Abstract: In a pinball-type game having a playing surface over which an object is propelled and an object feed and propulsion apparatus for propelling the object across the playing surface includes: a housing associated with said surface and an actuator member mounted on the housing. The actuator is capable of moving from a rest position to an actuated position and back again. When an object is located next to an object contact surface on the end of the actuator and the actuator moves from the actuated position back to the rest position the object is propelled across the playing surface.Mounted in the housing associated with the actuator is an object feed mechanism which is capable of simultaneously moving the object from a first position adjacent to the feed mechanism to a second position locating the object in an abutting relationship with the contact surface on the actuator as the actuator moves to its actuated position. To accomplish this the actuator is operatively connected to the feed mechanism.

Abstract: Structures which are considered to be primarily useful as toys can be constructed utilizing members or arms adjustably mounted on a rotating shaft within the body of such a structure. By shifting the positions of such members or arms the type of movement of such a structure on a supporting surface can be varied. If desired, adjacent of such structures may be connected through the use of flexible couplings such as suction cups.

Abstract: A game of skill has a support housing on which there are located a plurality of independent object transfer mechanisms preferably no two which are identical. The transfer mechanisms are aligned in a sequence such that a pathway includes a plurality of discontinuities along its length which divides it into a plurality of segments. Each of the transfer mechanisms includes one segment of the pathway and some of the transfer mechanisms can also include more than one segment. This creates a discontinuity in the pathway between each of the transfer mechanisms as well as between each segment when more than one segment is found on one transfer mechanism. Each of the transfer mechanisms includes a movable portion which is moved by the operator of the game via a control mechanism attached thereto. By manipulating the control mechanisms a spherical object can be caused to travel across the pathway.

Abstract: A pinball-type game includes a housing having a playing surface located within the interior of the housing and a spirally winding object guide channel depressed in this playing surface. The channel includes a launching end and a target end at its opposite ends. The channel is sized to allow one of a plurality of objects located within the housing to move within the confines of the channel. An object launcher is located at the launching end of the channel and is capable of launching an object into the channel so as to cause the object to travel within the channel along a spiral pathway until it reaches the target end of the channel. A target is located at the target end of the channel. The target being of the type wherein it is capable of capturing the object only for a finite period of time.

Abstract: A floating toy which is capable of propelling itself through a body of water has a body to which is attached a propelling member. The propelling member is pivotally mounted to the body at its center and moves backward and forward in an oscillating motion. The member includes a ridge having an essentially triangular shape in cross section which is located at the leading edge of the member. The ridge is able to cut through the water to move in a forward direction but meets with fluid resistance when moved in a rearward direction. The resistance against the ridge propels the toy through the water. The toy includes a head pivotally mounted to the body which is capable of moving in what can best be described as a nodding motion with respect to the body.