Abstract: The present invention is directed to an instructional method based on the concept that as a student learns to perform a mental task consisting of a set of elements or steps, whether conceptual or concrete, the student develops a distinct mental connection or path for every element related to the primary mental task being learned. For example, as a student learns to type a particular key on a keyboard, (the primary mental task), the student develops a distinct mental impression for every typing key logically associated with the first key. In other words, a distinct connection or path is defined as a link between two or more elements, one key being a primary element, the other being a related key connected to the primary key by a logical mental step. The present method is also useful for learning a musical instrument, a foreign language, mathematics, test taking skills, and the like logical though processes.

Abstract: A rotary sliding device which can perform agile motion, without the need to make the driving means large, and a simulator using the same, are disclosed. The rotary sliding device includes first and second sliding plates 32 which slide in parallel and separately with a predetermined interval, a pair of stepping motors 20 for separately sliding said sliding plates 32, and a moving plate 12 and a seat 32. The first sliding plate 32 is connected to the moving plate 12 so as to allow it to rotate only around the rotation axis 38, and the second sliding plate 32 is connected to the moving plate 12 so as to engage therewith in a sliding direction, and to allow the moving plate 12 to move in the crossover direction to the sliding direction and to rotate by means of a roller 64.

Abstract: A medical teaching apparatus enables medical students, physicians, and surgeons to hone their skills of examination and surgical procedures upon the human ear. This includes the tympanic membrane and also some structures of the human middle ear such as the malleus, the incus, and the stapes bones. The apparatus is in the form of a "book" like structure including two generally rectangular plates which can be joined by a hinge. When the book sections are closed one upon the other, abutting surfaces mate to sandwich a sheet of film therebetween that simulates a patient's tympanic membrane. Each of the sections has correspondingly sized and shaped openings through which a surgeon can insert an examination instrument or different types of surgical probes and instruments. One of the book sections carries an insert plug that reproduces structure of the patient's middle ear.

Abstract: A component set for assembling toy cubes made up of a first member having a square bottom and square side walls extending from the edges of the bottom member in a direction normal thereto and a second member made up of a square lid and side walls extending similarly therefrom, the second member being of similar shape as the first member but dimensioned to fit into the cavity formed by the bottom and side walls. The first and second members are provided with recesses or slots extending from free edges thereof and protrusions to be received by the recesses or slots. When the second member is inserted into the first member the slots or other openings will form openings penetrating the center of each side wall. Some of the bottoms and lids have cylindrical protrusions extending from their center and dimensioned to fit into the openings, and some of the bottom and lids may have apertures similar to those in the side walls.

Abstract: This invention relates to an adaptor for use with a a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training mannequin. The adaptor has a top layer, a conductor and an adhesive. An additional backing layer may be provided. This invention is also directed to methods of modifying a CPR mannequin through application of an adaptor having communicating conductive areas.

Abstract: A training weapon for use in firearm training simulations involving multiple participants each of whom is armed with a training weapon. The training weapon includes a trigger which is coupled with a switch that is part of an electrical circuit including a power supply and an indicator light. The trigger and switch being arranged such that when the trigger is depressed the switch closes the circuit thereby turning on the indicator light.

Abstract: A word kit includes an assemblage of objects, each object presenting a plurality of surfaces. The assemblage includes a first set of objects having a first surface of the plurality surfaces. A word selected from an interchangeable part of speech is depicted on the first surface and each additional surface of the plurality surfaces depicts another word selected from the interchangeable part of speech. A second set of objects has each of the plurality of surfaces thereof depicting a noninterchangeable series of letters.

Abstract: A toy and reciprocating lamp holder arrangement includes a toy body holding a power drive, and a lamp holder unit coupled to the power drive, the lamp holder unit including a shell, two eccentric wheels revolvably mounted inside the shell, a shaft coupled between the eccentric wheels, a gear transmission mechanism driven by the power drive to turn the eccentric wheel and the shaft, and a plurality of cylindrical lamp holders arranged around the shaft between the eccentric shells coupled to respective annular tracks on the eccentric wheels, the cylindrical lamp holders being reciprocated along radial guide grooves on the shell when the power drive is started.

Abstract: A bathtub toy has a battery, timing circuit and an audible or visible output. A motion responsive switch closes to connect the battery to the output and start the timing circuit. The timing circuit shuts off the output after an interval until the switch again closes after the interval.

Abstract: A decorative combination of component bags representing the head, torso, two arms, and two legs of a festive, seasonal, holiday, or non-holiday figure is provided. Each of the bags is comprised of a bag member formed of a flexible waterproof material and has an initially open end. The initially open end is for receiving filler material. A closing means is provided for closing the initially open ends of the component bags. The bags may have fanciful indicia for representing festive, seasonal, holiday, or non-holiday figures. Once assembled, the figure resembles a costumed male or female human, is substantially human-proportioned, and preferably has articulable appendages. The components of the figure may also be supplied in a kit.

Abstract: A book kit for a drawing game which includes a book and a pen. The book has a front cover page which has a series of holes located along one edge thereof and a back cover page which has a series of holes located along one edge thereof. Such edge corresponds to the edge of the front cover page. A number of internal pages located between the front cover page and the back cover page. The internal pages each have a series of holes located along one edge thereof. The internal pages are transparent pages alternated with non-transparent pages. One side of each of the non-transparent internal pages contains a photograph or print of clouds in the sky. There is a binder which is a metal or plastic spiral or which has pliable prongs which extend through the holes along the side of the front cover page, the back cover page and the internal pages. The binder has a lateral cross-section which is round and has a central longitudinal passageway. A pocket is located on the internal face of the back cover page.

Abstract: In a hexagonal element extraction method, a hexagonal theme region (0) for writing or inputting a subject or the theme to be given a thought is set, and hexagonal first-layer element regions (1-6) for writing or inputting elements such as subjects, action means, and the like that come into one's mind in association with the theme written in the theme region (0) are set around the theme region (0) to form a first layer. Furthermore, elements that come into one's mind in associated with those written in the first-layer element regions (1-6) are defined as new subtheme, and hexagonal subtheme regions (3-0, 5-0) for writing or inputting these subthemes are set. Hexagonal second-layer element regions (3-1, 3-2, . . . , 3-6, 5-1, 5-2, . . . , 5-6) for writing or inputting elements such as subjects, action means, and the like that come into one's mind in association with the subthemes written in the subtheme regions (3-0, 5-0) are set around the subtheme regions to form a second layer.

Abstract: A device for encouraging the brushing of teeth by a child includes a doll having a toothbrush carried by an arm of the doll adjacent the mouth of the doll; an electrical motor; a transmission coupling the electrical motor to the doll's toothbrush for reciprocating the doll's toothbrush with respect to the doll's mouth to simulate brushing teeth; and an electrical control circuit including an electrical switch to be actuated for energizing the electrical motor.

Abstract: A boxing game machine in which a pair of boxer dummies are opposed to each other, each boxer dummy having at least one extensible arm, includes: an extender which drives the extension of the arm; a rotary unit which is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and carries at least one of the boxer dummies; and an operative member which is connected with the rotary unit and provided with a switch for switching over the drive of the extender, the operative member being operable to rotate the rotary unit about the horizontal axis. By rotating the operative member about the substantially horizontal axis together with the rotary unit while gripping the operative member, the boxer dummy connected with the rotary unit rotates about the same axis.

Abstract: A hand operated tactile device including a tactile body positionable in a hand of a user. The tactile body includes at least one articulated member movable relative to the remainder of the body in a manual operation phase with the user manipulating the articulated member relative to the remainder of the body and in an automatic operation phase with the articulated member being manipulated relative to the remainder of the body and the hand of the user. A control system is carried by the body. The control system receives a first signal from the articulated member when the articulated member is manually manipulated by the user and control system generates a second signal controlling movement of the articulated member to automatically move the articulated member relative to the remainder of the body and the hand of the user.

Abstract: A remotely-controllable motorized toy vehicle having a highly-maneuverable skid steering system driven by single or dual motors, having a separately motorized lift device pivotally secured to the chassis of the vehicle operative to lift and transport transportable elements, and also having an automatic tow hitch mechanism. The lift and hitching mechanism is coupled to a motorized lift gear train which provides for the sequential actuation of the lift for lifting and transport of the transportable elements and acutation of the hitch mechanism for hitching and unhitching towed vehicles. The vehicle is constructed with a particular wheel track to wheel base ratio providing improved skid steering as well as enhanced manueverability and stability. The mechanisms and gear trains have proper ratios and dimensions providing for the proper sequence of hitch actuation during upward and downward movement of the lift device whereby the hitch is operative only upon extended upward operation of the lift.

Abstract: A balloon weight and ribbon assembly includes a spool having a length of ribbon wound thereabout, the ribbon being secured at one end to the spool and at the other end to a breakaway tab which initially comprises a part and parcel of the spool. A dimple in the tab accommodates receipt of a double knot at one end of the ribbon, while a slot in the spool accommodates receipt of a double knot of the ribbon at the opposite end. A piece of double backed adhesive tape is provided on the breakaway tab to allow for securement of the tab to the neck or tail of an inflated balloon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toy construction system comprising building elements of a first type having a pair of opposed walls that define a space between said opposed walls, wherein the space has, at the free edges of the opposed walls, an open end and two opposed open sides, and wherein those sides of the walls that face towards the space are provided with protrusions, and building elements of a second type having a coupling head that may, by snap-fit with the protrusions, be received and releasably secured in the space between the walls on a building element of the first type. The toy construction system is characterised in that the protrusions are situated at the free edges of the walls.

Abstract: A multiple-card, color-coded medical action system is provided to assist patients suffering from a chronic disease (e.g., asthma, sinusitis, or diabetes) which may exhibit symptoms of differing degrees of severity at different times. The system includes a plurality of interconnected cards imprinted with information about the chronic disease and treatments therefor; the cards include a number of symptom description/medical advice cards of different colors respectively, with the latter cards having imprinted thereon different symptom descriptions characteristic of different degrees of symptom severity, and corresponding medical information about the described symptoms.

Abstract: A toy clapper device having a main body including an elongate and planar shaped handle with first and second faces, a lower gripping end, an intermediate engaging portion, an upper portion and a central substantially circular shaped member also exhibiting first and second faces and extending integrally from the upper portion of the handle. First and second circular shaped paddles are dimensioned substantially identically to the central circular shaped portion, each of the paddles further including elongate planar shaped portions and seating portions extending from the planar shaped portions.