Abstract: A device and method for teaching children the names of household objects in which a device that includes a recording of the name of the object and a switch to activate play of the recording is attached to an object corresponding to the recorded name in a location where the device is reachable by the child, so that the name of the object will be stated when the child closes the switch, thereby aiding the child in associating the stated name with the object to which the device is attached. The device may include an electronic circuit with a recordable IC in circuit with a speaker, a power source and a switch; and a housing enclosing the circuit. The housing can have a front surface with means to close the switch, and a back surface having an attachment means for securing the housing to the object.

Abstract: This application is directed to a linkage system which provides continuous rotation to two or more interconnected quadrilaterals. The basic element of the linkage system is a multi-level link which provides firstly, a non-rotatable connection between two sub-links lying, in separate parallel planes and secondly, a rotatable connection for a further link lying in another parallel plane between the planes of the sub-links. By various interconnections between link elements, the quadrilaterals the linkage system will form various geometric patterns as the linkage is rotated. As the quadrilaterals lie in different planes, they may be continuously rotated with respect to each other. The linkage system may be used as a toy, a novelty item and as an educational tool.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stringing traditional pockets for a lacrosse stick is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of guides that hold thongs typically used in a traditional pocket of a lacrosse stick at any depth desired by a user and guides the user in the nylon placement during stringing. The guides can also be customized to produce a variety of different shaped pockets. The apparatus and method greatly decrease the skill required to install a high quality traditional pocket in a lacrosse stick. The apparatus and method also increase the consistency in the shape of the pocket. For example, the apparatus and method enable the user to replicate the same pocket for numerous lacrosse sticks because the depth of the thongs and the nylon placement are controlled. In other words, the apparatus and method remove the most influential variables associated with the installation of a traditional lacrosse pocket.

Abstract: An amusement toy including a head having at least a partial facial image, and an elastically deformable mouth associated with the head. The mouth has an undeformed dimension in the absence of a deforming force and is capable of deforming such that a deformed dimension of the mouth is at least 20% greater than the undeformed dimension of the mouth. The deformation of the mouth of the toy alters the facial image presented by the head, making a “scary face.” The removal of the force causes the mouth to return to substantially its undeformed dimension. A body of the amusement toy is preferably attached to the head such that the center of gravity of the toy is below the elastically deformable mouth.

Abstract: A mechanized bubble making toy with enhanced spill resistance having a hand held housing and manually operated bubble making wand movable relative to an annularly shaped reservoir of bubble forming solution is provided. The wand and an associated ring are movable between operational and loading positions. The wand ring moves through a thin slot provided within the inner circumference of the annular reservoir to thereby limit the ability of the bubble forming solution to escape. If solution escapes, a drip gutter is provided around the inner circumference of the reservoir to direct the excess solution back to the reservoir, and if excess solution drips form the wand ring, a drip string is provided to directly communicate the solution from the wand ring to the reservoir. The reservoir includes a bay shaped to ensure both that a film of solution is formed, and that substantially all solution is used.

Abstract: A device for holding and controlling a string-retained article, such as a yo-yo, wherein the device comprises an annular ring of rigid material with a smooth annular channel formed in an outer surface of the ring. The annular channel is defined by an annular base ring and first and second annular ridges. A loop of a string can be retained in the channel so that the ring will be interposed between a body part of a user and the loop of the string to prevent constriction of the loop about the body part of the user. The ring can be used in practicing a method for holding and controlling a string-retained article comprising the steps of providing a string, the ring, and a string-retained article such as a yo-yo; coupling a first end of the string to the string-retained article, forming a second end of the string into a loop; disposing the loop of the string in the channel of the ring; and inserting a body part of a user through the aperture in the ring.

Abstract: A method for encouraging purchasers of pets or other types of animals to register the animals with a genealogical or breed registry involves providing a purchaser of an animal, at the time of purchase, an application form for registration of the animal with the registry wherein the application form has printed thereon sire and dam information for at least two and preferably three or four immediately previous generations of the animal to permit the purchaser to make informed purchasing decisions concerning the genetic history of the animal at the time of purchase. The purchaser of an individual animal is instructed by instructions on the registration application to complete the application by providing a name for the animal and to return the application to the registry.

Abstract: A swimming aquatic creature simulator having a body which propagates waves of undulation of and along that body to thereby propel the simulator through a fluid in a lifelike manner. The body is formed of an elastomeric material and may be shaped like a fish. Applying oscillating rotational motion to the body at a location forward of the center of mass of the body produces undulating movements of the body which propel the simulator. The oscillating motion input may be provided by twisting a rigid shaft or flexible cable, which is connected to the body at a point forward of the center of mass. An internal motor can also be used to provide the oscillating motion input.

Abstract: A device for marking a position on a prayer strand used to count prayers. The device includes a marker which is visually and tactually distinguishable from the nodes on the prayer strand and a clip for engaging the marker to the prayer strand. One embodiment of the device may include a tether attached to the marker to allow a user to readily find the marker and clip. Yet another embodiment of the device may further include a clasp attached to the tether so that the tether may be engaged to the prayer strand.

Abstract: An educational toy telephone is provided and includes a telephone base and a removable handset. A numerical keypad is provided by which an input telephone number may be entered into said telephone. The telephone further includes a microprocessor and memory associated therewith for controlling the various functions of the toy telephone and storing a user-defined programmed telephone number. A message controller is provided, responsive to an output signal from the microprocessor. The message controller stores at least one pre-recorded message consisting of at least one of individual tones, patterns of tones, and a voice message. The microprocessor compares telephone numbers entered into the keypad against the pre-defined telephone numbers. The message controller, responsive to the microprocessor, audibly reproduces the at least one pre-recorded message when the comparison performed by the microprocessor determines that the input telephone number matches the pre-defined telephone number.

Abstract: A building model on a miniature scale is used for simulating the smoke propagation in case of fires in buildings. For cost-effective and graphic training, the building model has several chambers which are connected by means of closable doors with a central chamber. The central chamber has an access opening from the ventilator for generating pressure differences and/or air currents in the building model are provided. A transparent plate permits viewing the interior of the building model and the smoke propagation taking place in the course of the simulation.

Abstract: A bridge for use in a toy racing car track system including a loop of track sections connected together, end-to-end to form at least one lane for an electric toy car, the track sections including a groove for guiding the movement of the toy car and a pair of conductive rails on opposite sides of the groove for supplying electrical power to the toy car. The bridge includes a flexible body having a series of interconnected links and a pair of supports at opposite ends of and supporting the body and connecting the body to other track sections. The body and supports have a guiding groove and pair of conductive rails.

Abstract: A learning toy based upon the concept of design or pattern formation is disclosed. The toy is comprised of a tray having a transparent bottom and a plurality of blocks which are arrangeable in the tray to form a design or pattern. Each block is painted with a primary color on four of its surfaces while the fifth surface of the block is painted with two of the primary colors with the boundary therebetween being on a diagonal across the surface of the block and the sixth surface of the block is painted with the other two primary colors with the boundary therebetween being on a diagonal across the surface of the block. When the blocks are arranged in the tray to form a design or pattern, a juxtaposition of dark and light colors is created on the top surface of the blocks and an “opposite” design or pattern is formed on the bottom surfaces of the blocks which can be viewed through the transparent bottom surface of the tray.

Abstract: A type of musical rotating luminous device is composed of a base, retarding device, rotating stand, outer shell and a luminous device. It utilizes the battery's power within the base to make the motor drive the retarding device. Within the said rotating stand, a central shaft is connected to a retarding device. At one end of the central shaft, a drive sprocket is fitted on, while the other end is attached to a stand's rotary wheel. Additionally, in each corner of a containment space, a plurality of shaft rods pass through the stand. At the other end of the shaft rods, drive sprockets of different diameter sizes are attached. Between the shaft rods and the central shaft the drive sprockets engage a plurality of driven sprockets, transferring the driven force. Furthermore, the outer shell houses the said base, retarding device and rotating stand. When in use, and due to the different diameter sizes of the drive sprockets, the central shaft and the shaft rods will spin at different speeds.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device, kit and method for concurrent sampling of a fecal specimen and temperature measurement from a single rectal penetration. The device comprises an elongated, rigid, cylindrical sleeve with a partially cutaway distal end to form a scoop and a thermometer optionally inserted into a bore in the sleeve. The kit includes, in addition to the sleeve, a vial adapted to receive the sleeve therein for permitting analysis of the fecal specimen in the sampling scoop in the vial by enclosure thereof with the vial for containment of an analyzing solution in contact with the fecal specimen. The method includes inserting the sleeve into the rectum, obtaining a fecal specimen in the scoop, optionally measuring the rectal temperature, withdrawing the sleeve, securing the scoop end of the sleeve in the vial, and contacting the fecal specimen from the scoop with an analysis solution contained in the vial.

Abstract: An electronic device or module which, when in contact with or remote from an object, recognizes the object and plays sounds, creates movement in the object, or turns on lights, or activates other electrical circuits appropriate to the object's identity, environment and/or movement of any parts of that object. The object need not contain any electronics or a power source and need not be connected to the device electronically.

Abstract: A device and method for demonstrating number theory is disclosed in which the device comprises a frame consisting of the plurality of spaced parallel rods which are secured at their ends to transverse members. The rods carry slidable members which are arranged to define an triangle having the same number members on each side. The rods are spaced apart and the members are sized so that sliding movement of one bead will contact a bead located in the next adjacent rod and cause it to also slide. A member representing an ordinal number is selected and is moved along the rod to contact members adjacent to the selected member in the direction of movement to separate a sub-array of members from said equilateral triangle array. The selection of additional ordinal members contact with adjacent members is repeated so that depending upon the mathematical operation being demonstrated.

Abstract: A balancing toy has a base with an upwardly-extending, elongated support member upon which an assembly of a body portion and a plurality of balancing members having weights attached thereto can be balanced. The weights can be removably attachable to outward ends of the balancing members, or can be permanently attached to, or integrally formed with the balancing members. The balancing members can be rigid and can be attached to the body portion in a plurality of locations to alter the center of gravity of the assembly of the body portion and the balancing members. Alternatively, the balancing members can include deformable support arms to alter the positions of the weights relative to the body portion.

Abstract: A method of creating vivid life-like paintings using a clear or translucent canvas is provided. The method includes placing the canvas atop an image to be reproduced and tracing outline and highlight colors from the image onto the front side of the canvas. The canvas is then turned over and field colors and background colors are applied to the back side of the canvas. As a final step, a clear coating can be applied to the front side of the canvas. The result is a surprisingly vivid and life-like rendering of the image when the canvas is viewed from its front side. The rendering results from the combination of outlines and highlights on the front of the canvas and field and background colors visible through the canvas from the back side thereof, all enhanced by the clear coating.

Abstract: A word game for entertaining players and improving their vocabularies. The method of playing the word game comprises the steps of providing a plurality of tiles each with a front and a back. The front and back of each of the tiles has a unique letter of the alphabet imprinted thereon. A timer is provided. The timer expires after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed. A card is provided for each player, each having a plurality of columns and a series of rows. All players simultaneously participate. One player shakes all the tiles in a tumbler and lets one tile fall out. The front and the back of the tile are viewed and the timer is started. Players write two series of words on the card they are holding. Each of the series is written in a unique row of the card. Words in the first series begin with one of the letters of the tile. Words in the second series begin with the other of the letters of the tile. Each of the words written in the first of the columns is of one syllable.