Abstract: An activity toy, having a spherical housing which is flattened at its poles so as to be supportable at two places on a support surface, has an elongated helical member which extends within the interior from one of the poles to the other. A bushing is fitted around the helical member and is sized so as to very lightly frictionally engage the helical member whereby when it moves along the longitudinal axis of the helical member, the friction between it and the helical member rotates it on the helical member. A collar is located around the bushing. The collar is free to spin independent of the bushing. However, during travel of the bushing along the helical member, the rotation of the bushing is communicated to the collar. The collar includes a plurality of axles which extend away from the collar, each of which carries an object on its end.

Abstract: A toy vehicle which is capable of changing both its size and shape has a compound vehicle chassis having a first and a second chassis member. The chassis members are movable with respect to one another. The chassis members are connected together such that they can be moved with respect to one another reversibly between a first position and a second position. The body of the vehicle includes at least one movable member which is movably associated with one of the chassis members and is movable with respect to the chassis member with which it is associated with between two positions. The spatial relationship between parts of the body of the vehicle is changeable in conjunction with movement of the chassis members and the movable member between their respective positions.

Abstract: A toy vehicle which is capable of changing both its size and shape has a compound vehicle chassis having a first and a second chassis member. The chassis members are movable with respect to one another. The chassis members are connected together such that they can be moved with respect to one another reversibly between a first position and a second position. The body of the vehicle has at least two independent parts. At least one of these parts is movably associated with one of the chassis members and is movable with respect to both the other of the parts and the chassis member it is associated with. The spatial relationship between the body parts is changeable in conjunction with movement of the chassis members from one of the positions to the other of the positions.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for use in a toy of the type incorporating "ball people" figurines to transfer the figurines from one location to a second location includes a base radially displaced from both the first and the second locations and a carrier which is rotatably mounted on the base. The carrier includes a support member having a first end which is movable in an arc between the first and second locations and a holding member which is pivotally mounted on the first end of the support member. A platform is located at the second location and includes an edge capable of being engaged by a portion of the holding member. The holding member is capable of swinging about its pivot; then it engages the platform. The edge of the platform includes a guide and when the first end of the support member approaches adjacent the second location the guide engages the holding member tilting the holding member allowing a "ball person" to roll off of the holding member onto the platform.

Abstract: A time teaching device which gives a numerical readout to teach a child the position of clock hands and is capable of advancing the clock hands every time the child activates the readout portion has a housing in which is located a clock face and typical hour and minute clock hands. Within the housing are two carrier members which have a plurality of indicia thereon which indicate numerically the position of the clock's hands. The carrier members are located in the housing beneath display openings. Interspaced between the display openings and the carriers is an interference member which normally interferes with viewing of the indicia on the carrier. Both the hands and the carriers are coordinated such that movement of the minute hand will move the hour hand and both of the carriers through appropriate increments. An operator member is located on the housing and when it is depressed into the housing the indicia corresponding to the positions of the hands is viewable.

Abstract: A mechanical toy which has a seemingly random movement of both its extendable parts and its motion is described. The toy has a base to which is attached several extendable members which can be pushed into the toy by the child to a retractable position. The extendable members are held in the retractable position by a series of independently acting holding members. The toy includes a button which is positioned so that a child may easily push it. On depression of the button one, several or all of the extendable members may be released from the retracted position allowing them to extend out of the toy into an extended position. Concurrently the propulsion mechanism of the toy may or may not also be activated causing the toy to move along the surface on which it is set. The propulsion mechanism is energized by the child mechanically depressing one of the extensions into its retracted position.

Abstract: A toy cash register device which closely simulates the operation of an actual real life cash register having a plurality of program plates depicting thereon various items of merchandise and monetary values therefore with each plate having a total value for each grouping of items thereon. The device is entirely actuated and operated by tensioned springs and no other source of power is required for actuating thereof. An OPEN button releases a cash drawer for positive opening under other spring mechanism. Coordinated with a program plate inserted into the device are latching pawls associated with respective monetary keys. Each program plate is provided with precoded channels along respective edges thereof which in cooperation with the latching pawls require operation of correct keys before a "ring up" occurs and simultaneously therewith a ding of an internal bell occurs.

Abstract: A teaching apparatus for use in teaching numerical concepts can be constructed so as to utilize first and second display members which are movably mounted within a housing so that each of the members is capable of being moved from a first position to a series of successive positions. The housing is constructed so that as the display members are so moved portions of them can be viewed from the exterior of the housing. An advancing structure is provided within the housing for concurrently moving the display members from their first positions to the successive positions. First and second return structures are provided for causing the return of the display members to their first locations after they have been moved to any of the successive positions. A part may be mounted on the housing and connected to the advancing structure so that each time the advancing structure is actuated the part is moved from and then back into an initial position.