Abstract: An undergarment includes a torso covering cincher having a pair of downwardly curved underwire portions together with a pair of removably attachable breast-supporting cups. The breast-supporting cups define attachment members which cooperate with attachment members formed on the underwires to removably secure the breast-supporting cups to the torso covering undergarment. Embodiments are shown utilizing a torso covering garment referred to as a cincher and various attachment mechanisms are utilized in securing the breast-supporting cups.

Abstract: A construction toy set includes a plurality of interconnectable toy set elements such as couplers for beams which define respective sockets or bores therein. A pin connector defines a generally cylindrical collar supporting a pair of outwardly extending oppositely directed generally cylindrical pins which are receivable within the bores and sockets of the construction toy elements. The pins of the pin connectors each define an elongated expansion groove and an elongated rib extending substantially the length of the pins. The expansion grooves and ribs deform due to the resilient plastic material of the pin during pin insertion into the cooperating bores and/or sockets of the construction toy elements to allow the pins to deform and provide a snug but pivotable fit therebetween.

Abstract: A holder includes a generally cylindrical barrel portion having an opening formed in the walls thereof. A pair of angularly related generally planar plates are joined to each side of the opening formed in the cylindrical portion to form a diverging angle between the plates. A conventional container/dispenser such as a toothpaste tube is received between the plates and extends therebeyond such that the closed end and a flattened portion of the tube passes through the opening and is coiled within the barrel portion. The material within the tube container/dispenser may be dispensed by squeezing the angularly disposed plates inwardly toward each other in an action which forces material from the tube interior while gripping and further coiling the flattened end of the tube. In an alternate embodiment, the holder further includes a supporting leg which extends downwardly from the barrel to support the combination of the holder and a tube container/dispenser in a vertical orientation.

Abstract: A single piece molded sports racket includes a string frame defining an interior opening, a throat portion extending from the string frame and an integral grip/handle extending from the throat portion. The string frame further supports an integrally formed inwardly extending string flange having a plurality of apertures with corner radii extending therethrough. The string frame may be strung from either side facilitating the positioning of the string plane of the racket at alternative offset positions with respect to the center plane of the string frame of the racket. Embodiments are shown which provide for alternative string plane positions either tangential to one edge of the string frame or offset therefrom. In alternate embodiments, the position of the string frame may be selected between alternatives of coplanar alignment with the center plane of the frame or offset or tangential to the frame edge.

Abstract: A display package for receiving a doll or toy figure having a bouncing action includes a vertical back, vertical sides and a vertical front forming a generally rigid enclosure. The package further includes a bottom extending between the back, sides and front of the package. A bottom liner overlying the bottom portion of the package defines an elongated slot through which a generally planar springboard member extends. A generally planar base is spaced above and generally parallel to the bottom portion and defines a large aperture exposing the springboard from above. A hinged flap is pivotally secured to the back and extends forwardly to overlie the aperture formed in the base portion. The doll or toy figure is received within the package by securing the feet of the doll or toy figure to the springboard using restraints such as ties and securing the neck portion of the doll or toy figure to the hinged flap using a flexible neck restraint.

Abstract: A toy vehicle is fabricated from a plurality of construction toy elements which are commonly coupled by a plurality of interlockable couplers. The basic coupler mechanism utilizes a cube-like body having a plurality of extending flanges and supporting cylindrical bosses which are received within appropriately shaped slots in the various construction toy elements. A plurality of specialty elements are provided which facilitate the fabrication of a steering assembly for use on a toy vehicle or the like. The steering assembly employs a steering wheel having integral gear and a gear rack together with a plurality of pivoting couplers and a combination of interlocking couplers and construction toy elements.

Abstract: A flexible fabric envelope defines a generally conical shape and is formed to provide a plurality of outer rib portions each receiving an eyelet having a passage therethrough. The flexible fabric envelope is formed of a high visibility fabric material having substantial strength and flexibility. A drawstring is passed through the eyelets to enable the envelope to be placed upon the common ends of a bundle of elongated items transported upon a truck rack or the like. The drawstring is tightened to conform the envelope to the outer surface of the bundle and secure the envelope to the bundle of elongated items. The drawstring is tied to complete attachment and is further secured to the truck rack.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes an inner body having a plurality of apertures formed therein and having an interior cavity. A plurality of body panels are formed to be received upon the inner body to form an outer body and are releasibly secured thereto in a snap-fit attachment. A pressure tank and pump are supported within the inner body to provide a reservoir of compressed air secured by a releasible trigger latch. The trigger latch is operated in response to impact against the vehicle front whereupon the latch is released and the pressurized air within the pressure tank rapidly pressurizes the inner body driving the body panels from it in all directions and creating a loud bang.

Abstract: An aircraft fueling nozzle includes a generally cylindrical nozzle body having an extending adaptor receiver housing within which a rotatable interlock ring is supported. A generally planar annular locking lug retainer overlies the interlock ring and is secured to the upper surface of the adaptor receiver housing. A valve seat is supported upon a center wall of the interlock ring and supports a valve seat which cooperates with a valve poppet for fuel flow control. The nozzle body defines a vertical channel within which a movable poppet link is disposed and movable. The interlock ring defines a downwardly extending plate which is rotatable between positions covering a portion of the vertical channel and exposing the vertical channel.

Abstract: A generally planar substantially rigid backing supports a transparent plastic blister on the front surface thereof. The blister defines an open rear portion and an encircling attachment flange. The lower edge of the attachment flange defines interleaved notches and tabs extending downwardly. The blister further defines a rib having an interior groove formed therein extending along each side and across the front portion of the blister. A generally planar support sheet formed of a rigid material defines a plurality of upwardly extending retainers having engagement apparatus formed therein. A cosmetic card formed of a decorative material defines a plurality of slots aligned with the retainers and is received upon the support sheet with the retainers passing through the slots. The retainers engage the to-be-packaged articles and secure them upon the cosmetic card. The support sheet includes a plurality of interleaved tabs and notches extending downwardly from the rear edge thereof.

Abstract: A conventional doll receives and supports a combination diving mask and simulated snorkel unit. The combination diving mask and snorkel unit includes a mask body supporting a transparent faceplate and a snorkel mouthpiece. A snorkel body secured to the mouthpiece extends upwardly alongside the mask body and supports a resilient air bladder having a fish shape. The snorkel further includes a bubble blowing mechanism which is operative in response to squeezing of the fish-shaped air bladder to produce a plurality of bubbles emanating from the upper portion of the snorkel body.

Abstract: A base supports a rotatable turntable having a plurality of capsule bases each having capsule recesses formed therein. A plurality of capsule lids are pivotally supported upon the turntable and overlie their respective capsule bases providing closure of the recesses. A plurality of stationary cams are supported beneath the turntable and communicate with a corresponding plurality of cam following flanges which operate the capsule lids. A motor drive rotates the turntable upon the base such that the cam following flanges of the lids are intermittently pivoted to open positions as they pass some of the cams.

Abstract: A malleable play material binder is combined with a substantially greater quantity of sand to form a granular malleable amorphous play material having an unusual tactile characteristic. The play material binder may comprise a conventional play material. In the preferred embodiment, the play material binder is formed by mixing a soluble cellulose, a polyvinyl alcohol, propylene glycol, water, sodium tetraborate, sodium carbonate and a light mineral oil.

Abstract: A conventional computer is coupled to a data downloading station which in turn receives a downloadable toy. The downloading station includes a data transmitter such as an infrared light emitting diode while the toy includes a corresponding receiver or sensor such as an infrared sensor. Data is selected by the user operating the computer and is downloaded to the toy via the communication link while the toy is situated in proximity to the downloading station. Once the data has been downloaded, it is stored within a memory within the toy. Thereafter, the toy may be removed from the downloading station and operated in response to the stored data while completely independent from the downloading station and the computer. In one embodiment, the data downloading station replicates a miniature computer work station supporting a light emitting diode for transmitting infrared energy and operatively coupled to the computer. A doll having an infrared sensor supported thereon is seatable within the miniature work station.

Abstract: A toy vehicle playset includes a trackway having a vehicle launcher coupled to a looped track portion and a dual tank unit positioned within the travel path of the toy vehicle through the trackway. The trackway further includes an exit ramp on the opposite side of the dual tank unit from the track loop which is coupled to a toy vehicle catcher and a display area. The dual tank unit includes a pair of tank portions separated by an intervening wall. The dual tank unit is supported within the trackway travel path such that either tank portion is alternatively positionable within the travel path of the toy vehicle. The playset further includes a multiply articulated robot arm supporting one or more thermally conductive tools or stamps which are immersible within the proximate one of the dual water tanks and appliable to the surface of the toy vehicle when resting in the toy vehicle catcher.

Abstract: A generally planar rectangular base plate supports a quartet of upwardly extending outwardly angled support members each terminating in a receptacle end. The receptacle ends receive and support a rectangular generally planar cutting board at the four corners thereof. A plurality of openings are formed between the base plate and the upwardly extending support members through which a generally rectangular working pan having a bottom, opposed sides, frontal wall and rear wall is slidingly received through any of the openings to rest upon the base plate beneath the cutting board. The working pan may be partially withdrawn from the cutting board tray thus formed to extend partially beyond the overlying edge of the cutting board to facilitate the transfer of discarded materials from the cutting board to the working pan.

Abstract: A base supports a closed loop trackway path within which a plurality of recesses are formed. A plurality of tiles shaped in correspondence to the various recesses are receivable within the recesses to lie within the trackway path. The recesses and tiles are shaped in distinctive shapes corresponding to various parts of speech. Each tile bears a visible word as well as a bar code encoded symbol set corresponding to the visible word. In addition, tiles bearing nouns are provided with pictorial representations of the nouns. A toy vehicle includes a drive mechanism for moving the vehicle upon the trackway path across the tiles. The vehicle further includes a sound circuit and bar code reader which is used to scan the bar codes of the tiles and audibilize the corresponding words. The recesses within the trackway path are arranged to assure the correct syntax of sentences formed by the words upon the various tiles.

Abstract: A ratchet mechanism includes an outer gear having a recess formed therein and an aperture for supporting the gear upon a shaft. The outer wall of the recess defines a plurality of angled facets forming a saw-tooth configuration. A ratchet pawl includes a pair of opposed resilient spring tabs which engage the angled facet saw-tooth combination in one direction of rotation while disengaging in the opposite direction. A second gear is secured to the ratchet pawl and defines an aperture for rotational support upon a shaft. A frame supports the ratchet mechanism in engagement with a pivotally supported drive arm. The drive arm includes a gear segment having a plurality of gear teeth engaging one of the gears of the ratchet mechanism. The drive arm further includes a coupling flange at the opposite end from the gear segment which is securable to a source of reciprocating power. A bevel gear engages the remaining gear of the ratchet mechanism and is rotatably supported upon the frame by a driven shaft.

Abstract: A toy vehicle is operatively driven by an electric motor having a storage capacitor coupled in parallel therewith. The capacitor and motor are coupled to a pair of underside contacts on the toy vehicle for charging. The toy vehicle underside further includes an aperture and an elongated slot. A cooperating charger/launcher includes a vehicle receiving surface upon which a wheel pedestal is positioned between the area at the rear of the vehicle for raising the vehicle rear wheels. The charger/launcher further includes an interlock post received within the aperture formed on the vehicle undersurface and a safety rib received within the elongated slot of the vehicle. A pair of electrical contacts are positioned on each side of the protective rib and are coupled to a battery supply within the launcher for charging the vehicle capacitor. A pit-stop recharger includes a pivotable gate and pit area within which a second recharging apparatus is provided.