Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a body supported by a plurality of wheels. The body also includes a roof and rear window supporting a plurality of user inputs. Within the toy vehicle body, a microprocessor controlled drive and steering mechanism is operative. The operation of the microprocessor is set by the user inputs. The body further supports a movable bumper mouth and movable eyes and eyebrows behind the windshield.

Abstract: A retaining device holds a printed circuit board to a structure that has channels for receiving the retaining device. The retaining device includes a body having portions configured for receipt into the channels of the structure, flexible portions and protuberances protruding away from a first surface adjacent each flexible portion. A method for holding the PCB to the heat sink is disclosed. A lighting assembly that includes the retaining device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A splice connector includes a first IDC terminal, a second IDC terminal, a body receiving the first and second IDC terminals, and a cover connected to the body such that the cover selectively slides with respect to the body in the first linear direction from first position to a second position. The body defines a first seat configured to receive an associated first cable and second seat configured to receive an associated second cable that is to be electrically connected to the associated first cable. The first and second IDC terminals each include a portion that extends into a region adjacent a respective wire seat. The cover is configured to cooperate with the body where a portion of the cover engages a portion of the body at a third position between the first position and the second position such that in the third position movement of the cover with respect to the body in a second direction, which is opposite the first, is inhibited.

Abstract: A method and computerized system for reducing risk actually assumed by at least one of a plurality of parties, wherein at least one of the parties supplies electric power to at least one other of the parties, and if an unplanned at least partial failure to supply the electric power occurs, at least one of the parties assumes the risk. The method includes designating at least one factor associated with the supplying of electric power and for determining whether an unplanned at least partial failure to supply the electric power that occurs is a qualifying event; designating a compensation which will at least partially reduce the risk actually assumed by the at least one of the parties assuming the risk if the unplanned at least partial failure to supply the electric power occurs and is determined to be a qualifying event; and, establishing a relationship between the at least one of the parties assuming the risk and at least one other party.

Abstract: A retaining device holds a PCB to a heat sink that has channels for receiving the retaining device. The retaining device includes a body having portions configured for receipt into the channels of the heat sink and moveable tabs and protuberances protruding away from a first surface of each moveable tab. A method for holding the PCB to the heat sink is disclosed. A lighting assembly that includes the retaining device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and computerized system for reducing risk actually assumed by at least one of a plurality of parties, wherein at least one of the parties supplies electric power to at least one other of the parties, and if an unplanned at least partial failure to supply the electric power occurs, at least one of the parties assumes the risk. The method includes designating at least one factor associated with the supplying of electric power and for determining whether an unplanned at least partial failure to supply the electric power that occurs is a qualifying event; designating a compensation which will at least partially reduce the risk actually assumed by the at least one of the parties assuming the risk if the unplanned at least partial failure to supply the electric power occurs and is determined to be a qualifying event; and, establishing a relationship between the at least one of the parties assuming the risk and at least one other party.

Abstract: A LED signal includes a housing and a cover. At least one LED is arranged on a PCB and mounted within the housing. A collimator that collimates light energy emitted by the at least one LED is positioned adjacent to the at least one LED. A diffuser is positioned adjacent to the collimator and spreads collimated light transmitted through the collimator. The PCB, the collimator, and the diffuser are disposed between the cover and the housing, and the cover provides a protective barrier between environmental conditions and the collimator and diffuser.

Abstract: A clamping element for a toy vehicle trackset support structure includes a housing defining a passage therethrough and a socket. The passage receives an elongated support rod while the socket receives a ball which further supports a trackway segment. A lever actuated lock secures the rod and ball within the housing.

Abstract: A. track structure utilizes a somewhat flexible track frame having a roadway portion for supporting a rolling toy vehicle. The frame further includes a plurality of outwardly extending opposed pairs of platforms on each side of the roadway. A plurality of guide post supports are secured to the platforms and define notches for receiving a snap-fitted guide rail. A pair of generally cylindrical elongated somewhat flexible and resilient guide rails are snap-fitted to the guide rails supports on each side of the frame to form trackway walls. The cooperation of the guide rails and their supports facilitates the shape retention of the track segments.

Abstract: A toy vehicle trackset includes a trackway and a plurality of pneumatically actuated stunt devices within the travel path of the trackway. A source of compressed air is applied to one or more of the stunt devices to act upon a toy vehicle traveling the travel path.

Abstract: A spiral stunt device includes a supporting frame having an upper cross member which in turn defines a helical thread. A traveler engages the helical thread of the upper support and further supports a pendulum segment. The pendulum segment extends downwardly and terminates in a toy vehicle receiver or “caddy”. A first track segment is directed toward one side of the spiral stunt device which a second track segment is directed toward an offset portion of the stunt device. As a toy vehicle enters the stunt device with substantial energy, it is captivated by the toy vehicle receiver. As the energy of the captivated toy vehicle is transferred to the receiver and its pendulum support, the receiver together with the toy vehicle and the pendulum support are caused to rotate about the horizontal member advancing the traveler on the helical threads. The resulting lateral movement of the traveler upon the helical thread aligns the toy vehicle receiver with the offset track segment.

Abstract: The stunt device is positioned within the travel path of a toy vehicle and is supported by a support frame. A flip device is pivotally coupled to the frame and positioned to receive a toy vehicle from a portion of the trackset. A spring is coupled to the flip device and is restrained by the trigger. The trigger is positioned within the toy vehicle travel path upon the vehicle entrance to the stunt device. As the toy vehicle impacts the trigger, the spring is released causing the flip device to pivot rapidly thrusting the toy vehicle into the air in a somersault projection.

Abstract: A toy vehicle trackset including a closed trackway, a toy vehicle and a booster for accelerating the toy vehicle traveling the trackway. Within the trackway, a portion of the toy vehicle travel path includes a flexible multi-apertured panel held by a support structure.

Abstract: A lighting assembly for illuminating a display case includes an LED that illuminates items placed in the display case. The lighting assembly can attach to a door, a door frame, or another structure of the display case.

Abstract: A method and computerized system for reducing risk actually assumed by at least one of a plurality of parties, wherein at least one of the parties supplies electric power to at least one other of the parties, and if an unplanned at least partial failure to supply the electric power occurs, at least one of the parties assumes the risk. The method includes designating at least one factor associated with the supplying of electric power and for determining whether an unplanned at least partial failure to supply the electric power that occurs is a qualifying event; designating a compensation which will at least partially reduce the risk actually assumed by the at least one of the parties assuming the risk if the unplanned at least partial failure to supply the electric power occurs and is determined to be a qualifying event; and, establishing a relationship between the at least one of the parties assuming the risk and at least one other party.

Abstract: A plurality of stunt devices are used within a toy vehicle trackset. Each of the devices includes a movable portion within the toy vehicle travel path. Each movable portion is moved by a pneumatic actuator. A manually operated air bellows is coupled to each pneumatic actuator by a hollow tube. When a particular air bellows is compressed, the corresponding actuator moves the movable portion diverting the toy vehicle on the stunt device.

Abstract: A scaffold support system for toy vehicle tracksets utilizes a plurality of base members which in turn support a plurality of generally cylindrical rod elements. The rod elements are elongated and generally circular in cross-section. A plurality of joint members are utilized in securing combinations of the rod members together to form a scaffold structure. In turn, a further plurality of joint members are utilized in securing the track segments to the various rods found in the scaffold structure. The joints are movable and rotatable upon the supporting rods to provide substantial variation of track segment positioning and contour within the trackset. For the most part, each joint utilized in securing the track segments and the combinations of scaffold supporting rods within the trackset is capable of securely locking in a selected position.

Abstract: A toy vehicle launcher and supporting clamp are used in providing a gravity driven toy vehicle trackset. The clamp utilizes a ratcheting attachment member which facilitates the rapid sizing or adjustment for size for attachment to a table edge or the like. The launcher and clamp further provides a toy vehicle launcher having a trigger release for gravity driven launch of a toy vehicle down a coupled track segment. The angle of the toy vehicle launcher is adjustable to facilitate changes in launch angle and thereby changes in the amount of energy imparted to the toy vehicle.

Abstract: A heat dissipating lamp is provided. The lamp includes a reflector, a lens cover, a support structure interposed between the reflector and the lens cover, and an LED mounted to the support structure. The lens cover includes a portion adjacent a peripheral edge of the reflector. The support structure includes a bridge.

Abstract: A lamp (8, 108, 208) includes a reflector (10, 110, 210) with a plurality of off-axis reflector segments (20, 22, 24, 120a, 120b, 220). Each off-axis reflector segment has a focus at a perimeter (12, 112, 112a, 112b, 212) of the reflector. A plurality of light emitting elements (40, 42, 44, 140a, 140b, 240) are disposed at the foci of the off-axis reflector segments.