Including Means To Move Figure Or Figure Part Patents (Class 446/156)
  • Patent number: 11849817
    Abstract: A decorative, wearable system includes at least one decorative element mechanically and moveably suspended in a liquid by mechanical fixation elements. The liquid shares a substantially similar refraction index as at least one of mechanical fixation elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventors: Sandro Reginelli, Toralf Bork, Jean Gubelmann, Johann Rohner, Mathieu Oulevey, Alain Jaccard, Luc Maffli
  • Patent number: 10067112
    Abstract: An improved sensor fish with robust design and enhanced measurement capabilities. This sensor fish contains sensors for acceleration, rotation, magnetic field intensity, pressure, and temperature. A low-power microcontroller collects data from the sensors and stores up to 5 minutes of data on a non-volatile flash memory. A rechargeable battery supplies power to the sensor fish. A recovery system helps locating sensor fish. The package, when ready for use is nearly neutrally buoyant and thus mimics the behavior of an actual fish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Z. Daniel Deng, Mitchell J. Myjak, Jun Lu, Jayson J. Martinez, Chuan Tian, Thomas J. Carlson, Scott J. Morris, Hongfei Hou
  • Patent number: 9663194
    Abstract: A device having: a chamber having a gas inlet, a gas vent, and a liquid vent; and a float and a weight coupled to the chamber. The float has a lower density than the chamber. The weight has a higher density than the chamber. The aggregate density of the chamber, the float, and the weight is greater than the density of the chamber. The gas inlet, the gas vent, the liquid vent, the float, and the weight are positioned on the chamber such that: when the chamber is filled with and submerged in a liquid in which the chamber is neutrally-buoyant, the chamber is oriented to place the gas vent below the gas inlet; and when a gas is introduced through the gas inlet into the chamber that is filled with the liquid, the chamber pivots to raise the gas vent until a portion of the gas escapes from the chamber through only the gas vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Bradley R Ringeisen, Peter K Wu, Barry J Spargo, Justin C Biffinger, Lisa A. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 9474983
    Abstract: Surfing toys and methods of attaching and detaching different types of upwardly protruding objects on the surfing toy with a hydrofoil underneath comprising a skeg and a wing/vanes. The assembled toy can ride incoming waves back to shore. The hydrofoil can have weights being extra weight or thickened portions at any location on the wing vanes, skegs, any combination, or have no extra weight. The wings/vanes can be bendable to different positions to enhance the toy's performance. Different versions of pegs can be used to attach the main wing, skeg, flotation device and upwardly protruding objects together. The upwardly protruding objects can include figurines, vehicles, toys, sails and the like, and the surfing toy can be used without an upwardly protruding object. The surfing toy can also be pulled through the water with motorboats and/or fishing poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Toyosity, LLC
    Inventors: William Hohns, Marcellus Rambo Benson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9078415
    Abstract: A pet toy to aid a pet in developing retrieval skills comprising a first member at least partially encapsulated within a second member; wherein the first member is formed of a first member polymer composition having a density less than 1.0 gram/cubic centimeter; wherein the second member is formed of a second member polymer composition having a density greater than 1.0 gram/cubic centimeter; wherein the first member and the second member are provided at a weight ratio such that the pet toy floats when placed in water; and wherein the second member weighs down a second end of the pet toy in water such that a first end of the pet toy rises above the second end of the pet toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: T.F.H. PUBLICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Glen S. Axelrod, Ajay Gajria
  • Patent number: 8986065
    Abstract: An aquatic toy that is a biomimetic fish with a watertight body portion. The body portion contains a battery electrically connected via a controller to at least one coil. The coil is positioned relative to a magnet and the coil can be caused to oscillate by virtue of a controller defined alternating current passing through the coil. The oscillation of the coil causes movement of a tail fin that is engaged to said watertight body to cause the fish to move forward through a body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Xiaoping Lu
  • Patent number: 8545282
    Abstract: An air bubble operated underwater ornament kit including components for installing an air bubble operated underwater ornament for an aquarium. The kit provides a base, an air supply tube to form air bubbles in the water, and various ornament bodies having respective movement bodies that move upon release of the air bubbles toward each movement body, which include a skeleton riding a motorcycle having a motorcycle underside for a movement body whereby a front wheel of the motorcycle rises; a pair of opposing skeletons with one skeleton having a hand attached to a barrel disposed therebetween for a movement body whereby one skeleton rises and moves toward the other skeleton; and a motorcycle having a rear wheel with blades radially disposed on a tire thereof for a movement body whereby the tire spins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Paul DeFilippo
  • Patent number: 8500509
    Abstract: The present document describes an entertainment device including one or more mini-crafts provided in a fluid medium within the sides of an electromagnetic frame. Each mini-craft includes a magnet and has a different cutoff frequency. Motion of the mini-crafts may be controlled by a user using a controller such as joystick, remote control etc. A processor computes, based on the multidirectional navigation signals received from the controller, electromagnetic signals for each coil in the electromagnetic frame. The electromagnetic signals are amplified and sent to the coils to generate superimposed rotating magnetic fields which cause the mini-crafts to rotate separately within the electromagnetic frame, each mini-craft following a distinct magnetic field with a frequency that is lower than its cutoff frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Juan Carlos Orozco
  • Patent number: 8286987
    Abstract: An animated novelty device for mounting on a ball of a trailer hitch on a vehicle, the device including an electric motor for imparting motion to selected elements of the device. The motor is electrically connected to the vehicle braking system whereby the device is set in motion by energizing the vehicle brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Evoke Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Campbell, Daniel J. Chesnicka, Mark J. McIntyre
  • Patent number: 7775850
    Abstract: To provide a water toy with which infants can play joyfully in a bathroom, which is easy to be fixed in place and which prevents the infants from losing their interests in playing therewith, there is provided a water toy including a pedestal portion having a pump, a circular cylindrical shaped column fixed to an upper portion of the pedestal portion, which includes a water flowing tube in an interior and a water outlet port at an upper end thereof, a spiral water flowing rail fixed to a circumferential edge of the column, a first water flowing rail detachably coupled to a lower end of the spiral water flowing rail, which includes a windmill portion having a rotor turned by using a flow of water, a second water flowing rail detachably coupled to a lower end of the first water flowing rail while being fixed onto an auxiliary fixing base, a third water flowing rail detachably coupled to a lower end of the second water flowing rail, a fourth water flowing rail detachably coupled to a lower end of the third water
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Agatsuma Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Todokoro
  • Patent number: 7727043
    Abstract: A curling structure for use in mechanical swimming creatures and the like includes a series of jointed segments pivotally connected together, with cross members pivotally connected between non-adjacent segments. Each cross member has its first end pivotally connected to a given segment above the pivot point connecting that segment to an adjacent segment, and its second end connected to a non-adjacent segment below the pivot point which connects that non-adjacent segment to the next segment. The result is that as one segment pivots about the joint connecting it to an adjacent segment, the cross members cause all of the segments to curl in a single direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: MGA Entertainment, Inc.
    Inventor: Dawn Whitaker
  • Publication number: 20090191785
    Abstract: The present invention provides a miniature live-action surfing attraction and associated surf game specifically adapted for use with one or more surf toy action figures. The surf toy action figures are mountable to a surf board appropriately sized and weighted to provide relatively stable or semi-stable surf-riding action upon a sheet flow of water flowing up an inclined ride surface of the reduced scale attraction. Various surf action figures may be set free upon the ride surface, or they may be constrained or partially constrained by wires, strings, magnets or the like, as desired. Alternatively, or in addition, they may be controlled via a remote control, or radio control transmitter, as desired. Thus, a fun and entertaining game is created that provides realistic live-action surfing within a relatively small or confined area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: Light Wave, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Lochtefeld
  • Patent number: 7435152
    Abstract: A centrifugal dispensing apparatus with a centrifugal dispensing drum that can be divided into compartments and that has at least one open inner volume for retaining a volume of flowable material, an exit aperture for each open inner volume for allowing flowable material to pass during a rotation of the centrifugal dispensing drum, and a drive shaft. A catch shield or a cam operated plunger arrangement for sealing off the exit aperture in a directionally sensitive manner can be provided. Flowable material can be deposited in lines onto flat surfaces, curved surfaces, and non-flat surfaces that can be rendered flat after the application of flowable material thereto. The centrifugal dispensing drum, which can be modular, can take the form of a top or can be retained by a gimbaled gyroscopic arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: R & J Inventions LLC
    Inventor: Richard W. Kimbrough
  • Publication number: 20080227363
    Abstract: A swimming robot according to the present invention is constructed to simulate a human body having an upper portion including a chest 3, back 6, a swivable head 2, a shoulder portion 8, a pair of rotatable arms 14, 16 and a lower portion 4 including a pair of movable legs 34, 36 and a movable hip portion 7. A handle 5 is attached to the back 6 of the swimming robot 1. The swimming motion of the swimming robot 1 according to the present invention comprises drive mechanisms such as, a manual drive mechanism, a leg drive mechanism and a head-tilt mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Farrag Abdelkarim Ali, Mansour A. Alsaed, Mohammed Farrag Abdelkarim Ali
  • Patent number: 7247077
    Abstract: An aquatic toy that is capable of maintaining a desired form and position in water, which includes a fabric portion, at least one hollow opening formed in the fabric portion, a frame pocket formed substantially around a perimeter of the hollow opening, and a frame member, wherein the frame member is at least partially contained within the frame pocket, and wherein the frame member provides at least partial form to a perimeter of the hollow opening. The aquatic toy may also include at least one buoyancy element and at least one weight element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Swimways Corp.
    Inventor: David A. Arias
  • Patent number: 7189135
    Abstract: An underwater fun toy includes a buoyant body having an upper and lower surface and a receiving portion communicating through the upper and lower surface, an underwater member receivable in the receiving portion having a first and second surface, first and second engaging portions formed on the receiving portion and the underwater member, and a plurality of stand portions for supporting the buoyant body which engages with the underwater member at a desired height from the bottom of water. The first and second engaging portions are engageable with each other and disengageable from each other, wherein in use the buoyant body engages the underwater member and is sank in water such that stand portions keeps the buoyant body at a desired height above the bottom of water, and when the underwater member is depressed to disengage from the buoyant body thereby said buoyant body floats to the surface of the water and the underwater member remains sank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventor: Herman Chiang
  • Patent number: 7017912
    Abstract: An aquatic amusing toy is adapted for an aquatic game combining dive and amusement and includes a holding element and at least a sinking object. The holding element has a holding portion and a hollow portion defining an opening therein. In an aquatic game, the sinking object is pre-stored in water. The swimmer dives into water with the holding element. The sinking object is clamped in the opening and is taken out of water. The aquatic amusing toy has a shape like an aquatic animal biting a quarry, making the aquatic game more amusing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Herman Chiang
  • Patent number: 6959838
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a toy gun system that may include a toy gun having a housing with a nozzle, wherein the toy water gun may be adapted to discharge an output stream of liquid through the nozzle. The toy gun system may further include a wheel fabricated from an absorbent material, and a support member mounted on the housing of the toy gun that may have the wheel rotatably mounted thereon. The wheel may be disposed proximate the nozzle of the toy gun and positioned such that at least a portion of the output stream of liquid impacts the at least a portion of the wheel to cause the wheel to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred D. Eddins, Robert L. Brown, Walter Bezaniuk
  • Patent number: 6905388
    Abstract: A water toy is provided. The water toy includes a housing (15) and an inlet (54) for directing liquid into the housing. The water toy also includes a distribution assembly (30) disposed in the housing and coupled in fluid communication with the inlet. The water toy further includes a plurality of outlets (61), each adapted to direct a stream of liquid (12) out of the housing, the outlets coupled in fluid communication with the distribution assembly, wherein the distribution assembly intermittently directs a stream of liquid (12) out of each of the outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Inventor: Michael C. Schoonmaker
  • Patent number: 6852000
    Abstract: A beach wave playset for simulating an approach of a wave toward a shoreline. The playset can have a beach member, a wave member, and a pivot axle for enabling the wave member to pivot into and out of proximity with the beach member. Decorative elements, such as surfboards, dolls, and inner tubes, can be retained relative to the wave member and can be moved, such as by a drive wheel and motion conversion assembly combination, during a pivoting of the wave member to enable a realistic wave riding simulation. A plurality of water panels can simulate an underlying water surface. The wave member could be moved manually or by a motor arrangement, and electronic play effects could be induced in response to a movement of the wave member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Lee, Robert William Engel, William John Kelley
  • Patent number: 6793552
    Abstract: A radio controlled toy is provided with a robotic rider that catches waves via an electric motor and propeller, then rides waves like a real surfer, and rights itself after a wipeout comprising a novel way to rotate the robotic rider's upper torso and to disburse the motor room heat allowing for long run times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: Steven J. Derrah
  • Publication number: 20030232566
    Abstract: A figure that is configured to be propelled through a liquid. The figure including a torso, a flexible appendage coupled to the torso, and a drive configured to move the appendage with respect to the torso.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Rudolph D. Vap
  • Patent number: 6554682
    Abstract: A toy liquid storage tank includes an exterior cylindrical tank having a central vertical guide pole and a horizontally disposed flat roof. A motor gear drive mechanism linked to a pair of oppositely disposed cam lift arms raise and lower the roof along the guide pole. Roller wheels at the ends of the cams engage the roof to provide a smooth motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Robert F. Tammera
  • Patent number: 6443799
    Abstract: A gyroscopic diving toy is comprised of a housing and a motor positioned inside the housing. A battery compartment is arranged adjacent the motor for receiving a battery. A swim bladder and a ballast are arranged inside the housing to provide neutral buoyancy and balance. A propeller is attached to an axle of the motor protruding through the housing. The axle of the motor is coaxial with a longitudinal spin axis of the housing. The housing is generally circular about the spin axis for minimizing drag when spinning. When the motor is activated, the housing is spun rapidly in a direction opposite to the rotation of the propeller, and gyroscopic forces generated by the rotation of the housing cause the toy to repeatedly dive and surface automatically for amusement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Edward G. Gibson
  • Patent number: 6439949
    Abstract: An apparatus including an appendage coupled to a body and a drive. The drive produces a force that causes the appendage to move with respect to the body. When the apparatus is resting on a support surface, the force produced by the drive is insufficient to overcome the force produced by the weight of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Lucas, James R. Bauman
  • Patent number: 6422910
    Abstract: A jellyfish type underwater swimming toy capable of exhibiting reality sufficient to permit an observer to be impressed as if a jellyfish swims in a fluttering manner under water. A toy body is formed into a jellyfish-like shape and includes a head. The head includes a head body, a plurality of swing arms radially arranged on a periphery of the head body in a manner to be vertically swingable, and an umbrella-like member formed into a configuration like a thin film and arranged on the head body and swing arms. Thus, when the swing arms are swingably moved through a drive mechanism, the umbrella-like member is vertically actuated through the swing arms, resulting in the toy swimming in the water while vertically traveling in a fluttering manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Takara Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motoki Takaya
  • Patent number: 6412210
    Abstract: An animated duck decoy having a mechanism employing a driver gear having gear teeth disposed on half its periphery, the other half being without teeth, which engages a driven gear mounted on the same axle with a grooved wheel to wind and unwind a cord attached to an anchor in order to produce repetitive movement of the decoy. The animated duck decoy may be disposed to simulate a diving duck by attaching the cord to an anchor which can be placed on the bottom of a body of water. The animated duck decoy also may be disposed to simulate one duck chasing another duck by tethering it to a tree and attaching the cord to a conventional duck decoy which is tethered to a second tree by an elastic cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Charles W. Horrell
  • Patent number: 6206536
    Abstract: A table lamp having an ornamental liquid container movably connected to a main body thereof, so that the ornamental liquid container tends to swing, rotate and/or turn upside-down under an external force applied on the ornamental liquid container. At least one type of liquid, such as a dual-liquid or a magma-like liquid, and floating ornaments are contained in the ornamental liquid container. The liquid and floating ornaments tend to create unique, changeful and dynamic scenes when the ornamental liquid container is moved by the external force applied on it. The ornamental liquid container therefore gives the table lamp novel appearances and additional decorative effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Rich Lin
  • Patent number: 6093076
    Abstract: A water propelled toy torpedo including a main housing having an open forward end and an open rearward end. A battery pack is disposed within the main housing inwardly of the open forward end. A battery cap is disposed within the open forward end of the housing in communication with the battery pack. A forward portion has a micro switch extending forwardly therefrom. A motor is disposed within the open rearward end of the main housing. The motor is in communication with the battery cap. The motor has a shaft extending rearwardly therefrom whereby an outer end of the shaft is disposed outwardly with respect to the open rearward end of the main housing. A transparent cap portion couples with the open forward end of the main housing. The cap portion has an open inner end and a closed arcuate outer end. The arcuate outer end has a post extending inwardly from an inner surface thereof. An inner end of the post selectively contacts the micro switch of the battery cap to facilitate activation of the torpedo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Jason A Street
  • Patent number: 5931715
    Abstract: A swinging mechanism for a toy includes a speed-reduction gear assembly driven by a motor, a linkage, a pair of swing blade units, and an eccentric unit. The speed-reduction gear assembly has a drive gear and a driven gear. The linkage has an actuating link and a carrier link. The carrier link has a turning axis between two opposite ends thereof. The actuating link has an end fixed to the carrier link adjacent to the turning axis. Each of the swing blade units has at least an inner blade and an outer blade hinged to one another. The inner blades of the swing blade units have inner ends connected pivotally and respectively to the two opposite ends of the carrier link. The outer blades of the swing blade units are juxtaposed side by side and have outer ends connected pivotally to one another. The inner and outer blades of the swing blade units have adjoining ends between the inner and outer ends, and hinge pins which interconnect the adjoining ends, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Chin-Der Chang
  • Patent number: 5775022
    Abstract: The invention is a self-propelled floating decoy for simulating the swimming characteristics of waterfowl. Propulsion in the water is produced by a sculling tail fin (25) which also causes a side to side rocking motion that simulates the back and head movement of a live duck paddling its feet. The decoy includes a flat base (11) with a shallow draft. The flat bottom of the base (10) is the lowest point in the water with no obstructions that would become entangled in congested water. An opening (11c)in the rear end extends through the base (11) so that an electric motor(16) driven propulsion system moves a tail fin (25) coupled to said propulsion system through the opening (11c). A decoy shell (9) representative of a water fowl is attached to the base (11). The tail fin (25) moves from side to side providing a motion to the decoy approximating the motion of a swimming water fowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventors: Jack F. Sumrall, John F. Bush
  • Patent number: 5197913
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling pitch or yaw attitudes of a toy in a fluid includes a body and a float movably mounted to the body. The position of the float relative to the body can be changed to modify the pitch or yaw attitudes of the body in the fluid. The body can also be equipped with a member to propel the body in the fluid, and a fluid projector which propels fluid from the body. A driver can be connected to the float, the member, and the fluid projector so that the body alternately swims and treads water, and projects fluid while treading water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Toybox Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5194029
    Abstract: A floatable structure propelling mechanism is combined with a floatable structure filled with helium gas to propel the floatable structure for flying in the air. The floatable structure propelling mechanism comprises a pair of lateral fins supported for swing motion respectively on the opposite sides of a middle portion of the floatable structure. The driving mechanism for driving the lateral fins for swing motion alternately in opposite direcitons in a vertical plane comprises a rotative driving unit provided near the lower surface of the middle portion of the floatable structure. The rotative driving unit includes a double crankshaft which is rotated by the driving unit, first connecting rods fixed to the lateral fins, respectively, and second connecting rods interconnecting the crank pin portions of the double crankshaft and the free ends of the first connecting rods, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Jal Data Communications & Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 5017171
    Abstract: A toy utilizing bubbles in liquid comprises a vessel to be charged with a liquid keeping an air layer at the top and to be sealed, a bubble generating member, and in-liquid movable members moved by bubbles rising in the liquid in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Sente Creations Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Shiina
  • Patent number: 4923429
    Abstract: A bubble-propelled amusement device in which play pieces are dispersed in a water bath contained in an enclosed transparent tank having on its bottom wall an air nozzle and having in the air space above the bath an air intake, the pieces normally tending to sink toward the nozzle. Below the tank is a pump assembly comprising an air chamber coupled to a player-operated bellows, the chamber being provided with an air outlet and an air inlet, each having a check valve therein. The air outlet is coupled to the nozzle so that when the bellows is actuated by the player and compressed, the resultant positive air pressure in the chamber causes the outlet valve to open to feed air into the nozzle which injects into the water bath a stream of air bubbles that act to propel play pieces toward a target, the bubbles then being discharged into the air space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Lewco Corp.
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4832650
    Abstract: Self-propelled aquatic toys lide toy sharks are known having a body portion, a middle tail and an outer tail. The middle tail has been driven to oscillate from side to side while outer tail has flapped freely from side to side. Better propulsion and simulation is, however, achieved by driving the outer tail. In this way, operation of the drive at either limit of oscillation initially drives the outer tail to the same sense, i.e. left or right, as the middle tail and thereafter the middle tail and together with the outer tail is moved from that limit position towards the other limit position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Duncan Products Limited
    Inventor: Duncan Tong
  • Patent number: 4732049
    Abstract: A removable toy motor module which can be used with a variety of figure toys and toy accessories. The motor module uses a battery powered motor which drives an output gear extending from a motor housing. The output gear can be used to drive a variety of accessories and the motor module can be easily attached to the harness of a figure toy. A battery cover may be rotated with respect to the housing for the purpose of turning the motor on and off. Gears located in the housing engage the motor to the output gear. A clutch ratchet and gear-clutch drum are designed to disengage if the torsion transmitted to the output gear exceeds a predetermined value, providing a built-in safety feature. A compression spring is used to minimize damage to the output gear in case the motor module is dropped. An O-ring disposed around the output gear provides a seal allowing the motor module to be used in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Janos Beny, Keith Meggs, Miva Filoseta, Edwin Faris
  • Patent number: 4713037
    Abstract: A toy is provided which simulates a marine creature. The toy comprises a body portion and a tail portion with a tail fin pivotally mounted thereto; a battery operated motor housed in a water-tight compartment in the body portion to move the tail and the tail fin relative to the body portion to propel the toy through the water; a drive to drive the tail portion comprising a pair of parallel cranks mounted opposite one another on a single spindle and driven through gearing by the motor; and a drive member extending down within the top portion of the tail, the drive member being provided with a pair of slots, each slot receiving a pin connected to one of the cranks. Buoyancy may be achieved using floats located in the body and tail portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Duncan Products Ltd.
    Inventor: Duncan Tong
  • Patent number: 4655722
    Abstract: A water toy includes an inflatable housing having ballast in the lower portion thereof. A spray head is connected to the top of the housing and water is conveyed to the spray head from a garden hose through a tube in the housing. With water spraying from the top of the housing, the toy can be hit from an initial upright position so as to tilt to various angles but will resume its initial upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Kid Biz, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Baron, Marie F. Gredel
  • Patent number: 4581841
    Abstract: A fishing lure having a body movably mounting fin and tail simulations and having means responding to intermittent pulls on a fishing line for activating said fin and tail simulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Inventor: Joseph C. Gish
  • Patent number: 4578044
    Abstract: A toy including a movable model, components for generating and alternating a magnetic field in response to a direct current, a permanent magnet disposed in the generated magnetic field, and a component for transmitting movement of the permanent magnet in the generated magnetic field to the movable model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Masudaya Corporation Limited
    Inventor: Shigeru Saitoh
  • Patent number: 4578045
    Abstract: The action figure includes two arms mounted to the figure's torso for rocking movement toward the torso about laterally spaced axes, the action figure also including two legs that are mounted for pivotal movement to the torso in a scissors-like fashion. Integral with the rockable mounting means for each arm is an inwardly extending shank, the shanks projecting into end portions of a coil spring. When either arm is moved laterally toward the side of the torso, the spring is flexed into a V-shaped configuration. A link extends downwardly from the center of the spring so that the flexing action imparted to the spring causes the link to move downwardly or upwardly. Each unit for pivotally mounting the legs includes a crank pin that is receivable in forwardly and rearwardly located slots at the lower end of the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: CPG Products Corp.
    Inventors: John F. Mayer, Nick H. Langdon, Stuart A. Cook, L. Todd Nicholson, John R. Belcher
  • Patent number: 4563161
    Abstract: This invention resides in improvements in a toy and particularly in a toy which may, in use, cyclically rise and sink in water due to the change of buoyancy caused by bubbles formed in a lower internal chamber in which moistened baking powder or the like may be placed. An upper section of the toy is fitted with one or more hollow tubular sections that serve to suspend the toy in a generally erect position when initially fully immersed in water and which tubular sections serve as a pivot about which the toy oscillates as it rises and sinks. The tubular sections are generally formed with a hollow interior section that communicates to an open mouth section of a size to retain air within the interior when the object is immersed in water. The toy may be employed out of the water to slide down an inclined ramp as formed bubbles momentarily lift the toy off an inclined surface of the ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Inventor: Jack I. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 4455782
    Abstract: A cartesian toy including at least one partly transparent liquid container in which there is at least one freely floating body movable by buoyancy changes. This is variable in that an air bladder located in a cavity of the floating body casing is compressible to a greater or lesser extent by the liquid pressure in the liquid container being varied by a pressurizing device. When this device causes expansion of the air bladder or the air zone located in the floating body, liquid flowing out of the floating body casing additionally imparts to the floating body or parts thereof by recoil or reaction force an in particular horizontally directed acceleration or movement. Also, particularly sized and arranged casing parts on the floating body cause this body to move in one rotary direction or the other when the casing parts contact the container or objects in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Inventor: Uwe C. Seefluth