Abstract: A swimmers paddle wheel (10) that utilizes a crankshaft (20) with a pair of ends (22,24) containing crank arms (28). Each crank arm (28) is out of angular alignment relative to each other, and each crank arm includes a handle grip (46) with a rotating cylinder (48) and a resilient hand grip (50) such that a swimmer may grasp a handle grip (46) with each hand and rotate the crankshaft (20). Floats (52,54) are disposed on each end (22,24) of the crankshaft (20), with the floats (52,54) having a plurality of paddle blades (56) extending outward to provide propulsion when manually rotated within a body of water. A removable swimmer seat (64) is attached to the crankshaft (20) and is used to support a swimmer when stationary in the water or when the paddle blades (56) are rotated.

Abstract: For use in a sole, insole, or heel portion of a footwear article, a footpad is described, having an upper surface on which are disposed a plurality of resilient lugs. The top surfaces of the lugs define a foot supporting surface wherein mutually parallel, spaced-apart edges of adjacent lugs define a complementary arrangement of top surfaces. The side surfaces of adjacent lugs define therebetween a void which extends lattice-like over the footpad. With gentle compression and release, the side surfaces of adjacent lugs expand into the void, and retreat therefrom, cyclically expelling and ingesting air beneath the foot. With heavy compression, the top surfaces of adjacent lugs are approximated to one another to provide a substantially continuous and substantially uniformly supportive foot-supporting surface. Structures selectively providing for preferred combinations of ventilation, cushioning, and stable and comfortable support for bearing heavy loads are described.

Abstract: A triple-play game (10) that allows three games to be played indoors: basketball, tetherball and target-board. All three games utilize a pole (12) positioned vertically between the ceiling and floor of a room. Basketball is played with a ball (20) attached to a line (14) having its other end attached to a wrist strap (24). The basketball backboard (30) is clipped to the pole (12) and has a ball-hoop (34) having a frontal narrow opening (38). When the ball is tossed through the ball-hoop, the attached line follows and falls through the opening (38). Whether a player makes a basket or misses, all that is necessary to retrieve the ball (20) is to pull the line (14). Thus, the player can remain at the original shooting position. The tetherball game features a safety pole-clip (50) designed to slip down the pole (12) if a force of over five pounds is applied. Therefore, if the line becomes entangled around a child's neck, the line will come down avoiding harm.