Abstract: The present invention relates to a pad to be applied to an inner surface of a finger-ring, comprising an elastically compressible pad body and an adhesive layer adapted to adhere to the inner surface of the finger-ring, wherein, upon the finger-ring being worn upon a finger, the pad body is compressed, and the compressed pad body urges against the finger, such that rotation or movement of the finger-ring about or along the finger is inhibited. The present invention further relates to a method of use thereof, a method of formation thereof and a kit comprising an embodiment of the pad of the present invention.

Abstract: An infant toy is disclosed generally comprising a core section and a plurality of tags interconnected about the core section substantially forming the toy. The tags may be different lengths, widths, and colors, and may have different designs printed thereon, in order to further stimulate the infant. In certain embodiments, the tags are fabric loops, and in some embodiments, the toy has a handle member or a connector for attaching the toy to an accessory, such as car keys or a zipper pull. In some embodiments, the tags are arranged in an annular fashion such that they can be worn on the wrist or in the hair.

Abstract: A toy construction set has a plurality of interconnectable objects each having a plurality of faces. Some of these faces have a connector, while other faces lack a connector but have a fibrous or pierceable material. The connector includes a first hub and a second hub that are concentrically nested. Each of the hubs has on one side thereof a plurality of spiral prongs. The spiral prongs on the first hub spiral in a direction opposite that of the spiral prongs on the second hub. The connector also has a manually operable link connected between the first and the second hub for relatively rotating them in opposite directions. The play activity proceeds by adjoining a pair of the objects with a prominent, connector-bearing face of one of the pair touching a prominent connector-free face of the other one of the pair.

Abstract: An apparatus has a collapsible base that assumes a deployed position and a collapsed position where the base has a smaller size than in the deployed configuration. A surface is removably attached to the base. The base includes a frame system that includes a plurality of struts that are hingedly connected to each other. The surface can be used as a sleeping surface, a table top, a game surface, or for other similar purposes.

Abstract: A walled structure apparatus generally orientated perpendicular to a horizontal surface, the apparatus including a first panel with a major plane, a corner and a notch, a second panel with a major plane, a corner and a tab received with the notch, and a hinge structure within the notch. The hinge structure generally uniting the panels for movement to a number of selected positions and includes interengaged flexible components permitting inward and outward movement and being generally located within the notch and tab. Through this movement, the walled structure apparatus exhibits a deformed structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining children's toys and other materials within a retrievable distance is provided. The apparatus may comprise a generally geometrically-shaped main body with a plurality of integrally formed ribs. The ribs divide the outer periphery of the main body into a plurality of segments for the attachment of multiple toys or other materials, such as, but not limited to, eating utensils, sealed containers, or a pacifier. Each item connected to the main body is connected thereto using an individual strap having hook-and-loop fasteners at each end for securing about said main body's outer periphery or said item. The apparatus may be secured in place using an affixed suction cup or other attachment means for maintaining its placement. Alternatively, said apparatus may be used as a basis for an affixed animal toy or mobile when mounted on a wall or ceiling and the attached items are allowed to dangle therefrom.

Abstract: A wrist band call conditioner (10) is intended to be conveniently worn around the wrist of a hunter during an active hunt. The wrist band call conditioner is to be used when needed to clean and condition friction game call sound producing surfaces. The wrist band call conditioner has a wrist band (12) that is worn around a hunter's wrist. The wrist band (12) supports an abrasive pad (22), a medium grit cloth backed abrasive (24), and a coarse grit cloth backed abrasive (26) that are fastened to the wrist band (12) using the hook and loop fastener. The hunter can use the abrasives on or off of the wrist band (12) to clean and condition such sound producing surfaces as slate, glass, wood, and metal as needed with minimized hunter motion.

Abstract: A transformable toy with which children play, wherein arms of the toy are formed integrally with legs of the toy, respectively, and the arms and the legs easily pass through-holes formed in a body part of the toy in such a manner that the lengths of the arms are longer than those of the legs or the lengths of the legs are longer than those of the arms so that the transformable animal toy can hang on an object, such as a rope or a bar, or the transformable animal toy can hug another toy, thereby improving a sense of mystery thereof. The transformable toy comprises a body part having an outer cover and an inner cover, and a head part. The body part has through-holes longitudinally formed therethrough at both sides thereof, respectively through which a respective arm and leg combination are inserted.

Abstract: A teddy bear plush toy and game combination is disclosed, comprised of a plush, or stuffed, toy that is configured as a teddy bear. The teddy bears holds a container configured to resemble a bee hive. The container has a removable lid. Small bee-shaped plastic balls, called “bees”, are stored inside of the container. The plastic balls are covered with strips of hook and loop fastener, such as VELCRO®. The container is releasably affixed to the teddy bear itself. The teddy bear plush toy and game combination can be used as a traditional teddy bear, or used as a game by throwing the balls at the teddy bear.

Abstract: A method of appeasing a domestic animal comprising the steps of forming members having a fabric exterior member interface surfaces. The member interface surfaces are capable of repeated nondestructive disconnection and reconnection via attachment means. Members connect at their interface surfaces to form a cartoon character of predetermined configuration and shape. A user allows a domestic animal such as a canine to rend apart members to simulate destruction of the figure. A user reassembles said figure by attaching members using the attachment means at the interface surfaces. A user can repeat the last two steps until appeasement of the domestic animal.

Abstract: A toy building construction set is disclosed which comprises a plurality of geometrically shaped thin panels. Each panel has loop and hook strips positioned at borders of the geometrically shaped thin panels, which can be used to attach the panels to one another. A number of different large scale structures can be made by children using these safe, light weight panels which simulate actual structures found in architecture.

Abstract: A construction piece covered at least partially with display loop fabric and having one or more double sided hook-surfaced tabs removably affixed to said fabric so as to permit the attachment of one construction piece to another.

Abstract: A toy including a base made of a flexible sheet and painted or printed to have the appearance of grass, streets, rivers, lakes, and the like, and one or more structures configured for being reversibly folded into a flattened shape and unfolded to resemble houses, schools, churches, airports, and the like is described. Preferably, the structures are reversibly attachable to the base, such as with a hook-and-loop fastener.

Abstract: A doll having a sports ball body with attachments connected thereto. The attachments are preferably connected with hooks and loops, commonly known as Velcro(™) with cooperating connectors on the ball body. The body connectors are preferably located on a piece of fabric secured to the inside portion of the ball body with a flap of the ball body cut into the ball body exposing an opening with the body connector therein. The underside of the flap is preferably equipped with a cooperating flap connector which cooperates with the body connector when the attachment is not in use so that the flap is substantially continuous with the remainder of the surface of the ball body.

Abstract: Described is a child's toy that is useful for assisting a child in imaginative play. The toy of the present invention has two primary embodiments: a sock mounted embodiment and a shoe mounted embodiment. The sock-mounted embodiment comprises a sock and a sock-attachable foot. The shoe-mounted embodiment comprises a shoe harness and a shoe attachable foot. The sock (or shoe) attachable foot is preferably an animal foot (most preferably a pair of feet). Preferably, the sock attachable foot is a replication of a complete foot, but may only be a replication of a top portion of a foot section. The bottom of each sock-attachable foot is designed to attach to a topside of a sock or shoe-attachment harness to be worn, or is simultaneously worn, by a child. There are several preferred sock mounted foot designs, among which are duck's feet, dinosaur feet, monkey feet, chicken feet, monster feet, and the like.

Abstract: A multi-function mobile comprising an elongate, flexible support bar defining opposed first and second end portions. Attached to the support bar is a connector mechanism which is moveable between latched and unlatched positions. The first and second end portions of the support bar are maintained in close proximity to each other when the connector mechanism is in its latched position. Releaseably engageable to the first and second end portions of the support bar is a pliable cover member which is used to maintain the support bar in a substantially ring-like configuration. An elongate engagement strap is releaseably engageable to the connector mechanism when the same is moved to its unlatched position. The engagement strap is sized and configured such that when engaged to the connector mechanism, the first and second end portions are drawn toward each other in a manner causing the support bar to assume a substantially arch-like configuration.

Abstract: A planar toy element interchangeably attached to other planar toy elements to form an arrangement of elements which may define a planar or three-dimensional object. The planar element may be pliable or soft, may be soft or may have toy items attached thereto or integral therewith.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a visible marker when at least two objects are combined. The visible marker may be any desired marking but, in the preferred embodiment, is a heart-shape. The two objects may be two-dimensional, such as cards, or three-dimensional, such as toys or household items. The creation of the visible marker by bringing two objects into proximity can show common origin and manufacture and, where a heart-shape is used, can send positive social and moral messages of love and togetherness.

Abstract: A toy building set includes a plurality of building members each including at least one coupling mechanism for coupling with similar coupling mechanisms in other building members. The coupling mechanism including a proximal portion and a distal portion connected to the proximal portion. The distal portion includes at least one flexible locking element configured to be releasably locked with a plurality of similar flexible locking elements in the distal portions of other similar coupling mechanisms when the distal portion of the coupling mechanism is pushed toward the proximal portions of the other coupling mechanisms to deform the flexible locking elements from an undeformed state to a deformed state to produce locking forces in a locked position.

Abstract: Starting from flat partly assembled components, this shelter, when erected, includes tubular roof-reinforcing and attachment beams disposed against roof segments and sidewalls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for developing a computer screen layout provides a plurality of physically manipulable pieces each representing one of a plurality of computer screen objects. The pieces are removably secured to a surface representing a computer screen. The pieces are arranged on the surface to provide a proposed computer screen layout. The pieces may then be moved on the surface, added to the surface, or removed from the surface to provide a revised computer screen layout. The revised computer screen layout is then recreated in the computer program under development.

Abstract: A system for teaching mathematics to beginning students includes a series of gloves and/or finger puppets, with the digits representing non-sequential number series (e.g., two, four, six, etc.). Students are taught to count various non-sequential number series using visual and tactile senses by using the gloves and/or finger puppets and associated hand patterns, with further audible reinforcement being provided by stories corresponding to each of the non-sequential series. Various caricatures corresponding to the plots of the stories may be used as further mnemonic aids for students in remembering the procedures and operations taught, with additional caricatures being provided for two and three place (i.e., tens and hundreds) digits for removable installation on the glove or finger puppet digits. Once the non-sequential series are learned, students are taught to multiply, divide, solve fraction problems, and factor numbers using the corresponding factor (e.g., two, for the two, four, six, etc. sequence).

Abstract: A three-dimensional soft sculpture wall adornment is made of a pliable and lightweight material. The wall adornment has a raised relief front surface and a back that is at least partially flat. The raised relief has a minimum total relief contrast that assures a three-dimensional visual quality. The raised relief also has a maximum projection. The back has a mounting element attached to the flat portion for securing the wall adornment to a wall.

Abstract: An amusement center for rear facing child seats consisting of a soft flexible display structure, a way of supporting the soft, flexible display structure, at least one entertainment item, and a way for attaching the entertainment item to the display structure. The amusement center provides intellectual and visual stimulation for infants ages birth to nine months. The display structure consists of a plurality of panels, each panel having a toy or similar entertainment item attached thereto. The display structure is made from cloth, vinyl, padded foam, or other flexible material to prevent trauma to the infant in case of an accident. The display structure is supported by clips or straps which hang over the back of a vehicle seat. The display structure may be supported by VELCRO.RTM. attachments to the vehicle seat. The attachable items may consist of photos or pictures, soft dolls or animals, or music boxes. The attachable items are attached to the display structure by way of snaps, magnets, VELCRO.RTM.

Abstract: An object, which can be used as an advertising item, promotional item, toy, or decorative figure, is segmented into at least two portions which are mounted in an aligned fashion on opposing sides of a surface so that the object appears to be extending through the surface. The object is provided in the shape of a commercial product to be advertised, or in the shape of a creature, such as animal or insect, or in the shape of holiday character, such as Santa Clause or a Halloween bat. The object is attached to the surface using suction cups which are mounted within the hollow interior of the object, so that when the object is mounted to the surface in an aligned fashion, the suction cups are not seen by viewer. The individual portions of the segmented object can be also be attached directly to each other to form a complete toy which can be played with in a traditional manner.

Abstract: A spherical housing (11) having multiple flats (1-8) about the surface of the housing with adhesive means (i.e. . . . magnets) that enable it to adhere to an alternate surface. Multiple flats (1-8) are arranged around the housing (11) for the purpose of directing light in many directions.

Abstract: A toy ball as teachware includes a rubber ball body, a ball-shaped Velcro layer covering on the ball body, and a plurality of Velcro pieces written with letters, characters, symbols, figures, etc. on the outer surfaces to be stuck releasably on the ball-shaped Velcro layer. Then the toy ball may serve as a toy for children to play and as a teachware to learn from.

Abstract: A fashion doll clothes holder for doll clothes and accessories of the type having fasteners having a plurality of panels hingedly connected together to form an enclosure. The enclosure has an inner surface including fasteners adapted to releasably engage the fasteners on doll clothes and accessories to secure the doll clothes and accessories to the panels.

Abstract: A display system is shown which comprises, in combination, a display panel and a modular multi-layer three dimensional figure which can be readily disassembled and re-assembled in different forms. The display panel has a structural member with a first and second outer covering member, at least one of which is a hook or loop material, and which outer coverings are joined at their lateral edges in a narrow, unobtrusive seam. The figure is comprised of a plurality of first flexible elements, flat in relaxed state, and having hook or loop fabric on at least one facial surface, and a plurality of second flexible elements, also flat in relaxed state, with hook or loop material on both facial surfaces which are releasably secured to the first flexible elements. A method of making the panel and a finger or hand puppet constructed from the flexible elements are also shown.

Abstract: A kit for building objects from block-like construction pieces comprising a plurality of construction pieces, each having a core made of resilient flexible foam material and having a plurality of planar faces, an outer cover snugly fitting over and completely covering the outer peripheral surface of the foam core made of a looped fabric and a plurality of double-sided hooked surface tabs for lockingly engaging with the loop fabric so that the construction pieces may be releasably assembled to one another and reinforcing strips adapted to be removably connected to tabs for bridging adjacent blocks.

Abstract: The invention discloses an educational block having a frame member portion with a thickness appropriate for grasping, and a translucent window portion, the edge of which cooperates with the inner surface of portions of the frame member portion.

Abstract: A bean bag alphanumeric figure is provided comprised of a first fabric side and a second fabric side having indicia of a face on the exterior of the first fabric side. The first fabric side and the second fabric side are held together in attachment so as to form a pocket by stitching along the periphery of the fabric sides so as to expose the exterior of the first fabric side to the exterior of the pocket. The pocket formed from first fabric side and the second fabric side is stitched closed leaving an opening which would allow the filling of the pocket formed from the two sides with a bean or pellet like material. The two sides of the fabric left unattached would then be brought into engagement and attached by stitching the sides closed. A Velcro.TM. like material or snaps would be provided on both sides of the feet and hands of the alphanumeric figures so that they may be brought into removable engagement with each other removably secured hand to hand, foot to foot, or foot to hand.

Abstract: A toy which can be manually, easily, and repeatedly mounted on a wide range of vertical surfaces and remain fixed in place until its position is adjusted by removal and replacement. The toy can be of three dimensional extent and is supported by a unique fastening arrangement comprising a reusable, removable, adhesive putty used in conjunction with a retaining member.

Abstract: A set of three-dimensional construction elements which removably adhere to one another for use as a construction toy or as a decorative display structure. Surfaces of the elements are substantially covered with hook-and-loop fastener material in accordance with "surfacing patterns" which maximize inter-connection flexibility. The "3-point" surfacing pattern for rectangular prisms, and derivatives of the 3-point pattern for other shapes, provide a unified surfacing system which promotes ease of use. Derivative 3-point patterns may be determined by morphological transformations of a rectangular prism with a 3-point surfacing pattern. The 3-point pattern and its derivatives obey a set of surfacing guidelines which maximizes the number of ways of forming face-to-face, edge-to-face, and point-to-face connections.

Abstract: A toilet training system in which a decal having a background scene imprinted thereon is adhesively fixed to a toilet lid and a plurality of appliques, each of which depict an entity belonging to the aforementioned background scene, are provided as individual rewards for a successful potty experience. The child attaches the appliques to the decal to build up a scene.

Abstract: A plush toy is provided having a body and plurality of detachable appendages in the form of arms, legs, tail and a head. The appendages are provided with a male member having hook-and-latch material which fits into mating alignment with recesses provided in the body. Hook-and-latch material provided within the recesses secures the appendages securely to the body, while hiding the hook-and-latch material from view. The bodies and appendages may be configured to represent the body and appendages of various animals and may be interchanged to create multi-animal plush toys. Additionally, the heads are provided with switches and audio signal generators to produce audio signals associated with the animals represented by the heads.

Abstract: A story board with attachable elements (10) for being secured to a wall, with the associated set of dolls (26) being individually and releasably secured thereto. A plurality of loop members (14) are provided along the top border to enable the securement of the story board (12) to a wall. The front panel (15) of the story board (12) is sectioned into a grid of individual panels (16). Each panel (16) illustrates a particular scene, in similar fashion to a conventional story board. Each of the individual panels (16) is decorated to reflect the personality of the particular doll (26) to be secured to that panel (16) and is provided with a conventional fastener (18) for the securement of the doll (26). A pocket (17) is carried by selected of the individual panels (16) for storing various selected items. One individual panel (16) may be provided with a pocket (20) for carrying a story book (24) illustrating at least one story involving the characters of the dolls (26) carried on the individual panels (16).

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle having a body portion which may be rolled upon and secured to a mating surface. In one embodiment, the vehicle comprises a first axle having a wheel member mounted thereon and a second axle having another wheel member mounted thereon. Each of the wheel members comprise an integral fastening portion of the same material as the wheel that is engagable with the mating surface so that the vehicle may be secured to the mating surface regardless of the orientation of the mating surface.

Abstract: A child's toy which includes a plurality of detachable planar wall members. Each of the wall members has an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a plurality of side edges. The side edges define four corners. A plurality of VELCRO hook and loop type fastening strips are secured to each of the wall members. Each of the hook and loop type fastening strips on the wall members is adapted to mate with a complementary loop and hook type fastening strip on a different wall member in order to secure the wall members together. The child's toy includes at least one three dimensional toy figure releasably fastened to the interior surface of one of the wall members.

Abstract: The invention discloses an educational block having a frame member portion with a thickness appropriate for grasping, and a translucent window portion, the edge of which cooperates with the inner surface of portions of the frame member portion.

Abstract: An animal-like stuffed toy figure most of whose body is covered with a simulated hairy fur of a character appropriate to the animal which the figure resembles. The body is provided with a closable internal pouch in which is received a latent offspring. The latent offspring is the collapsed state of a shaped ball formed by an outer casing covered with a fur corresponding to that of the figure and enclosing a deflated balloon whose neck projects through a port in the casing. When a player takes the latent offspring out of the pouch and inflates the balloon to expand the casing, the resultant offspring which has the same fur as the figure and, therefore, somewhat resembles the figure, can be played with as a ball.

Abstract: A novel method of entering a pictorial competition of the type in which the position of an object omitted from a picture is required to be identified is in the form of a sheet on which a multiplicity of crosses or other indicia are displayed, the crosses being applied to a pictorial entry coupon in the position selected by the entrant. The crosses may be in the form of transferable markings on the sheet or the sheet itself, bearing the crosses, may be adhesively secured to the coupon by the entrant.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for recovering and arresting an aircraft on a floating platform is disclosed. The aircraft has a fuselage, a wing, and a source of propulsion for propelling the aircraft in flight. During landing approach, an inflatable cushion attached to the fuselage is deployed below the fuselage via inflation. In the inflated condition, a fastening material disposed on a downward facing surface of the cushion is thereby adapted to adhesively contact the floating platform deck so that the forward motion of the aircraft is slowed and arrested. In the preferred embodiment, the fastening material is one of male or female VELCRO.RTM. which is adapted to mate with corresponding VELCRO.RTM. material covering the platform deck.

Abstract: A modular sign comprises a perforated base having a multiplicity of apertures spaced a predetermined distance apart in both horizontal and vertical directions and a plurality of sign modules--positioned on the base. Each sign module has at least two registration projections on its rear surface for engaging two of the apertures in the base. The projections are located with respect to the edges of the sign module such that the edges of adjacent modules are separated by a predetermined distance to create a reveal between adjacent modules when the registration projections are placed within appropriate ones of the apertures. The sign modules are held in place on the base by one or more of an adhesive, a magnet, or a mechanical lock.

Abstract: The present invention provides a toy having multiple tags that serve a variety of purposes including amusement, education, and/or third party advertising.

Abstract: A story quilt and associated set of dolls (10) for being secured to a wall, with the associated set of dolls (26) being individually and releasably secured thereto. A plurality of loop members (14) are provided along the top border to enable the securement of the story quilt (12) to a wall. The front panel (15) of the story quilt (12) is sectioned into a grid of individual panels (16). Each panel (16) illustrates a particular scene, in similar fashion to a conventional story board. Each of the individual panels (16) is decorated to reflect the personality of the particular doll (26) to be secured to that panel (16) and is provided with a conventional fastener (18) for the securement of the doll (26). A pocket (17) is carried by selected of the individual panels (16) for storing various selected items. One individual panel (16) may be provided with a pocket (20) for carrying a story book (24) illustrating at least one story involving the characters of the dolls (26) carried on the individual panels (16).

Abstract: A child's toy has an electrically actuated function such as talking or moving which function is initiated by first covering a sensor and then, within a short time, uncovering the sensor. In a preferred arrangement, a stuffed doll includes potodetectors located in the area of the doll's eyes and movable arms configured such that the hands of the doll may be placed over the doll's eyes and then promptly removed from the doll's eyes whereupon the doll's speech synthesizer produces a message such as "peek-a-boo.

Abstract: A child-constructable toy including a set of components, each component having a characteristic color, each component further having a plurality of edges bearing other characteristic colors; a tool-actuateable coupling mechanism having a same characteristic color as that on an edge of one component and that on an edge of another component for coupling the same colored edges of the components together and with such repeated coupling allowing a toy to be created; and a tool operatively associated with the coupling mechanism for facilitating coupling of components.

Abstract: A dual string yo-yo including a dual string interconnection of the yo-yo body to the fingers of an operator and a yo-yo body comprising enlarged end portion and an enlarged central portion separated by two necked portions whereupon the dual strings are separately wound. The yo-yo body may be of solid or structured composition and furthermore may include mass distributions devised to enhance the rotational inertial characteristics of the yo-yo. A pair of adjustable bandlike string attachment bands is provided to engage a pair of fingers of an operator. Irregular shapes and lighted versions are disclosed.

Abstract: A building block of any geometrical shape having fabric fasteners secured thereto for releasably coupling the block to another block. Each block includes a hollow geometrical shape with hook and loop material alternatingly positioned at opposed edges of the shape to facilitate securement of the block to another similarly constructed block. An alternate embodiment of the present invention includes blocks having either hook material or loop material exclusively with an indicator with each type of material present on the block. A further alternate embodiment provides a separation assembly positioned within the block and operable to facilitate a separation of attached blocks.