Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of a playmate and also a toy which includes a playmate and articles to be placed thereon in play. The playmat includes at least a portion, more typically a layer, of a magnetic or magnetically attractive material such as a metalised compound. The articles include magnetic or magnetically attractive material therein such that when the child brings the article into proximity with the playmate a magnetic field is created which acts to retain the article in position where placed by the child. The article is retained at that location until the child exerts a movement force on the article to overcome the magnetic force.

Abstract: A toy includes a toy member and one or more articles for detachable attachment to said toy member. Movement apparatus is provided for moving the articles between a first position, wherein the articles are detached from and a spaced distance apart from the toy member, and a second position, wherein the articles are engaged with with the toy member.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of a play area of a toy, typically a model, said play area provided for the selective placement of toy articles thereon, at least one of which has a function which is activated by the provision of electrical power to the article. The play area is provided with electrically conductive material on at least a portion thereof which is connected to a power supply such that when the article, which has electrical contacts thereon, is placed on the play area portion, power is supplied to the article and the function activated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toy comprising a surface along which an article is moved, in one embodiment, by the use of magnetic attraction between a movable magnet or magnetic material under the surface, and the article. The invention relates to the provision on the article of a movable portion, such as, a leg or a wheel the movement of which is driven by the movement of the article along the surface. The movable portions can be utilized to add to the realism and/or control of the article as it moves along the surface and/or can be used to move a component or portion of the article as the same moves along the surface, or, by the use of stored energy device the component can be moved when the article has stopped moving along the surface and the movement of the component adds to the appeal of the article.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of a toy which comprises at least one article which is movable with respect to a play base and objects on the playbase. The article can have at least one part which is movable with respect to the remainder of the article and the movement is achieved via a magnetic arrangement which involves at least one magnet in the movable part of the article and at least one magnet in a movement means such that as the movement means and/or article move in sufficient proximity, the magnetic forces and field created cause movement of the said part of the article to provide an animated feature to the article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toy comprising an article which is movable along a surface, the improvement of the article determined by a control, mounted under the surface. The control and article include magnetic materials to form a magnetic field between the two through the surface and which is sufficiently strong such that movement of the control exerts a moving influence on the article along, the surface. The control is provided with articulated joints which allow the control to follow and exert the moving influence on the article as it moves along different planes and levels of the surface, which was not previously possible. The control can also include particular lever arrangements which allow the proportion of the surface area upon which the control can exert the moving influence to be increased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toy having a play base and an article typically depicting a human or animal character which is movable along said play base by manipulation of magnetic or mechanical mechanism which, preferably, are not in direct contact with said article and hidden from view, and said play base includes one or a number of sets which depict an environment such as a shop, park etc and which include objects which are movable by separate magnetic movable or mechanical mechanism contacted by the magnetic or mechanical mechanism to give the effect that the object is moved by the article when it is moved into proximity with the same thereby adding to the impression to a child of the article being independently animated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toy comprising an article which is movable along a surface, the movement of the article determined by a control, mounted under the surface. The control and article include magnetic materials to form a magnetic field between the two through the surface and which is sufficiently strong such that movement of the control exerts a moving influence on the article along the surface. The control is provided with articulated joints which allow the control to follow and exert the moving influence on the article as it moves along different planes and levels of the surface, which was not previously possible. The control can also include particular lever arrangements which allow the proportion of the surface area upon which the control can exert the moving influence to be increased.

Abstract: The toy and movable article which are the subject of this application provide for the article to be moved along a playbase by mechanical assembly and/or variable magnetic field which are remote from and not in physical contact with the article thereby giving the article the effect of being independently movable. The exertion of the movement is via a magnetic arrangement between the mechanical assembly and/or variable magnetic field and article and which, if the article is a scale model of a human character can be arranged in conjunction with the shape of the article, to impart a walking effect on the article as it moves thereby adding to the realism of the toy and article.

Abstract: The toy and movable article which are the subject of this application provide for the article to be moved along a playbase by mechanical assembly and/or variable magnetic field which are remote from and not in physical contact with the article thereby giving the article the effect of being independently movable. The exertion of the movement is via a magnetic arrangement between the mechanical assembly and/or variable magnetic field and article and which, if the article is a scale model of a human character can be arranged in conjunction with the shape of the article, to impart a walking effect on the article as it moves thereby adding to the realism of the toy and article.

Abstract: The invention which is the subject of this application relates to apparatus for use in forming a malleable material such as, but not exclusively, modelling clay into a desired shape. The apparatus is provided for the reception of mold pieces therein which determine the shape of the malleable material and said mold pieces are arranged to be brought together to press the malleable material placed between the same into the required shape. The apparatus further includes a member which serves to locate and support the malleable material in the form of the shaped article in a fixed position at least at the instant when the mold pieces are moved apart thereby ensuring that the malleable material is not damaged by the removal of the mold pieces and is not required to be handled or held while the mold pieces are moved apart. This therefore minimizes the damage to the article formed.