Abstract: A toy includes a toy vehicle, a launching assembly, and a rotatable sparking mechanism for generating sparks before the vehicle is launched from the launching assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the launching assembly includes a base track having a rack gear, and a push handle including a spring biased plunger. The sparking mechanism is mounted in the vehicle and a drive gear for sparking mechanism extends downwardly where it meshes with the rack gear when the vehicle is received on the base track. The push handle is slidably movable for advancing the vehicle along the base track wherein advancement of the vehicle causes rotation of the sparking mechanism thereby generating sparks, and further wherein a resistance of the sparking mechanism maintains the plunger in a depressed disposition until the drive gear disengages the rack gear.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simulated flower having a center section and a plurality of petals pivotally mounted to the center section for movement between an open position and a closed position. A toy doll is supported on a doll holder member, which is disposed within the simulated flower center section. A mechanism is provided which operates to raise and lower the holder member, and consequently the doll, and to simultaneously pivot the petals between the open and the closed positions, respectively. When the petals are in the open position, the doll is exposed and when the petals are in the closed position, the doll is enveloped by the petals.

Abstract: A toy includes a toy vehicle, a launching assembly, and a rotatable sparking mechanism for generating sparks before the vehicle is launched from the launching assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the sparking mechanism is built into the push handle wherein advancement of the push handle along the base track causes rotation of a drive gear thereby generating sparks. The plunger is selectively maintained in a depressed position until the drive gear disengages from the rack gear.

Abstract: A toy includes a toy vehicle and a launching assembly for launching the vehicle. The vehicle includes a rotatable sparking mechanism and a drive gear for rotating the sparking mechanism. The launching assembly includes an inclined ramp for receiving the vehicle and a gear train having a drive gear extending upwardly through an aperture in the inclined ramp. The drive gear intermeshes with the vehicle drive gear when the vehicle is received on the ramp. The launching assembly further includes a plunger mounted for engagement with the rear of the vehicle when the vehicle is received on the ramp, and a spring for normally biasing the plunge to an extended position. The gear train is driven by a pivotable lever mounted on the shaft of an actuator gear. Pivoting of the lever rotates the drive gear thereby rotating the sparking mechanism to generate sparks.

Abstract: An action character figure comprises a character figure body including a torso portion having a window therein and a sparking mechanism in the torso portion. The sparking mechanism is operable for producing sparks which are visible through the window by pivoting an arm on the torso portion forwardly and downwardly from an upwardly extending first position to a downwardly extending second position.