Patents Assigned to Wham-O Mfg. Co.
  • Patent number: 4340222
    Abstract: A tennis ball consisting of two identical hemispheres joined together and including small upstanding integral fingers molded into the outer surface of the ball to provide surface texture, and enable the ball to grip the surface of the racquet. Each hemisphere incorporates an integrally molded plug in the interior of the hemisphere for providing means for introducing pressure into the ball. One or both of the plugs are pierced by a needle during fabrication to provide a conduit for a needle valve inflating device. A cylindrical sphincter is placed around the inflation plug during manufacture to squeeze the plug and prevent the escape of air when the ball is inflated. The ball is manufactured by first injection molding the hemispheres and then placing the hemispheres in facing mold halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Assignee: Wham-O Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Darle L. Kerkenbush, Peter P. Blaszcak, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4334385
    Abstract: An aerodynamically-shaped flying disc comprised of two separate and distinct parts, a disc body portion and one or more separate rim portions. In one embodiment, the connection between the body and rim portions is permanent. In a second embodiment, the connection is disengageable to permit the use of interchangeable rim portions of different aerodynamic configurations, colors, dimensions and weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: Wham-O Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Arthur K. Melin, Richard L. Gillespie, Douglas A. Geller
  • Patent number: 4273418
    Abstract: Apparatus for creating optical illusions utilizing a rotating circular disc having alternating transparent and reflective areas according to a predetermined pattern. The reflective area is approximately equal to the transparent area. As the disc rotates at a user's selected speed the user perceives alternating reflected and transmitted images. Thus where the apparatus is positioned between an object and the user the transmitted image of the object is superimposed upon the reflected image of the user and consequently the two images merge to form the desired optical illusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1981
    Assignee: WHAM-O Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Richard L. Gillespie, Douglas A. Geller
  • Patent number: 4235378
    Abstract: A water play toy shaped in the form of an animal or cartoon character in which the body is provided with an outlet section which has a plurality of flexible hollow tubes attached to water outlets spaced around the outlet section. A source of water under pressure is coupled to a conduit passing through the body and communicates with the outlet section for distributing water to the hollow tubes. When the water pressure is turned on, a plurality of individual jets of water are emitted by the individual tubes. Because the tubes are flexible they writhe and twist in a random motion pattern due to the action and reaction forces of the water acting on the tubes. In one embodiment a first enclosed chamber compresses the outlet section. A second enclosed chamber is built into the upper interior portion of the first chamber which communicates with a small pinhole-type outlet to provide a misting or fogging aspect to the overall water pattern emitted by the water play toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Assignee: Wham-O Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Arthur K. Melin, Richard L. Gillespie, Darle L. Kerkenbush, Jim L. Whittington, Douglas A. Geller
  • Patent number: 4205785
    Abstract: A water play toy comprising a base portion and an elevatable, elongated upper portion having a water deflector mounted at the top. A source of water under pressure is coupled to an upwardly directed nozzle located in the base portion. When the water pressure is turned on, a jet of water is directed upwardly from the nozzle through the upper portion to the deflector and the force of water lifts the upper portion into the air where it balances on the head of the water stream. When the deflector is an impeller, the upper portion rotates and an umbrella-shaped shower of water is broadcast outwardly from the deflector. As long as the water pressure is uninterrupted, the upper portion is balanced on the top of the water stream from the nozzle and continues to spray water in a circular pattern around the toy. The nozzle is slidably positionable to enable it to be positioned to direct the water stream directly vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: Wham-O Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: George O. Stanley
  • Patent number: 4193517
    Abstract: A large capacity water squirting implement in the form of a cane. This water squirting implement utilizes a reciprocal plunger hand pump which is mounted at the top of a hollow, elongated tube which provides the large water storage capacity. A head is slidably secured to the top of the cane, enclosing the pump in such a way that reciprocal motion of the head is transmitted to the plunger of the pump to cause squirts of water to be emitted from a tube extending from the outlet of the pump to the exterior of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Assignee: Wham-O Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Warren N. Fetty, Rosabelle Fetty
  • Patent number: 4157703
    Abstract: An improved toy air gun is disclosed comprising a generally parabolic barrel having a muzzle opening at the truncated apex of the parabola. A handle and trigger mechanism are attached to the barrel exterior opposite the muzzle. A resilient diaphragm is mounted transversely of the barrel interior. Cocking means for grasping, stretching and locking the diaphragm rearwardly is provided on the gun. The trigger mechanism releases the diaphragm from the locked rearward stretched position to cause a puff of air to issue from the muzzle opening. A screen is mounted within the barrel between the muzzle opening and the diaphragm. An auxiliary cone is circumferentially attached by mounting ribs about the muzzle opening. The anterior end of the auxiliary cone has an opening of a diameter about equal to the muzzle opening. The auxiliary cone provides a circumferential opening around the muzzle having an area about equal to the area of the muzzle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1979
    Assignee: WHAM-O Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Gary W. Brown, Jimmie L. Whittington, Douglas A. Geller
  • Patent number: 4045026
    Abstract: An article in the form of an open framework defining an oblong scoop for throwing, catching and cradling projectiles. The framework of the scoop includes a rim and projectile guide tracks located along the back of the interior of the scoop. The tracks and a top portion of the front face of the rim where the tracks terminate have an uneven surface to enable a user of the article to impart a spin to projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: Wham-O Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Richard Lee Gillespie, Arthur Kelso Melin
  • Patent number: 4034493
    Abstract: A display device consisting of a sealed chamber defined by two closely spaced panes or plates of a transparent or translucent material. Liquids of different specific gravities and selected viscosities are located in the chamber. In operation, the device is inverted and the liquid of the heavier specific gravity flows through the liquid of the lighter specific gravity in distinct, spaced apart beads or droplets under the influence of gravity. The downward flow of the heavier liquid causes the upward displacement of the lighter liquid. A series of obstructions of various shapes and geometric configurations are interposed in the flow path of the heavier liquid to change its flow path and create the visual display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1977
    Assignee: Wham-O Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Derek W. Ball
  • Patent number: D244306
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1977
    Assignee: Wham-O Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Jeffery R. Bisch
  • Patent number: D248632
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: Wham-O Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Richard Lee Gillespie, Arthur Kelso Melin, Elliot Everett Dalton
  • Patent number: D259335
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Assignee: Wham-O Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Richard L. Gillespie
  • Patent number: D260279
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Assignee: Wham-O Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Geller, David C. McElroy
  • Patent number: D265578
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: Wham-o Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Richard L. Gillespie, Douglas A. Geller, David C. McElroy
  • Patent number: D268279
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Assignee: Wham-O-Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Geller, David C. McElroy