Abstract: A magic trick apparatus and methods of use is described. The magic trick apparatus may include a half sphere having a rounded side and a flat surface with a coin attached to the flat surface of the half sphere. The magic trick apparatus may further include a band and a ridge on the rounded side and a hole extending into the half sphere. The magic trick apparatus may be used to “transform” a coin into a lollipop.

Abstract: A roping practice apparatus includes a base and at least one wheel rotatably mounted to the base about a horizontal wheel axis oriented transverse to the base and below the top surface of the base, the wheel defiling at least one slot extending from a rim of the wheel toward the wheel axis. The rim of the wheel extends above the top surface of the base. An upper portion defines a wheel well on a bottom surface thereof, and is configured such that the wheel extends upward into the wheel well. The upper portion is supported above the base such that a gap is formed between the upper portion and the base. The wheel is configured such that a selected object drawn through the gap enters the at least one slot on the wheel and causes the wheel to rotate. A retainer mechanism is operative to prevent the upper portion from moving upward away from the base.

Abstract: A vehicle and screen assembly is provided for theme park rides to create a ride-through screen experience. The assembly includes a vehicle for carrying passengers that includes a top or roof assembly with first and second sets of magnetic elements on an exterior surface of the top assembly, with each of the sets having a like pole oriented outward from the exterior surface. A screen assembly is included with first and second planar screen segments that are pivotably mounted adjacent to each other so as to hang or be positioned in a plane that is transverse to a track traveled by the vehicle. The screen segments include magnetic elements with exposed poles that match the outward facing pole of the corresponding sets of magnetic elements on the vehicle. The screen segments magnetically levitate away from the top assembly when the vehicle passes through the screen assembly without touching the vehicle.

Abstract: A magic trick for causing a solid ring to falsely penetrate through a flexible solid chain. A magician suspends a portion of the chain from a first hand, wherein the portion has a generally U-shape. The magician also holds the ring by a second hand to position the ring near the top of the portion. Then, the ring is released from the second hand and caused to rotate with respect to the portion so that the bottom tip of the portion loops around a portion of the ring and thereby a loop for hanging the ring from the chain is formed by a bottom part of the portion. The ring hanging from the chain makes an audience of the magic trick perceive a false impression that the solid ring has passed through the solid chain.

Abstract: A riding device includes one or more cranks rotatably attached to a base, and a rider support supported on a carrier and movable relative to the base for supporting a rider, the carrier has a front portion for swinging relative to the base and a rear portion pivotally coupled to the cranks indirectly with a pendulum for moving cyclically relative to the base and for allowing the carrier to be moved in an elliptical and reciprocating action relative to the base by the crank device, and the rider support is supported on the carrier and moved in concert with the rider support for supporting the rider, and the carrier and the rider support may be moved relative to the base in an elliptical and reciprocating action by the rider.

Abstract: An illusion toy has a housing in which a blade is rotated in one direction too rapidly to be seen through 270 degrees between rest positions on respective opposite sides of an article receiving through hole, providing the illusion that the blade has rotated in an opposite direction across the through hole, through the article. An actuating lever for a blade rotating overcenter mechanism has a loop aligned with the through hole so that a trigger end of the lever can be visibly moved between opposite sides of the through hole in the same direction as the apparent movement of the blade. A hollow housing handle forms a candy dispensing store and connects to a delivery chute extending across the housing obscuring a radially outer portion of the blade path providing an impression that rotation of the blade in the one direction is blocked by candy.

Abstract: A practical joke device which when removably mounted onto a glass surface of user choice, will create an illusion that an object has penetrated into the glass surface and the glass has been shattered.

Abstract: A magician's guillotine has generally transparent stocks providing a primary, central neck receiving aperture and surrounding upper, lower and lateral demonstration apertures for demo articles to be severed. Opposite edges of the stocks are mounted in frame uprights having first and second vertical tracks for receiving an upper blade assembly which is switched to descend in a first track to extend across and sever demo articles in upper, lateral and primary apertures and in a second track to extend across and sever only articles in the upper and lateral demonstration apertures. When the blade assembly descends in the second track a lower blade rises from a concealed position inside the frame to sever a demo article in the lower aperture. The upper blade assembly has a first blade of inverted U-shape concealed within a second, rectangular tubular blade when in the first track and sliding therefrom when in the second track to sever only demo articles in the upper and lateral apertures.

Abstract: A coin magic device is disclosed which comprises a coin holder in which a coin is to be set, and a case into which the coin holder is to be introduced. The coin holder has formed on one side thereof a concavity which has a through-hole formed in the bottom thereof and in which the coin is to be set. The case has formed on the inner surface thereof a guide wall to guide the coin moving inside the case.The coin is set in the concavity of the coin holder. They are introduced into the case. When a key is inserted through the case from one of the slits in the case, the coin is moved from a set position to a offset position as guided by the guide wall. Thus, the key can be inserted through the slits in the case and through-hole in the coin holder, which will give the audience an illusion that the coin is pierced with the key.

Abstract: A cutting-magic device is disclosed which comprises a case open at the top there of and hang a bottom and a circumferential wall, and a partition which parts the case into a first half and a second half. The case has formed in the bottom of the first half thereof an opening through which a pencil, finger or any other bar-like article is to be inserted. The partition has a mirror provided on the side thereof facing the second half of the case. The partition has mounted thereon a tubular member which can be slid up and down along the partition. The case has mimic scissors provided thereon. A pencil, finger or any other bar-like article inserted from the opening in the case and penetrated through the tubular member appears, under the reflection effect of the mirror, as if it were cut by the mimic scissors.

Abstract: The trick article giving an illusive cutting of a stick-like thing such as a cigarette or pencil and restoring its initial state, according to the present invention comprising an opaque disk-like rotary member disposed rotatably on a base, transparent auxiliary rotary members movable circumferentially as interlocked with the rotary member, and a housing which encases the rotary member and auxiliary rotary members. The rotary member and auxiliary rotary members have formed therein a main channel and sub channels, respectively, in which the stick-like thing is inserted from an insertion hole formed in the housing. The auxiliary rotary members have fixed therein deceptive stick-like things identical to the front and rear end portions, respectively, of the stick-like thing. When the rotary member is in its first angular position, end portions of the actual stick-like thing are visible through windows formed in the housing.

Abstract: A system for detecting trace concentrations of an analyte in air includes a preconcentrator for the analyte and an analyte detector. The preconcentrator includes an elongated tubular container comprising a wettable material. The wettable material is continuously wetted with an analyte-sorbing liquid which flows from one part of the container to a lower end. Sampled air flows through the container in contact with the wetted material with a swirling motion which results in efficient transfer of analyte vapors or aerosol particles to the sorbing liquid and preconcentration of traces of analyte in the liquid. The preconcentrated traces of analyte may be either detected within the container or removed therefrom for injection into a separate detection means or for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: A novelty knife for use for simulating impact includes a resilient blade formed of shape retentive material having a bottom edge and a fluid reservoir bulb mounted as a handle, wherein the fluid reservoir bulb includes fluid communication through a plurality of conduits directed through the blade and exiting along the blade's lower edge adjacent the blade's tip, with a fluid dye contained within the reservoir for ease of replenishment.