Abstract: A surgical patient support includes a foundation frame, a support top, and a brake system. The foundation frame includes a first column and a second column. The support top is coupled to the first column and the second column for rotation about a top axis extending along the length of the support top. A single-handle unlock for the support top is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses films, papers, and fabrics (both woven and non-woven) that are more receptive to inks or dyes. These ink/dye receptive products are made by coating the surface of the film, paper, or fabric with certain acrylate polymers. These ink/dye receptive films, papers and fabrics have the ability to then be used in making laminated and coated products. The subject invention more specifically discloses an ink/dye receptive film which is comprised of a base film which is coated with an acrylate polymer, comprised of 1 weight percent to 20 weight percent repeat units of at least one unsaturated aliphatic olefin monomer containing from 4 to 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A baseball pitching system for allowing an individual to operate a baseball pitching machine similar to an actual human pitcher. The baseball pitching system includes a housing, a ball throwing unit within the housing, a central processing unit in communication with the ball throwing unit, and an interface in communication with the central processing unit. The user is able to select a desired pitch type and velocity through the interface which communicates the same to the central processing unit which manipulates the velocity of the pitching wheels within the ball throwing unit to create the desired pitch. Automatic sequences may be programmed along with random pitches to assist in simulating a real life human pitcher.

Abstract: The invention comprises a ball throwing device having a main frame, a wheel support frame within said main frame, said wheel support frame having at least three projecting and spin imparting wheels rotatably mounted to said wheel frame at even intervals about a common axis. A motor is mounted adjacent each wheel and connected to their respective wheel for driving said wheels at selective rates of speed for each wheel. The wheels are adapted to receive the balls along a common axis between them and engage and project the ball forward along the common axis with the speed of each wheel being selectively determined to impart a selective spin to the ball at the engagement points of the three wheels with the ball-about the common axis, with the three wheels lying in the same plane perpendicular to the common axis to engage the ball simultaneously with one another for the projection and imparting of the spin to the ball.

Abstract: A tennis ball retriever and ball transporter for retrieving tennis balls from a collection point on a court surface and transporting the balls to a ball throwing machine. The machine comprises a pinwheel having sawtooth projections enclosed by a circular wall, with a tube extending through the wall in alignment with the movement of balls around the periphery of the wall, and an electric motor for rotating the pinwheel. As balls drop into open regions between the pinwheel projections and the wall, they are engaged by the projections and driven around the periphery of the wall into the open end of the tube. The opposite end of the tube extends to the ball throwing machine, which may be disposed on top of the retriever.

Abstract: A tennis ball throwing machine for use in the practice of tennis having the capability of controllably delivering tennis balls to a player's forehand and backhand at various speeds and with various spins simulating conditions commonly encountered in game play. The machine has a pair of wheels which are independently and controllably driven so as to throw a tennis ball delivered therebetween by an automatic ball feed mechanism at a speed and with a spin determined by the speed of each of the wheels. Various features include an oscillating system to alternate pitches between the forehand and backhand in a controllable manner, an elevation adjustment mechanism for controllably varying the height of the delivery or providing a random variation in such height, and independent ball speed and ball spin controls. Remote controls for the machine may be provided.