Abstract: A subterranean energy storage system configured to store and subsequently release potential energy. Storage of potential energy is achieved by the transfer of a pseudo fluid from a first storage tank to a second storage tank located above the first storage tank, and is subsequently released by the transfer of the pseudo fluid from the second storage tank to the first storage tank. To transfer the pseudo fluid between the first and second storage tanks, the subterranean energy storage system comprises at least one continuous conveyor mechanism extending through at least one transport shaft, wherein the at least one continuous conveyor mechanism comprises a plurality of vessels arranged along a length of the continuous conveyor mechanism. The subterranean energy storage system further comprises an energy transfer means operably connected to the at least one continuous conveyor mechanism to transfer power to and from the subterranean energy storage system.

Abstract: Tonal musical instruments configured for outdoor installation are disclosed. The tonal musical instrument may comprise a support post, wherein the support post is configured for attachment to an outdoor surface, at least one a non-vibrating guard, a metal plate tuned to produce at least one note on a musical scale when struck by a user, and one or more fasteners securing the at least one non-vibrating guard and the metal plate to the support post.

Abstract: A handheld bell music instrument for whirl sound effect is described that includes multiple disc shaped bells that connect to and are fixed at a location on the rod. The bells of the bells are rung to produce a pitch and the rod is used to move the bell music instrument for whirl sound effect in space. The movement of the ringing bells produces a whirling sound effect by their movement relative to a static audience.

Abstract: A river turbine for harnessing a predetermined minimum or baseload value of hydrokinetic energy from river current received at a harnessing module has three modules: the harnessing module, a controlling module and a generating module. Han's principle is that, in a torque balanced speed converter Hummingbird system, the generated electric power (output) from a harnessed input power (input) must exceed the electric power used for the control motor (control). Harnessed power is provided to the power balanced three variable mechanical control system when a control power line graph is crossed by an output power line graph to achieve an electrical advantage. The three variable mechanical motion control system includes a Hummingbird control assembly of first and second spur/helical gear, first and second ring gear and first and second bevel/miter gear Transgear gear assemblies.

Abstract: A harnessing module for harnessing renewable wind and water energy has opposing concentric wings for rotation about a turbine shaft having a hub having a wing support shaft for supporting each wing of at least one pair of opposing concentric wings for use in generating renewable electrical energy. Each concentric wing of the opposing concentric wings may have a circular leading edge or a curved leading edge for facing one of air and water flow. Hence, the opposing concentric wings rotate about the turbine shaft in-line with a horizontal flow of air or water such that the turbine shaft faces a flow direction of the air or water and forms a harnessing module for generating electricity from either the wind or water flow.

Abstract: A floatable toy structure is disclosed herein, the floatable toy structure having a floatable base portion; a collapsible track section, the collapsible track section having a pair of track sections; a collapsible support secured to the floatable base portion, the collapsible support capable of being positioned in an extended position and a stowed position, the collapsible support extending upwardly from the floatable base portion when it is in the extended position, the collapsible support engages and maintains the collapsible track section in an extended position when the collapsible support is in the extended position; and a fair start mechanism for simultaneously releasing a pair of objects for travel down the pair of track sections, wherein the fair start mechanism comprises a bucket that spills water onto the pair of objects after a predetermined amount of water has been placed into the bucket.

Abstract: A floatable toy structure is disclosed herein, the floatable toy structure having a floatable base portion; a collapsible track section secured to the floatable base portion, the collapsible track section capable of being positioned in an extended position and a stowed position, the collapsible track section extending upwardly from the floatable base portion when it is in the extended position; and a collapsible support secured to the floatable base portion, the collapsible support capable of being positioned in an extended position and a stowed position, the collapsible support extending upwardly from the floatable base portion when it is in the extended position, the collapsible support engages and maintains the collapsible track section in the extended position when the collapsible support is in the extended position.

Abstract: A floatable toy structure is disclosed herein, the floatable toy structure having: a floatable base portion; a collapsible track section secured to the floatable base portion, the collapsible track section capable of being positioned in an extended position and a stowed position, the collapsible track section extending upwardly from the floatable base portion when it is in the extended position; a support secured to the floatable base portion, the support configured to support the collapsible track section in the extended position; a pump for spraying water from a spray nozzle movably secured to the floatable toy structure; and a gate pivotally mounted to the floatable toy structure proximate to the collapsible track section, the gate being configured for movement between a first position and a second position, the gate further comprising a vessel for holding water therein, wherein the gate moves from the first position to the second position when a predetermined amount of water is placed into the vessel and

Abstract: A flower display with hydraulically activated plants includes a front portion that is visible to an observer and a first branch, a first plurality of leaves and a first flower disposed on said first branch within the first plurality of leaves and hidden thereby. The display also includes a second branch, a second plurality of leaves and a second flower disposed on said second branch within the second plurality of leaves and hidden thereby. Hydraulic means are provided for elevating the first plurality of leaves to a first level and the first flower to a second level above the first plurality of leaves.

Abstract: A Halloween novelty item used for entertainment consisting of a removable reservoir of fluid and a timed electromagnetic valve inside a head that is activated by a motion sensor whereby allowing fluid to expel intermittently out of orifices attached to a tongue when the Halloween novelty item is approached. The expelled fluid is caught by a bucket attached to a slide bracket which is attached to a body panel whereby allowing the bucket to be removable. An assembly attached to a bucket handle consisting of a pair of hooks attached to a pair of hands connected to a pair of flexible arms allows the assembly to detach from the bucket's handle. A stabilization board keeps the novelty item stable. Motion sensors facing different directions are attached to a voice recorder and a speaker allowing messages to play. A hinge and latches attached to the body allows the invention to condense.

Abstract: An alarm Abstract is provided for a bathtub and includes a method for attaching to a wall of the bathtub, one being a suction cup. A float assembly is supported by the alarm housing to engage the alarm system. To use the alarm apparatus of the invention in a bathtub, one of the three attachment methods is used to secure the housing to the wall of the bathtub. The float is adjusted to the desired height. Water is added to the bathtub, which turns a waterwheel, and when the water level lifts the float assembly a sufficient amount, the alarm system is activated and sounds a warning alarm. The alarm system includes a waterwheel that's is spinning, a thin flat plastic bar that is attached to the float. The float raises the thin plastic bar into the waterwheel thus making a loud clicking sound.

Abstract: An element for composing a track of the fall type for run of marbles, which comprises a guide member for insertion of marbles to be placed beneath the arrival of a preceding track element or at the upper start point of a track, an exit guide member to be placed at a level lower than the level of the insertion guide member over the start end of a subsequent track element, and a track section extending in the form of a pair of rails from said insertion guide member to said exit guide member, by following at least in part a helicoidal trajectory. Preferably, this latter track section comprises a rectilinear section for approach to the helicoidal portion. The entire track element is embodied in a single piece of plastics formed in plane configuration and it is then rendered three-dimensional by insertion of spacers.

Abstract: A mechanically propelled apparatus for teaching principles of mechanics. The apparatus includes a drive wheel disposed on a first axis of rotation and a power drum disposed on a second axis of rotation. At least one flexible tensile member transmits energy from a weight to the drive wheel via the power drum to propel the apparatus.

Abstract: A discovery toy/play feature apparatus, for use with water and sand, or other particulate or granular material is provided. The apparatus allows the user to play in both sand and water in such a way as to learn and discover physical and engineering principles while having fun. The play feature apparatus allows the user to bury objects in the sand and play as if the user was on a beach looking for shells or to play as if the user was an archeologist. Further the user is allowed to use the varying channels and pools to make dams and other water obstructions and learn fluid mechanics and engineering principles while having fun.

Abstract: A novelty device comprised of a transparent body defined by a chamber. First and second horizonal partitions having a plurality of openings depicting text or design traversing said chamber. The first and second partitions in a generally spaced parallel relationship dividing the chamber into a top area, a central area between the partitions and a bottom area. A particulate film material disposed within the chamber.

Abstract: The swirlee pop is a candy holding device including two parts. A main housing comprising a hollow cylindrical tube containing a luminescent colored liquid that flows freely from one end to the other end while being captured by an air trap in both ends as it flows which creates a wavy bubbly effect for visual enjoyment. The second part is a replaceable sucker that is attached to one end. A clear liquid could also be used successfully with free floating glittery objects or miniature toys encased with the housing for a variety of tastes and to suit all ages.

Abstract: A portable toy-assembly set that in a disassembled state is of a sufficiently miniature size as to be transportable by a child and assembled by a child, as water tank-like vessel having a sufficiently large upper water addition opening as to enable a child to add water thereto, drainable therefrom by a lower positioned drainage port connectable by disassembled joinable transparent conduits, with water-head pressure providable by disassemble support structure joinable with the tank-like vessel to support the tank-like vessel at selectable elevation. The conduits are connectable to a water-drivable accessory. A handle is mounted on the tank-like vessel or a vessel lid secureable to the tank-like vessel, enabling a child to more easily transport the portable toy-assembly set.

Abstract: A toy kit for forming a structure. Individual pieces include at least a cylinder, cone, cube and prism, and at least one additional piece. The piece can be assembled to form a structure, e.g. a sand castle. The pieces are hollow and open bottomed and include fixtures enabling mutual assembly together. Holes in their top walls permit passage of water or sand.

Abstract: A educational water toy designed for mounting on a vertical surface, such as a bathtub wall, is disclosed. It consists of a variety of interlocking parts which can be arranged in various sequences. The various parts are designed to conduct water; control, or respond to, water flow; or to attach other parts to the vertical surface. The fluid-conveying and -operated toy has a reservoir, at least one activity component, a fluid conduit which provides fluid communication between the reservoir and the activity component, with the activity component being placed into motion by fluid exiting from the conduit, coupling structures interconnect the components in fluid communication, and attaching devices for removably attaching the components to the vertical surface in an orientation such that the fluid flows along the fluid flow path under the force of gravity. The various activity components may include a paddle wheel, a turbine, an hourglass member, a dipper, a sprayer and a squirter.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for hydraulically powering a moving display. In accordance with the apparatus, there is provided a housing having an actuating member affixable thereto. There is further provided a reservoir means in fluid communication with the housing for storing a liquid and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir and housing for pumping the liquid into the housing at a selected orientation and rate of flow. A liquid receiving cup is disposed within the housing and affixed to the actuating member such that the cup may be lowered within the housing by the weight of the received liquid. A distance limitation member proximate the liquid-receiving cup is provided for restricting the vertical distance the cup may travel within the housing and facilitating the release of the received liquid. The actuating member is actuated in timed relation to the vertical movement of the cup within the housing so as to power a mechanical or electrical display or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for use by children includes a hand operated pump provided with a hose for the delivery of water from a bathtub to a wall-mounted system of water conduits. The pump includes a hand crank with meshed gears to provide a positive displacement flow to the conduit system. Various devices included in the conduit system such as a water wheel and a water driven turbine, both attachable to a wall adjacent the bathtub by suction cups, as are other components of the conduit system. The suction cups permit convenient installation and disassembly of the present apparatus. Additional components of the conduit system include a multitude of conduits providing a conduit network through which the child may observe a water flow.

Abstract: A toy fire fighting display is disclosed which includes a toy building having areas of structure simulating that the building is on fire. Spraying of water at some of these areas causes a chamber to fill with water causing a float to rise causing changing of the appearance of the scene. At another area, sprayed water at an area causes a container to fill with water and to descend to eliminate the appearance of a fire. A toy fire hydrant and truck are also disclosed.

Abstract: A chaos waterwheel teaching device is provided for demonstrating and illustrating to students that random appearing phenomena occurring in natural systems such as biological, chemical, physical, and mathematical may actually reflect the action of simple underlying non-random processes or deterministic systems that illustrate basic concepts of dynamics and chaos theory. A dual wheel device is provided in which one wheel is driven by a stream of water and the other wheel acts as a brake, resisting the rotation created by the first wheel by dragging a series of vanes through a water bath. The operation of the device can be varied and controlled by varying one or the other of the parameters, including the water level in the braking compartment to cause different states of operation, namely periodic or chaotic.

Abstract: This invention relates to a regenerating power unit employing a flowable medium to drive a rotatable wheel and attached axle with various attachments being utilized on the rotating axle for educational and/or amusement purposes. The power unit 10 is provided with a front and back wall 17,18 either or both of which may be transparent, and a pair of flowable medium reservoirs in fluid communication with a chambered wheel 22. A suitable adjustment valve 48 (FIG. 7) and 50 (FIG. 8) controls the rate of flow of flowable medium 39. When one medium reservoir is emptied, the power unit is rotated 180.degree. and the power unit may resume operation. A support stand 34 (FIGS. 2, 5 and 6) is employed when it is desired to permit rotation of power unit 10 without lifting thereof. Various educational and/or amusement accessories for power unit 10 are illustrated in FIGS. 9-18.

Abstract: A series of substantially horizontally disposed and extended chimes are mounted upon a bracket and positioned to interrupt the fall of rain adjacent a building. The impact of rain or other precipitation upon the chimes gives forth a pleasing sound which is soothing and in many cases soporific for the individuals within the building. The chime means may be of various shapes and arrangements and a transmission apparatus may be provided to conduct the sound of the chimes into the building structure, although the sound of the rain will normally be conducted through an open window or the like into the interior during the sleeping or resting periods of individuals within the building.

Abstract: A sealed container with a movable weight therein is eccentrically mounted within a light rollable object on a guideway. Liquid mercury, powered metal, or metal pellets or spheres would move within the container to shift the center of gravity. Maintaining the center of gravity of the weight to the uphill side of a vertical extension of the tangent between the rolling object and the guideway will enable the rolling object to return uphill after rolling down within a limit, thereby seeming to defy the law of gravity.

Abstract: A motorized toy vehicle actuated by liquid such as water is provided. The toy vehicle includes a frame having wheels rotatably supported thereon and a motor operatively coupled to the wheels for rotating the wheels. A reservoir having a float disposed therein is supported on the toy vehicle frame. A switch selectively actuated by the float is coupled to the motor. When a predetermined amount of liquid is present in the reservoir, the float will actuate the switch thereby turning on the motor.