Abstract: Among other things, a game includes individual game pieces and an airborne vehicle (having a motor, a battery connected to the motor, a propulsion device connected to the motor, and a game piece support). A controller is configured to activate the motor when a first period of time has passed after one of the individual game pieces has been received at the game piece support and to deactivate the motor when a second period of time has passed after the motor has been activated.

Abstract: Among other things, a game includes individual game pieces and an airborne vehicle (having a motor, a battery connected to the motor, a propulsion device connected to the motor, and a game piece support). A controller is configured to activate the motor when a first period of time has passed after one of the individual game pieces has been received at the game piece support and to deactivate the motor when a second period of time has passed after the motor has been activated.

Abstract: A football throwing apparatus is described that utilizes air pressure to throw a football in a conventional spiral manner. How far the football can be thrown can be adjusted by an air pressure control. The football may be thrown immediately upon pressing a button, or it may be thrown after a predetermined period of time after the operation of a switch. The football throwing apparatus is initially charged with pressurized air in a first area and a second area. The button or switch causes the pressurized air in the first area to be immediately vented which creates a vacuum due to the pressurized air in the second area. The vacuum actuates a mechanical linkage that causes the pressurized air stored in the second area to be released and throw the football.

Abstract: A reclining chair having two stable positions of repose: an upright position and a reclined position. The chair having two peripheral supports and multiple intermediate supports disposed between the peripheral supports. Both the peripheral supports and the intermediate supports having integrated legs with three contact areas. In the upright position, only the first and the second contact areas contact the support surface, while in the reclined position only the third contact area contacts the support surface. The chair has a seat, a backrest, and an optional headrest. Armrest supports may be positioned on exterior sides of the peripheral supports to form an armrest and provide additional lateral stability.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for engaging a dart with a net. A dart is thrown toward a net. When the dart hits the net, the nose of the dart passes through an opening in the net for subsequently, lodging strands of the net in a recess situated behind the nose of the dart. Embodiments further include a recreational toy assembly having in combination a net and a dart. One or more strands of the net lodge in a recess behind the nose of the dart for coupling the dart to the net. The dart remains engaged to the net until the dart is removed from engagement with the net. For disengaging the dart from the net, the strand(s) is/are removed from the recess such that the nose of the dart may be passed out of opening in the net. The strands of the net provide the boundary or perimeter of the opening.

Abstract: A low pressure, low velocity projectile marker for youth shooting sports as an acceptable alternative to the traditional sport of paintball. The marker includes an onboard, hand activated pressure system to charge an air reservoir up to a maximum pressure of 150 psi (11 kg/cm2) as limited by a pressure relief valve. A removable barrel/magazine assembly stores and visibly displays a plurality of projectiles. The barrel/magazine assembly is inserted and sealably locked into a pressure deliver conduit of the marker. A trigger mechanism operates a fire control valve to precisely release a controlled, momentary pulse of compressed air in order to discharge a single projectile through the barrel of the marker.

Abstract: In summary, a lower impact, reusable marker projectile for youth shooting sports as an acceptable alternative to the traditional sport of paintball. The projectile is fabricated from durable polymer material to conform to the circular bore of a barrel for discharge under the influence of a pneumatic or mechanical force. The projectile incorporates a marking agent retainer to carry a sufficient quantity of liquid or powder marking agent to leave a visual indication of impact location on a target. The projectile may alternatively be formed in a general cone-shape or a sphere-shape. The cone-shaped projectiles are capable of being nested without distortion and without wedging for the purpose of condensed storage.

Abstract: A sports ball throwing apparatus is disclosed which may be used to propel projectiles including footballs, softballs soccer balls and model rockets and airplanes. The apparatus has a barrel the azimuth and elevation of which are adjustable for launching a projectile in different directions. A projectile having a cavity is mounted on the end of the barrel to be launched using air pressure stored in the apparatus. Safety is provided in that compressed air is not available until a projectile having a cavity is mounted on the end of the barrel and a switch closes a circuit to activate an air compressor. The switch may be placed at either end of barrel so long as it is operated when the projectile is fully mounted on the barrel. In addition, a seal inside the base of the projectile is used to seal the barrel so that compressed air is not available until the projectile is fully mounted on the barrel.

Abstract: A propulsion member (e.g. a bat) has an external switch and an internally disposed transistor which transmits signals when the switch is manually closed. A receiver in a tee mechanism receives the signals and causes a tee in the mechanism to move upwardly from a rest position to an operative position. As the tee moves upwardly to the operative position, an element (e.g. a wiffle ball) moves on a ramp to a supportive position at the top of the tee. When the tee is in the operative position, a player holding the propulsion member swings the member against the ball. This is helpful to young children (e.g. eight (8) years old or younger) in learning how to hit a baseball.

Abstract: A sports ball throwing apparatus is disclosed which may be used to propel projectiles including footballs, softballs soccer balls and model rockets and airplanes. The apparatus has a barrel the azimuth and elevation of which are adjustable for launching a projectile in different directions. A projectile having a cavity is mounted on the end of the barrel to be launched using air pressure stored in the apparatus. Safety is provided in that compressed air is not available until a projectile having a cavity is mounted on the end of the barrel and a switch closes a circuit to activate an air compressor. The switch may be placed at either end of barrel so long as it is operated when the projectile is fully mounted on the barrel. In addition, a seal inside the base of the projectile is used to seal the barrel so that compressed air is not available until the projectile is fully mounted on the barrel.