Abstract: An interactive, animated, and robotic doll having movable appendages, such as a head, arms, and legs. The doll includes motors, gears and other linkages to actuate the movement of these appendages. A lockout mechanism is operatively incorporated into the doll for preventing conflicting forces from occurring. The lockout mechanism may include a shuttlecock interposed two independent linkages that drive motion in a single appendage. The shuttlecock slides between two positions, each of which limits the movement of a corresponding one of the two linkages when the other of the two linkages is actuating motion in the appendage.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a sensor includes a housing with an annular track; a cylindrical contact within the annular track, the cylindrical contact being appropriately sized to allow movement within the annular track; and a plate coupled with the housing, the plate including one or more pairs of electrical contacts situated substantially adjacent to the annular track.

Abstract: A bottle includes an outer vessel formed of a transparent or clear material and an inner vessel slightly smaller than the outer vessel and received therein to create a space therebetween. A cap is secured to the outer vessel and defines apertures therein. The outer vessel defines a closed upper end having apertures aligned with the cap apertures. A valve body providing check valves operable in opposite directions is coupled to a pair of straws which in turn are directed upwardly through the respective apertures and are joined at a common pump bulb. The pump bulb is formed of a resilient elastic material and cooperates with the check valves to displace liquid from the outer vessel to the inner vessel as the bulb is repeatedly squeezed and released. A doll cooperating with the bottle receives the pump bulb in a mouth opening and provides mouth motion to squeeze and release the pump bulb.