Abstract: A jumping toy and the methodology of creating a cascading arrangement of multiple jumping toys. Each jumping toy has a first segment and a second segment that are connected at a joint. The first segment and the second segment can rotate about the joint between a first configuration and a second configuration. Each jumping toy has a biasing element that biases the jumping toy toward its second configuration. Each jumping toy is stable in its first configuration and quickly transforms into its second configuration once it is slightly displaced out of its first configuration. The rapid change in configuration makes the bi-stable toy jump. A plurality of bi-stable toys can be overlapped into a cascading chain. The first toy in the cascading chain is triggered. The movement of the first toy triggers the next toy in the chain in a cascade.

Abstract: A jumping toy and the methodology of creating a cascading arrangement of multiple jumping toys. Each jumping toy has a first segment and a second segment that are connected at a joint. The first segment and the second segment can rotate about the joint between a first configuration and a second configuration. Each jumping toy has a biasing element that biases the jumping toy toward its second configuration. Each jumping toy is stable in its first configuration and quickly transforms into its second configuration once it is slightly displaced out of its first configuration. The rapid change in configuration makes the bi-stable toy jump. A plurality of bi-stable toys can be overlapped into a cascading chain. The first toy in the cascading chain is triggered. The movement of the first toy triggers the next toy in the chain in a cascade.

Abstract: A handheld grip assist device for use in gripping an object in a sanitary manner. The grip assist device has a clamshell construction, wherein two assemblies are joined at a hinge. The two assemblies have a rigid frame that support elastomeric panels. Movement between an open configuration and a closed configuration are controlled by engaging the grip assist device between a thumb and finger and using the muscles of the hand to open and close the grip assist device. In this manner, the grip assist device can be precisely controlled while preventing any direct contact between a gripped object and the skin of the hand. The grip assist device can be locked in its closed configuration, therein isolating surfaces on the grip assist device that could cause cross-contamination.

Abstract: A toy assembly that is configurable between a ball shape and a disc shape. When compressed into a disc shape, an air foil configuration is achieved that enables the toy assembly to achieve stable flight. A first plurality of body flaps radially extend from a first hub to create a first hemispherical subassembly. The opposing second hemispherical subassembly is created using a second hub and a second plurality of body flaps. A resilient ring is engaged by all of the body flaps. The resilient ring binds the two hemispherical subassemblies together. A temporary connector is coupled to the first hub and to the second hub. The temporary connector temporarily interconnects the first hub and the second hub for a period of time after the first hub and the second hub are pressed together.

Abstract: A toy system having a folding kite projectile and a launcher that launches the kite projectile into flight. The kite projectile is launched in a folded configuration. Once in flight, the kite projectile expands into an open configuration. The kite is biased into its open configuration by an internal spring bias. The kite projectile is manually manipulated into its folded configuration prior to launching. The transformation of the kite projectile its folded configuration to its open configuration is delayed by an internal deployment control that opposes the spring bias and delays movement of kite projectile components that expand after launch. In this manner, the kite projectile cn fly in its folded condition for a period before it opens. This maximizes the distance the kite projectile travels by the force of the launcher.

Abstract: A toy figure that is capable of launching a secondary projectile using a spring action. The toy figure is a solid molded body of flexible material, having a head, torso and limb appendages. One of the limb appendages is an action appendage. A spring is enclosed within the molded body. By bending and releasing the action appendage, the spring is cocked and released. The energy provided by the spring is transferred to the action appendage and to any external projectile that is attached to the action appendage or contacted by the action appendage.

Abstract: A toy assembly that is configurable between a ball shape and a disc shape. When compressed into a disc shape, an air foil configuration is achieved that enables the toy assembly to achieve stable flight. A first plurality of body flaps radially extend from a first hub to create a first hemispherical subassembly. The opposing second hemispherical subassembly is created using a second hub and a second plurality of body flaps. A resilient ring is engaged by all of the body flaps. The resilient ring binds the two hemispherical subassemblies together. A temporary connector is coupled to the first hub and to the second hub. The temporary connector temporarily interconnects the first hub and the second hub for a period of time after the first hub and the second hub are pressed together.

Abstract: A dog toy that includes a three-dimensional shell structure with a top end and a bottom end with four hinged arms extending between and connecting the top end to the bottom end is disclosed. A fabric cover is loosely secured to the structure making it look like a ball. Elastic members are connected to the arms and are used to bias the structure into the shape of a ball. A suction cup is secured to the top end and a platform is secured to the bottom end so that when the structure is collapsed, the suction cup grips the platform and keeps the ends together. In the flattened state, the structure may be easily thrown by a person. When the suction force is released, the structure regains its three dimensional shape. A dog may now be able to grip the structure and retrieve it.

Abstract: A dog toy that includes a three-dimensional shell structure with a top end and a bottom end with four hinged arms extending between and connecting the top end to the bottom end is disclosed. A fabric cover is loosely secured to the structure making it look like a ball. Elastic members are connected to the arms and are used to bias the structure into the shape of a ball. A suction cup is secured to the top end and a platform is secured to the bottom end so that when the structure is collapsed, the suction cup grips the platform and keeps the ends together. In the flattened state, the structure may be easily thrown by a person. When the suction force is released, the structure regains its three dimensional shape. A dog may now be able to grip the structure and retrieve it.

Abstract: An inflatable toy comprises a simple and durable pump, comprising a bladder or other hand-operated source of air pressure, which inflates a balloon, typically shrouded in an expansible fabric, decorated with a character or the like, so that the character is distorted in an amusing manner when inflated. A first check valve allows air to pass from the bladder to the balloon when the bladder is squeezed, while a second check valve allows the bladder to refill itself while preventing air from being released from the balloon when hand pressure on the bladder is relaxed. A user-operated deflation valve allows pressure to be controllably released from the balloon. In one embodiment, the user-operated deflation valve is located such that the inflation bladder can be squeezed and the deflation valve operated without changing the position of the toy in one's hand, further increasing the user's enjoyment of the toy.

Abstract: A toy and a display card with an opening and where the toy is held within the opening is disclosed. The toy may be transformed from a three-dimensional, generally polyhedral shape to a flattened shape. The toy includes a shell, a top center, a bottom center, and a plurality of fingers extending between the centers. The toy may hold its flattened shape for a predetermined period of time. When the time period has expired, the toy regains its polyhedral shape. The opening is generally rectangular. The height of the opening is at least as long as the height of the toy in its polyhedral shape and is at least as wide as the centers of the toy. In order to place the toy on the display card, the toy is flattened. The toy is then turned on its side and several of the fingers are inserted through the opening. The toy is then turned so that all of the fingers lie in a horizontal plane. The flattened toy can be slid to the bottom of the opening.

Abstract: A deformable toy is provided for generating sounds having variable acoustic characteristics. The toy includes a deformable body which changes shapes depending on external pressure applied to the body and a sound-reproducing device for playing back either prerecorded or newly recorded sounds, music, messages, etc., which have a predetermined playback rate as recorded to the device. The device is responsive to changes in shape of the body to vary the playback rate of the sounds by way of a mechanism of the sound reproducing device which varies the playback rate for the sounds being played back from the sound reproducing device to provide a highly interactive game for children which allows them to creatively alter sounds generated from the toy herein.

Abstract: A toy object has an articulated shell structure which can change from a three-dimensional, polyhedral shape into a flattened shape. A biasing device applies force to the shell, that force tending to urge the shell structure into the three-dimensional, polyhedral shape. A holding device holds the shell structure in the flattened shape in opposition to the force applied by the biasing device, and a regulator regulates the period of time for which the holding device holds the shell structure in its flattened shape.