Having Parts Assembled For Relative Movement Patents (Class 446/102)
  • Patent number: 11696640
    Abstract: A shelving system comprising at least one back panel and at least one block element, the back panel comprises a substantially planar surface, and where the at least one block element is mounted on the back panel, wherein the back panel comprises at least two areas, a first area of the at least one back panel comprising protrusions; the protrusions being mutually identical and positioned on the planar surface in grid points of a regular two dimensional grid; and a second area of the at least one back panel comprises the at least one block element, the block element extending in a distance corresponding to one or multiple of a standard module size in a plane parallel to the planar surface of the back panel in two mutually perpendicular directions defined by grid points of a regular two dimensional grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: LEGO A/S
    Inventors: Rikke Høgstrup Mølgaard, Søren Hansen Hinge, Søren Holm
  • Patent number: 11434657
    Abstract: The tent frame fitting cover is a durable, self-restraining structure serving to smooth the harsh upper surfaces of the tent frame joint and protect the fabric of the tent canopy. After snapping on, the cover holds itself in place by friction fit on the tent frame and encapsulates hardware, including pins and bails, and tubing. The cover includes a central body and a plurality of projections. The projections extend in various directions from the tent fitting, tracking with the tent frame member components. Many cover embodiments are provided to accommodate many tent junction variations. By heat pressing, the projections are initially formed into arms that wrap and secure the cover structure to the tent tubing. The thermo-formed material retains the initial shape in a flexible manner to allow pressing installation and prying removal of the cover from the tent. The cover increases tent installation efficiency and extends canopy life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventor: William Edward Gross, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10888797
    Abstract: The invention relates to a modular construction system comprising at least one object and a coupling element releasably connectable to the object, wherein: the object comprises at least one surface with at least one opening, which opening comprises a number of inward extending lips arranged distributed over the periphery of the opening; the coupling element comprises a body with an axial axis arrangeable in the opening, which body is provided along its outer periphery with at least one outward extending locking cam; wherein the coupling element is arrangeable in at least one arranging orientation in the opening of the object, and is rotatable in the opening relative to the object to at least one locking orientation, in which locking orientation the coupling element is locked in an axial direction and a rotational direction. The invention also relates to a coupling element, object and tool intended and configured to form part of such a modular construction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Jarola Vision B.V.
    Inventor: Gerrit Jan De Wilde
  • Patent number: 10709997
    Abstract: A system with light-weight drinking cups that use small ball magnets embedded in the cup rim and in the bottom cup center. In a preferred embodiment, there can be four magnets at four locations around the rim and a magnet in the center of the bottom of the cup. This arrangement allows cups to be stacked easily even by very young children in a large variety of ways and configurations. The ball magnets align in an attraction mode. Hence, any two cups can be stuck together simply by bringing two of the magnets into proximity. The toy can yield large stacks with connections in many different configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Inventor: Yaacov Schwartz
  • Patent number: 10595609
    Abstract: A decorative hair accessory, for placement covering a grouping of a user's hair, includes a hollow cage-like receptacle formed from interconnected tubular segments. The receptacle includes a proximal frame portion having a main opening therein to receive the hair bundle, and a distal cage body attached to the frame portion. The frame portion includes at least three segments interconnected by an elastic filament. The frame portion also has a plurality of junction points where adjacent segments are connected. The frame portion can be temporarily stretched out to allow a user to place a hair bundle therein. The cage body includes a plurality of primary distal tubular segments, at least one of which is connected to, and extends outwardly away from the frame portion at each of the junction points. Ends of the primary distal tubular segments are joined together to define a distal apex of the cage body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Inventor: Tiffany Z. Tuttle
  • Patent number: 10302245
    Abstract: In one aspect, kits for constructing an apparatus are described herein which, in some embodiments, can demonstrate desirable modularity, adjustability, and reconfigurability. A kit for constructing an apparatus described herein comprises a plurality of modular blocks and fastening pins and coupling pins for connecting the modular blocks to one another. A modular block comprises a first face having one or more first apertures for receiving fastening pins and an adjacent second face having one or more second apertures for receiving coupling pins. A fastening pin comprises a sidewall aperture for receiving a coupling pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE
    Inventors: Stuart T. Smith, Stephen C. Howard
  • Patent number: 9919235
    Abstract: Provided herein is a set of card-like structure and connector toys for building; the set comprising one or more card-like structures and one or more end cap connectors, wherein the one or more end cap connectors comprise one or more slots for inserting the card-like structures. Also provided herein is a connector toy or a kit of connector toys; comprising one or more slots for inserting card-like structures for building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: THE UPPER DECK COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam Kislevitz, Mary Sholl
  • Patent number: 9814997
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a toy construction element having an outer shell and moving members that can extend from and retract into openings in a face of the outer shell. The toy construction element may have a plurality of pegs for attaching to other engagement elements (e.g., blocks or figurines) and the openings may each be centered with respect to a 2×2 arrangement of pegs on the face. The moving members may be in contact with an actuating member, e.g., opposing arms of a rocking member. As one moving member is pushed down the rocking member may lift the other moving member. Upon attaching an engagement element to the toy construction element, one moving member can be pushed down to force up the other moving member so that the engagement element is released. Other actuating members may be used, such as push-rods or camshafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: MEGA Brands Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Vaillancourt, Louis-Philippe Mayer, Pierre Dion
  • Patent number: 9814999
    Abstract: Aerophone toy building blocks to make a plurality of combination of sounds comprising of a plurality of building blocks, each the block having four walls, a top lid and a bottom cap to make a body having an inner space; at least two of the walls, the lid and the cap having releasable couplers; each the block having aerophone musical instruments to produce sounds; each the block having a plurality of airway channels inside the inner space, the airway channels are connected to the adjacent airway channels; the blocks having the same or different sizes, whereby larger blocks create lower pitched sounds, while smaller blocks create higher pitched sounds; the blocks having the same or different materials to let the instrument produce different sounds; the musical instrument being mounted either onto or inside of the body of the building block, or being permanently encased within the material of a block; and an air source to be attached to the plurality of building blocks to provide an air flow to each aerophone in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Rohan Shaanti
  • Patent number: 9630118
    Abstract: A diving toy, or dive stick, that is connectable and extendable. The diving toy includes connectable and/or extendable portions that enables the length of the diving toy to be changed and enable it to be converted into a dive-ring, extended dive stick, larger dive-ring, dive-chain, or a multitude of other amusing shapes. In various games of play, one or more diving toys is thrown into a pool. A player retrieves the diving toy from the bottom of the pool or plays various games of play with the diving toy while submerged underwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: EASEBON SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: Veronica Pui Chung Wong, Francis See Chong Chia
  • Patent number: 9610512
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dinosaur model with multi-joint assembly that allows the user to grow creative idea and pursue self-lead learning during the assemblage of relatively many parts into the finished article and which is designed to allow free modification of actions and to provide a definite anatomical structure of dinosaur during the sequential assembly of a skeletal frame. It comprises: a skeletal frame in which skull, cervical vertebra, trunk skeleton, and tail bone units are sequentially connected through joints and the trunk skeleton unit is articulated with limb bone units; an integumental frame, responsible for appearance, comprising head integument, neck integument, trunk integument, tail integument, and limb integument units that are associated with the skull, the cervical vertebra, the trunk skeleton, the tail bone, and the limb bone units, respectively; and a connection member, intercalated between the skeletal frame and the integumental frame, for connecting the frames each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: FUTURE CYBER, INC.
    Inventor: Jung-Bin Bae
  • Patent number: 9573074
    Abstract: A toy building element comprising at least one first type of building element (1), on which a rotation shaft (3) located along an axis of rotation is arranged, and wherein the toy building set comprises at least one second type (6) of building element in which a rotation bushing (9) is provided which is configured for receiving and being interconnected with the rotation shaft on the first building element in such a manner that the two building elements can rotate relative to each other about the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: LEGO A/S
    Inventor: Jan Ryaa
  • Patent number: 9539520
    Abstract: A construction toy set includes a number of pieces of different shapes and colors which are configured to allow a user to construct a desired object or model by connecting selected pieces to one another. One of the pieces is a first joint piece constructed to connect two other pieces of the set for relative rotational movement about an axis of the piece. The joint piece has a body formed of two parts that are joined to one another for relative rotation about the joint piece axis, and each part is configured to connect to another piece of the set. The set also includes a second joint piece constructed to connect two other pieces of the set for relative rotational movement about two orthogonal axes of the piece. The bodies of the joint pieces emit a pleasant click sound when the parts of the bodies are turned by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventors: Eric J. Rotbard, Bruce P. Popek, Richard F. Andrus
  • Patent number: 9352239
    Abstract: Toy surfboards and methods of snapping together a figurine with a surfboard and a skeg and a wing to form a surfboard toy. The assembled toy can ride incoming waves back to a shore. The hydrofoil can have a V or boomerang shape with side wings having ends extending rearward and out from the surfboard. Wing ends can incorporate curved discs for stability. Optional stabilizing tail/fin/rudder can extend rearward from the hydrofoil. Games can include racing toys by tossing them simultaneously from the shore to see which one reaches the shore first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Toyosity, LLC
    Inventors: William Hohns, Marcellus Rambo Benson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9220993
    Abstract: The set of construction panels is a set of toy building panels including two basic types of construction panels. The first type of construction panel includes a first planar member having at least one side edge and at least one first engaging member protruding from the at least one side edge thereof. A plurality of first apertures are formed through the first planar member, such that the plurality of first apertures are arrayed as a regular rectangular grid. The second type of construction panel includes an elongated planar member having at least one side edge and at least one second engaging member protruding from the at least one side edge thereof. A linear row of second apertures are formed through the elongated planar member. The construction panels may be releasably connected together by releasable insertion of the engaging members of one panel into the apertures of another panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventors: Ahmad A. A. A. Alsaleh, Naser H. N. Jasem
  • Patent number: 9126740
    Abstract: A collective vertical tank has a plurality of tanks and stabilizing and weight-distributing connectors. The connectors are adjustable to provide an adjustable footprint of the collective tank. A stabilizing and weight-distributing connector for vertical hydraulic tanks includes a first connecting member attached to a first vertical tank and extending away therefrom, and a second connecting member attached to a second vertical tank and extending away therefrom. The second connecting member defines a central passage adapted to receive the first connecting member therein. A locking mechanism secures the first connecting member within the second connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Vertical Tank, Inc.
    Inventors: Stan Ellis, Travis Ellis
  • Patent number: 9126741
    Abstract: A collective vertical tank has a plurality of tanks and stabilizing and weight-distributing connectors. The connectors are adjustable to provide an adjustable footprint of the collective tank. A stabilizing and weight-distributing connector for vertical hydraulic tanks includes a first connecting member attached to a first vertical tank and extending away therefrom, and a second connecting member attached to a second vertical tank and extending away therefrom. The second connecting member defines a central passage adapted to receive the first connecting member therein. A locking mechanism secures the first connecting member within the second connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Vertical Tank, Inc.
    Inventors: Stan Ellis, Travis Ellis
  • Patent number: 9103110
    Abstract: A temporary or permanent shelter in kit form having extruded interlocking panels that easily clip together to create the general shape of a geodesic dome. The kits can be stored in a very small space when not assembled, and are primarily contemplated for use in emergencies and disaster relief. The sides of panels can be color-coded for fast and accurate assembly. Light-transmitting panels, reinforced panels, and entrance structures can also be used according to need. Furthermore, multiple kits can be can be transported at once by helicopter when roads are not available, they are easily and quickly constructed and disassembled, and are made from strong extruded and composite materials that do not mold or burn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Inventor: Scott L. Gerber
  • Patent number: 9022830
    Abstract: A toy construction system is provided that includes, in a toy construction system having a multiplicity of interconnecting members adapted for constructing a variety of projects, a rotator head device including a device housing having a conical-shaped cavity formed therein. The housing includes a plurality of female twist-lock connectors formed on the outer surface thereof, and the female connectors are adapted for attaching a first member of the toy construction system to the rotator head device housing. A rotating member, which is conical in shape and slightly smaller in size than the cavity formed in the device housing is included. The rotating member is rotatably disposed within the cavity and has a male twist-lock connector stem extending from an end thereof for connecting a second member of the toy construction system to the rotating member, whereby the first member is rotatable with respect to the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Melissa C. Sambenedetto
  • Patent number: 8936245
    Abstract: An interactive educational toy, having six faces in a manner permitting multi-planar movement; each of the six jointed faces is comprised of plurality of bars pivotally connected in a pantographic configuration; the six faces each include sides, and the sides of adjacent faces are hinged together to form a cube that can shift into variously proportioned parallelepipeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventor: Benjamin D Hopson
  • Patent number: 8920207
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a toy building block system that includes a building portion having a housing with a surface and a building component. The building component is extendable from the housing and movable relative to the housing surface. The building component and the housing surface define a configuration of the building portion that is changeable during play. The toy building block system further includes a play component which is engageable with the building component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Beth Ann Hageman, Gerald A. May, Patrick Ritossa
  • Publication number: 20140370777
    Abstract: A toy construction set includes a plurality of interconnecting toy construction pieces, the pieces being connectable to build a toy that reversibly transforms between a first toy form and a second toy form, the first toy form defining a longitudinal axis in a first plane and the second toy form defining a longitudinal axis in a second plane that has a surface normal that is different from a surface normal of the first plane; and a bidirectional transformation module. The bidirectional transformation module includes a body defining a first connector and a second connector, the first connector coupled to a first piece included in the plurality of interconnecting toy construction pieces, and the second connector coupled to a second piece included in the plurality of interconnecting toy construction pieces; and a flexible portion between the first and second connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicants: TOMY COMPANY, LTD, HASBRO, INC.
    Inventors: Hagop Minassian, Leonard Joseph Panzica, JR., William J. Rawley, Joshua Lamb, Yuga Onishi
  • Patent number: 8893699
    Abstract: A toy assembly includes a projectile that includes a linear portion and an engagement portion. The toy assembly also includes a base that includes a pivot point and defines an opening that receives the linear portion of the projectile, and the base retains the projectile in a frictional engagement. The assembly also includes an actuator that includes a trigger portion. The actuator is coupled to the base at the pivot point. Applying force to the trigger portion of the actuator in a first direction causes movement of the engagement portion of the projectile in a second direction, distinct from the first direction, and releases the projectile from the frictional engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: David Maxwell Bird, Robert C. Maschin
  • Patent number: 8888552
    Abstract: Described is a twistable and connectable block. The block includes a first half and a second half. Each of the first half and second half having protrusions and recessions. The protrusions and recessions are formed to connect with other protrusions and recessions. Each of the halves is connectable with the other using a connection device. The connection device includes a post on one half that can fit in a corresponding hole in the other half. Thus, through the connection device, the two halves are twistable with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl J. Wizenberg, Yiu Fai Yeung, Sin Yan Chua, Ying Fai Lai, Pui Kwan Woo, Chun Kit Tong
  • Publication number: 20140199677
    Abstract: Board-based machines assembled from components including crank and winch attributes which allow for coupling between the components, and which allows the user to position various elements into desired positions. A kit of components including coupling attributes which allow for assembly into a large number of different types of machines and structures of different types and shapes. A book adapted to teach children about mechanical aspects of design in concert with a kit of components adapted to be used to create board based machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: GoldieBlox, Inc.
    Inventor: GoldieBlox, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130316610
    Abstract: A toy construction system includes a plurality of interconnectable building elements; a control system that generates an electromagnetic signal; a vibration speaker including a moveable permanent magnet; and a support building element mechanically linked to the permanent magnet of the vibration speaker. The vibration speaker includes a coil that is moveable relative to the permanent magnet. One or more of the coil and the permanent magnet vibrate in a manner that is based on the electromagnetic signal. The vibration speaker also includes a sound producer that is mechanically linked to the coil to vibrate with the coil as the coil vibrates. The coil vibrates relative to the permanent magnet to produce an audible sound, and the permanent magnet vibrates to cause the support building element to vibrate and animate interconnectable building elements linked to the support building element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: HASBRO, INC.
    Inventors: Richard J. Maddocks, Paul N. Paulson, Kevin Ka Fat Wong, Richard Kwok-wah Leung, Winston Kim Wa Lee
  • Patent number: 8568187
    Abstract: The invention relates to a construction set made of a plurality of different members interacting together for assembly, characterized in that one so-called connector member (100) among said members has an essentially cylindrical body with a cylindrical surface (110) that is preformed in order to interact for assembly with the correspondingly preformed bases (120, 130) of other connector members (100). The construction set includes a plurality of other constitutive members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Robosynthesis Limited
    Inventor: Philip Norman
  • Publication number: 20130252503
    Abstract: A toy brick is disclosed which comprises a main body; a male connecting portion and a female connecting portion being symmetrically provided at two ends of the main body respectively; the male connecting portion being shaped as a ball and the female connecting portion being shaped as a letter “U” in which one end of the U-shaped female connecting portion is connected to the main body, and the other end thereof has two projections being inwardly bent and an inner side surface that is an arc surface. The toy brock of the invention can enhance the flexible engagement effect when the male connecting portion and the female connecting portion are connected each other. Due to the above structures, the toy brick can prevent the male connecting portion from being separated from the female connecting portion, thereby obtaining a better connecting effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Wai Lun Eddie KWOK, Chiu Kit Miles HO
  • Publication number: 20130165012
    Abstract: A cost effective, structural building set, suitable as a toy, uses post connectors (10) comprised of a post (12) with attached disks (14), or similar devices that insert into cutouts (31) in geometric shaped component parts (30, 80, 180). More than one component part can be connected to the same post connector, and such component parts can rotate relative to the post axis. The connector design allows construction of stable structures of many sizes, shapes, and types, and readily facilitates hinging between different sections of such assembled structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Robert D. Klauber, Richard F. Roth, Brian D. Klauber, Susan Klauber, Joseph George
  • Patent number: 8464476
    Abstract: Various modular construction systems exist and these all have limitations of cost, adaptability and strength. Some were also complex and time consuming to assemble. The present invention overcomes these problems by providing a simple modular construction element (10), which can be assembled with one another to form a strong structure. The invention comprises sheet-like materials, has a V-shaped cross section and is adapted to receive a connector so that elements in use are connected, one to another. The element may be rhomboid shaped, hexagonal shaped or triangular shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Matthew William Lewis Roberts
  • Publication number: 20130102220
    Abstract: A construction toy has a main body made of plastic or rubber in one step forming and a connector made of plastic or rubber in one step forming, at least a connection groove is disposed and concave in the main body, the connector includes at least two joints and a neck fixedly connected to the two joints. The joint is coupled to the connection groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Wang, Hualong Lin
  • Publication number: 20130084767
    Abstract: An expandable toy building element being interconnectable with one or more other toy building elements is disclosed having one or more coupling connectors adapted to interconnect the expandable toy building element with another toy building element. The expandable toy building element has a hollow first end component with an open, distal end so as to define a first internal cavity, a hollow second end component with an open, distal end so as to define a second internal cavity; and a translation element acting to expandably connect the first end component to the second end component. The expandable toy building element is expandable between a compact position and at least one expanded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventor: David Lewis MCDONALD
  • Patent number: 8408962
    Abstract: A toy construction system is disclosed that includes at least one panel member having a multiplicity of female twist-lock connectors formed in a surface thereof. A multiplicity of female socket flexible connectors are included where each has a stem adapted with threads for receipt by the female twist-lock connectors. Also, an equal multiplicity of ball connectors is included wherein each has a stem adapted with threads for receipt by the female twist-lock connectors. Another plurality of blocks of various sizes and shapes is included wherein each has a plurality of female connectors formed in surfaces thereof. Accordingly, a structure may be made by attaching the blocks to the panel by attaching the ball connectors to the block and the female connectors to the panel and engaging the ball connectors to the female socket flexible connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Melissa C. Sambenedetto
  • Patent number: 8403721
    Abstract: A linking toy segment for pivotal securement to another linking toy segment is disclosed herein, the linking toy segment having: a base structure; an actuatable device secured to the base structure, the actuatable device being capable of movement from a first position to a second position; a first coupling member secured to the base structure and extending away from the base structure in a first direction, the first coupling member being configured to be pivotally received on top of another coupling member; a second coupling member secured to the base structure and extending away from the base structure in a second direction, the first direction being different from the second direction, the second coupling member being configured to be pivotally secured underneath another coupling member; a trigger moveably secured to the base structure proximate to either the first coupling member or the second coupling member, the trigger being pivotally mounted to the base for movement between a first position and a secon
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott H. Derman
  • Patent number: 8371894
    Abstract: An illuminated toy construction kit includes a plurality of illumination modules having various shapes and sizes, and a plurality of non-illumination modules having different shapes and sizes. Each of the illumination modules includes at least one light-emitting element, such as, for example, a color-varying LED. At least some of the non-illumination modules are in the form of couplers which function as mechanical linkages for interconnecting the illumination modules and enabling a user to form a variety of three-dimensional structural shapes. The couplers also function to transmit electric power between the interconnected illumination modules, whereby all of the interconnected modules may be simultaneously illuminated in response to the activation of a single power source connected to at least one of the illumination modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: LaRose Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence Rosen, Parviz Daftari
  • Patent number: 8282103
    Abstract: A flight stand apparatus for use in playing a airplane combat game including a deck having a first attachment device and a deck top surface, a base having a first opening, and an altitude pole having a first end and an opposing second end. The altitude pole and the base may be configured so that the first end of the altitude pole is adapted to be inserted into the first opening of the base, and the altitude pole is thereby temporarily fixed to the base so that the altitude pole is substantially at a right angle with respect to the base. The first attachment device of the deck is configured to temporarily fix the deck on the altitude pole between the first end and the second end of the altitude pole, so that the deck top surface is substantially at a right angle with respect to the altitude pole and substantially parallel to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: John F. Stanoch
  • Publication number: 20120094572
    Abstract: A toy construction system is provided that includes, in a toy construction system having a multiplicity of interconnecting members adapted for constructing a variety of projects, a rotator head device including a device housing having a conical-shaped cavity formed therein. The housing includes a plurality of female twist-lock connectors formed on the outer surface thereof, and the female connectors are adapted for attaching a first member of the toy construction system to the rotator head device housing. A rotating member, which is conical in shape and slightly smaller in size than the cavity formed in the device housing is included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Melissa C. Sambenedetto
  • Patent number: 8087970
    Abstract: A toy construction system is provided that includes, in a toy construction system having a multiplicity of interconnecting members adapted for constructing a variety of projects, a rotator head device including a device housing having a conical-shaped cavity formed therein. The housing includes a plurality of female twist-lock connectors formed on the outer surface thereof, and the female connectors are adapted for attaching a first member of the toy construction system to the rotator head device housing. A rotating member, which is conical in shape and slightly smaller in size than the cavity formed in the device housing is included. The rotating member is rotatably disposed within the cavity and has a male twist-lock connector stem extending from an end thereof for connecting a second member of the toy construction system to the rotating member, whereby the first member is rotatable with respect to the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Melissa C. Sambenedetto
  • Patent number: 8082709
    Abstract: The invention relates to a modular construction system. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a construction system, including modules, which are capable of being used in a wide range of applications including buildings and various other structures. Prior systems included structured modules connected by means of flexible joints which were composed of cables. These allowed relative movement between walls of various units. Such systems were complex and expensive to manufacture An improved modular construction system overcame this problem by providing a plurality of structural elements of V-shaped or chevron-shaped cross section. These are adapted to be assembled in a cellular configuration by their similar form, size and by virtue of the elements having apertures. Any aperture may receive a connector, which permits an amount of relative movement between said elements in two-rotational degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Matthew William Lewis Roberts
  • Patent number: 7934971
    Abstract: Mechanical and electromechanical components for rapidly constructing a user-definable apparatus may include components that are reconfigurable into other construction set components, and that have at least one demarcation defining adjacent segments thereof. The demarcations facilitate reconfiguration of the components to produce other construction set components. Openings to substantially prevent sharp edges from being formed during reconfiguration may be included in the components. An electromechanical drive assembly having an integrated speed control and operable to receive interchangeable, non-circular drive shafts may be provided. The electromechanical drive assembly may be configured to attach to and self-align relative to other construction set components. One or more of the components may be provided with openings through which the non-circular drive shafts may rotate. The drive shaft may be locked in relation to openings of components that allow the drive shaft to rotate via a lock plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David A. Norman
  • Publication number: 20100068967
    Abstract: Apparatus including at least three 3-dimensional shapes, a first one of the 3-dimensional shapes being rotatably supported within a second one of the 3-dimensional shapes, the second one of the 3-dimensional shapes being rotatably supported within a third one of the 3-dimensional shapes, at least one of the 3-dimensional shapes including an opening capable of connecting at least one of the shapes to another one of the shapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: Fillaball Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Shaun Hume
  • Patent number: 7601045
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for a textured therapeutic toy that can be manipulated into an infinite number of shapes and configurations. The invention is best applied to relieve minor stress as well as strengthen hand muscles, rehabilitate finger and joint movement and improve overall range of hand motion. In one exemplary embodiment, a textured coating is applied to the surface of each segment that gives the therapeutic toy a unique feel, thereby creating a pleasant sensation and feel to the hands and fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Tangle, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Zawitz
  • Patent number: 7374468
    Abstract: A construction system includes an elongated connection stem with a central member having a uniform first transverse dimension and opposed integral end members, each having a uniform second transverse dimension greater than the first, each end member having a longitudinal slot extending from a tip end to the central member and an attachment member having a central through bore slightly smaller than the second transverse dimension. A cross section of each end member is similarly shaped to the central through bore and slightly larger than the central through bore and a cross section of the central member is similarly shaped to the central through bore but of smaller size than the central through bore. In one instance, the attachment member is fittingly received on either of the opposed end members and, in another instance, the attachment member is slidably received on the central member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Greene Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Flodin, Albert W. Seifert
  • Patent number: 7354330
    Abstract: An assembly of two elements including a first element that has a cavity with an external opening connected to a first region defined by a sidewall that is a spherical segment and the diameter of the external opening is smaller than the diameter of the sidewall in the first region. Adjacent to the first region is a second region also defined by a second spheroid segment that is separated from the first region by an annular ring extending from the sidewalls towards a central axis of the cavity. The annular ring forms a passage having a diameter approximately the same as the external opening. An extension member on the second element is inserted into the cavity which has a first rod section terminating in a second spherically-shaped section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Lynx, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Bentley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7326100
    Abstract: This application discloses a toy construction apparatus that can be used to make posable toy figures. The apparatus includes structural pieces, called “bones,” which can be connected to a plurality of other bones by joints that can be formed by a marble or similar device and connecting structures on the ends of each bone. These joints can either be movable or rigid depending on the type of connecting structures on the end of each bone being connected by the joint. Additionally, specialized structures, such as heads, feet, and torsos, can be used with the toy construction apparatus that allow the user to create more complex and life-like toy figures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Gilford O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7311579
    Abstract: A block set for assembling solid creations uses at least two types of cylindrical blocks. The cylindrical blocks are a thin cylindrical block and a thick cylindrical block. The thick cylindrical block may include a hole on a side face thereof for receiving the thin cylindrical block. A fabricating apparatus for fabricating the thin and thick cylindrical blocks has at least two types of rollers for rolling up paper, and a paper thickness notifying apparatus for notifying the user of the diameter of the cylindrical paper roll on a cylindrical paper roll up core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Koto Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Taki
  • Publication number: 20070281578
    Abstract: A toy construction system is provided that includes, in a toy construction system having a multiplicity of interconnecting members adapted for constructing a variety of projects, a rotator head device including a device housing having a conical-shaped cavity formed therein. The housing includes a plurality of female twist-lock connectors formed on the outer surface thereof, and the female connectors are adapted for attaching a first member of the toy construction system to the rotator head device housing. A rotating member, which is conical in shape and slightly smaller in size than the cavity formed in the device housing is included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: Melissa C. Sambenedetto
  • Patent number: 7247076
    Abstract: A decoration device may include a low-friction drive line and a PWM controlled motor that reduces or eliminates the gearing needed to achieve appropriate speed and torque at the motor output shaft. In preferred embodiments, the decoration device is an ornament that includes a low friction interfaces to accommodate relatively low torque output from the PWM drive motor. In certain embodiments, the PWM controller drives a motor at low speeds suitable for ornament applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Phu Dang, Tim Lien
  • Patent number: 7192328
    Abstract: A method of simulating real-life motion of a character includes providing a toy having a plurality of interconnected links. The links are rotatably attached to one another and the character is attached to one of the links. The method also includes grasping the toy by holding two different links that are separated by at least two other links, one of which is the link to which the character is attached. The method also includes moving the hands with respect to one another, thus causing the character to move in a manner that simulates the real-life motion of the character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Tangle Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Zawitz
  • Patent number: 6652347
    Abstract: An entertainment device comprising a plurality of rotational member divided into two groups: triangular members 10 and pentagonal members 20, a plurality of arcuate movable pieces 30 and a base for rotatably supporting said triangular and pentagonal members. The respective axes of rotation of said triangular and pentagonal members intersect at a common point representing the center of the exterior spherical surface of the device. The triangular and the pentagonal members are symmetrically disposed with regards to said center, wherein each triangular member is centrally positioned between three pentagonal members, and each pentagonal member is centrally positioned between five triangular members. Moveable pieces are disposed and slidably attached in the areas between a triangular and a corresponding neighboring pentagonal member, wherein a subsequent rotation of the triangular and pentagonal members results in changing the disposal of the moveable pieces relative to the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Saso Stevkovski