Abstract: A counterfeit-resistant toy housing is provided having a repetitive pattern formed into at least a portion of at least one toy housing surface. The pattern preferably includes first and second regions intertwined with and visibly different from each other. The first region may have a different elevation than the second region, or a different finish, or both. A photoetching chemical is applied to at least a portion of a metal mold, and at least a part of the mold is covered with a cover having a light-transmissible first region and an opaque second region, the first and second regions forming a first design. Light is projected upon the covered metal mold, thereby eroding a section of the mold underneath the first region and forming a first design in the mold. The photoetching steps are repeated to provide different layers. The toy housing component is molded from the patterned mold.

Abstract: A water-based drawing surface and a toy employing same are disclosed. The drawing surface includes a plastic substrate layer and a fabric layer adhered to the plastic substrate layer. A substantially water-resistant layer is applied to the fabric layer, and an ink layer is applied to the substantially water-resistant layer. The ink layer includes ink imprinted thereon, the ink being water-soluble when initially applied to the substantially water-resistant layer and insoluble after the ink has dried on the substantially water-resistant layer. When water is applied to the ink layer after the ink has dried thereon, the ink layer darkens in the shape of the water applied thereto. The ink is preferably screen-printing ink and it is preferably hand brushed onto the fabric layer.

Abstract: A toy vehicle and a track are provided. The track includes a first recess underneath a first rack and a second recess underneath a second rack opposite the first rack, and the vehicle includes a first coupler with a first lateral portion for insertion into the first recess and a second lateral portion for insertion into the second recess, such that the first lateral portion is adapted to move in the first recess and the second lateral portion is adapted to move in the second recess during motion of the vehicle along the track so as to secure the vehicle to the track. Also, magnet-coupling elements may be provided. Further, the vehicle includes gears disposed near the bottom of the vehicle, and the track includes a pair of opposed racks to cooperate with teeth of the gears to impart motion to the vehicle along the track.

Abstract: A water-based drawing surface and a toy employing same are disclosed. The drawing surface includes a plastic substrate layer and a fabric layer adhered to the plastic substrate layer. A substantially water-resistant layer is applied to the fabric layer, and an ink layer is applied to the substantially water-resistant layer. The ink layer includes ink imprinted thereon, the ink being water-soluble when initially applied to the substantially water-resistant layer and insoluble after the ink has dried on the substantially water-resistant layer. When water is applied to the ink layer after the ink has dried thereon, the ink layer darkens in the shape of the water applied thereto. The ink is preferably screen-printing ink and it is preferably hand brushed onto the fabric layer.

Abstract: A portable, lightweight easel for assisting in the tracing of figures is provided. The base has an interior volume with a projector and ancillary art supplies disposed therein. The projector has a light source and a receptacle for receiving a light-transmissible medium having at least one image formed thereon. A writing plane is attached to the main base and angled above the interior volume. It was an upper surface and a lower surface. The writing plane includes a translucent window-like portion between its upper and lower surfaces. The projector shines light through the medium and projects the image through the window and onto the lower surface of the writing plane so that the image is visible on the upper surface of the writing plane. Multiple images may be provided on a single medium, and the easel may be provided with multiple media each bearing different images.

Abstract: A track for a toy vehicle and such vehicle are provided. Each track segment has an upper layer and a spaced apart lower layer. A pivot pin is vertically disposed on a forwardly projecting tongue attached to one of the upper and lower layers, and a rearwardly disposed crossbar is adapted to receive the pivot pin of an adjacent segment. By repeating this pivotably angled structure with a number of segments, the curvature of the track can be altered to the taste and specifications of the user. A pair of flanges project from the top side and form a channel. A toy vehicle engageable with the track includes a retaining knob on its base that is forcibly disposable in the channel. When the retaining knob is forcibly disposed in the channel, the vehicle is retained on the track substantially regardless of angle of inclination or curvature of the track.

Abstract: A toy train accessory for use with a toy train is provided and has at least one track section disposed across the accessory and connectable to a toy train track. A slot is formed in the track section, and an upwardly spring biased sensor is disposed in the slot. At least one entertainment device such as a light or sound generator is connectable to the sensor. When a toy train passes over the sensor on the track, the entertainment device is activated.

Abstract: A track for a toy vehicle and such vehicle are provided. Each track segment has an upper layer and a spaced apart lower layer. A pivot pin is vertically disposed on a forwardly projecting tongue attached to one of the upper and lower layers, and a rearwardly disposed crossbar is adapted to receive the pivot pin of an adjacent segment. By repeating this pivotably angled structure with a number of segments, the curvature of the track can be altered to the taste and specifications of the user. A pair of flanges project from the top side and form a channel. A toy vehicle engageable with the track includes a retaining knob on its base that is forcibly disposable in the channel. When the retaining knob is forcibly disposed in the channel, the vehicle is retained on the track substantially regardless of angle of inclination or curvature of the track.

Abstract: A track for a toy vehicle is provided. The inventive track includes at least one end segment, either male or female, and at least one middle segment. The middle segment is pivotably attachable to at least one of the male and female segments. A middle segment can have teeth on both ends, tooth-receiving cavities on both ends, or a set of teeth on one end and a cavity on the other. The teeth of one segment are selectively engageable with the edges of a cavity of an adjacent segment. When teeth engage a cavity, one segment is fixedly angled with respect to the other segment. By repeating this pivotably angled structure between a number of segments, the curvature of the track can be altered to the taste and specifications of the user.