Abstract: An articulating object is provided, and may include a first body portion, a second body portion, a first cable segment and a cable drive system. The second body portion has a neutral axis and is articulatable. The first cable segment extends along the second body portion on a first side of the neutral axis. The first cable segment is of a push-pull cable type. The cable drive system is drivable to move the first cable segment in a first direction to generate a first moment on the second body portion in a first moment direction, thereby driving articulation of the second body portion in a first articulation direction, and is drivable to move the first cable segment in a second direction to generate a first moment on the second body portion in a second moment direction, thereby driving articulation of the second body portion in a second articulation direction.

Abstract: A robot includes a body, a wheel having a ground contacting surface when moving, and a wheel drive mechanism that drives the wheel so as to advance from a housing space provided in the body to an exterior and withdraw. The wheel drive mechanism causes the wheel to withdraw to the housing space in a non-ground contacting state when a housing condition is satisfied. The body has a ground contacting bottom face that comes into contact with the ground when the wheel is housed in the housing space in a non-ground contacting state.

Abstract: A multi-joint fish robot capable of rapid acceleration propulsion, including: a main body segmented into a first body, a second body and a third body; joints connecting the respective bodies; and a caudal fin provided at an end portion of a third body, and swims forming a curve by operations of the joints. The fish robot has a first occupancy ratio of a length of the caudal fin to a full length of the fish robot with respect to a swimming direction, in which the fish robot swims, and the first occupancy ratio ranges from 0.15 to 0.35, or the fish robot has a second occupancy ratio of a length of the first body to a length of the main body excluding the caudal fin with respect to a swimming direction, in which the fish robot swims, and the first occupancy ratio ranges from 0.45 to 0.75.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is provided a mechanical device capable of mimicking a serpentine motion. The mechanical device includes a plurality of segmented portions interconnected consecutively at pivoted junctions. A rotational motor and an eccentric weight are secured about one segmented portion and at least one pair of legs extends from a segmented portion towards a contact surface and causes the segmented portion to move in a direction defined as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric weight. The additional segmented portions following the segmented leg portion follow in a serpentine motion as these portions rock and pivot to counter-balance the undulation caused by the segmented leg portion.

Abstract: A toy play set comprising a master toy member structured to interface with a family of accessory toy members. Each accessory toy member comprises an electronics identification means to be recognized by said master toy member. Each accessory toy member is also programmable to modify the personal characteristics of said accessory toy member according to a game play.

Abstract: An aquatic toy that is a biomimetic fish with a watertight body portion. The body portion contains a battery electrically connected via a controller to at least one coil. The coil is positioned relative to a magnet and the coil can be caused to oscillate by virtue of a controller defined alternating current passing through the coil. The oscillation of the coil causes movement of a tail fin that is engaged to said watertight body to cause the fish to move forward through a body of water.

Abstract: An aquatic toy that is a biomimetic fish with a watertight body portion. The body portion contains a battery electrically connected via a controller to at least one coil. The coil is positioned relative to a magnet and the coil can be caused to oscillate by virtue of a controller defined alternating current passing through the coil. The oscillation of the coil causes movement of a tail fin that is engaged to said watertight body to cause the fish to move forward through a body of water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water toy with which infants can enjoy themselves by watching the toy acting as it were a human being swims. This water toy has a head portion, a torso portion, left and right arm portions, and left and right leg portions to thereby be copied from a human figure. The right arm portion and the left arm portion are provided individually at ends of the rotational shaft provided inside the torso portion. The right leg portion is interlocked with the rotation of the right arm portion, and the left leg portion is interlocked with the rotation of the left arm portion. The right arm portion is connected to the right leg portion, and the left arm portion is connected to the left leg portion. A power spring rotating the rotational shaft is incorporated, whereby the water toy can float on the surface of water.

Abstract: An aquatic toy that is a biomimetic fish with a watertight body portion. The body portion contains a battery electrically connected via a controller to at least one coil. The coil is positioned relative to a magnet and the coil can be caused to oscillate by virtue of a controller defined alternating current passing through the coil. The oscillation of the coil causes movement of a tail fin that is engaged to said watertight body to cause the fish to move forward through a body of water.

Abstract: A toy is provided that has a dynamo for converting manual movement into an electrical charge for the dynamo located within a housing. A miniature vehicle is induced to locomote through receipt of the electrical charge. A dock is provided for selectively creating an electrical coupling of the vehicle to the dynamo to transfer the electrical charge and decoupling to allow the vehicle to locomote. A charge storage device and an electrical motor in the vehicle allow for prolonged vehicle locomotion separate from the charge transfer by the dynamo. A toy is also provided that has a dynamo for converting manual movement into an electrical charge, the dynamo located within a housing. The dynamo transfers an electrical charge to a wheeled miniature vehicle through an electrically conductive circuit about which the vehicle travels. Additional amusement functions of LED light output or speaker auditory output are optionally provided.

Abstract: An animated novelty device for mounting on a ball of a trailer hitch on a vehicle, the device including an electric motor for imparting motion to selected elements of the device. The motor is electrically connected to the vehicle braking system whereby the device is set in motion by energizing the vehicle brakes.

Abstract: Compliant mechanisms whose dominant modes of vibration match the desired kinematics for locomotion in a given environment are used to mimic motions of a living animal. Mechanisms are simple and mechanically robust. They may have as few as one actuator, which excites the compliant portion to vibrate in a natural mode that results in motion that mimics a living animal. Additional actuators may drive directional elements such as flippers. Models for compliant mechanism bodies were derived and used to identify actuator, material, and geometrical properties of the required mechanisms. The design and fabrication techniques of mechanisms implementing these ideas is also presented. Experiments found that important features of fish-swimming kinematics can be captured qualitatively by compliant mechanisms. The resulting mechanism swimming performance was ? of the real fish performance, comparable to current robotic fish.

Abstract: A swimming robot according to the present invention is constructed to simulate a human body having an upper portion including a chest 3, back 6, a swivable head 2, a shoulder portion 8, a pair of rotatable arms 14, 16 and a lower portion 4 including a pair of movable legs 34, 36 and a movable hip portion 7. A handle 5 is attached to the back 6 of the swimming robot 1. The swimming motion of the swimming robot 1 according to the present invention comprises drive mechanisms such as, a manual drive mechanism, a leg drive mechanism and a head-tilt mechanism.

Abstract: A self-propelled aquatic apparatus having a duck shaped body, wherein the body is partially filled with floatation material, a base, a waterproof battery container, a battery, a battery compartment, an electro-mechanical propulsion mechanism having a pair of webbed feet, which alternately articulate from a forward down position to a rearward raised position, and a power switch. The webbed feet are slightly cupped to enhance paddling efficiency when moving from the forward down position to the rearward raised position, and are made of a relatively flexible material, such that the webbed feet will distort rather than break if they encounter a hard surface or are bent, and will not scratch the skin.

Abstract: A figure that is configured to be propelled through a liquid. The figure including a torso, a flexible appendage coupled to the torso, and a drive configured to move the appendage with respect to the torso.

Abstract: A toy turtle is provided with a head, a tail, front right and left flippers, and rear right and left flippers extending from a body. A battery driven gear motor within the body causes linkage in the body to drive the front flippers back and forth, propelling the turtle through the water. The rear flippers are selectively positionable by the user to act in combination either as a rudder, controlling the direction in which the turtle swims when the flippers are positioned asymmetrically, or to control the turtle's swimming speed by increasing or reducing drag when the flippers are positioned symmetrically.

Abstract: A turbine assembly with directional control for use in a toy watercraft, including: a turbine housing defining an impeller cavity and including a forward opening and a rearward opening; a directional control valve positioned in the impeller cavity and having a valve opening in a sidewall thereof, the directional control valve being operable to rotate to a first position which closes the forward opening in the turbine housing and aligns the valve opening with the rearward opening in the turbine housing, and a second position which closes the rearward opening in the turbine housing an aligns the valve opening with the forward opening in the turbine housing; and a motor driven impeller positioned in the directional control valve.

Abstract: An aquatic motion display toy is constructed to include a hollow holder base, a water pump, a bottom panel, an upper panel, a transparent face panel, and a splasher. The bottom panel, the upper panel, and the face panel are press-fitted into one another, defining a plurality of concentrically disposed annular water accumulation chambers such that water is accumulated in the water accumulation chambers and then forced out of corresponding jet nozzles at the face panel during running of the water pump. LEDs are provided in the upper panel and controlled to emit light toward fallen water during running of the water pump.

Abstract: An aquatic motion display toy is constructed to include a hollow holder base, a water pump, a bottom panel, an upper panel, a transparent face panel, and a splasher. The bottom panel, the upper panel, and the face panel are press-fitted into one another, defining a plurality of concentrically disposed annular water accumulation chambers such that water is accumulated in the water accumulation chambers and then forced out of corresponding jet nozzles at the face panel during running of the water pump. LEDs are provided in the upper panel and controlled to emit light toward fallen water during running of the water pump.

Abstract: A fishing toy comprising a fishing rod comprising in turn a handgrip portion to which the fishing rod is attached, a fishing line adapted to elongate via the fishing rod and a toy body fishing means attached to a distal end of the fishing line, and a toy body formed to mock fish and adapted to be fished up with the toy body fishing means, the toy body comprising a power supply, a driving means adapted to be driven with the power supply and an operation switch for varying the driven conditions of the driving means, the fishing toy being characterized in that; the fishing rod has an operating means for varying the driving speed of the driving means provided on the toy body and a transmission means for transmitting operation information operated by the operating means to the toy body and that the toy body is provided with a reception means for receiving the information transmitted from the fishing rod.

Abstract: A fishing toy comprising a fishing tool and a fishing target. A motor capable of sinking in water is installed in the fishing target. A battery seat, a bait biting actuation means, a swinging means; a movable switch triggered by absorption is installed in the bait biting actuation means for conducting the motor to drive the swinging means to swing. The swinging means is installed by a decelerating gear on a rotary shaft of the motor and a push plate driven by an eccentric wheel. The fishing target is an aquatic animal or amphibian, such as a frog, with a body and four movable limbs. A front end of each limb is connected to the push plate of the swinging means. Thereby, as the fishing target is fished on a hook of a fish rod, the limbs of the fishing target present a vivid action. Thus, the applications of the products are increased and the present invention can be used in many aquatic animals or amphibians.

Abstract: A gyroscopic diving toy is comprised of a housing and a motor positioned inside the housing. A battery compartment is arranged adjacent the motor for receiving a battery. A swim bladder and a ballast are arranged inside the housing to provide neutral buoyancy and balance. A propeller is attached to an axle of the motor protruding through the housing. The axle of the motor is coaxial with a longitudinal spin axis of the housing. The housing is generally circular about the spin axis for minimizing drag when spinning. When the motor is activated, the housing is spun rapidly in a direction opposite to the rotation of the propeller, and gyroscopic forces generated by the rotation of the housing cause the toy to repeatedly dive and surface automatically for amusement.

Abstract: An apparatus including an appendage coupled to a body and a drive. The drive produces a force that causes the appendage to move with respect to the body. When the apparatus is resting on a support surface, the force produced by the drive is insufficient to overcome the force produced by the weight of the apparatus.

Abstract: A fishing toy including a fishing tackle and a toy fish. When the fishing line is wound on a line-winding mechanism of the fishing tackle to the end, the line-winding mechanism will idle to protect the fishing line and the fishing rod. When a switch is switched on, a motor in the toy fish is rotated to drive a swinging mechanism and a linking mechanism, whereby the toy fish can slowly swing and swim in the water with the lower jaw slowly opening and closing. When a magnetic bait attracts and attaches to the bite triggering mechanism, the fish tail and the lower jaw swing more violently so as to create a live effect both when the toy fish is in the water and after it is gaffed.

Abstract: A swinging mechanism for a toy includes a speed-reduction gear assembly driven by a motor, a linkage, a pair of swing blade units, and an eccentric unit. The speed-reduction gear assembly has a drive gear and a driven gear. The linkage has an actuating link and a carrier link. The carrier link has a turning axis between two opposite ends thereof. The actuating link has an end fixed to the carrier link adjacent to the turning axis. Each of the swing blade units has at least an inner blade and an outer blade hinged to one another. The inner blades of the swing blade units have inner ends connected pivotally and respectively to the two opposite ends of the carrier link. The outer blades of the swing blade units are juxtaposed side by side and have outer ends connected pivotally to one another. The inner and outer blades of the swing blade units have adjoining ends between the inner and outer ends, and hinge pins which interconnect the adjoining ends, respectively.

Abstract: A ballast system for toy submarines comprises a plumbing device, a flexible bag, a piece of wire and a rod. The ballast system draws water in and forces water out by decompressing and compressing the flexible bag.

Abstract: The invention is a self-propelled floating decoy for simulating the swimming characteristics of waterfowl. Propulsion in the water is produced by a sculling tail fin (25) which also causes a side to side rocking motion that simulates the back and head movement of a live duck paddling its feet. The decoy includes a flat base (11) with a shallow draft. The flat bottom of the base (10) is the lowest point in the water with no obstructions that would become entangled in congested water. An opening (11c)in the rear end extends through the base (11) so that an electric motor(16) driven propulsion system moves a tail fin (25) coupled to said propulsion system through the opening (11c). A decoy shell (9) representative of a water fowl is attached to the base (11). The tail fin (25) moves from side to side providing a motion to the decoy approximating the motion of a swimming water fowl.

Abstract: An aquatic toy constructed of a flexible, watertight body, shaped and decorated to resemble an aquatic animal, having a head, a carcass, and a tail. The toy has a first motor constructed and arranged for driving the tail in an oscillating manner to propel the toy while in water, a second motor constructed and arranged for swinging the tail off the center line of the toy to steer the toy, and a control system constructed and arranged for switching on/off the first and second motors under certain conditions. The toy further has an air ballast container constructed and arranged for maintaining the toy almost but not completely submerged when the toy is placed in water.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling pitch or yaw attitudes of a toy in a fluid includes a body and a float movably mounted to the body. The position of the float relative to the body can be changed to modify the pitch or yaw attitudes of the body in the fluid. The body can also be equipped with a member to propel the body in the fluid, and a fluid projector which propels fluid from the body. A driver can be connected to the float, the member, and the fluid projector so that the body alternately swims and treads water, and projects fluid while treading water.

Abstract: A motorized toy incorporating a drive source and moving while performing a series of predetermined repetitive motions, includes a plurality of protruding pieces extending from an interior of a body to the outside thereof, passing through notches cut in the peripheral portions of a cover member. The body incorporates main and auxiliary shafts, each rotating by receiving, via gears, transmission of a driving force from the drive source. The protruding pieces are automatically housed in the cover member, as they interlock with rotation of the main shaft. Rotation of the auxiliary shaft is transferred to the cover member via levers actuated during the period that the protruding pieces are housed within the cover member, and the cover member makes a predetermined number of revolutions. Upon completion of the rotation of the cover member, the protruding pieces housed therein spring out of the body. These operations are continually repeated.

Abstract: Self-propelled aquatic toys lide toy sharks are known having a body portion, a middle tail and an outer tail. The middle tail has been driven to oscillate from side to side while outer tail has flapped freely from side to side. Better propulsion and simulation is, however, achieved by driving the outer tail. In this way, operation of the drive at either limit of oscillation initially drives the outer tail to the same sense, i.e. left or right, as the middle tail and thereafter the middle tail and together with the outer tail is moved from that limit position towards the other limit position.

Abstract: A toy is provided which simulates a marine creature. The toy comprises a body portion and a tail portion with a tail fin pivotally mounted thereto; a battery operated motor housed in a water-tight compartment in the body portion to move the tail and the tail fin relative to the body portion to propel the toy through the water; a drive to drive the tail portion comprising a pair of parallel cranks mounted opposite one another on a single spindle and driven through gearing by the motor; and a drive member extending down within the top portion of the tail, the drive member being provided with a pair of slots, each slot receiving a pin connected to one of the cranks. Buoyancy may be achieved using floats located in the body and tail portions.

Abstract: This invention is a toy for diving swim, which possess a fish shape shell to form a water-proof space, the rear portion of the shell is a tail body made of flexible material and equipped with two separated tail fins; the interior of the fish shell has a battery, a motor, a power reduction, and diversion devide to drive a connect level which is coupled with the interior of the tail body such that the tail fins are actuated to swing against water up and down quickly and to make the toy swing forward by the reflective force, the interior of the belly portion of the toy has two sets of rollers at both sides which can move back and forth freely and irregularly in order to break the toy balance and make the toy dive along irregular path.

Abstract: A fishing lure (20) has a body structure (22) with hooks (24) attached thereto. A windup mechanism (80) includes a spool (58) and a spring (90) operating in conjunction with the spool to store energy therein. Propulsion structures, such as legs or fins (26, 28, 224, 226), extend externally from the body for movement upon operation of the windup mechanism. A shaft (60) extends through the spool and windup mechanism and is rotatively secured to the body. A drive train structure (120) is driven by the spring to provide an oscillating movement to the legs or fins.

Abstract: An improved wildfowl decoy featuring electromechanical means for lifelike motion when operated upon water. Anchored the same as regular wildfowl decoy it, while operating, moves continuously and produces a continuous outflow of ripples upon the water surrounding it. It is uncomplicated, durable long running, and cost is low.

Abstract: This invention relates to a self-propelled, preprogrammable fishing lure which utilizes a first timer whose interval of operation may be varied by the user to control a second timer which in turn operates a propulsion means over a predetermined period of time, and which allows for an interval period of deactivation of the pump and motor by causing the variable interval of operation of the first timer to be greater than the operation period of the propulsion means.

Abstract: A doll that may be actuated to simulate a swimming, walking or kicking action includes a torso with a pair of arms rotatably mounted thereto. A head mounting member is pivotally mounted to the upper portion of the torso and a leg mounting structure is secured to the lower portion of the torso. A pair of legs are pivotally mounted on the leg mounting structure in a manner to allow independent rotation. A compound cam is rotatably mounted in the torso and includes a helical groove in which a pair of cam followers are positioned that are in turn secured to each of the legs. A third cam follower is positioned within the torso to engage an eccentric cam that is part of the compound cam. The third cam follower is mechanically connected to the head mounting member resulting in pivoting of the head. A flotation device is arranged to be engageable by the doll's arms for use in the swimming mode.