Abstract: The invention relates to a board and table type of game in which competing players take turns in stacking small magnetic marbles or magnetic game pieces on to a small elevated base to see how many they can stack before a fall occurs. The magnetic marbles and game pieces contain magnets which exert magnetic fields well beyond their physical bodies and can both assist and hamper players in making good scores trying to place the maximum number of marbles or game pieces on the base. Various sizes of bases and various game playing formats are offered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a series of board/table games and playing items therefor, which include a number of small magnetic marbles, small hand-held marble stroking implements, a playing board with perimeter wall, and line markings on surface of board for playing certain types of games. Magnetic marbles, exerting magnetic fields well beyond their physical bodies, are used to form game start patterns on game board, and completing players or teams move marbles to new advantageous positions with implements by stroking them laterally, and by separating them when attached, with a downward cleaving stroke, to reach certain game end patterns. Player or team accomplishing task with least number of strokes is game winner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making tethered pair liquid feeder/toy sets for infant use. Spherical shaped containers with segmental spherical seal rings are connected by a tether line long enough to space feeding nipples of containers about same as that of average mother's breasts. Interchangeable nipple substitutes are used are used to convert liquid containers to play ball sets and toys. Invention also shows how conventional elongated liquid containers can be converted to tethered pair containers by attachment of tether line to conventional seal rings, and by use of free tether line assemblage with thin flat washer-like rings that can be placed under seal rings. A wide variety of toy items can be placed inside containers and on tops of closure caps for containers, with toy items having visual, audible, and mechanically actuated features.

Abstract: The invention provides mobile game play goals in form of tether balls with various types of tether anchors, depending on types of playing surface and game field pattern. The mobile goals are employed in various field patterns for novel football (soccer) play whereby competing teams try to kick a free football (soccer ball) against their mobile goal for a score. The invention describes four different field patterns for mobile goals and associated game play. Tether ropes can range from 1 to 5 yds (mts) in length. Tether anchors can be in form of stake or inverted "U" pin for soft playing surface, and in form of a weighted disc for impenetrable playing surface such as concrete, asphalt, or wood. An optional form of mobile goals uses two tether balls connected by a tether from 2 to 10 yds (mts) in length, thus providing a free-to-move (non-anchored) pair of goals which can be used in novel game play.

Abstract: A group use toy structural construction set comprising various lengths of a straight resilient plastic tubes with slotted ends, large size tubular member resilient plastic hoops, three basic types of tubular member connectors, and an optional wheel hub. The three basic types of connectors are used for releasable interengagement of: (a) tubular member body-to-tube end; (b) tubular member body-to-tubular member body; and (c) tube end-to-tube end. Connectors use identical clutching elements and identical frictional fitted plugs, with clutching elements designed to grasp and frictionally hold tubular member bodies, and plugs designed to be fitted into slotted tube ends and frictionally hold therein. Tubes and hoops have same outside diameter for tubular bodies. Hoops have overall diameters ranging up to those of a "hula" hoop, or about 36 in. (90 cms). Some connectors are fixed type, and some pivotal type, with latter having angular latitude advantage over former.

Abstract: Multi-team tug-of-war game apparatus for two to six teams of one to twelve players per team, with tugging ropes attached to central hub assembly, with appropriate radial orientation on angles of rope. Team players pull ropes in such a manner so as to try to topple their respective goal pieces set a short distance out from game area center. Central hub assembly has a vertically adjustable center pointer rod with central goal contactor attached to it below. Movement of contactor via movement of ropes can topple goal piece for game win. A graphic chart or mat is placed on playing surface to indicate game area center, angles of rope attachment, and location of goal pieces, with the latter two features depending on number of competing teams. In general, novel game permits very large groups, as well as small groups, to play a precision tug-of-war game readily, safely, and inexpensively as measured on a per person basis.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel handball type game and apparatus for singles and doubles play on permanent or temporary type court layout utilizing a pair of special tethered balls of convenient hand size and with high rebound characteristics. Balls are connected by cord with small swivel therein, with spacing between balls roughly approximating shoulder width of wide range of users. Simple measuring and marking means facilitates court layout. Also, existing regular handball, racquetball, and squash courts can be used for game play, however, only one vertical wall is used in novel game. Basic game rules require tethered balls to be thrown one-handedly, that is, both balls released from one hand, and caught on rebound from wall two-handedly, that is, one ball each caught separately and simultaneously. Fault assessments and scoring awards are somewhat similar to regular handball. The paired tethered balls also have many other exercise, recreational, and entertainment uses for a wide range of participants.

Abstract: The invention provides a rugged, practical, and readily portable turnstile goal, having two to five relatively large sized paddle type elements of grided construction, a simple, rugged, and concealed turnstile rotary friction control system, and a simple, reliable, and highly visible turnstile fractional rotation indicating system. Subject turnstile goal is suitable for use in continuous and vigorous team action games such as football (soccer), team handball, lacrosse, and ice hockey, with only one goal and ball or disc needed, and with team players free to move above the entire playing area. Game set-up places turnstile goal in center of limit circle having radius of 3 to 5 mts (3 to 5 yds). Competing teams can number from four to ten players each, with game play comparable to that of conventional game, except that shot at goal must be from outside limit circle. No defense is permitted in circle.

Abstract: The invention provides a set of five sliding disc game pieces and croquet type striking mallet for use in novel game play on a smooth and horizontal low friction type surface such as ice. Game apparatus design considers desirable range of disc diameter, height, weight, and weight distribution, and also shows an improved head end design of striking mallet for better access and alignment possibilities in game play. Novel discs have diameters comparable to those of discs for shuffleboard play, but are greater in height, are more pliable, and are designed with lower center of gravity in preferred embodiments. Striking mallet head is flat on bottom and has square transverse cross section design which tapers downwardly and inwardly toward end faces. A center guide line extends across the top of mallet head and down end faces. Mallet face height is approximately same as disc height for good center-to-center type contact in game play.

Abstract: A 3-way mini-tennis game and apparatus therefor, wherein game is played by three players or teams on a hard, smooth, and level surface using a small resilient play ball, three or six paddles or rackets, and a special 3-way ball passage defining structure placed in center of playing area on playing surface. The special structure in a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises three circular type hoops fastened together with stiff spring clips to form an upright regular pyramidal tripod, with sides of structure making a 60.degree. angle with playing surface, as measured within structure. Other optional shapes and materials can be used to form sides of structure, or a unitary, self-supporting 3-way ball passage defining pyramidal tripod structure can be used. No barrier nets are required. In general, game apparatus is safe, inexpensive, portable, and easy to set-up. Little or no boundary lines or court markings are needed. Singles or doubles can play game.

Abstract: Three to six thin, pliable, plastic trapezoidal shaped sections can be used to assemble a practical, convenient, lightweight bottomless type basket which can be used as a goal in a variety of simple indoor/outdoor team action games. The plactic sections have male-female interlocking side edge slip jointing means on two side edges and stiffening rims on the other two side edges. All sections are identical and can be stacked in a compact manner for packaging, transport, and storage. Baskets assembled using the sections are safe, lightweight, pliable, inexpensive, adaptable to stacking, and are suitable for use as goals in game play. The sections can be colored for visual effects, and perforated to reduce material costs and to give sections and baskets added pliability. The multi-sectional assembled basket goals, together with appropriate game ball, playing area, and playing surface, can be used in game play by two teams of from three to eight players each.

Abstract: Multi-tethered ball assemblages, each using 3 to 12 standard tethered balls, with connecting lines from 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 mts) long, are attached to a freely positioned central hub ring. Connecting lines have swivels and spring fasteners to prevent lines from twisting and to facilitate easy attachment of lines to balls and hub. Decorative items such as flags, ribbons, and banners can be attached to connecting lines for added visual effect. Hub is small metal ring about 2 inches (5.2 cms) in diameter. Multi-tethered ball assemblages can be used in group participation for recreation, exercise, display, and synchronous ballet activities by tossing, tapping, rolling, bouncing, and passing tethered balls from person-to-person in a large horizontal circular pattern about central hub, with circular pattern radius being determined by taut connecting line length, and with all said activities being carried out on signals or count, or in time with music.