Abstract: A user-configurable construction system is provided. This system includes: a substantially planar base; a plurality of vertical support members each having a bottom portion and a top portion, wherein the bottom portion of each vertical support member is adapted to engage a portion of the base; a plurality of transverse support members attachable to and mountable between the top portions of the vertical support members; and a plurality of substantially flat display panels each having top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion of each display panel is adapted to be mountable within or attachable to a transverse support member, and wherein the bottom portion of each display panel is adapted to engage a portion of the base.

Abstract: A slide is provided with a sliding surface along which a person may slide. The slide includes a bridging structure spanning the sliding surface and a valve mounted to the bridging structure and coupled to a source of water. A spray nozzle is selectively coupled through the valve to the water source. The spray nozzle is mounted to the bridging structure to spray water toward the sliding surface when the valve couples the nozzle to the water source. A trigger hangs from the bridging structure adjacent the sliding surface and controls the valve to direct water to the spray nozzle when the trigger is contacted and displaced by the user. The nozzle sprays water onto the user as the user activates the trigger by sliding under the bridging structure.

Abstract: A snow recreation device is provided. The device is defined by a convex bottom surface that includes tracking and steering ridges. In some embodiments, the device includes raised handles configured to position a rider's grip above the bottom surface of the device.

Abstract: A slide is provided with a sliding surface along which a person may slide. The slide includes a bridging structure spanning the sliding surface and a valve mounted to the bridging structure and coupled to a source of water. A spray nozzle is selectively coupled through the valve to the water source. The spray nozzle is mounted to the bridging structure to spray water toward the sliding surface when the valve couples the nozzle to the water source. A trigger hangs from the bridging structure adjacent the sliding surface and controls the valve to direct water to the spray nozzle when the trigger is contacted and displaced by the user. The nozzle sprays water onto the user as the user activates the trigger by sliding under the bridging structure.

Abstract: A slide is provided with a sliding surface along which a person may slide. The slide includes a bridging structure spanning the sliding surface and a valve mounted to the bridging structure and coupled to a source of water. A spray nozzle is selectively coupled through the valve to the water source. The spray nozzle is mounted to the bridging structure to spray water toward the sliding surface when the valve couples the nozzle to the water source. A trigger hangs from the bridging structure adjacent the sliding surface and controls the valve to direct water to the spray nozzle when the trigger is contacted and displaced by the user. The nozzle sprays water onto the user as the user activates the trigger by sliding under the bridging structure.

Abstract: A toy vehicle launcher having a hand grip which can be squeezed to move expandable scissors members forward in order to launch a toy vehicle. The scissors members form an expandable parallelogram linkage which is slidable mounted inside the launcher. When the hand grip is squeezed, a trigger member pivotably mounted to the grip moves a sliding plate mounted inside the launcher. As the sliding plate moves, two pins attached to the sliding plate operably engage elongated slots in two of the scissors members, pulling the two members backward and causing the linkage to expand forward. A launching plate supported on top of the scissors members moves forward with the expanding linkage pushing a toy vehicle forward. Since the linkage expands forward in a relatively smooth and uniform manner, the toy vehicle is also launched in a relatively uniform manner, helping to avoid activating or damaging any impact-activated mechanisms in the vehicle.