Abstract: A robot includes a control circuit that detects a changing maximum value of a pitch angle, when the robot moves to a predetermined target point by rotating its main body. The control circuit determines a minimum control amount corresponding to the maximum value of the pitch angle, when the robot arrives at a predetermined distance short of the predetermined target point. The control circuit generates a deceleration control amount for the second drive mechanism that is greater than or equal to the minimum control amount, according to a remaining distance to the predetermined target point. The control circuit decelerates the rotation of the main body by controlling the second drive mechanism in accordance with the deceleration control amount.

Abstract: Apparatus for telling time by aligning a plurality of partial images from time to time to form a composite image, including a motor having two or more concentric rotating output shafts rotating at different speeds. Each of the partial images is supported by one of the shafts. As a function of the relative rates of rotation of the shafts, all of the partial images become aligned from time to identifiable time to form the composite image. Each and every rotating disc in these examples is attached to a power driven shaft. This is a common concentric shaft with three differing powered rotations, one at sixty rotations per hour, another at two rotations per twenty-four hours, and the remaining one at 3600 rotations per hour. These rotating discs are identified respectively as the minute disc, the hour disc, and the secondhand disc and are attached to their respective individual shafts.

Abstract: A kit for a child's play structure includes poles removably attached to one another and arranged to form a three-dimensional box-like structure of a size to permit a child to fully enter therein. A plurality of panels are attached to the poles. The panels have graphic representations thereon corresponding to at least a portion of a story or illustration, such as depicted in an accompanying storybook. Three dimensional objects may be positionable within, or removably attached to the panels, and which correspond to objects in the storybook to enhance the play experience. Multiple structures may be placed side-by-side so that a child can move from one structure to another, and thus from one portion of the story to the next.

Abstract: A collapsible toy kitchen apparatus and method, an embodiment including a back support including a backsplash, a kitchen counter including a countertop and a range and being pivotably connected to the back support, a base pivotably connected to the back support, and two side walls that are each foldable. The pivotable connections and foldable side walls allow the toy kitchen to collapse, such as for storage.

Abstract: The present invention and related disclosure describes greeting cards with moving elements or devices which are operable to create motion in connection with some portion of the greeting card. The greeting card may include a multi-panel greeting card body or a three-dimensional foam greeting card body. At least one movable object is contained upon or within the greeting card body. A sound module having at least one pre-recorded digital audio file saved therein and a motor module are contained and concealed within the greeting card body. One or more switches may be used to activate the sound and motor modules, causing the pre-recorded audio file to play and causing movement of the movable or mobile object.

Abstract: The book consists, in a conventional way, of a series of pages, each one of them being formed by two plates of hard cardboard and an intermediate layer made of rubber foam. The cardboard plate (1) of the front side and the cardboard plate (1?) of the reverse side respectively incorporate slots (3, 3?), that describe a trajectory with the shape of an “L”, or any other appropriate trajectory. The slots (3, 3?) are intended to allow the children to introduce their fingers and move a cursor (4) that slips through a slot (5) in the rubber foam layer (2), thus making an itinerary or path for the cursor (4), that can be followed with the finger of the child through the path created by such slot (5) of the rubber foam layer (2).

Abstract: A reversibly bound book is provided. A first cover strip is wrapped around the first edge of a first cover board, passes over the first side of the first cover board and along the first side of the second cover board. One end of a second cover strip is wrapped around the second edge of the second cover board, strip passes along the second side of the second cover board and over the second side of the first cover board. The cover boards are only attached to each other via the cover strips and can be rotated and turned inside-out. One book can have two different appearances simply by rotating the cover boards with respect to each other. At least one floating spine is bound to one cover board, serving as a spine in one configuration and a closure in the other.

Abstract: A storybook kit for a child's play structure includes poles removably attached to one another and arranged to form a three-dimensional box-like structure of a size to permit a child to fully enter therein. A plurality of panels are attached to the poles. The panels have graphic representations thereon corresponding to at least a portion of a story or illustration depicted in an accompanying storybook. Three dimensional objects may be positionable within, or removably attached to the panels, and which correspond to objects in the storybook to enhance the play experience. Multiple structures may be placed side-by-side so that a child can move from one structure to another, and thus from one portion of the story to the next.

Abstract: An interpretative book structure with multi-view illustrations includes an interpretative book unit having at least one illustrated page and at least one interpretative page corresponding to the illustrated page, the illustrated page having an illustration provided thereon, and the interpretative page having interpretative text provided thereon; and at least one multi-view illustration unit being provided on the interpretative page, the multi-view illustration unit having a multi-view illustration provided thereon, and the multi-view illustration being corresponding to a part of the illustration provided on the illustrated page. The multi-view illustration unit, when being viewed at different viewing angles, can show images indicating different conditions of the illustration, so that a large quantity of pictures can be saved to reduce the volume of the interpretative book.

Abstract: An animated foldable card that includes a base page, shield page, first intermediate page and second intermediate page all having top, bottom, left and right edges. The shield page includes a window defined therein and its bottom edge is hingedly connected to the top edge of the base page. The right edge of the first intermediate page is hingedly connected to the left edge of the base page, and the right edge of the second intermediate page is hingedly connected to the left edge of the first intermediate page. The card also includes a moveable page having top, bottom, left and right edges. The right edge of the moveable page is hingedly connected to the left edge of the second intermediate page, and the moveable page includes one of either a plurality of shutter elements or at least one coded image associated therewith. Either the base page or the shield page includes the other of the plurality of shutter elements and the at least one coded image associated therewith.

Abstract: A book with removable objects comprising a plurality of card board sheets printed on both sides, cut to form removable insert, folded, and bound together as page(s), allowing for printed material to be visible in the insert cavity once the removable insert is extracted.

Abstract: By providing a unique housing member within which a plurality of separate display and holding members are operatively interconnected for sequential display relative to each other in a unique, cooperative, continuous, extending manner, a unique, hands-on, visually exciting and interest generating multi-panel display and holding system is realized. In the preferred construction of the present invention, a plurality of separate and independent display and/or holding members are cooperatively interconnected to each other for sequential movement relative to each other. Furthermore, each of the display/holding members are also constructed for being automatically positioned in a precisely desired continuous array in response to the receipt of pulling or movement force applied to one of the display/holding members or to a designated lead element.

Abstract: By providing a unique, pre-printed promotional system which can be produced in a wide variety of alternate forms and/or configurations and employs at least two cooperating panels mounted to each other, with one panel being movable for activating the movement of the second panel between an open position and a closed position, a unique, hands-on, printed, visually exciting and interest generating advertising/promotional product is attained. In the preferred embodiment, the promotional system of the present invention incorporates a panel member on which a plurality of cooperating cut out sections are formed, with each of these cut out sections being constructed for cooperating with each other in the central area or zone of the panel member. Furthermore, each cut out section is movable or arcuately pivoted between two alternate positions, with the arcuate pivoting movement being controlled by affixation of each cut out section with the cooperating, overlying activation plate.

Abstract: A three dimensional storybook with a plurality of base plates, a plurality of horizontal and vertical support poles, a plurality of pole connecting members and a fabric floor portion The floor portion terminates at each edge in a base plate retaining loop of fabric. A plurality of felt wall curtains are each capable of being hung on a the horizontal support poles. The felt curtains include decorative graphics that correspond with a story as told in a two dimensional storybook. A plurality of graphic felt accessory panels that relate to the story can be attached to the curtains and or floor portion. A see through fabric mesh panel acts as a roof portion. Multiple structures can be placed side by side so that a child can crawl from one portion of the story to the next.

Abstract: A page or book for interacting with a non-human animal is provided. In various embodiments, a book is provided comprising a cover, a plurality of pages, at least one of the plurality of pages and/or cover having at least one element is provided that is attractive to the animal's sense of sight, smell, taste, touch, and/or sound, and optionally a spine for holding the cover and the plurality of pages. The book is designed so that the animal will sustain interest in the book and interact with the reader. In various embodiments, a page is provided, the page comprising at least one element that is attractive to the animal's sense of sight, smell, taste, touch, and/or sound.

Abstract: A modular motion device capable of incorporated into a greeting card has a packaging structure, a module drive mechanism and one or more visual elements capable of being set in motion by a user's interaction with the drive mechanism. The module drive mechanism includes a plurality of motion components, such as gears and pivot hubs. The motion components are activated in a first embodiment via manual rotation of a drive gear, in a second embodiment via manual rotation of a crank arm, and in a third embodiment via a motor.

Abstract: The Lamella card consists of a foldable wrapping having at least one sighting window, a first image carrier arranged inside it and a second image carrier comprising at least 4 lamellae inserted in one another. At least one of said lamellae is fitted with a lever, which is guided in a guiding slot, connected to a driving element. The lamellae are arranged in such a way that each lamella is brought under the first folding section and over a second neighboring folding section and can be driven by the motion of the driving element from the covered position of the first folding section over the second neighbouring folding section. Through the movement of the lamellae over a motion track, either the image located on the first image carrier or an image located on the lamellae can be displayed in a sighting window.

Abstract: An interactive device includes a base unit and at least one interchangeable cartridge. The base unit comprises a transparent pressure-sensitive touchscreen overlying the cartridge and a microphone. The cartridge comprises a scroll having a plurality of image frames which are sequentially viewable through the transparent touchscreen and a digital memory. The cartridge is configured to key into a cartridge receptacle in the base unit and couple the memory with a processor in the base unit. The cartridge includes release levers which prevent rotation of the scroll when the cartridge is removed from the base unit.

Abstract: A coloring book for children including a plurality of page sets bound or stapled wherein a page set includes a pair of background sheets, each having a different background design, and a sharing page placed between the background sheets having basic designs on a front and rear surface thereof so as to be coordinated with the background designs when folded with each of the background sheets.

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 deformable drawing tablet in which contiguous longitudinal edge portions of a stack of individual elongate strips which are confined for relative sliding movement to form a drawing surface. A user can shift individual strips longitudinally to deform the drawing surface thereby distorting an image drawn or preprinted on the drawing surface. Longitudinal end portions of the strips form a lateral edge of the tablet so that the lateral edge can be formed into profiles of different characters by shifting the strips longitudinally to different relative positions. An edge forming die includes a stencil for drawing character features. The strips are clamped in a coplanar stack by a transverse locating post, extending through slots in the strips and secured at opposite ends to a cap and a base which house an eraser and a drawing implement, respectively.

Abstract: A three-dimensional interactive book includes a wheelfold sandwiched between front and rear covers. The front cover has illustrations on both the convex and concave surfaces of a three-dimensionally contoured element. The rear cover has a holographic element. The wheelfold has a wheel rotatably mounted between opposite front and rear panels. Primary pictorial elements on the wheel are selectively visible through a window on the front panel. A secondary pictorial element on the front panel is juxtaposed with the window. Selected surfaces, elements, and panels have text written thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus (930) is shown for displaying a representation of the outline (44) of a wheeled vehicle in various poses with respect to a pictorial scene (38). The apparatus (930) comprises a pictorial scene (38) disposed upon a substantially planar background element (32). First and second spaced straps (58) serve as the vehicle's wheels (40) and (42) and are engaged by T-shaped slots (64) and (66) in outline (44) so that the vehicle may be selectively slidably moved along straps (58) thereby assuming a plurality of poses with respect to the pictorial scene (38) and the wheels (40) and (42). A third strap (999) is cut in the form of a person or advertised product into the background element (32) between the first and second straps. The vehicle is positioned between third strap (999) and the remaining portion of background element (32) so that third strap (999) holds the middle of the vehicle against the background element (32).

Abstract: Two plastic film transparencies are rotatably attached side-by-side by engagement of film portions on one transparency with at least one incision on the other. There are images on each transparency and the rotatable attachment allows relative rotation of the transparencies to overlay the images on the transparencies. The images are cooperative so that overlaid images provide cooperative images. The rotatable attachment is accomplished by film portions on one transparency engaging an incision or incisions on the other. In some embodiments of the subject invention at least one of the transparencies is essentially circular. In all embodiments of the invention the relative rotation of the transparencies is in a range of 10° to 360°.

Abstract: A first plastic film transparency (10) is formed to include an image (14). A second plastic film transparency (12) is formed to include a complementary image (16). The transparencies (10, 12) are positioned side-by-side. The first transparency (10) is formed to include a circle of circumferentially spaced apart incisions (18) in it. The second transparency (12) includes film portions (20) that project through the incisions (18) and connect the transparencies (10, 12) together for at least some rotation, one relative to the other. One transparency (10, 12) can be rotated relative to the other to bring the images (14, 16) into a predetermined relationship, each to the other, so that the two images (14, 16) when viewed together will provide a predetermined combined image.

Abstract: An ornamental motion toy includes a book-shaped housing having a front design and a plurality of windows in the front design, a plurality of ornaments suspended in the windows, a driving unit, a transmission unit driven by the driving unit to move the ornaments in the windows along different paths, light and sound producing means installed in the housing and controlled to produce light and sound effects.

Abstract: A simple foldable greeting card wherein, upon opening, decorative display elements self-generate a 3-D effect.

Abstract: A sports trading card that has a picture of an athlete on one side and statistics for the athlete on a reverse side. The picture and the statistics are imprinted on layers or cover sheets that are secured to opposite sides of a backing surface by means of static cling.

Abstract: Books with internal mechanization have rotary and linear drive mechanisms which displace objects along linear, non-linear, rotary and three-dimensional paths relative to the book pages are described. Spatially arranged cut-outs in the pages which correspond to the range of motion of the displaced and translated objects allow different moving objects to be viewed at different areas of the book from page to page. Battery powered drive mechanisms with push-button operation accessible from the front of the book enables easy, selective activation of the moving objects, independent of the position of the front cover and pages relative to the back cover. Belt-driven wheels provide inherent clutching action to prevent damage to the drive mechanism. Manually operated embodiments of the various drive mechanisms which produce each of the described motions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A playset toy provides multiple play environments selected by inverting the toy. The toy includes a playset body and parts attached to the body. The parts are constructed to alter their position relative to the body upon inversion such that inversion conceals one play environment and reveals another play environment.

Abstract: The present invention is a book having (a) a front cover, a back cover and a spline, forming an outer portion of a book; (b) a plurality of pages affixed within the outer portion of the book and containing a plurality of words constituting a text; (c) at least one page being a three-dimensional hollow frame structure with its front being at least partially made of see-through material. The frame structure is divided into an upper section and a lower section, separated by a wall having at least one connecting orifice, and containing a trap mechanism at each of said at the connecting orifice, and including a lever functionally connected to the trap mechanism. There is also a plurality of bead-like structures contained within the upper section of said frame structure, having a sufficient shape and size to flow via gravity through the connecting orifice of the upper section to the lower section when a user actuates the lever with the book in a substantially upright position.

Abstract: A children's book including a front cover, a back cover, and at least one leaf positioned between the front cover and the back cover. A spine portion of the book connects the front cover, the leaf and the back cover. The book further includes at least one attachment arrangement and at least one rotation member. The front cover, the leaf, and/or the back cover has at least one cut-out portion. The rotating member is rotatably connected to a respective front cover, back cover and/or leaf by positioned within the cut-out portion using the attachment arrangement so that the rotating member is rotatable about an axis extending along a plane of the book.

Abstract: An interactive audio-visual toy that includes a base unit that receives removable audio-visual ("AV") cassette. The AV cassette includes a pair of rollers on which a picture scroll is wound. The pictorial scenes of the picture scroll are evident through a transparent viewing window. Moreover, a pre-recorded audio cassette is mounted on its bottom surface. The base unit controls the AV cassette to successively display these pictorial scenes without the use of expensive display hardware and to output audio from the pre-recorded audio cassette tape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a book for young readers designed to make reading more enjoyable. The book of the present invention preferably includes illustrations on at least some of the pages thereof. Additionally, edible candy is provided as a part of the book pages and may be positioned to form a part of an illustration found on a page. The candy is attached to or otherwise provided as a part of the book pages in a manner so that it may be easily removed from the book and eaten by the reader. In an alternative embodiment, the book pages may include holes formed therein and the candy may be provided on an insert designed to be placed behind the page so that the candy is in registry with the holes formed in the page and so that the candy extends out through the holes when the insert is placed immediately behind the page. In this manner, after the candy has been removed from book, the insert may be removed and replaced with another candy containing insert.

Abstract: An apparatus 30 and method for displaying a representation of the outline 44 of a wheeled vehicle in various poses with respect to a pictorial scene 38. The apparatus 30 comprises a pictorial scene 38 disposed upon a substantially planar background element 32. Two spaced straps 58 serve as the vehicle's wheels 40 and 42 and are engaged by T-shaped slots 64 and 66 in outline 44 so that outline 44 may be selectively slidably moved along straps 58 thereby assuming a plurality of poses with respect to the pictorial scene 38 and the wheels 40 and 42.

Abstract: A conveniently personalizable paper product is provided by a piece of folded cardstock paper having one or more die-cut doors in the front half of the paper which, when the paper is folded together, align with designated message areas located on the inside surface of the back half of the paper. A layer of adhesive disposed on the inside surface of the front half of the folded paper around the die-cut doors. A user of the product simply enters information (e.g., writing or photographs) on the designated message areas, moistens the adhesive, and folds the two halves together.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for containing and displaying photographs of the items of clothing and related articles contained within a user's wardrobe. The apparatus includes leaves for holding and displaying photographs and a binder for holding the leaves and for grouping the leaves into tiers whereby a photograph in one tier can be compared and viewed with various photographs in the other tiers.

Abstract: A greeting card is constructed of at least one or two panels of a sheet-form material having at least a portion of one surface of at least one of the panels being substantially smooth and non-porous. All surfaces of the panels are printable. A thin sheet of static cling vinyl overlies and is electrostatically adhered to the material's smooth non-porous surface. The sheet of static cling vinyl is adapted to be manually peeled from the flexible material and electro-statically selectively adhered any number of times to any other smooth, non-porous surface to display printing on the sheet or to decorate the other surface.

Abstract: A self-erecting pop-up stationery display structure assembly bonded to an underlying stationery sheet supports a display panel positioned overlying the stationery sheet. The collapsible self-erecting support has a central panel spanning the space between the stationery sheet and the overlying display panel, with first and second end panels joined to it by respective first and second fold lines, the first being formed of resilient elastomer leaf spring sheet material with a preformed angular bend formed therein. A collapsing force causes the central panel to fold toward the stationery sheet, elastically deforming the preformed angular bend in the resilient elastomer sheet. Removal of the collapsing force releases the deformed angular bend, which returns elastically to its preformed bend configuration, positioning the display panel in a deployed position spaced from the stationery panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a book for young readers designed to make reading more enjoyable. The book of the present invention preferably includes illustrations on at least some of the pages thereof. Additionally, edible candy is provided as a part of the book pages and may be positioned to form a part of an illustration found on a page. The candy is attached to or otherwise provided as a part of the book pages in a manner so that it may be easily removed from the book and eaten by the reader. In an alternative embodiment, the book pages may include holes formed therein and the candy may be provided on an insert designed to be placed behind the page so that the candy is in registry with the holes formed in the page and so that the candy extends out through the holes when the insert is placed immediately behind the page. In this manner, after the candy has been removed from book, the insert may be removed and replaced with another candy containing insert.