Abstract: A toy vehicle trackset includes a base supporting a vertically extending tower. A toy vehicle trackway includes a vertically rising portion supported by the tower which transitions to a vertical loop and a plurality of helically arranged downwardly spiraling track loop portions. The track loop portion form intersections with the vertically rising portion of the track. Each intersection is covered by a shroud to prevent injury to a child user in the event of collisions within a given intersection. The trackway includes a return which is coupled to a toy vehicle accelerator whereby toy vehicles repeatedly cycle through the trackway set.

Abstract: A toy figure resembling a four-legged animal includes a resilient body having a back portion and a head defining a mouth passage. A liquid filled bottle is insertable into the mouth of the figure to transfer liquid into the interior of the figure. A single direction flow valve couples the transferred liquid from the mouth through a throat housing and ultimately into a resilient liquid bladder supported within the body of the toy figure. The toy figure body further supports a discharge valve coupled to a downwardly open discharge port which is operated by a vertically extending actuating rod supported within the bladder. The actuating rod and discharge valve as well as the discharge port define communicating passages which provide an air vent for the bladder during filling. A quantity of liquid is discharged downwardly through the discharge port by pressing upon the toy figure body with sufficient force to depress the actuating rod and open the discharge valve.

Abstract: A washable non-toxic body paint material is formed using two different weight polyethylene glycol waxes together with stearic acid, calcium carbonate, talc, titanium dioxide, guar gum, a preservative and a colorant. The material is formed by initially mixing dry granular form ingredients at room temperature. Once mixed, the material is subjected to a melt at approximately one hundred fifty degrees centigrade to form a paste which is poured within a mold to cool forming a dry cake. A moistened applicator activates the dry cake for use in body painting or other activities.

Abstract: A toy figure includes a head, torso, arms and legs conforming generally to a plush figure. The head defines a mouth and the arms are pivotally secured to the torso. The arms each support a hand between which a simulated harmonica is secured. The arms and simulated harmonica are pivotable between and arms lowered position to an intermediate arms forward position and to an arms raised position. In the arms raised position, the simulated harmonica is placed against the mouth providing a harmonica play posture. A sound and control circuit within the torso of the toy figure respond to arm position to provide silence in the arms lowered position, speech or singing in the arms forward position, and harmonica music in the arms raised position. A light emitting diode is supported within the transparent body of the simulated harmonica and is caused to flash by the sound and control circuit when the arms are raised to the harmonica play posture.

Abstract: A doll includes a pair of arms, a pair of legs and a head supported by a doll torso. One of the doll arms is secured to the torso at a shoulder joint which includes the outer end of an arm movement mechanism. The arm movement mechanism includes an arm shaft pivotally supported at the shoulder joint of the doll at one end and having a ball at the interior end thereof. The arm movement mechanism within the doll further includes a slidably supported traveler having a spring urging the traveler toward one end of its motion. The traveler includes a rearwardly extending lever passing through an aperture formed in the doll torso. The traveler defines a socket which receives the ball end of the arm shaft in a pivotal attachment. As the user moves the lever upon the doll torso, the arm shaft is pivoted causing a corresponding pivotal movement of the doll arm.

Abstract: A personalized toy and a method for marketing a toy through the use of computer screen images, and of manufacturing a personalized toy. The personalized toy is manufactured as ordered by a customer. Several different configurations of components that may be assembled as part of a finished toy are provided. Computer screen images of the different configurations of at least one of the components are displayed on a computer, and a customer viewing the displayed images is allowed to record a selected configuration of component, to be assembled as part of the personalized toy. A representational image of the toy incorporating the selected configuration may be displayed.

Abstract: A fingernail apparatus includes a base supporting a nail press station and a sprue cutting station in a spaced apart relationship. A sprue support is movably supported between the press station and the sprue cutting station. The sprue support receives one or more arcuate sprues having pluralities of radially extending artificial fingernails supported thereby. The sprue support also receives a nail cap sprue having an arcuate shape and supporting a corresponding plurality of radially extending nail caps. Each artificial nail is constructed to receive a corresponding nail cap in a snap-fit attachment. A space is created between the nail and its nail cap which receives a plurality of ornament objects. The sprue support is movable to the pressing station to snap-fit each nail cap within its underlying artificial nail.

Abstract: A board game includes a folding board having a plurality of generally planar board segments joined to form a large planar play surface by a plurality of hinges. The folding board is configurable in a closed configuration suitable for storage or transport by successively folding the various planar segments in a generally inwardly rolling succession of folds from each end of the board. The board game further includes a generally rectangular box supported at one end of the folding board which may opened and is therefore a convenient storage for loose items such as game play tokens or the like. The folding board is opened to a generally planar playing position by unfolding the segments about their respective hinges. A plurality of pop-up features are secured to the folding board and collapse to facilitate folding and rise when the board is unfolded.

Abstract: The convertible skateboard/scooter includes a base board with wheels coupled to a lower side of the base board. A handle is hinged to the base board and is movable between a first position in which the device can be used as a conventional skateboard, and a second position in which the device can be used as a conventional scooter. In the skateboard configuration, the handle is located adjacent a side surface of the device to provide a top surface that is unobstructed by the handle and upon which a user can stand while skateboarding. A parental lock can be located in the handle to lock the handle at either one of the first and second positions and to prevent the conversion of the device between the skateboard and scooter configurations by a child. An indent in the rear of the base permits the handle to be used for carrying the device when in the skateboard configuration.

Abstract: A battery retaining system for securing a battery in a children's ride-on vehicle. A battery compartment is disposed on the vehicle and configured to receive the battery. A battery compartment lid attaches to the battery compartment. A battery retaining clip is coupled to the battery compartment and is movable between a locked position in which the clip holds the battery in place, and an unlocked position. Optionally, the retaining clip is configured to block installation of the battery compartment lid unless the clip is in the locked position.

Abstract: An engine model for use on a children's ride-on vehicle. The engine model includes a pivotal portion configured to pivot about a pivot axis, a vibration source connected to the pivotal portion to thereby vibrate the pivotal portion at an amplitude, and an adjustment mechanism for selectively controlling the amplitude. A dampening structure may be provided to dampen the vibration of the pivotal portion.

Abstract: A toy body formed to generally fanciful creature includes a tail portion and a head portion. A cockpit suitable for receiving and retaining a plush toy figure is positioned between the head and tail. A conventional sound circuit is supported within the interior of the head portion while a rotatable string reel is supported within the interior of the tail section. The reel supports a length of flexible string which includes an outer end secured to a toy life saver. A pocket within the body is provided for storing the toy life saver. The four supporting wheels of the push-pull toys body are supported upon respective axels in an offset or eccentric attachment. In addition, the front two wheel each include an offset cam and cam follower which cooperate and pivot an upwardly extending arm. The upwardly extending arm provides pivotal coupling to the forwardly extending arms and imparts pivotal motion thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a determinate operational state for a controller is provided that involves supplying an input voltage to the controller via a main power supply and periodically supplying a voltage step pulse to the controller in addition to the input voltage being supplied to the controller by the main power supply so that the voltage step pulse does not affect the controller's operational state when that state is determinate and so that the voltage step pulse will cause the controller to enter a reset mode when its state is indeterminate because of a low input voltage level being supplied via the main power supply. The voltage step pulse is continuously and periodically supplied to the controller via a low voltage reset circuit regardless of the voltage level being supplied to the controller via the main power supply.