebetween. The intermediate portion is of a greater area adjacent the interior end than the exterior end. The interior end is formed with a bore extending therethrough. The bore has an internal diameter adapted to slidably fit over the exterior diameter of the post. The exterior end of the arm is formed in the size and shape of a baseball for being struck by a player swinging a bat.

Abstract: An improved rack for forming fifteen pool balls into a compact triangular formation with the ball serving as the apex of the triangle lying over the white spot on the pool table. The rack includes a conventional oversized rack, a strip of resilient material such as rubber attached to the inside surface of the apex of the rack, an elongated pusher panel normally positioned against the inner surface of the rear wall of the rack, means including a pair of helical springs under tension for biasing the pusher panel against the inner surface of the rear wall of the rack, and a rear panel connected to the pusher panel and designed to apply pressure causing the pusher panel to move forward to push the fifteen pools balls into a compact triangular formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in practicing the fundamentals of baseball is provided. The apparatus includes an opening for accepting and capturing baseballs thrown at the apparatus. The opening is covered by a number of vertical flaps, behind which is a padded backstop. The flaps are colored appropriately to designate a typical strike zone. A pitchback machine is provided to propel baseballs from the apparatus. A ball holding tray is positioned beneath the opening and backstop to accumulate thrown balls or to retain a reservoir of balls. A motor-driven spinner plate is situated integral to the holding tray for circulating the balls resting therein and for facilitating the movement of the balls to an outlet path. The holding tray outlet path leads to a motor-driven helical auger. The auger conveys the balls from the outlet path to the pitchback machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand-held mechanical analog computer mechanism which is utilized to aid players of billiards and other cue games. The mechanism calculates and displays useful information on aiming, shooting and cue ball deflection. The invention includes a fixed base display as well as a movable dial which is mounted on the fixed base so as to be rotatable with respect to the fixed base in parallel planes around a common axis. Movement of a dial on the mechanism is controlled by a mechanical linking mechanism and rotational positions and angular relationships with respect to scales appearing on the fixed base and movable dial are measured relative to the fixed base.

Abstract: An apparatus for baseball batting training. The apparatus includes a rigid-wall cylindrical tube with means to support a baseball at one end thereof. A striker movable within the tube, is latched against a preselected force of a coil spring, and is rapidly urged toward the baseball for impingement therewith to propel the baseball upward a distance corresponding to the preselected force of the spring. When the striker is pushed down, a pin is visually extended and retracted to engage a selected one of a plurality of latching detentes to hold the striker in a cocked position. Upon release of the pin, the spring loaded striker is urged rapidly upward to impact with the baseball and propel the baseball into the hitting zone of a waiting batter. The inside diameter of the rigid-wall tube is larger than the small end of a baseball bat to allow the bat to be pushed into the tube and reset the apparatus for another use.