Abstract: An ark toy comprising an ark including a hull, a deck releasably snap-locked to the hull, and a cabin releasably snap-locked to the deck. The cabin incorporates a handle for carrying the entire assembly. Animal units are releasably assembled companion animal members and are selectively mountable within deck compartments with access to and from the deck simulated by a removable inclined ramp.

Abstract: A game set includes a plurality of individual game articles, with each article including two companion playing pieces. The pieces mate with each other, but not with the pieces of other articles in the set, to form the article. The pieces of each article are separable from each other, for playing a game of seeking to mate the companion pieces of the article. In a preferred embodiment, a signal device is included in each article and is actuated by assembling the playing pieces into the article.

Abstract: A toy building block and a interactive set of said toy building blocks. Each side of each block is provided with a shape, either raised or recessed. There are three such shapes. Each block has at least one face with each of said shapes. There is only one raised shape portion on each block. The raised portions have a removable snap fit to matching recessed portions on other blocks.A plurality of said blocks, comprising a set, may be assembled by a child to form three dimensional structures. The half portion of each block opposing that side having the raised shape portion is identical to the opposing one half portion of every other block of the set.

Abstract: This educational device provides a three-dimensional, box-like structure and includes a plurality of side portions and a plurality of cross members selectively connectible to the side portions. A variety of threaded fasteners and tools are utilized for assembly of the educational device, which provides both an educational function in the use of different tools and threaded fasteners, as well as a toy providing a puzzle challenge by requiring a particular orientation of parts and threaded fasteners for complete assembly.

Abstract: A toy vehicle has a body having left and right side walls and an arcuate wall extending from front to rear located inbetween the left and right side walls. The body is supported by wheels, a portion of each of the wheels extending upwardly through an opening formed wherein the side walls join the arcuate wall. A cylindrical element is positioned on the vehicle over the arcuate wall between the left and the right side walls so as to rest on the portions of the wheels which extend upwardly through the openings in the arcuate wall. As the vehicle is rolled on a surface, rotation of the wheels of the vehicle is transferred to the cylindrical element to rotate the same on the body of the vehicle. The cylindrical element has a plurality of openings shaped so as to receive a like plurality of blocks. The blocks can be placed within the cylindrical element by inserting them through the appropriate openings.

Abstract: An educational toy comprises a tray (12, 14) having a plurality of templates (16) positioned thereon in a rearrangeable pattern. Each template has a hole therethrough of a unique shape. A corresponding plurality of mating male forms (20) are provided. The toy is used by placing the forms into their mating templates. Upon placement of a form into its mating template, a magnet (30) in the base of the form becomes positioned close enough to close a reed switch (32) under the tray. Closure of the reed switch activates a timing circuit (FIG. 7) which activates a moving, sounding toy (22) for a brief interval, thereby indicating to the child that he or she has made a correct placement. The templates can be easily rearranged in many patterns on the tray so that the child will not get bored with the game.

Abstract: A drawing/tracing/template apparatus (10) that can be used by an artist and/or a teacher to perform or teach various artistic tasks including basic drawing, manuscript and cursive writing, block printing, finger painting and template/block recognition exercises. The apparatus (10) is comprised of three assemblies: a template/block assembly (12), a drawing/tracing assembly (14) and a light panel/paper roller assembly (16). Each assembly may be used independently as the drawing/tracing assembly (14) may be used in combination with the light panel/paper roller assembly. Additionally, all three assemblies may be integrally attached to form a single package that allows the apparatus (10) to be easily carried and stored.

Abstract: An educational toy for teaching small children alphanumeric characters and their positions on a conventional keyboard includes a flat base unit having a plurality of surface slots extending partially through the base and second slots between the bottom of the surface slots and the bottom surface of the base to a metallic bottom plate. Keys are represented on the top surfaces of bars having exterior shapes that fit within the surface slots and with magnet tipped extensions that fit within the second slots. The slots and keyboard bars are uniquely shaped so that each bar can only fit into its respective slot to form a completed assembly similar to a conventional keyboard.

Abstract: A magnetic display panel having a transparent or translucent front substrate and a rear substrate bonded thereto by an adhesive with a dispersing liquid confining space formed between the substrates, preferably in the form of multiple cells. The dispersing liquid, composed of a fine particulate thickener, fine magnetic particles, a colorant and a dispersing medium, has a yield value of at least 5 dyne/cm.sup.2. A clear, long-lasting image is recordable by tracing a permanent magnet upon the face of the first substrate.

Abstract: An educational toy for use in developing manual dexterity and color recognition and distinction and in teaching children to recognize and distinguish larger from smaller numbers and to understand their relationships to physical size and to one another.

Abstract: A shape-matching educational toy apparatus includes a first plate having a plurality of different shape apertures therein and a plurality of block elements of corresponding shapes which are receivable in the apertures. The block elements are retained in the apertures by resilient retaining elements until a second plate engages the block elements to push them therethrough. The second plate is hingedly attached to the first plate but resiliently upwardly displaceable relative thereto whereby when an obstruction such as a child's finger is interposed between the plates, injury is avoided.

Abstract: An educational and recreational toy particularly for young children is provided for associating common subjects or shapes with related fragrances. The toy includes a series of uniquely shaped game pieces bearing familiar pictorial subject matter for seated reception within complementary-shaped recesses in a game board. Removal of a game piece from its associated board recess exposes a fragrance sticker adhered to the board and having a chemically coated front surface which, when lightly scratched, emits a familiar fragrance correlated with the shape and/or pictorial subject matter of the removed piece.

Abstract: The present invention entails a teaching device for severely retarded and physically handicapped individuals. A separable teaching board is provided which includes a plurality of detachable board sections. Each board section includes indented cutouts formed in the face thereof, with the indented cutouts being of a selected shape. Further there is provided a plurality of inserts formed in like selected shapes for being inserted into certain cutouts. An individual is taught to effectively match a given insert with a like shaped cutout by manipulating and positioning the insert within the matching cutout.

Abstract: A sound-emitting toy has a substantially vertical guide channel with a tight seal at one end, in which is movably supported a piston which confirms peripherally to the cross-sectional shape of the guide channel and has a vent hole which provides a flow connection through the piston. In the flow area of the vent hole is arranged a device which produces a sound upon movement of the piston due to the force of gravity toward the seal and in response to the resulting flow of displaced air. Pistons of dissimilar cross-sectional shapes are to be associated with guide channels having matching cross-sectional shapes by the player.

Abstract: A puzzle toy is provided comprising a plurality of pieces which can be easily gripped and manipulated by a young child and which can be assembled and disassembled into various structural combinations. The puzzle comprises pieces of various sizes having an aperture therein for fitting around a post upstanding from the base. The pieces are so designed so as to allow them to be placed randomly on the post and by manipulating and jogging the pieces, the puzzle solver may order the pieces in size order about the post.

Abstract: A toy of an educational nature including a plurality of receptacles in a supporting frame respectively for toy coins of different sizes and arranged to be received only in one of the receptacles as controlled by the size of the entrance opening for that particular coin. The value of the coins are prominently shown on the respective toy coins and such values are also shown adjacent the entrance openings. Ejector mechanism also is included to effect removal of the coins from the respective receptacles.

Abstract: An educational toy and container (10) having a base (13) and a plurality of walls (15) connected with the base (13) to define therewith an internal cavity (16). The walls (15) each have a top surface (22) having at least one hole (14). The area adjacent to each hole (14), is provided with a distinctive color. An insertable member (19) has a first end (25) and a second end (26). The insertable member (19) is also provided with a distinctive color. The holes (14) on the top surface (22) of the walls (15) are adapted to hold one of the ends (25 and 26) of the insertable member, whereby the insertable member may be inserted and removed from the holes (14). Means for moving the educational toy and container (10) along a floor are also provided. A lid member (24) is oppositely disposed from the base (13) and rests on the top surface (22 ) of the walls (15).

Abstract: A musical toy comprising a tone generator, a plurality of spaced apart generator contacts respectively associated with differing musical tones of a musical scale; at least one set of contactor members; at least one set of receiver members uniquely adapted to receive the set of contactor members in a fixed predetermined relative position; displacing members for displacing said receiver members while maintaining said fixed relative disposition in juxtaposition to the contacts so that they are successively actuated by the receiver members in accordance with a predetermined sequence thereby generating a predetermined sequence of tones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a game including a set of pieces having different outlines or otherwise differently configured whereby each is engageable into an individual location on a playing surface e.g. by insertion therein. A set of display elements each associated with one of the locations may be activated to indicate visibly when a piece is to be engaged with its associated location. A switch associated with each location is so arranged as to be operable when, and only when, the piece of the correct configuration is engaged in the location. An electrical operating circuit activates the display elements successively in an initial period and then activates only one display element. When the correct piece is engaged with the location corresponding to the activated display element the control circuit responds by deactivating the display element or by adjusting the sound from a sound source.

Abstract: An educational, action-type amusement center toy for children comprises a set of three pop-up members mounted on a housing, each pop-up member being movable from a hidden position to a display position. Each pop-up member is actuated by a different plurality of actuators in response to different manual actions performed by the child.

Abstract: A game of identification of shapes and identities particularly adapted for blind children has a rotatable housing with cutouts and pegs on exterior surfaces thereof within and upon which a player places matching pieces from a large plurality of pieces adapted to be stored in the housing and retrieved through a rotatably locking door and a timer and manually operable bell on the housing provide for signalling completion or non-completion of matching operations by a player.

Abstract: An electronic game board produces realistic sounds when game pieces are properly placed thereon. The board has different areas which may be representative of different environments. The game pieces are representative of animals or objects each of which is typically found in one of the environments represented. When a game piece is placed on the board in the environment where the real life animal or object is found, an electronic circuit within the game board is triggered to make the same sound the real life animal or object makes. A different sound is produced for each different animal or object.

Abstract: A toy has an enclosure pierced by a plurality of holes, each hole being in the shape of a distinctive geometry. A plurality of blocks are shaped to pass through only individually associated ones of the holes. Inside the housing, a balanced panel receives the blocks as they pass through the holes. When the cumulative weight of all blocks on the panel equals or exceeds a spring bias, the balance panel tips and performs a surprise function. In the disclosed embodiment, the surprise is a toy cow popping through a door and the blocks discharged out the back is both a surprise and a reward.

Abstract: An instructional and recreational device with means for producing a drawing, means for simultaneously developing ability in spatial relations and numerical or alphabetical usage. The device is a self-contained system including writing implements, game components, and writing surfaces. A plurality of variously shaped game boards are provided with variously shaped apertures therein for receiving complementarily-shaped element blocks having numbers, letters, or the like thereon. By placing a block in an appropriate aperture, a user may develop his spatial relations skills while increasing recognition of language symbols. The device also has means for drawing or writing, including a blackboard and a continuous, rolled supply of drawing paper.

Abstract: An educational toy comprising an open top rectangular box having a plurality of like bottom sockets in a spaced apart relationship in its bottom and a truncated corner post at each interior corner, a plurality of rectilinear platform blocks of different heights each of which is provided with a mounting post that extends from and perpendicular to the bottom thereof and which post is adapted to be removably inserted into any bottom socket, a color board adapted to be removably placed in the top of the box and to sit on the truncated corner posts and having a plurality of distinctively colored figures equal in number to the number of bottom sockets painted or otherwise provided on one surface thereof in a spaced apart relationship, and a grate adapted to be removably placed in the top of the box and to sit on the truncated corner posts and having a plurality of spaced apart openings therein equal in number to the number of bottom sockets and adapted to receive a plurality of game blocks slidably inserted lengthw

Abstract: A preschool play apparatus comprising a base having a wall defining a plurality of different shape holes. There is a translucent viewing window in the wall adjacent each of the holes. There are also a plurality of plugs or inserts having shapes which match the shapes of the holes. The child-user attempts to insert the plugs in the holes of matching shapes. When he or she is successful at inserting a plug, the inserted plug engages a mechanism which moves a picture up to the adjacent translucent window so that the picture is visible through the window. The base may take the form of a play telephone switchboard, with the plugs being attached to telephone lines or cords secured to the switchboard. The windows are translucent such that the pictures are readily visible without backlighting when they are adjacent the windows, but are not readily visible when spaced away from the windows.