Also, it is quite possible the only reason anyone made money off these toys is that when the patent lapsed, bigger more profitable businesses were able to recreate it, rebrand it, and market the hell out of it. 

Just guessing the creator didn't have the business sense to do so or she would have got more than the $400 she needed to keep it active.

I too am not in favor of patents and IP, but I am not out there trying to make a buck off a product. I think unfortunately it is a fairy tale story people, especially in the US believe, that "one good idea" will make them rich! 

We need to wake up and get to work and share our ideas openly to collaborate and bring them to fruition.  Plus almost no one wants to "steal" your ideas, because well, they have their own half-baked ideas...