Abstract: A disco ball with an outer skin (3) which on the outside is fitted with mirror pieces (6) and has an expandable inner structure (2) comprising an inflatable inner skin which in expanded state is spherical and holds the outer skin (3) in a ball shape, characterized in that the outer skin (3) has a plurality of approximately lenticular segments (4) which are arranged next to each other, and adjacent lenticular segments (4) are releasably connected together to form the outer skin (3), and the lenticular segments (4) are each fitted with mirror pieces (6) on the outside.

Abstract: A spherical body map having one hemisphere centered on any given point of the body and another hemisphere centered on its antipodal point is provided in the Azimuthal Equidistant Hemispheric projection. Both hemispheres are placed side by side so to show a great circle line passing through the center and antipodal points straight. This map can show correct directions and distances from the center point to any other points on the body with realistic and recognizable shapes, even for remote continents. It can also demonstrate three important properties of this projection: directions from points along a great circle to a center point do not show the exact opposite of directions from the center point to the points; distances between any two points, not only from the center point, along a great circle line are correct; and the map is convertible from flat to three-dimensional forms.

Abstract: A hand-held, portable apparatus for recording chess moves operable between a recording mode and at least one other mode is described. The apparatus is adapted to uniquely identifying a user and includes an interface for electronically entering into a memory a chess move made by the user. A mechanism is provided for the apparatus to switch between the at least one other mode and the recording mode upon a player making a first move in a new game. The recording mode further includes a security module so that only authorized features are accessible when the apparatus is in the recording mode. The apparatus includes a power module and a communication module for securely communicating chess moves to a central location. The moves are recorded in a universal language. The invention also concerns a chess game tournament management system, as well as a system for recording and publishing chess moves.

Abstract: A method for forming a globe map on a rubber basketball having an inner ball base comprising steps of a) providing plural pieces of particularly shaped rubber pieces which can be put together to form a spherical piece, b) printing plural globe map elements, which are respectively corresponding to said rubber pieces and can be gathered together to constitute said globe map, respectively on said rubber pieces, c) respectively adhering said rubber pieces on said inner ball base, d) providing a mold, e) putting said ball base adhered with said rubber pieces in said mold, and f) vulcanizing said rubber pieces adhered to said ball base in said mode for permitting said rubber pieces to be integrally formed. Such method can permit an exquisite and delicate globe map to be printed on a basketball satisfactorily/economically/easily.

Abstract: A globe of inflated envelope is supported by a bowed arm formed of releasably connectible curved segments and detachably mounted on a stand. The bowed arm further carries a casing containing a driving mechanism for rotating the globe and producing a musical sound during rotation of the globe.