Patents by Inventor Shiro Hoshino

Shiro Hoshino 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: 4680022
    Abstract: A toy is constructed to include two unique linkages with the first linkage including a series of links located in a sequential array with each link pivotally connected to its next immediate adjacent neighbor and every other link operatively connected such that each link can pivot with respect to its neighbor and motion of a link pivotally connected to one side of a link is communicated to the link pivotally connected to the other side of that same link. This allows the linkage to propagate motion along the totality of the sequence in response to movement of any one link. The second linkage includes a first member which is pivotally connected to a rotating crank pin and connected at its upper end to a second lever which is pivotally connected to a body on which the crank pin rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: Tomy Kogyo Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Shiro Hoshino, Bonpei Fujino
  • Patent number: 4529391
    Abstract: A toy having two modes of locomotion includes a body having a fly wheel rotatably mounted thereon. A further wheel is also rotatably mounted on the body. A plurality of appendage members each having ends are also mounted to the body about one of their ends. The appendage members are movable on the body between a retracted and extended position. When in the retracted position, the body is supported on a support surface by the fly wheel and the other wheel and can be moved across a support surface by energizing the fly wheel. When the appendage members are in the extended position, they contact the support surface such that the body is then supported by the appendage members. The fly wheel is connected to the appendage members via a gear train and appropriate crank disks and crank followers. Motion of the fly wheel can be transferred via the gear train, the crank disks and the crank followers to the appendage members so as to move the appendage members with respect to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Tomy Kogyo Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Shiro Hoshino, Teruo Nikaido