Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to electrostatic clutching mechanisms that may be used for tactile feedback. One example provides a motion-restricting apparatus comprising a wearable base, and an electrostatic clutching mechanism coupled to the base, the electrostatic clutching mechanism comprising a base electrode, a plurality of individually-controllable opposing electrodes arranged at different locations across the base electrode and overlapping the base electrode, and one or more electrically insulating structures configured to electrically insulate the base electrode from the plurality of opposing electrodes. The motion-restricting apparatus further comprises a controller electrically coupled to the base electrode and to each of the opposing electrodes and configured to individually control a voltage applied to each opposing electrode relative to a voltage of the base electrode to control an electrostatic force between the base electrode and each opposing electrode.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes first, second, third and fourth elongated frame members respectively defining a first, second, third, and fourth frame portion each comprising interior and exterior perimeters. The first frame member can include first, second, third, and fourth segments. The first frame portion can encompass first and second open interior regions. The third frame member can adjoin the first frame member at spaced first and second points on the first frame member and span from the first point to the second point. The fourth frame member can adjoin the first frame member at spaced third and fourth points on the first frame member and span from the third point to the fourth point.

Abstract: A boxing device (1,400) serves for performing a harmless boxing match. The boxing device (1,400) has a base (2,5,53,87), a buffer (3,6,54) configured to hit a target (A,B,75) without injuring the target (A,B,75), and an extensible joint (4,7,54) that connects the base (2,5,53,7) and the buffer (3,6,54) to move the buffer between a retracted position and one or more extended positions. The extensible joint (4,79,82) is an element assembly of at least two extension elements (8,9,55,56,80a,80b), the extensible joint is configured to move the buffer (3,6,54) into the one or more extended positions by virtue of the propulsive force transferred to the extensible joint (4,79,82) by a punch done by a hand of a boxer (A,B) holding the boxing device (1,400), and auto-retract after the punch has been performed. The harmless boxing match is an enjoyable and beguiling exercise, which furthermore imparts good and healthy motions to the participants.

Abstract: Provided is a handheld dexterity training technology. In one example a handheld dexterity training device comprises two portions that are rotatable relative to one another about the axis of rotation of a twisting joint that connects them together. One portion comprises a handle while the other portion comprises a panel having a playing surface that can be used to strike a ball to make it bounce. A stopper prevents rotation beyond a certain angular range. The rotatability of the handle relative to the playing surface poses a particular challenge. A releasable lock can bind the two portions together. Other features and components are possible. A method of dexterity training is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a percussion instrument that is struck by a drumstick and generates a sound resembling a cross between a cowbell and a xylophone. The instrument comprises two spaced-apart planar metal plates with three of the sides spanning between the plates enclosed by additional metal plates. The additional metal plates are welded to the spaced-apart metal plates at discreet locations to tune the instrument. An aperture for a tom mount can be defined in one of the planar metal plates. In certain embodiments, the instrument is approximately 30-38 inches long with one end being 6-16 inches across and the opposing end being 2-3 inches across. The spacing between the spaced-apart metal plates in certain embodiments is 1-2.5 inches. Welds in certain embodiments can be arranged to generate a plurality of different pitches, for example, five different pitches.

Abstract: A paddleball toy having a paddle, a bounceable play ball, and an elastic tethering means. The paddle has an impact surface and an elongate handle with a handle longitudinal axis. The paddle has a front side and a back side. The handle connects to the impact surface at a lower end of the impact surface. The impact surface has a direction-switch slot extending from a slot bottom at an interior point of the impact surface to an exterior edge of the impact surface. The elastic tethering means tethers the play ball at a first end of the tethering means to a tether spot on the impact surface adjacent the slot bottom of the direction-switch slot so as to permit the tethering means to pass through the direction-switch slot as the play ball passes the impact surface from front side to back side, or back side to front side.

Abstract: A paddleball toy having a paddle, a bounceable play ball, and an elastic tethering means. The paddle has an impact surface and an elongate handle with a handle longitudinal axis. The paddle has a front side and a back side. The handle connects to the impact surface at a lower end of the impact surface. The impact surface has a direction-switch slot extending from a slot bottom at an interior point of the impact surface to an exterior edge of the impact surface. The elastic tethering means tethers the play ball at a first end of the tethering means to a tether spot on the impact surface adjacent the slot bottom of the direction-switch slot so as to permit the tethering means to pass through the direction-switch slot as the play ball passes the impact surface from front side to back side, or back side to front side.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a left glove member adapted to be worn on the left hand of a user and a right glove member adapted to be worn on the right hand of the user, the left and right glove members each having an impact area and an elastomeric cord extending from a center of the impact area to a ball, such that the ball is connected to the left and right glove members by the elastomeric cords of equal length. A rigid plate member is fitted within each of the left and right glove members for providing a solid surface at the impact area. The user, wearing the left and right glove members, alternates movement of the hands in a repeated left and right punch throwing action which causes the ball to alternately strike the impact areas of the glove members and travel away from the user until the elastomeric cord leading from the opposite hand stretches taut and causes the ball to travel back towards the user for subsequent striking with the opposite hand.

Abstract: A slingshot-like skill game device comprises a body and a handle attached to the body. The body includes an opening designed to permit a ball to pass therethrough. When the slingshot-like skill game device is outfitted with a ball attached thereto by an elongated elastic cord, a user may grasp the handle with one hand, grasp the ball with another hand, pull the ball away from the body, and then release the ball with the object of getting the ball to pass through the opening on release. A ring-shaped insert may be attached to the opening, so as to decrease the diameter of the opening and thereby increase the level of difficulty required for a user of the slingshot-like skill game device to get the ball to pass through the opening. Additional ring-shaped inserts of varying diameters may also be provided to further increase the level of difficulty for a user of the slingshot-like skill game device. The body may include one or more light sources that may be activated when a ball passes through the opening.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device, the device comprising a housing and a retractable handle, the device being arranged to allow the handle to be retracted into the housing along a sliding axis to provide a retracted handle position and extended out of the housing along the sliding axis to provide an extended handle position, and wherein the handle is arranged to be formable to be held by a user in the extended position such that the holding axis of the handle in the extended position is offset from the sliding axis.

Abstract: A basketball-like member is mounted on one end of a pendulum adapted to swing in an arc about a cylindrical bearing attached to a support extending from a discontinuity of a first side of a partially cylindrical hoop through which the basket-ball member is repetitively swung to score points. A handle on a second opposite side is grasped and the tethered ball manipulated to cause the repetitive arcuate travel through the hoop. A battery-powered counter keeps track of the number of baskets or points scored, at the preference of the player.

Abstract: An apparatus, that places an object ball in the palm of both hands of an athlete, for training the athlete to catch a thrown sports ball with fingertips and thumb tips rather than palms. The size of the object ball can be increased as the athlete's skill level improves. This apparatus teaches the athlete to control the sports ball with the fingertips and thumb tips. Because this apparatus is small and lightweight it can be used for training as well as performance enhancement.

Abstract: The present invention is a swinging toy intended for the purpose of recreation, physical and mental health, agility and leisure purposes. The present invention includes a padded object and a cord with a hand or finger loop. The object includes a central cavity that may selectively or permanently contain a substance. The substance may include colored water, beads which may glow in the dark, chemiluminescent fluid, batteries together with a light, reflective material, e.g, tin foil, chemical compositions that alternate between colors or other such substances, or magnetically powered light sources. Further, a decorative tail may be attached to the end of the object to enhance the user's enjoyment of the toy.

Abstract: A ball game set includes racket having a head and a handle. A first passage and a second passage respectively and co-axially defined through the handle and the head. The second passage is smaller than the first passage so as to form a shoulder at the conjunction of the first passage and the second passage. A hole is defined through two faces of the head and communicates with the second passage. A rod is inserted in the first passage and the second passage and has a flange. A spring is mounted to the rod and biased between the flange and the shoulder. A flexible cable connected to a bouncing ball is inserted in the hole and pressed by the rod.

Abstract: The splattle paddle comprises a main housing with a handle secured thereto. A stretchable, flexible material is secured at an outer edge to the main housing. A button is secured centrally of the main housing to which one end of a linear stretchable cord is secured. The opposite end of the cord is secured to a holding apparatus, such as a clip. In use, a water-filled balloon or ball is secured to the holding apparatus and the water-filled balloon is then hit by the paddle until the balloon breaks.

Abstract: A bat and ball game apparatus comprises:

Abstract: A cord controlling device is used in conjunction with a game racket and is composed essentially of a housing formed of a base and an upper cover. The base is provided with a fastening portion by which the device is fastened with the head frame network of the game racket. The base is provided at the center of the upper side thereof with a shaft on which a rotary seat is rotatably mounted. The rotary seat is provided with a receiving chamber in which a volute spring is located such that the volute spring is fastened at one end thereof with the rotary, seat, and at other end thereof with the shaft of the base. A cord reel is mounted on the rotary seat for winding up or letting out a cord which is wound on the cord reel such that the cord is fastened at one end thereof with the cord reel, and that other end of the cord is let out via a cord outlet of the housing for fastening with a ball.

Abstract: A flat board has a top side and a distal and proximal end. Mounted on the flat board top side at the distal end is a target area defined by a goal element. Mounted on the flat board top side at the proximal end is a launching mechanism. A base member of the launching mechanism has first and second channels formed therein. The second channel receives a handle portion of a launch spoon. The first channel receives a first end of a string. A second end of the string attaches to a projectile. A spoon portion is provided with the launch spoon for holding the projectile therewithin. The game is played by first bending the launch spoon in a direction opposed from that of the goal element and thereafter releasing the launch spoon so that the projectile is propelled toward the goal element in hopes of having the projectile cross through the target area.

Abstract: A ball and paddle toy for generating an illumination effect when activated. The toy includes a paddle having a head portion and a handle portion configured for grasping by a user. A switch operable when a force exceeding a threshold force is applied thereto is connected to the paddle head portion. An elastic cord is connected at one end to the switch and at another end to a ball. An illuminating element is connected to the switch and is activated when the elastic cord applies a force exceeding the threshold force to the switch. When in use, the paddle is used to hit the ball, which causes the cord stretch and apply a force to the switch for activating the illuminating element.

Abstract: An integral spin cast and flipping target pad comprising a base portion and an open top, generally cylindrical, target portion extending upwardly from the base. Preferably, the target cylinder is shaped like a fish head and the base defines lily pad shapes in its upper surface. The base comprises a bottom portion, a top portion and an edge portion extending between the bottom and the top defining a flotation cavity within the base. Alternatively, the base may be made of decorative wood. The target cylinder comprises a generally cylindrical wall extending upwardly from the top portion of the base. The wall can be comprised of spaced apart generally cylindrical outer and inner wall portions extending upwardly from the top portion of the base and a lip portion extending between a top of the inner wall and a top of the outer wall. Preferably, gussets extend from the target cylinder to the top of the base. These gussets are shaped like fish fins associated with the fish head shaped target cylinder.

Abstract: The hand-held basketball game comprises of a circular-shaped disc mounted to a short tubular handle that has a spirally-grooved socket inserted within the front section of the short tubular handle, which is connected by inserting the miniature basketball game hoop's rear square-headed, spirally-grooved screw into a square opening located within the center base of the miniature beveled transparent basketball game backboard, which is connected to a spirally-grooved socket inserted within the front section of the short tubular handle. The hand-held basketball game includes a miniature cone-shaped basketball game net that can be assembled to and disconnected from the miniature basketball game hoop which has a small circular track lining designed within the inner circle frame of the miniature basketball game hoop that allows the miniature basketball game cone-shaped net to be adjustable to the miniature basketball game hoop.

Abstract: A paddle, including a surface for hitting a ball or other object, a transducer coupled to the hitting surface for detecting when the hitting surface hits the object, a counter for counting the number of hits and a display is disclosed. In one arrangement, the counter is a processor from a microcontroller. A timer is coupled to the transducer and to the counter for determining the time elapsed from the last hit. The timer stops the counter when the time elapsed since the most recent hit exceeds a predetermined length of time, indicating a miss of the ball. An audio amplifier drives a speaker so that the speaker makes a first predetermined sound whenever the hitting surface hits the object. The speaker emits a second predetermined sound when there is a miss, as indicated by the timer. A manual reset is coupled to the processor. A push button resets the counter to zero. A source of electric power, such as batteries, is located inside the handle.

Abstract: An electronic paddle game device includes a paddle having a ball striking surface and a hand-gripable handle. A plurality of impact sensors are positioned about the impact surface of the paddle for selective impacting by an object such as a ball struck by the impact surface. An electronic audible output signal generating circuit generates an audible output signal to a speaker when an impact sensor senses impact with an object. The paddle may also carry light emitting devices for visually indicating that an impact target has been struck. A ball is preferably tethered to the paddle. The paddle includes a handle that is adapted to store the ball during non-use. A counter and LCD display may be provided to generate and visually display a score based on impacts sensed by the impact sensors.

Abstract: A paddle ball game and method of ball control associated therewith which includes two paddles held parallel to each other and a resilient ball supported between them. Each player observes the ball's location through the transparent material used to form the paddle's ball engagement area and moves the paddle to roll the ball into the aperture in the other player's paddle. The paddles also feature a handle mounted offset from the surface of the paddle and a flexible net which covers the aperture to catch the ball after it passes through. Alternatively, an inelastic cord is also used to tether the ball to the paddle. In another embodiment, means are provided to illuminate the engagement area for play in the dark.

Abstract: A flying spinning tether toy has an annular rim and a transverse bar across the diameter joined to the rim. The transverse bar has an axial tubulation with a center hole at the axis of rotation. A closed loop of line passes through the center hole and around the rim at one point. A tether line connects to the loop. The toy is thrown with a spin like a discus. When flown to the full extent of the tether line, a pull on the line changes the direction of flight and the toy will return to the player. To keep the toy flying and spinning, the transverse bar is provided with a propeller like shape with sloping surfaces to provide lift, and the leading and trailing edges of the transverse bar are provided with low and high resistance faces to enhance spinning when pulled. Embodiments are shown having either the lifting elements or the unidirectional resistance elements alone. The spinning toy may also be provided in the shape of an inverted saucer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic counting paddle toy. The electronic counting paddle toy includes a rigid paddle comprising a first side and a second side which is identical to and separate from the first side and contained in its hollow middle is a plurality of sound conducting posts, an elastic removably tether, a resilient ball, an electronic counter that works off the sound created when the ball hits the paddle, a display, wherein the tether elastically connects the paddle and the ball and wherein each impact of the ball with the paddle sounds and is counted and wherein the count is shown on the display, and structure for detecting the impact of the ball with the paddle thereby causing the counter to index upward.

Abstract: Tethered ball and receptacle toy incorporating a tethered ball, one or more catcher loops, and a revolving frame adapted to be spun in relation to one or more rotating handles. Revolving frame (20) includes rod (22), catcher loops (48), handle mounts (24) and tether anchor (37). Catcher loops (48) incorporate an aperture (50) just large enough to receive ball (46) in a nested fashion. Handle mounts (24) include handle receiving holes (34) which receive rotating handles (26) with grip (28), axle (30), and hub (32).

Abstract: A ball and elastic cord is affixed to a finger band so that the ball may be thrown, retrieved and paddled by a user's hand. A finger band comprising a strip wrapped about and secured to a finger by locking means such as frictional fabric pads hold the cord snugly about a finger. The cord is firmly secured while permitting adjustment of cord length by threading through apertures in stiffened plates on opposite sides of the strip. The ball in one embodiment has a fabric cover internally filled like a bean bag with plastic pellets and contains a semi-spherical internal cup anchor for securing the cord to the ball. An electronic circuit with a spring biased switch responds to a predetermined force threshold on the cord for signalling by audio or visual means identifying different balls to be used in various games. One or more photo-diode lamps thus can identify one of several balls or players directly or by means of shaped decals, etc.

Abstract: This invention relates to a yard casting assembly having a main target assembly; a casting connector assembly secured to an upper surface of the main target assembly; and a casting wedge member connectable to a fishing line on a casting rod and reel assembly for casting outwardly to engage the casting connector assembly. The main target assembly can resemble fish structures, wild animals, or other structures of various shapes and includes a main base member having an upright indicator member connected thereto. The casting connector assembly is provided with a plurality of adjacent catching body members adapted to receive the casting wedge member therebetween. The casting wedge member is provided with a main body member having a wedge section to be wedged between adjacent ones of the casting connector assembly.

Abstract: An aerial hook and loop game comprising a string extending from a fixed support to a mobile end controlled by a game player. A carriage supported on the string for free movement there along under the force of gravity and at least one target, the carriage including hooks for engaging and supporting the target for movement along the string under the influence of gravity as controlled by the configuration and tension of the string controlled by the player by means of the manipulation of the mobile end of the string, preferably by the use of an elongate stick.

Abstract: A combination of a glove worn by a user and a ball and stretchable member removably attached to the glove is disclosed. The ball is permanently attached to one end of the stretchable member, and the other end is attached to an anchor which is removably attached to the palm of the glove, so that the user can slap the ball and be assured of its return. The stretchable member is adjustable in size and the ball may be of any desired size and structure. Additionally, the glove may be worn on either hand.

Abstract: A system of the type having a ball connected to a bat by an elastic strip, has in one version a bat formed of polystyrene foam with a plug frictionally held in a hole through the bat face from front to back around which any surplus elastic-strip is wound to provide an adjustable length of elastic strip. The plug has a flat end and a contoured end, either of which can be axially adjusted when installed at the front face of the bat to vary the contour against which the ball impacts when batted. Relative silence in batting the ball results from the use of plastic foam material and from handle-free contour, making it necessary to grip around edges and back of bat with spread fingers, this local support tending to muffle vibration and sound. This gripping of the edges of the bat also provides training in muscular action like that needed in dribbling basketball.

Abstract: An automatic ball return device for use with a baseball glove to be worn by a person, includes a housing mounted on the rear portion of the baseball glove; a spool rotatably mounted in the housing; a cord wound on the spool and having a free end extending through the webbing of the glove to the front pocket thereof and connected thereat to a ball; a motor for winding the cord onto the spool; a clutch for engaging the motor with the spool to cause the motor to wind the cord onto the spool; and a switch which controls the motor and the clutch to permit free rotation of the spool to enable the cord to freely unwind with minimal resistance from the spool when the ball is thrown, and to cause the motor to wind the cord onto the spool upon actuation of the switch after the ball has been thrown, after a predetermined amount of time, or after the cord has unwound a predetermined extent.

Abstract: A disk is provided with two diametrically opposed handles. A resilient ball is tethered to the center of the disk by a flexible, but substantially inelastic line, said line being slightly shorter than the radius of the disk. Weights may be attached to the device. Proper flexions and extensions of the arms or of other parts of the user's body set the ball in a periodic bouncing motion. The rhythm thus established regulates the various exercises of the user.

Abstract: A toy fishing-play unit generally includes a base plate which is provided with a plurality of upwardly protruded ridges, a turning disk turnably mounted on the base plate and provided with a plurality of cells, a plurality of fish models removably received in the cells, a driving unit for turning the turning disk and a toy fishing tackle. When the fish model rides on the ridge a mouth of the fish model is opened to receive a bait, and when the fish model gets off the ridge the mouth of the fish model is closed to bite the bait.