Abstract: A material for targets including a rubber skin material with an embedded wire skeleton, wherein the wire skeleton comprises a wire screen providing structural support for the rubber skin.

Abstract: A horse racing game apparatus for simulating horse races has a game board with race courses established thereon and a plurality of simulated racehorses movable along the race courses for ranks. A central field is disposed on the game board and defines an inner circumferential path for the race courses. The central field is selectively extensible and contractable in at least one direction. The horse racing game apparatus also has a start gate for indicating a start position for the race courses. The start gate is disposed so as to be movable along the race courses. The start gate is angularly movable between a first position in which it lies over and across the race courses and a second position in which it is retracted away from the race courses.

Abstract: A disc golf target includes a center post, a chain rack supported by the post, and a lower basket supported by the post opposite the chain rack. The chain rack has a hub mounted to the post, a plurality of spokes radially extending from the hub for supporting the circumference of the chain rack in concentric alignment with the hub, and a plurality of attachment points concentrically disposed between the hub and the circumference of the chain rack. A plurality of outer chains having first and second ends has the first end supported by the chain rack and the second end attached to an outer chain ring disposed about the post near the basket. A plurality of inner chains having first and second ends has each end supported by a respective attachment point wherein the inner chains vertically hand downward from the attachment points in an overlapping fashion to define an inner envelope for catching a disc.

Abstract: A mobile or permanently fixed basketball goal system wherein the backboard and hoop can be adjusted to a desired height by a user. The goal has a vertical support member having a base end, a backboard end and an intermediate portion, and a backboard including a hoop. Crossmembers pivotally connect the backboard to the vertical support member on one side of the backboard end, to form an adjustable parallelogram. At least one of the crossmembers extends beyond the vertical support member to an extension end. A clamp is mounted on a brace for the vertical support member or directly on the vertical support member. The clamp is fixedly adjustable within a continuous range and connects with the counterbalanced extension end via an extension member. When the clamp is moved, it acts to rotate the extending crossmember to raise or lower the backboard and hoop.

Abstract: A new permanent field marker for permanently marking foul lines and sidelines for ball fields. The inventive device includes an elongated strip having a tab portion extending downwardly therefrom in an essentially orthogonal relationship with respect thereto. The tab portion extends a length of the elongated strip. A length of steel cable is secured to and extends a length of a free end of the tab portion. A pair of anchor spikes are secured to outer ends of the length of steel cable. The pair of anchor spikes are penetratable with respect to a recipient surface for securement of the length of cable and the elongated strip.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a means of physical training in the area of developing explosive leg power and improving hand to eye coordination. The invention is comprised of a tethered ball or other object which is attached to a tether, the tether being mounted to a supportive structure. The object can, in some variations, be adjusted according to various heights or distance away from the supportive structure. The user typically jumps up and interacts with the object (ball) to perform a variety of skill functions such as basketball "tip-ins" or "rebounds". The tether limits the displacement of the object from the supportive member, which in the case of basketball would likely be a basketball goal. Many times the tether includes an elastic component that stores energy when the object is displaced by the user.

Abstract: An illuminated basketball goal comprises a first light source carried by the perimeter of the backboard and a second light source positioned within a recess formed in the perimeter of the rim. The target square, located on the front face of the backboard is made of an electroluminescent material or a fluorescent compound which glows upon activation of the first and second light source. The net depending from the rim is made of a reflective material. The first and second light source are made of a luminous material, providing an even, indirect source of illumination. Also advanced is a basketball having a luminous coating placed within the ribs recessed below the surface of the ball. Alternatively, the ball can be formed with clear tubing which accepts a charge of a chemiluminescent fluid.

Abstract: A biodegradable target fabricated from a mixture of a clay material and a peat material molded in a shape of a target.

Abstract: A device for practicing striking a standard sports ball that also has means to be held against gravity and released upon sufficient impact. A ball contains means for both retaining and releasing itself from a mating pivotable, attachment arm that is generally downwardly supported to allow the ball to be suspended above the ground, be struck, released and propelled in a preferred downward trajectory, e.g. a volleyball spike. The ball is usually retained on a minor portion of the upper 75 percent (relative to vertical) of the outer surface of the suspended ball so that its propelled trajectory and the striker's path are essentially not hindered before, during and after the strike and release.

Abstract: A game table system, adapted for multiple sites under a central control, for providing a progressive jackpot in a live card game played at each gaming table between a dealer and a player. Each gaming table has an ante bet region, a dealer card region, and a player card region. The game table system of the present invention includes a sensor located at each bet region for detecting the value of the ante placed by the player at that location, a reader identifying each card dealt during the play of the game to the player and to the dealer, a computer connected to the sensor and the reader and the progressive jackpot for adding a predetermined percentage of the value of the ante to the progressive jackpot when a predetermined game event (such as the dealer going bust during the game of blackjack) occurs while preserving the value of the ante during the conventional play of the game.

Abstract: Puzzle pieces and connectors are provided to assemble a large variety of two and three-dimensional objects, including objects with moving parts. Puzzle pieces utilize joints and apertures to interconnect the pieces. Supporting protrusions are provided in some embodiments to reinforce and strengthen the legs of joints. Other elements provided with these connecting joints and apertures, such protrusions, ridges, securing apertures, enlarged ends, gripping legs, and grooves, assist in providing a more secure interconnection between pieces. Connectors may be provided to build pivotable connections.

Abstract: A bag tossing game target having first and second generally planar, equally sized panels that are connected together by a hinge. The first and second panels are moveable between a first, in-use configuration in which the first and second panels are coplanar, and a second, folded configuration in which the first and second panels lay back-to-back to each other. The first panel has a hole therein which is sized such that a bag can be tossed therethrough. The first and second panels each include an elongated hole adjacent one edge to form a handle by which the folded target can be carried. The panels are formed of a lattice structure to render the target lightweight. Further, the thickness of the lattice structure is reduced whereby a series of pockets are defined between the panels when folded.

Abstract: Portable play structures are provided that provide fun and entertainment of both adults and children. These structures can be easily and quickly folded and collapsed into a compact configuration. The structure has a backboard having a first loop and a second loop, and a basket having a rim that is hingedly coupled to the backboard. In an operative state, the rim is substantially normal to the backboard. In a compact configuration, the rim is substantially parallel to the backboard. The structure has a weight for anchoring the structure to a support, and a connecting piece for hingedly coupling the weight to the backboard.

Abstract: A kinetic toy in which a ball rolls down a trackway from an upper location to a lower location and is automatically returned to the upper location for recycling, the toy being constructed of individual parts which are readily assembled in various configurations, including frame parts, trackway parts, including ball-operated switch parts, and bracket parts for supporting the trackway on the frame.

Abstract: A durable, rigid, low-cost device to sense an impact of a ball over a wide area and to provide response to a user that said impact has occurred. The sensing mechanism is a low-cost acoustic sensor, acoustically coupled to an essentially single sheet of plastic material. Sensor electronics filter the input and measure amplitude to determine if a valid hit has occurred. If so, the device reports an activate signal to the response electronics that in turn provide feedback to the user by playing a digitally recorded audio message, recorded specifically for the event. Variously, the activate signal may be transmitted to a remote device that contains the response electronics.

Abstract: A basketball game area for recreation consisting of multiple zones, each having at least one hoop and backboard combination, multiple shooting indicators, and obstacles which can be free standing, and/or affixed to the hoop or backboard. The location of the obstacle in relation to the indicator changes the trajectory required to shoot the ball into the hoop. The placement of each indicator increases the difficulty in placing the ball through the hoop. The game rules provide the order of proceeding through the courts and proceeding through the sequential shooting indicators within each of the courts. The first player proceeds to the first courts, attempting to shoot the ball through the hoop, avoiding the obstacle, scoring points for placing the ball through the hoop. The players continue shooting one at a time until all players have taken a shot at the first basket from each of the indicators and then continue to proceed through the courts.

Abstract: A system for releasably joining balloons and the like to form a structure, novelty, educational, or play item. The present invention comprises a modular system of inflated cells having connection members placed about each cells periphery, said cells configured to form various polyhedral shapes. The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches the utilization of generally ellipsoidal balloons of a non-elastomeric material, such as MYLAR, each said ellipsoid forming a cell, and being configured to selectively engage neighboring balloons to form generally radial or other multi-celled structures. While the preferred embodiment of the present system contemplates the utilization of hook and loop fasteners, such as VELCRO, for joining the cells, alternative modes of releasable attachment are also contemplated such as adhesives, ties, tape, and shrink wrap.

Abstract: A WATER TAG.TM. game (10) that consists of a maze structure (14) having an outer perimeter wall (16) enclosing a plurality of sections (20,22,24,26) and protrusions (40). An opening (36) admits players armed with water guns (12) into the maze structure (14). Once inside the players circulate among the sections (20,22,24,26) and the protrusions (40), firing their water guns (12) at each other. The maze structure (14) is inflated when the WATER TAG.TM. game is being played and can be deflated for storage and transportation.

Abstract: Amusement apparatus of the laser target game type comprises a vehicle (10) adapted for control by a game player. The vehicle has seats (16, 18) for carrying game players. A signal source (24) such as a laser or other device is under the control of a game player. Detectors (32) are carried on the vehicle for detecting signals emitted from the signal source under control of a competing game player.

Abstract: A foldable goal net support includes a first side section, a second side section, a front section, and a rear section. The front section includes a first front member, a second front member, and a front spacer member disposed between the first front member and the second front member. The rear section includes a first rear member, a second rear member, and a rear spacer member disposed between the first rear member and the second rear member. The front section and the rear section are hinged for pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis to the first side section and the second side section. A brace member extends between the front section and the rear section to rigidly support the structure.