Abstract: An articulated toy figure includes a torso and pairs of articulated arms and legs. The articulated legs are engaged with the torso at a pair of hip joints, each rotatable about two substantially perpendicular horizontal axes. Each leg has an upper member and a lower member engaged with the upper member at a knee joint to rotate about a third horizontal axis. The hip and knee joints are sufficiently lax for each leg to rotate when moved from an initial position to a displaced, raised position and to return towards the initial position when the leg is released to substantially simulate possible leg movements of a human being. A spring connected between each of the upper leg members and the torso biases each upper leg to return to its initial position after having been moved.

Abstract: A measuring cup has at least one ramp formed in relief radially inwardly on the inside surface of the measuring cup sidewall. At least one ramp rises from about the bottom edge of the sidewall to about the top edge of the sidewall. The indicia on an upwardly directed surface of the at least one ramp allows a user to look downwardly into the measuring cup to visually detect the volume level of the contents in the measuring cup, thereby eliminating the need to look horizontally at the cup at eye level. Preferably the cup has two ramps, with at least one of standard units, and another with metric units.

Abstract: A self-righting remote control vehicle including a chassis, paired front and rear wheels rotatably mounted on the respective left and right sides of the chassis, and an upwardly tapered, generally pyramidal-shaped body mounted on the chassis. Each of the wheels has a peripheral portion which extends beyond the lower rear and side edge margins of the body such that when the vehicle is rolled over, a portion of at least one of the wheels normally engages the supporting surface. The vehicle further includes two separate drive systems for respectively rotatably driving the left and right pairs of front and rear wheels, and still further includes a remote control receiver for receiving control signals from a remote control transmitter and a controller for selectively independently controlling the separate drive systems responsive to the control signals received.

Abstract: A remote control toy motorcycle includes a steering link and a four-bar linkage to connect a front castering wheel to a chassis, to utilize the castering wheel principle and the counter steering principle in a manner which enhances the stability of the motorcycle, thereby enabling it to be operated on rugged terrain. A steering drive responds to radio signals to cause the link to pivot the four-bar linkage to initiate and maintain a turn. The four-bar linkage has spaced members located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis, with rearward ends pivotally connected to the chassis at locations further from the longitudinal axis than forward ends which pivotally connect to the front wheel fork coupler. The structure enables pivotal movement of the front wheel about a castering arc which is projected in front of the four-bar linkage. The toy vehicle further includes a weighted flywheel assembly incorporated within the rear wheel, to further enhance stability.

Abstract: A wheeled dispenser capable of storing and dispensing one or more objects from the interior of the dispenser. The wheeled dispenser is generally in the shape of an automobile and has a body having a deflector spaced in front of an opening and a recessed portion to collect items inside the dispenser body. The dispenser body is supported by rotatable wheels affixed to rotatable axles, one of which has a rotatable cog thereon. The rotatable cog strikes a deflector plate located beneath the dispenser body causing a striker to push objects inside the interior of the dispenser body off the deflector and through the opening and out into a collection bin where the user may remove the objects.

Abstract: A device for launching soft foam balls includes a launcher body, a launching wheel having a circumferential gripping surface thereon and a restriction in the launcher body for urging a soft foam ball into compressed engagement with the launching wheel. The device further includes a manually operable rack gear assembly for rapidly rotating the launching wheel and a feed assembly for individually releasing foam balls so that they contact the launching wheel for launching them from the launcher body in rapid succession.

Abstract: The motorcycle comprises a chassis which rotatively supports a rear wheel and to which a front wheel is caster mounted. A radio controlled motor is mounted in the chassis and drives the rear wheel by means of a belt drive. The chassis has a forward fairing portion which supports a shaft, the axis of which forms a forwardly directed angle with respect to the horizontal of from about 90.degree. to about 130.degree.. Pivotally mounted on the shaft and extending rearwardly therefrom is a swing support to which is mounted a battery pack, a radio and electronics package, a radio controlled servo and the head, arms, torso and upper leg portions of a simulated rider. The servo has a shaft operatively connected to the chassis so that it can shift the swing support to the left or right from a centered position to cause the motorcycle to turn left or right in response thereto. Lower leg assemblies for the simulated rider are provided on either side of the chassis.