Abstract: A writing instrument includes an elongate body having opposed first and second ends, a longitudinal axis and a bore therein extending from the first end. A marking body, such as one having lead or a colored material, extends from the first end and is seated in the bore, while a connector is coupled to the second end. An eraser, such as a rubber eraser, is coupled to the connector and is configured to erase markings made by the marking body. The eraser includes a flat surface that is configured to prevent the writing instrument from rolling about the axis down an inclined surface contacting the elongate body. The flat surface may be oriented on a plane that is substantially parallel to the axis. The flat surface may also include a dimension perpendicular to the axis that is larger than another dimension of the elongate body which is also perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: A writing instrument includes an elongate body having opposed first and second ends, a longitudinal axis and a bore therein extending from the first end. A marking body, such as one having lead or a colored material, extends from the first end and is seated in the bore, while a connector is coupled to the second end. An eraser, such as a rubber eraser, is coupled to the connector and is configured to erase markings made by the marking body. The eraser includes a flat surface that is configured to prevent the writing instrument from rolling about the axis down an inclined surface contacting the elongate body. The flat surface may be oriented on a plane that is substantially parallel to the axis. The flat surface may also include a dimension perpendicular to the axis that is larger than another dimension of the elongate body which is also perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: A protective inflatable edge guard which is provided to extend around the deck of a swimming pool adjacent the edge of the deck at the swimming pool and along edges of structural components or members associated with the pool. The edge guard thereby provides protection to swimmers and others using the swimming pool by precluding hard contact with said edges. The protective edge guard is comprised of a plurality of inflatable tubes which are sized and shaped to extend around the edges of the swimming pool deck and structural components thereof. Moreover, the individual tubes are endwise abuttable to form a generally peripherally extending edge liner. A member is provided on the inflatable tubes to hold the endwise abutted inflatable tubes along the edge of the swimming pool deck.

Abstract: A therapeutic doll figure having a doll body with at least a head section and a torso section. A transport, such as a tape transport, with a recordable medium, such as a tape cassette is located within the doll body and is capable of having a message recorded thereon and which message may also be reproduced therefrom. A speaker is located within the doll and preferably at a representation of a mouth portion on the head section of the doll for generating the reproduced message. A microphone can be located on the doll and preferably in the ear of the doll and connected to the tape transport for recording a message on the tape cassette. Further, a manually actuable switch can be located behind a representation of a heart on the doll in order to start or stop the tape transport. In another aspect of the invention, the facial expression of the doll can be changed in order to represent known or unknown human persons.