Abstract: An automatic sliding door opening and closing system comprises a continuous, powered belted drive system and a clamp arrangement capable of fixably and releasably attaching the automotive sliding door to the belt drive system so as to be automatically driven along a predetermined path and capable of releasing the belt drive system under predetermined conditions. The powered belt drive system is located so as to be combined with one of the door's standard sliding door hinge systems. The clamp arrangement is a rotary device biased into a pinching engagement on the belt of the belt drive system via a cam and spring arrangement.

Abstract: A licence plate adapted for illumination, which has an opaque face plate having outward-facing and inward-facing faces, and cut-out areas corresponding to numerals, letter, symbols or designs; and a translucent, heat-deformable backing plate heat-pressed against the inward-facing face of the face plate to force portions of the backing plate into the cut-out areas, such that when the licence plate is illuminated from a point inward of the backing plate, the portions of the backing plate within the cut-out areas are illuminated for viewing from a point outward of the face plate.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate lift system comprises an energy storage device located within a vehicle body and adapted to be pivotally anchored to the vehicle body at one end, a bellcrank arm that is pivotally attached to the energy storage device and rigidly attached to an actuation shaft that is coaxially aligned with a tailgate pivot axis, a pivot bracket assembly that incorporates a pivot bearing arrangement to facilitate a robust rotary joint about the tailgate pivot axis, and comprising a coupling arrangement between the tailgate and the actuation shaft, such that relative rotary motion of the tailgate and vehicle body results in linear movement of the energy storage device and maximum energy storage at the tailgate fully open position.

Abstract: Innovative and improved display materials associated with products provide enhanced information to potential or actual purchasers of such products. In an aspect of the invention, electronic product packaging for demonstrative use in association with a product comprises demonstration means adapted to demonstrate visually or audibly the use or capabilities of the product under the control of integrated circuit means.

Abstract: An interactive dress-up toy comprises removable clothing and accessories, sensor means to detect the specific item of clothing or the specific accessory worn by the toy, and communication means to communicate to the user the status of the clothing and accessories worn by the toy or missing from the toy. The sensor means may be adapted to detect a form of electromagnetic energy, and to detect the specific item of clothing worn by the toy. The material of the clothing is selected to be reflective or non-reflective of the form of energy to be detected by the sensor means, and may be fitted with a material to selectively trigger the sensor means.

Abstract: An automotive hinge facilitates substantially rotary motion of a closure panel relative to a fixed body structure by means of a single resilient member configured to carry all required structural and operational loadings.

Abstract: A toy play set comprises: a body portion comprising: sound reproduction means; processing means comprising an integrated circuit comprising pre-programmed data adapted to be converted to audible sounds by said sound reproduction means; a source of electrical power to power said integrated circuit and said sound reproduction means; a base comprising first location means and sensor means; said sensor means adapted for electromagnetic communication with said integrated circuit; a play item comprising: second location means; status means adapted to be sensed by the sensor means; said first location means adapted to cooperate with said second location means to locate the play item adjacent the base; such that when the play item is located adjacent the base and its status means is sensed by the sensor means, said sensor means generates a signal which is particular to said play item, said signal is transmitted to said integrated circuit, said integrated circuit generates a data segment from said pre-programmed data,

Abstract: An electronic toy with at least one moving part, comprising a pre-programmed integrated circuit and at least one electric motor, is adapted to perform actions. Multiple such toys may be inter-connected in different combinations and programmed to interact in groups of two or more.

Abstract: An interactive electronic doll or toy character comprises receiving means to receive and distinguish normal human speaking voices from whispered human speaking voices, and communication means to communicate to the human speaker that either a normal or a whispered voice has been recognized. The doll or toy character may also comprise sound generation means by which simulated whispered human speech may be generated, and trigger means located on the doll or toy character to trigger the generation of such speech. Normal speech and other sounds can also be generated by the doll of the invention.

Abstract: A toy comprises: a first part and a second part, the parts being adapted to be placed into registration, the first part comprising short-range sensor means, the second part comprising one or more reflective areas adapted to be sensed and/or one or more non-reflective areas adapted not to be detected by the sensor means, such that when the second part is placed into registration with the first part, a sensor signal is generated specific to the area or areas sensed; and processing means in the first part adapted to receive said signal and to general an appropriate response.

Abstract: A doll and a doll activity center are adapted to communicate with each other with respect to the status of the doll or the activity center, and either the doll or the activity center is adapted to generate an audible comment respecting said status.

Abstract: A toy play set comprises a body portion comprising sound reproduction means, an integrated circuit comprising pre-programmed data adapted to be converted to audible sounds by the sound reproduction means, a source of electrical power to power said integrated circuit and said sound reproduction means, a holder comprising sensor means, the sensor means adapted for electromagnetic communication with the integrated circuit; and a play item comprising a play item electrical circuit, contact means adapted for electromagnetic communication with the electrical circuit, contact means further adapted for electromagnetic communication with the sensor means, the holder adapted to releasably receive the play item; such that when the play item is placed in the holder, the contact means electromagnetically contacts the sensor means to generate a play item signal unique to the electrical circuit of the play item, and the integrated circuit generates a placement comment from the pre-programmed data, which comment is appropria

Abstract: A door checking apparatus for an automobile comprising an array of needle bearings held in contact with a bearing surface comprising axially oriented grooves, by means of a resilient energy storage device; a cylindrical cage coaxially adjacent the bearing surface and comprising an axially oriented array of slots arranged to retain the needle bearings; means to impart rotary motion to the cylindrical cage to cause the needle bearings to move relative to the bearing surface to create a torque reaction in response to deflection of the resilient energy storage device as the needle bearings move into and out of the grooves; means to transmit the imparted torque from the bearing surface into an appropriate structure.