Abstract: An animation system for animating parts of a novelty object. A novelty object is provided that has movable opposing parts. An electromagnet and another magnetic source are attached to the opposing parts. The electromagnet creates an electromagnetic field when activated that causes movement between the opposing parts. The movement of the opposing parts animates the novelty object. The activation of the electromagnet can be controlled by sound so that the animation is synchronized to audible signals.

Abstract: A flying toy has a handle and a driving mechanism to spin a propeller assembly for launching, the propeller assembly having blades on the top end and a freely rotatable conical sleeve on the bottom end. The handle comprises a plurality of pinch rollers surrounding the driving mechanism such that when the driving mechanism is activated to spin the blades, the pinch rollers are moved inward to engage with the conical sleeve for holding the propeller assembly while the blades are spun, and the pinch rollers are moved away from the conical sleeve for launching the propeller assembly. The flying toy also has a landing platform affixed to the handle, the platform having a funnel-shaped receptacle to receive the bottom end of the propeller assembly. The receptacle wall has soft fins for hampering the spinning of the propeller assembly when receiving a descending propeller assembly.

Abstract: A squeeze ball novelty device having an outer elastomeric casing is provided that is filled with a fluid fill composition. A smaller inner elastic casing is provided within the interior of the outer elastic casing. The inner casing is filled with a plurality of secondary objects. The outer elastic casing and the inner elastic casing are separated by a layer of the fluid fill composition. The fluid fill composition is optically opaque. When the squeeze ball is squeezed, the secondary objects in the inner elastic casing cause the inner elastic casing to bulge. As the inner elastic casing bulges, it thins and becomes more transparent. Furthermore, as the inner elastic casing bulges it displaces the opaque fluid fill composition from between the inner and outer elastic casings. The outer casing thins and enables a person to clearly view the secondary objects within the squeeze ball.

Abstract: A flying toy has a handle and a driving mechanism to spin a propeller assembly for launching, the propeller assembly having blades on the top end and a freely rotatable conical sleeve on the bottom end. The handle comprises a plurality of pinch rollers surrounding the driving mechanism such that when the driving mechanism is activated to spin the blades, the pinch rollers are moved away from the conical sleeve for launching the propeller assembly. The flying toy also has a landing platform affixed to the handle, the platform having a circular trough to hold a dispensable material such as a bubble solution. The propeller assembly has a plurality of nozzles dimensioned to be seated in the trough for picking up the dispensable material so that the material can be scattered when the propeller assembly is released from the landing platform.

Abstract: A toy figure assembly and its method of construction. The toy figure has a plush structure comprised of fabric material. The plush structure is filled with soft stuffing in the traditional manner of plush toy construction. The plush structure has at least one protruding section, such as a head, that protrudes from the main body of the plush structure. A molded shell of elastomeric gel material is provided. The molded shell is hollow, having an opening that enables the molded shell to be stretched over another object. The molded shell is stretched over the protruding section of the plush structure so that the protruding section is enveloped by the molded shell. The molded shell is molded with external details, such as facial features. The molded shell therefore provides the visual details to the protruding section of the plush structure that it covers.

Abstract: A toy ball assembly that has an outer shell structure of a first material. Open areas are defined on the exterior of the outer shell structure. A supple core is disposed within the outer shell structure. The supple core can be felt through the open areas on the outer shell structure. The supple core is softer than the outer shell structure. Thus, two different materials of differing softness can be present on the exterior of the ball. The supple core can be made from a transparent package that is filled with material. The supple core is therefore both interesting to both view and touch. The presence of supple material on the exterior surfaces of the ball makes the ball easier to grasp.

Abstract: A toy figure assembly and its method of manufacture. The toy figure has a plush body made from segments of fabric that are sewn together along seams. The plush body defines an interior region that can be accessed through at least one opening. At least one stretchable extremity is provided. The stretchable extremities serve as the limbs of the toy figure, or another body feature. Each of the stretchable extremities has a first end and a second end. Each stretchable extremity extends through at least one opening in the plush body. Accordingly, each of the stretchable extremities has a second end that is inside the plush body and a first end that extends outside the plush body. A fabric flap is bonded to each stretchable extremity proximate its second end. The fabric flap is sewn to at least one of the seams within the interior of the plush body.

Abstract: A toy figure assembly and its method of manufacture. The toy figure has a body structure with an exposed exterior. The exposed exterior of the figure includes at least one first section of fabric material and at least one second section of elastomeric gel material that are joined together along at least one common seam. The common seam can be closed using adhesive, heat bonding or sewing. The sections of the toy figure defined by fabric material are filled with dry fill. The sections of the toy figure defined by elastomeric gel material can be filled with either dry fill or a fluid fill. By forming a toy figure from both fabric material and elastomeric gel, a toy figure is obtained that has external areas having contrasting tactile characteristics, thereby increasing the play value of the toy figure.

Abstract: A device and method for motivating a person to start and maintain an exercise routine. A handheld electronic device is provided that includes a display. The electronic device randomly selects times that exercise should be performed. At those times, a person is prompted to select a type of exercise that is appropriate for the location and circumstances that person finds him/herself. After selecting the appropriate type of exercises, the selected exercises are portrayed on the display of the device. The device also sets a time frame in which the various exercises are to be completed and motivates a person to perform the exercises within that time frame. At the end of the time period, the device prompts the user as to whether or not the various exercises were performed in the given time period. A fitness report is then displayed showing improved or declining fitness.

Abstract: An engraving system that uses a child-safe engraving device and its associated method of operation. The child-safe engraving device includes a housing, where an engraving head selectively extends from the housing. The engraving head is positionable between an extended position, where the engraving head extends out of the housing, and a retracted position where the engraving head is retracted within the housing. A spring is used to bias the engraving head into its extended position. The engraving head moves into its retracted position when the engraving head is pressed against a surface with a force that surpasses the biasing force of the spring. A secondary object is provided that has at least one surface of malleable material. The malleable material is capable of being engraved by the engraving head using an application force that is less than that needed to retract the engraving head.

Abstract: A system and method of activating an electronic device upon the popping of soap film bubble. A handheld novelty assembly is provided that houses the electronic device. A plurality of conductive elements are provided that are exposed on the exterior of the novelty assembly. The electronic device within the novelty assembly is activated when an electrical connection is completed between any of the plurality of conductive elements. Soap film bubbles are created. The soap film bubbles are popped by bringing at least some of said plurality of conductive elements in contact with the soap film bubbles. The soap film bubbles creates an electrical connection between the conductive elements at the bubble contact and pop against the conductive elements.

Abstract: A flying toy has a handle and a driving mechanism to spin a propeller assembly for launching, the propeller assembly having blades on the top end and a freely rotatable conical sleeve on the bottom end. The handle comprises a plurality of pinch rollers surrounding the driving mechanism such that when the driving mechanism is activated to spin the blades, the pinch rollers are moved inward to engage with the conical sleeve for holding the propeller assembly while the blades are spun, and the pinch rollers are moved away from the conical sleeve for launching the propeller assembly. The flying toy also has a landing platform affixed to the handle, the platform having a funnel-shaped receptacle to receive the bottom end of the propeller assembly. The receptacle wall has soft fins for hampering the spinning of the propeller assembly when receiving a descending propeller assembly.

Abstract: An internally illuminated novelty device having an electronics module contained within a translucent elastic casing. The elastic casing has a hollow central region that defines an internal pocket. A plurality of protrusions extend outwardly from the central region so as to cushion the central region from experiencing any direct impact forces. The electronics module is disposed within the internal pocket so that the elastic casing surrounds the electronics module. The electronics module includes a housing, at least one light source, at least one battery, and a switch for activating and deactivating the light source. The switch is controlled by selectively compressing the housing. Since the housing is within the elastic casing, the switch can be controlled by selectively squeezing the elastic casing. When activated, the light source illuminates the interior of the elastic casing, thereby internally illuminating the novelty device.

Abstract: A novelty device and the associated method of forming the novelty device. The device is a tacky toy that can be thrown against a smooth surface. Once thrown against the smooth surface, the tacky toy will adhere to the surface and slowly roll down the surface toward the floor. The device is made of a plurality of individual elongated pieces arranged in a randomly tangled mass. Each of the elongated pieces is extruded from an elastomeric material that provides each elongated piece with a tacky exterior. The tackiness of the material enables the individual pieces to stay within the tangled mass. The tacky material also enables the tangled mass to adhesively cling to a smooth surface. Secondary objects can also be included within the tangled mass. The secondary objects remain entangled within the tangled mass by tacky adhesion.

Abstract: A novelty item that spins at least one array of lights to produce a predetermined changing pattern of lights. The device has at least one array of lights that is supported by at least one flexible arm. The arms radially extend from a spinning hub. Consequently, when the arms rotate, the various lights in the array of lights rotate about the hub in a variety of circular pathways. A control circuit is provided in the hub that spins with the arms. The lights in the array of lights are coupled to the control circuit. The control circuit selectively flashes the lights in the array of lights in a manner that is synchronous to the speed at which the various lights are traveling in their circular pathways. As a result, the control circuit can cause the spinning array of lights to produce any desired pattern, display or alphanumeric message.

Abstract: A novelty device and the method of covering an object with the device. The device has an elastic casing that defines an internal area. The elastic casing has an external outer surface and an internal inner surface. Perforations extend between the outer surface and inner surface. The outer surface and the inner surface are different from each other, wherein both surfaces are visually and/or tactilely distinct. An aperture of a first diameter is disposed in the elastic casing. The aperture enables the elastic casing to be selectively inverted. The aperture can be elastically stretched to a much greater size. This enables the casing to be easily turned inside out. It also enables the casing to be easily stretched over secondary objects without inhibiting air flow to the covered object.

Abstract: A novelty device and the method of covering an object with the device. The device has an elastic casing that defines an internal area. The elastic casing has an external outer surface and an internal inner surface. The outer surface and the inner surface are different from each other, wherein both surfaces are visually and/or tactilely distinct. An aperture of a first diameter is disposed in the elastic casing. The aperture enables the elastic casing to be selectively inverted. The aperture can be elastically stretched to a diameter at least ten times greater than the original diameter of the aperture. Consequently, a small aperture can be elastically enlarged to a much greater size. This enables the casing to be easily turned inside out. It also enables the casing to be easily stretched over secondary objects that are originally much larger than the casing.

Abstract: A reversible novelty device that can be inverted between a flying disc and a ball. The reversible novelty device has an elastic casing that defines an internal area. The elastic casing has a first surface and a second surface that can be selectively inverted. An aperture of a first diameter is provided in the elastic casing through which the elastic casing can be selectively inverted. The aperture can be elastically stretched to enable features on the first surface and second surface of the elastic casing to easily pass through the aperture without much effort and without incurring damage. One of the features provided is a flange wing that radially extends from the second surface of the elastic casing. The flange wing extends from the elastic casing and allows the device to perform as a flying disc when thrown.

Abstract: A squeeze ball novelty device having an elastomeric casing that is filled with a fill composition. When the elastomeric casing is squeezed in a person's hand, it deforms and bulges. A plurality of secondary objects are attached to the exterior of the elastomeric casing. Each of the secondary objects is individually attached to the surface of the elastomeric casing with a small amount of adhesive. Although the secondary objects are separate, they abut in position creating a cage-like structure around the elastomeric casing. By selectively squeezing the elastomeric casing, a selected one of the secondary objects can be separated from the remaining secondary objects and positioned atop a bulbous deformation.

Abstract: A novelty item that spins at least one array of lights to produce a predetermined changing pattern of lights. The device has at least one array of lights that is supported by at least one flexible arm. The arms radially extend from a spinning hub. Consequently, when the arms rotate, the various lights in the array of lights rotate about the hub in a variety of circular pathways. A control circuit is provided in the hub that spins with the arms. The lights in the array of lights are coupled to the control circuit. The control circuit selectively flashes the lights in the array of lights in a manner that is synchronous to the speed at which the various lights are traveling in their circular pathways. As a result, the control circuit can cause the spinning array of lights to produce any desired pattern, display or alphanumeric message.