Abstract: A toy includes a toy vehicle, a launching assembly, and a rotatable sparking mechanism for generating sparks before the vehicle is launched from the launching assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the launching assembly includes a base track having a rack gear, and a push handle including a spring biased plunger. The sparking mechanism is mounted in the vehicle and a drive gear for sparking mechanism extends downwardly where it meshes with the rack gear when the vehicle is received on the base track. The push handle is slidably movable for advancing the vehicle along the base track wherein advancement of the vehicle causes rotation of the sparking mechanism thereby generating sparks, and further wherein a resistance of the sparking mechanism maintains the plunger in a depressed disposition until the drive gear disengages the rack gear.

Abstract: A toy includes a toy vehicle, a launching assembly, and a rotatable sparking mechanism for generating sparks before the vehicle is launched from the launching assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the sparking mechanism is built into the push handle wherein advancement of the push handle along the base track causes rotation of a drive gear thereby generating sparks. The plunger is selectively maintained in a depressed position until the drive gear disengages from the rack gear.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simulated flower having a center section and a plurality of petals pivotally mounted to the center section for movement between an open position and a closed position. A toy doll is supported on a doll holder member, which is disposed within the simulated flower center section. A mechanism is provided which operates to raise and lower the holder member, and consequently the doll, and to simultaneously pivot the petals between the open and the closed positions, respectively. When the petals are in the open position, the doll is exposed and when the petals are in the closed position, the doll is enveloped by the petals.

Abstract: A water play toy includes a base and a platform pivotally secured over the base so as to be stepped on and pivoted. Several pairs of valves and nozzles are provided around the outer periphery of the toy between the platform and base with each valve positioned to be contacted by and depressed by the platform as the platform pivots onto such valve. Four spaced apart pivot members define eight primary axes over which the platform will pivot to open one, two or three of the adjoining valves at the same time. When the platform is stepped on within an area surrounded by the pivot members and with sufficient force, the platform is depressed vertically and all four valves are depressed and open. A simultaneous depression of all valves can be prevented by supporting the platform directly on the pivot members before activation.

Abstract: A toy includes a toy vehicle and a launching assembly for launching the vehicle. The vehicle includes a rotatable sparking mechanism and a drive gear for rotating the sparking mechanism. The launching assembly includes an inclined ramp for receiving the vehicle and a gear train having a drive gear extending upwardly through an aperture in the inclined ramp. The drive gear intermeshes with the vehicle drive gear when the vehicle is received on the ramp. The launching assembly further includes a plunger mounted for engagement with the rear of the vehicle when the vehicle is received on the ramp, and a spring for normally biasing the plunge to an extended position. The gear train is driven by a pivotable lever mounted on the shaft of an actuator gear. Pivoting of the lever rotates the drive gear thereby rotating the sparking mechanism to generate sparks.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a body-and-chassis assembly comprising a main portion and a movable body component which is movable relative to the main portion. The toy vehicle further includes a manually operable operating mechanism in the body-and-chassis assembly for moving the movable body component between first and second positions thereof with a relatively slow steady dampened movement which simulates the movement of a body component of a full-sized vehicle.