Abstract: User reconfigurable novelty glasses include separate eye frames and separate temple pieces that may be readily combined with each other and with other separate eye frames and separate temple pieces by the user to form a variety of outrageously designed novelty sunglasses. Each eye frame may be used for either the user's right or left eye and each temple piece may be used over either the user's right or left temple and ear. Eye frame designs include simulated representations of a watch, a television set, a box of popcorn, a grand piano and the like, while the temple pieces include simulated representations of a lighting bolt, a pencil, a toothbrush and the like.

Abstract: A board game in which players, using markers representing different types of global influence, challenge individual opponents. The outcome of the challenge being effected by point values of the markers of a selected type of global influence. In one form the markers are tiles and a balance beam is provided to determine the outcome of a contest without having to numerically add the point value on the markers.

Abstract: A toy vehicle wheel that changes from a generally cylindrical periphery with an initial diameter and axial width to a greater diameter periphery. The wheel has a hollow shell of rubber or some other flexible material and opposed sidewalls of the wheel are moveable relative to each other to compress the axial width and increase the diameter. Across a substantial portion of the initial axial width a number of slits extend so that the periphery is serrated when it is enlarged. In one form, an axial screw engages a sidewall to rotate the wheel in its initial quiescent condition along a relatively unobstructed surface, but, upon encountering an obstruction, will draw the one sidewall toward the other. Variations provide for containing the axial screw within the compressed wheel or permitting it to extend out of a sidewall. Other forms provide for movement of the sidewalls relative to each other with bayonet locking in a desired condition and for spring bias in one direction.

Abstract: A dispenser for paper napkins including a container having a substantially open top and front. Opposed side walls of the container receive a cover that can pivot about an axis adjacent the rearward edges of the cover. In addition to pivotal movement, the cover is also mounted for up and down sliding movement to better accommodate various numbers of napkins. Angling the forward edges of the cover downwardly toward the stack of napkins concentrates the pressure exerted on the stack across a line inward of the front of the container. The cover is pressed down on the stack causing the ends of the napkins to fan apart facilitating the user grasping and removing any desired number of the napkins.

Abstract: A toy robot having a handle, one or more small vehicle-receiving recesses provided in its head and/or on its torso and limbs and blade-like supporting posts for vehicle track members. Certain of the robot's vehicle-receiving recesses may have associated therewith vehicle-propelling means and/or track member mounting posts whereby to permit the provision of exit ramps therefrom. The robot serves not only as an independent toy and as a small vehicle carrier, but also permits cooperative play action between the robot and the small vehicles.

Abstract: A game in which players, in turn, lay down cards, or other distinguishable items, that are divided into two or more sets of two or more items each. The cards are laid down in lines with the goal of laying down an end card that matches the one at the other end of a line in order to qualify for a jump attempt. For the jump attempts, a biased, upwardly angled jump ramp is provided for placement at one end of the line of items to be jumped and a target landing ramp is supplied for the other end. If the jump is successful, the player collects all of the items jumped.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled game having an optical sensor for reading bar codes on cards. The cards visually depict a combination of number, size, color and shape that is represented by the bar code. Instructions and responses with respect to player card selection are indicated by a synthesized voice chip coordinated with a liquid crystal display facial caricature.

Abstract: A toy sword spaceship having a generally hollow body shell containing opposed track channels in which lateral guide rails of an elongated toy sword blade are received for sliding back and forth. Pivotally mounted wings fold out when the sword blade is slid from a retracted position to a fully extended position. Depending from the sword blade is a pivotally mounted handle which folds up and is received substantially within the body shell when the blade is retracted. To receive a toy action figure, the sword spaceship is provided with a recessed cockpit area that is covered by a pivotally mounted, transparent, canopy.

Abstract: A toy vehicle having a front to back dimension includes a body with a forward end and a rearward end. The body carries an extendable tail section adjacent the rearward end for extension from a retracted position adjacent the rearward end to an extended position for increasing the front to back dimension of the vehicle. When the vehicle encounters a change in the angle of the playing surface or a force is otherwise exerted on the distal portion of the extendable section, a motor driven gear engages a rack and drives the extendable section away from the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: Video game apparatus and method includes an arrangement for acquiring and storing data representing an image of the face of a game player or other entity and for selectively incorporating the image of the entity throughout the play of the game at predetermined locations on the video game display and in coordination with the video game graphics. In accordance with the play of the various games controlled by the video game apparatus, the stored image of one or more persons is utilized as the head of a video graphics generated body, as a portion of other generated graphics representations, as a functional game object representation, or as a controllable playing object. The video game apparatus also provides for the display of the game player image in a scoring display format wherein the images of a predetermined number of previous game players attaining the highest scores are displayed at the beginning or end of a play of the game.

Abstract: Projectile propelling attachments are provided for toy figures that have an arm connected at the shoulder end for pivotal movement relative to the torso through approximately ninety degrees. The attachments include an apparatus releasably mountable on the figure in engagement with the arm. A front end bore receives a projectile from which a tether extends out the back end of the apparatus through a smaller diameter bore. In the larger diameter bore there is a coil compression spring. At the free end of the tether a retainer prevents the tether passing back through the apparatus. In one form, the back end of the tether is attached to a reel carried on the back of the figure. Pulling on the tether pivots the arm to the firing position and then compresses the spring. When the tether is released, the spring propels the projectile.

Abstract: A toy mechanical monster has a rounded base that engages a playing surface and houses a motor driving an eccentric weight within the housing. Legs pivotally attached to the housing move to and away from the outside of the housing as it is driven by the eccentric weight increasing the effect of erratic movement of the monster about the playing surface. A head is supported atop the base for rotation by the motor. Pivotally connected to the head are pincer arms with claws that can be used to grasp toy action figures.

Abstract: An extension handle facilitating use of a handheld electrically driven grass shear from an upright standing position that removably attaches to the hand grippable portion of the grass shear by depending pairs of opposed, resilient, inwardly biased clamps. A flexible strip extends through the extension handle for remote control of the grass shear on/off controls from the hand gripped section of the extension handle. The flexible strip includes a depending cam for laterally moving an on/off slide lock switch. Inwardly directed guide posts within the extension handle direct movement of the flexible strip substantially in the direction necessary to actuate the controls on the grass shear.

Abstract: A game in which all of the pieces, while movable for play, are captured against removal and loss from the game. Player movable pieces are received for movement along slots extending through the thickness of a playing surface but are captured by upper and lower enlargements against removal. Discreet positional stops are provided along the slots by spaced apart depressions into which a mating truncated conical portion on the movable pieces fits. In one form, a captive rotatable disc cooperates with the playing surface to permit selective opening of covers that obscure indicia matchable with indicia designating positions along a slot path.

Abstract: An attachment for a toy figure includes a simulated automatic firing weapon and a flexible belt with spaced apart simulated ammunition. The belt is movable through a backpack attachable to the figure by manual rotation of an exposed portion of a gear wheel carried by the backpack with the gear wheel teeth engaging the simulated ammunition. Sounds simulating firing of the weapon are produced by a ratchet, coaxial with the gear wheel, engaging a reed.