Abstract: A very compact interactive toy is provided that provides highly life-like and intelligent seeming interaction with the user thereof. The toy can take the form of a small animal-like creature having a variety of moving body parts that have very precisely controlled and coordinated movements thereof so as to provide the toy with life-like mannerisms. The toy utilizes sensors for detecting sensory inputs which dictate the movements of the body parts in response to the sensed inputs. The sensors also allow several of the toys to interact with each other. The body parts are driven for movement by a single motor which is relatively small in terms of its power requirements given the large number of different movements that it powers. In addition, the motor is reversible so that the body parts can be moved in a non-cyclic life-like manner.

Abstract: An impact absorbing wing connection system for model airplanes and other flying toys of the type having a fuselage (10) and separate wings (14) that are to be inserted into wing slots (12) in the fuselage for flight. The friction between the touching surfaces of the wings and the wing slots is reduced by a low friction coating (18) over the wing roots (16) or by other friction reducing means so that a tight fit is preserved. The wings are oriented into their proper flying positions by their exact fit with the fuselage, and they are kept in these positions during normal flight by a set of non-elastic break-away links (26) which are attached to the wings and to the fuselage through a corresponding set of wing connecting members (20) and fuselage connecting members (24), respectively. In case of a crash, the inertia forces of the wings are conveyed to the break-away links by the connecting members.