Abstract: A magnetic tape player has a stereo playback head for reproducing information from adjacent channels on a magnetic tape on which there is recorded a series of questions and answers in successive blocks. In a first portion of each block a given question and a plurality of possible answers are recorded in both channels, in a second portion of the block a coded indication of the correct answer to the question is recorded in one channel, and in a third portion of the block a correct indication is recorded in one channel and an incorrect indication is recorded in the other channel. The second portion of the block is marked by a first tone to indicate the start of the decision time during which one of a plurality of answer buttons is to be depressed to select an answer and the third portion of the block is marked by a second tone to indicate the end of the decision time.

Abstract: A miniature racing vehicle and wrist-borne launching platform assembly in which the platform includes a retractable ramp extending from the front end thereof. Affixed to the platform is an open-fronted transparent cover to define a hangar for the spring-powered vehicle, the hangar having a side slot to admit the stem of a wind-up knob projecting laterally from the vehicle whereby the knob is outside of the hangar and accessible to the player. The sides of the vehicle are frictionally engaged by holding elements on the corresponding sides of the hangar. A push-button actuator mounted on the rear of the hangar has a pusher which abuts the rear of the vehicle, whereby when the button is pressed, it acts to advance and free the wound-up vehicle from the holding elements to cause the charged vehicle to take off.

Abstract: A toy baseball pitching machine that is particularly adapted to be used by children. The machine has a ball pitching arm that oscillates rather than rotates and is capable of pitching a plastic ball to a batter using an "underhand" method of pitching. The ball pitching arm is fixed to an oscillatable eccentric arm. The eccentric arm is connected to one end of an extension spring, and the arm carries a pivoted pawl. The pawl is engaged by a toothed rotating drive wheel to rotate the pitching arm in one direction toward a cocked position with the spring extended. Further rotation of the drive wheel brings the pawl into contact with a stop to pivot the pawl out of engagement with the drive wheel. The extended spring then acts on the eccentric arm and pitching arm to rotate the pitching arm in the opposite direction to engage and pitch a ball. The drive wheel, pawl, eccentric arm, stop and extension spring are all mounted within a housing; and the pitching arm is outside the housing.

Abstract: An illuminating apparatus which may include audio sound comprises a mouthpiece chamber for producing the forcible passage of air against a flexible conductive contact which completes an electrical circuit to a lamp.

Abstract: A starting gate for use in connection with a multiple-track toy vehicle racing arrangement for releasing self-propelled toy vehicles onto the tracks includes a base having a plurality of bays each of which accommodates one toy vehicle prior to the start of the race. A blocking portion of a starting element retains the respective vehicle in the respective bay in an extended position of the starting element. A spring urges the starting element toward its extended position while the starting element can be displaced into its retracted position in which it releases the respective toy vehicle for travel on the respective track upon depression of an actuating portion of the starting element.

Abstract: A toy aircraft system with an aircraft powered by an electrically driven propeller and motor mounted in the aircraft which, in turn, is mounted on a boom which can rotate about a central point and move up and down in response to changes of the vertical position of the aircraft. The motor receives its electrical energy through the boom which consists of two side-by-side slim wires or rods, one of which is rotatable about its axis to tilt the aircraft forward and backward to guide the direction of flight of the aircraft.