Abstract: A sound producing ball includes concentric inner and outer ball elements and a plurality of sound producing particles in an open area therebetween. The sound producing particles are dimensioned to travel in the open area when the ball is rotated, and the inner ball element has a plurality of projections thereon for redirecting the sound producing particles as they travel in the open area. The sounds produced by the sound particles as they strike the inner and outer ball elements are generally similar to the sound of rain striking a building roof.

Abstract: A toy gun includes a gun body having a handle portion, a primary barrel on the gun body and a concealed secondary barrel in the handle portion. The gun further includes a piston and cylinder assembly which is operable for selectively delivering blasts of compressed air to the primary or secondary barrels for selectively launching projectiles therefrom.

Abstract: A pivot assembly for mounting a pivot arm on a housing includes in a first embodiment thereof a pair of spaced mounting walls which extend inwardly in the housing adjacent opposite side extremities of a pivot opening therein and a pivot shaft on the pivot arm. The mounting walls have open notches therein which open outwardly through the pivot opening for receiving the pivot shaft therein, and the mounting walls and the pivot arm have retaining members thereon which cooperate to retain the pivot shaft in the notches. In a second embodiment the pivot assembly includes a concave mounting seat, a pivot arm having a pivot shaft which is received in mating engagement in the mounting seat and a retaining member having a convex retaining face thereon which is received in mating engagement with a corresponding concave pivot face on the pivot member for retaining the pivot shaft in the mounting seat.

Abstract: A ball tossing device includes a ball tossing mechanism for mechanically tossing a ball into the air, a timer assembly, and a remote manual actuating mechanism for remotely actuating the timer assembly for releasing the ball tossing mechanism to toss the ball into the air upon the expiration of a predetermined time interval. The device further includes a launching tube which is alternatively positionable in a first position for launching the ball in a vertical direction or a second position for launching the ball in an upward and outward direction.

Abstract: A collapsible playyard for an infant includes a frame subassembly including at least two frame members which are joined together in substantially perpendicular relation. Each of the frame members includes two frame member sections which are joined by a knuckle joint which only permits pivoting between the frame member sections thereof in a single direction. The knuckle joints are oriented so that collapsing one frame member rotates the adjacent frame member causing the knuckle joint thereof to be automatically moved to a collapsible position.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a game board surrounded by a fence, a plurality of pawns which are advanceable along the fence and an action character figure which is moveable on the game board. The action character figure is adapted to randomly move about on the game board surface, and each of the pawns includes an ejectable component which is ejected when the pawn is engaged by the action character figure.

Abstract: A projectile launcher includes a launcher body having a nonrotatable projectile magazine thereon, a piston and cylinder assembly in the launcher body, and a lever operated actuating mechanism on the launcher body. The actuating mechanism is operative for loading and releasing the piston in the cylinder for producing individual blasts of compressed air and also for rotating the cylinder so that sequential blasts of compressed air are delivered to sequential launching chambers on the magazine in order to launch sequential projectiles therefrom.

Abstract: A toy gun includes a housing, a forwardly biased plunger assembly in the housing, first and second rack gears in the housing, and a transmission gear assembly in the housing. The transmission gear assembly is operative for communicating rearward movement of the second rack gear to the first rack gear in order to move the first rack gear and the plunger assembly into rearward cocked positions in the housing. The transmission gear assembly is adapted so that once the first rack gear and the plunger assembly have been moved to the cocked positions thereof in housing, the second rack gear is freely movable without interference from the transmission gear assembly and the first rack gear, and so that the first rack gear and the plunger assembly are freely releasable to the uncocked positions for causing the plunger assembly to produce a blast of compressed air in order to launch a projectile from the housing.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a sound generating mechanism for generating realistic vehicle engine sound and a smoke generating mechanism for generating simulated smoke vapors. The sound generating mechanism and the smoke generating mechanism are simultaneously actuatable by moving an accessory, such as a spoiler, on a cab portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A highchair for an infant or toddler includes a seat element, a frame assembly for supporting the seat element on a supporting surface, and a feeding tray assembly on the seat element. The feeding tray assembly includes a center support and retaining post which is secured to the front center portion of the seat element and a tray element which is adjustably secured to the upper end of the center support and retaining post. The center support and retaining post is operative for preventing a child from sliding downwardly between the seat element and the tray element regardless of the adjusted position of the tray element, and the seat element is secured to the frame assembly so that it is both vertically adjustable and reclinable.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes an animated character figure which is adapted to be received on a supporting surface so that a game ball is receivable in an open mouth thereof. The apparatus further includes a drive mechanism in the character figure which is operative in response to passage of the game ball into the open mouth for closing the mouth, ejecting the game ball, rotating the character figure on the supporting surface and then returning the mouth to an open position.

Abstract: A hair twisting apparatus includes a housing, a jaw assembly on the housing and a trigger on the housing which is operable for twisting the jaw assembly to twist a group of hair strands received therein. The apparatus includes an elastic band on the jaw assembly for retaining first and second jaw elements thereof in gripping engagement on a group of hair strands during twisting thereof and a slidable shaft mechanism which is forwardly advanceable for moving the elastic band from the jaw assembly onto the terminal end portion of the group of hair strands for retaining the hair strands in a twisted condition.

Abstract: A sound producing ball includes concentric inner and outer ball elements and a plurality of sound producing particles in an open area therebetween. The sound producing particles are dimensioned to travel in the open area when the ball is rotated, and the inner ball element has a plurality of projections thereon for redirecting the sound producing particles as they travel in the open area. The sounds produced by the sound particles as they strike the inner and outer ball elements are generally similar to the sound of rain striking a building roof.

Abstract: A spark producing mechanism for a toy includes an at least partially transparent housing, a rotatable abrasive element in the housing and a motor for rotating the abrasive element. The mechanism further includes at least one flint element which is loosely captured in the housing so that it can contact and carom off the abrasive element to randomly produce sparks in the housing during rotation of the abrasive element.

Abstract: A seat for an infant includes a base frame portion which includes a pair of upwardly and rearwardly extending inclined members, a pair of connecting assemblies, a collapsible back frame portion, a leg frame portion, and a cover on the back and leg frame portions. The connecting assemblies are operative for connecting the back and leg frame portions to the inclined members so that the back frame portion normally extends upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, and so that the leg frame portion normally extends forwardly therefrom, but so that the leg and back frame portions are optionally pivotable rearwardly and downwardly to a collapsed position of the seat without requiring disassembly thereof.

Abstract: An action character figure assembly includes a character figure, an elongated base and a control and mounting mechanism for releasably mounting the character figure on one leg thereof adjacent an end of the base. The control and mounting mechanism is remotely operable from the opposite end of the base for rapidly rotating the character figure about the axis of the first leg thereof so as to cause the character figure to perform various martial arts fighting maneuvers. The character figure includes a torso portion which is pivotally mounted on the first leg and a second leg and arms which are freely pivotably mounted on the torso portion so that they are centrifugally pivoted outwardly during a fighting maneuver.