Abstract: A toy figure includes a lower torso, an upper torso rotatably attached to the lower torso, and a head and two arms each rotatably attached to the upper torso. A spring connected with the lower torso and the upper torso rotates the upper torso from a second to a first position with respect to the lower torso. A friction clutch retards rotation of the upper torso about the lower torso. A drive gear is connected with the lower torso. Two driven gears are engaged with the drive gear and mounted to a separate arm shaft of the arms. The driven gears roll around the drive gear and rotate the arms in opposite directions when the upper torso rotates about the lower torso. Upper and lower arm sections can be fixed together or hinged. Where hinged, a linkage between the lower arm and upper torso rotates each lower arm section about an upper arm section as the arm rotates about the upper torso.

Abstract: A heated stuffed toy for providing warmth to a user. The heated stuffed toy includes a body member having a stuffed interior and an outer layer configured to resemble a predetermined figure. A heating element for providing heat when energized is provided in the interior of the body. The heating element is positioned adjacent the outer layer of the body member in a serpentine arrangement extending over the entire body member including the extremities of the body member.

Abstract: A balloon for interlocking with another balloon that includes a body of an elastically expansible material formed into a substantially closed shape so as to define an expansible chamber therein, inflation apparatus for allowing a pressurized gas to enter and inflate the body, and interlocking apparatus for allowing one balloon to interlock with another balloon. The inflation apparatus includes a pair of tubes of an elastically expansible material and which extend axially and collinearly from, and are integrally formed with, opposing ends of the body and terminate in open ends with circumferential lips, and are in fluid communication with the expansible chamber for allowing the pressurized gas to enter and inflate the expansible chamber. The interlocking apparatus includes the inflation apparatus being tied by a string after the body is inflated, and with the string tying the inflation apparatus of one balloon also tying the inflation apparatus of an adjacent balloon so as to from a chain of balloons.

Abstract: A reading or language interactive system which utilizes a mechanism to permit a computer-based instruction program in reading or language instruction to implement a shared reading program, wherein portions of the text are read by the student and portions by the computer itself. The proportion of the text "read" by each participant and the pace at which the lesson progresses can each be automatically altered based upon the proficiency of the student. In addition, the system utilizes a computer instructor to share the task of reading or language learning by modeling the task for the learner, variably controlling the amount of material that the student reads aloud based upon a computer assessment of the student's ability, helping the learner navigate through the instructional application, and participating in a joint performance that demonstrates the student's reading.

Abstract: A method of teaching a person how to detect, while taking an actual or practice multiple-choice examination, answers that are more likely, in comparison with other answers, to be incorrect, is disclosed. This method aids an examinee in choosing those answers that are most suspicious of being in error and which should therefore be rechecked before any other answers. This method gives the examinee an opportunity to correct the suspect answers and to improve his or her score to the maximum extent possible according to the level of his or her knowledge within the constraints of existing time limitations. Moreover, in the case of a practice test, this method assures that test preparation will be more focused on those areas of the tested subject where the person is weakest.

Abstract: A bubble making device which is powered solely by the wind or forced air, the device having a fan which is rotated by the wind which in turns operates a pumping assembly to deliver bubble forming fluid to a plural number of rotating wands, the wands also being rotated by the rotation of the fan. The bubble forming fluid is applied directly to the wands by a brush or wiper applicator, and any excess fluid is recaptured and returned into the main receptacle. The device is light-weight and virtually spill-proof.

Abstract: A toy vehicle set accessory is claimed. The toy vehicle set accessory comprises a dumper station for removing a toy log from a toy vehicle. A saw mill is positioned substantially adjacent the dumper station. The saw mill receives a toy log from the dumper station and separates the toy log into two distinct pieces.

Abstract: A bendable and posable toothbrush toy has a toothbrush portion detectably secured to a handle portion in the form of an animate character. At least part of the character handle is posable, preferably the arms thereof, by providing a wire insert within the resilient material from which the character handle is molded. The toothbrush can therefore be changed to a variety of different poses, and different character handles can be interchanged. The toothbrush proper secures to the interchangeable handle by a twist-and-lock mechanism which allows young users to simply and detectably fasten the toothbrush portion to the handle portion at a precise relative angular orientation.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a method of doing business, wherein a first entity, referred to as the Secondary Guarantor, engages in the business of providing and evaluating financial guarantees by way of a joint venture or other arrangement with a second entity, hereafter referred to as the Primary Guarantor, authorized by the appropriate authorities to engage in the writing of financial guarantees. These entities combine to form the "guarantor" or the "company". The guarantee is preferably sold by the secondary guarantor entity to an owner of a product or commodity, and guarantees that the owner will obtain a remuneration subsidy or "settlement" for the product or commodity at the time of sale, should the sale price be below the cost to produce the product or commodity.

Abstract: A virtual reality system provides effective exposure treatment for psychiatric patients suffering from a particular anxiety disorder. The system is characterized by a video screen disposed in front of the patient to display an image of a specific graphical environment that is intended to trigger anxiety within the patient as a result of the particular patient phobia. A headset is worn by the patient, and has sensors disposed to detect movement and positioning of the patient's head. A computer program controls the operation of the system, and is designed to control the display of the graphical environment on the video screen, monitor the headset sensors and determine the position of the patient's head, and controllably manipulate the graphical environment displayed on the video screen to reflect the movement and position of the patient's head.

Abstract: The gun mounted turkey call device of the present invention is a slate style turkey call device integrated into a hunting gun, preferably integrated into the stock of a gun, and further includes a striker with an end striking portion to strike the plate to replicate a wild turkey call. In use, a hunter holds a gun incorporating the gun mounted turkey call device of the present invention in a near ready firing position while he or she uses the striker to strike the gun mounted turkey call device.

Abstract: A device incorporating a transparent nipple mold (1) with a sealing flange (2) attached to a valve and syringe port (3). With the device held on the breast, over the nipple areolar complex, air can be withdrawn and the inverted nipple sucked up into the mold (1). Periodic use stretches up the short lactiferous ducts.

Abstract: A housing supports a keypad having a four by three matrix of depressible buttons each baring an appropriate number or symbol in correspondence to the four by three arrangement of a conventional telephone dial pad. The housing further supports a pageable book having a plurality of pivotally secured pages each baring a selected image and corresponding number. A simulated telephone hand unit is secured to the housing by a safety cord and is receivable within a cradle formed in the housing. Each depressible button includes a lighting device and a push button switch in association therewith. The depressible button operates the switch when the button is pressed and the button is illuminated when the light is energized. An electronic circuit within the housing operates the plurality of switches and lights associated with the plurality of buttons in accordance with a stored instruction set.

Abstract: Assessment tool (12) for gathering meaningful information concerning an object. The assessment tool (12) includes a plurality of statements (40) directed toward observable characteristics of the object. A frequency estimation scale (42) corresponds to each statement (40). At least one statement (40) is reverse keyed from the remaining statements (40).

Abstract: A training commode for young girls or young boys is adaptable to be used also as a training urinal for young boys. The training commode can be used much the same way as a conventional training potty but, in addition and unlike conventional training potties, is readily converted to a training urinal to train young boys to urinate standing up. The height of the training urinal can be selectively adjusted to accommodate various sized young boys. The training commode is comprised of an outer structural shell having a base. Projecting upwardly from the center of the base is a telescopic stem. A bowl, which is mounted atop the stem, has a peripheral rim and a port for a collection reservoir which is in fluid communication with the bowl. Finally, a removable seat is selectively coupled to the rim of the bowl.

Abstract: The experience of parachute flight is simulated including parachute release and malfunctions. The parachutist trainee is suspended in a harness and a control line provided for the parachutist to operate. The parachutist's actions are sensed by an action sensor actuated by the control line. Force and position sensors sense position and force factors effected by the parachutist. The parachutist's head motion can be tracked by a head mounted sensor. The outputs of the sensors are converted to digital signals which are fed to a computer. The computer is programmed with a mathematical and logical model of parachute dynamics and environmental factors. The computational results are displayed to the parachutist on a monitor or on a head mounted display, the scene viewed containing a variety of three dimensional representations of objects on the ground such as buildings vegetation roads, etc.

Abstract: Described herein is a collaborative drawing device having a support surface configured to support a drawing medium for drawing thereupon by a human user. The drawing device includes a printer that prints prepared graphics on the drawing medium and a scanner that scans documents that have been printed, drawn by hand, and annotated by hand.

Abstract: A toy vehicle launcher includes a launching station together with an aligned spring-driven striker shuttle for launching toy vehicles from the launcher. The launcher further includes a vehicle magazine having an inclined ramp for storing vehicles and sequentially feeding the lowest vehicle to the launcher station as a preceding vehicle is launched. A trackway is coupled to the launcher and includes an intersection having a straight-through path and an angled return path. The trackway includes a curve to guide toy vehicles from the straight-through path to the angled path. Simultaneous entry of toy vehicles on the straight-through path and the angled path result in a dramatic collision.

Abstract: The element to be protected hereby is an element consisting of a pull string (2), chain, wire or the like having at each end a coupling device (3) which may be coupled onto a coupling stud (6). The element is characterised in that the string (2), the chain, etc., is mounted so high on the coupling device (3) that a momentum influences the coupling device (3) that twists the coupling device (3) off the coupling stud (6) despite the frictional force therebetween when the element is pulled.

Abstract: An amusement device for a helical coil spring toy that generates a response such as sound or light whenever the wave of the helical coil spring changes direction. The amusement device includes two end caps affixed to the two free ends of the coil spring. One of the two end caps is an active end cap which houses the mechanism for generating the response. When the helical coil spring is compressed at the active end cap end a trigger switch activates an integrated circuit thereby producing the desired response. When the wave of compressed coils travels to the passive end cap a second response is produced by a time delay circuit so that user selective alternating responses are produced each time the wave of coils travels from one end cap to the other.