Abstract: A toy for testing and simulating the guidance skills of a user is provided. The toy includes a support unit for removably mounting the toy drum upon the limb of the user and a circular drum removably mounted for rotational upon said support unit. A travel path is formed upon the outer diameter of the drum and a travel element is positioned above the drum. A control mechanism is provided for altering the position of the travel element relative to the travel path. In operation, a motor rotates the drum in a first direction and an opposite direction relative to the support unit and a circuit selectively controls the rotation direction of the motor.

Abstract: A music box subassembly and a vehicle structure which incorporates the music box subassembly in such a way that the vehicle structure is useful both as a toy vehicle and also as a collectible music box. The vehicle structure offers selectable operating options. In one operating option, the music plays as the vehicle rolls, and in the other operating option, the vehicle "freewheels", without playing music which makes it attractive as a toy vehicle. Moreover, the vehicle structure is designed to incorporate a music box which is capable of producing rich, resonant sound of high quality, and to drive the music box with a precision designed to take advantage of the sound producing qualities of the music box. Also, the vehicle structure is designed to produce rich, resonant sound of high tonal quality music in a relatively compact package, which is attractive in both the toy and collectible art.

Abstract: A joint structure having first and second members each including parallel surfaces and a common pivot axis extending perpendicular to the surfaces. One of the surfaces includes an array of detents and the other surface includes an array of recesses. The detents and recesses have discrete angular positions in which they are engaged with each other and retain the joint members in discrete angular positions. The structure also includes a pivot pin having a base portion connected with the first joint member and an integral resilient portion extending into an opening with a recess having a cam surface which is formed in the second joint member. The pin has a central axis which defines the pivot axis for the joint members. The integral resilient portion of the pin includes a plurality of resilient fingers and a cam surface. The cam surfaces of the fingers and the recess of the opening cooperate to cause the fingers resiliently to bend toward the pivot axis when the first and second joint members are urged apart.

Abstract: An aminated toy figurine which may be used as a cover for a book having a head and a body including a trunk and at least a pair of protruding appendages such as a pair of arms. Extending between the head and the trunk is a pivot member. One end of the pivot member is attached to the stuffing material inside the head. The other end of the pivot member is attached to the inside of the fabric forming the trunk. Extending and attached along the inside of the arms is a length of elastic. The length and elasticity of the elastic is such that when the arms are pulled together about a vertical surface, the elastic is tensioned forcing the fabric of the trunk and the pivot member to fulcrum against the vertical surface raising the head of the figurine. Alternatively, when the arms are moved apart, the tension on the elastic is reduced allowing gravitational forces to act on the head permitting the pivot member to pivot away from the vertical surface and thus lower the head of the figurine.

Abstract: A toy vehicle with a joint structure supporting the wheels of the toy vehicle in a manner that enables the vehicle and its wheels to be placed in a variety of unique and attractive orientations. The toy vehicle has a chassis and at least three wheels connected with the chassis by means of the joint structure. The joint structure enables each wheel to be independently adjusted relative to the chassis to selectively adjust the relative orientation of the chassis and one or more of the wheels. The joint structure can be adjusted by a manually applied torque, but when the joint structure is in an adjusted position, it can maintain its adjusted position under gravitational/inertial forces applied to it by the toy vehicle. Thus, the joint can be "adjustably retained" in selected adjusted position.

Abstract: A toy doll or article comprising a main body, a variable length appendage having a root end attached to the main body and an outer free end, at least one flexible elongate element threaded through the appendage along the length thereof and having a root end attached to the main body and an outer free end, the appendage outwardly of the root end thereof being slidable along the elongate element and sufficiently flexible to ruffle and unruffle when slid inwardly and outwardly along the elongate element to vary the length of the appendage. In a toy doll, the appendage includes a plurality of hair-like strands which are bundled together as by braiding or by bands encircling the strands at selected locations spaced along the length of the bundle. The strands at the free end of the bundle are held by a holding band preferably in relatively tight engagement with the elongate element frictionally to hold the free end of the bundle against movement along the elongate element which may be a length of ribbon.

Abstract: A maze puzzle, characterized by a quality of flexibility, pliancy or suppleness, includes a maze or labyrinth consisting of a network of passages having flexible walls that are manipulable by the player to effect movement therethrough of a solving piece such as a ball. The walls of the maze puzzle preferably are of flexible, double layered fabric with the outer or cover layer serving to conceal the inner or liner layer which may be closed upon itself to form hidden obstructions at selected locations in the maze which prevent passage of the solving piece. In this manner, concealed dead-end passages are provided whereby the player must rely on his sense of feel to solve the puzzle. The cover layer preferably is of a soft and supple cloth fabric that is pleasing in appearance and feel.