Abstract: A target game can be constructed utilizing a support member and a transparent housing or cover mounted on the support member so as to enclose an elongated, enlarged area. A target is movably mounted on a guide rail within this area so as to be capable of being moved between the ends of a path. A spring is located on the support member for moving the target from adjacent to one end of the path to adjacent to the other end. An escapement structure consisting of parts mounted on the support and on the target controls such movement so that the target member only moves incrementally each time it is engaged by a projectile. A shooting structure is pivotally mounted on the support so as to be accessible from the exterior of the housing. This shooting structure includes a hollow tube within which there is carried a plunger capable of being manipulated so as to shoot projectiles.

Abstract: A mechanical toy which has a seemingly random movement of both its extendable parts and its motion is described. The toy has a base to which is attached several extendable members which can be pushed into the toy by the child to a retractable position. The extendable members are held in the retractable position by a series of independently acting holding members. The toy includes a button which is positioned so that a child may easily push it. On depression of the button one, several or all of the extendable members may be released from the retracted position allowing them to extend out of the toy into an extended position. Concurrently the propulsion mechanism of the toy may or may not also be activated causing the toy to move along the surface on which it is set. The propulsion mechanism is energized by the child mechanically depressing one of the extensions into its retracted position.

Abstract: An amusement device having a playing surface provided with a tortuous path along which an object provided with a magnet moves, intersecting members positioned below the playing surfaces and mounted to move in directions perpendicular to each other, a magnet provided at the intersection of the members to attract the magnet of the object, and control mechanisms for moving each of the members.

Abstract: An electrical mechanical toy has a housing including a base. A small electrical drive motor is mounted on the base and a drive diverter-transmission operatively connects to the drive motor. Also attached to the base is an endless belt mounting member having at least one endless belt mounted thereon such that the endless belt is capable of continuously traveling or orbiting about the mounting member. The drive diverter-transmission is connected to the endless belt such that the endless belt is driven by the drive motor about the mounting member. The endless belt includes at least one obstacle on its surface.

Abstract: A toy vehicle having a base section and a turret section is movably supported on a plurality of wheels. Located in the interior of the vehicle is a motor which is suitably connected to at least one of the wheels of the vehicle. Included in the connecting mechanism between the motor and the wheels is a reversing mechanism for reversing the direction of rotation of the driving of the wheels and thus the direction of the travel of the vehicle. The reversing mechanism also incorporates a trip switch having a position corresponding to movement of the vehicle in one direction and a second position corresponding to movement of the vehicle in the other direction. The trip mechanism is tripped by an outside stimulus, e.g. a metal ball. Operatively connected to the trip mechanism is an exposure mechanism which alternately extends and then retracts a portion of the trip mechanism in and out of the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a metallic joint for joining adjacent sections of the trackway of model railroad sets, and wherein the bottom of the joint is provided with a cut-out section which is folded downwardly to form an engaging pawl which snaps in place within a cavity formed within the upper surface of the support for the rails.

Abstract: A ball bumper structure primarily intended for use in pinball type games can be constructed so as to utilize first and second members mounted so as to be capable of being pivoted relative to a platform. The first member includes a bumper surface exposed at the front of the platform and the second member includes another bumper surface located opposite the first bumper surface. When an object such as a ball contacts the first bumper surface the weight of the object and/or the force of such contact is employed to move the first movable member so as to discharge a latch structure. When the latch structure is disengaged an actuation structure including an impulse drive rapidly moves the second bumper surface toward the first. These surfaces are preferably tapered so that when a ball is caught between the two bumper surfaces as the second is being moved toward the first the ball will be forced outwardly away from the bumper structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for projecting a light beam is disclosed which is constructed so as to simulate a gun. Within the apparatus a light bulb is mounted upon a base having a spherical surface. This base is resiliently engaged by a bearing having a correspondingly shaped interior in such a manner that the position of the bulb may be adjusted slightly so that the filament of the bulb is correctly positioned relative to a lens used in projecting a light beam. In the apparatus the bulb and the lens are separated by a shutter mechanism. The apparatus includes a trigger which, when actuated, first closes a switch to supply electric power to the light bulb and then causes the release of a shutter actuator serving to move the shutter so that it opens and closes within a comparatively short time interval.

Abstract: An amusement device consisting of a toy wheeled vehicle and a trackway on which the vehicle moves. In the preferred embodiment, the wheeled vehicle has at least rotatably driven rear wheels, rotatably driven gears and at least one rod extending from the vehicle. The trackway includes six different track sections which, when cooperating with the vehicle, impart different types of movements to the vehicle as the vehicle moves along the trackway. In one track section, for example, the front end of the vehicle is elevated into an upwardly extending position. The vehicle is movably driven on the track section by the rear wheels in the upwardly extended front end position until it reaches a portion of the track section which returns the front end of the vehicle to a normal position. In another track section, there is provided a double-inclined tower which imparts a rocking movement to the vehicle as the vehicle moves upwardly on one side of the tower.

Abstract: A coupler for toy and model railway cars includes a coupler knuckle adapted to engage a complimentary knuckle on an adjacent car. The knuckle is pivotally mounted and is adapted to pivot between a lower position substantially parallel to a trackway and an upper position. A first permanent magnet is mounted on the knuckle and a second magnet is mounted on the car structure with an unlike pole facing the adjacent pole of the first magnet. The resultant magnetic attraction between the unlike poles resiliently urges the knuckle to the lower position. Cars may be uncoupled by providing an uncoupling magnet on the trackway to attract one pole and repel the other pole of the first magnet to create an attraction/repulsion force couple to torque the knuckle to the upper position and thereby uncouple adjacent cars.

Abstract: A toy balancing scale used to teach children the proper relationship between the number of objects and/or the value of numbers, has a base having an upstanding support and pivoted on the support is a horizontal balance bar. At each end of the balance bar is a small peg on which objects can be attached.On the backside of the balance bar is a housing having essentially a "spade-like" shape. The distance within the housing from the top of the spade to the bottom of the stem of the spade is longer than the distance from the top of the spade to the side projections. Mounted on the support is a sliding member having a peg which projects normal to the surface of the sliding member. The member slides vertically in the support and the peg fits in the spade-like housing. When the peg is at the top of the housing the balance bar is held in a locked position about the peg. A clanger and bell mechanism is activated by the sliding member when the member is free to travel this greater distance. If, however, i.e.

Abstract: A game employing a gun capable of emitting a light beam can be played using a target apparatus which ejects objects each time this apparatus is approximately actuated by a light beam. The target apparatus includes a turntable which is capable of being rotated by a motor. The turntable includes a plurality of holders, each of which is adapted to hold an object to be ejected from the apparatus. An ejection lever is mounted on the base of the apparatus so as to be capable of ejecting an object from a holder positioned directly above it. After such an object is ejected the motor rotates the turntable. Structures are provided for returning the ejection lever to a position in which it can eject an object from an adjacent holder and for indexing the turntable so that an adjacent holder is above the lever as a result of such rotation of the turntable. A circuit including a photocell is provided on the apparatus for operation of the ejection lever so as to eject an object from a holder positioned above this lever.

Abstract: A mechanical hand amusement device consisting of a movable grip member joined by a rod, which extends through a tubular arm, to a hand member having a fixed thumb and four finger members which bend inward when the grip member is squeezed. Each finger member includes three hollow segments which are joined by flexible hinges at the tops, and have a flexible strap which is anchored within the fingertip segment running along the bottoms. The strap extending through each of the finger members is coupled to the rod so that a portion of the strap is retracted into the hand member when the grip member is squeezed. The resulting forces move the finger members inward in a grasping motion. A spring within the hand member returns the elements to their at-rest positions when the grip member is released.