Patents Represented by Attorney Daniel F. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4685894
    Abstract: A toy vehicle having front opening gates and an ejectable flywheel seat which may be used as a gyroscopic top or to propel the vehicle. The flywheel seat is removably mounted to the top of the vehicle. A launching level rotatably coupled to the front axle of the vehicle may be used to simultaneously eject the flywheel seat from the toy vehicle and open two gates at the front of the vehicle. Downward movement of the level causes a tiltable box to rotate resulting in the seat being ejected from the vehicle. Movement of the lever also causes a sliding plate to move forward forcing the front gates to open. A flywheel is rotatably mounted inside the flywheel seat. When the flywheel seat is mounted on top of the vehicle, gears coupled to the front axle and mounted inside the tiltable box cause the flywheel to rotate inside the seat as the front wheels of the vehicle rotate. As such, the kinetic energy of the flywheel may be used to propel the toy vehicle forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Janos Beny, Toshio Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 4685892
    Abstract: A toy construction set having a plurality of generally planar geometrically configured unitary multi-sided construction elements, with each side having a tab connected thereto with living hinges, each tab including an aligned pair of connectors, each connector including a generally cup-shaped protuberance, the exterior forming a male connector or pin and the interior forming a female connector or well. Adjacent connectors on a given tab are inverted relative to one another. A shaft member is provided with one end having a pin and the other end having a wall. A wheel carrying member is provided with horseshoe-shaped clip portions for engaging the periphery of the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Diane C. Gould, Robert R. Tucker
  • Patent number: 4682969
    Abstract: A toy for use in conjunction with a toy doll that can simulate both a robot and a vehicle is presented. The toy transforms from the configuration of a vehicle to that of a robot by rotating or moving upper and lower leg members with respect to each other until they are disposed in approximately a vertical position. A torso member rotatably coupled to the upper leg members simulates a robotic humanoid head and trunk. Side arms operably coupled to the torso member are adapted to either hang vertically simulating the arms of a robot or to be positioned adjacent the robot's head to simulate the front of a vehicle. When the side arms are disposed in the latter position, the toy can be folded into a compact configuration simulating a vehicle such as an all terrain vehicle. A toy doll can be placed on top of the toy when it simulates a vehicle and used in conjunction with handles extending from the side arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence A. Choy, Harold A. Hartleben
  • Patent number: 4673367
    Abstract: An animated figure toy having a lower torso with a trunnion member coupled for rotatable movement, the trunnion including hinge couplers connectable to mating hinge portions on the interior of front and rear halves of the upper torso. A spring is positioned beneath the trunnion for coaction with an actuating post slidingly captively retained within the trunnion for limited axial movement, the post having pivotably attached thereto a head supporting member with a head thereon. Engaging interlocking fingers on the interior of the front and rear halves of the torso hold the parts together, with an actuating member slidably mounted on one of the fingers engageable by a plate portion on the front torso for separation of the arms and movement of the post under force of the spring to pivot the parts outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: Mattell, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald H. MacBain
  • Patent number: 4673374
    Abstract: An articulated limb assembly for a figure toy which allows the limbs of the figure toy to be rotated about three different axes for the purpose of posing the limbs. The assembly includes a supporting track mounted within the hollow torso of the figure toy which is used to guide connectors coupled to the limbs. Heads attached to the connectors frictionally engage curve surfaces of the track allowing each limb to be rotated about a vertical axis. Each limb may also be frictionally rotated about a first horizontal axis or about the longitudinal axis of one of the connectors. Disk members attached to the connectors frictionally engage slots in the limbs allowing each limb to be frictionally rotated about a second horizontal axis. As a result, the limbs of the figure toy may be posed in a variety of different positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: William Kelley
  • Patent number: 4673373
    Abstract: A toy block constructed into one geometrically regular block formed from at least two nestingly interengagingly configured three-dimensional components having adjacent pairs of couplers interconnected by a generally H-shaped unitary hinge, the hinge having first and second opposing sides with an interconnecting web and a transversely extending plate portion. The sides are provided with axially aligned pairs of inwardly extending pivot stub projections. The plate portion includes a pair of oppositely extending, generally resilient, aligned catch arms with depending tangs which engage detents formed between the couplers for retaining the components in preferred position. The blocks may form humanoid objects, quadrupeds, or articles such as vehicles or furniture, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: Mattel Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Herring, Lawrence C. Wang
  • Patent number: 4669657
    Abstract: A toy train play setting having a landscape base structure molded in one piece, the upper surface having formed thereon a trackway, a depressed roadway portion, and upwardly extending wall portions of generally rectangular form for detachably receiving thereon a simulated building, which, when attached, form door like openings about a trackway section for passage therethrough of the train, and the building serves for storage of the train vehicles. The lower surface of the structure is provided with a channel portion, which in conjunction with the surface on which the play setting is positioned, forms a lower tunnel. A handle is provided for portability of the play setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip W. Crain, James D. Openshaw
  • Patent number: 4668205
    Abstract: A toy that can be used to simulate a vehicle or an aircraft is presented. The toy has a hood rotatably coupled to its front end which may be opened and closed. A rear portion is rotatably coupled to the rear end of the toy and may be rotated to two positions in order to simulate the tail portion of an aircraft and the back of a vehicle. Wing extensions are rotatably coupled to wing supports extending from the sides of the toy. A wheel is rotatably coupled to each wing extension. The wing extensions may be rotated to a vertical position so that the wheels will rest on a supporting surface and support the rear end of the toy. As such, the toy simulates a vehicle when the wing extensions are rotated to a vertical position and simulates an aircraft when the wing extensions remain in a horizontal position. Swingarms supporting simulated guns are rotatably coupled to the sides of the toy. A toy doll may be placed inside the toy and used in conjunction with the swingarms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Terence A. Choy, Harold A. Hartleben
  • Patent number: 4662857
    Abstract: An articulated soft doll construction in which a soft skin covers a soft doll head and a soft skin covers a soft torso in which the head is universally moveable relative to the torso. The torso has a first skin cover covering a fiber filler material. The torso and first skin cover are formed with an opening in which a neck connecting member is received. A second soft skin cover is used to cover a soft head that is filled with fiber material. A neck plug is received through an opening in the head and second soft skin cover. Disposed inside a neck plug is a ball and socket assembly in which the ball is connected to a spindle member that extends into the torso and is received by the neck connecting member for engagement therewith. A collar member is received inside the neck plug for retaining the second soft skin cover around the head. A remaining member is received by the neck connecting member to retain the first soft skin cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory F. Quinn, Virgil W. Wulff, Robert F. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 4659320
    Abstract: A toy vehicle disk launching apparatus for launching small disks in spinning fashion into a surface for accelerated travel therealong. A chassis supported by wheels includes a housing having a track for loading disks with spindle portions on the axis thereof to a disk launching station. At the disk launching station is an arc shaped catapult lever pivotally mounted for contacting a spindle position of the disk for imparting spinning motion thereto thereby launching the disk onto the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Hubert A. Rich, Miva A. Filoseta, Eric C. Ostendorff
  • Patent number: 4657518
    Abstract: A motion delay mechanism is disclosed which can be mounted within the torso of an animated figure toy having articulated arms. A spring is used to rotate the arms and a governor is incorporated into the mechanism for the purpose of delaying movement of the arms.The governor features a worm gear which is used in conjunction with other gears to slow down rotation of the arms. A ratchet is used for selectively loading the spring and engaging the gears. The arms of the figure toy may be used to slowly move the hands of the toy through hair attached to the toy's head or to tilt the head backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Kelley, Mark Wittenberg
  • Patent number: 4655726
    Abstract: A toy doll figure for displaying colors through an opening formed in the torso of the doll figure. The torso opening is covered with a hinged flap member. Disposed inside the torso which is a hollow housing is a drum member that is journaled in the housing. The drum member is covered with colored strip members that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum member. The drum member has a ratchet member with ratchet teeth mounted thereon that is driven by opening and closing the hinged flap member on the torso exposing a different colored strip member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryszard J. Brzezinski, William J. Kelley
  • Patent number: 4655727
    Abstract: A toy vehicle having a base portion; a top portion; and a mechanical arrangement linking the base portion to the top portion for causing the top portion to move to a number of different positions with respect to the base portion, the aforementioned arrangement including a pair of pivoting axles, receptacles for pivotably fixing the axles at selected positions adjacent the base portion, a pair of arms extending from each of the axles, each of the arms having an end, and an arrangement pivotably fixing the ends of the arms extending from each axle to pivot at selected positions adjacent the top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Swisher, Keith G. Meggs
  • Patent number: 4639234
    Abstract: A toy playset for use with toy action figures including a simulated cage having a door, an arrangement for securing and releasing the door capable of being reached by a toy action figure used with the playset, a trap capable of ensnaring a toy action figure positioned in front of the cage, a hand-puppet monster guarding the cage, and a tree capable of grasping a toy action figure positioned to guard the arrangement for releasing the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Atwood
  • Patent number: 4631041
    Abstract: A miniature toy car for performing side-wheelie stunts. The toy car has a horizontally mounted flywheel with a vertical spin axis disposed near the bottom of the car. The center of gravity of the flywheel lies substantially in a horizontal plane passing through the rear axle of the car. The inertial motor uses a bevel pinion gear which is attached to the rear axle and engages a change gear. The change gear, in turn, engages a pinion gear attached to the flywheel. The orientation of the flywheel toward the bottom of the car helps to balance the car when it is performing side-wheelie stunts so that the spin axis of the flywheel approaches a horizontal position during such stunts. The sides of the wheels are made of a low friction material which allows the wheels to slide along a supporting surface and make directional changes during side-wheelie stunts as a restoring torque from the inertial motor keeps the car in a balanced position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Chang, Walter Nakano
  • Patent number: 4626223
    Abstract: A toy vehicle including first and second frame members that can be transformed into different positions from a first position which the frame members are in a planar position to a second position in which the frame members are pivoted relative to one another to assume an elevated position. An actuating mechanism including a sliding member to engage and disengage the frame members and a coil spring to urge the frame members into the pivoted elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger H. Sweet
  • Patent number: 4623318
    Abstract: An animated figure toy (10) includes an upper torso (14) provided with a pair of arms (22) articulately mounted for relative movement thereto upward toward the plane of the shoulders by centrifugal force, as the upper torso is rotated relative to a lower torso (16) upon which it is mounted, by means of a thumbwheel (64) coacting with a drive means (44) connected between the torsos. The individual arms are also rotatable for 360.degree. about an axis through the shoulders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Phedon J. Tsiknopoulos, Roger H. Sweet
  • Patent number: 4617643
    Abstract: A digital computer system in which a series of programming series are processed and in which the structure of the programming statements must conform of a predetermined set of syntax criteria to permit processing. A programming statement is compiled in response to a computer input and displayed. The structure of the statement is examined in accordance with a predetermined statement of syntax rules. On the display selected color indicia are assigned to each character within the statement when it is in accordance with a predetermined set of syntax rules. The computer processor determines whether any characters remain to which color indicia have not been assigned and designates the statement as either acceptable or unacceptable by providing different color indicia bearing characters. In addition, the system includes a method of overlooking syntax errors to reduce operator frustration during running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Anita H. Klock, Jan B. Chodak
  • Patent number: 4595378
    Abstract: A toy action figure having an inner core depicting a first character; and a removable outer shell covering the inner core and depicting a second character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger H. Sweet, Edward Mayer
  • Patent number: D284679
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Livesey, Robert A. Tamura, Robert L. Cowell