Patents Examined by Jeffrey D. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6086448
    Abstract: Joy device of a casing in a form of pedestal, upon a mast for hauling up a flag by means of a strand pulled by a mechanic device is fixed, all in time to a sonorous emission generated by a sound electronic chip included into the casing. According to the invention, the mast is detachable and is provided a housing for bearing a portion of the mast at the detached state. Furthermore advantages arise when the sound chip is mounted upon the outside of the housing of the feed bateries of the sound chip and when the switch for the electric feed is provided in a form of resiently deformable membrane operatively faced to the bottom end of an operation pushbutton provided on the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Carlos Valls Ibanez
  • Patent number: 6074268
    Abstract: There is disclosed a space accessory for forming a three-dimensional ornamental pattern. The space accessory includes a rotating center, necessary disk supports disposed along the rotating center and a predetermined number of vanes each having a design shape or pattern, said vanes being of the same shape, thickness and mass and fixed to the disk support for balanced rotation with a natural air current. For changes in the ornamental pattern of the space accessory there are only need in changes in the design or pattern of the vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Noboru Uenishi
  • Patent number: 6074265
    Abstract: A glider body preferably formed of a light weight material such as foam plastic defines a sufficiently aerodynamic shape to glide through the air. A launcher assembly is secured to the under side to the glider body and includes a stretched elastic member supported upon a launcher frame defining a channel therethrough. The elastic member is retained so as to span the frontal portion of the channel. A launcher handle includes an upper portion having a notch and a forwardly extending tine configured to be received within the channel and to engage the spanning portion of elastic member. The launcher handle and glider are drawn apart to store energy in the elastic member which upon release of the glider launches the glider into flight carrying the launcher assembly therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Barthold
  • Patent number: 6071173
    Abstract: A miniature-sized toy vehicle that is set in motion with a push along an intended straight-ahead path of movement and which rides on a ball bearing in depending relation from the vehicle chassis, the revolving mode of which ball bearing contributes to an optimum length of travel, and wherein the vehicle chassis has a rotative degree of movement about the ball bearing and during its travel will realign itself, if inadvertently released at an angle to the movement path, into a proper position for travel along the intended straight-ahead path of movement, to further increase the length of travel of the toy vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: William J. Kelley
  • Patent number: 6071167
    Abstract: A toy includes a spherical outer casing, a circular coupling ring, a support member, a base and an inner toy body. The coupling ring is disposed around the outer casing, and is mounted pivotally on the outer casing about a first pivot axis that extends along a diameter of the outer casing. The support member has a plate portion with first and second end portions, and a pair of spaced-apart arm portions extending from the first end portion of the plate portion. The arm portions flank the coupling ring, and are mounted pivotally on the coupling ring about a second pivot axis that extends along a diameter of the coupling ring and that is perpendicular to the first pivot axis. The base engages releasably the support member, and is adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface for disposing the outer casing above the horizontal surface. The inner toy body is disposed in the outer casing, and is in frictional contact with an inner surface of the outer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Dah Yang Toy Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chieh-Te Yang
  • Patent number: 6071171
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for producing realistic doll heads that have the facial appearance of particular children. The customer, using ten facial characteristics set forth in a chart, selects from among a predetermined number of facial characteristics those most closely resembling the facial appearance of the child. The facial characteristics that are selected comprise seven face shapes (rounded, oval, pear, rectangular, thinner rectangular, thinner heart, and wider heart); skin tone; eye color; eyelash color; eyebrow color, thickness, and shape; hair color, cut, length, and style; and birthmarks, moles, and/or freckles. The selected characteristics are then applied to the doll head to produce a one-of-a-kind doll closely resembling the child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: The Lifelike Company
    Inventors: Richard L. George, Reed N. Wilcox, W. Kenn Thiess, Lane Anderson
  • Patent number: 6068535
    Abstract: A powered infant mobile that includes a number of detachable mobile elements to allow a child to hold and play with the mobile elements when desired. Because removal of one or more mobile elements from the infant mobile can unbalance the mobile, the powered infant mobile is provided with balancing elements that are positionable by a user to allow the user to balance the mobile after removing one or more of the mobile elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Kevin O. Hoyt
  • Patent number: 6068533
    Abstract: A panel for a multi-part construction toy characterized by having recesses along some or all of its side edges for the locking reception of connector elements of the type incorporated into standard K'NEX multi-part construction sets. The panels are designed for snap-in assembly of the connectors, enabling panels to be joined edge-to-edge to form a substantially continuous wall structure. With right angle connectors, panels can be joined edge-to-edge at right angles. The panels are also provided with central half slots, enabling two panels to be joined with each other in an X-shaped configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Connector Set Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Joel I. Glickman, Charles J. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 6066023
    Abstract: A yo-yo with laser emission means mainly includes two side covers each defining a hollow space for accommodating a middle disc therein. The middle discs are provided at their outward-facing surfaces each with a seat for separately receiving a laser emission means and a light-emitting means therein, and a battery room for accommodating serially connected batteries. The laser emission means and the light-emitting means have terminals led to the batteries. When the yo-yo is manipulated by a player to rotate at a high speed, the terminals of the laser emission means and the light-emitting means contact with electrodes of the batteries due to centrifugal force and are energized by the batteries to emit laser beams and lights, respectively. The laser beams continuously project from an opening provided on the side cover and toward different directions and the lights illuminate the yo-yo, making the yo-yo particularly distinctive in the night or at a dark place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Sean & Stephen Corporation
    Inventor: Sean Chen
  • Patent number: 6066022
    Abstract: A collapsible activity center (10) includes a frame (12) which has pivotally connected thereto a wall (14) and a wall (16). The frame (12) includes a support leg (24) connected to a hinge leg (26) by a cross-piece (28). The hinge leg (26) is provided with a pair of transversely extending ribs (54) that engage a rib (84) extending from each wall (14, 16) to allow pivotal movement of each. A latitudinal detent (94) is provided on the rib (84) to engage the hinge leg (26) to allow the walls (14, 16) to be selectively held in position with respect to the frame (12). The cross-piece (28) includes a handle opening (30) while the support leg (24) includes a lip (46) to assist in carrying the walls (14, 16) when they are closed and the frame (12) is lifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: The Little Tikes Company
    Inventors: Eric A. Fobean, Matthew R. Fuligni, Paul Madan
  • Patent number: 6062936
    Abstract: A toy that includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are coupled to an electrical circuit. The first electrode is also coupled to an consumable substance. The circuit is closed when an end user becomes electrically coupled to the first electrode and the consumble substance. Closing the circuit may activate one or more actuators, sound devices, etc. of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Elliot A. Rudell
    Inventors: Elliot A. Rudell, Raymond Earl Fisher, George Foster
  • Patent number: 6062935
    Abstract: A bubble generator for producing a stream of uniform bubbles includes components which are stationary. The bubble generator includes a container or plenum having an inclined face plate with a plurality of nozzles positioned thereon. The nozzles are elongated slots positioned in the face plate and have an insert disposed within the slot with edges that extend within the plenum and above the surface of the face plate for facilitating formation of a liquid film across the slot. The insert may have an extension positioned at an upper portion for providing lift and buoyancy to the bubbles. A liquid supply manifold is positioned above the nozzles and directs a flow of liquid to the nozzles. As the liquid flows across the slot and is contained within the insert, a film forms across the slot without the need for any dipping or priming means. An air supply then directs air into the liquid film and produces the stream of bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Stanley Gross
  • Patent number: 6056620
    Abstract: A marble track construction toy for assembly on a vertically-oriented planar surface. The construction toy includes chutes down which the marble can roll, pivot elements and bumpers for altering the direction of the motion of the marble, and a catch basket for retaining the marble at the terminus of the track. Each chute includes a mounting means so the chute can be mounted on the vertically-oriented planar surface with both ends of the chute oriented parallel to the planar surface. Similarly, each bumper includes a mounting means so the bumper can be mounted on the vertically-oriented planar surface with an impact surface oriented perpendicular to the mounting surface. And each pivot element has a bucket and a pivoting bucket arm, and includes a mounting means so the pivot element can be mounted on the vertically-oriented planar surface such that the bucket pivots in the plane of the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Think of it, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Zev Tobin
  • Patent number: 6053798
    Abstract: A structural improvement of toy Christmas tree, involving mainly a foundation unit that is installed on top of a base to accommodate the entire mechanism of the invention, on the side of the lower part of the foundation unit is installed a motor which intermittent off-and-on rotation is controlled by a control circuit board installed in the base, the motor being linked with a reduction gear and a spring to drive a toy lower jaw part at the lower part of the foundation unit, and a driving rod to activate a toy eyebrow part that is located at the upper part of the foundation unit, thereby, once the power of the invention is switched on, the control circuit board will play happy music and flash LED light (the lamps being installed in the eyeball part), while the motor will drive the eyebrows and mouth of the Christmas tree to flip up and down and open and close, to create a fun image, meanwhile, its construction more simplified than conventional models will enable effective reduction of costs and enhancement of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Tai-Ning Tang
  • Patent number: 6053793
    Abstract: A game call blowing device for blowing air through a forced air game call remote from a user. The game call blowing device includes a support frame with elongate upper and lower arms. The upper arm of the support frame has a bore therethrough. A tube with open first and second ends is extended through the bore of the upper arm of the support frame. The first end of the tube is inserted into a hole in the top face of a canister. The first end of the tube has an annular disk outwardly radiating therefrom in the canister. One end of an elongate flexible cord is coupled to the top face of the canister. The second end of the tube is designed for attaching a blowing end of a forced air game call to fluidly connect the tube to the forced air game call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Billy Green
  • Patent number: 6050872
    Abstract: A toy carwash unit is comprised of a self-supporting, free-standing frame, a water-carrying conduit supported by the frame, and at least one water-spray head. The several pieces from which the frame is assembled form two inverted, generally U-shaped subassemblies, joined to one another by a crosspiece on which the spray head is mounted. The unit is devoid of any ground-level structure that would interfere substantially with the passage of a vehicle to a washing location within the frame, and it is readily disassembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Inventors: Douglas R. Cahill, John W. Anders
  • Patent number: 6048250
    Abstract: A toy dart includes a cylindrical wall having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first open end at one end of the cylindrical wall, and second open end at the other end of the cylindrical wall. At least two fins are attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical wall. In addition, a resilient, bulbous head portion is mounted on the cylindrical wall at the second open end thereof, the head portion defining a chamber adapted to contain fluid and having an opening formed therein so that the chamber communicates with an interior of the cylindrical wall. The toy dart is constructed and arranged for aerodynamic flight when thrown, and upon the bulbous head impacting a hard surface, the bulbous head portion deforms for moving fluid contained therein into the interior of the cylindrical wall. Other embodiments of the toy dart are further contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: Robert H. Hudson
  • Patent number: 6048247
    Abstract: A main wing positioning and release system particularly adapted for use with a toy or model aircraft, includes a wing positioning bracket upon the axial centerline of the aircraft, the bracket having projecting elements directed upwardly from the centerline of the aircraft. The system also includes a wing release mechanism including a lower portion press-fittably securable to the upwardly projecting elements of the positioning bracket to provide proper positioning of the release mechanism relative to the aircraft fuselage, a rear area of the lower portion including a press fittable receiving recess, an upper surface of the lower portion of the release mechanism proportioned for complemental engagement of a lower surface of the main wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: SpinMaster Toys, Ltd
    Inventors: Charles D. Kownacki, Jeffrey G. Rehkemper, Ronnen Harary
  • Patent number: 6042446
    Abstract: A pecking bird toy comprising: a hollow paddle portion, a pecking bird portion and a ball. The hollow paddle portion has a handle and an interior circular raceway. The pecking bird portion is mounted on the top of the hollow handle portion. The pecking bird portion includes a fixed body with a cavity in its lower portion, a head and neck part and a mechanism which imparts a pecking motion to the head and neck part. The head and neck part is pivotally mounted within the cavity. The mechanism is pivotally attached to the end of the head and neck part and includes an actuating pin, with a shallow or truss head, extending through the top of the hollow handle portion into the raceway. The ball is trapped within the raceway as the hollow handle portion is assembled. The invention is designed so that the raceway has a width slightly larger than the diameter of the ball and the distance between the head and the bottom of the raceway is less than the diameter of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Wilner Louis
  • Patent number: 6039628
    Abstract: A self-mobile cat toy capable of simulating intermittent life includes a rodent-like shell partially or wholly containing an electrical power source mechanically and electrically connected to motor-powered wheels or a tread mechanism for moving along the ground. The power circuit includes an orientation-dependent switch which is closed or open depending on its orientation, so that when played with by a cat, the toy will cease to move in certain orientations and begin to move when pawed into other orientations. In another embodiment the powered wheels or tread are replaced by a vibrating mechanism. In yet other embodiments the cat toy is externally controlled by the pet owner, through either a long cable with a switch at the end or through a radio or ultrasonic transmitter-receiver system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventors: John H. Kusmiss, Naomi Caryl