Abstract: A method and circuit arrangement for performing surface measurements to enable a beam source to be triggered such that changes in the oscillation frequency, maximum scanning angle, and distance from the measurement surface of the scanner are automatically compensated for. In one embodiment an alternating voltage proportional to the lateral displacement of the impinging beam from a reference point is generated and then compared with a stepped reference voltage. A trigger signal is produced when the alternating voltage equals the reference voltage, so that the beam impinges at equidistant intervals. The reference voltage is adjusted to compensate for changes in distance and maximum scanning angle. In another embodiment, a pulse sequence is generated such that the number of pulses occurring in the scanning cycle is constant. The pulses are counted and the count is compared with reference values corresponding to equiangular intervals. A trigger signal is output if the count equals the reference value.

Abstract: A toy having a transparent hollow outer shell is formed in the shape of a surface of revolution with an axis of symmetry and contains an object visible through said shell. The object is clear of the inner surface of the shell. A flexible elastic band having spaced points of connection to the shell and located on said axis of symmetry is fixed to and supports the object between said connection points. The object's center of gravity is below said band. Rolling of the shell about its axis twists the band as the center of gravity of the object remains below the band. When the band has stored up enough energy, it untwists and spins the object first in one direction and then reversely.

Abstract: An inflatable nursery toy typically consisting of a large generally barrel-shaped inflatable outer bag composed of soft, limp, flexible and non-resilient sheet material such as plastic, with donut-shaped cuffs at either end thereof. A smaller, separately inflatable cylindrical tube, usually composed of the same plastic material as the outer tube, is located within the barrel and is inclined lengthwise of the barrel relative to the axis of symmetry thereof. A plurality of balls are located within the cylindrical tube, and these balls travel lengthwise due to gravity, as a child rolls the barrel along the floor.

Abstract: A driving simulator toy realistically duplicates the actual driving environment of an automobile. The toy has a tunnel-like structure which accommodates the outstretched legs of a seated child to thereby simulate a low-slung bucket-seat environment.