Patents by Inventor Keith Scheffler

Keith Scheffler 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: 9913554
    Abstract: A novelty straw assembly has a first straw section and a second straw section. Both sections interconnect to a manifold. A diaphragm is coupled to the manifold, wherein the diaphragm expands and contracts with changes in pressure within the manifold. Linkage assemblies are moved by the diaphragm as the diaphragm expands and contracts. A toy with moving parts is mounted between the two straw sections. The moving parts are coupled to the linkage assemblies and are moved by the linkage assemblies as a person drinks through the novelty straw assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hog Wild, LLC
    Inventors: Simeon E. Tiefel, Keith Scheffler
  • Patent number: 9592455
    Abstract: A toy head assembly with facial features that can be adjusted by touching the facial features with enough force to alter their shape and/or position. Within the toy head assembly is a head base that is surrounded, in part, by a face that is made of an elastomeric material. Facial features on the face are supported, in part, by posable elements that lay under the elastomeric material of the face. Each posable element extends from the interior head base at a different ball and socket joint. Each posable element also has a post that extends from the ball and socket joint. The post contacts the interior surface of the face, wherein movement of a post alters a point of contact between the post and the face within the contact area. Changes in the point of contact cause changes in the contours of the face. This alters the facial features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventors: Simeon E. Tiefel, Keith Scheffler
  • Publication number: 20160361661
    Abstract: A toy that is selectively convertible between a first configuration and a ball configuration. The toy assembly includes a body mass of resilient material having an external shape with a top surface and an opposite bottom surface. A head mass is provided that defines an internal cavity. The internal cavity is sized and shaped to receive and retain the body mass within said internal cavity with a friction fit. The internal cavity is accessible through both a top opening and a bottom opening in the head mass. The top surface of the body mass closes the top opening of the internal cavity when the body mass is fully inserted into the internal cavity. Likewise, the bottom surface of the body mass closes the bottom opening when the body mass is fully inserted into the internal cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Simeon E. Tiefel, Keith Scheffler
  • Publication number: 20160144285
    Abstract: A toy head assembly with facial features that can be adjusted by touching the facial features with enough force to alter their shape and/or position. Within the toy head assembly is a head base that is surrounded, in part, by a face that is made of an elastomeric material. Facial features on the face are supported, in part, by posable elements that lay under the elastomeric material of the face. Each posable element extends from the interior head base at a different ball and socket joint. Each posable element also has a post that extends from the ball and socket joint. The post contacts the interior surface of the face, wherein movement of a post alters a point of contact between the post and the face within the contact area. Changes in the point of contact cause changes in the contours of the face. This alters the facial features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Simeon E. Tiefel, Keith Scheffler
  • Publication number: 20160143468
    Abstract: A novelty straw assembly has a first straw section and a second straw section. Both sections interconnect to a manifold. A diaphragm is coupled to the manifold, wherein the diaphragm expands and contracts with changes in pressure within the manifold. Linkage assemblies are moved by the diaphragm as the diaphragm expands and contracts. A toy with moving parts is mounted between the two straw sections. The moving parts are coupled to the linkage assemblies and are moved by the linkage assemblies as a person drinks through the novelty straw assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Simeon E. Tiefel, Keith Scheffler
  • Patent number: 8464664
    Abstract: A toy device that is selectively configurable between a compact configuration and an extended configuration. The toy device has two end caps. The two end caps are mirrored in shape and size. The two end caps are interconnected by a plurality of tubular segments. The end caps and plurality of tubular segments are molded as a single unit from a common elastomeric material. The plurality of tubular segments are selectively collapsible into the two end caps. When collapsed, the end caps touch and the toy device exists in its compact configuration. When the end caps are pulled apart, the tubular segments unfold and the toy device exists in its extended configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Keith Scheffler
  • Patent number: 8464665
    Abstract: A chew toy assembly that is selectively convertible between a ball configuration and a bone configuration. The chew toy assembly has two invertible structures that are disposed at opposite ends of an elongated body. Each of the invertible structures is selectively configured between a hemispherical shape and a funnel shape by physical manipulation, wherein each invertible structure has a central hub. When the invertible structures are in their hemispherical shapes, the invertible structures form a ball around the elongated body. Alternatively, when the invertible structures are in their funnel shapes, the invertible structures diverge away from the elongated body in opposite directions, therein forming a bone configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventors: Keith Scheffler, Simeon E. Tiefel
  • Patent number: 7914405
    Abstract: The toy assembly is a ball or similar object that can be temporarily compressed into a disc-shaped object. A short time after compression, the toy pops back into its original ball-like shape. The toy assembly has a body that can be selectively configured between an expanded shape and a compressed shape. The body is naturally biased into its expanded shape. A binding hole is defined on a first side of the body. A nub extends inwardly from the body opposite the binding hole. The nub passes into the binding hole with a friction fit when the body is in its compressed shape. The friction fit creates a friction force that temporarily counteracts the natural bias of the body. After a predetermined period of time, the friction fit fails and the body of the toy pops back into its original shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventors: Keith Scheffler, Simeon E. Tiefel