Abstract: An apparatus for use with an electrical lamp to control the electrical energy from a source of electrical power to the lamp to simulate the emission of a flame, the apparatus including an intensity controller section having first and second manually adjustable signal generating devices, the first being settable to the desired average brightness of the lamp, and the second being settable to a desired "flicker intensity". The flicker is effected by means of circuitry effectively providing a modulation about the value of the first signal. The magnitude of "flickering" may be reduced to zero permitting un-modulated full range light dimming control. A phase-angle controllable switching device in circuit relation with the lamp is actuated by a gate circuit within the circuitry. One or more lamps may be employed.

Abstract: An intraocular lens device having a generally planoconvex optic with first and second haptics secured at generally diametrically opposed positions, the haptics being resilient. The posterior surface of the optic is provided with means for selectively releasably retaining the haptics in an inwardly flexed condition just prior to insertion in the patient's eye, the means taking the form of shoulders or slots. After insertion the haptics may be released by a spatula, or alternatively, the optic may be provided with through holes in proximity to the shoulders or slots for enabling insertion of a tool therethrough from the anterior of the device for disengagement of the haptics.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a modular unit for a toy vehicle traversing layout, the unit representing a city section and having a simulated street sign serving as a handle for carrying, the unit being further provided with a vehicle propulsion device for propelling toy vehicles along a simulated street. The modular unit is provided with the propulsion device adjacent a lane of the street with a plunger, upon depression rotating a pivotable drive member into engagement with the rear of a toy vehicle for propelling the same. The unit has a base with grooves in the undersurface thereof for receiving C-shaped connectors for interlocking a plurality of modular units together.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a flexible track system having a number of identical track sections interconnectable to form curves, banks and slopes, as well as straight segments, each of the sections having an arcuate surface portion with a periphery of a given diameter and an arcuate edge of the same diameter, the edge being configured for proximate engagement with the periphery of the arcuate surface of an adjacent section. Depending ribs are provided at the periphery for frictionally engaging slots in proximate relation to the edge, the slots being elongate for enabling pivotal movement of one section relative to the next. Upwardly diverging sidewalls are configured for overlapping frictional engagement for assisting in maintaining interconnected sections in fixed relation. The arcuate surface portion is deflectable to enable the formation of sloping segments of roadway.

Abstract: A toy vehicle having a motor drive mechanism with a control arm actuable from a first position to a second position for changing the speed thereof, the vehicle having a pivotable linkage arm with a cam follower coacting with a cam movable in response to vehicle travel for pivoting a trigger foot against the control arm for moving it from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A keratometric device for attachment to a surgical microscope, the device including a housing member configured for receiving the bottom portion of the microscope therein, a screw elevator member rotatable relative to the housing member, having a screw thread about the exterior thereof and a second screw thread about the interior thereof. A ring gear is affixed to the elevator member with a knob and gear arrangement provided for rotating the elevator member. A ring lamp is provided with roller bearings engaging the external screw thread, the ring lamp providing a reference image. A prism support member is provided with outwardly extending roller bearing members for engaging the internal screw thread with a prism tray slidably movable relative to the prism support. A prism assembly is affixed to the prism tray for pivotal movement through a predetermined angle.

Abstract: An electronic game utilizing a phototransducer and a plurality of input switches as inputs to a microprocessor for actuating a display and speaker for providing visual and audible clues to a user in accordance with internally generated signals. The processor estabilishes light sensitivity levels for comparison with incident light levels on the phototransducer for processing by the processor in accordance with the timing and duration of actuation of the input switches.

Abstract: A hand held, hand operated hair braiding apparatus having a plurality of aligned gear members, each having an aperture therethrough for passage therethrough of a strand of hair, with a first pair of adjacent gear members having the positions interchanged in response to actuation of a lever member in a first direction with the remaining gear member then being interchanged with the adjacent one in response to pivoting of the lever member in the reverse direction. There is also disclosed an accessory device for facilitating the use of the hair braiding apparatus.

Abstract: A system for interconnecting electrically conductive portions of first and second members, at least one of which contains a foldable printed circuit lamina looped over the edge of a support portion and urged into mechanical contact with the electrically conductive portion of the second member, there being provided an indexing tab for positioning the so-connected members in aligned relation.

Abstract: An aluminum melting furnace apparatus of compact, thermally efficient configuration utilizing a silicon carbide plate member for covering the lower end of the combustion chamber which receives heat from a flat flame burner for uniformly heating the plate member for providing radiant heat to the melting chamber. An elongate narrow rectangular opening at one end of the combustion chamber directs flue gases under pressure toward a pre-heat hearth of a pre-heat chamber which is provided with an upwardly sloping roof with an exhaust opening at the high point thereof. The furnace is a clamshell furnace with a hinged cover having ceramic fiber insulation protected by the plate member from direct contact with molten particles of metal from the bath during melting.

Abstract: A remote controlled sports game having first and second figures operable on a playing surface with each of the figures having receivers tuned to different frequencies for operation by radio transmitters with the control of movement of the figures against a game object such as a ball being effected remotely. A drive system is provided for driving two wheels simultaneously with reversal of direction of the motor operating a cam slide member through a spring clutch to lift one drive wheel for providing a tight turning radius.

Abstract: A motion sensing switch and circuit associated therewith, the switch including a cylindrical non-conductive sleeve housing having circumferentially spaced parallel rib contacts etched on the interior thereof, all the rib contacts being electrically connected together for providing a first switch member with a conductive ball shaped member resiliently suspended in spaced proximate relation to the contact, the conductive member being electrically connected for providing a second switch contact with the electrical circuit providing a pulsed output proportional to the number of rib contacts wiped by the conductive ball during movement of the sensor.

Abstract: A hand held electronic game for baseball or the like having a playing field with illuminatable segments thereon at positions generally corresponding to potential player positions. One group of segments defines the path of a player object such as a ball which when "impacted" in response to a correctly timed manual input illuminates one of another group of segments. The "player" is advanced in response to another manual input a distance determined by the segment so illuminated. Game control and game status is under control of a processor using probabilities to determine game events. In the embodiment illustrated, the game is in the form of a baseball game with the segment depicted on a baseball diamond.

Abstract: An electronic game having a display field of illuminatable segments arranged in a matrix or array of rows and columns, with a plurality of manually operable switches equal in number to the number of columns, the switches having different functions determined by the rules of one of a plurality of games playable on the electronic game. At least one segment is illuminated in a predetermined column and upon initiation of the game segments in that column are successively illuminated, one at a time. Depending on the function assigned to the switches manual operation of one of the switches causes one of three displayed results, the reversal of the direction of successive illumination, the varying of the speed of successive illumination, or the ceasing of the sequence of illumination displaying the then illuminated segment in a static condition.

Abstract: An electronic amusement apparatus having control electronics selectively energizing one or more of the segments of an array of illuminatable segments, with a unitary light control member having an array of portions in overlying relation with each of the segments. Each portion may be identically configured with the exit ends of all portions being in generally planar relation adjacent a transparent or diffused viewing surface. Each portion includes a peripheral wall defining a tapered aperture with the exit end of the aperture configured to provide the visual appearance of a desired object on the viewing surface. Light rays from the illuminated segment pass through the entrance end of the aperture and are internally reflected by the tapered walls toward the exit end while simultaneously light from the segment passes through the peripheral wall to provide a sharply defined edge for the viewed object.