Patents by Inventor Simeon E. Tiefel

Simeon E. Tiefel 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: 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
  • Patent number: 7455566
    Abstract: A toy system that utilizes a vehicle that rides upon a track using a unique propulsion system. The track used by the toy has an external surface upon which the toy rides. The track also defines an internal conduit that extends the length of the track. A primary magnet is provided that is free moving within the internal conduit. The primary magnet is moved by a flow of fluid. The toy that rides along the track contains a secondary magnet. The secondary magnet and the primary magnet attract through the structure of the track, thereby causing the secondary magnet and the toy to move along the exterior surface of the track as the primary magnet travels through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Inventors: Webb T. Nelson, Simeon E. Tiefel
  • Publication number: 20080194173
    Abstract: A spinning toy system and its method of providing rotational energy to a spinning toy. A platform is provided having a bottom surface and a friction ring that encircles the bottom surface. A spinning toy assembly is provided that has a point upon which it spins in a balanced condition. The spinning toy assembly is initially set to spin on the platform at a low RPM rate. The platform is then manipulated to cause the spinning toy assembly to repeatedly contact the friction ring. The spinning toy assembly gathers rotational speed as it contacts the moving friction ring and accelerates from its initial RPM rate to a rate much faster. Once up to full speed, the spinning toy assembly can be removed from the platform and used for even more play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Simeon E. Tiefel, Webb T. Nelson, Mark Chernick
  • Publication number: 20080125009
    Abstract: A noisemaker assembly that fires exploding caps that are contained within a roll of exploding caps. The noisemaker assembly is operated by being manually spun in a user's hand. The noisemaker assembly includes a handle and a platform that is pivotably connected to the handle so that it can be spun about the handle. A hammer arm is present on the platform. The hammer arm cocks and strikes an impact surface on the platform at least once each time that the platform rotates around the handle. A mechanism is provided on the platform that advances caps across said position impacted by the hammer arm. In this manner, the hammer arm repeatedly strikes the advancing caps as the noisemaker assembly is spun. The hammer arm ignites the caps, thereby rapidly firing the caps contained within the roll of caps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Mark J. Chernick, Webb T. Nelson, Simeon E. Tiefel
  • Publication number: 20080015064
    Abstract: A toy ball assembly and its method of operation. The toy ball assembly speaks or otherwise communicates with the person playing with the toy ball assembly. Within the toy ball assembly, an electronic module is provided. The electronics module holds a battery, an activation switch, a processor, an impact sensor, an audio signal memory and a speaker. The electronics module is encased deep within the center of a high-bounce ball. Channels are formed into the material of the high-bounce ball to provide unobstructed access to both the activation switch and the speaker. The impact sensor provides an impact signal to the processor each time the ball impacts a surface. Utilizing the impact signal, the processor selects an audio signal from the audio signal memory. The speaker receives and broadcasts the selected audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Webb T. Nelson, Simeon E. Tiefel, Mark J. Chernick
  • Publication number: 20080009221
    Abstract: An animation system for animating parts of a toy figure. A toy figure is provided that has movable parts. A magnet is attached to one part. An electromagnet is attached to an opposing part of the toy figure opposite the magnet. The electromagnet creates an electromagnetic field when activated that interacts with the magnetic mass and causes movement between the parts that support the electromagnet and the magnet. The movement of the parts animate the toy figure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Webb T. Nelson, Simeon E. Tiefel, Mark J. Chernick
  • Publication number: 20070259596
    Abstract: A toy system that utilizes a vehicle that rides upon a track using a unique propulsion system. The track used by the toy has an external surface upon which the toy rides. The track also defines an internal conduit that extends the length of the track. A primary magnet is provided that is free moving within the internal conduit. The primary magnet is moved by a flow of fluid. The toy that rides along the track contains a secondary magnet. The secondary magnet and the primary magnet attract through the structure of the track, thereby causing the secondary magnet and the toy to move along the exterior surface of the track as the primary magnet travels through the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventors: Webb T. Nelson, Simeon E. Tiefel
  • Patent number: 7018263
    Abstract: A system comprising a rotating device, a finger supported charging assembly for powering the rotating device, and a hand pad assembly for holding the rotating device as it spins. The rotating device has a housing with a base upon which the housing spins. An electric motor is contained within the housing that causes the housing to spin when the motor is activated. The finger supported charging assembly includes two contacts that are coupled to opposite terminals of a battery pack. The contacts are worn on opposing fingers and come into contact with the rotating device when the base of the rotation device is supported with the opposing fingers. When contacting the rotating device, the contacts on the opposing fingers provide electricity to the rotating device. The hand pad assembly attaches to a user's hand providing rigid surfaces on the hand that support the rotating device as it spins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventors: Simeon E. Tiefel, Webb T. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6913506
    Abstract: A system comprising a rotating device and a support structure for the rotating device, wherein the support structure provides the power to the rotational device that is required to maintain spin. The rotating device has a housing with a base upon which the housing spins. An electric motor is contained within the housing that causes the housing to spin when the motor is activated. The base of the rotating device can be selectively placed on a support structure. The support structure can promote spinning in the rotating device in one of two ways. In the first way, the support structure provides electricity to the rotating device that powers the motor in the rotating device. In the second way, the support structure can generate a magnetic field that biases the rotating device against the charging port on the support platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventors: Simeon E. Tiefel, Webb T. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040253907
    Abstract: A system comprising a rotating device and a support structure for the rotating device, wherein the support structure provides the power to the rotational device that is required to maintain spin. The rotating device has a housing with a base upon which the housing spins. An electric motor is contained within the housing that causes the housing to spin when the motor is activated. The base of the rotating device can be selectively placed on a support structure. The support structure can promote spinning in the rotating device in one of two ways. In the first way, the support structure provides electricity to the rotating device that powers the motor in the rotating device. In the second way, the support structure can generate a magnetic field that biases the rotating device against the charging port on the support platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Simeon E. Tiefel, Webb T. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6773328
    Abstract: A system comprising a rotating device and a finger supported charging assembly for powering the rotating device. The rotating device has a housing with a base upon which the housing spins. An electric motor is contained within the housing that causes the housing to spin when the motor is activated. The finger supported charging assembly includes two contacts that are coupled to opposite terminals of a battery pack. The contacts are worn on opposing fingers and come into contact with the rotating device when the base of the rotation device is supported with the opposing fingers, when contacting the rotating device, the contacts on the opposing fingers provide electricity to the rotating device that powers the motor within the rotating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventors: Simeon E. Tiefel, Webb T. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040077253
    Abstract: A system comprising a rotating device and a finger supported charging assembly for powering the rotating device. The rotating device has a housing with a base upon which the housing spins. An electric motor is contained within the housing that causes the housing to spin when the motor is activated. The finger supported charging assembly includes two contacts that are coupled to opposite terminals of a battery pack. The contacts are worn on opposing fingers and come into contact with the rotating device when the base of the rotation device is supported with the opposing fingers, when contacting the rotating device, the contacts on the opposing fingers provide electricity to the rotating device that powers the motor within the rotating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Simeon E. Tiefel, Webb T. Nelson