Abstract: A cascade waterfall or water fountain display with a compact, energy-efficient, low cost DC powered water pump. An electronic controller controls the operation of the water pump and is also used to generate visual and sound effects. The water pump is comprised of a DC motor with a motor shaft, a motor housing in which the motor is mounted, and a gasket used to loosely seal the motor within the motor housing. The gasket has an aperture therein through which the motor's shaft passes. The gasket's aperture is sized so that the shaft of the motor passes therethrough with little, if any contact. An impeller is mounted to the motor's shaft for rotation within a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber has a plurality of holes through which water enters, and an outlet through which water is pumped by the impeller to the top of the waterworks structure. The pumping chamber is loosely fit about the shaft of the motor and allows some water to pass out of the pumping chamber to a pressure-relief chamber.

Abstract: A child's toy having a wireless transmission unit mounted in a first object, such as a doll, and a receiver unit mounted in a second object, such as another doll. The transmission unit includes a first integrated circuit (IC) for producing at least one of an audible sound and movement of a portion of the first object and an infrared transmission circuit for transmitting an infrared signal at the completion of the action. A receiving unit mounted in the second object includes a receiving circuit for receiving the infrared signal. The receiving unit also includes a second IC for producing at least one of an audible sound and movement of a portion of the second object in response to the infrared signal, thus simulating an interaction, such as a conversation, between the first object and the second object.

Abstract: The present invention is a plush toy figurine (12) incorporating a motion-generating apparatus (14) activated by a sound sensing transducer (22) for shaking the figurine (12). The figurine (12) is fastened to and encased in a cage (70) having a curved base (72) such that the cage (70) rocks back and forth whenever the figurine (12) shakes. In another embodiment the figurine (12) hangs from a rod (74) whereupon the figurine swings back and forth whenever the motion generating apparatus (14) is activated. In both embodiments, shaking of the figurine (12) is accompanied by sound generated through a speaker (20) incorporated in the figurine (12).

Abstract: An animal head figurine transport and presentation stand, having an animal head figurine with a head and neck, the stand having a generally planar bottom portion with the center of gravity of the stand and the figurine being within the bottom portion when the stand is upright. A generally planar front portion has a figurine retention means comprising an aperture defined by an edge and a plurality of slits extending away from the edge to define a plurality of subportions of the front portion, each defined by the edge and two adjacent slits, whereby the subportions may be flexed inwardly by the inserted neck so that the neck is retained by the edge or flexed surface. The stand also has a top, rear and side portions, defining a hollow compartment. At least one of the side portions has a flexible hinge area for providing access to the compartment for storing accessories for the figurine.