Abstract: An adhesive binder strip having reduced transverse curl and method of manufacture. An elongated substrate is provided and a layer of molten, heat-activated adhesive is applied over the substrate surface. The layer of molten adhesive is permitted to cool so that the layer is in a solid state. The surface of the cooled adhesive is then mechanically deformed such as by cutting a multiplicity of grooves in the surface. The number and depth of the grooves are selected so as to achieve a substantial reduction in the amount of curl present in the binder strip. Once the mechanical deformations have been made, the binder strip can be used to bind a stack of sheets.

Abstract: The present invention is a guidance apparatus for movable toy vehicles that includes a track, or roadway, on which the toy vehicles move. The truck has an intersection. The intersection has a magnetic guidance mechanism for steering the toy vehicles in alternate directions through the intersection. An intersection magnetic sensing mechanism, i.e., electromagnets at the intersection and magnets in the vehicles, stops the vehicles prior to entering the intersection. Additionally, the vehicles stopped at the intersection can be actuated by a timing mechanism after passage of a predetermined time period. Furthermore, the vehicles stopped at the intersection can be actuated only after a mechanism for sensing vehicle presence in the intersection senses no vehicles in the intersection.

Abstract: The present invention is a guidance apparatus for movable toy vehicles that includes a track, or roadway, on which the toy vehicles move. The track has an intersection. The intersection has a guidance mechanism for steering the toy vehicles in alternate directions through the intersection. A sensing mechanism, i.e., infrared emitters at the intersection and phototransistors in the vehicles, stops the vehicles prior to entering the intersection. The vehicles stopped at the intersection are then actuated after the mechanism for guiding the toy vehicles through the intersection has been actuated. Additionally, the vehicles stopped at the intersection can be actuated by a timing mechanism after passage of a predetermined time period. Furthermore, the vehicles stopped at the intersection can be actuated only after a mechanism for sensing vehicle presence in the intersection senses no vehicles in the intersection.

Abstract: A printer and method of printing on a substrate such a binder strip used for binding a stack of sheets. A platen provides support for the strip, with the strip being supported on the platen at opposite ends by strip supports. A print head mechanism is mounted adjacent the platen so that the mechanism can move relative to the platen. A ribbon having ink is disposed intermediate the print head mechanism and the platen, with a print head controller being provided which causes the print head mechanism to print the desired matter on the substrate.

Abstract: A printer having a platen for supporting a binder strip to be printed, a ribbon positioned adjacent the platen and print head mechanism having print pins, driver coils associated with each print pin and a heating element for heating the print pins. A driver applies energy to the coils such that a drive force is applied to the print pins up to the time the pins force the ribbon against the binder strip and for a fixed time thereafter. The driver is controlled by a print head controller so as to carry out printing on the binder strip.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for control of toys. Preferably, the present invention is a remote control apparatus for guiding toy vehicles on a roadway. Most preferably, a remote control hand unit is employed that is most preferably optoelectric. The hand unit includes a plurality of direction keys that transmit signals from the hand unit based on their electronic interconnection with a directional light transmitter in the hand unit. The hand unit transmits directional commands to control movement of a toy vehicle through the intersection of a roadway. These control commands are directionally transmitted via a modulated signal that is received by a sensor adjacent the roadway.

Abstract: The present invention is a control apparatus for guiding toy vehicles on a roadway. Preferably, a remote control hand unit is employed that is most preferably optoelectric. The hand unit includes a plurality of direction keys that transmit signals from the hand unit based on their electronic interconnection with an infrared LED and a laser transmitter in the hand unit. The hand unit transmits directional commands to control movement of a toy vehicle through the intersection of a roadway. These control commands are transmitted via a modulated infrared signal that is received by an infrared sensor adjacent the roadway. Additionally, the hand unit transmits a location laser signal to one of many reception points, i.e., laser detectors, located adjacent each road at an intersection.

Abstract: A printer for printing on a binder strip and having a platen for supporting the binder strip, a print head mechanism and a print head controller. An interface unit is provided which includes indicia formed on the housing of the unit indicative of the spine of a bound book. The indicia includes three regions that represent three zones of the spine, with the three regions each having as associated visual indicator and switch for enabling a user to select a spine zone. A user can enter text, using a keyboard, to be printed on spine zone when the visual indicator associated with the spine zone has been made active using the associated switch.

Abstract: A toy vehicular drive apparatus includes a first roadway having an electrically conductive underside and a second roadway having an electrically conductive top and being under the first roadway. A subsurface powered vehicle is movable on the second roadway and has electrically conductive elements in contact with the electrically conductive underside of the first roadway and in contact with the electrically conductive top of the second roadway. A power source connected to the first roadway and the second roadway electrically energizes the first roadway and the second roadway to provide power to the powered subsurface vehicle. The toy vehicular drive apparatus also includes a surface vehicle movable on the top of the first roadway. A magnet on the surface vehicle and a magnet on the powered subsurface vehicle provide interconnection of the surface vehicle and the powered subsurface vehicle to cause movement of the surface vehicle in response to movement of the powered subsurface vehicle.