Abstract: A device for creating partial cuts, such as transverse spiral cuts, into an elongated food product, such as hot dogs, frankfurters, and wieners, the device having an upper housing section with at least one top blade and a lower housing section with at least one bottom blade, wherein closing the top housing on top of the lower housing with the elongated food product inside allows the top blades and the bottom blades to partially cut through the elongated food product creating a helical groove pattern around the outer surface of the elongated food product while leaving an inner core intact. The device may also have guide channels to guide a skewer through the inner core for easy removal of the food product from the housing. The device can also be provided as a kit with skewers, modified tongs, and a heating unit to cook the food product in the housing.

Abstract: A device for creating partial cuts, such as transverse spiral cuts, into an elongated food product, such as hot dogs, frankfurters, and wieners, the device having an upper housing section with at least one top blade and a lower housing section with at least one bottom blade, wherein closing the top housing on top of the lower housing with the elongated food product inside allows the top blades and the bottom blades to partially cut through the elongated food product creating a helical groove pattern around the outer surface of the elongated food product while leaving an inner core intact. The device may also have guide channels to guide a skewer through the inner core for easy removal of the food product from the housing. The device can also be provided as a kit with skewers, modified tongs, and a heating unit to cook the food product in the housing.

Abstract: A hand held remote controlled toy vehicle. The toy vehicle includes a motor that can be activated by a wireless signal. The motor is coupled to a drive wheel by a drive gear assembly. Activation of the motor turns the drive wheel and propels the vehicle. The drive gear assembly can be de-coupled from the drive wheel so that the toy vehicle can be manually propelled in a free-wheeling mode.

Abstract: A toy system that can be used in a body of water. The system includes a plurality of toy accessories that can be placed in the water. Placement of a toy accessory into the water activates the accessory to generate a signal. The signal is received by a base station. The base station generates an output in response to the signal. By way of example, the base station can generate a speech pattern. Each toy accessory may provide a unique code to the base station. Each code may generate a different speech pattern.

Abstract: A game that can be played by a plurality of players. The game includes a tile dispenser that contains a plurality of tiles that each have at least one letter indicia. The tile dispenser can dispense tiles in a manner so that each tile is claimed by one of the players. For example, when a tile is dispensed one of the players may yell “GOT IT” to claim a tile. The game also includes an organizing device that is adapted to organize words from the letter indicia of the dispensed tiles. For example, the organizing device may be a tray with compartments configured to hold a single tile. The game can be played by repeatedly dispensing, claiming and organizing tiles into words until all of the tiles are dispensed from the tile dispenser.

Abstract: A game unit for an electronic device. The game unit includes a tray adapted to receive the electronic device so that a display surface of said electronic device is in a horizontal position. The game unit also includes a plurality of input devices and a communication device that couples the input devices to the electronic device. Multiple users may provide input, individually or simultaneously, for the game through the input devices of the game unit. The game unit thus expands the number of players for a game operated by a portable electronic device.

Abstract: An activity assembly that is used to transfer an artistic design onto an object. The assembly includes at least one template that can be loaded into a housing. A colorant can be dispensed into the housing. The housing rotates the template and causes the colorant to move about the template to form a design. The template can then be removed from the housing and pressed onto an object such as a shirt. The template transfers the colorant onto the object, so that an artistic design is formed onto the object.

Abstract: A game set that includes a plurality of tiles. Each tile has at least one indicia and at least one attachment feature that allows the tiles to be attached to each other in a three-dimensional manner. The tiles can be attached to create at least one visual image. For example, the indicia may be letters and the tiles can be attached in either horizontal or vertical directions to create words. A player may be provided a score that corresponds to the number of tiles attached by that player. The attachment of tiles allows the three-dimensional game to be played without a game board.

Abstract: A toy camera set. The camera set includes a camera that can be attached to a variety of different toy optical accessories. By way of example, the toy optical accessories may include a toy microscope, a toy periscope, or a toy binocular. The camera can be used to take a picture through the microscope, etc. The camera can be attached to one accessory and then attached to another accessory so that a single camera can be used with a number of toy optical devices. The kit includes an instruction guide that instructs a user how to attach the various toy accessories to the camera.

Abstract: A toy device unit that includes a pair of stacked transparent plates coupled to a housing. A user can write images on each plate. Mounted to the housing is a first light source aligned with an edge of the first plate and a second light source aligned with an edge of the second plate. The unit has a switch that can be moved by a user to illuminate either the first plate or the second plate.

Abstract: An electronic system that includes a working surface and a camera that can capture a plurality of images on the working surface. The system also includes a control station that is coupled to the camera and has a monitor that can display the captured images. The monitor displays a moving graphical image having a characteristic that is a function of a user input on the working surface. By way of example, the graphical image may be a character created from markings formed on the working surface by the user. The system can then “animate” the character by causing graphical character movement.

Abstract: A toy device unit that includes a pair of stacked transparent plates coupled to a housing. A user can write images on each plate. Mounted to the housing is a first light source aligned with an edge of the first plate and a second light source aligned with an edge of the second plate. The unit has a switch that can be moved by a user to illuminate either the first plate or the second plate.

Abstract: A toy building set that contains a plurality of building members. At least one of the building members includes a connector attached to a flexible linkage. The connector can snap onto the linkage of another building member. Allowing the connector to be snapped onto the linkage of another member provides flexibility in the location of the attachment and the design of the structure created from the building set. The flexible nature of the linkages also provides greater artistic freedom in creating a structure with the building set.

Abstract: A toy display that includes a first rolling screen, a second rolling screen and a light source that illuminates the screens. The first screen may contain viewing images and the second screen may have background images. The moving screen provide varying images that are viewed by a user. The toy display may include a speaker and input buttons to vary the illumination and the sound produced by the toy.

Abstract: A toy game set that includes a plurality of buttons coupled to a housing. The housing includes a processor and speaker that can generate music. The buttons can be depressed by the user to move the figure. The user can move the figure in rhythm with the music. The figure can be a mechanical doll. Alternatively, the figure can be displayed by a screen.

Abstract: A pet collar with a voice recognition unit. The voice recognition unit can process words spoken by a user, and then generate audible words or phrases that are emitted from a speaker of the collar. By way of example, a user may say “FETCH” and the dog collar may generate a phrase “FETCH IT YOURSELF” or some other humorous phrase.

Abstract: A toy system that can be used in a body of water. The system includes a plurality of toy accessories that can be placed in the water. Placement of a toy accessory into the water activates the accessory to generate a signal. The signal is received by a base station. The base station generates an output in response to the signal. By way of example, the base station can generate a speech pattern. Each toy accessory may provide a unique code to the base station. Each code may generate a different speech pattern.

Abstract: An electronic learning and entertainment system that includes a plurality of housings that can be coupled to an electronic module. Each housing has a plurality of input devices. The electronic module can be plugged into one of the housings and generate outputs that are unique to the housing. The input devices and corresponding module outputs may be designed for play by a specific age group. Thus each housing can be operated by a user of a certain age. By way of example, one housing may be designed to by operated by an infant, another housing may be designed to be operated by a user in the 2-5 year age group, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus that moves a jumping element. The apparatus includes a motorized hub that is attached to a housing. The hub can rotate a jumping element, such as a jump rope, about a horizontal axis and/or a vertical axis. The hub is connected to a motor. The jump rope is coupled to the hub by a crank arm. The crank arm automatically releases from the arm in response to a threshold force. The apparatus includes a deactivation element that deactivates the motor when the jumping element is released from the hub. The jump rope can be coupled to the hub by a strap that limits the movement of the rope when decoupled from the hub. Deactivating the motor terminates rotation of the hub to prevent further movement of the crank arm and rope.

Abstract: A padlock that can display a message. The padlock includes on output device such as a screen that can display the message. The message can be entered through buttons or keys on the padlock. The screen is controlled by a circuit that can store multiple messages. The circuit can be programmed to operate in different modes. For example, in one mode the message is only displayed when a user enters an appropriate code into the padlock.