Abstract: A projectile launching mechanism for use in a table top game such as soccer in which an impeller is mounted on a central core for coaxial movement relative thereto against a spring bias. The central core has a striker thereon operable, in use, to move downwardly when the top of the impeller is engaged to hit a ball attached to the core at a point offset from its vertical center line and launch it radially outwardly from the core. Preferably, the ball (25) is magnetized and attaches itself to a metal attractor ring on the core, but the core can be magnetized and the ball attracted thereto. A ball (6) located in the central core (1) provides mobility for the launching mechanism.

Abstract: A mechanical puzzle has a three by three array four gear units at the corners and five split gears. Opposed faces of the gear units and split gears are visible through a transparent casing and apertures in the chassis. The gear units are selectively connected to the split gear halves by axially setting four selector gears by finger pressure on their stubs. Clock faces are marked round the apertures and the puzzle consists in turning the gear units by finger pressure and setting the selector gears so that pointers on the eighteen exposed faces tell the same time.

Abstract: A power take-off is provided for a model vehicle driven from a single "penlight" battery. The vehicle has a chassis (10) carrying an electric motor driving an axle (5) through a horiozntal worm (4) and worm gear. A cover (11) for the motor has a through hole for a shaft (12) carrying a lower pinion (13) engaged with the worm (9) and an upper pinion (14) that drives a take-off gear (15) provided with dog-clutch pins (16). A sliding gear (26) provides the second part (27) of the dog clutch and drives actuator cranks (37) of an output shaft (35). Thereby anciliary devices of the vehicle may be driven from the same motor that drives the wheels.

Abstract: An amusement device comprises a case in which is housed a figure. When the case is closed the figure is hidden within the case and covered by a lid. An operating button accessible when the case is closed can be depressed to actuate a mechanism which opens the lid of the case simultaneously causing the figure to rise from its stored position and to turn through a 90.degree. angle to an erect position in which it stands out from the case.

Abstract: A dispenser for pressure-sensitive adhesive labels on a web of release material in which a label-bearing web is withdrawn from a supply coil past a peel edge at which the direction of travel of the web reverses so that the labels separate from the web and advance towards the surface to be labelled, wherein the spent web is taken up by a take-up spool, and a friction roller rotatably mounted in the dispenser for contact with the surface to be labelled rotates as the dispenser is moved over the surface, the friction roller being operatively connected to the take-up spool so that both rotate at substantially the same surface speed and the labels are dispensed at substantially the same speed as the dispenser is moved but in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A puzzle comprises at least two relatively rotatable members in contact with one another and pivoted together about an axis normal to their contact plane. Exterior surfaces of the members are formed with tracks having their entry and exit points disposed equi-angularly about said axis and equidistant therefrom in said contact plane. Accordingly relative rotation of the members in equiangular steps brings about alignment of the several tracks in different configurations. A multiplicity of movable elements substantially fill the tracks and are displaceable therealong when the tracks in the first member are aligned with those in the second. The puzzle may in its initial position have circular tracks each filled with beads of a different color or marking, the puzzle being manipulated to randomise the beads and then to return them to their original pattern or to form another intended pattern.

Abstract: A remotely-controlled toy vehicle having a steering mechanism and driven by a dc motor selectively connected to a battery by a multi-position switch in a polarity which causes forward or reverse movement. Remote control is effected by a handset having first and second master diaphragm chambers linked through a flexible pneumatic line to first and second slave diaphragm chambers in the vehicle, one slave being operatively coupled to the steering mechanism and the other to the motor control switch. The handset is provided with a torsion bar having a handle, the bar being both swingable from side to side and also being rotatable. The bar is so coupled to the diaphragms of the master chambers whereby when the player swings the bar toward the left or right, this movement is pneumatically transmitted to the steering mechanism of the vehicle to cause the vehicle to turn toward the left or right.