Abstract: The soft bodied structures and systems for controlling such devices are described herein. The soft bodied structures can move from a first position to a second position by an earthworm-like motion. The system can include connecting to a first contact point of the surface using a surface attachment. The medial region can include one or more spacer regions. The medial actuators can be actuated to expand the exterior medial surface at the spacer regions, thus moving the unattached end portion forward. The device can then attach to a second contact point using the surface attachment and the end portion actuator of the unattached end portion. Then, the surface attachment of the first attached end portion can detach. The medial actuators and the spacer regions can then relax, followed by detaching the surface attachment of the second attached end portion.

Abstract: A robotic printing system for an exterior surface of an aircraft includes a robotic printer, the robotic printer having a body and a plurality of vacuum suction cups mounted to the body for attaching the robotic printer to the exterior surface of the aircraft, where the plurality of vacuum suction cups are configured to move the robotic printer along the exterior surface of the aircraft. The robotic printer also includes a printing head mounted to the body, where the printing head is positioned to apply a print medium to the exterior surface of the aircraft. The robotic printer also includes a laser-based positioning device mounted to the body for determining a position of the robotic printer on the exterior surface of the aircraft.

Abstract: A toy set having one or more figurines is provided. A first figurine has a motor coupled to a flywheel and a drive shaft to rotate the flywheel and the drive shaft. The drive shaft engages a support surface causing translation of the first figurine on the support surface when the drive shaft is rotated. The flywheel holds the first figurine generally upright on the support surface via gyroscopic force when the flywheel is rotated. The first figurine has a body representing a torso and at least one arm extending from the body, wherein the body and the at least one arm do not rotate with the flywheel. A second figurine is connectable to the first figurine to form a self-balancing assembly at least when the drive shaft engages the support surface and the flywheel is rotated by the motor. Rotation of the drive shaft causes translation of the self-balancing assembly on the support surface.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a throwing apparatus that includes a projectile that slides on a rail. In one example, as the user makes a throwing action, the projectile slides along the rail and locks into place at an end of the rail. In response, the throwing apparatus launches a virtual object representing the projectile along a virtual path extending away from the throwing apparatus. The apparatus may include an emitter that transmits a signal indicative of the signal path of the virtual object. An external device receiving the signal can determine whether the device is on the path and whether it is struck by the virtual object. The apparatus may also include a speaker that outputs a sound simulating the projectile flying through free space. The speaker may change the volume of the sound depending on whether the virtual object is moving away or towards the throwing apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus useful as an educational device, puzzle or toy of a kind having magnetic interactions between an elongate support and pieces held, or to be held, with or without contact, about said support, wherein a plurality of said pieces collectively form, or can form, a first band of pieces about said support, and another plurality of said pieces form, or can form, a second band of pieces about the support, and wherein at least one piece of each said band has an indicia, said indicia of a piece in one band being able to be indexed to an indicia of a piece of the other band, and wherein at least one of the bands of pieces is able, or will be able, to be rotated about the elongate axis of the support.

Abstract: A projectile and a compact carrying and launching case in combination. The projectile includes foldable wings which when unfolded resemble a plane. The compact carrying and launching case includes a two piece housing that is pivotally attached to each other about a hinge/launching mechanism. When closed, the two piece housing encloses the plane in its folded position. When opened, the hinge/launching mechanism can be pulled to a cocked position and then released forcibly moves the projectile such that it releases from the launching mechanism and is capable of flying.

Abstract: An assembled magnetic track structure for a toy vehicle includes a base plate disposed on a ground, and a magnetic track magnetically attracted to the base plate. The magnetic track is made by assembling a plurality of magnetic track sections. Wheels of the toy vehicle run on the magnetic track. By this structure, it is easy for manufacturing, saves the expense of molds, and reduces the production cost and selling cost. Further, it can be assembled easily and freely to increase the interest and variability thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a built-up type toy having plural parts 10a of polyhedron shape equipped with joining surfaces 11a that are joined with other joining surfaces 11b of other parts 10b. The built-up type toy of the present invention has the parts respectively having magnet portions 100a on the joining surfaces 11a thereof, wherein the magnet portion 100a of the part 10a and the magnet portion 100b on the joining surface 11b of the parts 10b are joined with each other by magnetic force thereof. The built-up type toy of the present invention provides the effects that it is easy to assemble and disassemble, the assemble state is not likely to be demolished easily, and it is helpful to develop the initiative of infant as it can be assemble to various shapes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a built-up type toy having plural parts 10a of polyhedron shape equipped with joining surfaces 11a that are joined with other joining surfaces 11b of other parts 10b. The built-up type toy of the present invention has the parts respectively having magnet portions 100a on the joining surfaces 11a thereof, wherein the magnet portion 100a of the part 10a and the magnet portion 100b on the joining surface 11b of the parts 10b are joined with each other by magnetic force thereof. The built-up type toy of the present invention provides the effects that it is easy to assemble and disassemble, the assemble state is not likely to be demolished easily, and it is helpful to develop the initiative of infant as it can be assemble to various shapes.

Abstract: A method for the locomotion of devices on opposite sides of a surface, one or more of which are mobile robots. Devices on opposing sides of the surface are coupled by an attractive force, which helps generate enough friction between said devices and the surface to allow devices to move across the surface.

Abstract: Puzzle formed by a plurality of cubes. Puzzle formed by a plurality of cubes, wherein each face (3) of each cube shows a fragment of an image, and which is formed by a quantity of cubes whose square root is a whole number. The cubes may be arranged three-dimensionally forming a bigger cube in such a way that each of the faces of the bigger cube shows an image formed by the fragments of images of each of the seen faces (3) of each of the cubes. Each of the cubes can have reversible connecting means for connecting the cube with cubes adjacent thereto preferably by means of movable magnets. The puzzle can be used as a flags construction game.

Abstract: Disclosed is a built-up type toy having plural parts 10a of polyhedron shape equipped with joining surfaces 11a that are joined with other joining surfaces 11b of other parts 10b. The built-up type toy of the present invention has the parts respectively having magnet portions 100a on the joining surfaces 11a thereof, wherein the magnet portion 100a of the part 10a and the magnet portion 100b on the joining surface 11b of the parts 10b are joined with each other by magnetic force thereof. The built-up type toy of the present invention provides the effects that it is easy to assemble and disassemble, the assemble state is not likely to be demolished easily, and it is helpful to develop the initiative of infant as it can be assemble to various shapes.

Abstract: A top toy including a track component for supporting a wheel-type top. Each track member has a peripheral rim to cooperatively form a two-rail track. Each of the rims is configured non-circular such that the magnetic spindles of the wheel-type top move toward and away from an axis of a shaft of the track component as the top travels on the rims about the axis of the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus useful as an educational device, puzzle or toy of a kind having magnetic interactions between an elongate support and pieces held, or to be held, with or without contact, about said support, wherein a plurality of said pieces collectively form, or can form, a first band of pieces about said support, and another plurality of said pieces form, or can form, a second band of pieces about the support, and wherein at least one piece of each said band has an indicia, said indicia of a piece in one band being able to be indexed to an indicia of a piece of the other band, and wherein at least one of the bands of pieces is able, or will be able, to be rotated about the elongate axis of the support.

Abstract: Disclosed is a built-up type toy having plural parts 10a of polyhedron shape equipped with joining surfaces 11a that are joined with other joining surfaces 11b of other parts 10b. The built-up type toy of the present invention has the parts respectively having magnet portions 10a on the joining surfaces 11a thereof, wherein the magnet portion 100a of the part 10a and the magnet portion 100b on the joining surface 11b of the parts 10b are joined with each other by magnetic force thereof. The built-up type toy of the present invention provides the effects that it is easy to assemble and disassemble, the assemble state is not likely to be demolished easily, and it is helpful to develop the initiative of infant as it can be assemble to various shapes.

Abstract: A toy includes at least two articles. At least one of the articles has a movement or change of condition component which is caused to occur by magnetic attraction between magnets and/or magnetically attractive material via the respective articles when brought into proximity. The movement is created by a drive assembly provided in one of the articles and connected to a magnet or magnetically attractive material such that the movement force can be transferred between the articles via the magnetic attraction.

Abstract: A wheel-shaped top with magnetic spindles projecting from the body. A circular disc with a beaded rim is mounted on each end of a shaft; the rims of the discs forming a two-rail track encircling the shaft. A handle has two legs attached to opposite ends of the shaft. The spindles are magnetically attached to the two-rail track. The top orbits around the track in response to hand-manipulation of the handle; it is launched from the track when the orbital speed is sufficient to centrifugally separate the spindles from the track to spin on a surface, and can be magnetically retrieved, while spinning, by engagement of the spindles with the shaft, or with one or both of the discs.

Abstract: A toy comprising a figure having an arm attachment portion; and at least two figure transport units, each of said figure transport units having a body and an arm movable between a first position and a second position with respect to said body, said arm having a figure attachment portion for removable attachment of said figure thereto, said figure attachment portion of said arm having a first configuration for attachment of said figure to said arm by attachment of said figure attachment portion of said arm to said arm attachment portion of said figure where said arm is in said first position, said figure attachment portion of said arm having a second configuration for removal of said figure from said arm by separation of said figure attachment portion of said arm from said arm attachment portion of said figure when said arm is in said second position whereby said figure is transported from a first one of said at least two figure transport units to a second one of said at least two figure transport units after

Abstract: A jewelry-forming component composing a body member having a first magnetized portion and a female element associated therewith for magnetically attracting and receiving a male element of another jewelry-forming component. The first magnetized portion of the body member provides a minimum magnetic strength that is sufficient to retain the male element within the female element and a maximum magnetic strength that can be overcome by a person's hand strength to separate the male and female elements. The female element defines a cavity having a depth sufficient to receive the male element at different positions therein, and this allows relative movement of the male and female elements to assist in providing the self-sizing nature of the article. The body member also includes a further element that is magnetically responsive for magnetically coupling with another jewelry-forming component, such that a plurality of such components can be magnetically coupled to form an article of jewelry.

Abstract: A puzzle apparatus comprising a first plurality of puzzle pieces that form a picture when combined together that includes a representation of at least one cartoon character, a magnet associated with at least one of the puzzle pieces, a platform on which the puzzle pieces can be arranged, a detector for sensing the magnet and sound generating apparatus for producing audible sounds corresponding to the character shown on the puzzle pieces.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling for toy vehicles includes a stationary protruding member and a retractable member, each having a rounded end piece. One of the end pieces is at least partially formed of a magnetic material and the other is at least partially formed of a non-magnetic, magnetically attractive material. A separate end piece can be provided on each of a pair of toy vehicles or each vehicle can be provided with both. The retractable member can be configured to receive the protruding member in a mechanical coupling.

Abstract: A magnetic coupler for joining a first toy vehicle to a second toy vehicle is claimed. The magnetic coupler comprises a pair of spaced connectors. The connectors extend from an end wall of the first vehicle. A disk-shaped magnet is fixedly attached within a space formed between the pair of connectors. The disk-shaped magnet is mounted so that it is substantially perpendicular to the end wall of first toy vehicle.

Abstract: The invention is a character object comprising an artistic layer formed of a sheet material. The artistic layer includes a torso having a plurality of articulation points and a plurality of appendages. Each appendage is pivotally connected to the torso at one of the torso articulation points such that each appendage may be pivoted with respect to the torso. At least one magnet is fixed to the artistic layer.

Abstract: A magnetically coupled toy system having two toy components such as a doll and nursing bottle is shown. The nursing bottle contains a motor-driven rotating permanent magnet in the nipple portion. A second permanent magnet is mounted in a flexible region around the mouth of a doll. When the nipple containing the rotating magnet is placed in proximity with the mouth of the doll, relative motion between the magnets imparts motion to the mouth and lip regions of the doll.

Abstract: A railroad car incorporating a pair of wheel carriages, each wheel carriage holding four wheels, and pivotally connected to a housing 8, the housing having a lower clearance passage provided through its bottom, an upper longitudinally inclined slot, opening to its top, and an aperture therethrough, and through which a fastener may locate, for pivotal securement of the wheel carriage to the underside of a railroad car.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling device on a toy vehicle has a magnetic element and a fixing element, by means of which the magnetic element is fixed to the vehicle. The fixing element has a dome-shaped coupling surface, which is arranged to be kept in abutment by magnetic attraction against a coupling surface of a coupling device on another toy vehicle. Inside the coupling surface, the fixing element has an inner cavity, in which the magnetic element is arranged to be freely movable.

Abstract: A hand held shuttle wheel toy is provided having parallel metal rails on which a shuttle wheel can be rolled back and forth.

Abstract: A magnetic strip of material formed into a loop which is placed around two pulleys. The pulleys rotate, thereby moving the magnetic strip. Skiers have skis which are attracted to the magnetic strip and are thereby moved with the loop as the loop is pulled around the pulleys. As the skier reaches the top of the upper pulley, the ski is lifted off the magnetic strip and onto the ski jump ramp. At the top of this ramp, the skier is held by a magnet located beneath the top of the ramp. Rotating with the upper pulley is a cam which moves the magnet at the top of the ramp between two positions. The first positions holds the magnet against or adjacent to the underside of the ramp holding the skier at the top of the ramp and the second position holds the magnet rotated slightly away from the ramp which releases the figure to descend the ramp and perform its ski jump. Optionally there is a flag that drops when the magnet releases the skier.

Abstract: A magnetically propelled pendulum toy which includes a base and a toy member at the end of the pendulum and movable relative to the base. One end of the pendulum is connected to the toy member and the other end is connected to an arm that extends above the base so that the toy member can swing back and forth in pendulum fashion. The toy member and/or pendulum is caused to move back and forth because of the action of magnets in the base and in the toy member and switches in the toy member cause lights in the toy member to blink on and off as a function of the pendulum-like movement of the toy relative to the base.

Abstract: A block toy is composed of a plurality of blocks magnetically connectable to each other. At least one of the blocks comprises a block main body having plural flat surface portions, magnet holding portions formed on inner sides of the respective flat surface portions, and permanent magnets accommodated within the respective magnet holding portions for rotation about imaginary axes extending at right angles relative to the flat surface portions corresponding to the magnet holding portions. The magnet holding portions may be in the form of magnet holders arranged on the inner sides of the respective flat surface portions. The magnet holders may preferably be connected together so that the resulting connected magnet holder has a cross-sectional shape substantially similar to the corresponding cross-sectional shape of the block main body formed by the corresponding plural flat surface portions.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling device of a toy vehicle comprises a magnetic element and a fastening element, by means of which the magnetic element is attached to the vehicle. The device also comprises a dome-shaped coupling surface which is arranged on the magnetic element to be kept, by magnetic power, in engagement with a coupling surface of a coupling device of another toy vehicle. The fastening element is connected to the magnetic element and movably mounted on the toy vehicle such that the magnetic element with the coupling surface arranged thereon is freely pivotable at least about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the direction of motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A self-propelled toy train engine for pulling a train of wooden railroad cars over a variety of surfaces including a child safe magnetic coupling for connecting the engine to the railroad cars, high traction drive wheels for being propelled over a variety of surfaces, a gear train which disengages from the drive axle given a predetermined force. The train engine is weighted to provide added traction for propelling the train set over smooth surfaces and a low center of gravity for stabilizing the engine when propelling the train set over rough surfaces such as carpeting.

Abstract: The magnetic marble action toy includes a design member (12) which may take the form and the image of a variety of animals and/or vehicles, or other elements, such as numbers or letters. The design member (12) is typically made of flat plastic and includes one or more openings (18) therethrough. Two magnetic marbles (30, 32) are positioned on opposite sides of the design member, in physical contact with each other through the opening (18). The opening (18) is arranged relative to the magnetic marbles (30, 32) such that the magnetic marbles (30, 32) spin freely while supporting the design member in an upright position, so that the toy may be readily propelled in various directions by the user.

Abstract: A detachably coupling device for a detachably coupling two bodies. The detachable coupling device on each of the bodies comprises a magnet movably mounted on the body and having a north pole and a south pole. The strength of the magnetic field existing between the magnets on the first body the second body may be selected to allow, preferably, manual detachable coupling of the two bodies. As the two bodies are placed closer together until the magnets are contiguous, the movement of the magnets will cause the magnets under the influence of the magnetic field to move until the north pole of one magnet is contiguous the south pole of the other magnet thereby coupling the two bodies together.

Abstract: This magnetic toy includes a figure which may roll, where a part of the figure is magnetized with poles forming a magnetic force line around the figure. Also included is a belt with poles disposed along the length, the poles forming a magnetic force line. The figure is placed on the belt with the magnetic forces adhering the figure but allowing it rolling movement along the belt. The belt may be used around a person's extremities or torso. The belt may be incorporated into an article of apparel which does not have surface obstructions that would prevent rolling of the figure along the track of the belt.

Abstract: A hand held magnetic track toy having a rolling permanent magnet or magnets that depend on another permanent magnet for orientation of their magnetic poles and support on a track surface. The magnetic poles of the rolling permanent magnets are aligned in a similar direction and in parallel axes with respect to each other due to the influence of the magnetic poles of the other permanent magnet whereby the rolling permanent magnets are provided with the ability to travel at a high rate of speed on the track surface and perform intriguing bumping movements.

Abstract: A ring type stunt toy device including a ring structure, two fixing blocks, a base and a wheeled toy wherein the ring structure has two metal rings which can be attracted by magnet at its inner circumference, two supports at its external circumference with column projections to insert into the recessions of the column member ends of the fixing blocks respectively so that the ring structure can rotate between the supports and the wheeled toy has a wheel like covers with a wheelbase slightly wider than the width of the ring structure so that it can be placed across the ring structure and while the right and left conductive wheels are contacting the metal rings, the motor in the wheeled toy rotate and drive the wheeled toy for forward movement and due to the weight of the wheeled toy, the ring structure rotate simultaneously.

Abstract: An action toy in which a spinner is provided having two wheels joined with a magnetized axle which rotates along a single flat elongated wand. The wand has a return at each end so that the spinner will rotate along a first side of the wand and then along a second side as a player moves the wand from hand to hand. A pendant may be provided attached to an extension of the axle and having a magnet at its distal end for picking up various objects adding additional play value. The wand may be provided in a variety of shapes to present an interesting path for the spinner. A ramp may be provided which is readily attachable to the wand at a return to permit the passage of the spinner off of or onto the wand.

Abstract: A three-dimensional game having rotatable track members mounted on a support frame on which a self-propelled vehicle may be guided over a predetermined course through rotation of the track members. The track members are mounted on the support frame so that they can be rotated into a plurality of positions in some of which positions a set of track members forms a substantially continuous path upon which the vehicle may travel from one track member to another track member. Rotation of the track members is accomplished through manipulation of a set of attached knobs. Each track member may include a metal panel to which the magnetized wheels of the self-propelled vehicle are attracted, allowing for rotation of a vehicle-carrying track member in a full circle without the vehicle falling from the track member.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a toy guideway or track and vehicle for riding thereover. The track is made of a plastic material of such state and configuration wherein the track is not normally self supporting. Self support means are provided to support the track in a desired manner to define a trackway of particular configuration, and the track is provided with guide means for directing a toy vehicle thereover.