Abstract: An outdoor dart tossing game includes a target board that is positionable on a support surface. The target board has a plurality of target spaces therein. A plurality of canisters is included and each of the canisters contains a pressurized fluid. Each of the canisters is inserted into a respective one of the target spaces and each of the canisters is comprised of a rigid material. A plurality of darts is included and each of the darts is assigned to a respective player. Each of the darts is thrown towards the target board in the attempt of striking one of the canisters with the dart. Additionally, each of the canisters is pierced by the dart when the dart strikes the canister thereby releasing the pressurized fluid from the canister. In this way each of the canisters communicates a visual alert to the players that one of the canisters has been struck.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of an angled board and methods of playing an angled board are provided. In one embodiment, an angled board can be provided having a base portion having a support, a top surface on the base portion having an opening, wherein the top surface is configured to allow a ball to bounce off the top surface, and a slanted board provided proximate to a first end of the top surface, the slanted board being provided at an angle with respect to the top surface. The top surface can have an upper portion and a lower portion, where a net can be provided within a receptacle between the upper and lower portions. One or more ridges can be provided along the upper and lower portions of the top surface that extend upward from the top surface.

Abstract: A motor control device has a communication unit that receives a control command comprising a motor type identification signal and a rotation signal, wherein the motor type identification signal indicates whether a control object motor is a stepping motor or a DC motor, and wherein the rotation signal designates a target rotation amount and a target rotation speed of the motor, a sensor interface that receives a detection signal from a rotation angle sensor when the control object motor is the DC motor, wherein the rotation angle sensor outputs the detection signal every time the motor rotates by a first rotation angle, a DC motor drive signal generator that generates and outputs a first drive signal rotating the DC motor at the target rotation speed, and a stepping motor drive signal generator that generates and outputs a second drive signal rotating the stepping motor at the target rotation speed.

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 apparatus for playing a skill game includes a generally vertically extending tube having a first, lower end; a second, upper end; and an axially extending passage. At least one outlet is located proximate the first end of the tube, and a play ball is supported by a flexible tether for swinging movement in a direction toward a scoring ball supported on the tube. The apparatus further includes a first receptacle for receiving the scoring ball if the scoring ball is appropriately struck by the play ball when a player swings the play ball in a direction toward the scoring ball supported on the tube.

Abstract: The device of this invention is for use in marking, locating and retrieving an object with respect to the user, and has particular usefulness for hunters and the like to assist in locating a hunted game that has fallen some distance from the hunter. The device is an object that can be fastened to or hung from a user, can be easily removed from its attachment, is hand-holdable in size, and light weight for being launched or thrown toward the location to be marked. Once places and after a reasonable time delay, the device can emit sound, light or electronic signals that can assist the user in finding the marked location. The device can be have other uses as an assist in returning to a located place after the device has been launched or placed.

Abstract: A light-weight toy is attached to a player via a near-invisible fixed-length tether, typically using a low-tack adhesive at the ends of the tether. In especially preferred embodiments, the toy has a mechanism that creates an appearance of plausible possibility of flight without actually providing sufficient lift and/or propulsion for flight. Imaginary flight is achieved by manual lifting and moving the toy via the tether. Thus, the tether forms an integral part of the imaginary play for the player and is not used as an implement of a ‘magic trick’ for an audience.

Abstract: One or more ready-to-use near-invisible fixed-length tethers are provided on a carrier such that each tether can be removed from and reattached to the carrier without tangling. Most typically, such attachment is facilitated by modifying the ends of the tethers with a low tack adhesive and by winding the tether around a spool portion. Especially preferred low-tack adhesives provide adhesion of the tether ends to a user, the carrier, and the toy. In particularly preferred aspects, the tether is attached such that one end is removable while the other end remains attached such that the tether can be unwound from the spool by inverting the carrier.

Abstract: A multi-player ring toss game is described. The game includes multiple arms extending from a support stand. Players toss rings or similar objects that are tethered to the arms and attempt to hook them on hooks. In specific implementations, the ring toss game is foldable and portable using a folding mechanism to convert the apparatus from a playing position to a storing position.

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: The embodiments may relate to games or sports using tangible projectiles. A tethered ball game embodiment may include a play ball and a tether that may be connected to the play ball and a sensor head assembly. The tether may be elastic. The sensor head assembly may have a force sensor to determine an impact power imparted to the play ball, a spin sensor to determine a rotational value of the play ball, a travel path sensor to determine a path of travel of the play ball, and a play ball strike sensor to determine a strike to the play ball. The tethered ball game also includes a target device and a player feedback system having lights and audio feedback, all controlled by a controls system.

Abstract: A suspended horseshoe game comprised of a horseshoe, a tether attached at its lower end to the horseshoe, and at its upper end to a supporting structure, and of a target vertical pole. This game consists of swinging the horseshoe toward the target pole such that the horseshoe wraps itself around the target pole.

Abstract: This invention provides a ball games apparatus comprising a support, a target mounted on the support, and a tether connected to the support, the tether comprising a ball at a free end thereof, wherein the target comprises a border frame member comprising an aperture therethrough, the ball being arranged to pass through the aperture, in use, and wherein the border frame member comprises a gap in the border frame member, through which gap the tether can pass, in use.

Abstract: A drive system for driving a mixer impeller shaft in a vessel, including a motor; an outer magnet rotor driven by the motor; a bearing housing mountable to a vessel; and a drive shaft rotatable in the bearing housing. An inner magnet rotor is connected to the drive shaft and a manifold plate is connected to the bearing housing. A canister is connected to the manifold plate so that a chamber is defined in the bearing housing having an inlet port for directing fluids into the chamber. A plurality of ports extend through the manifold plate providing fluid communication from the chamber to the inside of the canister; and a plurality of ports through the inner magnet rotor provide fluid communication from the inside of the canister through the inner magnet rotor. A fluid path is provided from the chamber through the ports, around the inner magnet motor, and through the inner magnet rotor, which fluid path is sealed from the environment by the canister.

Abstract: A batting aid that may easily be installed upon fixed or temporary structures, made up of a main frame that slidably supports a tube which in turn supports a ball for a batter to hit. The ball is fixed to the tube by a wire cable that extends through the ball, and is in turn mounted to the tube. The tube is height adjustable so that batters of differing stature and ages can easily practice upon balls at varied heights. The assembly is strong in construction so that a practicing batter is able to hit the ball hard and not cause damage or require another player to throw balls over the plate or return balls to the batter.

Abstract: A toy device for an animal wherein a catapulting apparatus is disposed on a base whereupon a toy-like member is catapulted from the apparatus in a horizontal-like trajectory, whereupon the animal will chase and capture the toy-like member. A string is connected between the apparatus and the toy-like member so that the toy-like member is recoiled back upon the base for a repetition of events. A microcontroller is provided for use with the catapult device so that the catapult works on a timing mechanism and operates at a predetermined time interval. The apparatus can be either battery operated or can use conventional 110-volt alternating current as its power source.

Abstract: A game including a string attached at each end to a wall, and moderately tensioned so as to have a minimal amount of sag. At each end of the string, a series of several scoring zones are designated by different colored lines or colored segments of the string. Each scoring zone has a designated point value assigned to it, with higher point values assigned for scoring zones closer to the end of the string. Mounted on the string are a number of beads, each of which has a centrally located hole through which the string passes. The game is played by standing near one end of the string and propelling the beads along the string toward the opposite end. The beads are propelled one-by-one along the string using a sort of throwing motion, with the object being to impart the necessary velocity to the bead to cause it to come to rest in a scoring zone.

Abstract: A moving object restorer is provided with a connecting cord having one end held at a fixed position and the other end connected with a moving object, a guiding member fixedly provided between the moving object and the fixed position for guiding the connecting cord, a regulator movably provided between the guiding member and the fixed position and having a holder portion for holding the connecting cord slidably. The regulator is movable between a first position for allowing the moving object to be moved and a second position for holding the moving object in a restored position.

Abstract: A sports ball is held in a novel manner within a cradle having multiple arms encircling the ball and attached by Velcro® to a set of strips attached to a flexible tether line fastened to a person's waist. The ball is able to be kicked or punched and return to the striker in each cycle.

Abstract: A sports ball is held in a novel manner within a cradle having multiple arms encircling the ball and attached by Velcro.RTM. to a set of strips attached to a flexible tether line fastened to a person's waist. The ball is able to be kicked or punched and return to the striker in each cycle.

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 golf training device includes base pad on which an anchoring base is fixed. The anchoring base has a primary column and a secondary column extending upright therefrom and each defining therein a bore. An L-shaped support has a first section movably received within the bore of the primary column and a second section extending transversely from the first section to define a cantilever. A secondary support bar extends from the second section of the L-shaped support to be movably received within the bore of the secondary column. A dummy ball assembly includes a spherical member and two suspension rods having lower ends connected to and extending from the spherical member in a diverging manner to upper ends to define a V shape. A tubular member connects between the upper ends of the suspension rods.

Abstract: A game board for simulating a football game. The inventive device includes a main panel having lateral panels pivotally attached to opposed longitudinal sides thereof. A track extends along a center of the main panel and supports a ball member for longitudinal movement relative to the board. The track extends between uprights of goal posts positioned at opposed ends of the main panel.

Abstract: A game includes a plurality of sets of components, each set including a string, a mounting member stationarily attachable to a playing surface and connected to one end of the string, and a body having first and second opposed ends. The string slidably passes through an aperture formed adjacent the first end of the body. The body is formed or coated with a high friction material to engage the underlying playing surface without slippage. The second end of the string is freely supported by a player. Repeated tensioning and untensioning of the string by a player causes the body to progressively advance in a stepwise manner toward the second end of the string.

Abstract: A game and sport apparatus is set forth which is played by two players for placing a ball on a target. Each player carries a frame which is belted to the player's waist. The frames are connected by an elastic cord from which a body covered with a hook and loop fabric is suspended by a flexible string. A target surface consisting of a hook and loop fabric is provided on each frame and to play the game, each player by various body movements causes the body to move about the elastic cord and attempts to catch the body on the target surface.

Abstract: A board game apparatus for playing a class of board games such as board football involving the use of a thumper disc and other removable game apparatus associated with the playing board and the rules of play. The apparatus may utilize electronic position sensing means.

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 cradle or tethered ball type toy is made more amusing and challenging by the use of a target housing instead of the conventional cradle to receive the ball. The target housing has an opening at the top to receive the ball but is then equipped with slits and return ball opening in the target to permit discharge of the ball from the target without separate action by the players. The housing also has electronic sensing device to separately record the balls from each support to which a ball is tethered.

Abstract: A puzzle that includes a transparent box having a small cup mounted upon its floor and a small bead suspended on a thread from a ceiling of the box, the box being shaken manually by a player in attempting to get the bead into the cup, and in a modified design the cup and the thread being fastened on manually rotatable platforms.

Abstract: A ball and cup game or exercise device arranged to be supported on the waist belt of a human, wherein by proper movement of the human body the ball is caused to be moved into the cup. The device comprehends a unitary structure having limbs engaging the waist belt, the front limb supporting a cup retaining the ball, which is held by a strand to the cup, upon proper movement of the body the ball moving into the cup either directly or by rebounding from the front limb.