Abstract: A surface skimming toy defines a generally planar base having a flat under surface. An upwardly extending fin is joined to the upper surface of the base member. In one embodiment, a lightweight aesthetically appealing body portion is supported upon the upper surface. In still further alternate embodiments, a pair of elongated upwardly extending side fins are secured to the upper surface of the planar base. The surface skimming toy is launched in close proximity to a smooth extended surface and assumes a skimming travel in close spacing to the surface while being supported upon an extremely thin layer of air flowing beneath the under surface of the skimming toy. In a further embodiment, the generally planar base defines a slightly convex curved surface and in another, a dual faceted surface forming a transverse crown portion. In a still further embodiment, a weight is supported proximate the leading edge of the body for stability of travel.

Abstract: A toy vehicle having a changeable appearance figure includes a body having a support chassis secured thereto. A pivotal beam is pivotally secured to the chassis and pivotally movable with respect to the chassis and body. The rear portion of the pivotal beam supports a pair of rotatable rear wheels while the front portion of the pivotal beam supports a simultated vehicle engine. The body defines a hood aperture through which the simulated engine partially extends. The beam may be pivoted between a first position in which the simulated engine extends partially through the hood aperture and the rear wheels are generally received within the vehicle body and an alternate position in which the rear wheels are pivoted downwardly to extend from the vehicle body and in which the engine extends upwardly an increased distance through the hood aperture. A detent mechanism is coupled between the pivotal beam and the chassis to detent the pivotal beam in either the alternate positions.

Abstract: Interactive game apparatus is disclosed which includes one or more photosensitive weapon devices which can interact with a coded video display and with each other to provide two-way interaction, where each weapon may score against an opponent and may be hit by an opponent. Accessory devices in the form of a photosensitive light source and a rotating mirror act to increase the excitement of the game play.

Abstract: A toy top having an air impeller-driven flywheel and a spring-latch mechanism which releases an upper portion of the top from a lower housing when an articulated arm of the spinning top comes into contact with an object such as a stationary object or another top. The flywheel located inside the lower housing is rotated by blowing air into one of two ducts on the housing. The stream of air comes into contact with the blades of an impeller causing rotation of the impeller and the flywheel which is attached to the impeller. The flywheel is attached to a shaft rotatably mounted inside the housing. Slots in bosses extending upward from the housing releasably engage a plate at the bottom of the upper portion. The slots disengage from the plate when one of two articulated arms of the spinning top contacts an object allowing a spring mounted inside the upper portion to push the upper portion away from the lower housing. The top appears to "blow up" as the upper portion pops up from the housing.

Abstract: A portable toy racing set is disclosed which includes a booster for accelerating toy vehicles around a curved track. The booster includes an arm which pivots about an axis perpendicular to the track and offset from the center of a curved portion of the track. A finger depends from the arm and travels from a position adjacent the side of the track to a position which causes it to contact the vehicle.

Abstract: A toy for rolling flexible material into structural members which may be assembled into any of a number of desired structures. The apparatus includes a base having bearing means formed on either end to support a tube assembly over which structural members are formed. One of the bearings is moveably mounted on the base and includes an enlarged opening to allow formed tubular structural members to be easily removed from the tube assembly. The tube assembly is comprised of inner and outer tubes rotatable with respect to each other and having elongated slots formed therein which are alignable in one position to allow flexible material to be inserted therein and gripped to facilitate the formation of a tubular structural member.

Abstract: An improved track for a toy vehicle is disclosed which is in the form of a one-hundred-eighty degree curve. A wall portion of the track is configured to contact a front portion on a first side of the vehicle as it moves along the curve. A post is located at approximately the geometric center of the curve at a position which causes a rear portion on the second side of the vehicle to contact and to pivot around the post as the vehicle moves along the curve.

Abstract: A four-wheel-drive toy vehicle (10) is powered by a flywheel (74) coupled to a drive shaft (116) drivingly connected to a front axle (123) and a rear axle (124) rotatably mounted to a front journal box (126) and a rear journal box (128), respectively. Each journal box (126), (128) is rotatably coupled to the drive shaft (116) and a vehicle chassis (34).

Abstract: A tubular member holds a paper, tubular fuselage above a paper wing supported by a plate and below a folding die from which a fuselage presser depends; whereby the fuselage may be attached to the wing and the edges of the wing may be folded into an aerodynamic configuration when the die and tubular member are brought into working association with a pair of upstanding plates which are spaced apart in a manner such that the fuselage and its associated parts may be positioned between said plates while said die folds the wing edges over the upper edges of the plates.

Abstract: A toy casting machine including a base which has mounted thereon a crucible into which plastic materials may be placed for melting. The crucible is rotatably mounted to a sidewall and may be duped by an actuating mechanism which also moves a predesigned mold into position below the crucible. The crucible and machinery are entirely covered by transparent material to allow viewing the operation and to protect a child operating the machine. An isolating loading apparatus is provided to allow the machine to be loaded with raw material and molds without endangering the operator.

Abstract: In a device using an impregnated paper with a chemically reactive marker, the device includes a box-like housing having a translucent planar surface with light projected from within the box onto the rear side of the surface. A paper impregnated with an indicator dye resulting in an opaque paper is placed on the surface. Marker pens having substance chemically reactive with the indicator dye are used to mark the paper. The chemical reaction between the marker solution and the coating renders the so-marked areas translucent for passage of light through the paper in the region so-marked. Transparent dyes are utilized in the markers to combine with the color of the indicator dye to form a third color which is a combination of the two colors.