Abstract: The present invention relates to expandable bodies or systems with bounding walls or bladder structures and at least one valve assembly thermally bonded thereto. More particularly, the present invention provides a fluid valve assembly for expandable fluid-containing bodies typically made from a thermoplastic rubber material or the like, which will exhibit significantly increased strength and durability during expansion and while expanded, especially at and around the interface between the fluid valve assembly and the bounding wall of the expandable body because of the enhanced strength of the fluid valve assembly interface through thermal sealing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to expandable bodies or systems with bounding walls or bladder structures and at least one valve assembly thermally bonded thereto. More particularly, the present invention provides a fluid valve assembly for expandable fluid-containing bodies typically made from a thermoplastic rubber material or the like, which will exhibit significantly increased strength and durability during expansion and while expanded, especially at and around the interface between the fluid valve assembly and the bounding wall of the expandable body because of the enhanced strength of the fluid valve assembly interface through thermal sealing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to expandable bodies or systems with bounding walls or bladder structures and at least one valve assembly thermally bonded thereto. More particularly, the present invention provides a fluid valve assembly for expandable fluid-containing bodies typically made from a thermoplastic rubber material or the like, which will exhibit significantly increased strength and durability during expansion and while expanded, especially at and around the interface between the fluid valve assembly and the bounding wall of the expandable body because of the enhanced strength of the fluid valve assembly interface through thermal sealing.

Abstract: Variable speed drive controlled discharge pumps are used for pumping chilled water from a chilled water storage tank to coils operatively associated with the air inlet of a gas turbine, wherein the gas turbine is used to generate electricity. Use of the variable speed drive controlled discharge pumps aids is protecting the temperature distribution in the chilled water storage tank so that a thermocline rises with the addition of chilled water during charging of the tank with chilled water, and lowers during discharge of the tank when using the chilled water to cool inlet air at one or more gas turbines operated at a facility.

Abstract: Variable speed drive controlled discharge pumps are used for pumping chilled water from a chilled water storage tank to coils operatively associated with the air inlet of a gas turbine, wherein the gas turbine is used to generate electricity. Use of the variable speed drive controlled discharge pumps aids is protecting the temperature distribution in the chilled water storage tank so that a thermocline rises with the addition of chilled water during charging of the tank with chilled water, and lowers during discharge of the tank when using the chilled water to cool inlet air at one or more gas turbines operated at a facility.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a portable, player programmable, interactive toy for a shooting game played by radiating and appropriately detecting infrared light (or other radiated energy). Player sets of the toy include at least one IR emitter, at least one IR detector, and in the preferred embodiments, at least one audio or visual device. A keypad or other input device is provided for the entry of coded information to select from preprogrammed features and functions, including game modes, both prior to the start of a game and/or during a game. The interactivity includes at least two players interacting other than by detection of a hit, i.e., detection by one player of light shot by another player. The invention provides for information transfer between players to transfer or remotely activate features and functions or to remotely control another player's equipment.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a portable, programmable, interactive toy for a shooting game played by radiating and appropriately detecting infrared light (or other radiated energy). A player set includes an IR light projector (gun), an IR light detector (target) and a detachable, programmable data (or program) module which controls operation of the toy in accordance with data programmed therein. The data module may be detached, and the toy will operate in a default mode which is downwardly compatible with other toys that do not include the programmable data module. The toy also includes a base unit which programs the data modules to provide each player with a unique firing code. The data modules may also include circuitry which recognizes the different codes. The data modules may accumulate game and player information such as the number of shots fired by the associated gun, the number of hits registered by the associated target, and the source (player identification) of each hit registered.

Abstract: The invention provides a toy light projector or light gun and player-worn and self-propelled toy targets which detect light emitted by a toy light gun, and a toy shooting game which includes at least one toy light gun, and at least one toy target. The game is played by a player attempting to "hit" a target which provides a feelable output upon detecting light projected by the gun, e.g., an ejection or release of a material, object, vibration, electrical shock, etc. The output is intended to be received and felt (other than by sight or sound) by a person playing the game. In the preferred embodiments, the target squirts water or bursts a water-filled balloon when a hit is detected or after a given number of hits is detected. Audio/visual effects may also be provided in response to hits.

Abstract: The toy uses metal molding material having a relatively low melting point which produces realistic toy metal objects. The metal is heated in a crucible and poured into a preferably closed, flexible mold made of rubber. The crucible and the mold are mounted to a molding platform held in a fixed position relative to each other with an outlet of the crucible communicating with an inlet of the mold. The molding platform is pivotally mounted in the toy, and both the crucible and the mold are pivoted or tilted to allow liquefied metal in the crucible to flow into the mold. A crank mechanism pivots the molding platform. The toy has a removable inner cover which mounts to the molding platform to cover the crucible and the mold, and a pivotally mounted outer cover which when closed blocks access to the molding platform and the inner cover.

Abstract: The invention provides a toy light projector or light gun and player-worn and self-propelled toy targets which detect light emitted by a toy light gun, and a toy shooting game which includes at least one toy light gun, and at least one toy target. The game is played by a player attempting to "hit" a target which provides audio/visual effects upon detecting light projected by the gun. A main target contains a light detector and all of the circuitry and audio/visual components needed to play a game, and an auxiliary target may contain a light detector and only some of the components needed to play a game and be coupled to a main target to share components therein. A self-propelled target includes circuitry which provides pseudorandom (or other pre-programmed or random) motion to the target. The light gun emits a sound while it is on and ready to be fired, which can serve as a warning to an opposing player.

Abstract: A toy figure is provided with lengths of flexible, unravelable cord material which simulates hair or fur. The cord material may be unraveled into individual strands or groups of strands which simulate strands of hair. The toy provides increased play value by permitting the child to unravel the cord material to produce strands of hair that may be cut, styled and washed.