Abstract: Video game apparatus and method includes an arrangement for acquiring and storing data representing an image of the face of a game player or other entity and for selectively incorporating the image of the entity throughout the play of the game at predetermined locations on the video game display and in coordination with the video game graphics. In accordance with the play of the various games controlled by the video game apparatus, the stored image of one or more persons is utilized as the head of a video graphics generated body, as a portion of other generated graphics representations, as a functional game object representation, or as a controllable playing object. The video game apparatus also provides for the display of the game player image in a scoring display format wherein the images of a predetermined number of previous game players attaining the highest scores are displayed at the beginning or end of a play of the game.

Abstract: Projectile propelling attachments are provided for toy figures that have an arm connected at the shoulder end for pivotal movement relative to the torso through approximately ninety degrees. The attachments include an apparatus releasably mountable on the figure in engagement with the arm. A front end bore receives a projectile from which a tether extends out the back end of the apparatus through a smaller diameter bore. In the larger diameter bore there is a coil compression spring. At the free end of the tether a retainer prevents the tether passing back through the apparatus. In one form, the back end of the tether is attached to a reel carried on the back of the figure. Pulling on the tether pivots the arm to the firing position and then compresses the spring. When the tether is released, the spring propels the projectile.

Abstract: An attachment for a toy figure includes a simulated automatic firing weapon and a flexible belt with spaced apart simulated ammunition. The belt is movable through a backpack attachable to the figure by manual rotation of an exposed portion of a gear wheel carried by the backpack with the gear wheel teeth engaging the simulated ammunition. Sounds simulating firing of the weapon are produced by a ratchet, coaxial with the gear wheel, engaging a reed.

Abstract: A quick release cover assembly for a cylindrical liquid filter housing which includes an outer cover plate pivotally mounted on the filter housing, an inner cover plate having a beveled cylindrical side wall and being carried by the outer plate and an O-ring which is disposed about the beveled wall of the inner plate adjacent the under side of the outer plate. A plurality of locking dogs are carried by the upper surface of the outer plate which are adapted to be inserted and rotated within a corresponding plurality of L-shaped slots adjacent the open end of the filter housing. A threaded fastener is provided for drawing the inner and outer plates together upon the locking dogs being so disposed within the slots in the housing so as to press the O-ring outwardly against the interior wall of the filter housing thereby releasably sealing the cover assembly to the housing.

Abstract: A toy doll with arms and legs mounted for pivotal movement relative to the torso in response to rotational movement of a bottle nipple in the doll's mouth. One gear on a rotatable feed tube within the hollow head of the doll engages vertically oriented racks that then engage spur gears to rotate the arms. A bevel gear also carried by the tube engages a bevel gear on a depending drive shaft that has a crown gear driving a bevel gear for each of the legs. Both the arms and the legs are mounted on spools that freely rotate with respect to the torso. Frictional engagement of the limbs with respect to the spool permit the spool to pivotally drive the arms while also allowing selective, independent angular orientation of each of the limbs with respect to its respective spool.

Abstract: A motor driven toy mobile playset has three articulated deck sections. Each section has a wheel and axle assembly powered by a battery motor driving a single drive shaft that extends through all of the sections transverse to the wheel axles. When supported upon a level playing surface the sections form a chassis having a generally planar deck. Various bores and slots are defined on the sections for removably mounting accessories. Some of the accessories are mountable within bores in the ends of the wheel axles. One accessory is driven by a power take-off. A crane boom is mountable in a number of positions including one which provides a manually operable winch with a hook and cable. The front section has a lighted bridge structure with a spotlight and an upper head lamp bar both utilizing a single light bulb connected to the battery.

Abstract: A toy slot car racing set is provided with linked, lead and follower car teams. The link is resilient and has a width substantially greater than the thickness, to provide some resistance to lateral flexing. Tight fits between a pin and aperture connection of each end of a link to a respective vehicle generally maintains the connected end of the link in a fixed angular relationship to the vehicle.

Abstract: Toy pool table components permit conversion of a card table or other similar piece of furniture having a substantially planar horizontal surface into a toy pool table. Each of a number of ball receiving pockets has a clamping mechanism for mounting the pocket on the edge of the top of the piece of furniture. An upper "U" shaped bracket receives balls from the playing surface through the opening of the "U". Two spaced apart ratchet bars depend downwardly from each side of the bracket. Arms supporting a lower brace slide up and down along the ratcheted bars and each arm has a pawl that engages the ratchet teeth to adjust the pocket clamp to accommodate a wide range of table top thicknesses. A hollow cup for retaining the balls is removably seated within the bight section of the bracket. Elastic bands extending between adjacent pockets bias the pockets into engagement with the card table and provide a resilient cushion for soft rubber or foam balls between the pockets.