Abstract: A substantially improved table soccer/fussball game playing ball is fabricated by molding an oversized spherical blank entirely from a single thermoplastic material, preferably a urethane material having a hardness without the approximate range of from about 50 Shore D to about 60 Shore D. The oversized molded blank is then subjected to a precision surface machining process, preferably using a centerless grinding machine, to reduce its diameter to a desired finished magnitude and to provide the resulting finished playing ball with a very precisely spherical shape having a sphericity which does not vary by more than about 0.001 inch on any external surface portion thereof.

Abstract: A structurally and operationally improved, integrally molded table soccer playing figure has an elongated body with head and foot portions disposed at its opposite ends. A cylindrical passage axially extends laterally through an upper portion of the body and is adapted to coaxially receive a longitudinal portion of an actuating rod used to rotate and translate the figure. To significantly reduce the connection stress concentration on the rod and the figure mounted thereon, the body passage is diametrically sized to create a press-fit between the body portion and the rod portion therein, and the body is mechanically locked to the rod by a small roll pin longitudinally inserted through aligned openings in the body and rod. The ability of the body portion to withstand high lateral impact loads is enhanced by the integral formation on its opposite lateral sides of relatively large diameter force receiving and diffusing washer portions.

Abstract: An improved, integrally molded table soccer playing figure has an elongated body with head and foot portions disposed at its opposite ends. A cylindrical passage axially extends laterally through an upper portion of the body and is adapted to coaxially receive a longitudinal portion of an actuating rod used to rotate and translate the playing figure. To significantly reduce the connection stress concentration on the rod and the playing figure mounted thereon, the body passage is diametrically sized to create a press-fit between the body portion and the rod portion therein, and the body is mechanically locked to the rod by a small roll pin longitudinally inserted through aligned openings in the body and rod. The ability of the body portion to withstand high lateral impact loads is enhanced by the integral formation on its opposite lateral sides of relatively large diameter force receiving and diffusing washer portions.

Abstract: A substantially improved table soccer/fussball game playing ball is fabricated by molding an oversized spherical blank entirely from a single thermoplastic material, preferably a urethane material having a hardness within the approximate range of from about 50 Shore D to about 60 Shore D. The oversized molded blank is then subjected to a precision surface machining process, preferably using a centerless grinding machine, to reduce its diameter to a desired finished magnitude and to provide the resulting finished playing ball with a very precisely spherical shape having a sphericity which does not vary by more than about 0.001 inch on any external surface portion thereof.

Abstract: An improved bearing structure for a rod which permits both rotational and axial movement of the rod in conjunction with longitudinal bending thereof. Two semi-cylindrical pieces are assembled along an axial line of separation. A first cylindrical bearing half engages a second cylindrical bearing half integrally formed for matingly receiving the first half. The two halves of the bearing each include an outer, radially extending flange and are each passed through opposite sides of an aperture in a wall and are assembled into a complete bearing by threadably engaging one another within the wall aperture. The rod to be journaled is inserted through an axial opening formed through the bearing. Each semi-cylindrical bearing half is constructed with an expansion slot formed in an outer mounting flange for facilitating the flexure thereof during installation to prevent binding of the actuation rod therein.

Abstract: An improved bumper for a fussball game table constructed with a plurality of apertures for improving the energy dissipation thereof. Each bumper is constructed of solid rubber in a generally cylindrical configuration having a central aperture formed therethrough for snugly receiving an actuation rod therein. The walls of the bumper include a plurality of apertures formed axially therethrough for removing mass therefrom. The apertures reduce the structural strength of the rubber bumper and increase its longitudinal compressibility to permit a harder, more reliable rubber to be utilized with sufficient energy absorptive characteristics for dissipating forces generated in the use of the actuation rods of the fussball game table.

Abstract: A substantially improved table soccer/fussball game playing ball is fabricated by molding an oversized spherical blank entirely from a single thermoplastic material, preferably a urethane material having a hardness within the approximate range of from about 50 Shore D to about 60 Shore D. The oversized molded blank is then subjected to a precision surface machining process, preferably using a centerless grinding machine, to reduce its diameter to a desired finished magnitude and to provide the resulting finished playing ball with a very precisely spherical shape. Compared to conventionally fabricated table soccer playing balls, the machined, single thermoplastic material playing ball provides a variety of advantages including a truer playing roll, considerably more durability and resistance to surface wear, and the desirable ability to retain its "like-new" playing characteristics for a much longer period of time.

Abstract: An improved bearing structure for a rod which permits both rotational and axial movement of the rod in conjunction with longitudinal bending thereof. Two semi-cylindrical pieces are assembleable along an axial line of separation to enclose a ring of low friction material and form a first cylindrical bearing half while a second cylindrical bearing half is integrally formed for matingly receiving the first half. The two halves of the bearing each include an outer, radially extending flange and are each passed through opposite sides of an aperture in a wall and are assembled into a complete bearing by threadably engaging one another within the hole. The rod to be journaled is inserted through an axial opening formed through the bearing. The axial opening of the second bearing half is constructed with a larger diameter than the anti-friction ring for permitting a select degree of longitudinal bending within the elastic limits of the materials involved.