Abstract: A game in which players, in turn, lay down cards, or other distinguishable items, that are divided into two or more sets of two or more items each. The cards are laid down in lines with the goal of laying down an end card that matches the one at the other end of a line in order to qualify for a jump attempt. For the jump attempts, a biased, upwardly angled jump ramp is provided for placement at one end of the line of items to be jumped and a target landing ramp is supplied for the other end. If the jump is successful, the player collects all of the items jumped.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled game having an optical sensor for reading bar codes on cards. The cards visually depict a combination of number, size, color and shape that is represented by the bar code. Instructions and responses with respect to player card selection are indicated by a synthesized voice chip coordinated with a liquid crystal display facial caricature.

Abstract: A toy vehicle having a front to back dimension includes a body with a forward end and a rearward end. The body carries an extendable tail section adjacent the rearward end for extension from a retracted position adjacent the rearward end to an extended position for increasing the front to back dimension of the vehicle. When the vehicle encounters a change in the angle of the playing surface or a force is otherwise exerted on the distal portion of the extendable section, a motor driven gear engages a rack and drives the extendable section away from the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: A toy sword spaceship having a generally hollow body shell containing opposed track channels in which lateral guide rails of an elongated toy sword blade are received for sliding back and forth. Pivotally mounted wings fold out when the sword blade is slid from a retracted position to a fully extended position. Depending from the sword blade is a pivotally mounted handle which folds up and is received substantially within the body shell when the blade is retracted. To receive a toy action figure, the sword spaceship is provided with a recessed cockpit area that is covered by a pivotally mounted, transparent, canopy.

Abstract: Projectile propelling attachments are provided for toy figures that have an arm connected at the shoulder end for pivotal movement relative to the torso through approximately ninety degrees. The attachments include an apparatus releasably mountable on the figure in engagement with the arm. A front end bore receives a projectile from which a tether extends out the back end of the apparatus through a smaller diameter bore. In the larger diameter bore there is a coil compression spring. At the free end of the tether a retainer prevents the tether passing back through the apparatus. In one form, the back end of the tether is attached to a reel carried on the back of the figure. Pulling on the tether pivots the arm to the firing position and then compresses the spring. When the tether is released, the spring propels the projectile.

Abstract: Video game apparatus and method includes an arrangement for acquiring and storing data representing an image of the face of a game player or other entity and for selectively incorporating the image of the entity throughout the play of the game at predetermined locations on the video game display and in coordination with the video game graphics. In accordance with the play of the various games controlled by the video game apparatus, the stored image of one or more persons is utilized as the head of a video graphics generated body, as a portion of other generated graphics representations, as a functional game object representation, or as a controllable playing object. The video game apparatus also provides for the display of the game player image in a scoring display format wherein the images of a predetermined number of previous game players attaining the highest scores are displayed at the beginning or end of a play of the game.

Abstract: A game in which all of the pieces, while movable for play, are captured against removal and loss from the game. Player movable pieces are received for movement along slots extending through the thickness of a playing surface but are captured by upper and lower enlargements against removal. Discreet positional stops are provided along the slots by spaced apart depressions into which a mating truncated conical portion on the movable pieces fits. In one form, a captive rotatable disc cooperates with the playing surface to permit selective opening of covers that obscure indicia matchable with indicia designating positions along a slot path.

Abstract: A toy mechanical monster has a rounded base that engages a playing surface and houses a motor driving an eccentric weight within the housing. Legs pivotally attached to the housing move to and away from the outside of the housing as it is driven by the eccentric weight increasing the effect of erratic movement of the monster about the playing surface. A head is supported atop the base for rotation by the motor. Pivotally connected to the head are pincer arms with claws that can be used to grasp toy action figures.

Abstract: An attachment for a toy figure includes a simulated automatic firing weapon and a flexible belt with spaced apart simulated ammunition. The belt is movable through a backpack attachable to the figure by manual rotation of an exposed portion of a gear wheel carried by the backpack with the gear wheel teeth engaging the simulated ammunition. Sounds simulating firing of the weapon are produced by a ratchet, coaxial with the gear wheel, engaging a reed.

Abstract: A method of making a permanently attached doll wig integrating a high pile, backed piece of material and strands of synthetic doll hair rooted through both the material and the doll head. Initially, the material is attached to the doll head pile side down by a line of stitching. The material is then folded over and held in place by an adhesive and permanently secured by rooting strands of synthetic doll hair through both the material and the doll head. Rooting some synthetic doll hair directly into the doll head adjacent to, but beyond, the edges of the material, obscures the edges.

Abstract: A skill action game in which players try to remove cards from an opening without tripping a mechanical action feature. In order to remove the cards, players must use an electrically conductive probe. If the probe is allowed to contact a conductive strip a circuit will be completed to energize a motor which will move a latch to release a biased mechanical action. Simultaneous movement of two action features in substantially opposite directions is affected by spaced apart facing rack teeth carried by each of the features engaging a gear.

Abstract: Pneumatic action toy creatures each have a body with a hollow resilient compressible portion. An opening in the compressible portion receives an elongated piston with a cross section substantially conforming to the opening to provide for pneumatic reciprocation of the piston. At least one set of opposed members is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to each other in a direction, and about an axis, generally transverse to the elongated dimension of the piston. Either by an enlargement on one end of the piston, or through interaction with the opposed members, the throw of the piston is limited to retain the one end within the compressible portion. Reciprocation of the piston upon compression and release of the resilient body portion actuates pivotal movement of the opposed members through mechanical engagement.

Abstract: A pop-up crib toy including a head mounted on a rod with a cylindrical gear rack. The rod is slidably carried in a tube included in a housing for a motor driven gear segment. Engagement of the teeth on the gear segment with the cylindrical rack drives the head up from the housing in opposition to a gravity bias which lowers the head upon disengagement of the gear segment teeth from the rack teeth. In the wall of the tube a serpentine slot is provided in which a pin carried by the rod rides to turn the head from side to side as it moves up and down. L-shaped paws extending from the housing hang the character over the edge of a crib.

Abstract: A game involving the insertion of simulated articles of dirty clothing into a washing machine receptacle, the sides of which are biased to explode open. The number and type of articles to be inserted during a turn is determined by a spinner. Insertion of the articles through an opening in the top wall of an otherwise substantially enclosed receptacle, eventually effects downward movement of the bottom to which the sidewalls are pivotably mounted. Once the bottom and sidewalls move down enough to disengage the upper edges of the sidewalls, the sides of the washing machine receptacle spring outwardly, spewing out the laundry.

Abstract: A video game in which the player must fill mugs from a keg and slide the filled mugs down a bar to advancing thirsty patrons to repel the patron out the bar. The player controls movement of a host image from one horizontal bar to another and laterally along a bar plus the filling of mugs. If any of the thirsty patrons reach the keg end of the bar the player loses a turn. Repelled patrons are delayed while drinking and then return the empty mugs. Unless the empty mugs are caught by the host the player loses a turn. A turn is also lost if the player serves a full mug and there is no thirsty patron awaiting it. From time to time a tip will appear on one of the bars which the host image may pick up causing dancers to appear for an interlude during which some of the patrons turn to watch. While watching the patrons neither advance nor are thirsty. Bonus entertainment racks are periodically introduced during which six cans are displayed.

Abstract: A toy horse figure with a generally hollow body of plastic is provided with a soft flexible mane and tail. The flexible strands of the mane are secured to a foldable membrane, adjacent to, but inward of, a relief decorated edge along each foldable side. When compressed and inserted into an elongated slot formed by recesses in mating shells of the body the decorated relief obscures both the opening and the attachment of the flexible strand. Posts used to secure mating shell halves of the body pass through apertures in the foldable membrane to secure it against removal. For the tail, flexible strands are inserted into an opening in a compressible grommet which in turn is inserted into an opening formed in the body with a decorated relief on the outer flange obscuring the opening and the attachment of the tail strands.