Abstract: A drumming system includes a percussion instrument and an inserting/retracting mechanism operably connected to the first percussion instrument and configured to move the first percussion instrument along an arch relative to a second percussion instrument from a retracted position to an inserted position and from the inserted position to the retracted position.

Abstract: A device for providing speech to a user has a sound wave generator, a sound wave guide for guiding the sound wave to a user's nasal cavity, an airflow generator for producing airflow through the sound wave guide, a pitch controller, and a volume controller. The device causes air and sound waves to pass through the user's mouth so the user can convert the airflow and sound waves to speech. The device can have a nasal cover or nasal prongs to engage the nose. The resulting speech can be controlled to have a substantially constant volume, and can be controlled to have proper tonal inflection. The sound wave generator can provide more than one frequency at a time. The sound wave generator can be a musical instrument. The device is handheld and portable. The device can be used to train a user to control a singing voice.

Abstract: An accessory for a play system comprises a support configured to be suspended from or supported on the play system; and a sound module coupled with the support. The sound module comprises a motion detector for detecting motion of the support and a sound-emitting device for emitting sounds in response to motion of the support as detected by the motion detector.

Abstract: An accessory for a play system includes an elongated surface and a plurality of sound modules coupled with the elongated surface. The elongated surface may be a slide, climbing wall, ladder or any other surface across which a child may slide, crawl, or climb. The sound modules are spaced along a length of the elongated surface and are each configured to emit a unique sound when operated by the child while traversing the elongated surface.

Abstract: A floor system for simulating a natural environment, such as snow, is disclosed. The system includes a confinement member that holds an aggregate. The confinement member may be positioned between a pair of disturbing agent layers comprising meshes that contact the confinement member at a plurality of discrete points. Force applied to the floor system by a user walking across the system results in force being communicated to the confinement member through the disturbing agent layers through the plurality of discrete contact points. The force applied at each of the discrete contact points causes portions of the aggregate proximate to the contact points to shift, resulting in vibrations and sounds that simulate the sound and feel of walking on snow. Additional layers for support, durability, and comfort may also be included in the floor system.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a support member, a moveable member supported by the support member, a user support mechanically associated with the moveable member, and a sound producing mechanism that produces sound as a result of movement of the moveable member between a first position and a second position caused by the user's application of force to the urge the moveable member between the first position and second position. The applications include a play apparatus, wherein the user interacts with the moveable member with the result that the moveable member changes position and a selected sound is thereby produced.

Abstract: A device for imitating the sound of a footfall or stomp of an animal. The device includes a blunt for selectively striking the ground. The blunt can be engaged with a spring and an anchor. A cord can be attached to the spring to draw the blunt back from the ground. The cord can be released and the energy stored in the spring can move the blunt to strike the ground.

Abstract: A recreation system resembling a jungle scene is provided with platform elements surrounded by and elevated by support members disguised to look like bamboo rods and tree branches with leaves. The support elements are generally made of pipe materials covered with foam and plastic cable ties so as to resemble bamboo. The tree branch elements are interlocking members designed to appear as tree branches and are changeable to allow for different configurations of tree elements by pulling the present elements apart and then pushing them together in other configurations. The recreation system includes jungle and bird noises and simulated lightning and thunder which are activated during play on the recreation system. The recreation system allows the user to pretend to be in a jungle setting during play.

Abstract: A novelty candy holding device including a housing to which a candy pop can be secured. The housing includes a bottom end cap which prevents a pliable putty-like material in the housing from drying out. The bottom end cap can be removed to expose the pliable putty material into which one can insert their finger or fingers in order to move the putty material around so that movement of the putty makes a noise as air within the putty is moved. The device can have an end cap with a central opening secured to the housing. A stretchable diaphragm is secured over the central aperture so that one can force the diaphragm into the pliable putty material to move the putty material about so that a noise will be made as the putty material is moved, at which time air in the putty material will make a noise.

Abstract: A circulating water system is contained in a portable box. The water system includes a tray which carries the water from an overflow chamber and breaks up the water flow before dropping it onto a reservoir surface. Water dropping onto the reservoir surface creates sounds which are carried primarily through openings provided in the box. The sounds are transmitted to the immediate surroundings and are analogous to sounds emanating from naturally occurring water streams. Various trays are described which provide different sound intensities and tones.

Abstract: An electrical noise generation circuit for use in conjunction with an electro-acoustic transducer to simulate the sound of burning wood. A small loudspeaker enclosure accommodates a battery driven circuit in which a wideband electrical noise signal is produced by current flow through a zener diode. The noise signal is amplified by a frequency selective amplifier designed to have a high gain at a selected frequency in the audio frequency range, and rectified to produce unipolar signals which have randomly variable amplitudes and occur at random intervals. The unipolar signals are amplified by an amplifier having an adjustable input threshold bias. By adjustment of the bias level, output signals from the amplifier, and sounds produced by the loudspeaker, may be varied from intermittent individual pulses to rapid "bursts" of pulses. Operation of the circuit in proximity to an artificial log fire produces a surprisingly realistic audible simulation of wood burning sounds.

Abstract: A virtual reality system provides effective exposure treatment for psychiatric patients suffering from a particular anxiety disorder. The system is characterized by a video screen disposed in front of the patient to display an image of a specific graphical environment that is intended to trigger anxiety within the patient as a result of the particular patient phobia. A headset is worn by the patient, and has sensors disposed to detect movement and positioning of the patient's head. A computer program controls the operation of the system, and is designed to control the display of the graphical environment on the video screen, monitor the headset sensors and determine the position of the patient's head, and controllably manipulate the graphical environment displayed on the video screen to reflect the movement and position of the patient's head.

Abstract: A toy leash with an adjustable harness, electronic sound and a light is attachable to one of a number of toy animals. Sound emanating from the toy leash and adjustable harness combination appears to be coming from the attached animal. Buckles and/or hook and loop fasteners are provided for adjustment of the harness. A flashlight is removably carried by the forward end of the leash. In an alternative embodiment, a section of the leash between the harness and the handle is telescopically adjustable.

Abstract: A new Fire Sound Simulator for simulating the hissing, popping and crackling sound of a fire includes a white noise generator for generating a white noise signal representative of a hissing sound, a ROM-based sound generator for generating a popping signal representative of a popping sound, a ROM-based sound generator for generating a crackling signal representative of a crackling sound, a microcontroller operably coupled to the ROM-based sound generator for generating the popping signal and the ROM-based sound generator for generating the crackling signal, the microcontroller generating a first start signal for activating the ROM-based sound generator for generating the popping signal and a second start signal for activating the ROM-based sound generator for generating the crackling signal, a mixer for mixing the white noise signal, the popping signal and the crackling signal, and for generating an amplifier input signal, the mixer being operably coupled to the microcontroller, an audio amplifier for amplify

Abstract: A dynamic ride vehicle for executing a sequence of distinct motion patterns and for providing unique ride experiences in an amusement park attraction or other environment includes a movable chassis and a body having a passenger seating area. A motion apparatus, including computer controlled actuators, imparts motion to the body along a plurality of axes independent of any motion of the chassis as it moves along a path. As the vehicle travels along the path, articulation of the body and appropriate steering of the vehicle enables the vehicle to execute, in cooperation with the motion apparatus, a sequence of distinct motion patterns. Execution of the motion patterns enhances the passengers' sensation of vehicle movement that is actually taking place, as well as the sensation of a realistic moving ride vehicle experience that is actually not happening.

Abstract: An explosion simulator generates bang, smoke and flash cues. Pressurized gas is released into a shock tube to generate a shock wave and, thereby produce the bang cue. The pressurized gas is released from a gas reservoir into the shock tube through a diaphragm which is broken by a firing pin in response to a control circuit. A smoke powder packet containing a smoke powder is positioned in the shock tube. The pressurized gas travelling in the shock tube bursts the smoke powder packet and the smoke powder is dispersed to produce a smoke cue, or cloud. A flashtube generates the flash cue to illuminate the smoke cloud. An audio/visual explosion simulation system is also disclosed for generating multiple bang, smoke and flash cues from a single shock tube. Immediately prior to generating a bang cue, a gas supply fills a gas reservoir with pressurized gas. A reusable valve opens to release the pressurized gas from the reservoir into the shock tube and closes to seal the reservoir for refilling by the gas supply.

Abstract: A novelty item for creating the illusion of an imaginary pet including a hollow, elongated leash with a handle at one end and a collar and harness adjacent the other end. Housed within the handle, which is hollow, is a battery power source and an integrated circuit for producing a plurality of animal sounds. Also carried by the handle are an on/off switch and at least one selector switch for the sound circuitry. Mounted within the collar end of the leash is a micro speaker which is connected by wiring through the hollow leash to the circuitry in the handle.

Abstract: This disclosure provides to a ride vehicle for used in an amusement attraction. The ride vehicle mounts a structure upon a hydraulically-actuated motion base, so that the passenger holding structure may be articulated about one or more axes as the vehicle moves. Thus, this "simulator ride" carries passengers through three-dimensional scenery and articulates the passenger holding structure in synchronism with motions of the ride vehicle, the motions of moving show sets, which are external to the vehicle, sound, projection and other effects. The ride vehicle is programmably-controlled, and derives electrical power from a track mounted power bus to drive vehicle hydraulics, which drive motion base actuation, steering and vehicle velocity.

Abstract: A simulated laser weapon using a halogen bulb, parabolic reflecting mirror, bulb cap, rotating aperture, air jet, barrel, and shroud to produce a pulsed envelope of substantially parallel, non-coherent light rays simulating the discharge from a high energy laser weapon being fired by and in the presence of a participant. An amusement application for a simulated laser weapon involving several participants in an air- or spacecraft combat situation wherein each participant is seated at a station which travels circularly compared to a fixed reference point, rotates, rises and falls, and tilts, and wherein each participant's simulated laser weapon is sequentially activated and deactivated while each participant attempts to aim and fire his simulated laser weapon at targets suspended above his head.

Abstract: A fireplace-mountable sonic generator produces random noise pulses of varying amplitude imitative of the crackling of a fire, and is particularly suited to emplacement within fireplaces which simulate a log fire by passing burning illuminating gas over a refractory imitation log. The sounds are produced by a reed repeatedly flexed away from a striker plate and then released to impact against that plate, producing a characteristic crackling sound. A series of such deflections and releases at apparently random times is provided by a motor-driven rotating drum having series of surface-mounted, radially-extending irregularly spaced projections. The end of the reed is disposed to be engaged by the drum projections as they move past. Variations in sound intensity from one sound burst to the next may be achieved by varying the lengths of the projections, or by varying their overlap distance as measured from the center of the reed.