The device of the present invention is substantially disk-shaped having two flat sides lying in parallel planes substantially one-inch apart and a circular profile with a circular perimeter surface connecting the two circular flat sides. The device is molded from a urethane material having a durometer hardness of approximately 60. When used as a training device for softball pitching, the device will have a 12" circumference, a 3.75" diameter, a thickness of 1", a weight of 6.25 ounces and a pair...

A variable-weight play piece, such as a ball or bat, the weight of the piece depending on the amount of water dispersed within a compressible internal body confined within a water-impermeable outer casing. The casing, whose shape is determined by the nature of the piece, is provided with a port having a removable closure, at least one section of the casing being flexible so that when manually pressed in, it acts to compress the internal body, and when pressure is released, the body then resumes ...

A variable-weight playball whose outer casing is formed of liquid-impervious, flexible material, having a closable port therein. Confined within the casing is a compressible body having the same configuration which depends on whether the ball is spherical or in some other shape. The body is formed of low-density, open-cell, flexible foam plastic material having sponge-like properties. To impart heft to the ball, water is introduced through the port into the body and absorbed thereby, the port th...

A horological instrument includes an oscillator assembly and a hairspring. The hairspring is fastened at one end to the oscillator assembly and is anchored to the frame or bridge at its opposite end. A regulator includes two spaced apart arms having slots which surround the hairspring. The regulator is designed to impart a positive isochronism characteristic to the hairspring in order to permit synchronizing of the balance wheel motor. The frequency of balance oscillation is thus made dependent ...

The present invention relates to an adjustable length pool cue for billiards, pool, snooker, and the like. The invention includes a cue rod having a butt end which is telescopically received within the open end of a tubular cue rod handle. A disc-shaped cam is eccentrically mounted on the butt end of the cue rod for rotatable movement between an unlocking position, wherein the cam is axially and peripherally aligned with the butt end of the cue rod to facilitate sliding telescopic movement of th...

A baseball practice device with a sleeve for a bat and a lightweight ball which can be caught on the sleeve. The sleeve has a catching surface covered with one component of a two-component hook and loop fastening system and the ball has an outer cover covered with the second component of the fastening system. The catching surface corresponds to a predetermined hitting zone so that when one swings a bat with the practice sleeve against a ball of the practice device, the ball will contact the catc...

The present invention relates to an oil spill identification system and oil spill identification sensors to be used in connection with this system. The system is used primarily on fixed offshore structures, but may also be used on fixed onshore constructions. The sensor comprises a combination of a radar and at least a microwave radiometer. The data collected are transmitted to a control station. Preferably, the transmittal takes place at pixel level between the sensors and the control station. ...

An apparatus for playing and a method of playing the ball type game called "Buntball" is disclosed. The game is characterized as being suitable for play by persons of differing skill, gender, or age and of being safe to play indoors or outdoors. The apparatus comprises a rectangular playing field without walls or ceiling, a homeplate in front of the playing field, a bat, and a ball. The playing field includes four subareas, and is preferably sixteen feet wide and twenty-four feet deep. Homeplate...

This invention is essentially a toss and catch game, for recreation, exercise, sport, physical therapy, socialization, relaxation, enjoyment, or the like, or any combination thereof, in which a hand-held propel and catch device is utilized by one player to toss a projectile to another player, who catches the projectile with a like propel and catch device by making contact therewith. A cushioned portion of the upper propel and catch device is substantially covered with one component and the proje...

A ball retrieval concept or idea using hook and mesh components in engaging relationship to one another. Application of the two components in any fashion to retrieve a tennis ball. One being a racket with a section of hook material attached at the butt of the handle. Secondly, fitting a covering of intermeshing material around a tennis ball. When the butt of the racket is put in contact with tennis ball having the mesh covering, the ball will fasten temporarily to the racket. This eliminates the...