Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a toy wherein a player manipulates a levitated object through an obstacle course. Furthermore, the present invention allows the player to design and build the obstacle course. The toy may include a playing field having a plurality of mounting stations distributed along a pathway and a plurality of obstacles adapted to interchangeably engage the mounting stations. A levitation mechanism may be adapted to produce an air stream and move the air stream along the pathway. In addition, the toy may further include a controller adapted to control movement of the air stream along the pathway.

Abstract: A baby monitor system with a parent unit communicable with a baby unit a soothing unit is provided. In an embodiment for the baby monitor system of the present invention, the baby unit is responsive to receiving a signal representative of an audible sound transmitted from the parent unit and the parent unit is responsive to receiving a signal representative of an audible sound transmitted from the baby unit. In an embodiment for a method of the present invention, a method for monitoring a baby is provided.

Abstract: A child activity device for entertaining and promoting activity in a child is disclosed. The child activity device is configurable between a use and storage position and may also include a frame providing bouncing motion for a child. The activity device includes a support frame extending vertically upwards from a lower end proximate to a support surface and terminating at an upper end, a supporting portion, and may further include a seat, coupled to the supporting portion, that is rotatable about a first axis relative to the support frame to allow a child placed in the seat to rotate about the first axis. A coupling assembly is also disclosed. The coupling assembly secures the supporting portion to the support frame upper end and permits rotation of the supporting portion about a second axis for configuring the seat and supporting portion in a storage position. An activity device with foldable support legs is also disclosed.

Abstract: A toy carrying package having an appearance of a toolbox, and having a handle for convenient transport and a window for viewing an interior of a compartment of the toy carrying package. The compartment is formed from a single sheet of foldable stock material having a plurality of mutually joined panels including first and second major panels each major panel having two opposing major edges and two opposing minor edges, first and second side panels joining together the major panels at the minor edges of the major panels, first and second angled panels extending from the major edges of the major panels, first and second cover panels extending from the angled panels opposite the major panels, and first and second bottom panels extending from the remaining major edges of the major panels.

Abstract: A game wherein players move their game pieces across a multi-level playing field while trying to capture target pieces and avoid a chaser piece is described. Moreover, the game may be portable. In some cases, the game apparatus may be carried in a plastic case that resembles a hard-backed book. The game components may be based on an individual chapter from a published children's book or novel.

Abstract: A method of insert molding a preformed item into a molded product, the molded product being formed by injecting a moldable material into a mold, is disclosed. The method includes adhering the preformed item to a surface of the mold with an adhesive, wherein the surface to which the preformed item is adhered is free of any features provided for holding the preformed item in place on the mold surface. The method next includes injecting the moldable material into the mold such that the moldable material at least partially surrounds the preformed item, and curing the moldable material. Articles molded via the disclosed method are also described.

Abstract: An entertainment device for use with at least one toy block is provided, wherein the entertainment device comprises a housing including a block support surface for the at least one toy block. The at least one toy block includes at least first and second planar surfaces adapted to contact the block support surface. The entertainment devices includes a block reorientation mechanism attached to the housing, the block reorientation mechanism being capable of (1) moving the block off of the block support surface from a first position in which the first surface of the block is in contact with the block support surface and (2) reorienting the block to a second position in which the second surface of the block is in contact with the block support surface.

Abstract: A toy vehicle has a chassis, at least a first drive wheel rotatably attached to the chassis and at least a first link having a first end pivotally coupled with the chassis. At least a first non-powered wheel is operably coupled with the second opposing end of the first link. The first link has two operative positions: a first, fully-retracted operating configuration in which the first link is wrapped at least partially around the chassis crossing the drive wheel axis of rotation and a second, extended operating configuration in which the first link is pivoted away and extended from the chassis. A second link can be pivotally coupled between and with the chassis and first link. Forces acting on the toy vehicle resulting from driving the first drive wheel can cause each link to pivot with respect to the chassis.

Abstract: A hovercraft is capable of operation on either a solid surface or a liquid surface. The hovercraft includes a hull on which is mounted at least one thrust-lift fan assembly for providing an air cushion under the hovercraft and for propelling the hovercraft in a forward or reverse direction. The hovercraft also includes a steering fan assembly mounted transversely to the thrust-lift fan assembly and that allows the hovercraft to be steered in any lateral direction. The hovercraft is controlled by operation of the fans in the appropriate direction, and may be in the form of a wireless remote control toy.

Abstract: A talking book is combined with a talking, animated toy figure. Each includes a sound synthesizer, a digital memory including at least some speech data to be used by the synthesizer to produce speech and a processor to control the operations of the synthesizer. Each includes a speaker coupled with the synthesizer to actually produce speech and other sounds. The book includes two outer covers and two inner pages, each with some printing. Depressible switches are provided on the inner covers to cue the processor to generate sounds appropriate to the print near the depressed cover switch. Switches in a hinge pin received in hinge rings provided each cover and page to join the covers and pages together are depressed by cam surfaces inside the ring of the front cover and each page and signal, the processor the configuration of the book.

Abstract: A game wherein players move their game pieces around a pathway through multiple chambers is described. Moreover, the game may be portable. In some cases, the game apparatus may be carried in a plastic case that resembles a hard-backed book. The game components may be based on an individual chapter from a published children's book or novel.

Abstract: The invention comprises a board game in which each player moves a playing piece along a continuous path, where the moves are determined by, for example, a roll of one or more dice. The path may be subdivided into spaces, some of which may require various actions by the players. These actions may result in the player accumulating an item. At the conclusion of the game, the tokens possessed by each player may be used to determine a possible fate, fortune, or destiny, for that player.

Abstract: Joints for movable toys, such as action figures, that use friction to maintain a fixed position. The toys include several body part members interconnected by a joint that includes a plug portion and a socket portion that receives the plug portion. The socket portion includes one or more protrusions, against which the plug portion is urged to create friction between the plug portion and the socket portion.

Abstract: Board games having movable neutral playing pieces. The board games include tokens that represent each player's location on the board and neutral playing pieces that may be moved by any player to block an opponent's token movement. In some embodiments, the neutral playing pieces may be moved to occupy an adjacent, unoccupied cell, alternatively or additionally, the neutral playing pieces may displace other neutral playing pieces.

Abstract: Battery-powered children's ride-on vehicles having battery retainer assemblies, and retainer assemblies for such vehicles. The battery retainer assembly includes a retaining member that is pivotally coupled relative to the vehicle's battery compartment. The retaining member is selectively pivoted between an open position, in which the retaining member permits the battery assembly to be inserted into or removed from the compartment, and a closed position, in which the retaining member obstructs removal of the battery assembly. In some embodiments, the retaining member is adapted to displace the battery assembly as the retaining member is pivoted to the open position. In some embodiments, the retaining member extends in the closed position across a proximal surface of the battery assembly. In some embodiments, the retaining member is adapted to automatically pivot to the closed position upon insertion of the battery assembly into the compartment and/or into engagement with the retaining member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cyanoacrylate adhesive composition having high shear bond strength, peeling bond strength, tensile strength and impact bond strength and superior wear characteristics particularly in toy applications where hostile play environments demand hot-cold cycle resistance. The cyanoacrylate adhesive composition contains (a) up to 20% by weight of a cyanoacrylate monomer, (b) a styrene-based elastomeric block copolymer, and (c) a specific solvent which is selected to effect the solution of both components. The invention is also directed to a method of applying the instant adhesives to substrate surfaces.