Abstract: A remote controlled robot system that includes a mobile robot with a robot camera and a battery plug module, and a remote control station that transmits commands to control the mobile robot. The system also includes a battery charging module that mates with the mobile robot battery plug module, and an alignment system that aligns the battery plug module with the battery charging module. The battery modules may also be aligned with the aid of video images of the battery charging module provided to the remote station by a camera located within the battery plug module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary assembly (1) comprising two spaced-apart support members (5a, 5b). A shaft (7) is connected with respective ends to each support member (5a, 5b) via an engagement part (12), and a rotary element (4) having a through hole extending around the shaft so as to be supported on said shaft between support members (5a, 5b). The shaft comprises a flexible wire-like elongate body (6) that is connected to the support members (5a, 5b) under axial tension. The shaft is connected to the support members (5a,5b) in a nonrotating manner, the through hole being of larger diameter than a shaft diameter so that the rotary element (4) is rotatably supported on said shaft (7).

Abstract: A toy includes a platform, a moving body, and a balance bar. The moving body has front and rear wheels rotatable about horizontal rotary axes, a turning wheel, and a drive unit coupled to the turning wheel and one of the rear wheels to drive movement of the moving body when the moving body is disposed on the platform. The turning wheel is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the rotary axes of the front and rear wheels, and prevents the moving body from falling off the platform when the moving body moves to a peripheral edge of the platform. The balance bar has an intermediate fulcrum portion mounted pivotally on the moving body about a horizontal pivot axis, and two arm portions projecting from two opposite lateral sides of the moving body.

Abstract: A self-mobile cat toy capable of simulating intermittent life includes a rodent-like shell partially or wholly containing an electrical power source mechanically and electrically connected to motor-powered wheels or a tread mechanism for moving along the ground. The power circuit includes an orientation-dependent switch which is closed or open depending on its orientation, so that when played with by a cat, the toy will cease to move in certain orientations and begin to move when pawed into other orientations. In another embodiment the powered wheels or tread are replaced by a vibrating mechanism. In yet other embodiments the cat toy is externally controlled by the pet owner, through either a long cable with a switch at the end or through a radio or ultrasonic transmitter-receiver system.

Abstract: A toy having a toy body, and a roller skating accessory integral with a part of the body, with a rigid or a freely rotating wheel.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a chassis supported by a plurality of wheels. A body includes a jaw which supports a plurality of teeth and is pivotally secured with respect to the chassis. A lever mechanism is coupled to the body and jaw and operates in response to user imposed force to configure the vehicle in either a closed or open mouth configuration.

Abstract: A directional control for small action toys. The toy includes a spherical ball lead element which directs the movement and direction of the toy in a downhill gravity path and a pair of trailing ground wheels which bear the weight of the body and chassis of the toy. The ground wheels are positioned at the balance point of the toy to keep the weight of the toy off of the spherical ball to enhance turning performance. A removable retainer secures the spherical ball in position and allows easy removal of the ball for cleaning.

Abstract: The illustrated action toy apparatus comprises an incrementally advancing catcher unit that may be in the form of an animated character such as a shark. The unit moves along a succession of areas of a path. Objects which may represent fish or the like are disposed on the areas. A fish on one area is caught or "eaten" by the shark when the shark reaches that area. As the shark advances to an area, its forward end rises to an elevated position to permit that end to pass over and then come back down upon a fish on that area. The forward and up and down movement of the illustrated shark unit is provided by a motor-driven cam. To maximize continuous playtime, the shark unit is tethered to the center of a gameboard so that it travels around a circular path on the board.

Abstract: A toy having an upright toy body standing on a pair of skis to resemble a skier. Each ski is provided with a driving wheel operable by an electric motor in cooperation with a driving mechanism built within the toy body to rotate so as to enable the toy to roll on a ground surface. The toy has two hands each holding a ski pole, the two hands being operable by the same electric motor in cooperation with an alternating pivot lever to move alternatingly up-and-down while the driving wheels are caused to rotate. The up-and-down movement of the two hands causes the ski poles to alternatingly push the ground to cause the toy body to alternatingly tilt sidewardly, thus causing the driving wheels to lift alternatingly from the ground; as a result the toy turns alternatingly along a zig-zag course while it rolls, as if a skier were skiing along a zig-zag course.

Abstract: A movable toy which automatically swings between an up position and a down position is disclosed, which includes an elongated toy body, a pair of driving wheels arranged at a bottom of the toy body, a pair of arms swingable from their vertical position to their forward horizontal position, a differential gear having an output shaft for forming a swing shaft of the arms, a driving motor and a gear train.

Abstract: A robot-like toy vehicle is provided, including: a self-propelled base having a power source; a housing for reciprocally rotating relative to the base; a pair of arms mounted on opposite sides of the housing for swinging movement; a support attached to the base within the housing; a head mounted on the support for inclining and returning movement; an elevation member mounted for upward and downward movement along the support to incline and return the head; a rotary lever for raising and lowering the elevation member; and a cam for rotating the rotary lever. During operation, the housing of the toy vehicle rotates while the left and right arms swing so as to represent playful walking. In addition, the cam moves to rotate the rotary lever so as to raise and lower the elevation member and incline and return the head so as to represent the robot-like toy vehicle hanging or nodding its head.

Abstract: A moveable toy which includes a motor for producing motion. Associated with the motor is a motor controller for accelerating and deaccelerating the motor. A rotary element is driven by the motor. Associated with the rotary element is a flywheel which is capable of being rotated by the rotary element, but is also capable of independent rotation. The flywheel is further associated with a switch which governs the output of the motor to several moving elements located on the toy. The flywheel interacts with the switch to shift the output to the individual moving elements each time the speed of the flywheel differs from that of the rotating element. The motor controller deaccelerates the motor which in turn deaccelerates the rotating element upon command of the operator of the toy.

Abstract: A toy having two portions mountable to one another in two relative configurations, is disclosed. In a first configuration the toy effectively simulates a person, toy character, figure, animal or the like in a substantially upright standing configuration. The toy has a pair of wheels mounted to a lower portion thereof. In a second configuration which is attained by pivoting the two portions relative to one another about an axis substantially normal to the general longitudinal axis of the toy, an additional wheel is exposed for contact with a support surface, and the toy simulates a toy vehicle capable of locomotion on the support surface. In the second configuration the toy also simulates a person, toy figure, character or the like disposed in a prone configuration on the support surface.