Abstract: A “try me” feature is disclosed for remotely controlled devices such as remotely controlled toys for point of sale demonstration or sampling. The disclosure describes a secondary link between the remote control device and the remotely controlled device. When the secondary link is selected or present, activation of a control on the remote control device will cause the remotely control device to react the same or similar to the way it reacts under wireless remote control, but via the secondary link. The secondary link may be configured as a disconnectable wired coupling. The remotely controlled device and the remote control device may be contained in a point of sale package or configured in a point of sale display.

Abstract: A target shooting toy which optically projects an image of a target which can be aimed at and hit. The toy includes an image projector that projects an optical image onto a wall or screen and a toy gun which is aimed at the target. The toy detects hits by detecting light received by the gun reflected from the target. The toy has a removable electronics cartridge which has circuitry that customizes image motion, sequences and game play to the particular image being displayed. The toy also has a removable image module that contains the image or images of one type of target. The image modules and the electronics cartridges are matched so the toy may be used with many types of target images and yet be customized for use with each type of target. The projector is driven relative to two coordinates axes to provide more realistic motion and motion sequences. The toy gun has a pump action reload and trigger cocking mechanism, and provides a simulated recoil when fired.

Abstract: A hide and find game includes a first game element to be hidden in a play area and a second, portable game element to be carried by a player through-out the play area. A wireless transmitter is incorporated in one of the first and second game elements to emit a signal of a given strength. A wireless receiver is incorporated in one of the first and second game elements to receive and compare the transmitted signal with a threshold level. The receiver includes a sound generator that is actuable to generate a sound informing the player that a second portable game element has been brought closer than a predetermined distance from the first hidden game piece whereby the player is prompted to find the first, hidden game element. The threshold level is set as a function of the predetermined distance.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a portable, player programmable, interactive toy for a shooting game played by radiating and appropriately detecting infrared light (or other radiated energy). Player sets of the toy include at least one IR emitter, at least one IR detector, and in the preferred embodiments, at least one audio or visual device. A keypad or other input device is provided for the entry of coded information to select from preprogrammed features and functions, including game modes, both prior to the start of a game and/or during a game. The interactivity includes at least two players interacting other than by detection of a hit, i.e., detection by one player of light shot by another player. The invention provides for information transfer between players to transfer or remotely activate features and functions or to remotely control another player's equipment.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a portable, programmable, interactive toy for a shooting game played by radiating and appropriately detecting infrared light (or other radiated energy). A player set includes an IR light projector (gun), an IR light detector (target) and a detachable, programmable data (or program) module which controls operation of the toy in accordance with data programmed therein. The data module may be detached, and the toy will operate in a default mode which is downwardly compatible with other toys that do not include the programmable data module. The toy also includes a base unit which programs the data modules to provide each player with a unique firing code. The data modules may also include circuitry which recognizes the different codes. The data modules may accumulate game and player information such as the number of shots fired by the associated gun, the number of hits registered by the associated target, and the source (player identification) of each hit registered.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides toy objects such as action figures, robots, vehicles, creatures, etc., with apparatus for playing a shooting game controlled by one or more human players. Each toy object includes either a energy emitter, a energy sensor, or both. The toy objects are manipulatable by the players to face the emitters and the sensors in directions to hit other objects with radiated energy or avoid being hit with radiated energy from other objects. In the preferred embodiment, the emitter radiates infrared light and the sensor detects infrared light, and are operated from a backpack movably attached to an action figure. Control of radiating and detecting infrared light is similar to the control in a currently popular "laser" shooting games available from Toymax Inc. under the trademark "Laser Challenge".

Abstract: A "try me" feature for remotely controlled devices such as remotely controlled toys for point of sale demonstration or sampling. A secondary link is provided between the remote control device and the remotely controlled device. When the secondary link is selected or present, activation of a control on the remote control device will cause the remotely control device to react the same or similar to the way it reacts under wireless remote control, but via the secondary link. In the preferred embodiment, the secondary link includes a disconnectable wired coupling. The remotely controlled device and the remote control device may be contained in a point of sale package or configured in a point of sale display. In one embodiment, the remotely controlled device has a switch by which the secondary coupling and "try me" operation, or normal wireless remote control operation is selected.

Abstract: The invention provides a toy light projector or light gun and player-worn and self-propelled toy targets which detect light emitted by a toy light gun, and a toy shooting game which includes at least one toy light gun, and at least one toy target. The game is played by a player attempting to "hit" a target which provides a feelable output upon detecting light projected by the gun, e.g., an ejection or release of a material, object, vibration, electrical shock, etc. The output is intended to be received and felt (other than by sight or sound) by a person playing the game. In the preferred embodiments, the target squirts water or bursts a water-filled balloon when a hit is detected or after a given number of hits is detected. Audio/visual effects may also be provided in response to hits.

Abstract: The toy uses metal molding material having a relatively low melting point which produces realistic toy metal objects. The metal is heated in a crucible and poured into a preferably closed, flexible mold made of rubber. The crucible and the mold are mounted to a molding platform held in a fixed position relative to each other with an outlet of the crucible communicating with an inlet of the mold. The molding platform is pivotally mounted in the toy, and both the crucible and the mold are pivoted or tilted to allow liquefied metal in the crucible to flow into the mold. A crank mechanism pivots the molding platform. The toy has a removable inner cover which mounts to the molding platform to cover the crucible and the mold, and a pivotally mounted outer cover which when closed blocks access to the molding platform and the inner cover.

Abstract: A fully contoured three dimensional toy figure made of at least two figure parts, and a toy apparatus and a method for molding the toy figure are disclosed. The figure parts are molded in respective mold cavities with receptacles, e.g., holes, in a side thereof and selected parts are joined together with simple connectors inserted into aligned receptacles of adjacently positioned parts. The receptacles may simply be blind holes in one side of the figure parts, and the connectors may be simple rods, bars or tubes which may have structure that assists in engaging the walls of the holes. The invention allows small children to make fully-contoured toy figures easily without having to use adhesives or typical fasteners to attach the figure parts together. Child-safe plastic materials such as Plasti-Goop.RTM. may be used as the plastic molding material.

Abstract: The invention provides a toy light projector or light gun and player-worn and self-propelled toy targets which detect light emitted by a toy light gun, and a toy shooting game which includes at least one toy light gun, and at least one toy target. The game is played by a player attempting to "hit" a target which provides audio/visual effects upon detecting light projected by the gun. A main target contains a light detector and all of the circuitry and audio/visual components needed to play a game, and an auxiliary target may contain a light detector and only some of the components needed to play a game and be coupled to a main target to share components therein. A self-propelled target includes circuitry which provides pseudorandom (or other pre-programmed or random) motion to the target. The light gun emits a sound while it is on and ready to be fired, which can serve as a warning to an opposing player.

Abstract: A uniquely constructed message delivering doll or action figure is attained, which is capable of providing, when activated, words or phrases specifically relating to one desired, precise subject, activity, profession or area of interest for which the doll or action figure is dressed, by providing a toy doll or action figure which incorporates an audio generator contained therein for producing audible messages, message containing components removably interconnectable therewith, and outfits of wearing apparel for designating or relating to one specific subject, activity, profession, or area of interest. Each message containing component comprises a plurality of messages, each of which is specifically related to a particular subject, activity, profession, or area of interest designated by an outfit of wearing apparel.

Abstract: Toy mold systems usable by a child to form highly detailed, rigid molded toy figures are disclosed. The systems include at least three preformed mold sections each having a configuration such that, in an assembled condition of the toy mold system, they define a mold cavity having at least one undercut. The mold system includes structure for releasably engaging the at least three mold sections in the assembled condition of the toy mold system. In the preferred embodiments, the mold system includes a base, top, and four wall mold sections. One, and preferably all, of the wall sections have a cavity portion with undercuts which provide the detailing on the sides, front and back of the molded toy figure. One of the mold sections functions as a base section into which the other mold section nest and with which they are releasably engaged.

Abstract: A toy oven has a heating compartment accessible through an aperture in a front wall of a housing of the oven. A door is provided which is manually movable to close off the aperture. IN one embodiment, the door is slidably mounted and in another embodiment it is pivotally mounted. A mechanical interlock engages the door to prevent it from opening if the electrical power switch is on. Another mechanical interlock prevents the door from opening when the heating compartment is at a high temperature. The oven is thus safe to use by children in normal play. A fan may be provided to cool the heating compartment when the power switch is turned off and is thereafter automatically turned off after a predetermined time or when the temperature in the heating compartment falls to a safe level. A timer may also be provided to automatically switch power off after a predetermined time of inactivity.

Abstract: A toy apparatus and method for making vacuum formed articles wherein a thin sheet of plastic is secured on a mold in a first position the mold is moved to a second position adjacent a heater for heating and softening the plastic sheet and a vacuum is applied to the mold and heated sheet either while it is in the second position or after it is moved back to its original first position. The apparatus includes a transparent safety cover and a shuttle lever which in combination reduce the possibility of a child operator of this toy from burning his or her fingers. The safety cover, if open, bars movement of the mold to the heater and bars entry of fingers toward the heater, and if closed, bars touching the mold, plastic sheet or heater. Following closure of the safety cover a first lever may be moved to drive the mold to the heater and a second lever may be moved to actuate the vacuum pump. The safety cover cannot be re-opened until the shuttle lever is returned to its start position.