Abstract: A toy figure resembles a fanciful insect and includes a body supporting a head and a pair of arm-like appendages each supporting a hand. A pair of legs are secured to the body and coupled to feet which in turn support the body in a vertical stance. The body further supports a pair of pivotally coupled wing shells which in turn support a pair of pivotally coupled wings. With the wings and wing shells folded to the closed position, the appearance of an insect shell is provided. With the wing shells and wings pivoted to their respective outward positions, a wing spread approximately twice the normal wing spread is presented. Within the wing shells, a pair of projectile launchers are supported.

Abstract: A collapsible activity center (10) includes a frame (12) which has pivotally connected thereto a wall (14) and a wall (16). The frame (12) includes a support leg (24) connected to a hinge leg (26) by a cross-piece (28). The hinge leg (26) is provided with a pair of transversely extending ribs (54) that engage a rib (84) extending from each wall (14, 16) to allow pivotal movement of each. A latitudinal detent (94) is provided on the rib (84) to engage the hinge leg (26) to allow the walls (14, 16) to be selectively held in position with respect to the frame (12). The cross-piece (28) includes a handle opening (30) while the support leg (24) includes a lip (46) to assist in carrying the walls (14, 16) when they are closed and the frame (12) is lifted.

Abstract: A hand operated tactile device including a tactile body positionable in a hand of a user. The tactile body includes at least one articulated member movable relative to the remainder of the body in a manual operation phase with the user manipulating the articulated member relative to the remainder of the body and in an automatic operation phase with the articulated member being manipulated relative to the remainder of the body and the hand of the user. A control system is carried by the body. The control system receives a first signal from the articulated member when the articulated member is manually manipulated by the user and control system generates a second signal controlling movement of the articulated member to automatically move the articulated member relative to the remainder of the body and the hand of the user.

Abstract: A package adapted to stage a performance by a toy figure resembling a known character. The package includes a carton whose a flat rear wall is joined to a semi-cylindrical front wall to define a cavity, the front wall having a bay window therein. Behind the rear wall and hinged thereto a flap that is normally folded over the rear wall and fastened thereto. When the flap is unfolded, it creates in combination with the rear wall a stage backdrop having printed thereon material relating to the character, such as dialog taken from movies involving the character. Received within the cavity is an insert on which is mounted the figure, as well as a miniature stage and stage props, all of which can be seen through the window. In play, the flap is unfolded to erect the stage backdrop, the stage is placed in front of the backdrop with the figure standing thereon and with the props adjacent thereto. By manipulating the figure relative to the props against the backdrop, a player can enact a scene involving the character.

Abstract: A collapsible structure is provided that includes at least a first panel, a second panel and a third panel. Each panel includes a flexible loop member that is adapted to assume an expanded position and a collapsed position, and a fabric for substantially covering the loop member. The loop members of the first and second panels overlap each other at a first overlapping point along the upper edges of the loop members of the first and second panels, and at a second overlapping point along the bottom edges of the loop members of the first and second panels, with the overlapping loop members defining a hinge portion about which the first and second loop members of the first and second panels are pivotable. One side of the third panel is hingedly connected to either the left side or the right side of the first panel.

Abstract: A screaming rocket pop which includes at least one inner telescoping housing within an outer housing. A lollipop can be secured to the at least one inner housing for consumption by a user. The at least one inner housing may have a lollipop stick retaining device extending from an upper end into the housing for securing the lollipop stick. The device includes a noisemaker therein which can be activated by blowing air through the housing.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a chassis and a pair of shell halves rotatably attached to the chassis, which in a first position form a vehicle body that bounds an interior space. A four-bar linkage is attached to the chassis and is disposed at least partially within the interior space. A pair of external finger tabs is pivotally attached to the chassis and connected with the linkage by means of pinion gears and a rack. Movement of the finger tabs together drives the linkage to raise and project a simulated weapon on the linkage and releases the shell halves to separate. Reverse movement of the tabs reverses the operation. A second toy vehicle includes a chassis and a pair of rotatable body panels and a different four-bar mechanism attached to the chassis beneath the body panels in a first position. A pair of external finger tabs is pivotally attached to the chassis.

Abstract: A display package for receiving a doll or toy figure having a bouncing action includes a vertical back, vertical sides and a vertical front forming a generally rigid enclosure. The package further includes a bottom extending between the back, sides and front of the package. A bottom liner overlying the bottom portion of the package defines an elongated slot through which a generally planar springboard member extends. A generally planar base is spaced above and generally parallel to the bottom portion and defines a large aperture exposing the springboard from above. A hinged flap is pivotally secured to the back and extends forwardly to overlie the aperture formed in the base portion. The doll or toy figure is received within the package by securing the feet of the doll or toy figure to the springboard using restraints such as ties and securing the neck portion of the doll or toy figure to the hinged flap using a flexible neck restraint.

Abstract: A play sword lollipop holding device for entertaining children. The device comprises a plastic handle which is the main housing with one or more plastic telescoping sleeves attached to the handle. The last sleeve, which is the smallest, has an aperture at the end to hold a lollipop on a stick. A child can enjoy playing and eating his/her play sword lollipop with the flick of their wrist. This action causes the telescoping sleeves and candy to extend outward from the handle making a sword to play with. When not in use, the telescoping sleeves collapse one into the other for easy carrying and storage.

Abstract: A multi-winged flying toy includes a handle with a wing attachment at the upper end and a plurality of wings, each with a center hole for attachment. The attachment mechanism allows pivoting of the wings. The handle includes positioning and torque resisting formations for arranging the wings in a first position, where the wings are in alignment with one another, and a second flyable position. The handle has a centrally bored passage, and attachment shank having expanded width head, connected at its end opposite the head, to a tension mechanism located within the passage so as to maintain the shank tensed against the wings to retain the wings in first or second positions.

Abstract: A figure for positioning into a variety of polygonal orientations. The figure includes telescoping outer members pivotally connected to one another to form a polygon. The telescoping members can each be adjusted in length and angular orientation relative to adjoining members to form a plurality of polygonal shapes.

Abstract: A building block is provided with coupling means on the upper and lower faces allow the blocks to be interconnected to form structures. The coupling means includes protrusions on one face and a set of sockets or receptacles sized to engage the protrusions formed on the opposite face. The sockets are preferably laid-out in two cross-like formations of four sockets each and optionally may include a further two central sockets disposed between the two cross-like formations.

Abstract: A sheet has a number of slots laterally defining elements with fold lines extending between said slots. One end of the sheet is attached to the bottom surface of a box and the other end is attached to the inner surface of a lid hinged to the box. The elements can be spatially unfolded, forming at least one plane parallel to one of the said surfaces when it is substantially perpendicular to the other surface, and so that the scenery construction is folded on itself when the lid is swung down on the box.

Abstract: A three-dimensional heat and vacuum molded ornament, such as a snowman figure, formed of thermoplastic foam sheet material with heat sealed abutting edges, in a molding process. The ornament adapted to move, by the use of hand pressure, between a non-collapsed upright, use position and a collapsed, reduced-height position for shipment or storage.

Abstract: A novel toy shuttle for simulating play on land, air and outer space. The shuttle body having retractable side wings each having spring loaded projectile launchers thereon. Retractable wheels are located beneath the shuttle body along with a trap door which has a pliable disc harness sized to fit about waists of bendable action figures. On top of the shuttle body are foldable and removable helicopter blades and a rear facing tail stabilizer propeller can be stored into the top of a slidable cover on the shuttle body. Beneath the slidable cover is a robot pilot compartment for magnetically supporting a robot pilot, and a crew compartment for seating the bendable action figures. The front of the shuttle body has a cockpit cover with a hinged lid where additional action figures can be positioned therein. Battery powered lights are located at the front and rear of the shuttle body. A piston operated water gun allows for water to be squirted from the front of the shuttle.

Abstract: A toy object has an articulated shell structure which can change from a three-dimensional, polyhedral shape into a flattened shape. A biasing device applies force to the shell, that force tending to urge the shell structure into the three-dimensional, polyhedral shape. A holding device holds the shell structure in the flattened shape in opposition to the force applied by the biasing device, and a regulator regulates the period of time for which the holding device holds the shell structure in its flattened shape.

Abstract: A foldable model made out of a number of wire materials through deformation, assembling and welding to form a main body portion and several accessory portions, characterized in that the joining of the accessory portions with the main body portion are carried out by means of hinges and pivotal fastening latches so that those portions needing to be folded can be folded into or towards said main body portion to reduce the overall packing dimension of said model. The foldable animal model according to the present invention after being folded occupies a volume much smaller than that of a prior art animal model of corresponding dimension after being dismantled and the folding process before packing and the unfolding process after transportation are very simple and easy. Therefore, the foldable model of the present invention is not only convenient for transportation but also the relevant cost thereof have evidently been reduced, so that the selling prices of various models can thus be reduced.

Abstract: A riding toy for children includes safety shields and end plates to prevent access to a set of longitudinal springs that provides a restoring force when the toy is "ridden." Also, the use of wide vertical struts that rotate about axes passing there-through near to a side thereof causes contact to occur between a strut corner and the base of the toy at the lower end thereof, and between a strut corner and the bottom of the riding structure at the top thereof, thus to provide a natural limit to the degree to which the riding structure can be thrust forward or backward, and thereby serving to prevent tipping the toy entirely over. Such a limitation of motion can also be obtained by contact of upper and lower corners of the safety shields and the riding structure or base, respectively, or between mutually facing sides of the struts on either or both sides of the riding toy.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism of a toy car, including a housing in which a power source is disposed. The power source is drivingly connected to a first and a second cams via a gear set. A slidable pressing/pushing slide board and a driving slide board are respectively pushed by the first and second cams to slide. The driving slide board further drives a linkage set to upward pivot a movable casing cover open or close the movable casing cover. A decorative body is disposed on inner side of the movable casing cover, whereby when the movable casing cover is upward opened, the decorative body is exhibited to create a visual entertaining effect. The pressing/pushing slide board can depress a rotary power wheel set and make the same descend and contact with the ground, enabling the toy car to run over the ground and create a live versatile entertaining effect.

Abstract: A decorative ornament and supporting display box are disclosed. The decorative ornament provides an elongate body of a thin sheet material having a covering of holographic vinyl. The holographic vinyl has the characteristic of refracting light into a rainbow-like display of colors. The elongate body forms a spiral, having upper and lower ends that gently taper. The body has been cut to provide a large number of very narrow radially directed slats having squared ends. These slats provide a large number of planar surfaces each angled in a slightly different direction, which results in a more eye-catching display of color. A multifaceted crystal made of glass or other transparent material is carded by the bottom of the elongate body, pulling the body downwardly in a manner that causes it to be better displayed. A short segment of transparent support line carries the top of the helix body, allowing it to spin if touched or in a breeze.

Abstract: A hand held geometric toy with a plurality of polygonal sections strung together with elastic loops. The toy has at least one, and preferably at least three, sets of parallel fold axes and is held in folded condition magnetically.

Abstract: A toy vehicle comprising a body and a chassis on which the body is mounted through connecting members. The chassis has front and rear tires. The chassis is divided on its center axis along a longitudinal direction of the chassis into two parts comprising left and right side portions. A gear is provided on the center axis for coupling the left and right side portions of the chassis to hinge the left and right side portions with each other.

Abstract: A set of substantially square blocks which are hingedly interconnected in a linear series by ribbons which are fixed at both ends each block to both ends each adjacent block wherein each block consists two mating plates various colors made a dimensionally stable material which are fixed together holding the ribbons taut and fixed between them.

Abstract: A toy set that can be assembled into roughly polyhedral shapes, the toy set including a number of toy pieces each made from a relatively thin, flexible material, each having a defined edge shape, and each including at least three non-radial slots communicating with the edge and sized and shaped to hold another toy piece inserted in the slot, to allow the toy pieces to be interfitted and assembled into roughly polyhedral shapes.

Abstract: A toy car structure including a power source for driving a driving wheel to drive a linkage assembly so as to push a movable casing open or close relative to a fixed casing. A pull rod urged by an extension spring is disposed on inner side of the movable casing. When the movable casing is moved, the pull rod is hooked on the fixed casing to form a pulling relationship. By means of the pulling of the pull rod, a driven board is pushed to push open a movable door of the movable casing so as to exhibit the inner decorative body.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a vehicle body and front and rear wheels that are mounted on respective front and rear regions of the vehicle body for rotation about their axes. The toy vehicle further includes a pair of wings that is mounted on the vehicle body for movement between their extended, spread apart positions and their retracted positions. An upper jaw is mounted on the front region of the vehicle body for pivoting between a raised and a lowered position. A reversible electric motor and a gear transmission interposed between the motor and the rear wheels are accommodated in a common housing. The housing is mounted on the vehicle body for tilting movement about the axis of the rear wheels. A kinematic linkage translates the tilting movement of the housing that occurs in automatic response to energization of the motor in the appropriate sense into the movement of the wings and the pivoting of the upper jaw.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reusable telescopic pinata that includes a collapsible container assembly with two or more coaxially disposed tubular members. These tubular members are releasably kept together by several locking tabs. A base assembly is hingedly mounted to the lowermost tubular member. A latching mechanism holds the base assembly against the bottom rim of the lowermost tubular member. With a plurality of strings attached to the hingedly mounted base assembly, the participants release the candy and toys stored inside the container assembly. The tubular members can be substituted thereby resulting in different design combinations, and also the number of tubular members can be varied. The tubular members in one of the embodiments are composed of two substantially symmetrical sections that are removably latched to each other for storage volumetric efficiency.

Abstract: A folding box dioramic toy has a rectangular base panel for displaying central scenic structures and rectangular side panels hinged thereto also displaying scenery. The side panels include integral triangular members extending orthogonally therefrom which in a box closed mode form a closed box top and in an unfolded mode provide vertical back-drops for additional scenery or structures. The scenery and structures show a diorama, such as a medieval castle and outbuildings, such that a child can place and move toy archers, horse-mounted knights and villagers around while playing an imaginative interactive play game. The panels and hinge elements are all snap-connected. The apex of each triangular member terminates in a quarter-ball segment and contains in the closed mode a circumferential groove into which a flexible latch loop or ring mounted on one of the triangular members can be pushed locking the resultant locking dome.

Abstract: A construction/puzzle toy comprised of pairs of half-polyhedrons that are connected along one margin by a living plastic hinge. A chain is formed by permanently attaching adjacent pairs to each other by an axle-like component that rotatably joins two half-polyhedrons to form an entire polyhedron. This combination of a rotatable joint within each whole polyhedron and a hinge joint between adjacent polyhedrons allows the chain to be rearranged into a large number of different shapes. A preferred assembled shape for a chain of the polyhedrons is that of a cube. A closed ring of eight cuboidal polyhedrons forms a challenging puzzle that can be reconfigured to form a large cube with four cuboidal polyhedrons on each face. Likewise, a closed chain of 27 cubes can create a large cube with 9 cuboidal polyhedrons per face. Chains that are not closed to form a ring can be used to construct a wide variety of interesting shapes. The invention can be equipped with small knob-shaped tips to the axle-like component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simulated flower having a center section and a plurality of petals pivotally mounted to the center section for movement between an open position and a closed position. A toy doll is supported on a doll holder member, which is disposed within the simulated flower center section. A mechanism is provided which operates to raise and lower the holder member, and consequently the doll, and to simultaneously pivot the petals between the open and the closed positions, respectively. When the petals are in the open position, the doll is exposed and when the petals are in the closed position, the doll is enveloped by the petals.

Abstract: An inflatable building block is provided with collapsible sides. Coupling means on the upper and lower faces allow the blocks to be interconnected to form structures. A preferred format relies on pleated sides that will collapse in an accordion-like fashion.

Abstract: A remotely controllable, transforming, water squirting toy vehicle includes a structure in the form of a lever arm mounted for pivotal movement with respect to a remainder of the vehicle from a first position in which a surface of the arm is hidden within the vehicle to a second, elevated position in which the hidden surface of the arm is exposed. The hidden surface of the arm bears the likeness of a snake or other creature and includes a nozzle fluidly coupled to a pump and reservoir within the remainder of the vehicle. A control system in the vehicle receives and processes steering and propulsion control signals as well as an arm raising/water pumping control signal. A single actuator controls the movement of the lever arm which is spring loaded, by releasing the lever arm from a latched position and powers the pump driving liquid from the reservoir to the nozzle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rectangular multi-picture folding puzzle that serves for the amusement of its user. The folding puzzle is composed of a flat base sheet material with a patchwork of partial picture images printed on at least one playing side and additionally subdivided into at least sixteen equal and uniform squares by a combination of score lines and cuts which enable the player to fold square segments into proper juxtaposition to assemble a complete individual picture image.

Abstract: The invention describes objects made from a soft, elastic (foam-like) material characterized by their topological structure which gives them remarkable transformability and makes them highly manipulable. They are defined by an outer shape (A) and an inner shape (B). Transformation is effected by completely turning the entity inside out. Following this manipulation, the initial inner form (B) determines the new form (B) of the object and the initial outer form (A) is now reversed (A) to become the inner form. The invention is aimed at the industrial manufacture of objects which may be individual objects or objects associated in sets of several geometric or figure forms which may have an aesthetic, leisure, didactic, ergotherapeutic or advertising application.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel interconnected ring toy effective in reducing the physiological and psychological effects of stress and in improving manual dexterity. The toy is comprised of a plurality of interconnected rings, each ring interconnected with every other ring, the number of rings, ring diameter and ring cross-section chosen to define that amount of free space between the rings which prevents unrestricted movement of the rings yet permits a degree of play to facilitate manipulation of the rings with respect to each other.

Abstract: A miniature toy football helmet and a method of forming the helmet integrally with a face guard. The helmet including a pair of shells molded side by side with a face guard molded therebetween.

Abstract: A multi-cornered flexible toy particularly suitable for infants wherein at least four tubes are held together end-to-end to define at least four corners by means of a closed loop cord extending through all of the tubes with an equal plurality of runs of the cord in each tube, including protective caps and ornamental slidable elements on the tubes.

Abstract: A pie making toy includes a generally rectangular base having an angularly disposed roller bed surface and a pair of upwardly extending side walls on either side thereof. A generally cylindrical roller is movable upon the roller bed surface to facilitate the flattening or compressing of a bread slice placed upon the roller bed. The rectangular base further supports an upwardly extending rectangular die having an outer cutting edge and a recess formed in the interior portion thereof. A pivotally supported crimper is pivotally secured to the base proximate the upwardly extending die. A crimping die extends downwardly from the pivotal crimper and is configured to be received upon the upwardly extending die in a precision fit. The flattened bread slice is placed within the pie making toy so as to overlie the upwardly extending die and a quantity of filling material is deposited upon the upper surface of the bread slice.

Abstract: An electrical toy baby cart includes two handles. Two front frames and two rear frames are respectively and pivotally connected to the bottoms of the handles. A front wheel holder is fastened to the bottoms of the front frames and supported on two front wheels, and a rear wheel axle is fastened to the bottoms of the rear frames and supported on two rear wheels. A battery box arranged between said front and rear frames. A transmission gear box, a control box electrically connected to the battery box and having a motor controlled to drive the transmission gear box, and two transmission wheels driven by the transmission gear box to move the electrical toy baby cart are provided within the front wheel holder. When the handles are pressed downward and then turned downward toward the front frames, the top projecting block at the top end of each rear frame is moved away from the top projecting block at the top end of either front frame for permitting the electrical toy baby cart to be collapsed.

Abstract: A base having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a shape symmetrical about a fold line defining first and second halves is selectively moveable between an open position and a closed position. A substantially concave shell has an open bottom defining an outer periphery which is releasably attached to the top surface of the base. A resilient frame member supports the shell above the top surface of the base to define an interior volume between the base and the shell when the tent is in the open position. The shell and the resilient frame member collapse and fit between the first and second halves of the base when the two base halves are moved to the closed position. The base extends beyond the outer periphery of the shell, providing an area for the user to enjoy while being protected from the support surface.

Abstract: A flexible flying disc having a first rim member and a panel substantially covering the rim member. The first rim member and the panel may be twisted and folded to substantially reduce the size of the flying disc. In a separate embodiment, the flying disc may further include a second rim member and a collar encompassing the first rim member and the panel, with the collar attached between the first and second rim members. The first and second rim members are disposed in different elevational planes but parallel to each other so that the collar is disposed at an angle, thereby creating a domed structure. Mesh portions and openings may be provided in the panel to allow air to pass therethrough during flight. The first and second rim members, the panel and the collar may also be twisted and folded to substantially reduce the size of the flying disc.

Abstract: An amusement device is disclosed in which one or more rolls of lightweight material include a plurality of separate, unconnected strips which are coiled in the roll such that, when the roll is deployed in the air, the unconnected strips separate from the roll of remaining strips, and the separated strips tend to return to their original, coiled shape, thereby forming ring shapes which then tumble downwardly and the tumbling ring-shaped strips appear to the eye of the observer as a plurality of falling bubbles.

Abstract: The executive balance toy is a balancing game assembled from precisely-machined plates. The plates interconnect and pivot with respect to one another to form a structure that pivots about two axes and includes a play surface which does not pivot about its center of gravity. The executive toy challenges a player to place as many weighted play pieces as possible on the play surface without causing it to tilt.

Abstract: A completed, solved game puzzle 10 is a mobius strip made of multiple columns 24 and rows 22 of blocks 20, or block-like pieces. Each block 20 has opposing display surfaces and opposing connecting surfaces which are orthogonal to the display surfaces. The connecting surfaces have mechanisms such as a corresponding peg 30 and aperture 32, respectively, for connecting one block 20 to another block 20. The display surfaces exhibit a color, alphabet 28, number or symbol. The unsolved puzzle is one or more bands of blocks connected by and pivotable about an axis 26 extending through the center of each block 20 parallel to the display and connecting surfaces. The solution to the puzzle may be words or phrases spelled by aligned letters of individual strips, or a predetermined pattern formed from aligned colors or symbols. To solve the puzzle, the blocks of each strip must be connected adjacent the blocks of another strip at appropriate locations.

Abstract: The device utilizes a changeable-configuration geometric arrangement including a plurality of units, such as tetrahedrons, connected together at points by means of joints. The tetrahedrons can be equally divided into two different types of units that are exact mirror images of each other. The unit in each type has four triangular faces. The units along with the joints form an articulated chain in which any two adjacent units are of different types. The assembly of any two units connected together with a joint allows both units to rotate relative to each other in all directions around the center of the joint. In the articulated device, six consecutive units can be used to form the configuration of a cube. Different coloring and/or numbering schemes can be used to provide different levels of complexity and challenge for the puzzle. Units can be formed as right tetrahedrons having two faces with side lengths generally equal to (L, .sqroot.2 L, .sqroot.

Abstract: The toy is transformable into two distinct open and closed conditions (O, C) through a body and appendages each of a fixed geometric shape mentioned to collectively present the image of an identifiable animate object in the open condition (O) and an image of an inanimate object in the form of a rounded structure in the closed condition (C) through hinges connecting the body and the appendages to permit controlled relative movement of the appendages both for transformation and play in either configuration. Fasteners are provided to hold the toy in the closed configuration defining the inanimate image and upon release to allow the appendages to open relative to the body to define the open configuration and animate image.

Abstract: A folding puzzle is made of 4N identical block elements of three-dimensional right triangular form. The two right-angle sides of each block element are connected by hinge elements to the correspondingly matching right-angle sides of preceeding and succeeding block elements, such that the block elements are connected in a series. The hinge elements provide folding lines at one side of the block elements to allow adjacent block elements to be folded overlying each other. The series of block elements may be connected in a closed loop, with a continuous tape layer applied over the inner plane surfaces of the block elements for structural stability. The hinge elements may be flexible tape elements, leaf or extruded tab-type hinges, or detachable hinges which allow a closed loop to be opened or to be joined with other series of block elements.

Abstract: A child's toy is a mechanical hand having at least articulated fingers, and perhaps an articulated thumb, associated with a palm section. A control compartment attached to and extending from the palm section includes fingertip controls which selectively move the articulated fingers. A clip-on special effects box, also operated by fingertip control, may be added to the mechanical hand in order to provide a weapon, sound effect, laser beam, or the like. In the embodiment described herein, the weapon is a set of four claws which may extend from or retract into the box.

Abstract: An articulated gliding ring is provided in which a plurality of elongated members, which may be curved or straight, are pivotally joined to form a closed ring of circular or polyhedric contour, each of the elongated members having, throughout the major portion of its length an airfoil contour. The articulated structure permits the gliding ring to be projected by back-hand delivery of the open ring, or over-hand delivery of the elongated ring grasped at one folded joint; and has the further advantage of permitting the ring to be folded to compact, pocket size for storage and transport. The most compact folding is made possible by disconnecting one of the pivot joints, and by employing straight rather than curved elongated members.

Abstract: A pair of spaced-apart, parallel rings is provided, with each ring provided with a plurality of semicircular loop portions pivotally connected to the respective ring about its circumference. Each ring has two sets of a plurality of semicircular loops, a first outer set that is pivotal in a first direction away from the other ring, and a second inner set that is pivotally connected to the first set of loops of the other ring. The loops of each set are arranged in an overlapping manner, so that when one of the loops is rotated, all of the loops of that set are concurrently rotated. Since the inner sets of loops of the two rings are pivotally interconnected, rotation of any loop of either of the two second inner sets will concurrently rotate the other loops of the second inner sets. Rotation of these loops of the second inner sets is achieved by drawing closer the two rings or by pulling them apart. The two first outer sets of loops are free to rotate in either direction.