Patents by Inventor Gordon A. Barlow

Gordon A. Barlow has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4091995
    Abstract: A trackway for toy vehicles which includes a plurality of elongated track sections placeable end-to-end and having upper surfaces defining a roadbed for the toy vehicles along the top of the trackway. The track sections have complementary engageable latch-release components on the ends thereof for connecting the track sections end-to-end and holding the track sections against separation, automatically in response to longitudinal pushing type abutment of the track sections against each other. In the disclosed embodiment, the latch-release mechanism includes a flexible portion formed integrally with each track section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Gordon A. Barlow, Derek A. Brand, Alex Imatt
  • Patent number: 4073496
    Abstract: A toy phonograph for indexed playing of spaced concentric sections of interchangeable disc records. The phonograph includes an overcentering mechanism associated with a cam operated switch which is actuated by the introduction of a record through a slot in the front of the housing to initiate playing of the record, as well as an eject button for stopping play and ejecting the record from the phonograph. When a new record is inserted, the overcentering mechanism and the cam interact to automatically start the phonograph to play the new record. The tone arm automatically is indexed radially to play the next concentric record section upon each interchanging of a record and is returned to the first record section after playing the last section on the record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1978
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventor: Gordon A. Barlow
  • Patent number: 4068841
    Abstract: An illusion performing apparatus including a performing stage having a base, an upright rectangular open support frame, and a plurality of removable support walls for interchangeably mounting in the opening of the frame. Each of the support walls includes a plurality of illusion devices. A first support wall provides illusion devices for performing the illusion of making a figure disappear, performing the illusion of making a figure turn into a skeleton, and a mindreading magic act including a plurality of cards having identifiable indicia on each of the cards. A second support wall includes an illusion device for performing an illusion of separating a figure toy into a plurality of parts, causing a container filled with a fluent material to appear, and causing a substantially large figure toy such as an animal to disappear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1978
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Wayne A. Kuna, Ralph J. Kulesza, Gordon A. Barlow
  • Patent number: 4040621
    Abstract: A simulated volley ball game apparatus including a central standard about which a ball is connected for universal movement by a tethering arm. A net is provided to define a pair of opposed playing areas and three ball impellers are disposed on each side of the net and spaced therefrom generally the length of the tethering arm. The ball impellers are manually actuatable so that the players may attempt to contact the ball as in the game of volley ball to pass it to another of his teammates or across the net to opposing ball impellers. The standard has a plurality of detents spaced radially about the top thereof in alignment with the six ball impellers to guide the tethering means and thus the ball in the direction of one of the impellers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1977
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Gordon A. Barlow, Anson Isaacson
  • Patent number: 4027423
    Abstract: A participating figure toy or doll, and accessory items of clothing and the like therefor, so that a child or other user may adorn the doll with the various items of attire to imitate a child playing a dress-up game with the doll wearing oversized or "adult" clothing. The accessory items include a hat, a necklace, a purse, a bracelet, a ring, a shawl, and a pair of shoes, all of which are of oversided or of exaggerated proportions relative to the size and shape of the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Gordon A. Barlow, Allison W. Katzman
  • Patent number: 4020588
    Abstract: An action accessory for use with a model train, or the like. The accessory includes a first figure toy in the shape of a toy horse, and a second figure toy such as a cowboy for riding the horse and for removal therefrom. A frame is provided having an inclined ramp portion for rollably supporting the horse for movement on a path of travel generally parallel with the tracks of the model train. The frame includes a dismounting cam device at the lower end of the inclined ramp portion, which engages the foot of the cowboy figure on the side of the horse opposite the train tracks thereby causing the cowboy to dismount or alight from the horse directly onto a moving train, particularly a certain car thereof. A selectively operable lock is provided on the frame to maintain the horse and rider at the top of the ramp and for releasing the horse, causing him to travel down the ramp, in a timed relationship so that the rider successfully boards the moving train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1977
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Gordon A. Barlow, Donald F. Nix
  • Patent number: 4021046
    Abstract: A timing device including an internal motor which rotates a pointer on an elapsed time dial which indicates the time periods required for the performance of respective events and for indicating the differences between the time periods when each time period is successively indicated on a common dial. A drive mechanism is movable between two positions. In one position the single time dial is caused to indicate increments of time for performing a series of successive events while in the other position the same single dial is caused to indicate decrements of time of the previously recorded periods of time. A timing governor is provided as a part of the drive mechanism, so as to regulate the output speed of the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1977
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventor: Gordon A. Barlow
  • Patent number: 4004765
    Abstract: An accessory bridge for use with a model train set, a model car race set, or the like, wherein the vehicles traverse a path of travel defined by a specific track layout. Particularly, the bridge accessory is designed for use with a track layout having a cross-over point where one segment of the track crosses over another segment, such as a "figure 8" configuration layout. The bridge accessory includes a pivotally mounted bridge portion which supports the upper or cross-over track segment at an elevated height above the lower or cross-under track segment. The bridge is movable by a selectively actuatable drive unit between a down position where a vehicle may pass over the bridge and an up position where a vehicle may pass under the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1977
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventor: Gordon A. Barlow
  • Patent number: 3997156
    Abstract: A magic hat for aiding a magician in performing magic tricks or illusions. The magic hat includes a generally cylindrical portion with a rim secured to one end and a closure plate covering the other end. A plurality of internal cavities are provided to facilitate performing various illusions. One cavity provides a fluid reservoir for storage of a fluid (i.e., water) which is poured directly into the hat and holding the fluid when the hat is inverted. A second cavity provides a concealed storage area for a set of playing cards and/or a flag or other suitable cloth. A third cavity longitudinally along the cylindrical wall of the hat provides a storage area for a magic wand and mounts a second, flexible, fluid reservoir. A pair of apertures are provided in the side walls of the cylindrical portion of the hat adjacent its rim to provide access to the magic wand and to permit squeezing of the flexible reservoir to expel a stream of water through the top of the hat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Gordon A. Barlow, John R. Wildman
  • Patent number: 3994499
    Abstract: A board game apparatus based on a theme of food item sales, where the object is to become the best sales person determined on the basis of the largest amount of sales. The game generally includes a gameboard having a playing surface thereon, a playing piece for each player of the game, a track defining a playing piece path of travel on the playing surface, and a chance device for determining the advancement of the playing pieces along the track. The board game apparatus includes a set of menu playing cards, each having indicia thereon representative of a plurality of food items, such as hamburgers, fries, or the like, which may be ordered, and a set of food item cards carrying indicia representative of one of the food items on the menu cards which may be used to fill an order as required by one of the menu cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1976
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventor: Gordon A. Barlow
  • Patent number: 3992006
    Abstract: A competitive game apparatus of the type resembling a table tennis game including a table having opposed playing areas divided by a transverse barrier or "net". The opposed playing areas slope downwardly from the barrier to define a crown below the barrier. A pair of hand manipulatable projecting devices are provided, one for each player of the game, for receiving a substantially hard ball rolling along the playing area and projecting the ball back across the barrier. The playing areas are resiliently supported to dampen the bouncing effect of the ball so that it lands on the playing surface and rolls toward the player down the playing area. Each projecting device is electrically operated and includes a rotatable roller having a resiliently flexible periphery for engaging the ball and directing it through a chute for return to the opposite playing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1976
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventor: Gordon A. Barlow
  • Patent number: 3990698
    Abstract: A game apparatus including two sets of playing cards and a timing device. One of the sets of cards each includes indicia on one side thereof representative of an activity. The second set of playing cards each includes indicia which is identical to a portion of the indicia on one of the playing cards of the first set so that during the play of the game a card from the second set can be matched with a card from the first set by matching the identical indicia portions. The timing device includes an internal motor and governor which rotates a pointer on an elapsed time dial which times the period in which a player is attempting to make a matched pair of cards. The timer includes two manually actuatable levers which control the direction of rotation of the pointer. The pointer begins at a zero or reference position and rotates in one direction while the first player attempts to make a match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1976
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventor: Gordon A. Barlow
  • Patent number: 3989251
    Abstract: A board game apparatus including trick accessories based on a magic theme wherein the object is to amass the greatest amount of wealth in the form of simulated money. The game generally includes a gameboard having a playing surface thereon, a playing piece for each player of the game, simultated money, a track defining a playing piece path of travel on the playing surface, and a chance device for determining the advancement of the playing pieces along the track. The track has a plurality of stations including trick stations having indicia thereon representative of a magic trick which a player may attempt to perform after expending some of the simulated money. A player will receive a predetermined amount of simulated money upon the successful performance of one of the magic tricks. The magic tricks include a device for performing a levitation act, a device for performing a vanishing act, and a device for performing the feat of sawing a body in half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1976
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventor: Gordon A. Barlow
  • Patent number: 3975019
    Abstract: A pinball apparatus including a housing having an inclined playing surface over which a ball may be propelled and at least one ball to be propelled on the playing surface. A launcher is provided for propelling the ball onto the playing surface, and target members are mounted on the playing surface for striking by the ball. A flipper assembly is provided for keeping the ball in play on the playing surface. A scorer is associated with the target members for registering a score everytime a target member is struck by a ball. The apparatus includes a tunnel assembly having an inclined channel formed within the housing beneath the playing surface. An entrance is provided on the playing surface for capturing a ball and allowing the ball to be introduced into one end of the tunnel and an exit is provided in the playing surface at the other end of the tunnel for allowing the ball to be introduced back onto the playing surface. The scorer includes a normally incomplete electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1976
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventor: Gordon A. Barlow
  • Patent number: 3973773
    Abstract: Game apparatus which includes a projector and screen in conjunction with a plurality of film transparencies, so that the game "board" or setting is projected on the screen together with the playing pieces, and the progress of the game is determined by the projection of films in sequence. In the illustrated embodiment, there is provided a football game including a plurality of film strips of offensive and defensive plays which are projected on the screen in superimposed relation to provide the play action of two opposing teams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1972
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1976
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Marvin I. Glass, Gordon A. Barlow, Gunars Licitis
  • Patent number: 3953027
    Abstract: A game apparatus for use by two or more players. The game apparatus includes a set of playing cards having different indicia on at least some of the cards, and a set of chips having indicia on at least some of the chips which is identical to the indicia on one of the playing cards for matching with the cards during the play of the game. The game includes a chip dispenser for dispensing one of the chips successively to the players of the game from a stack of chips the order of which is unobservable by the players. The chips are "purchased" with one of a plurality of simulated coins which are acquired by the players according to the dictates of the game. The dispensing device is in the form of a toy truck and includes a signalling device which produces an audible signal when one of the coins is inserted through a slot in the top of the toy truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1976
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Allison W. Katzman, Gordon A. Barlow
  • Patent number: 3948520
    Abstract: A competitive round-about game apparatus including a plurality of playing pieces representing members of a Roller Derby team, or the like, wherein the playing pieces move along a plurality of motor driven track-forming channels. The game generally includes a housing having an oval-shaped inclined racing platform with the channels formed therein and defining the paths of travel of the playing pieces along the channels and a drive mechanism for independently moving the playing pieces in opposing channels along the channels relative to the platform. The playing pieces include flanges or wings protruding from the sides thereof with which opposing playing pieces in opposite channels can be caused to contact one another in an attempt to dislodge the playing pieces from the track, forming channels, and thereby score points or alternatively prevent the scoring of points, as in a Roller Derby game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1976
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventor: Gordon A. Barlow
  • Patent number: 3940140
    Abstract: A vibratory board game apparatus including a plurality of playing pieces and a game board with a playing surface having a plurality of stations defining a confined playing piece path of travel. Some of the stations are destination stations having indicia representative of different locations. Simulated money is provided which may be acquired by having a playing piece stop on a given destination station. The game board mounts a selectively actuatable vibratory motor for vibrating the board and thereby moving all of the playing pieces simultaneously along the playing piece path of travel from one station to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1976
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Burton C. Meyer, Gordon A. Barlow, Jeffrey D. Breslow