Patents by Inventor J. Austin Rucker

J. Austin Rucker 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).

  • Grappling apparatus and method of operation
    Patent number: 9533233
    Abstract: One or more methods, apparatuses, and/or systems are disclosed herein for selectively grasping one or more target objects. The apparatus includes a string and a winding mechanism. The winding mechanism is configured to selectively unwind and wind the string, wherein a first portion of the apparatus is configured to be separated from a second portion of the apparatus when the string is unwound and wherein the first and second portions are configured to be adjacent to one another when the string is wound. A plurality of members are pivotally mounted to the apparatus and operably coupled to the winding mechanism, wherein the plurality of members are configured to grasp an object responsive to actuation of a button that is located within an area defined by the plurality of members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Austin Rucker, C. Evangelos Kafantaris, Susie E. Buckman, Leo Shen, Roy Hu, Josiah T. S. Li
  • Action figure with accessories
    Patent number: 9205341
    Abstract: A toy is provided, the toy having: an action figure with a pair of appendages movably secured thereto for movement between a first separated position and a second un-separated position; a pair of accessories removably secured to the pair of appendages; and wherein the pair of accessories are configured to be secured to each other and form an item when the pair of appendages are in the second un-separated position and the pair of accessories are secured to the pair of appendages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: Terence J Y. Higuchi, Kit Hong Lau, J. Austin Rucker
  • ACTION FIGURE WITH ACCESSORIES
    Publication number: 20140315469
    Abstract: A toy is provided, the toy having: an action figure with a pair of appendages movably secured thereto for movement between a first separated position and a second un-separated position; a pair of accessories removably secured to the pair of appendages; and wherein the pair of accessories are configured to be secured to each other and form an item when the pair of appendages are in the second un-separated position and the pair of accessories are secured to the pair of appendages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Terence J Y. Higuchi, Kit Hong Lau, J. Austin Rucker
  • Grappling Apparatus and Method of Operation
    Publication number: 20130237123
    Abstract: One or more methods, apparatuses, and/or systems are disclosed herein for selectively grasping one or more target objects. The apparatus includes a string and a winding mechanism. The winding mechanism is configured to selectively unwind and wind the string, wherein a first portion of the apparatus is configured to be separated from a second portion of the apparatus when the string is unwound and wherein the first and second portions are configured to be adjacent to one another when the string is wound. A plurality of members are pivotally mounted to the apparatus and operably coupled to the winding mechanism, wherein the plurality of members are configured to grasp an object responsive to actuation of a button that is located within an area defined by the plurality of members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: J. Austin Rucker, C. Evangelos Kafantaris, Susie E. Buckman, Leo Shen, Roy Hu, Josiah T.S. Li