Abstract: A system and method for controlling an action toy without electronics or motors. A spinning sphere includes a set of magnets supported by a cross beam. A magnet assembly, such as a ring or wand, may be held by an operator and used to control the spinning embodiments. Special play surfaces may be provided to enhance an experience and challenges of steering a spinning sphere.

Abstract: A structure motivated by an impulse to slide over a surface, including: an impulse-receiving portion for receiving the impulse, the impulse-receiving portion defining a section of a generally semi-hemispherical structure and produced from a foam material patterned to represent at least a portion of a sports ball; and a sliding portion, coupled to the impulse-receiving portion, for sliding contact with the surface on a contact surface of the sliding portion responsive to the impulse the contact surface having a generally planar smooth surface having a periphery surrounded by an extension of the impulse receiving portion, wherein a tumbling of a coupled combination of the impulse-receiving portion and the sliding portion is inhibited by shifting a center of gravity downward by a greater weighting of the sliding portion relative to the impulse-receiving portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an impulse-driven sliding device primarily for use by young children to simulate desired attributes of ball or puck games while adapting specified attributes to promote safe, effective use for those having reduced training and/or motor-skills.

Abstract: An amusement system including a housing having a receiving aperture at a top surface and an ejecting aperture at a front surface and further including a channel connecting the receiving aperture to the ejecting aperture; a motorized rotatable flywheel mounted inside the housing and coupled to the channel between the top surface and the channel for engaging an object travelling through the channel; a roller assembly mounted inside the housing and coupled to the channel opposite of the flywheel and disposed so an object engaging the flywheel concurrently engages the roller assembly wherein the flywheel and the roller assembly cooperatively eject the object a distance less than fifteen feet from the ejecting aperture when the flywheel rotates and contacts the object; and wherein the housing includes a mounting system to attach to an object no less than about three feet above a surface supporting the object.

Abstract: A convertible multimodal vehicle (e.g., balance bike and kick scooter) particularly suited for small children.

Abstract: A structure motivated by an impulse to slide over a surface, including: an impulse-receiving portion for receiving the impulse, the impulse-receiving portion defining a section of a generally semi-hemispherical structure and produced from a foam material patterned to represent at least a portion of a sports ball; and a sliding portion, coupled to the impulse-receiving portion, for sliding contact with the surface on a contact surface of the sliding portion responsive to the impulse the contact surface having a generally planar smooth surface having a periphery surrounded by an extension of the impulse receiving portion, wherein a tumbling of a coupled combination of the impulse-receiving portion and the sliding portion is inhibited by shifting a center of gravity downward by a greater weighting of the sliding portion relative to the impulse-receiving portion.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for a creative solution that helps teach younger adults/children about baseball and permits them to better participate in hitting fundamentals. The apparatus includes a spheroid having a diameter in a range of about two to five inches and constructed using foam\blow-molded material; and a tail, coupled to the spheroid, constructed using foam\blow-molded material, the tail providing both enhancement of aerodynamic flight properties of the spheroid and inhibition of end-over-end rotation of the spheroid after being thrown, hit, or launched.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an impulse-driven sliding device primarily for use by young children to simulate desired attributes of ball or puck games while adapting specified attributes to promote safe, effective use for those having reduced training and/or motor-skills.

Abstract: An apparatus that is adapted for enhanced curving when thrown specifically designed to aid in throwing to produce a curve effect and a method for throwing that enhances a curved trajectory. The object includes a solid generally spherical structure having a diameter with a range of about two inches to about six inches, the structure including an outer surface defining a generally equatorial-circumferentially-extending groove dividing the structure into a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, the outer surface including a plurality of slots in the first hemisphere extending from the groove to a pole of the first hemisphere.