Abstract: The game disclosed includes a movable staircase assembly that moves characters from one location on the staircase assembly to another. A spinner directs a player to place a character on the staircase at a specific location, to skip a turn, or remove an opposing player's character from the staircase. The winner is the first player to have all of her characters reach the end of the staircase. The staircase includes stationary and movable components that serially move the characters from one step to the next with a reciprocating motion of the movable component relative to the stationary component. A gear mesh and cam converts the rotary motion of a battery-operated motor to a reciprocating motion in the movable component.

Abstract: A strategy attack game including two consoles separated by an opaque shield and each having two 10.times.10 hole screens. Each console is also provided with one or two smaller, 7.times.7 screens that are movable with respect to the 10.times.10 screens. Players are provided with a fighter plane target token, an attack token and a number of tracer tokens. Each player attacks in turn using a movable screen to find the exact coordinates of the opponent's target token. In an attack, a movable smaller screen is positioned by its centermost hole on each side of the console at an attacker selected coordinate. Should that centermost location coincide with the target token, a direct hit is scored and the game is won. The movable screen has concentric bands of holes in defined outer, inner and innermost zones. If the target token is within any of the three zones, the attacked player must advise the attacking player of the target token's location and then move the target.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a motorized bucket assembly, a plurality of game balls, and a plurality of shovel elements which are operative for scooping up the game balls and placing them in the bucket assembly. The motorized bucket assembly includes a bucket element which is rotatably supported on a pair of wheels, and one of the wheels includes a discontinuous surface thereon so that the bucket element is periodically turned as it is moved across a supporting surface. The bucket assembly further includes a spring biased plunger which is operative for shooting the game balls outwardly from the bucket element through an aperture in the outer wall thereof while the bucket element is moved across the supporting surface. An on/off switch is provided for selectively energizing a drive for the bucket assembly and a handle is attached to the switch so that the drive is energized when the handle is pushed downwardly, and de-energized when the handle is pulled upwardly.

Abstract: A game involving the insertion of items into an open receptacle connected to an elongated member that is removably mounted on a hollow body containing a mechanism for effecting movement of the body relative to a playing surface. As the body moves about the playing surface, the elongated member, which is sufficient rigid to support the receptacle spaced from the body, is sufficiently flexible so that the receptacle moves asynchronously with respect to the body as a result of the movement of the body. The elongated member is hollow and receives items through an opening in the back of the receptacle. To facilitate storage of the game and emptying of the items from the elongated member, it is removably mounted to the body. Players are provided with a device to use in inserting the items into the receptacle and try to be the first to dispose of the items allocated to them.

Abstract: A cylindrical ring and a character having a number of extending parts that are circumscribed by a circle having a diameter equal to the inside diameter of the ring are readily combinable by a child to make a rotating toy. Insertion and removal of the character from the inside of the ring are facilitated by making the ring of a deformable material. The combined ring and character are placed in a vehicle in contact with the vehicle wheels so that as the vehicle is moved along a playing surface, the wheels rotate the combined ring and character. Part of the vehicle body is hinged for closing an opening through which the combined ring and character are inserted. Above the ring is a transparent dome in which a ball is positioned in contact with the ring so that as the combined ring and character rotate, the ball rotates within the dome. Other accessories provide rotatable surfaces which engage the outer curved surface of the cylindrical ring to rotate the combined ring and character.

Abstract: A skill action game includes a hollow foot that is balanced on the rounded heel and ball when placed on a flat surface. The foot has a number of threaded bolts removably inserted into it and a wrench is provided for removing the bolts. Inside the foot is a vibration and sound producing system powered by an electric motor. Activation of the motor is controlled by tilt switch. If, during the course of removing a bolt, a player dusturbs the balance of the foot, the motor is activated producing a sound and causing the foot to vibrate.

Abstract: A puzzle in which alphabet letters or other graphics are displayed in movable squares forming a grid on a front side of the puzzle. On the back side of the puzzle is another grid of movable squares containing alphabet letters or other graphics. Each square is a part of each of two mutually transverse, continuous bands. One band comprises aligned front side and back side rows while the other transverse band comprises aligned front side and back side columns. The relationship of each square in the puzzle may be changed with respect to every other square. As squares are moved out of the front side grid, they wrap around, out of sight, and change the grid of squares on the back side while bringing an out of sight square into the front side grid. In one electronic version of the puzzle, movement of a square is effected by touching the front side square to be moved and then touching the position on the front side row or column to which the square is to be moved.

Abstract: User reconfigurable novelty glasses include separate eye frames and separate temple pieces that may be readily combined with each other and with other separate eye frames and separate temple pieces by the user to form a variety of outrageously designed novelty sunglasses. Each eye frame may be used for either the user's right or left eye and each temple piece may be used over either the user's right or left temple and ear. Eye frame designs include simulated representations of a watch, a television set, a box of popcorn, a grand piano and the like, while the temple pieces include simulated representations of a lighting bolt, a pencil, a toothbrush and the like.

Abstract: A toy vehicle wheel that changes from a generally cylindrical periphery with an initial diameter and axial width to a greater diameter periphery. The wheel has a hollow shell of rubber or some other flexible material and opposed sidewalls of the wheel are moveable relative to each other to compress the axial width and increase the diameter. Across a substantial portion of the initial axial width a number of slits extend so that the periphery is serrated when it is enlarged. In one form, an axial screw engages a sidewall to rotate the wheel in its initial quiescent condition along a relatively unobstructed surface, but, upon encountering an obstruction, will draw the one sidewall toward the other. Variations provide for containing the axial screw within the compressed wheel or permitting it to extend out of a sidewall. Other forms provide for movement of the sidewalls relative to each other with bayonet locking in a desired condition and for spring bias in one direction.

Abstract: A game in which players, in turn, lay down cards, or other distinguishable items, that are divided into two or more sets of two or more items each. The cards are laid down in lines with the goal of laying down an end card that matches the one at the other end of a line in order to qualify for a jump attempt. For the jump attempts, a biased, upwardly angled jump ramp is provided for placement at one end of the line of items to be jumped and a target landing ramp is supplied for the other end. If the jump is successful, the player collects all of the items jumped.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled game having an optical sensor for reading bar codes on cards. The cards visually depict a combination of number, size, color and shape that is represented by the bar code. Instructions and responses with respect to player card selection are indicated by a synthesized voice chip coordinated with a liquid crystal display facial caricature.

Abstract: A toy sword spaceship having a generally hollow body shell containing opposed track channels in which lateral guide rails of an elongated toy sword blade are received for sliding back and forth. Pivotally mounted wings fold out when the sword blade is slid from a retracted position to a fully extended position. Depending from the sword blade is a pivotally mounted handle which folds up and is received substantially within the body shell when the blade is retracted. To receive a toy action figure, the sword spaceship is provided with a recessed cockpit area that is covered by a pivotally mounted, transparent, canopy.

Abstract: A game in which all of the pieces, while movable for play, are captured against removal and loss from the game. Player movable pieces are received for movement along slots extending through the thickness of a playing surface but are captured by upper and lower enlargements against removal. Discreet positional stops are provided along the slots by spaced apart depressions into which a mating truncated conical portion on the movable pieces fits. In one form, a captive rotatable disc cooperates with the playing surface to permit selective opening of covers that obscure indicia matchable with indicia designating positions along a slot path.

Abstract: A skill action game in which players try to remove cards from an opening without tripping a mechanical action feature. In order to remove the cards, players must use an electrically conductive probe. If the probe is allowed to contact a conductive strip a circuit will be completed to energize a motor which will move a latch to release a biased mechanical action. Simultaneous movement of two action features in substantially opposite directions is affected by spaced apart facing rack teeth carried by each of the features engaging a gear.

Abstract: A playset for use in and out of water includes a seahorse figurine with long rooted mane hair and a coral corral. The seahorse figurine has a relatively watertight upper body and a rotatably connected lower tail portion. A weight is positioned in the tail so that rotation of the tail orients the angular position of the figurine when it is floating in water. Vents are provided in the tail for displacement of air. The coral corral floates in the water with a substantial portion, including provisions for accessories for the care of the figurine, above the water level. Alternatively, the corral may be placed on a table or other flat surface when it also provides support for the seahorse figurine.

Abstract: A play service center for toy self-propelled reversible drive vehicles that includes a lift ramp powered by the vehicle. Rollers carried by the lift ramp transfer power from the driven vehicle wheels through a pinion gear that engages a stationary curved rack gear to raise and lower the lift and vehicle. At the top of the curved rack gear a number of teeth are omitted and a stop is provided to retain the lift in the raised position. In order to lower the lift, the vehicle drive is reversed. Levered pads provide additional traction for driving the vehicle off the rollers and lift ramp. A power take-off drives service equipment such as a power meter as well as a rotating buffer or drill. The meter includes a biased dial pointer that provides an indication of the power transmitted by the vehicle wheels through the driven rollers.

Abstract: A toy vehicle with a two-part, telescoping, chassis is driven by a battery powered motor. The child manipulates a control lever to energize the motor and produce engine revving sounds and then engage the rear wheels to start the vehicle doing a wheelie. One part of the chassis carries the front axle and wheels along with the motor and batteries plus an elongated resonating tube with a bellows and striking rib at one end adjacent the motor and an angular, open, sound producing end. Beaters driven by the motor strike the rib to produce the engine revving sound. Rear wheels mounted on an axle carried by the other part of the chassis are drivingly engaged with the motor when the two parts are telescoped together. The shift control lever is mounted for pivotal movement into an initial electrical circuit completing contact to energize the motor and later mechanical shifting to telescope the rear axle carrying part towards the motor to engage the motor and rear axle.

Abstract: A toy pull-sled accessory for a self-propelled toy vehicle is supported for towing on a play surface by a forward friction pad and freely rotatable rear wheels. Friction with the surface is increased by a weight with a pivotally depending pawl movable along a ratchet rack from over the rear wheels toward and over the forward friction pad. Mounted for rotation on a rear wheel axle is a gear which periodically shuttles the rack forward against a rearward return bias to advance the weight.

Abstract: A board game with a board is divided into a grid work of road and off-road rough terrain spaces. Each player is provided with a colored paired "BIG FOOT" truck and a crushable car. The object of the game is to land on opponents' crushable cars with the truck. A shift lever on the truck indicates whether it is in "Two-Wheel Drive" for road moves, or "Four-Wheel Drive" for rough terrain or landing on an opponent's crushable car. Each turn may include any combination of truck and/or crushable car moves plus shifting of the truck between "Two-Wheel" and "Four-Wheel". The number of moves to be made by a player is determined by rolling dice.