Abstract: A toy vehicle and a launcher includes an integral latch mechanism for holding the vehicle in a biased position and an actuating member for selectively releasing the latch. The vehicle includes an elongated tube of substantially dense, rigid material defining a frame to which wheels may be secured. The tube is encased within a soft, resilient, open cell foam material such as polyurethane foam which has been molded in the form of a vehicle body. A resilient, biasing member is mounted within the tube and is held in a compressed state by the latch. The launching member includes connection means to permit the connection of a series of launching members.

Abstract: An amusement device of the present invention comprises a bank constructed in the form of a plush doll having a coin insert aperture in the facial area, such as the mouth, leading to an internal coin receptacle. A pawl and ratchet mechanism is disposed within the doll to prevent coins inserted in the doll from completely entering the coin receptacle until the pawl and ratchet mechanism is manually activated by pushing or squeezing a predetermined area of the doll, thereby rotating a ratchet wheel to force the coins into the coin receptacle and simultaneously causing pivotal movement of a face distorting member so that it appears as if the doll is chewing the coin.

Abstract: An electronic game is provided having a playing field including an array of individually operable and selectively illuminated field array positions on which a game player attempts to maneuver a movable object over selected ones of the field array positions and actuate selected field array positions in accordance with the rules of the game. The player maneuvers the movable object by tilting or positioning of the playing field and game device with respect to a horizontal plane. The electronic game utilizes a microprocessor to control the progress of the game, to selectively illuminate playing field positions, to monitor the actuated field positions and to control the output of indications to the game player as to the progress of the game and the game player's score.

Abstract: An electrical board game device is described in which a plurality of slidable elements are mounted on a housing for relative sliding movement with respect to each of the other elements on the housing. Each element has a uniquely arranged pattern of electrical contacts in circuit with a light emitting diode. A pair of matching contacts are arranged on the housing in a position to complete an electrical circuit with the contacts on the element when the element is appropriately positioned. The elements, which appear to the player to all be identical, are slid relative to each other in an attempt to correctly position each element atop its matching contacts on the housing so that the light emitting diode of each element is illuminated.

Abstract: The game is characterized by a complicated and dangerous looking bomb-like housing which is equipped with a four-by-six keyboard under a hinged transparent cover. A pair of alternately flashing red incandescent lamps illuminate the keyboard. When the cover is opened, exposing the keyboard, the lamps may begin to flash or pulsate and the rate of flashing of the lamps may be increased and a fuse sound is produced which starts out at a relatively low pitch and gradually over a preselected time period increases in pitch to the point where it is obvious that an inevitable "blowup" will occur. The object of the game is to prevent the bomb from "exploding". If the bomb does explode, the fuse sound is terminated and a loud "boom" sound is produced which decays slowly and simulates the explosion of a bomb.

Abstract: A toy decorative curtain/door adapted for temporary installation between vertical jambs of an entrance opening for use in play by young children and the like includes a sheet of thin flexible curtain material mounted on an elongated roller adapted to extend between said opposite jamb surface. At least one end portion of the roller includes means for biasing the roller in a longitudinal direction toward the opposite end for supporting a roller between the jamb surfaces at a selected elevation. The flexible sheet material has an upper edge secured to the roller and a pair of longitudinal downwardly extending opposite edges adjacent the jamb surfaces and a free bottom edge to form a closing curtain for the entrance opening. At least one face of the sheet material has a decorative image thereon preferably of a living creature with an eye at an intermediate level.

Abstract: A structure including a base member having two fencing figures mounted thereon for movement relative to the base and each other so that the conductive sword carried by each figure may be engaged one with the other and the figures manipulated so that the conductive sword of one figure may touch the conductive target area of the other figure, and vice versa. When the conductive swords of the robot figures touch a unique audible signal is produced which is in the motif of the popular concept of outer space sounds and simulates the swishing or swooshing character of a sword blade moving through the air. When the swords are separated this audible signal dies out slowly so as to give an echo or ethereal effect thereto. if the conductive sword tip of one figure is maneuvered to engage the conductive target area of the other figure a unique sound signal is generated and a corresponding portion of the figure is illuminated by a flashing light.

Abstract: An adaptive game utilizes a microprocessor for generating a random audible or visual stimulus which must be responded to by a plurality of players. The response generally requires the players to estimate a time interval, a number of events, a tone frequency or the like. The microprocessor then correlates play with one or more players by determining the appropriateness of a player's response, assigning a score to the response and keeping score. In addition, the microprocessor senses the level of skill of the players by observing the score of the highest scoring player and adjusting the level of difficulty in accordance with the value of the highest score.

Abstract: A plant care kit includes a plurality of elements for cleaning and waxing the leaves of household plants. The leaf cleaner includes a support member for gently supporting the leaf of a plant to be cleaned. A soft, porous cleaning element, such as a sponge or the like, is secured to one surface of the support member for engaging the bottom side of a plant leaf. A handle is mounted on the support member, opposite the cleaning member to facilitate grasping by the user and to allow the user of the device to hold the support member in one hand. The leaf cleaning device further includes a second similar cleaning member such as a sponge or the like that may be held in the other hand of the user and placed on top of the leaf to be cleaned. The leaf is sandwiched between the first and second cleaning members and drawn along the length of the leaf thereby simultaneously wiping the upper and lower surfaces.

Abstract: A water toy or tube toy propelled by a jet of water includes an elongated body having an internal cylinder for containing a variable volume of water therein. A piston is mounted for slidable movement in the cylinder and is biased in one direction to decrease the volume of water in the cylinder by discharging a propelling jet stream of water from the rear end of the body. Valve means is provided permitting the filling of the cylinder with water when the piston is moved in an opposite direction and floatation means is provided for supporting the body on the water.

Abstract: A simulated vehicle instrumentation and control apparatus includes sound effects generating arrangements, indicators and displays that are controlled to simulate realistic driving conditions in response to the operation of various vehicle controls by the operator of the simulated vehicle apparatus. The vehicle controls include a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, a transmission gear shift selector, and an ignition switch. In various specific embodiments, additional controls are provided including siren and light controls. The turning of an ignition key in the ignition switch to a predetermined position initiates operation of the simulated vehicle apparatus. Operation of the accelerator pedal conditions the simulated vehicle apparatus to generate simulated vehicle engine sound effects in response to subsequent operation of the transmission gear shift selector.

Abstract: An electronic game having a field of play arranged in an array as a key board of individually operable key pad switches defining array positions on which one or more players attempt to discover a hidden maze path from a designated starting point. A player wins or completes the game when the maze path is traversed from start to finish. The device utilizes a microprocessor to control the progress of the game, generate different maze paths for each play of the game, monitor the entry of key board information, and control the output of indications to the players as to the progress of the game. The microprocessor also controls the generation of distinct aural tones and/or tone sequences representing each players' turn, incorrect moves, not responding within the time period for a move, the duration of each player's turn, and a game completion message. In an alternative scheme of play, two players start at opposite ends of a common maze path and attempt to reach other others' starting point.

Abstract: A remote controlled talking amusement or entertainment device of an amusing and simple construction includes a pair of fanciful heads mounted on a rigid base. Disposed within the base are an electromechanical transducer or audio speaker for transmitting audible output signals and a pair of fluid actuated pistons or diaphragms for imparting motion to a movable portion of one or both of the fanciful heads to simulate human speech or other sound patterns or facial expressions. The base is functionally interconnected with a remotely disposed control unit that includes a transducer or microphone for receiving audible input signals for transmission by the speaker in the remotely disposed base and also includes a pair of fluid pumps or air bellows for respectively actuating the remotely disposed pistons or diaphragms in the base to thereby impart motion to the movable portions of the fanciful heads either in synchronism or not in synchronism with the audible output signal transmitted by the speaker in the base.

Abstract: A game apparatus is disclosed including a generally vertically extending playing surface including front and back walls, a projectile launching station, and a projectile receiving station. The front wall of the apparatus bears partial or incomplete illustrations of objects, such as head-less bodies, and the projectiles include illustrations of the missing portions of the objects illustrated on the front playing surface wall, such as the missing heads. The front playing surface wall is generally transparent or includes an aperture at the locations of the missing portions of the illustrations so that when a projectile is launched into the proper location in the projectile receiving station, the projectile will complete the illustration on the front wall of the apparatus. The projectiles are weighted eccentrically to aid in landing the projectiles in the projectile receiving station in an upright position such that the projectiles properly complete the illustrations on the front wall on the apparatus.

Abstract: A mechanical construction toy for children of preschool age which can be assembled to form a robot. The construction toy has several parts which may be arranged in order to construct or build the robot. Three of the parts form a plane of carriage upon and about which the weight and moment of the toy rest and travel. The various parts are engageable with one another to provide several slip-type joints which permit the toy to take a variety of shapes or poses. The toy, when constructed, takes the shape of a robot and is an object of amusement as well as an education to the child.

Abstract: A sequence association game in which a participant may play one or more games against the machine and/or other participants utilizes a microprocessor for controlling the play of the games and also for generating a random sequence for each play of the game. The machine generates a random sequence correspondence between a plurality of participant actuated controls and a plurality of machine actuated indicators. The participant attempts to actuate the indicators by correctly establishing the random-generated correspondence between the controls and the indicators in an attempt to actuate all the indicators in sequence such as from left to right. The participant attempts to actuate the indicators with the least number of attempts by attempting to remember the association between respective controls and indicators from previous attempts.

Abstract: A space toy in the form of a vehicle includes a base and rotatably mounted vehicle body. The body of the vehicle rotatably mounts a plurality of exterior pods and includes removable, shuttle craft portions. A manually operable rack mechanism is operative to rotate the vehicle body in one direction while rotating the pods in an opposite direction. A plurality of toy figures are provided and cooperatively engage portions of the vehicle body, pods and shuttle craft to provide a realistic and operative space vehicle. Shock absorbing cushions on the base portion are provided with sounding mechanisms which are actuated upon manual operation of the body rotating rack mechanism.

Abstract: A game apparatus providing a challenge or test of manipulative skills to be performed within a predetermined time period, the length of which may be partially controlled by the operator. The apparatus provides a timed, sequential release of color coded playing pieces which traverse an inclined path of travel to be manually captured by the player of the game. The player attempts to deposit the playing pieces in particular locations in a depository array as dictated by one of a plurality of playing cards including indicia associated with the color coded playing pieces. The depository array includes a plurality of subsets, each of which includes an ejector mechanism, which, upon actuation, ejects the playing pieces deposited within that particular subset. Each particular subset of the depository array is associated with a timing mechanism so that the actuation of the associated ejector mechanism can be successfully delayed by skillful operation of a plurality of delay control devices.

Abstract: A game utilizes a microprocessor for controlling the play of one or more games in which a participant may play against the machine or against another participant. When played against the machine, the machine generates a random sequence of tones which must be accurately repeated by the participant. The machine then repeats the latest sequence and adds another tone to the sequence. The process is repeated until the participant makes an error, or until the sequence reaches a predetermined length. When played between two or more participants, each participant increases the length of the sequence until one of the participants makes an error whereupon the machine "eliminates" the player. The machine keeps track of the longest correct sequence and indicates which participant is in error.

Abstract: A device for chilling fluids includes a cooling chamber for containing cooling media such as ice or the like. The wall of the cooling chamber includes a mounting arm for supporting a container of fluid generally in an inverted position. A fluid conduit is positioned within the cooling chamber in contact with the cooling media. The fluid conduit includes a removable coupler at its upper end for coupling the open end of the fluid container to the conduit and a check valve to prevent accidental spilling of the container. The lower end of the conduit includes a valve to allow selective flow of fluid from the container into the conduit for cooling and out through the valve into a suitable receptacle such as a drinking glass. In an alternate embodiment, the cooling chamber is generally rectangular in shape and the fluid conduit comprises a thin, sloping heat exchange element mounted within the cooling chamber.