Abstract: A dynamo powered amusement device is provided that has multiple amusement functions integrated into a housing. The amusement functions include two or more of a movement, a light emitting diode illumination, an auditory output and a video presentation. The electrical power source for the amusement functions is a manually powered dynamo. The direct current generated by a dynamo is provided to a printed circuit board in electrical communication with the amusement functions so as to provide power directly from the manually powered dynamo or, if a chargeable battery is present, to supply power from the chargeable battery. The amusement device provides enhanced performance relative to mechanical amusement devices while avoiding costs and environment problems associated with disposable battery containing amusement devices.

Abstract: An audio player is provided that includes a sound storage memory and a speaker with at least a portion of each of the memory and the speaker contained within a housing in an animate form and having a movable portion. A playback button extends from the housing retrieving a sound from the memory as an output from the speaker. The playback button also induces movement of the movable portion of the housing. An ink reservoir terminating in a writing tip and a microphone with an associated recording button extending from the housing and mechanically activating the microphone to store sound in the memory are each provided alone or in combination within the audio player. An audio player housing in a simulative form of a bird contains an ink reservoir within the tail portion of the bird while the auditory playback and optional recording is provided via a housing portion simulative of a beak.

Abstract: A battery charger amusement has a receptacle adapted to receive a rechargeable battery, an electronic circuit monitoring battery charge status, and a mechanical movement signal activated upon charge status attainment. The battery charger can include a motion actuator so as to move during the battery recharge process. The device is intended to encourage the use of rechargeable batteries over a disposable counterpart.

Abstract: A toy is provided that has a dynamo for converting manual movement into an electrical charge for the dynamo located within a housing. A miniature vehicle is induced to locomote through receipt of the electrical charge. A dock is provided for selectively creating an electrical coupling of the vehicle to the dynamo to transfer the electrical charge and decoupling to allow the vehicle to locomote. A charge storage device and an electrical motor in the vehicle allow for prolonged vehicle locomotion separate from the charge transfer by the dynamo. A toy is also provided that has a dynamo for converting manual movement into an electrical charge, the dynamo located within a housing. The dynamo transfers an electrical charge to a wheeled miniature vehicle through an electrically conductive circuit about which the vehicle travels. Additional amusement functions of LED light output or speaker auditory output are optionally provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dynamo battery charger adapted to provide amusement during the recharging process. The charger housing is shaped or constructed to represent an amusing apparatus that includes optional features that simulate actual components whereby the amusing optional features are operable when the battery charger is being actuated.

Abstract: A modular welding wire feed drive for use in a welding system. The welding wire feed drive is designed to be detachably connected to the welding wire feed system of the welding system. The welding wire feed drive includes a drive housing designed to be detachably connectable to the welding wire feed system, a wire contact arrangement designed to controllably feed welding wire through the welding wire feed drive, and a drive motor that is connected to or interconnected to the wire contact arrangement to at least partially drive the wire contact arrangement.

Abstract: A power module cartridge for a welder includes a chassis tray that is dimensioned to fit inside an external case of the welder. The chassis tray includes a fan receptacle, a capacitor receptacle, a rectifier mounting slot and a transformer receptacle. A fan fits into the fan receptacle; a capacitor fits into the capacitor receptacle; a rectifier plate fits into the rectifier mounting slot; and a transformer fits into the transformer receptacle. The chassis tray can also include a clip for receiving a printed circuit board (“PCB”). The PCB can be electrically connected to the aforementioned components. A second chassis tray can fit on the top of each of the components such that the components are sandwiched between the first and second chassis trays. A method of manufacturing a welder is also disclosed.

Abstract: A battery charger amusement has a receptacle adapted to receive a rechargeable battery, an electronic circuit monitoring battery charge status, and a mechanical movement signal activated upon charge status attainment. The battery charger can include a motion actuator so as to move during the battery recharge process. The device is intended to encourage the use of rechargeable batteries over a disposable counterpart.

Abstract: A dry erase article includes a transparent or translucent polymeric writing layer having a top surface that is impenetrable to an ink. A substrate independent of visible fluorescent constituent is provided that obscures UV ink marks underlying the writing layer allows for both visible light and ultraviolet light inks to be visualized on the top surface of the writing layer. A writing system includes such a dry erase article, an ultraviolet ink containing writing implement and an ultraviolet light source. A dry erase article optionally includes substrate particulate suspended in an otherwise transparent or translucent layer. Alternatively, a precursor to the transparent or translucent layer is applied and then cures or dries to yield such a layer.

Abstract: A reusable sequential information display device includes a printed substrate that includes on a display surface with indicia visualized under ambient light to form a first informational statement. Indicia formed of an ink visualized under light wavelengths of less than 420 nanometers is also applied to the display surface to form a second informational statement. A reader contains a light-emitting diode producing an emission wavelength of less than or equal to the wavelength required to visualize the invisible ink. The light-emitting diode, a battery and a switch for selectively forming an electrical circuit between the light-emitting diode and battery are located within a reader. A query-answer educational game is formed and optionally includes a light-emission timer and/or a sound synthesizer.

Abstract: A headlamp includes a housing securable to a human appendage. Within the housing a battery is located. Upon activation of a switch, the battery forms an electrical circuit with a light source located within the housing and directed to project a light beam therefrom. The housing is formed as an animate head having a mouth portion aperture defined by a hingeably secured jaw portion such that a light beam emanating from the light source projects through the aperture. The housing modifies the shape of the light beam and creates an inducement for a child-pedestrian to use the headlamp.

Abstract: A headlamp includes a base having a front face defining a first imaginary plane along the front face and a first imaginary line orthogonal to the first plane. A light assembly is rotatably secured about the front face to the base. The light assembly includes a bezel having a rear surface defining a second imaginary plane along the rear surface and a second imaginary line orthogonal to the second plane so that the intersection of the first line and the second line defines a rotation angle that varies with the rotation of the light assembly relative to the base, thereby changing the attitude of the headlamp light assembly.

Abstract: A greeting card includes a substrate sheet having indicia printed thereon with a first ink readable under visible light and having indicia printed thereon with a second ink visible under ultraviolet light. An ultraviolet light emitting diode flashlight emitting a wavelength under which the second ink is visible is secured to the substrate. The ultraviolet light emitting diode is secured to the greeting card substrate by way of a flap extending therefrom or through the use of a hook and loop fastener. A commercial package including such a greeting card also has therewith a pen having an ink visible under illumination from the ultraviolet light emitting diode flashlight.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light emitting diode flashlight is contained within a housing having a pen tip extending from the housing and an ink or dye reservoir in fluid communication with the pen tip. The ultraviolet light emitting diode flashlight within the housing emits light capable of inducing fluorescence in the ink or dye. A switch assembly completes an electrical circuit between a light emitting diode and a battery to activate the flashlight. A writing system package includes at least two of: a neon or pastel colored writing surface, a security pen having an ink or dye that fluoresces in the visible portion of the light spectrum upon exposure to ultraviolet light, and an ultraviolet light emitting diode flashlight.

Abstract: A headlamp includes a housing securable to a human appendage. Within the housing a battery is located. Upon activation of a switch, the battery forms an electrical circuit with a light source located within the housing and directed to project a light beam therefrom. The housing is formed as an animate head having a mouth portion aperture defined by a hingeably secured jaw portion such that a light beam emanating from the light source projects through the aperture. The housing modifies the shape of the light beam and creates an inducement for a child-pedestrian to use the headlamp.

Abstract: A computer peripheral device includes a peripheral housing having a translucent or transparent region. A light source within the housing is positioned to emit light through the translucent or transparent region of the housing. A wire in electrical communication with the light source terminates in a computer interface connector. The computer peripheral device is a mouse, speaker, display frame housing or disc housing.

Abstract: A headlamp includes a base having a front face defining a first imaginary plane along the front face and a first imaginary line orthogonal to the first plane. A light assembly is rotatably secured about the front face to the base. The light assembly includes a bezel having a rear surface defining a second imaginary plane along the rear surface and a second imaginary line orthogonal to the second plane so that the intersection of the first line and the second line defines a rotation angle that varies with the rotation of the light assembly relative to the base, thereby changing the attitude of the headlamp light assembly.

Abstract: A writing surface has a phosphorescent or fluorescent material thereon that has an excitation energy that is less than the photon energy emitting from a penlight stylus light source or emitted through a transparent writing surface. The phosphor security ink is selectively excited only where exposed to light emission from the stylus thereby creating a phosphorescent or fluorescent glow visible under low ambient light conditions. The phosphorescent material is adhered to the writing surface or decorates a ferrite particulate which is drawn onto the writing surface through the influence of a magnet.