Abstract: A pogo stick includes (a) a handle, (b) a bellows extending from the handle, (c) a helical spring disposed within, and coupled to, the bellows to become constrained when the bellows is constrained, (d) an actuator disposed within the helical turns of the spring, (e) a platform disposed on the actuator for supporting a user standing on the platform and (f) a at the bottom of the actuator. When the bellows and the spring are constrained, the release of the constraint causes the pogo stick to hop on a support surface. Training members made from a resilient material and disposed at opposite ends of the platform are coupled to the platform at intermediate positions along their length. The training members are disposed in the direction that the user is facing when he stands on the platform. The training members extend outwardly and downwardly from the platform to a support surface to provide a support on the support surface at four (4) spaced positions.

Abstract: A transmitter disposed on the hand of an individual sends signals when a switch also disposed on the individual's hand is manually actuated between first and second states. The switch may be disposed on one of the individual's fingers and the transmitter may be formed from integrated circuits and may be disposed on the individual's wrist. The signals from the transmitter are received by apparatus which propels elements (e.g. balls) toward the individual. The individual then attempts to hit the element with a member such as a bat.

Abstract: A manually operated switch on a member (e.g. baseball bat) provides, when closed, for a signal transmission by a transmitter in the member to propulsion apparatus. The propulsion apparatus includes a receiver and a housing which has a hollow passage and supports a ramp. The ramp holds elements (e.g. balls) which are sequentially released into the passage when a detainer is rotated by a release mechanism. The release mechanism is actuated when a receiver in the housing receives signals from the transmitter. When released, the element then moves downwardly in the passage to a propulsion mechanism which may include a pair of rollers for gripping the opposite ends of the element. The rollers are actuated by motors connected in circuits with an energy source (e.g. battery) and variable impedances (e.g. rheostats). The impedance values change in accordance with the manual operation of a knob in the housing exterior.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a backboard, a rim on the backboard and a net extending from the rim are provided for a child shooting a basketball. A first sensor on the backboard produces a first signal when the basketball hits the backboard. A second sensor disposed relative to the rim produces a second signal when the basketball hits the rim. A third sensor disposed relative to the net produces a third signal when the basketball passes through the net. The first, second and third sensors may respectively include first, second and third switches which respectively close when the basketball hits the backboard, when the basketball hits the rim and when the basketball passes through the net and which respectively cause the first, second and third signals to be produced when they close. The first, second and third signals may be processed as by a microprocessor to provide an indication of the path of movement of the basketball relative to the backboard, the rim and the net.

Abstract: A pogo stick includes (a) a housing, (b) a member movable within the housing, (c) a spring retained at opposite ends by the housing and the member and compressible upon the actuation of the member to a support surface (e.g. ground) and expansible upon the movement of the member from the support surface, (d) a handle on the housing near the housing top and (e) a foot rest on the housing near the housing bottom. A switch normally in an open relationship is operative (a) to a closed relationship upon the actuation of the member to the support surface and (b) to an open relationship upon a movement of the member from the support surface. The switch includes a resilient electrically conductive element and a stationary electrically conductive element normally defining an open relationship. The resilient member is movable in response to the member actuation to the support surface to engage the stationary element and to provide a switch operation in the closed relationship.