Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spring ring device having a unique ability to bounce and rebound off hard surfaces while maintaining a continued flight path, acting as if it had just been thrown back to the thrower after ricocheting off a wall. The spring ring device will bounce off one or multiple surfaces and can be caught by the same or a different player. The spring ring device generally includes a ring, a ring cover configured to encase the ring. The spring ring device may also include a shell configured to cover at least a portion of the ring cover. The unique structure of the spring ring device allows the device to bounce and rebound off hard surfaces and maintain a continued flight path.

Abstract: Provided is a ball that includes a plurality of panels attached together to form a hollow structure. The hollow structure includes a head portion at a first end and a tail portion at a second end. The hollow structure is also characterized by a tapered profile in a longitudinal direction, such that a diameter of the head portion is greater than a diameter of the tail portion. The ball also includes a tubular duct (i) integrated within a center of the hollow structure and (ii) extending along a length of the hollow structure.

Abstract: A magic kit and methods of use thereof are described. The magic kit may include a first handheld object and a second handheld object that appear to be identical but have different weights. The magic kit may be used to perform a magic trick where the second handheld object appears to levitate using an elastic band.

Abstract: An inductive sensor (10) has a substrate (20), on which multiple transmitter/receiver coils (31, 32, 33) are arranged side by side. It can be operated in such a way that the transmitter/receiver coils (31, 32, 33) are each stimulated independently of one another at a frequency of more than 100 MHz.

Abstract: This invention is a tubular shaped flying toy comprised of a polypropylene (foam) main cylindrical body with a heavy plastic ring supported front end. The main foam body is held in place to the plastic ring support with the help of rubber bracelet bands that stretch around the outside of the front end of the toy where the foam body stretches onto the hard plastic ring. The toy is thrown with a baseball type throwing motion, and provides a graceful, smooth flight.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spring ring device having a unique ability to bounce and rebound off hard surfaces while maintaining a continued flight path, acting as if it had just been thrown back to the thrower after ricocheting off a wall. The spring ring device will bounce off one or multiple surfaces and can be caught by the same or a different player. The spring ring device generally includes a ring, a ring cover configured to encase the ring. The spring ring device may also include a shell configured to cover at least a portion of the ring cover. The unique structure of the spring ring device allows the device to bounce and rebound off hard surfaces and maintain a continued flight path.

Abstract: The invention includes apparatus and methods for a novel modular self-returning batting tee. In one preferred embodiment, a modular self-returning batting tee may have one or more extension arms that are compatible with a variety of different batting attachments and/or aids, and may further be secured to a receiver tube positioned within a flexible boot. This receiver tube may be coupled with a weighted base through a novel recoil joint. In this embodiment, when the tee is struck, such as may occur during batting practice, the extension arm may bend forward engaging the flexible boot and/or novel recoil joint and causing the extension arm to self-return to a pre-determined position.

Abstract: The string launched flexible rolling wheel or “Sling Wheel” is used for recreational play. The Sling Wheel is a flexible, 5 to 10-inch diameter disc/wheel that has a deep slot in which to wind a length of string with a knot or a device with which to grip or otherwise attach to the finger(s) or hand. The end of the string without the knot or handle is wound in the slot a number of turns. After the string is wound, the Sling Wheel is tossed in an underhand or overhand motion while keeping the string knot firmly grasped. The Sling Wheel spins away from the participant with a forward spin that gives it directional control and significant velocity. The string remains with the person launching the toy.

Abstract: A method for scheduling a meeting using an email client that is part of an email system includes receiving a request at the email client to schedule the meeting. The request may include an indication of the resources that are to be provided by a conferencing system for the meeting. The method also includes communicating the request to a conference bridge that is part of the conferencing system and receiving from the conference bridge an access code associated with the meeting. The method also includes appending the access code to a meeting invitation associated with the meeting and providing the meeting invitation to an email server that is part of the email system. The method also includes sending the meeting invitation to users invited to participate in the meeting.

Abstract: An improved pet toy is generally ring-like and is rollable along a surface, such as the ground. The pet toy includes a resilient foam core that is surrounded by an elastomeric outboard portion and a fabric inboard portion that are affixed to one another and to the core. The outboard portion has a roughened surface that provides traction with the ground and enables the pet toy to roll in various fashions. The fabric inboard portion includes a stiffening structure in the form of a rib that resists deformation of the pet toy in a radial direction toward and away from a center of the toy.

Abstract: A sports and games apparatus consisting of two rods and an aerodynamic projectile with an opening which receives the two rods. The projectile is launched by manipulating the rods in an opposing fashion. The opening of the projectile is of the appropriate size to allow for the rods to slide through, but not large enough that the projectile exhibits unwanted motions that inhibit accuracy during the launching motion. The rods are used to propel the projectile towards a variety of targets which interact with the projectile in various ways. The projectile may comprise a multitude of aerodynamic shapes and a multitude of methods for interacting with targets.

Abstract: A toy includes a generally disk-shaped body, a periphery of which includes a bottom which lies generally on a plane. The disk-shaped body further includes a series of protrusions on an undersurface of the disk, disposed radially inward of the periphery, which extend beyond the plane on which the periphery lies, such that the disk is supported by the protrusions when resting on a support surface, such as the ground, leaving the periphery elevated from the support surface.

Abstract: An aerial toy is formed by coupling a ring to an insulating sleeve used with disposable paper cups. The ring is attached to the smaller diameter conical end of the insulator sleeve creating a flying gyroscope. The flight of the toy is protracted due to the airfoil characteristics of the tubular body and is thrown like a football for distance, accuracy, fun and competition.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to specialized flying discs and launching devices having a launching arm that can be held by a user, the arm being coupled to a flying disc via a coupler disposed at the launching end of the arm, and an attachment member disposed on the periphery of the flying disc. When swung by the user with appropriate force, the disc becomes un-coupled from the arm and takes flight. In some examples, the attachment members define distinct attachment nodes disposed within attachment openings. In some other examples the attachment member defines a concentric ring disposed on the periphery of the disc.

Abstract: The present invention is a ring for a game of skill, generally comprising a single strip having first and second ends, wherein said first and second ends are attached to one another to form a single endless ring having a corner on one side of said ring and a teardrop-shaped opposing side opposite said corner. In some embodiments the ring is a single continuous piece. Alternative embodiments of the present invention call for the game piece to be flexible, and for utilizing attachment mechanisms and curvature retention mechanisms to further adjust and retain the curvature of the ring, all for the purpose of affecting the trajectory of the ring when thrown.

Abstract: A sports and games apparatus consisting of two rods and an aerodynamic projectile with an opening which receives the two rods. The projectile is launched by manipulating the rods in an opposing fashion. The opening of the projectile is of the appropriate size to allow for the rods to slide through, but not large enough that the projectile exhibits unwanted motions that inhibit accuracy during the launching motion. The rods are used to propel the projectile towards a variety of targets which interact with the projectile in various ways. The projectile may comprise a multitude of aerodynamic shapes and a multitude of methods for interacting with targets.

Abstract: A throwing object that includes a multi-sided member that includes a top and a peripheral sidewall integral with the top. The top and peripheral sidewall together form a cap-shaped member that is hollow with the peripheral sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface is formed as a concave surface shaped for receiving the finger or fingers of the user with the inner surface including a reinforcing rib that is integral with the sidewall.

Abstract: The present invention is a ring for a game of skill, generally comprising a single strip having first and second ends, wherein said first and second ends are attached to one another to form a single endless ring having a corner on one side of said ring and a teardrop-shaped opposing side opposite said corner. In some embodiments the ring is a single continuous piece. Alternative embodiments of the present invention call for the game piece to be flexible, and for utilizing attachment mechanisms and curvature retention mechanisms to further adjust and retain the curvature of the ring, all for the purpose of affecting the trajectory of the ring when thrown.

Abstract: A multi-shot ring airfoil launcher comprises a launcher configured to receive a magazine which supports at least two ring airfoils. The launcher includes a barrel. A chuck is mounted in the barrel and is configured to propel a ring airfoil from a breech to the muzzle of the barrel, launching a ring airfoil with forward velocity and spin. The magazine is configured to deliver successive ring airfoils to the breech or rear end of the chuck for launching. The launcher includes a cocking mechanism for loading ring airfoils on to the chuck and cocking the chuck, and a firing mechanism for firing the launcher.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device and method for dispensing a substance. The device may include a body portion in the shape of an airfoil and includes a region to contain the substance to be dispensed. The device may include one or a plurality of ports which may include a covering having a mechanical strength (e.g. tensile strength) that is less than the mechanical strength of the body portion. The device may be launched either by hand or by a launching mechanism.

Abstract: A flying disc toy of flexible plastic construction with a convex central top section connected to a concave central bottom section by an annular rim. The toy has a central hollow area that can be filled with water through a central opening in the top plate and also has a plurality of openings on the annular rim. When the toy is thrown and flies in the rotating manner similar to most flying discs, the centrifugal forces produced will cause the water inside of the toy to spray out of the openings in the annular rim.

Abstract: A circular flying disc having an annular rim and a central section joined together by an annular shoulder formed in a single piece of a first material. The annular rim extends downwardly from the annular shoulder bounding a central cavity below the central section. The annular rim includes an inside grip edge facing the central cavity. The grip surface is attached to the circular flying disc and is formed from a second material which is pliant and different from the first material. The grip provides a pliant surface to facilitate grasping and throwing by a user.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a floor hockey puck comprises the steps of bonding a pair of felt discs together in a coaxial relationship by means of a flexible adhesive sandwiched between the discs to form a flexible core between the discs and applying a strip of protective material around the discs. In another embodiment, the discs are annular in shape and the strip of protective material is applied around the inner cylindrical sides of the discs.

Abstract: A floor hockey puck comprises a pair of felt discs bonded together by means of a flexible adhesive sandwiched between the discs forming a core which acts as a weight element to import sufficient weight to the puck to approximate the movement of an ice hockey puck on ice.

Abstract: An annular protective rim attachment designed to grip the outer peripheral edge of compact discs (CD's) and digital video discs (DVD's), consisting of a flexible, flat top rim (10), the inner periphery of which is molded to form an upper lip (12), lower lip (14), and between these lips, a gripping mouth (16) to securely hold the CD or DVD (28) inside the aperture of said ring. The underside of said ring is shaped in such a way as to create an airfoil (20) adequate to enable the airfoil ring with attached CD or DVD (28) to safely fly and exhibit controllability when tossed into the air. The airfoil ring is made of a soft, flexible non-malleable plastic material which will create a cushioning effect so as not to produce contact impact and resultant injury or damage when tossed into the air.

Abstract: Arrowheads, including blade-opening arrowheads as well as other non blade-opening arrowheads having a recessed collar or body that is slidably positionable about a stem portion thereof. The recess bounds and defines an internally contained void of the arrowheads. The collar is defined by having an internal centrally disposed bore extending therethrough so as to enable the collar or washer to be slidably positioned about an extending post or stem member of a corresponding arrowhead body. The collar and created internal void at least in part aid in attaching blades to the respective arrowhead bodies and serve to house various different annular elements that circumscribe the post member or equivalent.

Abstract: A flying toy in the form of an aerodynamic flying ring. An annular disk (17) surrounds a central opening (12) to create a ring. A convex upper surface (11) deflects air flowing over the top side of the disk, increasing air speed and reducing downward air pressure. An aerodynamic protruding annular fin (27) located near the inner perimeter (18) of the unit deflects air upward again, increasing air speed and decreasing air pressure again. The lower side of the unit contains an undercut that can be straight (16), curved (20), or angled (22). This undercut creates a lower cutaway surface (19) which may be parallel to, or at an angle to, the horizontal plane. This structure captures air beneath the unit, slowing air speed and increasing upward air pressure on the unit. These features combine to provide greater lift capacity than any of them would produce separately. In the preferred embodiment the disk is made of a soft foam material such as polyethylene or polyurethane, but other materials could be used.

Abstract: A street hockey puck (100) includes a main body (110) having opposing top and bottom sides (116, 118) and an outer periphery. A plurality of skid assemblies (200) are disposed around the outer periphery of the main body (110). The skid assemblies (200) each include opposing first and second skids (210, 212) having profiles that sit proud of the top and bottom sides (116, 118) of the main body (110), respectively. The first and second skids (210, 212) each include a pin (220) and a pin receiving recess (224). The pin (220) extends longitudinally through the main body (110), and has a distal end and a proximal end. The pin receiving recess (224) of the first skid (210) receives therein the distal end of the pin (220) extending from the second skid (212), and the pin receiving recess (224) of the second skid (212) receives therein the distal end of the pin (220) extending from the first skid (210).

Abstract: A plurality of circular disks or rings, each disk or ring having a different color, number or other indicia affixed, printed or otherwise incorporated onto each of its two flat sides may be spun by hand to fall with one or the other of their two flat sides facing upward and showing the color, number or other indicia from which to determine score or playing action. Indicia on the disks or rings may be linked to other indicia, such as that on playing cards, game boards, pawns and the like, providing increased game complication. As an educational game, such linking of the ring indicia with external indicia may provide pre-game opportunities to select the level of difficulty. A plurality of such two-sided rings may provide combinations of the ring indicia, such as color combinations, and these combinations themselves may bring into play external indicia or may denote other playing action.

Abstract: The flying toy apparatus has improved launch and flight characteristics, is compatible either as a flying hoop-type structure or a disc-type structure, and can be readily disassembled for compact storage. The flying toy apparatus comprises an outer section and a central floatation member. The outer section includes an annular ring made of a solid material encased within a cushion-type material. The solid material enables firm grasping of the outer annular section during launch. The cushion-type material encases the annular ring and lessens any force imposed by the annular ring upon impact. By substituting one outer ring structure with a slightly different outer ring structure, the flying toy apparatus can be readily adapted for any variety of flight patterns.

Abstract: A toy includes a ring airfoil and a launcher to launch the ring airfoil. The ring air foil is formed with a rigid body portion and an energy absorbing material disposed on a leading edge. The launcher is adapted to substantially simultaneously impart rotational launching energy and translational launching energy to the ring airfoil.

Abstract: A flingable, disk-like, flying toy (10) having a series of preferably bendable, radially inwardly directed vanes (13) extending out of the plane (11) of the disk, which can cause the toy to spiral and/or return to the user like a boomerang. The throwing disc has an open center (12), in which there is included about and in the inner, circular periphery the series of generally triangular, radially and inwardly arrayed, upwardly protruding fins or generally triangularly-shaped vanes or upwardly bent cut-outs (13) extending into the circular opening, which cause the disc to alter the normal path of a classic "Frisbee" type design, for example, causing the disc to spiral or to tend to return to the thrower. The vanes can be bent further inwardly or outwardly, i.e., up and down, about fold lines (14) to significantly vary the aerodynamic characteristics of the flying disc toy.

Abstract: A toy segmented ring suitable for tossing and game playing and having a generally annular shape defined by an augmented perimeter encompassing a plurality of flexible flaps surrounding a central orifice. The flaps will flex in response to lift forces which materialize as the ring is spinning during flight and will billow to provide a parachute effect on descent. These structural features add accuracy, ease of catching and interest to games and activities employing the ring.

Abstract: An ice hockey puck being generally in the shape of a disk and having several voids passing from the upper to the lower surface. Preferably the puck also has beveled corners. The result is a puck which is safer to use, faster and more accurate than the conventional ice hockey puck and yet which handles in a very similar manner to a conventional ice hockey puck.