Abstract: A game apparatus includes a vertically adjustable template with a plurality of openings in a preselected configuration. A plurality of generally elongated objects may be placed in an upstanding orientation on a supporting surface within the openings defined in the template and upon raising of the template, conveniently using a mechanical cam system, the objects are left standing in approximately spaced chain defined by the template configuration. The game apparatus also includes a starting device for engaging one of the objects, causing it to fall into an adjacent object, thereby initiating a chain reaction of objects falling into adjacent objects in an orderly progression. The game apparatus may also include an assembly with a rolling element engaged by a trip member that is tripped by one of the objects. Once tripped, the trip member engages the rolling member which rolls across a surface to engage another of the objects to continue the chain reaction.

Abstract: A ball puzzle includes a pair of base members rotatably joined to one another and a predetermined number of apertures defined in each member. The apertures are aligned such that only one aperture in each member may be aligned at a single time. The puzzle also includes a plurality of closed-end container members extending axially from each aperture with a container member in communication with each aperture. A plurality of playing objects are provided sufficient in number to fill all of the container members except one. The playing objects are of a size and shape to allow them to pass through aligned apertures between containers on opposite sides of the base members. The playing objects are divided into distinguishable groups, for example each group being identical in configuration, color or indicia thereon. The color, configuration or indicia of each playing object in each group is different from that of the playing objects in the other groups.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a viewing device which incorporates a viewing console that receives replaceable visual cartridges and a microcomputer for generating game functions. The visual cartridges are automatically opened upon insertion into the viewing console to reveal a three-dimensional scene. When the visual cartridge is opened, its cover swings into alignment with a plurality of light emitting elements. These elements are operative to selectively illuminate various regions of the cover and to project indicia located on the illuminated region onto the scene provided by the viewing cartridge. Each viewing device can be provided with a plurality of different cartridges with covers bearing different symbols to produce a variety of visual effects useful in implementing game devices, particularly microcomputer controlled game devices, and visual displays such as advertising displays and the like.

Abstract: A puzzle includes a plurality of elements or blocks stacked end to end and connected together for rotation relative to one another around a common axis. The faces of one or more of the blocks include face portions slidable along the surface of the device from block to block generally along the axis of rotation of said blocks. One block includes an "open" face without a movable face portion so that the face portions can be redistributed around the device by rotating the blocks around their common axis and sliding the face portions from one block to another. The face portions bear indicia indicating a predetermined arrangement so that beginning with a device having its face portions randomly distributed around the device, the device is manipulated to rearrange the face portions into the predetermined order.

Abstract: A player response game is provided including game apparatus that directs light beams of relatively short duration from a control housing to opposing player stations and detects light reflected back from the respective player stations. The game apparatus also includes a hand held, light reflecting paddle for the player at each station, these paddles having a light diffusing surface so that light is reflected back to the control housing when the paddle intercepts a light beam irrespective of the exact angle at which the paddle intercepts the beam. The sequencing and control of the game apparatus by electronic control circuitry including a microprocessor simulates a table tennis game wherein a light beam is directed to either the forehand or the backhand side of the opposite station if a player at one station successively intercepts a beam with his paddle during the time the beam is directed to his or her station.

Abstract: A pattern location board game device is described in which each player attempts to locate a pattern of playing positions selected by an opponent. The device includes a game board having a plurality of playing positions bearing indicia representative of each one of a plurality of articles of clothing and each one of a plurality of colors. A plurality of identical playing positions are dispersed on the game board. Each player has a playing position selection box that displays the various articles of clothing represented on the game board while concealing a set of colored pegs received in apertures in the box associated with each represented article of clothing. The colored pegs are selectively positioned in the apertures associated with the articles of clothing to indicate the selected pattern of playing positions on the game board. A plurality of clear, transparent discs are used to mark certain playing positions on the game board which one player believes represent the selected positions of another player.

Abstract: An electronic computer game and method includes a matrix of 25 LED's (light emitting diodes) and two sets of push button switches positioned on opposite sides of the matrix. Each set of push buttons comprises a group of five push buttons corresponding to the five rows of the matrix and a group of five push buttons corresponding to the five columns of the matrix. Each set of push buttons is arranged so that the ten fingers of a player may be placed on the push buttons and any one of the LED's in the matrix may be rapidly selected by either player by simultaneous actuation of one push button in each of his groups. A game selector switch may be moved to select one of a number of games of action, reaction or strategy each of which is controlled by a microprocessor which stores selection of LED's by each player, sets up random patterns on the matrix which are randomly altered, keeps track of each player's score and provides audible and visual signals informing the players of the progress of the game, etc.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a manually movable game object having a finite number of generally planar exterior surfaces upon which the game object may rest. In one embodiment, a game board includes indicia defining positions of placement and movement of the game object as it is rotated about an edge from one planar surface to another. The game object includes an internal microcomputer capable of detecting which one of the planar surfaces is generally parallel with or in contact with the game board or any other suitable supporting surface to identify the discrete positions of movement of the game object. The microcomputer may provide an identifying sensorially perceptible signal identifying the various discrete positions. In addition, the microcomputer includes a storing unit for storing sequential movements of the game object through a finite number of movements.

Abstract: A toy razor is disclosed which is constructed to be similar in appearance and sound to an electric razor and includes a housing defining an internal cavity within which may be mounted a rotary motor and a power supply such as batteries for energizing the rotary motor. A switch is defined on the housing that connects the motor to the power supply for energization thereof. The toy razor also includes a razor head slideably and reciprocally mounted on the housing. A diaphragm is secured inside the head at a location spaced from the rotary motor such that upon engagement of the shaving head with an object such as the face or hand of a child, the head moves inwardly to vibrate the diaphragm producing a sound similar to the sound of an electric razor.

Abstract: An electronic dart game includes the provision of a housing and a plurality of generally radially positioned target areas. The housing may be self-supporting or may include means for supporting the housing on a vertical surface such as a wall or door. The targets comprise a plurality of generally tapered or pie-shaped segments, each segment being a depressible panel or switch for establishing an electrical contact when depressed. A plurality of projectiles, preferably loosely filled flexible packets, are hurled by the players toward the targets. Because of the proximity to one another and the adjacent nature of the innermost tips of the panels, a plurality of panels, or switches, may be actuated upon being hit by one of the projectiles. Each of the panels includes a light source, such as a light emitting diode, to indicate when the panel has been actuated. A microcomputer and associated circuitry is programmed to provide a plurality of games for a predetermined number of players.

Abstract: A talking electronic game utilizes an integrated circuit voice synthesizer to generate a plurality of beginning phrases each forming the beginning of a complete phrase and a plurality of ending phrases each forming the end of the complete phrase. The beginning and ending phrases are assigned at random to a plurality of push buttons, and the object of the game is to match up the beginning and ending phrases of the various sentences by appropriate actuation of the various push buttons.

Abstract: An electronic game is provided having a playing field including an array of individually operable and selectively illuminated field array positions on which a game player attempts to maneuver a movable object over selected ones of the field array positions and actuate selected field array positions in accordance with the rules of the game. The player maneuvers the movable object by tilting or positioning of the playing field and game device with respect to a horizontal plane. The electronic game utilizes a microprocessor to control the progress of the game, to selectively illuminate playing field positions, to monitor the actuated field positions and to control the output of indications to the game player as to the progress of the game and the game player's score.

Abstract: The game is characterized by a complicated and dangerous looking bomb-like housing which is equipped with a four-by-six keyboard under a hinged transparent cover. A pair of alternately flashing red incandescent lamps illuminate the keyboard. When the cover is opened, exposing the keyboard, the lamps may begin to flash or pulsate and the rate of flashing of the lamps may be increased and a fuse sound is produced which starts out at a relatively low pitch and gradually over a preselected time period increases in pitch to the point where it is obvious that an inevitable "blowup" will occur. The object of the game is to prevent the bomb from "exploding". If the bomb does explode, the fuse sound is terminated and a loud "boom" sound is produced which decays slowly and simulates the explosion of a bomb.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making doll clothing and doll house accessories includes a plurality of mold shapes or forms which are used to produce various articles of attire such as dresses, pants, and doll house furnishings such as cushions, curtains, rugs, flowers and many other items. Each of the garment molds may include detachable portions, such as the arms, to facilitate removing a finished article from the mold itself. The doll house accessories are made in generally flat molds which provide the texture and shape of the finished item. A viscous, liquid plastic is applied to the exterior surface of the mold by a brush or other tool to cover the exterior of the mold which defines the particular article. The liquid coating sets or solidifies to form a flexible article adapting the contours of the mold. The garment is then removed from the exterior of the mold.

Abstract: A launching device is provided for rapidly spinning and subsequently launching a top. The launcher is particularly suited for launching spherical or ovoid-shaped top elements such as real or artificial eggs. The launcher includes a centrally mounted, resilient friction wheel which is manually rotated through a crank and gear mechanism to impart rotation to the top elements. The launcher includes a dish-shaped platform for supporting the spinning elements and a pivotal platform portion which is manually depressed to release the spinning top elements onto an adjacent supporting surface.

Abstract: A novel game apparatus requiring hand/eye coordination includes a plurality of playing pieces such as marbles having different indicia thereon such as color and a hopper for containing a supply of said marbles having an outlet. A dispenser receiving marbles in succession from said outlet is adapted to dispense marbles alternately from spaced apart dispensing positions. A receiver is provided at each dispensing position including a plurality of separate compartments of different colors and manually movable to align selected compartments into position for receiving a marble of the same color. It is an object of the game apparatus to capture all of the marbles of each color in a compartment of similar color in one or both of the manually controlled receivers as the marbles are dispensed in rapid succession from the hopper with marbles of different colors appearing in random order.

Abstract: A new and improved maze game apparatus comprises a playing surface for supporting a ball rolling along upstanding walls defining a maze for providing a plurality of interconnected ball directing travel paths. One of the paths leads all the way between an inlet or starting position and an outlet or discharge position. One or more paths are defined by the maze and provide dead ends, traps and other pitfalls along the way. The playing surface is supported on a hollow, convexly curved, downwardly projecting hollow wall preferably in the form of a hemisphere of clear, plastic adapted to rockably support the playing surface above a floor, table or other surface so that the playing surface may be manually tilted to direct and control a rolling ball along a selected travel path in the maze.

Abstract: A toy launcher of a safe and simple construction for use in propelling soft, round discs includes a round or saucer shaped housing with an integrally formed handle for engagement by an operator's hand and a two position, manually operable actuating arm for moving a disc from a loading position to a firing position and for simultaneously placing a spring actuated firing mechanism in a firing position under the control of a trigger mechanism. After positioning a disc in the disc firing position, the actuating arm is returned to the disc loading position both to position another disc in the disc loading position and to clear a launching slot in the launcher to enable the disc in the disc firing position to be propelled.

Abstract: A skill-type game is disclosed having two opposing projectile launching areas, each launching area including means for launching a projectile and a projectile receiving target area including at least one projectile-receiving upstanding channel adapted to receive a plurality of projectiles, one at a time, in stacked relation one above another. Each launching area includes means for launching a projectile upwardly from a game floor area into a channel, and means for launching a projectile along the game floor area to dislodge a lowermost projectile out of a channel.

Abstract: A game includes a playing field that in the preferred embodiment may be concave toward a goal in the form of a central aperture. A playing object such as, in the preferred embodiment, a ball is included with the game and the object of the game is to move the ball into the goal. At least one player actuated paddle member is pivotally mounted on the playing field and may be manually actuated by the hand of a player of the game to engage the playing object in an attempt to direct it into the goal. The playing field is positioned on a base and supported thereabove to allow the hand of the player to grasp a handle depending from the peddle member through and beneath the playing field. The playing field preferably includes a surrounding or peripheral rim on which a scoring device for recording the score of the player is mounted.