Abstract: A plurality of collectible dice, each including a multi-faceted polyhedron having an opaque base. A three dimensional character is positioned on the base and contained within each die. At least one of the facets of each die, other than the base, is transparent or translucent to permit viewing of the character. Indicia for distinguishing the die and for use in game play are contained on each die. Players obtain a collection of dice from a universe of distinctive dice and establish a set of dice from the collection. A set of dice for use in a given turn of a game is selected from the collection. At least one selected die is cast and the value is determined from a combination of the character contained within the die and the indicia showing on the upwardly facing facet of the die.

Abstract: A plurality of collectible dice, each including a multi-faceted polyhedron having an opaque base. A three dimensional character is positioned on the base and contained within each die. At least one of the facets of each die, other than the base, is transparent or translucent to permit viewing of the character. Indicia for distinguishing the die and for use in game play are contained on each die. Players obtain a collection of dice from a universe of distinctive dice and establish a set of dice from the collection. A set of dice for use in a given turn of a game is selected from the collection. At least one selected die is cast and the value is determined from a combination of the character contained within the die and the indicia showing on the upwardly facing facet of the die.

Abstract: A loop feature for propelled toy vehicles includes a generally vertically oriented single loop having a movable ingress portion and a movable egress portion. A propelled toy vehicle enters the loop upon engaging one surface of the ingress portion. Player-operable controls effect movement of the egress portion to permit the propelled toy vehicle to exit the loop. Both movable portions have a free end and a connected end. The connected end of each movable portion is hingedly connected to each end of a fixed arcuate portion. Within the loop there is provision for propelling the toy vehicle as it continues to go around the loop.

Abstract: A basketball game including two hoops and a backboard that is adapted to be mounted indoors on an interior structure, such as a door. Deflectable paddles detect the passage of balls through the hoop. Each score (passage of a ball through a hoop) generates a reproduced human voice announcement. A microprocessor registers each score and keeps track of the differential between the number of balls passing through each respective hoop. The score differential is displayed along a row of light emitting diodes. The first player to achieve a four hoop differential in his favor is the winner. Two players may compete against each other, or one player may compete against himself. In one player mode, the microprocessor registers random scores for the machine. The frequency of machine scores depends upon the skill level selected by the player.

Abstract: A game, in which a question is simultaneously posed to all of the players, includes a device for determining which of a number of players is the first to correctly answer, or to most closely correctly answer the question. Emanating from a central hub are a number of biased pivoting arms that are related at one end to the hub. A response to a posed question can be indicated adjacent the free end of each of the arms. The arms are all biased to pivot the free end toward the hub to facilitate the positive identification of the sequential order of the answers. Each player restrains the free end of an assigned arm until the player has indicated an answer to the question. Selected ones of up to six arms may be connected to the hub to accommodate differing numbers of players. A readily erasable writing surface is carried adjacent the free end of each arm on which players mark the answer.

Abstract: A path game including a generally serpentine path rising from a start to a higher finish. Removably seated adjacent the finish is a top together with a winding and release mechanism for the top. Card play provides for forward and backward movement of tokens, exchange of tokens with opposing players and release of the spinning top. When the mechanism is removed, the top may be readily mounted on the winding and release mechanism for winding. The wound top, together with the winding and release mechanism is then reseated for release upon play of a particular type of card. Upwardly projecting ridges between segment of the path generally provide a guide for downward movement of the released spinning top along the path. Gaps in the ridges provide for movement of the top from one segment of the path to a nonconsecutive segment while skipping intervening consecutive segment and also permit the top to leave the path entirely.

Abstract: Toy vehicle wheels are each mounted on an axle having a gear with each of the wheels having a pair of diametrically opposed arcuate segments. Each of the arcuate segments includes an inwardly extending member with each member including a rack that is kept in engagement with an opposed toothed side of the gear. A coiled spring biases the two opposed arcuate segments toward each other. With a motor driving the axle in one direction, the wheel is initially rotated with the opposed arcuate segments in a first position proximate each other until the wheel encounters an impediment that stalls rotation of the wheel so that continued rotation of the axle in one direction drives the segments away from each other. For enhancing the visual effect of the arcuate segments being moved away from each other, edges of the arcuate segments are provided with projecting parts that are obscured when the arcuate segments are in the first position proximate each other.

Abstract: A playset including various building facades representing a food store, pet shop, florist, post office, bank and the like have both exterior and interior details with various movable play features. Additional town structures such as mailboxes, benches, lampposts, fences and the like are used between the building facades to connect the facades with each other. Also included with the playset is a line of small, soft body dolls and animal figures representing various family members, town officials and pets.

Abstract: A property dealing game that is played in two phases requires the players to acquire properties without always actually knowing the intrinsic value of the property. Cards are provided which, in combination with one or more properties, make the property worth more than its intrinsic value to a player holding one or more particular cards. The intrinsic value of the property is determined by the amount of money inserted into a closed property box during the course of play. In the initial phase, players proceed around peripheral pathway spaces on a board. However, in the second, less structured phase, the winner is determined as a result of deals made among the players without moving around the board. Additional cards are provided for affecting the holding of opposing players and influencing the bidding play in the acquisition of properties.

Abstract: A puzzle in which alphabet letters or other graphics are displayed in movable squares forming a grid on a front side of the puzzle. On the back side of the puzzle is another grid of movable squares containing alphabet letters or other graphics. Each square is a part of each of two mutually transverse, continuous bands. One band comprises aligned front side and back side rows while the other transverse band comprises aligned front side and back side columns. The relationship of each square in the puzzle may be changed with respect to every other square. As squares are moved out of the front side grid, they wrap around, out of sight, and change the grid of squares on the back side while bringing an out of sight square into the front side grid. In one electronic version of the puzzle, movement of a square is effected by touching the front side square to be moved and then touching the position on the front side row or column to which the square is to be moved.

Abstract: A game in which a number of players each attempt to move a plurality of assigned stackable playing tokens to the center of a board along one of four concentric spiral paths. Once a player has all of the assigned tokens on the path, a stack of tokens may be moved as a single token. Movement of the tokens is determined by the roll of two dice with players being able to move each of two single tokens the number of spaces along the path that are indicated on a respective die or move one single token the total of both dice. Also included is a windup spring motor random moving disrupter device constructed so as to increase the probability of knocking over a higher stack of tokens. When indicated by a die, the random moving disrupter is wound and released in an attempt to knock over tokens of the opposing players. Knocked over tokens are removed from the board and must be restarted on the path.

Abstract: An electronic game playing device including an animated character and a synthesized voice. Game play instructions, required responses and awards, are contained in a program memory within a base on which the character is mounted. Carried by the base are a player input touch pad including the letters of the alphabet and individual player input buttons as well as a gridwork of lightable spaces. Animation of different features of the character is initiated at different times in response to audio signals emanating from the voice synthesis, or from an interfaced tape player, through an animation drive powered by a single motor. The animiation drive includes a shaft carrying relatively rotatable components some of which are rotated by other of the components after a predetermined amount of rotation by such other components. Movement of the character's mouth is accomplished by a second motor having a drive engaging the edge of an inner extension of the lower jaw.

Abstract: A board game in which players, using markers representing different types of global influence, challenge individual opponents. The outcome of the challenge being effected by point values of the markers of a selected type of global influence. In one form the markers are tiles and a balance beam is provided to determine the outcome of a contest without having to numerically add the point value on the markers.

Abstract: A game in which all of the pieces, while movable for play, are captured against removal and loss from the game. Player movable pieces are received for movement along slots extending through the thickness of a playing surface but are captured by upper and lower enlargements against removal. Discreet positional stops are provided along the slots by spaced apart depressions into which a mating truncated conical portion on the movable pieces fits. In one form, a captive rotatable disc cooperates with the playing surface to permit selective opening of covers that obscure indicia matchable with indicia designating positions along a slot path.

Abstract: A game involving the insertion of simulated articles of dirty clothing into a washing machine receptacle, the sides of which are biased to explode open. The number and type of articles to be inserted during a turn is determined by a spinner. Insertion of the articles through an opening in the top wall of an otherwise substantially enclosed receptacle, eventually effects downward movement of the bottom to which the sidewalls are pivotably mounted. Once the bottom and sidewalls move down enough to disengage the upper edges of the sidewalls, the sides of the washing machine receptacle spring outwardly, spewing out the laundry.