Abstract: An articulating object is provided, including first and second body portions, a first cable segment and a cable drive system. The second body portion has a neutral axis and is articulatable. The first cable segment is of a push-pull cable type and extends along the second body portion on a first side of the neutral axis. The cable drive system can move the first cable segment in a first direction so as 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. The cable drive system can move the first cable segment in a second direction for the first cable segment so as 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 greeting card having a jointed or articulated character attached to a surface thereof, the articulated character being movable by user interaction with the greeting card. The articulated character contains various segments which are attached together at various pivot or hinge points making the character capable of bending and moving various aspects of the character body in various ways or directions which simulate the character dancing to audio playing in the background.

Abstract: A light-weight toy is attached to a player via a near-invisible fixed-length tether, typically using a low-tack adhesive at the ends of the tether. In especially preferred embodiments, the toy has a mechanism that creates an appearance of plausible possibility of flight without actually providing sufficient lift and/or propulsion for flight. Imaginary flight is achieved by manual lifting and moving the toy via the tether. Thus, the tether forms an integral part of the imaginary play for the player and is not used as an implement of a ‘magic trick’ for an audience.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an interactive figure with several pivot regions in the ankles, knees and hips. Two drive mechanisms are housed within a base to drive movement of the lower portion of the figure while an additional drive mechanism is included within the torso of the doll to drive movement of the arms and head. Additionally, gear mechanisms are included within the base and the figure to transfer movement from the drive mechanisms to the figure along with various electronics. In response to a user's input or a preprogrammed play routine, the figure will respond with various movement and audio content.

Abstract: A toy product including a doll and a display device that may be used with the doll is disclosed. The doll may have one or more movable features and may be releasably coupled to the display device. The display device may include an actuating assembly and a folding assembly with enclosure pieces that may alternately enclose and reveal the doll within the display device. The assemblies may communicate with each other and with movable features of the doll through selectively actuable components. A locking member may engage and releasably retain the folding assembly in a retracted position and may return the folding assembly to an extended position upon disengagement. In the embodiments in which the enclosure pieces resemble flower petals, the movement of the enclosure pieces may have the effects of a flower bloom closing and opening up to respectively surround and reveal the doll.

Abstract: A first doll is supported upon a support base in a substantially vertical standing position. A stunt apparatus includes a torso clasp which releasably attaches to the first doll torso and which includes an elongated rod pivotally secured to the torso clasp on the first doll. A second doll is secured to one end of the rod by a torso clasp and pivotal attachment. The remaining end of the rod is formed into a handle suitable for allowing the user to manipulate the second doll with respect to the first doll.

Abstract: A device for amusing a cat or other pet is provided that has a housing having a top portion and a bottom portion, a motor disposed in the housing, a belt attached to the housing via an upper shaft and a lower shaft, a string having a first end attached to the belt and a second end extending freely from the belt, and means for activating the motor. In operation the motor rotates the belt causing the string to repeatedly fling outwardly from being hidden within the frame and amuse the cat. Methods for amusing a pet are also disclosed that comprise the steps of automating a string, whereby a free end of the string appears and disappears from view. These methods are preferably accomplished by attaching one end of the string to a rotating belt within a housing.

Abstract: A motion based communications system having an animated device, which is controlled locally or over a network connection, and which uses motion to convey information to a user. The information can relate to a predefined system events, such as printer status changes, e-mail status, system errors or communications. Further, it can represent remote individuals in a chat room, or when playing games. Computer games can use it to represent a remote or local human or software opponent. Voice recognition software allows commands or data to be input to the system via the device. Multiple devices can be used for multiple remotely located users. A universal base unit allows characters to be replaceably attached to, and controlled by, the base unit. Different characters can be substituted for different games, etc. The device may be software controlled by any application program via a standard application program interface.

Abstract: A device for positioning a telescopic doll in a packing box includes a telescopic doll and a packing box. The telescopic doll has two feet each with a sole, a seat formed on the sole, and a first hook pivotally mounted on the seat. Two fixed legs respectively extend upwards from the feet. Two first rod are telescopically and respectively mounted on the fixed legs. Each first rod has a line extending from a bottom end of the first rod through the shaft and connected to the first hook. Two second rods are telescopically and respectively mounted on the first rods. The packing box has a bottom plate and a second hook formed on the bottom plate and detachably engaged with the first hook. Whereby, the doll can be easily unfolded and taken out from the packing box.

Abstract: A self-play cat's cradle toy temporarily holds a string loop configuration while a user frees her hands in order to retrieve the string loop and advance it through successive string loop configurations. The toy comprises a base, first and second arms, digits supported by each of the arms, an actuator operative to move at least one arm closer to the other, and a surface provided on at least a portion of some of the digits which is configured to resist release of the string loop when the string loop is brought into a taut condition. A method for self-play cat's cradle is also provided.

Abstract: A doll assembly includes a base that has a top side. A set of legs is integrally attached to and extends upwardly from the top side. The set of legs has an upper end that is attached together. A torso section has bottom end and a top end. Each of a pair of arms is integrally attached to and extends away from the torso section. A neck is integrally attached to and extends upwardly from the top end. A first spring attaches the torso section to the set of legs such that the torso section is movable with respect to the set of legs. A head has a bottom side. A second spring attaches the neck to the head such that the head is movable with respect to the neck.

Abstract: A toy figure, such as a baseball player, which may or may not represent an actual identifiable person, is mounted upon a cylindrical base. Carried in the base is a rotatable disk having a grooved, serrated, knurled or otherwise textured outer peripheral wall. An arcuate access opening in the side wall of the base exposes a segment of at least the textured peripheral wall facilitating spinning or rotation of the disk by the user's thumb or finger. On the upper face of the disk, as disposed in the base, are a number of sectors, each of which contains indicia for determining an outcome in the play of a game. A viewing opening in the upper surface of the base permits viewing of a single sector on the disk.

Abstract: A toy is provided comprising a figure with a hole disposed therein and having at least one ferrous portion; a manipulator having a magnet for interacting with the at least one ferrous portion to animate the figure; and a stage for receiving the figure on one side thereof and for receiving the manipulator in the other side thereof, for animating the figure.

Abstract: An electric collapsible toy has a cartoon figure provided with a body and two feet, two arms and a head detachably connected to the body. The arms and the head are connected by strings that are pulled or released by a transmission device including disks connected to a drive axle of the transmission device. With the differences in the arcs of the connection points of the strings on the disks, the distances the strings travels varies, which controls the assembly and disassembly of the cartoon figure.

Abstract: A pop-out toy including a housing with an opening through a central portion thereof. A bottom wall of the housing has a gear mounted on a rod extending upwardly from the inner surface interiorly thereof. A figurine is provided and is mounted on a platform positioned within the opening in the housing. The platform is secured to a support rod extending rearwardly therefrom interiorly of the housing. The support rod has teeth extending along a side edge thereof. The teeth engage an upper portion of the gear. A release mechanism is provided that is comprised of a handle extending inwardly of the housing interiorly thereof. The handle has teeth disposed along a side edge thereof. The teeth engage a lower portion of the gear.

Abstract: A four-legged female wild game decoy for attracting like male game on the ground includes a vertical support, which may simulate a forward leg, mountable to the ground. A body is pivotally mounted to the vertical support and is appropriately biased in a substantially upright horizontal posture. The body has a rear hip portion supporting a pivotally mounted tail and a foldable rear leg suspended therefrom. A body posture adjustment mechanism is provided for raising the tail and lowering the hip portion to simulate a squatting urination posture for the game decoy.

Abstract: A hand-held puzzle comprising an planar, square array of mirror surface tiles confined for sequential planar movement via a ninth, vacant, tile size space or to alter the positions of individual blocks in the array. A humanoid character molded in one piece from elastomeric material has hands and feet anchored to preselected respective corner tiles by adhesive so that the limbs torso can be twisted, intertwined and contorted into stable different configurations by such sequential movement of respective tiles. The character's body is marked with black and white stripes which extend in straight manner along the limbs and torso when the body is undeformed enabling the direction of distortion of the limbs body to be more readily perceived by a player.

Abstract: Two dancing dolls, termed "keiki" dolls, which in Hawaiian means "child" or "children" include a battery-operated drive mechanism which causes one of the dolls to shake its hips to the left and right, while the other doll simultaneously moves its legs towards and away from each other, pivoted about its heels, thereby also causing the upper torso of the doll to move. A three-position switch controls the movement of the dolls between an off position, a dancing position with musical accompaniment, and a dancing position without musical accompaniment. The single drive mechanism, through a series of gears, drives both dolls.

Abstract: A toy doll comprises a doll body including a head portion having an aperture in the upper rear portion thereof, a lock of hair in the aperture and an advancing mechanism which is actuatable for advancing the lock of hair from a retracted first position to an extended second position wherein an increased portion of said lock of hair is exposed. The doll body further comprises first and second arms, and it is constructed so that the first arm is manipulatable for actuating the advancing mechanism and so that the second arm is rotatable for rewinding the advancing mechanism and for simultaneously moving the lock of hair toward the retracted position.