Abstract: A free wheeling toy vehicle has the outer faces of its front wheels spaced a greater distance apart than the outer faces of its rear wheels. When the toy vehicle travels down an inclined track having upstanding sidewalls and one of the front wheels strikes one of the sidewalls due to travel of the vehicle at an acute angle toward that sidewall, the angle of travel of the vehicle is changed so that the vehicle moves away from the sidewall it has just struck. The overall resistance to movement down the inclined track is thereby reduced.

Abstract: A battery powered toy in the form of a skillet has a simulated cooking surface of dielectric material containing thereon a grid of electrically conductive strips which are normally electrically insulated from each other by reason of the dielectric cooking surface that exists between the strips. When a deformable material, such as Play-Doh.RTM. brand modeling compound, having a sufficiently low electrical conductivity is kneaded or cut into the shape of an article of food and is manually placed on the cooking surface so as to bridge or span portions of the electrically conductive strips constituting the grid, the deformable material completes a circuit that activates a noise signal generator which produces through the agency of a small speaker a sizzling sound resembling that of frying food.

Abstract: A multi-compartmented carrying case or sport bag for carrying clothing and equipment for playing sports. The sport bag is provided with a racquet compartment which is positioned exteriorly of the bag. A hanging compartment, or first clothing compartment, is suspended within the sport bag for carrying shorts, T-shirts, or the like. A second clothing compartment is formed below this hanging compartment, and it is especially adapted to carry shoes. A moisture-proof compartment is positioned within the hanging compartment for holding wet clothing such as a swim suit or wet towel. Separate zippered openings are provided for introducing articles into each compartment.

Abstract: A battery operated electronic drag race simulator includes a casing having hand grips at each side. When an on-off ignition switch is closed, a first light emitting diode (LED) numeric display immediately indicates the maximum engine RPM or tachometer reading that cannot be exceeded for the class of race the player has selected. A race start indicator or "Christmas tree" produces an automatic sequential energization or countdown of a yellow lights followed by the energization of the green start light signifying that a race has officially begun. Depressing a gear pushbutton and then depressing a gas pushbutton, causing a brief tire squeal sound to be produced via a speaker. The gas button causes a varying frequency signal to be generated that produces a sound resembling various engine speeds. A frequency varying signal representative of engine speed during the race is employed to constantly change the RPM reading on the numeric display.

Abstract: An articulated toy figure or doll having a torso with limb members attached to it which are readily movable. A skeletal structure is provided for one or more of the limb members, which enables the limb member to be connected to the torso or another limb member, for movement relative thereto. The leg members of the toy figure are connected to the torso by a hip joint in such a manner that such leg members are swingably movable relative to each other, as well as relative to the torso.

Abstract: A wheel-supported figure toy in the form of a pup has a driving motor to propel it in a forward direction. Proximity sensors in the form of capacitor plates control operation of the motor. When a child's hand or the like approaches the rear of the figure, the capacitance of a first capacitor arrangement is changed and the motor is started and propels the figure forwardly for a predetermined time, then stops. If the hand is placed under the pup's chin, a second capacitor arrangement causes the pup to follow the hand. An RC network determines the time the motor is in operation by holding a monostable vibrator on, which keeps the motor running, after it is started, for the predetermined time interval. The toy also has a sounding device that operates when the figure is being propelled.

Abstract: Toy figurines including toy dolls are disclosed that have skins or exterior surfaces repeatedly capable of reversibly changing color. The skin is coated with a sealant/primer base coat of flexible, hydrophobic film-forming polymeric material. Applied over the base coat is a color layer which is either continuous or of desired geometric configuration. The color layer contains acid-base indicating material, preferably microencapsulated, matrixed in a mixture of polymeric material. A top coat applied over the color layer protects the color layer against abrasion and is water permeable. The coated skin portions thus change color in response to changes in the pH of aqueous solutions applied to them.