Abstract: Pet entertainment apparatus having a rotating portion with a lure rotatably attached to a base portion.

Abstract: A ball spinning device which has one or more balls, each ball having the surface appearance of a baseball. For an embodiment that has more than one ball, all balls are positioned in a straight line by connecting spindles. A power transferring spindle is sized and shaped so it can be connected to an electric motor which is capable of spinning the device at the same speeds as those of pitched baseballs. For each ball, its axis of rotation relative to its seam is determined by where spindles are joined to the ball with respect to its seam.

Abstract: A hula loop includes a number of members coupled together to form the hula loop and to engage onto a user. The members each has a number of through orifices for generating sounds when the hula loop is operated, and each has an outer pad for comfortably engaging with the user. The members each includes a ring and each includes a lock having a pivotal hook and a stud detachably secured together to detachably lock to the rings and to detachably couple the members together, such that various numbers of the members may be coupled together to form various lengths of hula loops.

Abstract: The pyrotechnic entertainment product has an upright spindle that may be pushed into the ground for support until a coil in the spindle engages the top surface of the ground. The image of an upright dancing bull or other creature is secured to the spindle intermediate its opposite ends and is poised as if he were performing the steps of a Mexican hat dance. A pyrotechnic pinwheel resembling a sombrero is rotatably carried on the upper end of the spindle slightly above the head of the bull. When the pinwheel is ignited, it propels itself about the spindle like a spinning sombrero while emitting a colorful plume of sparks reminiscent of the energy, color, and excitement of the traditional Mexican hat dance.

Abstract: A toy vehicle has a drive wheel and a flywheel that are coupled together by a slip clutch which includes a flexible pawl extended from the drive wheel to the surface of the flywheel so that the drive wheel may be grasped and brought to an immediate stop without injury. The toy vehicle cooperates with the energizer-launcher so that the toy vehicle is spring catapulted therefrom upon release thereof. The energizer-launcher has a pistol grip handle with trigger for one-handed aiming and launching of the vehicle and a pull cord for accelerating the flywheel and drive wheel while the launcher is being held by the pistol grip handle. A tachometer may be provided on the energizer-launcher. The toy vehicle further may have a spark generator on the drive wheel which is activated by the rotation of the drive wheel after the vehicle is launched.

Abstract: A toy includes a toy vehicle, a launching assembly, and a rotatable sparking mechanism for generating sparks before the vehicle is launched from the launching assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the launching assembly includes a base track having a rack gear, and a push handle including a spring biased plunger. The sparking mechanism is mounted in the vehicle and a drive gear for sparking mechanism extends downwardly where it meshes with the rack gear when the vehicle is received on the base track. The push handle is slidably movable for advancing the vehicle along the base track wherein advancement of the vehicle causes rotation of the sparking mechanism thereby generating sparks, and further wherein a resistance of the sparking mechanism maintains the plunger in a depressed disposition until the drive gear disengages the rack gear.

Abstract: A light emitting device for bicycles has a dynamo-like pinion arrangement. A spinner rotates an abrasive material across a flint, emitting sparks which illuminate a transparent or translucent vessel of the device. The device is mounted to one rear wheel strut of a bicycle frame and includes a mechanism which urges the spinner against the rear tire. A lock mechanism provides a second unengaged position for the device. A flint holder provides both a guide bore for the flint, and applies pressure behind the flint, thereby urging the flint against the abrasive material. This provides a non-electrical light source for bicycles in which sparks of intensity proportionate to the speed of cycling are created.

Abstract: A toy includes a toy vehicle, a launching assembly, and a rotatable sparking mechanism for generating sparks before the vehicle is launched from the launching assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the sparking mechanism is built into the push handle wherein advancement of the push handle along the base track causes rotation of a drive gear thereby generating sparks. The plunger is selectively maintained in a depressed position until the drive gear disengages from the rack gear.

Abstract: In the present invention, a Collector's Model Disintegrator Pistol (CMDP) is formed from a pair of fight side and left side metal castings according to the investment or "lost wax" casting process. Preferably the left and right hand pistol sections are formed of suitable ornamental bronze, with a wide variety of possible bronze compositions being usable, depending upon cost and desirability of a particular finish. The bronze left and right sections are held together with counter sunk-screws instead of the crimped projections according to the construction made of U.S. Pat. No. 2,077,763. Additionally the U-shaped guide assembly of the '763 patent is eliminated and a trigger guide assembly is contoured into the cast left and right sections of the pistol to make construction simpler and less expensive.

Abstract: A sparking brake pad for use with an in-line roller skate is disclosed. The brake pad consists of a material having a high coefficient of friction and a flame retardant compound. A spark emitter is disposed within the brake pad such that when the brake pad is urged against a road surface it will reduce the speed of a roller skater and produce a burst of sparks.

Abstract: A toy includes a toy vehicle and a launching assembly for launching the vehicle. The vehicle includes a rotatable sparking mechanism and a drive gear for rotating the sparking mechanism. The launching assembly includes an inclined ramp for receiving the vehicle and a gear train having a drive gear extending upwardly through an aperture in the inclined ramp. The drive gear intermeshes with the vehicle drive gear when the vehicle is received on the ramp. The launching assembly further includes a plunger mounted for engagement with the rear of the vehicle when the vehicle is received on the ramp, and a spring for normally biasing the plunge to an extended position. The gear train is driven by a pivotable lever mounted on the shaft of an actuator gear. Pivoting of the lever rotates the drive gear thereby rotating the sparking mechanism to generate sparks.

Abstract: A sparking toy vehicle for being supported on a play surface includes a vehicle body, front and rear wheels rotatably mounted on the vehicle body and a spark generating mechanism mounted on the vehicle. The at least two wheels are mounted with respect to the body for movement between a first position in which the body is a first distance from the play surface when the wheels are in engagement with the play surface and a second position in which the body is a second distance from the play surface when the wheels are in engagement with the play surface. The spark generating mechanism is spaced from the play surface when the body is in the first position and is in contact with the play surface when the body is in the second position. When the vehicle body is in the second position and the vehicle is moved across the play surface the spark generating mechanism is in rolling contact with the play surface and generates a spark.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a Collector's Model Disintegrator Pistol (CMDP) is formed from a pair of right side and left side metal castings according to the investment or "lost wax" casting process. Preferably the left and right hand pistol sections are formed of suitable ornamental bronze, with a wide variety of possible bronze compositions being usable, depending upon cost and desirability of a particular finish. The bronze left and right sections are held together with counter sunk-screws instead of the crimped projections according to the construction made of U.S. Pat. No. 2,077,763. Additionally the U-shaped guide assembly of the '763 patent is eliminated and a trigger guide assembly is contoured into the cast left and right sections of the pistol to make construction simpler and less expensive.

Abstract: An action character figure comprises a character figure body including a torso portion having a window therein and a sparking mechanism in the torso portion. The sparking mechanism is operable for producing sparks which are visible through the window by pivoting an arm on the torso portion forwardly and downwardly from an upwardly extending first position to a downwardly extending second position.

Abstract: In a scale model of a lowrider vehicle including a chassis and first and second spaced axles supported on the chassis, a lift assembly includes the chassis being provided with guide structure for maintaining the transverse orientation of the first axle while allowing movement of the axle relative to the chassis within a plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the chassis. A lifting assembly is provided on the chassis for lifting the chassis relative to the axle between a lowered position and a raised position so as to simulate lifting and lowering movements of the modeled lowrider vehicle. In this manner, it is possible to simulate front and back, side-to-side and hopping moves conventionally performed with actual lowrider vehicles.

Abstract: A toy vehicle racing system in which sparks are created as the vehicles travel around the racing track. The system includes a sparking rail having a rough surface which interacts with a sparking element mounted on a toy vehicle to create the sparks. The sparking element may be mounted on a swinging member that is adapted to pivot out from the vehicle to engage the rough surfaced sparking rail. The system further includes a sparking vehicle with a rough surface that interacts with a sparking element mounted on another vehicle to create sparks as the vehicles move past one another along the track.

Abstract: A simulated firearm useful in the entertainment industry, and particularly moviemaking, includes electronically ignitable loads which fire sequentially producing a flash and smoke from the barrel. The loads are mounted in a socket in a forward part of the gun, and consist of a small amount of gunpowder and flash-producing material retained in a tubular sleeve along with a resistance-wire igniter. The electronic firing mechanism is actuated by a trigger microswitch which sends amplified pulses in sequence to the loads. Simulated bullet impacts can be actuated simultaneously by pulses generated by the firearm circuitry or from a remote source which actuates both the firearm and the bullet impacts.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic device is disclosed which mounts to the underside of a skateboard. When frictionally engaged with an abrasive surface traveled by the skateboard, the pyrotechnic device emits sparks so as to accentuate stunts being performed by the user.

Abstract: An opaque representation of an animate object has a chest, a chest cavity, a back with a hole formed therethrough, and a section of translucent material in the chest. An intermittent source of illumination is mounted in the hole in the back and produces intermittent flame-like internal illumination in the chest cavity. The illumination is especially pronounced at the translucent section and causes such section to appear to be aflame.

Abstract: A toy vehicle is supported on one end by at least one wheel and on the other end by a fly wheel which is capable of being energized by pulling a gear rack across a pinion which is connected to the fly wheel. On one of the side surfaces of the fly wheel, a material is located which, when contacted by a flint, is capable of emitting sparks. A flint holding member is positioned adjacent to the fly wheel with a flint located on the flint holding member so as to contact the material on the side of the fly wheel. In conjunction with rotation of the fly wheel, sparks are emitted from contact of the flint with the material. Thus, as the car is propelled across a support surface by the fly wheel a trail of sparks are given off.

Abstract: A miniature toy vehicle capable of performing rear wheelies, spinouts and other playful stunts, the vehicle including a chassis having rotatable front and rear wheel axles mounted thereon, a hollow body being supported on the chassis to simulate the appearance of an automobile. A flywheel motor is supported for rotation on the chassis within the body on a flywheel axle normal to the rear wheel axle. The flywheel axle is operatively coupled to the rear wheel axle whereby when the rear wheel axle is rotated, it causes the flywheel motor to spin and to store energy for propelling the vehicle in the forward direction. The relationship of the flywheel motor to the structure of the vehicle is such as to cause the vehicle to behave as a gyro exhibiting precessional motion which in combination with the concurrent forward motion makes it possible for the vehicle to perform stunts.The flywheel has a layer of abrasive material on its upper face.

Abstract: A toy vehicle-projecting gun assembly in which the vehicle is normally latched on an inclined ramp with its rear wheels raised and free to turn, the ramp extending from the front end of the power chamber of the gun. Joined to the rear end of the chamber is a gun stock provided at its underside with a power trigger operated by the trigger finger of the player and on its topside with a firing button operated by the player's thumb. When the trigger is actuated, it acts through a gear train disposed in the power chamber to turn a drive gear mounted on the rear wheel axle, the drive gear being coupled to an energy-storing flywheel functioning as the vehicle motor. After the motor is revved up by repeated trigger actions, the player presses the firing button which operates an unlatching mechanism to release the vehicle which then shoots down the ramp.

Abstract: A sparking accessory adapted to be mounted on a bicycle, or the like, and comprising a stationary friction disc member and a rotational sparking disc member. In one embodiment of the invention, the accessory is mounted on a pivotal arm member which in turn is secured to the bicycle, the arm member being manually movable between upper and lower positions, the upper position being the storage position for the accessory in a non-operative position therefor, and the lower position placing the rotational sparking disc member in frictional engagement with the outer periphery of the bicycle tire for achieving a sparking effect. In another embodiment of the invention, the stationary friction disc member is secured to a housing structure and the rotational sparking disc member is secured to the drive shaft of a battery powered motor for selective rotation of the sparking disc member with respect to the friction disc member to achieve a sparking effect.

Abstract: A connecting member comprising an elastically deformable, tubular plug (1) slitted at the ends for interconnecting pairs of building components (9a,9b), which have coupling holes (8a,8b) to receive the ends of the connecting member, has apertures (3) in the plug wall between the slits (2), and the plug wall is formed with lengthwise extending clamping wedges (4) between the apertures (3), said clamping wedges having inclined faces which slope towards the ends of the connecting member and causing the connecting member to be compressed at the center and be expanded at the ends when it is pressed into a pair of co-axial holes in adjacent building components. The connecting member may in particular be formed with an annular flange (5) and end beads (6a,6b) which fit in corresponding annular grooves (7) in a pair of adjacent components (9a,9b).