Abstract: A toy water gun has an energizable linear-drive piston mechanism selectively operable between anterior translational movement and posterior translational movement. The mechanism drives a piston assembly including a piston head within a piston housing to pressurize a piston chamber for impelling fluid therefrom. A discharge structure is in fluid-flow communication with the piston chamber. The mechanism includes a reversible, electric motor and an actuator switch for selectively actuating the reversible, electric motor.

Abstract: An ambient-heat engine has a substantially thermally-conductive housing whose interior is divided into a high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber by a substantially gas-impermeable barrier. An ionically-conductive, electrical-energy-generating mechanism forms at least a portion of the barrier. First hydrogen-storage medium is disposed within the high-pressure chamber and second hydrogen-storage medium is disposed within the low-pressure chamber. An electrical-energy storage device connected to the ionically-conductive, electrical-energy-generating mechanism is operable between a charge condition and a discharge condition. In a charge condition, hydrogen atoms within the high-pressure chamber are converted to hydrogen ions and conducted through the electrical-energy-generating mechanism to the low-pressure chamber causing electrical-energy to be generated to the electrical-energy storage device.

Abstract: A method of producing a passivated thin film material is disclosed wherein an insulating thin film layer (10), having pinholes (12) therein, is positioned upon an underlying electrically conductive substrate (11). The thin film layer is then electroplated so that the pinholes are filled with a reactive metal. The thin film layer and substrate are then immersed within a silicon doped tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution. Excess silica within the solution precipitates onto the top surfaces of the aluminum plugs (13) to form an electrically insulative cap which electrically insulates the top of the aluminum plug. As an alternative, the previously described metal plugs may be anodized so that at least a portion thereof becomes an oxidized metal which is electrically insulative.

Abstract: There is shown a reformable handle (10) having an air pump (12), partially surrounded by a covering (13) so as to define a chamber (17) which contains a mass of filler material (18). The handle may be reformed into another configuration by a person firmly grasping the handle (10) so as to deform the covering (13) to conform with the person's grip and evacuating the air from within the chamber (17). The removal of air from within the chamber causes the covering to constrict about the filler material thereby locking the filler material in place. The handle may later be reconfigured by actuating a pressure release valve (44) which allows the return of air into the chamber. Once air is returned the filler material may be reconfigured and the pump actuated again to re-evacuate the chamber and once again reform the handle.

Abstract: A method of producing a layer of lithiated material is provided wherein a mixture of Li (TMHD) and Co (acac)3 is dissolved in an organic solvent comprising diglyme, toluene and HTMHD to produce a solution. The solution is deposited upon a substrate by atomizing the solution, passing the atomized solution through a heating zone so as to vaporize the solution, and directing the vaporized solution onto a substrate.

Abstract: A toy device is disclosed having a base (11), a main portion (12) and an elongated supply tubing (13) extending between the base (11) and the main portion (12). The main portion (12) includes a support in the form of an inflatable ball (17) and an equatorial, annular array of water jets (18) coupled tangentially to the ball (17). Each water jet (18) has a water line (19) extending therefrom to a central hub (20) in fluid communication with tubing (13).

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting plasticizer from polymer structures includes, in one embodiment, a evacuation chamber, a heat source and a cooling chamber are all coupled to a conduit having a motorized fan for cycling gases through the components. The plasticizer is evaporated within the evacuation chamber by the heat source and entrained in a gaseous stream passing through the evacuation chamber. The plasticizer enriched gases are then passed through the cooling chamber wherein the plasticizer is condensed prior to being cycled back to the evacuation chamber. A gas heater aid in maintaining a constant gas flow temperature within the evacuation chamber.

Abstract: An air compressed gun (10) is provided having a stock (11), a launch tube (12), a magazine (18) and a manual air pump (14). A loading tube (29) extends from the magazine to an opening (50) in the launch tube. A pressure chamber (15) is mounted within the launch tube in a stationary position relative to the stock. The pressure chamber has a release valve (16) therein and an annular seal (48) sized for sealing engagement with the launch tube. The launch tube is reciprocally moved between a loading position with the launch tube opening (50) positioned on one side of the pressure chamber seal (48) and a firing position with the launch tube opening (50) positioned on an opposite side of the pressure chamber seal (48).

Abstract: A toy gun (10) is provided having a housing (11), a barrel (12), a trigger (13), and a manual air pump (14). The manual air pump is coupled to both a water pressure tank (15) and an air pressure chamber (30). The water pressure tank is coupled to a quick release water nozzle or valve (24). The air pressure chamber is coupled to a quick release air valve (32). The trigger is coupled to a movable switch (40) which selectively engages either the quick release water nozzle to release a stream of water with actuation of the trigger or the quick release air valve to release a burst of compressed air with actuation of the trigger.

Abstract: An electrode and separator composite comprises a separator and an electrode embedded in a polymer matrix. Application of an electrode slurry to a polymer coated separator and subsequent drying in a solvent enriched atmosphere forms a secondary battery structure characterized by a seamless composite structure.

Abstract: A toy projectile launcher in the form of a toy gun has a first and second barrel. The second barrel is pivotably mounted to a housing for movement from a first position to a second position in which the second barrel is axially aligned with the first barrel for firing a projectile from the second barrel.

Abstract: An air pump (10) having a separation chamber (15) defined by a top wall (11), a bottom wall (12) and generally annular side walls (13). A liquid entry tube (24) configured to draw air into a stream of liquid passing through the liquid entry tube is coupled to the separation chamber so that the air/liquid mixtures rotates within the separation chamber. The rotation of the mixture causes air to accumulate within a central zone (30) and the liquid to accumulate about a peripheral zone (31). The continued flow of the mixture causes the accumulating air to become pressurized where it is released through an air exit tube (20) in fluid communication with the central zone of the separation chamber. The liquid is expelled through a liquid exit port (18).

Abstract: A secondary battery separator comprises a fibrous core embedded in a polymeric sheet having improved electrode fusion thereto in unitary construction. In the process of manufacturing the separator, a fibrous, polymeric, substantially two-sided core matrix is coated with a polymer mixture containing a plasticizer and a solvent vehicle, and a vacuum is applied to the reverse side from the coated side to cause the polymer mixture to penetrate and infuse the capillary voids of the core matrix from the opposite coated side. The vacuum is continued until the solvent vehicle is fully volatilized. After the solvent vehicle has dissipated, the fiber matrix is turned over, and the process is repeated by applying a coating of polymer mixture to the second side and pulling a vacuum on the opposite side to cause penetration of the matrix.

Abstract: A fluid pulsator for a compressed gun (10) or water gun (30) is provided having a housing (404) with a fluid inlet (409) and a fluid outlet (410), an internal tube (405) reciprocally mounted within the housing, and a sealing member (406) reciprocally mounted to the internal tube. The housing and internal tube define a rearward fluid pressure chamber (412) and a forward fluid pressure chamber (413). The pulsator also has a variable flow fluid control valve which varies the flow of fluid passing into the forward fluid pressure chamber to regulate the action of the pulsator. The sealing member has a sealing head (431) having a first portion (432) sized and shaped to overlap the housing about the fluid outlet and a second portion sized and shaped to be received within the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A fluid pulsator for a compressed gun (10) or water gun (30) is provided having a housing (604) with a fluid inlet (607) and a fluid outlet (608), an internal tube (605) reciprocally coupled to the housing, and a sealing member (606) reciprocally mounted to the internal tube. The housing and internal tube define a rearward pressure chamber (632) and a forward fluid pressure chamber (631). The fluid pulsator also has means for actuating the movement of the sealing member that can be manually manipulated to vary the actuation rate of the pulsator.

Abstract: A rechargeable power supply overcharge protection circuit is provided with shunt circuits that shunt current about a battery or battery cell (15, 16 and 17) of a string of battery cells when it is charged to a maximum charge limit. The shunt circuit includes shunt regulators (20) connected across each battery cell.

Abstract: A magnetic propulsion toy system is provided having a track (11), a boost station (12) and a car (14) made of magnetic material. The boost station has control circuit (18) with a battery (19), a wire coil (21), a capacitor (22), a manual triggering switch (24), an automatic triggering switch (27) and a manual delay triggering switch (29). An infrared emitter/detector (28) is coupled to the automatic triggering switch and manual delay triggering switch.

Abstract: A gyroscopic figurine (10) is disclosed having a body (11) and a gyroscope (12) mounted within the body. The gyroscope (12) has a rotatable wheel (15) coupled with the shaft (23) of an electric motor (16). The shaft is oriented at an angle to the axis of rotation (21) of the gyroscope wheel to cause a slight unbalancing or wobbling effect as the wheel rotates. The body has a torso (26), a head (28), pivoting arms (29), a fixed leg (30), and a moveable leg (33). The relative positioning of the arms, legs and torso cause the figurine to become unbalanced and thus move while the gyroscope operates. The unbalancing of the gyroscopic wheel causes the figurine to vibrate and thus enhance the skating effect of the figurine upon an underlying surface.

Abstract: An air compressed gun (10) is provided having a stock (11), a barrel (12), a trigger (13) and a manual air pump (14). The gun also has a control valve (200) which controls the flow of compressed air into a magazine (202). The control valve includes an external tube (204), an internal tube (205) reciprocally mounted within the external tube, and a plunger (206) reciprocally mounted within the internal tube.

Abstract: A water gun (10) is provided having a storage tank (18), a expandable pressure tank (19) having an elastic bladder (30) encased within an outer shell (29), and a pump (32) for conveying liquid from the storage tank to the expandable pressure tank. The conveyance of liquid into the expandable pressure tank causes the liquid to be pressurized by the biasing force of the elastic bladder. The pressurized liquid is released through a nozzle (21) coupled to the expandable pressure tank by actuation of a trigger (17). The storage tank may be collapsible to prevent the storage of air therein or be coupled to a fluid selective check valve to prevent air from being pumped into the pressure tank.