Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the diameter of a clear extruded molten tube wherein the extruded tube contains a volume of a clear liquid and the level of the liquid is indicative of the tube diameter so the level rises as the tube diameter decreases. A light beam passing through the tube is refracted from a straight line path when the liquid level rises above the level of the beam. The refracting of the beam in turn triggers the introduction of air into the extruded tube to increase the diameter of the extruded, molten tube.

Abstract: A toy vehicle and toy vehicle game are disclosed in which a plurality of toy vehicles are provided that collect current from conductor strips in a slotless track and switch lanes when the current polarity is reversed. A toy drone car is used in the game which collects current from the strips associated with the other cars and it includes an electrical circuit which insures that current of only a predetermined desired polarity is supplied to the motor in the vehicle to propel the vehicle in a forward direction around the track. As a result the vehicle is driven about the track in a forward direction regardless of the polarity of current applied to the collector strips.

Abstract: A toy vehicle is provided for use in a toy vehicle game including an endless track defining at least two parallelly extending vehicle lanes in which two or more toy vehicles are adapted to be operated. The toy vehicle includes a reversible rotary drive motor and a transmission operatively engaged between the motor and two drive wheels for rotating one or the other of the drive wheels in response to the direction of rotation of the drive motor, thereby biasing the car against one or the other of the side walls of the track to guide the vehicle along its path of travel in one or the other of the lanes. The vehicle is used on a track which includes electrical contact strips which supply power to the drive motor of the vehicles through current collectors mounted thereon.

Abstract: A toy vehicle and toy vehicle game are disclosed in which a plurality of toy vehicles are provided that collect current from conductor strips in a slotless track and switch lanes when the current polarity is reversed. A toy drone car is used in the game which collects current from the strips associated with the other cars and it includes an electrical circuit which insures that current of only a predetermined desired polarity is supplied to the motor in the vehicle to propel the vehicle in a forward direction around the track. As a result the vehicle is driven about the track in a forward direction regardless of the polarity of current applied to the collector strips.

Abstract: A toy vehicle is provided for use in a toy vehicle game including an endless track defining at least two parallely extending vehicle lanes in which two or more toy vehicles are adapted to be operated. The toy vehicle includes a reversible rotary drive motor and a transmission operatively engaged between the motor and two drive wheels for rotating one or the other of the drive wheels in response to the direction of rotation of the drive motor, thereby biasing the car against one or the other of the side walls of the track to guide the vehicle along its path of travel in one or the other of the lanes. The vehicle is used on a track which includes electrical contact strips which supply power to the drive motor of the vehicles through current collectors mounted thereon.

Abstract: A toy vehicle track section for use with similar track sections to form an interconnected track for a toy vehicle includes a base formed of electrically non-conductive material having opposite ends with at least one of the ends having a plurality of generally wedge shaped projections extending longitudinally therefrom. The other of the track ends has a plurality of generally complementary wedge shaped recesses for receiving the projections of an adjacent track section. The recesses and projections have cooperating means formed thereon for resisting longitudinal engagement of the projections from the recesses of an adjacent track section and the base includes longitudinally extending conductive strips associated with opposed projections and recesses to provide a complete electrical circuit about the track in its assembled form.

Abstract: A pinball type baseball game is disclosed in which a play surface simulating a baseball diamond is rotatably mounted on a frame. A plurality of figurines are adapted to be selectively and removably mounted on the play surface at predetermined locations representing the bases of the diamond. A selectively operable drive and control mechanism is provided in the frame for rotating the play surface on the frame in an apparently random sequence of different angular movements of one revolution or less to simulate movement of baseball players when the batter has achieved a "hit". The drive and control mechanism is activated by the projection of a ball on the play surface into a predetermined pocket on the play surface representing the "hit".

Abstract: A toy vehicle and toy vehicle game are disclosed in which a toy vehicle is used that is driven by an electric motor powered from a battery in the vehicle. The vehicle is operated on a track providing a current source therealong in the form of a plurality of current supply strips, and the toy vehicle includes an electrical circuit therein for collecting current from the track and trickle charging the battery. As a result the motor is continuously supplied with current from the battery and driven at a relatively constant rate of speed while the battery, in turn, is charged as the vehicle moves along the track.

Abstract: A toy vehicle game, for use with a powered toy vehicle having at least one driven wheel, includes a transport vehicle which is adapted to receive and support the powered vehicle on an associated track. The transport vehicle has means therein for locating the powered vehicle on the transport vehicle in a predetermined position, and includes at least one track engageable wheel rotatably mounted therein which is located in operative engagement with the driven wheel of the powered vehicle when the powered vehicle is in said predetermined position on the transport vehicle. As a result, the driven wheel of the powered vehicle rotates the track engageable wheel of the transport vehicle in order to propel the transport vehicle.

Abstract: A toy vehicle racing game is described utilizing a continuous, unguided vehicle race track with steeply banked curves and straight, flat horizontal track sections. The width of the unguided roadbed surface is selected so that vehicles may pass one another. A player-controlled chicane is employed in the path of the high speed vehicles. The chicane includes normally active slow-down devices which the players attempt to disable manually just at the time that their vehicle is about to pass over the chicane. Vehicles which are able to pass the chicane without a speed reduction travel over the high end of the steeply banked curves to pass other vehicles which were slowed down. A vehicle diverter is employed to segregate the vehicles on a right-left basis before traversing the chicane. The vehicle diverter employs track guides in dove-tailed relationship to guide the vehicles and prevent their bouncing off the track as they engage the track guides at high speeds.