Patents Examined by Robert A. Hafer
  • 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: 6074271
    Abstract: A radio controlled skateboarding toy is provided comprising a multi-jointed moveable figurine attached to a motorized skateboard for which steering is controlled through the pivotal movements of the figurine allowing for dramatic realism and high performance stunts. It also features moveable battery packs, changeable motor positions, and interchangeable wheel weights to provide different centers of balance necessary to perform a wide range of maneuvers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Steven Derrah
  • Patent number: 6074214
    Abstract: A soft organ demonstration aid, such as a heart demonstration aid, is provided for demonstrating ultrasound or surgical techniques. The aid comprises a plurality of facsimile soft organ portions having joining surfaces and connected together in correct anatomical positions along a plurality of dividing planes by means of interengaging connecting members, such as magnets for example, on the joining surfaces. When all the portions are joined together, the aid mimics a whole soft organ, such as a human heart. Furthermore the portions are capable of being dismantled relative to one another along each of the dividing planes, in order to demonstrate a respective internal view of the organ corresponding to each plane. Thus the aid may be used to demonstrate the relative positions of internal features of the organ such as may be observed in ultrasonic scanning along different cross-sections of an actual organ, the views simulating the corresponding views obtained during actual scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Oliver Browne-Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 6074269
    Abstract: A kinetic toy in which a ball rolls down a trackway from an upper location to a lower location and is automatically returned to the upper location for recycling, the toy including an accessory, such as a ball-operated switch, adapted for quick-connection on the trackway, and a collector trackway arrangement for collecting the ball at a lower level, the accessary per se, and tracks per se for the collector trackway arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Choas, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James N. Rothbarth, Alex Kinming Lee
  • Patent number: 6071168
    Abstract: An amusement device includes a housing body having a bottom side formed with a rounded surface-contacting portion and a wheel slot that is disposed forwardly and that curves upwardly relative to the rounded surface-contacting portion. The top side of the housing body is formed with a link slot that extends above the wheel slot. A transmission mechanism is installed in the housing body, and includes a wheel that extends at a distance out of the housing body through the wheel slot. A connecting mechanism includes a driven link with an upper coupling end that extends outwardly of the housing body via the link slot. The connecting mechanism is coupled to and is driven by the transmission mechanism for moving the driven link to reciprocate along the link slot toward and away from a rear end of the link slot. A head member is mounted on the upper coupling end of the driven link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Dah Yang Toy Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Nan Yang
  • Patent number: 6071170
    Abstract: A dancing toy device has a trunk, a head portion connected to the trunk, and a base portion connected to the trunk. An outer casing covers the trunk. The base portion has a base panel, two pivot joint devices connected to the trunk, and two connection limbs connected to the pivot joint devices. The connection limbs are disposed on the base panel. A drive mechanism is disposed in a center portion of the trunk. The drive mechanism has a power device, a rotating plate, a displacement plate, a fixed plate, a drive plate, and a driven plate. A first vibration device is disposed in a lower portion of the trunk. A second vibration device is disposed in an upper portion of the trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Chin-Jung How
  • Patent number: 6072980
    Abstract: An album (100) for storing a collection of image prints (94). At least one of the image prints comprises an index print (20) that includes a memory unit (30) integral with the print to define an audio print for storing audio data. The album includes a print holder (90) having respective front and back covers and a plurality of pages (92) configured for mounting the collection. An audio unit (40) is mounted to the print holder. The audio unit includes a housing (42) and an image print processor (60), when the audio print is coupled to the audio unit, to communicate with the audio print memory unit and selectively process audio data related to the collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph A. Manico, David L. Patton
  • Patent number: 6070876
    Abstract: An improved game of Pai Gow is set forth which includes offering the player an optional bonus wager. Should the tiles of the Player's hand match any predetermined bonus outcome tile combination, the Player receives a reward for their bonus wager regardless of whether or not the Player has won their hand according to the rules of Pai Gow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Shenli Ko
  • Patent number: 6071169
    Abstract: A doll includes a sound and movement unit within the torso thereof operative to simultaneously raise and lower the doll's head to mimic a hiccupping motion. A sound circuit within the sound and movement unit is operative to provide accompanying hiccup sounds. The movement and sound unit includes an inertia switch and a mouth switch both of which cooperate to allow the user to attempt appropriate action to terminate the doll's hiccupping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Robynn M. Cook
  • Patent number: 6070873
    Abstract: A card game and method of playing a card game that enables a player to purchase an option to buy a bonus card to better the player's hand. The method of playing the game includes a dealer accepting an optional insurance fee from each player of the game who chooses to pay the optional insurance fee and accepting a first wager from each player. The dealer then deals a selected number of cards to each player. After dealing these cards to each player, the dealer allows each player to elect in turn to place an additional wager. If a player does not place an additional wager when requested by the dealer, the player folds and is no longer in the game. The dealer then deals cards to each player who elects to place additional wagers. After the dealer has dealt each player a standard number of cards, the dealer deals a bonus card to each player who paid an insurance fee and who has a losing hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Thomas Francis Perkins
  • 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: 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: 6068488
    Abstract: The present invention provides a game and training device which can be played in a game-like setting to develop skills such as ball handling, passing, and shooting. A primary goal forms a target opening in a generally vertical plane through which a ball may be kicked by the player. In addition, a plurality of intermediate goals are arranged on the playing field in spaced relation to one another. Each intermediate goal defines a respective target opening through which the ball is to be passed as the player advances the ball to the primary goal. Each intermediate goal comprises a pair of base members positioned on laterally spaced apart relation to one another and a hoop member supported by the pair of base members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Michael N. Sinsheimer
    Inventors: Michael N. Sinsheimer, Richard W. Turner, Holger Schleife
  • Patent number: 6068485
    Abstract: A computer-operated system for assisting aphasics in communication includes user-controlled means for storing data representing the user's vocalizations during a time interval, means for associating the data stored in each of a plurality of such intervals with an icon, means for ordering a plurality of such icons in a group representing a speech message, and means for generating an audio output from the stored data represented by the icons in the group so as to provide a speech message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Marcia C. Linebarger, John F. Romania
  • 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: 6068484
    Abstract: A system for simulating shooting sports includes a non-projectile ammunition transmitter system that is retrofittable to any standard firearm having an ammunition chamber, a barrel, and a firing pin and a self-contained receiver system. The transmitter system includes an actuating beam cartridge and an adjustable beam choke. The beam cartridge includes a first actuating beam emitter responsive to the firing pin. The beam choke includes a second emission beam emitter responsive to the first actuating beam. The receiver system is a self-contained reusable target having beam sensors and hit indicators. The beam sensors are "triggered" when the emission beam "hits" or is "sensed by" the beam sensors. When the beam sensors sense the emission beam, they cause the hit indicators to indicate that the target has been "hit" by the emission beam. The target may also include at least one triggering motion detector that detects a triggering motion that is associated with the target being launched into the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Lightshot Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. O'Loughlin, Terry P. O'Loughlin, George R. Hull, Michael D. Miles
  • Patent number: 6068486
    Abstract: A multidisplay globe comprising a globular body including a globe spherical surface representing the earth, support means for mounting the globular body, and spherical film overlays removably mounted over the globe spherical surface for displaying selected features related to the earth. Each film overlay is preferably in two units comprising the northern and southern hemispheres of the earth. The spherical film overlays include one, two or more transparent film overlays each of which has a spherical surface one of which is removably mounted over the spherical earth surface and in turn each further film overlay is further removably mounted one over the other. The selected features related to the earth spherical surface are imprinted on the spherical surfaces of each of the film overlays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventors: Marjorie Frank, Morissa Geller
  • Patent number: 6068487
    Abstract: A method for having a reading machine spell a word includes retrieving a word to be spelled, displaying the first character of the word on a display while applying a highlighting indicia to the character, synthesizing speech for the character to have the reading machine pronounce the displayed letter of the word, unhighlighting the displayed letter of the word, and retrieving a subsequent letter of the word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V.
    Inventor: Mark S. Dionne