Abstract: A yo-yo having unique tether engagement areas adjacent the axle. The engagement areas include an array of grooves and/or rubber pads located in the tether-facing surface of each of the yo-yo's side pieces. The grooves and/or pads extend from a point proximate the axle to a point significantly spaced from the axle. In the preferred embodiment, the grooves and/or pads are employed in conjunction with an axle having a ball bearing-supported rotatable outer race to which an end loop of the tether is secured.

Abstract: A wrestling doll which functions as an exerciser for a boy playing with the doll and as a surrogate for a wrestling opponent. The doll is composed of a head joined by its neck to a torso from whose shoulder region extend a pair of articulated arm appendages and from whose groin region extends a pair of articulated leg appendages. The wrestling doll is stuffed with compressible material so that it may be comfortably grappled with by the boy player. The head of the doll is spring-biased to resist displacement as are each of the arm and leg appendages. Hence when a boy player free-style wrestles with the doll by manipulating the head as well as the leg and arm appendages, the player exerts various sets of muscles to do so, thereby promoting his general state of fitness.

Abstract: The present invention is for a modeling kit in which triangularly shaped panels fit together to form the faces of either tetrahedral or octahedral modules. Centrally located in the triangularly shaped panels are face-to-face interlocking mechanisms which allow different modules to be releasably attached to each other at matching faces. Multiple interlocking modules may then be used to model complex constructs such as lattices, matrices or crystalline structures.

Abstract: A wooden box call is modified such that its actuator top can flip over in order to allow presenting either of the opposite broad faces of the actuator top for rubbing against a sidewall edge of the box. The actuator top is preferably a composite or a bi-material in the sense that it is made of two different materials laminated together. That way the opposite broad faces are distinct from one another at least in the respect that they are different materials. Alternate use of one or the other broad faces of the actuator top for rubbing against a sidewall edge of the box provides at least two different varieties in the characteristic pitch obtained by the material of either. Additionally, a stylus-type scrape call is modified to allow adjustable pitch by the combination of a stylus and an associated damper-handle which has a hole through it in which the stylus is inserted and secured.

Abstract: A device for propelling confetti or theatrical snow comprising two compartments. One compartment houses a vacuum device having an intake in communication with the other compartment and an exhaust in communication with the exterior of the device. The second compartment holds the confetti or theatrical snow. Only material which is able to be airborne is able to enter the vacuum device and be expelled through the vacuum device. Confetti can be reintroduced into the second compartment without fear of foreign objects mixed with the confetti becoming dangerous projectiles.

Abstract: A constructional toy component (13) which has on at least one edge (11), two portions (15, 16) each of which has associated therewith one of two complementary members (19, 18) the arrangement being such that when two similar edges are brought into abutment but in the opposite sense, the complementary members (19, 18) can interengage if one of the components is initially flexed to effectively vary the spacing between the complementary members thereon. In one form of the invention, the edges are formed of rod like members and thus the component is basically defined by a peripheral frame.

Abstract: A member (e.g. toy vehicle) is powered at first times and depowered at second times. The member includes a plurality of switches having first and second terminals defining open and closed states, the switches being normally open and actuatable to the closed state in a pattern defining the member's address. A vehicle battery provides an energizing voltage to the first terminals of the address switches. A vehicle microprocessor is operative in the vehicle depowered state with at least one of the address switches closed to open an additional switch, thereby preventing the battery voltage from being applied to the address switches in the vehicle. The microprocessor is operative, with the vehicle powered and with at least one of the address switches closed, to close the additional switch thereby providing for the introduction of the battery voltage to the addressing circuit for the vehicle and for the vehicle operation. Each address switch may form a circuit branch with an impedance (e.g.

Abstract: A vehicle may have a chassis, wheels rotatably mounted on the chassis and motors disposed on the vehicle for selectively rotating the wheels to (a) accelerate the vehicle forwardly and rearwardly, (b) spin-turn the vehicle (turn the vehicle on a substantially stationary position), (c) turn the vehicle to the right or left during the vehicle movement forwardly or rearwardly, and (d) move the vehicle forwardly or rearwardly at a substantially constant speed. Energy is introduced from a battery in the vehicle to an energy storage member (e.g. capacitor) in the vehicle and from the capacitor to a microprocessor in the vehicle. The microprocessor controls the operation of the vehicle motor(s) in performing individual ones of the movements specified in (a) to (d) above.

Abstract: A method of operating a toy parrot of a known type, as illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,676, having a voice-recording and a recorded voice-playback mechanism in the operation of which the playback of the previously recorded voice, namely that of the user, is initiated from a covert location, such as a pocket of the user, so that a listener is taken by surprise by the playback which significantly contributes to the play value of the toy parrot.

Abstract: A shaped toy includes a kinetically resilient central core and an outer layer of varying thickness covering the central core. The outer layer may be a material which also exhibits kinetic resiliency, to a degree more or less than that of the core, or, alternatively, be substantially non-resilient, such as fabric or pile. In a preferred embodiment, the toy includes a substantially spherically shaped core, covered by an outer layer of fabric, the type used for fabrication of conventional plush stuffed toys, increasing its appeal, by virtue of appearance and feel, to user and animal alike. The fabric, when stitched together using conventional stuffed animal sewing techniques, encloses the resilient central core, and presents regions of varying thickness over an expanse thereof, such that when thrown against a surface, unpredictable direction and bounce response will result by virtue irregular surface curvature and damping due to increasing and decreasing fabric thickness.

Abstract: A protective sleeve for a yoyo toy is made of resiliently stretchable material. The sleeve is coaxially engaged over the yoyo when not in use. The sleeve, not only protects the yoyo against chips, scratches and other damages, but also keeps its string from unraveling or tangling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to assemblable symmetrical bodies consisting of a regular central body (1-5, 6-8, 26) and a multitude of partly congruent covering pieces (9, 23). Fasteners (18, 19) are firmly fixed to the central body (1-5, 6-8, 26), or to the basic surface (10) of each of the covering pieces (9, 23) respectively, providing a relatively firm connection between the regular central body (1-5, 6-8, 26) and the covering pieces (9, 23) which can be broken and re-established as often as desired using relatively little force. The covering pieces (9, 23) may be shaped like jigsaw puzzle pieces (27, 28) containing projections (34) and matching cut-outs (31).

Abstract: A head cover or similar protective article for a sporting implement, particularly a golf club, is disclosed having a sound-generating device for producing sounds which are thematically linked to the decorative or artistic aspects of the cover. The sound generating device may emit music or other sounds (such as simulated voices) when activated by a switch. The sound generating device may be powered by a battery or photoelectric cell. The switch may assume a variety of configurations, and be positioned in a variety of locations on or remote from the head cover. The head cover may include an ornamental or configured portion which resembles or caricaturizes one or more renowned personalities, creatures, or entities. The particular emitted tune or other voice sound may be coordinated in theme to the personality, creature, or entity configured on a portion the head cover.

Abstract: An amusement center for rear facing child seats consisting of a soft flexible display structure, a way of supporting the soft, flexible display structure, at least one entertainment item, and a way for attaching the entertainment item to the display structure. The amusement center provides intellectual and visual stimulation for infants ages birth to nine months. The display structure consists of a plurality of panels, each panel having a toy or similar entertainment item attached thereto. The display structure is made from cloth, vinyl, padded foam, or other flexible material to prevent trauma to the infant in case of an accident. The display structure is supported by clips or straps which hang over the back of a vehicle seat. The display structure may be supported by VELCRO.RTM. attachments to the vehicle seat. The attachable items may consist of photos or pictures, soft dolls or animals, or music boxes. The attachable items are attached to the display structure by way of snaps, magnets, VELCRO.RTM.

Abstract: A squeezable plaything which resembles an animal-like or humanoid figure having appendages projecting therefrom. The plaything includes a hollow core molded of resilient plastic material shaped to resemble the figure and provided with an orifice which renders the core collapsible. Enveloping the core and generally conforming to the figure and its appendages is an outer shell formed of flexible transparent plastic film material. Injected into the core through the orifice is a charge of oil which when the plaything is squeezed and deformed, oil and air are then discharged through the orifice into confined spaces between the shell and the core. And when the plaything is released to recover its shape, the oil and air are then sucked back through the orifice into the core. These actions generate squishing sounds, as if the figure were walking on soft mud.

Abstract: A child's toy having a wireless transmission unit mounted in a first object, such as a doll, and a receiver unit mounted in a second object, such as another doll. The transmission unit includes a first integrated circuit (IC) for producing at least one of an audible sound and movement of a portion of the first object and an infrared transmission circuit for transmitting an infrared signal at the completion of the action. A receiving unit mounted in the second object includes a receiving circuit for receiving the infrared signal. The receiving unit also includes a second IC for producing at least one of an audible sound and movement of a portion of the second object in response to the infrared signal, thus simulating an interaction, such as a conversation, between the first object and the second object.

Abstract: A toy building set comprising a number of transmission elements in the form of a plurality of shafts and a plurality of toothed wheels, and a number of supporting elements for embedding of said transmission elements; and wherein the shafts have shaft extremities that are provided with splines in the form of a number of grooves spaced equally apart for mounting of one or more toothed wheels; and said toothed wheels having a central opening for receiving the spline of the shaft; and wherein the central opening on the toothed wheels is configured with one or more protruding flanges that engage with one or more of the grooves on the spline of the shaft with a view to ensuring that a toothed wheel mounted on a shaft is unable to rotate relative to the shaft; and wherein the toothed wheels are provided with a number of teeth that corresponds to or is equal to an entire multiple of the number of grooves on the spline of the shaft which makes it very easy to correctly mount the toothed wheels on the associated shafts

Abstract: A religious doll adapted to recite biblical scriptures and biblical sayings, such as the Ten Commandments. The doll has an internal audio system including a voice chip, portable electrical power source, a speaker, and a pressure sensitive switch operable by externally applied compressive pressure against a pressure plate overlying the switch.

Abstract: Improved toy glider having folding wings and incorporating improved release mechanisms which increase the initial height achievable by the glider by preventing early transition of the folding wings from a launch configuration to a glide configuration.The improved glider may advantageously include a long ribbon-like tail wrapped around the glider to prevent biased wings from transitioning from a launch to a glide configuration. When the glider changes attitude in a manner indicating a change from an upward to a downward flight path, a weight is released from a support and the released weight unwraps the tail. Once the tail is unwrapped, the wings transition from a launch configuration to a glide configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is a guidance apparatus for movable toy vehicles that includes a track, or roadway, on which the toy vehicles move. The track has an intersection. The intersection has a guidance mechanism for steering the toy vehicles in alternate directions through the intersection. A sensing mechanism, i.e., infrared emitters at the intersection and phototransistors in the vehicles, stops the vehicles prior to entering the intersection. The vehicles stopped at the intersection are then actuated after the mechanism for guiding the toy vehicles through the intersection has been actuated. Additionally, the vehicles stopped at the intersection can be actuated by a timing mechanism after passage of a predetermined time period. Furthermore, the vehicles stopped at the intersection can be actuated only after a mechanism for sensing vehicle presence in the intersection senses no vehicles in the intersection.