Abstract: A variable rigidity tow cable for attaching a first vehicle with a second vehicle. The tow cable includes a tension control cable having a first end and a second end. Tension on at least one of the ends of the tension control cable can be controlled to increase or decrease the length of the tension control cable. A plurality of beads are slidingly disposed on the tension control cable between the first end and the second end. The beads are free to move relative to one another on the tension control cable when the tension control cable is slack, and the beads are engaged with each other to form a rigid structure around the tension control cable when tension is applied to the tension control cable.

Abstract: An artificial eye structure rotates an artificial upper eyelid via the attraction between a number of electromagnetic elements disposed in a line and a magnet. The rotation angle of the artificial upper eyelid can be controlled by selectively magnetizing the electromagnetic elements.

Abstract: An action figure is provided having movable appendages. The action figure includes a body having a plurality of appendages including a first appendage configured to rotate about a first axis and a second appendage configured to rotate about a second axis. The action figure further includes a first movement assembly configured to drive movement of the first appendage and a second movement assembly configured to drive movement of the second appendage. At least one of the first and second movement assemblies is configured to delay movement of a corresponding appendage.

Abstract: A soft sculpture puppet and a pliable animator therefor which is in the form of an elongated member that is inserted in an appendage of the puppet in a position accessible to the hand of a puppeteer and which includes controls that can be manipulated to cause the animator to curve and bend and thereby move the appendage.

Abstract: A doll including a head, a torso and limbs in the form of arms and legs. The doll includes a face having particular facial elements such as eyes, a mouth and a pair of antennae. Each eye includes a eye rim. The eye rim is formed from an elongate member of an endless loop configuration. The eye rim is stitch the face at four locations and is constructed from a core material about which a decorative liner is disposed. The core material may be a light gauge rod of a plastically deformable material such as wire. Thus the eye rims and other facial features can be manipulated by hand to vary their shapes and thus the facial expression of the doll.

Abstract: A doll head defines a pair of eye apertures and a pair of outwardly extending ears. A mask also having eye apertures and ear portions is removably attached to the doll head to overlie the facial portions thereof. The mask includes a snap fit attachment which engages the ear portions of the doll head. The apertures of the mask generally align with the eye apertures of the doll head when the mask is attached. An eye change mechanism supportive within the doll head provides alternative eye images viewed through the respective eye apertures of the head and mask.

Abstract: A toy for attachment to a motor vehicle seat. The toy comprising a head pivotally or fixedly mounted onto a base platform that is attached to a vehicle seat or headrest. There is an internal air actuate mechanism that, when actuated, forces the pivotally mounted head to turn in a predetermined direction. Additionally, the mouth moves and eyes illuminate as the head turns.

Abstract: An amusement toy including a head having at least a partial facial image, and an elastically deformable mouth associated with the head. The mouth has an undeformed dimension in the absence of a deforming force and is capable of deforming such that a deformed dimension of the mouth is at least 20% greater than the undeformed dimension of the mouth. The deformation of the mouth of the toy alters the facial image presented by the head, making a “scary face.” The removal of the force causes the mouth to return to substantially its undeformed dimension. A body of the amusement toy is preferably attached to the head such that the center of gravity of the toy is below the elastically deformable mouth.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses an expandable doll or the like having a central, manually operated air pump 22 which takes air in through a one-way valve 14 located in the doll's naval and is then distributed proportionally to all the extremities through a semi-rigid, plastic air tube 24 distribution system. The expansion takes place through the action of a system of bellows 26 that connect each of the separate bodily elements at their normal junctures 16, 18 and 20. The doll is covered with a realistic, elastic skin 32 which complies with the stretching action of the bellows 26 at each expanding juncture. Each bellows 26 is custom designed for a particular body element in order to be able to expand to the extent and at a rate appropriate for that particular element at each incremental stage of development from a baby to a toddler.

Abstract: A stuffed doll which is adapted to simulate human-like facial expressions. The doll is provided with upper and lower movable face members. The upper face member incorporates a simulative human upper lip. The upper member also includes eyes which can be manually adjusted. The lower face member is simulative of a lower lip and jaw of a human. The contours of the upper lip and lower lip are designed such that when the lower lip is moved in a position abutting the upper lip the expression of the doll appears to simulate one of sadness. When the lower lip is spaced from the upper lip, the simulative expression is one of joy. The upper and lower lips may be spaced in extreme open positions such that the doll simulates an exaggerated open or big mouth.

Abstract: An amusement toy including a head having at least a partial facial image, and an elastically deformable mouth associated with the head. The mouth has an undeformed dimension in the absence of a deforming force and is capable of deforming such that a deformed dimension of the mouth is at least 20% greater than the undeformed dimension of the mouth. The deformation of the mouth of the toy alters the facial image presented by the head, making a “scary face.” The removal of the force causes the mouth to return to substantially its undeformed dimension. A body of the amusement toy is preferably attached to the head such that the center of gravity of the toy is below the elastically deformable mouth.

Abstract: A toy figure includes a body, a pair of wings, a pair of legs, a tail, and a head converted to generally resemble a bird or other flying creature. The legs and wings are pivotally mounted to the body using a mechanism by which the pivotal movement of the legs in response to the user squeezing and releasing them repeatedly produces a corresponding wing-flapping action. A spring urges the wings to a raised position and urges the legs to a spread position. The head is pivotally supported by the body and a cam follower and cam arrangement couples the head to the wing movement apparatus such that the head moves side-to-side simultaneous with the wing-flapping movement.

Abstract: A puppet (10) or other character representation includes an inner tube (11), an outer tube (12) and an extra tube (13) located within the inner tube (11). The upper ends of the inner and outer tubes (11 and 12) are connected by a sleeve (23) of simulation hair. A moulding (16) is secured to the outer tube (12) and has the appropriate facial characteristics including an opening (19) corresponding to the mouth of the character. The extra tube (13) has an upper edge which is connected to the part of the moulding (16) which provides the lower jaw of the character.

Abstract: An animated toy doll having a substantially hollow head and an adjoining body, said head containing external facial features which include a mouth, said animated toy doll housing an operating device which comprises a pair of levers which are hinged together at one end position thereof and held apart by a biasing spring means disposed at the other end portion thereof, and connecting means extending from said one end portion of said pair of levers to the vicinity of the mouth of the doll, whereby, upon compressing the pair of levers against the bias of the spring, the connecting means pulls against the mouth, causing a desired change of expression in the facial features.

Abstract: The subject invention is a figure toy which is to be grasped and manipulated by a child. By way of example, the figure toy could comprise a bird. The child can manually maneuver the toy through the air resembling a bird in flight. The child can also depress a first lever which will result in the flapping of the wings of the bird. The child can also depress a second lever which will result in the extension of the legs of the bird. A third lever is to be actuatable which will result in the moving of the feet of the bird to a grasping position with the feet being capable of grasping onto and holding exterior objects. The object can then be released at a desired time. An annunciator button can be actuated which will also result in emission of a bird-like noise, as well as illumination of the eyes of the bird.

Abstract: A display button worn for adjustably changing human facial expressions from "happy", to "confused", to "sad", to "skeptical", to "scheming to get even", and to "mad". The invention employs a housing having a shell on which are rotatably mounted a pair of rectangular members and an arcuate member, to simulate the eyebrows and mouth of the face, respectively. The facial expression is thereby changed manually by the wearer. Magnets may be used to control the position of the members.

Abstract: An amusement toy including a head having at least a partial facial image, and an elastically deformable mouth associated with the head. The mouth has an undeformed dimension in the absence of a deforming force and is capable of deforming such that a deformed dimension of the mouth is at least 20% greater than the undeformed dimension of the mouth. The deformation of the mouth of the toy alters the facial image presented by the head, making a "scary face." The removal of the force causes the mouth to return to substantially its undeformed dimension. A body of the amusement toy is preferably attached to the head such that the center of gravity of the toy is below the elastically deformable mouth.

Abstract: A toy with a portion of apparently changeable color includes a normally upright and invertible elongate figure defining a normally opaque upper chamber and an at least partially transparent normally lower chamber. A valve in the figure is movable between an enabling position and a disabling position to control fluid flow communication between the chambers. A volume of colored fluid is disposed in the figure and capable of flowing between the chambers via the valve under the influence of gravity only when the valve is in the enabling position. A spring biases the valve towards the disabling position, and a manually operable portion moves the valve to the enabling position.

Abstract: A toy game apparatus includes a character figure assembly having a mouth portion which is movable to an open position, a plurality of teeth removably received in the mouth portion, and a pliers-like instrument for removing the teeth from the mouth portion. The toy game apparatus further includes a mechanism for automatically moving the mouth portion to a closed position, propelling the game apparatus forwardly, and producing a screeching sound when a randomly preselected tooth is removed from the mouth portion.

Abstract: This invention discloses a device for use in a puppet to effect theatrical motion of the mouth and head by pivoting up the top part of the head while simultaneously lowering the jaw. This method of actuating both parts of the head to simulate mouth movement also allows for rotation, tilting and exchange of the head in a glove type hand puppet.

Abstract: A camera and removable facade is set forth wherein the facade is in the configuration of a human face to provide a first eye formed with a conical interior to securedly seat a camera lens therewithin. A plurality of overlying Velcro.TM. straps secure an associated camera in firm orientation with the first eye and facade. A second eye is in the form of a parabolic lash that is secured through a plurality of linkages and biased to an open position whereupon depressing of the associated linkages associated with the shutter button of the camera, the second eye will effect a winking motion to indicate completion of the picture and maintain interest of a subject to be photographed, typically a child.

Abstract: A string pickup game apparatus includes a pair of supporters each of which has a pair of pinchers which are manipulated by a trigger such that two players using the two supporters can pick up string objects and place them in corresponding holding areas. The object of the game is to remove as many string objects as possible from a central holding area, and also from an opponents holding area, and deposit them in the player's own holding area.

Abstract: The disclosed toy creature defines a mouth, a tongue, and means for manipulating the tongue between a substantially extended straight orientation projecting from the mouth, and a coiled orientation totally within the mouth. As so manipulated, the tongue may be coiled around and entrap some toy prey, and draw the prey back toward and into the mouth, as if to eat the prey. The mouth may be opened and closed, correlated to the movement of the tongue, particularly in opening the mouth wide only upon the tongue being recoiled, to carry the captured prey into the opened mouth. The tongue may be formed of links, pivoted together end-to-end; and a push-pull member, extended substantially the full length of the tongue links, but offset laterally from the pivot connections, may be used for manipulating the tongue.

Abstract: A psychotherapy device comprising a body member, a pair of arms, legs, and a head connected to the body member wherein said pyschotherapy device is in the general configuration of a child-like human figure. The head includes a pair of expressionless eyes and nose which are permanently affixed to the face and means are connected to the face adjacent to and generally below each of the permanent eyes for releasably receiving indicia of tears wherein during pyschotherapy of a child patient, the patient may be invited to apply or remove tears to reflect a current or past metal state.

Abstract: A badge having a design of a face in which members corresponding to eyebrows, eyes and a mouth are movably mounted on the front side of a body of the badge to indicate facial expressions such as, for example, a smile or a frown. Engaging members for allowing relative movement in the directions of the members corresponding to the eyebrows, the eyes and the mouth project from the back surface side of the body of the badge, and an operating plate having slots engaged with the engaging members is movably mounted on the body, thereby controlling the movements of the eyebrow, the eye and the mouth members according to the shape of the slots.

Abstract: A puppeteer's kit includes a puppet and a disguise with a mustache for concealing the puppeteer's lip movements during a performance. The puppet has an internally located actuator lever which is movable in a horizontal direction to turn the head from side-to-side and in a vertical direction to move the mouth or another facial feature of the puppet. The puppeteer's thumb extends upwardly through an opening in the lower wall of the puppet body to the rear end of the actuator lever. The rear end of this lever has two surfaces which face toward each other and are spaced apart to receive a puppeteer's thumb. These surfaces are inclined downwardly and rearwardly to enable the puppeteer's thumb to engage the lever effectively during head movements, both when the lever is at its center position and at positions which are rotationally displaced therefrom.

Abstract: A doll or toy action figure, transformable from a first character, to a second character. A hard molded head has a facial countenance of a character. A flexible latex mask is positioned around the neck and is fixedly attached. The outer surface of the latex mask has facial characteristics of another character. Means are provided for moving the mask from a first position at least partially covering the head and displaying the facial countenance on the mask, to a second position about the neck of the head wherein the facial characteristics of the head are exposed. Articles of clothing may be removed or rearranged to augment the effect.

Abstract: Toy monster rocks have a base with a substantially flat bottom. One or more pieces are mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the base. Movement of the piece or pieces from a quiescent position to an aggressive position exposes an open mouth. An actuator effects such movement. In some embodiments the spring urges the pivotal movement against the restraint of a latch disengagable by a trigger part of the actuator. Gears are used to move pieces in other embodiments.

Abstract: An activity toy including a hollow skull extending from a hollow, tubular neck and having eye, nose, and mouth openings. Attachable about and spaced from the skull in relatively tight relation to the neck is a clear face and head mask formed of separable halves secured together by clamps. A plastic amorphous solid substance is loaded into the skull through the neck and extruded out of openings to fill the space between the skull and the mask. Removal of the mask permits further hand working of the plastic substance to modify the appearance of the formed face. Suitable appendages and a hooded cloak are provided to obscure the plastic substance extrusion mechanism and provide a figure that may be placed in combination with the face and head extruding feature.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a toy doll head of the type having a mouth opening and at least one simulated tooth adapted to alternatively extend into the mouth opening in an exposed position and then be retracted into the doll head in a retracted position. The head includes internal mechanical growth means for causing the tooth to alternately be extended into and be retracted from the mouth, the internal growth means being adapted to releasably secure the tooth in either position as well as between positions. The internal growth means comprises an elongated shaft including at least one simulated tooth at one end and control means at the opposite end. The shaft is maintained in proper alignment by at least one brace internally mounted on the inside of the doll head.