Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a powered children's toy configured for movement along a support surface. According to various embodiments, the powered children's toy includes a drive system configured to impart a motive force on the children's toy that causes the toy to roll, bounce, shake, or otherwise move along an eccentric motion path when placed upon a support surface (e.g., a floor). Various embodiments of the drive system are configured to drive a rotating member about a movable rotation axis, thereby generating a varying motive force that causes eccentric movement along the support surface. This varying motive force assists in freeing the toy ball from obstacles encountered on a support surface (e.g., a wall or piece of furniture). In addition, the children's toy may include a power supply provided in a fixed position within the children's toy and configured for convenient user access.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a powered children's toy configured for movement along a support surface. According to various embodiments, the powered children's toy includes a drive system configured to impart a motive force on the children's toy that causes the toy to roll, bounce, shake, or otherwise move along an eccentric motion path when placed upon a support surface (e.g., a floor). Various embodiments of the drive system are configured to drive a rotating member about a movable rotation axis, thereby generating a varying motive force that causes eccentric movement along the support surface. This varying motive force assists in freeing the toy ball from obstacles encountered on a support surface (e.g., a wall or piece of furniture). In addition, the children's toy may include a power supply provided in a fixed position within the children's toy and configured for convenient user access.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a children's entertainment device having a stepper motor drive system configured to drive a rotatable entertaining element. In certain embodiments, the stepper motor is configured to rotate a drive shaft operatively connected to a damper, which is configured to damp the intermittent rotational motion output by the stepper motor in order to smoothly and continuously rotate an entertaining element, such as in a children's mobile.