Abstract: An artificial eye for use in animated plush toys has a one-piece eyeball and lid that are integrally molded. The eye further includes a shaped member and a retaining post. A crossplate of the shaped member is preferably curved to correspond to the curvature of the eye, and is operative to animate a portion of plush contiguous to the eye. The portion of plush to be animated has an attached elongated flap which includes a forked free end wherein each branch of the forked end includes a hole. The elongated flap is inserted into the doll's body or head cavity, and each branch is tucked under the curved crossplate of the shaped member. The retaining post engages the holes near the ends of each branch, thereby fixedly retaining the flap to the eye. When the eye is rotated the plush portion also moves thereby simulating movement of an eyelid.

Abstract: A game device that uses an inclined playing surface to achieve the goal of making the game more convenient by allowing the player easier accessibility to game pieces. The game assembly includes a base, an upright module and a pair of support assemblies. The inclined playing surface is achieved through combination of a locking hinge and an interlocking set of bars. The locking hinge is achieved through the connection of a set of plastic fasteners on the pair of support assemblies to a set of notches on the base. The locking hinge allows the support assemblies to be able to pivot upwards towards the upright assembly. The interlocking set of bars is achieved through the even spacing of bars along the bottom edge of the base and the edge of the pair of support assemblies.

Abstract: A device combining a gun and target for facilitating a game of tag using infrared light communications between a two or more players is provided. The device includes two infrared transceivers and a shaped housing facilitating handling of the device by a user. The housing includes a grip portion with a finger-operable trigger, a barrel portion and a user-interface including a display and a keypad for programming the device and controlling various game and device functions. A first infrared transceiver transmits a directional infrared signal to another game participant and receives an acknowledgment signal therefrom in response to the transmitted directional signal. A second infrared transceiver facilitates omnidirectional two-way communications between two or more devices. The transceivers facilitate communications between game players before, during, and after a game of infrared electronic tag such as game setup, player identification and gameplay analysis.

Abstract: A toy sword is disclosed which more accurately replicates the functionality and appearance of fictional light sabers. The sword uses a plurality of telescoping tubes which are fully retractable into the hilt of the sword, and a spring movable between extended and active positions. The spring works in conjunction with a projectile which upon release launches with a smallest diameter tube of the plurality of telescoping tubes and advances same distally away from the hilt. The tubes are telescopingly manufactured so that as the smallest diameter tube reaches the end of its travel, it frictionally engages a distal end of the next smallest diameter tube and in so doing carries that tube distally. In so doing, the entire plurality of tubes is outwardly launched in a cascading fashion. When manually depressed back into the hilt, each of the telescoping tubes is entirely retracted into the hilt, thus not being visible to the user in the retracted position.

Abstract: A device and method for transmitting sound waves between a signal source and a user's ears, wherein the sound waves bypass the air. The sound waves are conducted by the user's teeth and bones to the user's ears, where they are perceived as sound. Sound-transmitting toothbrushes and the like are described to transmit and/or conduct sound to the user's ear, while the user is brushing his or her teeth. The toothbrush head and a signal source are configured to produce sound waves for transmission through the toothbrush head to the user's mouth, and a tension controller is configured to control the volume of the sound waves based on the pressure applied by the toothbrush head. The signal source may produce sound waves directly or with the assistance of a transducer. The signal source may be replaceable, connect to a replaceable cartridge, or connect to an adaptor capable of downloading data to allow the signal source data to be replaceable.

Abstract: A puzzle includes a base having a receiving area, a plurality of puzzle pieces sized for placement on the receiving area and adapted to form an assembled image, a sound generator, and an electrical circuit disposed beneath the receiving area and formed by a first substrate and a second substrate. Each of the substrates have conductive patterns, with at least one of the substrates operatively coupled to the sound generator. The conductive patterns are arranged for contact with each other upon depressing a selected portion of the receiving area to thereby activate the sound generator.

Abstract: A video game system including a compact disc programmed with video and audio data and designed to continuously update a player device with informational data to facilitate dynamic sequencing of video tracks during video game play. A unique uncomplicated development methodology is disclosed for the format information on the disc and the programming of the player device providing advantages of achieving strategic video gaming and fast action gaming, exclusively from the manipulation of a user's input during play via six operable navigational buttons. The navigational buttons thus affect the player device selection of video tracks through format information added to image frames of the disc. Numerous benefits are provided including the use of high quality video images and DVD style gaming applications in a low cost system which utilizes inexpensive standard disc media, such game discs are developed at substantially reduced programming cost relative to other game programming technologies.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a package and a method for displaying a product. The package may include a center element defining a hollow compartment enclosing a product disposed therein. The center element may include a pair of shafts extending outwardly from opposite sides of the center element, and multiple sides of the product may be visible from the exterior of the center element. The package may also include a support element including a pair of notches defined therein each corresponding to one of the shafts of the center element. The notches may receive the corresponding shafts of the center element to demountably engage the center element such that the center element is manually rotatable so that multiple sides of the product disposed within the center element may be viewable by the individual. The package may further include a package structure receiving the center element and support element therein, and including an opening for viewing the product and manually rotating the center element.

Abstract: A game assembly for housing a foldable game board which is quickly and conveniently secured to an open configuration for game play through the use of a spring loaded flexible hinge. The game assembly includes a first base portion, a second base portion capable of cooperating with the first base portion between an open and a closed configuration, and at least one hinge assembly mounted at a first end to the first base portion and at a second end to the second base portion. The hinge assembly includes a flexible strap and biasing element capable of tensioning the flexible strap to maintain the first and second base portions with respect to each other in an open configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a customized jigsaw puzzle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an image capturing mechanism, such as a camera, that captures one or more images of one or more individuals, animals, or objects or combinations of these posed against a background. A computer that is linked to the mechanism and to a printer is programmed to print an image on flexible sheets having a printable surface. Then a press, having a platen carrying a jigsaw puzzle cutting die, when activated uses pressure to laminate together the flexible sheet bearing the printed image and a foam sheet thicker and more rigid than he flexible sheets, setting pressure responsive adhesive material used as a binder to form a laminated product, and substantially simultaneously to cut the laminated product into jigsaw puzzle pieces.

Abstract: A toy includes a sensor that senses a condition, a movable region, and an actuator coupled to the movable region to move the movable region in a direction relative to the sensed condition. The movable region is coupled to a body that houses electromechanical components for sensing conditions and for moving the movable region in response to the detected conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a customized jigsaw puzzle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an image capturing mechanism, such as a camera, that captures one or more images of one or more individuals, animals, or objects or combinations of these posed against a background. A computer that is linked to the mechanism and to a printer is programmed to print an image on flexible sheets having a printable surface. Then a press, having a platen carrying a jigsaw puzzle cutting die, when activated uses pressure to laminate together the flexible sheet bearing the printed image and a foam sheet thicker and more rigid than he flexible sheets, setting pressure responsive adhesive material used as a binder to form a laminated product, and substantially simultaneously to cut the laminated product into jigsaw puzzle pieces.