Abstract: An illustrative interactive character is provided having a two section body with a first section and a second section rotatably attached at a pivot mechanism. The character may have the capability to move between a variety of positions. Four appendages may be rotatably attached to the two section body with one or more wheels in communication with a lower portion of the appendages. The character may be non-motorized or motorized. A power source may be in communication with a pivot motor, a drive motor and an integrated circuit. At least one sensor may be in communication with the integrated circuit to activate preprogrammed content and software instructions stored therein. A gear train may be configured to transfer power from the drive motor to one of the at least one wheels. The pivot motor may rotate the pivot mechanism to direct character movements and animations.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a toy car that includes four wheels which have a weight that is at least 40%, 50%, 70% or 80% of the total weight of the car. In another aspect each wheel has a center point, with a combined weight such that a horizontally planar center of gravity defined by the car and measured from a lowest point on an outer edge of the four wheels towards a center of the body is positioned substantially about the center point of the four wheels. In either embodiment, the body may include an upper outer portion and the upper outer portion includes a finger detent.

Abstract: A projectile and a compact carrying and launching case in combination. The projectile includes foldable wings which when unfolded resemble a plane. The compact carrying and launching case includes a two piece housing that is pivotally attached to each other about a hinge/launching mechanism. When closed, the two piece housing encloses the plane in its folded position. When opened, the hinge/launching mechanism can be pulled to a cocked position and then released forcibly moves the projectile such that it releases from the launching mechanism and is capable of flying.

Abstract: A hand-held glow writing apparatus constructed for use with an ultraviolet sensitive surface to produce images that glow in the dark and will fade over a time period. The device including a plurality of LED lights arrange in a parallel line. The device includes a selector switch for electively choosing an image pattern stored on a memory. The LED lights when activated, turn on and off in accordance with a predetermined sequence timed for a movement of the writing apparatus across ultraviolet sensitive surface whereby the selected image pattern will imprint an image on the ultraviolet sensitive surface that fades over the time period.

Abstract: A projectile and a compact carrying and launching case in combination. The projectile includes foldable wings which when unfolded resemble a plane. The compact carrying and launching case includes a two piece housing that is pivotally attached to each other about a hinge/launching mechanism. When closed, the two piece housing encloses the plane in its folded position. When opened, the hinge/launching mechanism can be pulled to a cocked position and then released forcibly moves the projectile such that it releases from the launching mechanism and is capable of flying.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a toy car that includes four wheels which have a weight that is at least 40%, 50%, 70% or 80% of the total weight of the car. In another aspect each wheel has a center point, with a combined weight such that a horizontally planar center of gravity defined by the car and measured from a lowest point on an outer edge of the four wheels towards a center of the body is positioned substantially about the center point of the four wheels. In either embodiment, the body may include an upper outer portion and the upper outer portion includes a finger detent.

Abstract: A vehicle having a chassis and motor. An electronic controller and receiver for receiving control signals from a remote control. A pair of ground-engaging front and rear wheels mounted to a front and rear portions of the chassis, and being freely rotatably mounted to the chassis. A ground-engaging center drive wheel operably coupled to the drive motor, the center drive wheel being mounted on a rotatable platform positioned on the chassis within a perimeter defined by the front and rear wheels, the rotatable platform rotating with respect to the chassis to allow the central drive wheel to steer the vehicle in different directions, the central drive wheel having a coefficient of friction higher than the front and rear wheels to aid in driving the vehicle in different direction.

Abstract: A drumming toy is provided as having a center drumming apparatus and a pair of side drumming apparatus. The center drumming apparatus includes movable drumming pads with switches that activate when the pads are pressed downwardly. The activation controls sounds. The side drumming apparatuses include controlled drumming hands that act like or connect with a side drum. The controlled drumming hands movements are directed by an integrated circuit which controls the movement to mimic the pressing of the pads.

Abstract: The present invention includes an embodiment defined as a flying vehicle having a pair of wings and a transition assembly partially housed within each of the pair of wings. The transition assembly has ends rotatable with respect to each other and separately secured to the wing in which the end is housed. The transition assembly has a first position defined as having each wing positioned at an angle offset from a substantial horizontal orientation and oriented in an opposite direction from the other wing. When the transition assembly is in the first position the vehicle spins and will fly in a substantially hovering vertical orientation. The transition assembly has a second position defined as having each wing positioned in a substantial horizontal position. When the transition assembly is in the second position the vehicle will fly in a substantially horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A hand-held ink jet device constructed for use with insertable ink jet print/cartridges to produce ink droplet streams is provided. The device includes a memory capable of storing at least one image pattern. A driver coupled to the inkjet jets and being selectively actuatable for providing ink jetting electrical energy pulses. A selector switch for electively choosing one of the at least one image patterns stored on the memory. In addition, a spray switch is provided for selectively actuating the driver to provide electrical energy pulses to energize the respective jets in order to spray ink from the self-contained ink supply in the shape of the selected image pattern.

Abstract: A hand-held glow writing apparatus constructed for use with an ultraviolet sensitive surface to produce images that glow in the dark and will fade over a time period. The device including a plurality of LED lights arrange in a parallel line. The device includes a selector switch for electively choosing an image pattern stored on a memory. The LED lights when activated, turn on and off in accordance with a predetermined sequence timed for a movement of the writing apparatus across ultraviolet sensitive surface whereby the selected image pattern will imprint an image on the ultraviolet sensitive surface that fades over the time period.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a vertical take off aircraft is provided with an airframe having an aft section freely pivotally connected to the bow section. The airframe is substantially planar when the aft section is pivotally aligned with the bow section. A propeller system and a pair of wings are secured to the bow section of the airframe. When the bow section is pivoted to a vertical position and the aircraft is placed on a surface, the propeller system when activated will vertically lift the aircraft off of the surface. Furthermore, when the aircraft vertically lifts off of the surface, the aft section freely pivots to form the substantially planar airframe which creates larger lift forces in a horizontal direction than in a vertical direction causing the aircraft to fly in a more horizontal direction, whereby the aircraft automatically switches from a vertical take off to horizontal flight.

Abstract: A drumming toy is provided as having a center drumming apparatus and a pair of side drumming apparatus. The center drumming apparatus includes movable drumming pads with switches that activate when the pads are pressed downwardly. The activation controls sounds. The side drumming apparatuses include controlled drumming hands that act like or connect with a side drum. The controlled drumming hands movements are directed by an integrated circuit which controls the movement to mimic the pressing of the pads.

Abstract: A flexible mechanical appendage is provided to include a predetermined length positioned between head and tail ends, and having two sides disposed along the length. Arms extending outwardly from both sides of the flexible spine, and having an aperture positioned through each arm. A cable extends along both sides of the flexible spine through each of the apertures and terminates about the tail end of the flexible spine. A pulley system is positioned about the head end and has a spool rotatably driven by a reciprocating motor. The spool has a fastener for securing the cable thereto, wherein when the pulley system rotates the spool in a single direction reeling on cable, one side of the flexible spine bends in an arc.

Abstract: The present invention includes an embodiment defined as a flying vehicle having a pair of wings and a transition assembly partially housed within each of the pair of wings. The transition assembly has ends rotatable with respect to each other and separately secured to the wing in which the end is housed. The transition assembly has a first position defined as having each wing positioned at an angle offset from a substantial horizontal orientation and oriented in an opposite direction from the other wing. When the transition assembly is in the first position the vehicle spins and will fly in a substantially hovering vertical orientation. The transition assembly has a second position defined as having each wing positioned in a substantial horizontal position. When the transition assembly is in the second position the vehicle will fly in a substantially horizontal orientation.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a mono-wheel vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a housing with an inner circumference. A wheel is connected to the housing such that the wheel is able to rotate independently of the housing. The wheel has an outside portion that makes contact with a surface. A motor mechanism is provided for rotation of the wheel. Gyroscopic forces acting on the rotating wheel maintain the vehicle in a substantially upright position such that the vehicle is able to travel along the surface in a first direction. A platform connected to the inner circumference of the housing is pivotable in relation to the housing to causes a change in a center of gravity. The change in center of gravity causes the gyroscopic forces acting on the vehicle to turn the vehicle towards the changing center of gravity in order to maintain the vehicle in a more upright position.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is described a vehicle having a propeller mechanism for propelling the vehicle in a horizontal direction. The vehicle includes a transmitter positioned on the bottom of the vehicle for transmitting a signal from the vehicle downwardly away from the vehicle. A receiver is positioned on the bottom of the vehicle for receiving the signal as it is bounced off of a surface, defined as a bounced signal. A control system is also provided that automatically sets a speed of the propeller mechanism in response to the receiver. The control system sets the speed of the propeller mechanism to a first speed when the receiver receives the bounced signal and the control system sets the speed of the propeller mechanism to a second speed when the receiver does not receive the bounced signal. The first speed is predefined as a speed that causes the vehicle to gain altitude, while the second speed is predefined as a speed that causes the vehicle to lose altitude.