Having Chemiluminescent Light Source, Optic Fiber, Mirror, Or Lens Patents (Class 446/219)
  • Patent number: 5999317
    Abstract: Toy or novelty including a first polarizer and a second polarizer movable relative to the first polarizer. In a first mode, the first and second polarizers interact to be reflective, and in a second mode, the first and second polarizers is transmissive. The toy may further include an object or image located adjacent the second polarizer, wherein the object or image is viewable through the first and second polarizers in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Leland R. Whitney
  • Patent number: 5984754
    Abstract: An illuminated toy pail includes a translucent pail body, a handle attached to the pail body, and a retainer affixed to the interior of the pail body which is effective for holding a chemical light stick within the interior of the pail body. The bottom of the retainer includes a press-fit flange which is press fit into a pre-formed hole in the bottom wall of the pail body, and the top of the retainer includes a vertical bore which releasably receives and holds the light stick in a vertical orientation within the interior of the pail. The activated chemical light sticks can be easily inserted into the pail to illuminate the pail, thereby providing both novelty and safety aspects to the pail. When used, for example, in a Halloween, pumpkin-shaped pail body, the light causes the translucent pail body to glow as if a candle were lighted inside the pumpkin, provides a small amount of light to illuminate the ground below, and provides a highly visible, lighted safety indicator for passing vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Michael S. Freelander
  • Patent number: 5947789
    Abstract: A toy sword featuring a handle section and a translucent blade section. The handle section houses a light source for illuminating an interior of the blade section. A switch energizes the light source. A translucent multi-colored object, such as a segmented, multicolored disk, is disposed to substantially filter the color of the light illuminating the blade interior. The multi-colored object is mounted in a cage to preclude it from grossly deviating out of the path of the light illuminating the blade interior, but the multi-colored object is free to float within the cage such that natural parrying and thrusting motion of the toy sword in play varies the color of the light illuminating the blade section and increases the excitement of sword play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Thinkway Trading Corporation
    Inventor: Albert T. W. Chan
  • Patent number: 5919073
    Abstract: A peep show toy and a peep show toy kit which are simple in construction, suitable for individual use, and capable of exhibiting a landscape, a portrait, a historical picture or a narrative, are disclosed, which include a hollow cube formed by at least one planar or curved wall. At least one observation hole is provided through which an observer can peep into the hollow cube. On the inner surface of the wall which comes in sight through the observation hole, a picture is drawn in perspective with a visual point disposed at the observation hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Matsuki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Morio Shinoda, Masashi Matsuki
  • Patent number: 5882239
    Abstract: An illuminatable plastic disc that spins and flies when thrown including chemiluminescent composition passages that extend radially across substantially the entire disc so when the disc spins in darkness, the entire disc appears illuminated. The chemiluminescent passages are formed integrally with the disc both in a two molding embodiment and in a single molding embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Angelique M. Trichak
  • Patent number: 5876262
    Abstract: A light table having a table top surface fabricated of translucent or transparent polymer material, one surface being of a smooth and planar configuration, while the alternative surface may include a series of integral sockets, and into which various light blocks or game pieces may insert, and be built up into structured configurations. The smooth table top surface may be used with planar light transmitting pieces, tinted to various colors, be either translucent or transparent in configuration, and through their combination can provide both pleasure through their usage, and a source of education to the child regarding light and its transmission and color mixing to attain various coloration. The light blocks may be fabricated as fiber optics, and scintillating fiber optics, or of translucent material, to enhance the transmission of light emanating from the illuminating lamps provided within the interchangeable table top surfaces of this invention. The light table may incline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Angeles Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray G. Kelly, Sharon Turnbough, Klaus Moser
  • Patent number: 5864973
    Abstract: An improvement is added to the existing concept of using a mirrored surface to reflect a half symmetrical image which is printed on an adjoining card. The improvement is adding a perspective drawing of a related vertical object on the mirrored surface. The vertical object is positioned to interact in a coherent manner with the reflection of the half symmetrical image. The interaction between the images provides an enhanced 3-D phenomena. Additionally objects such as a ball seem to float out of the 3-D image. One embodiment further adds a movable tab which allows modifying the overall image. The invention can be used for greeting cards, books, baseball hat peaks, and assorted novelty items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Kenzie Company, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Charles Cole
  • Patent number: 5863235
    Abstract: A cylindrical metal disc is optimized to spin/roll on a base for an extended length of time, and as the angle of inclination of the disc decreases to zero, a tone emitted by the spinning/rolling of the disc rises in pitch towards infinity. To optimize the spinning/rolling time, the radius-to-height aspect ratio of the disc is approximately three, the upper surface of the base and the lower edge of the disc are smooth and hard to enable the disc to spin/roll for an extended length of time, and the base has three legs and is solidly constructed to minimize energy losses due to vibration. The upper surface of the base is concave to prevent the disc from wandering as it spins/rolls. The top of the disc is tessellated with tiles having effectively random optic orientations to produce the appearance of a cloud of sparkling lights in the vicinity of the top surface of the disc as it spins/rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventors: Joseph John Bendik, Jr., Laurence Jay Shaw, Richard Henry Wyles
  • Patent number: 5860845
    Abstract: A toy consists of an inner balloon and a transparent outer balloon that define a chamber therebetween. The chamber is substantially filled by a first liquid and one or more fragile capsules containing a second liquid. The first liquid and the second liquid have the property that when they are mixed, a mixture is created that glows for several hours. The capsule(s) are broken, releasing the second liquid, and the toy is inflated, creating a balloon that glows in the dark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventor: Yuval Goyhrach
  • Patent number: 5846117
    Abstract: Vehicle lighting system consisting of a vehicle with an integral light source powered either internally by an on-board energy source such as a rechargeable capacitor or a battery. In another embodiment the light source may be powered by an external energy source such as electrical conductors that may be integral with a track. The light source in the vehicle interacts with features on the track. The track acts as a light reflecting and emitting medium so that it accepts the light transmitted from the vehicle, redirects the light rays and emits the light rays in the direction desired. These light rays can be continuous in nature and output or can be discontinuous. The discontinuous feature gives the impression of a pulsing light and this pulsing light is proportional to the vehicle's speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Thomas H. McGaffigan
  • Patent number: 5846118
    Abstract: A portable luminous toy has a support rod and a hollow main body connected to the support rod. The main body has a lug. The lug has a through hole. The support rod has a distal end disposed on a first end of the support rod, and a first end cover and a second end cover disposed on a second end of the support rod. The first end cover couples with the second end cover. The first end cover has a post. The second end cover has a center hole. A hollow rivet is inserted in the center hole via the through hole. The post is inserted in the hollow rivet and the center hole. A plurality of baking soda troches are disposed in the main body. A film bag is disposed in the main body. The film bag contains an acidic solution. A plastic bag is disposed in the main body. The plastic bag has a transparent film. The plastic bag contains a luminous liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Teng-Hui Wu
  • Patent number: 5830034
    Abstract: A glow-in-the-dark article illuminated with phosphorescent filling material and a charging case is described. The article has a pliant outer skin made of light-transmissive fabric on which a light-blocking image is affixed. The skin contains phosphorescent beads or particles. The charging box has an interior cavity with a transparent floor and netting for supporting the glow-in-the-dark article directly above a black light source, thereby effectively suspending the ball free from the sides of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Lasting Luminous, Inc.
    Inventors: Janet M. Ciechanowski, Edward D. Ciechanowski, Robert M. Waldron
  • Patent number: 5816883
    Abstract: A fiber optic wand novelty device for children utilizing a caricature illuminated in a constant color with a plurality of optical fibers extending therefrom. A mount for the optical fibers is secured to an illumination device and includes a color pallet so as to cause colored tip illumination of the optical fibers. The holder of the fibers may be of a fixed color and serves to orient the proximal end of the optical fiber bundle directly over the light source. Accordingly, the colored light is conveyed through fibers, with the longitudinal lengths of the fibers producing solid, whitish light. The holder therefore allows the caricature head to be made of a predetermined color and allows for a realistic likeness under normal lighting conditions and a predetermined colorization or illumination when placed in a darkened environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Superlights, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley Holland
  • Patent number: 5807156
    Abstract: An attachment for baby bottles which fits around the nipple attached to such a bottle. The attachment is a ring which fits over a baby bottle nipple and is secured to the bottle itself. The ring, in one embodiment, has a double wall with objects made from luminescent material placed between the walls. Another embodiment has raised letters or a design placed on the outside surface of the attachment, which has a luminescent material inside the letters or design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Peggy L. Owen
  • Patent number: 5800236
    Abstract: An improved toy casting card can be better projected into the air by hand for effective flight of a distance, and particularly relating to a casting card equipped with a concave or convex lens so that two of the cards can be placed in linear alignment with each other with the distance thereof varied to serve as a telescope for fun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Kudos Finder Trading Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Davie Joun
  • Patent number: 5791965
    Abstract: A stuffed toy is provided with a spaced array of lights on its outer surface. The light is emitted from outwardly disposed free ends of optical fibers of varying lengths. The frequency and intensity of the light is synchronized with sounds, music and/or words emitted when the toy is squeezed in the area where a switch is located. The squeeze switch, a battery housing and a speaker are located in the batting material inside the toy and are electrically connected to an integrated circuit also housed in the batting. A microchip is mounted on the printed circuit board and produces light-generating signals and audio-generating signals. An LED lamp receives the light-generating signals. The optical fibers have adjacent ends which are clamped together in a lamp-conforming configuration. The adjacent ends of the optical fibers and the LED lamp are encapsulated and secured in fixed relation to one another within the batting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Great American Fun Corp.
    Inventor: Duk Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 5788556
    Abstract: An illuminable toy device has a main housing for supporting a light source, a reflective sheet, a diffusion screen and a plurality of at least translucent elongated rods. It also includes a light source which is connected to the main housing which includes at least one light, a power source for illumination of the light, and an on/off control switch for the power source. There is a reflective sheet in front of the light. There is also a diffusion screen located in front of the reflective sheet. A plurality of at least translucent elongated rods connected to the main housing are adapted to receive a plurality of orificed beads thereon in a stacked fashion. There is also a plurality of at least translucent and opaque beads, each having an orifice therein of sufficient size to permit placement of each onto one of the elongated rods in a stacked fashion. Each of the beads have a predetermined color and are stackable onto the rods to create a unique, illuminable artistic creation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Western Trimming Corporation
    Inventor: Ruth G. Morace
  • Patent number: 5769684
    Abstract: A low-cost compact slide presentation toy offering combined slide projector and viewer function by integrating a slide projector section and a slide viewer section with a single housing. Both sections share a common slide recieving slot so that simulataneous viewing and projecting is made possible by means of a novel rotatable slide member which carries a plurality of image cells in a diametrically opposite manner. Also, images to be viewed or projected can be changed by simply rotating a slide member without the need of actually removing a slide from the device. This device is particular attractive for young children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Lup Shun Metal & Plastic Ware Factory Limited
    Inventor: Tsz-Ming Lou
  • Patent number: 5743782
    Abstract: The illuminable toy has replaceable, illuminable edibles, that can be soft or hard crystal candy or any other translucent or transparent food in a figure form which is attached to a holder which is in turn part of or attached to a base. Concealed inside the base are a light source and battery connected to an electrical switch. There are sets of holders having the same size and shape which match to corresponding sets of illuminable edibles having protrusions of the same size and shape. Connected to the base is a cover, which in combination with the inserted illuminable edibles simulates a scene, such as a horror house, a mine cave or a winter scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Ideal Ideas, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Glynn, James R. Blair, II
  • Patent number: 5733167
    Abstract: A building element (10) for a constructional building set comprises a housing (11, 12) and a light source (15) mounted in it. The light source (15) is mounted on a rotatably mounted member (14) spaced from the axis of rotation (13) of the member. The housing (11, 12) includes a wall having a plurality of light exit openings (16) through which the light from the light source (15) can leave the housing (11, 12), when the light emitter (15) has been aligned with one of the light exit openings (16) by rotation of the rotatable member (14). The rotatable member (14) can be coupled with an external drive device (20) and is enclosed by the housing (11, 12). The rotatable member is freely rotatable about its axis of rotation (13) with respect to the housing (11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventor: Olav Kr.o slashed.igaard
  • Patent number: 5730638
    Abstract: A housing includes a clip for attachment of the housing to the back surface of a doll or toy figure. Within the housing, an electronic circuit is operative under battery power to provide audible sounds when an on/off button is pushed. A plurality of light-emitting diodes are operatively coupled to the sound circuit and are energized in a flashing operation when the sound circuit is energized. A cape attachable to the doll upon which the housing is attached includes a reflective surface facing the light-emitting diodes of the housing to provide reflection of the light produced thereby. When the sound circuit is energized, audible sounds are produced and the interior surface of the cape is bombarded with flashing light energy to provide an amusing visual effect. The housing is removable from the host doll and may be worn on a convenient attachment such as a bracelet or the like by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Trevor F. Ward
  • Patent number: 5727577
    Abstract: An optical ornament is provided utilizing optic fibers, which can be attached to clothing, hair, a person's body, an animal, or an object. Light is received and focused onto a plurality of optic fibers which can be extended outwardly, whereby the optic fibers are illuminated in the absence of added electrical energy. Decorations such as gemstones, artificial flowers, and the like are provided to decorate the optical ornament and to color the light transmitted through the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Inventor: James M. Post
  • Patent number: 5720651
    Abstract: A non-motor powered flying device of the type designed to be thrown, kicked, hit, or otherwise propelled by the user, includes a lighting arrangement in the form of a super-thin lighting element such as an electro-luminescent or photo-luminescent strip or panel. In the case of an electro-luminescent strip or panel, the power supply is positioned so as to enhance or at least not interfere with the flying properties of the object or device, and may include a specially designed spring-based motion sensitive switch which can be deactivated by inserting a straw-like member between the poles of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Tseng Lu Chien
  • Patent number: 5713783
    Abstract: A remote controlled toy crash vehicle apparatus which upon impact with another remote controlled toy crash vehicle or obstruction simulates a crash and its consequences. The vehicle is provided with a chassis on which an interchangeable body panels support mounted, the deformable body panels affixed to the interchangeable body panels support, consisting of a front panel, left fender panel, right fender panel, left door panel(s), right door panel(s), left quarter panel, right quarter panel, hood panel, windshield panel, roof panel, rear window panel, trunk panel. All the panels could be made of deformable materials such as, but not limited to the following: aluminum, alloys, plastic etc. Also affixed to the chassis are the changeable front left, right and rear left, right turn signal lamps. Incorporated into the rear turn signals are the stop lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventors: Anthony A. Szoke, Anthony A. Szoke, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5702282
    Abstract: A toy feeding bottle assembly includes a cup-shaped outer warmer housing, and a feeding bottle which is receivable in the warmer housing. The feeding bottle includes concentric transparent inner and outer bottle sections containing a milky liquid therebetween, and an opaque cap portion received on the bottle section in which the milky liquid is received when the bottle is inverted. The bottle assembly further includes a removable, transparent outer sleeve which is adapted to be retained in the warmer portion or retained on the bottle portion. The sleeve is preferably colored to impart a yellow or orange appearance to the milky liquid so that when the sleeve is received on the bottle, the liquid appears to be a juice, whereas when the sleeve is removed from the bottle, the liquid appears to be milk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Beckman, Stephen A. Schwartz, Roseann Radosevich, Michele P. Trammell
  • Patent number: 5609509
    Abstract: An amusement and recreational apparatus includes a rotatable support having at least one elongated flexible member in engagement therewith which includes a flexible light transmitting portion spaced from the rotatable support. Chemiluminescent liquid material is disposed within the interior of the flexible light transmitting portion. Structure is provided to rotate the rotatable support. The elongated flexible member changes shape during rotation to provide a variable light display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Bryan W. Stamos
  • Patent number: 5588895
    Abstract: An angel action figure doll (10) comprising a small adjustable mannequin (12). A wing assembly (14) is also provided. A structure (16) is for mounting the wing assembly (14) against a back of the small adjustable mannequin (12). A halo (18) is worn on a head (20) of the small adjustable mannequin (12), to simulate a conventional representation of an immortal, spiritual being superior to humans, that is an attendant and messenger of God, which can be used as a plaything of a child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: Diana A. Larson
  • Patent number: 5573017
    Abstract: An optical ornament is provided wherein optic fibers are attached to a fastener for attaching the ornament to a person's hair, clothing or body or to an object. A plurality of optical fibers are extended outwardly from a portion of the ornament adapted to receive and focus light and are illuminated in the absence of added electrical energy. Decorations such as gemstones, artificial flowers, and the like are provided to decorate the fastener and to color the light transmitted through the fibers from the portion of the ornament adapted to receive and focus light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: James M. Post
  • Patent number: 5549515
    Abstract: A coin-magic device has a stand on top of which a first coin receiving surface is formed. The device further comprises a tray that is used as placed on the first coin receiving surface to hide the coin. The tray has also a coin receiving surface that is referred to as a second coin receiving surface. Two more coins are placed on the second coin receiving surface. In addition, the device comprises a casing. When the casing is fitted onto the tray and stand, the tray is turned from the first coin receiving surface to the inner wall of the casing and appears as if it were the inner wall of the casing. Therefore, the two coins on the second coin receiving surface of the tray are hidden between the tray and the casing, and the coin on the first coin receiving surface will appear in stead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Tenyo Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kondo
  • Patent number: 5545069
    Abstract: The illuminable toy has a replaceable, illuminable edible, that can be soft or hard crystal candy or any other translucent or transparent food in a figure form which is attached to a holder which is in turn part of or attached to a base. Concealed inside the base are a light source and battery connected to an electrical switch. The illuminable edible toy can be a simulation toy with more than one replaceable, illuminable edible under a cover. The base can have a cover simulating a coffin or horror house for conveying horror themes, or simulating an egg shell for conveying an Easter celebration theme or a cave for conveying a fairy tale mining cave theme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Ideal Ideas, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Glynn, James R. Blair, II
  • Patent number: 5536209
    Abstract: A cutting-magic device is disclosed which comprises a case open at the top there of and hang a bottom and a circumferential wall, and a partition which parts the case into a first half and a second half. The case has formed in the bottom of the first half thereof an opening through which a pencil, finger or any other bar-like article is to be inserted. The partition has a mirror provided on the side thereof facing the second half of the case. The partition has mounted thereon a tubular member which can be slid up and down along the partition. The case has mimic scissors provided thereon. A pencil, finger or any other bar-like article inserted from the opening in the case and penetrated through the tubular member appears, under the reflection effect of the mirror, as if it were cut by the mimic scissors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Tenyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tooru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5536195
    Abstract: An amusement and recreational apparatus includes an aerodynamic flying disc having a top wall and one or more openings formed in the top wall. One or more containers are releasably connected to the top wall and project through one or more openings. The container has a curved, aerodynamic, light-transmitting container wall located above the top wall. Chemiluminescent liquid material within the container interior provides a light display above the top wall of the flying disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Bryan W. Stamos
  • Patent number: 5480338
    Abstract: A luminescent screen image making toy includes a generally planar luminescent screen having a luminescent surface defined thereon. A light unit includes an elongated housing supporting a directed light beam source and a strobe light unit. The strobe light unit and directed light beam source are constructed in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and are utilized in providing either large are short duration illumination of the luminescent surface of the screen or small area light spot illumination suitable for writing or drawing activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Barthold
  • Patent number: 5474482
    Abstract: An aerodynamic rotor with pull-cord launcher toy adapted to attach a self-contained chemiluminescent light source to the rotor thereof, making the toy suited for use in the dark. The rotor includes one or more holders integrally formed into the blade(s) thereof for confining the light source therein. The light source is non-heat generating and creates a glowing shape of light when the rotor is launched and provides a source for locating the rotor when it lands. The rotor's shaft and the launcher's connector tube have an interconnecting design which enables them to easily be connected in the dark by feel. Some blades of the rotor have a small opening near their outer end to produce a whistling sound when the rotor is launched and rotates rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventor: Frankie G. Davidson
  • Patent number: 5456636
    Abstract: A case assembly is pivotably attached to a stand or frame by means of a hinge mechanism. Vertical slits are formed in a front member and a rear member of the case assembly, respectively. A leaf spring is provided as interposed between the front member and rear member. A dummy cutter is fitted in the case assembly slidably along the slits. A card is inserted into the case assembly from a transversal slit formed in the top of the front member. The cutter is inserted into the vertical slit in the rear member of the case assembly. The case is pivoted against the resilience of the leaf spring to project the dummy cutter out of the vertical slit in the front member. When the cutter and therefore the dummy cutter are moved vertically together, the card inserted in the case assembly will appear as if it were broken through and slashed by the cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Tenyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tooru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5453036
    Abstract: A one piece spinning toy with markings made of either luminous or florescent material. When the toy is spun, it spins at an angle rather than upright, which creates a wobbling effect that causes the markings to generate a clear three-dimensional pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Pascal C. Wisznia
  • Patent number: 5451181
    Abstract: A toy vehicle having a body with a plurality of defining surfaces. A transparent cabin is mounted on the body and includes a front surface, a rear surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, and a top surface which is secured on an upper section of the vehicle body. An optical sheet is secured to and lines an inner surface of the transparent cabin such that a toy vehicle user is able to easily view images on the optical sheet through an outer surface of the transparent cabin. The optical sheet is constructed such that when a vehicle user views the vehicle from one vantage point, a first image state of the optical sheet appears, and when the user views the vehicle from another vantage point, a second image state of the optical sheet appears thereby creating changing images and an illusion of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: Alain F. Denoux
  • Patent number: 5439407
    Abstract: A doll of this invention includes a torso having an upper chest portion, a pair of arms, a pair of legs and a head, the chest includes a predetermined area of a predetermined shape, such as a heart which is constructed from translucent colored plastic material. A light is located within the cavity behind the heart to create a varying silhouette which corresponds in configuration to the doll upon the illumination of the light within the doll. The varying configuration of the silhouette is created by rotating an object between a lamp and the translucent colored plastic material, and this imparts a varying size and shape to the silhouette. In its broader aspects, the present invention is not limited to a doll, but instead to the concept of a rotating object(s) positioned between a translucent imaging surface and a source of illumination can be utilized in a variety of other environments and objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Inventor: Joan Friedel
  • Patent number: 5415151
    Abstract: The present invention encompasses a toy launcher, a phoshor-containing projectile and, in combination, a toy launcher and a phosphor-containing projectile. The launcher includes a mechanism for launching the phosphor-containing projectile outwardly from the launcher, and a radiation-emitter for exposing the projectile within the launcher to phosphorescence-activating radiation prior to the projectile leaving the launcher, whereby the projectile will phosphoresce as it leaves the launcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: JCF Research Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Fusi, Eric H. Gale
  • Patent number: 5403223
    Abstract: A new and improved simulated ballerina and dance studio apparatus includes a simulated ballerina assembly and a simulated ballet studio assembly. The simulated ballerina assembly is anatomically correct and includes a head assembly, a neck assembly which supports the head assembly, a torso assembly which supports the neck assembly, a pair of upper limb assemblies supported by the torso assembly, and a pair of lower limb assemblies supported by the torso assembly. The simulated ballet studio assembly includes a first wall assembly which includes a wall mirror attached thereto. The simulated ballet studio assembly also includes a second wall assembly and a third wall assembly connected to the first wall assembly at ends of the first wall assembly. A horizontal bar is connected between the second wall assembly and the third wall assembly. A floor assembly includes a portion which spans between the second wall assembly and the third wall assembly adjacent to the first wall assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Inventors: Marianne Q. Gaulkin, Alice B. Quigley
  • Patent number: 5392161
    Abstract: An illusion assembly for retaining at least a portion of an item and creating the illusion that the retained portion of the item disappeared. The illusion assembly includes a container having a front transparent area and a rear transparent area. The container includes a retainer assembly defining a retaining space with at least a portion of the item being disposed in the retaining space. At least a portion of the retaining space is disposed between the front transparent area and the rear transparent area in the container. Illusion devices are disposed in the container between the front transparent area and the rear transparent area for creating the illusion of seeing through the front transparent area and through the container and through the rear transparent area without seeing the retainer assembly or the portion of the item stored in the disposed space of the retainer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Highland Supply Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, James J. Sluss, Jr., Joseph G. Straeter, Charles A. Codding, David A. Weder
  • Patent number: 5391105
    Abstract: The picture toy includes a housing, a first opaque plate including a first array of apertures, a second opaque plate including a second array of apertures, and a plurality of light pipes. The picture toy is assembled such that each aperture of the first array is axially aligned with a corresponding aperture of the second array. Each light pipe includes a rear section and a front section which are respectively fitted into one of the apertures of the first array and its corresponding aperture of the second array. The rear section of each light pipe further includes an opaque end surface which substantially prevents light from entering the picture toy through the rear section when the light pipe is slid into a raised position. Illuminated indicia are created by selectively depressing the light pipes so that light may enter the rear section of the light pipe and propagate therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: InnoLand, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence T. Jones
  • Patent number: 5387146
    Abstract: A cover is attached to a housing, and a hollow shaft extends from a motor in the housing to a rotatable disk within the cover. Several optical fibers extend between the disk and a light source in the housing. The forward ends of the fibers are attached around the circumference of the disk, and the fibers pass through the shaft. The fibers exit the shaft and turn forward toward the light source. A shaft extension disk positions the rearward ends of the fibers radially outward from the shaft. A light filter, having sectors of various colors, is located between the optical fibers and the light source. Ornaments are suspended from the disk, and cover the forward ends of the fibers when the ornaments are near the top of the disk, and reveal the ends of the fibers when the ornaments are near the bottom of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Smith, Dayna L. Smith, Larry L. Uland
  • Patent number: 5348220
    Abstract: A savings box housing comprises a front panel with a transparent window and an opaque rear panel and light-opaque side panels extending from the front to the rear panels. The front and rear panels are disposed symmetrically with respect to a partition located in a plane extending across a central location of the housing interior to divide the housing interior into a front compartment on the window side and a rear compartment on the rear-panel side. A mirror extends over substantially the entire surface of a front side of the partition facing the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Tenyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark Setteducati
  • Patent number: 5324224
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a hollow globe including a plurality of apertures which are formed substantially throughout the entire surface of the globe. Formed within the globe and disposed in laminar juxtaposition to the interior surface of the globe's sphere, a bladder means is formed of an opaque flexible material. A plurality of cross slits are formed on the bladder in substantial alignment with the globe's surface. An internal light source is disposed within said bladder at approximately the midpoint of the globe's sphere, and a plurality of luminescent pegs are provided for insertion into the apertures formed in the globe's surface. The present invention provides the user with the plurality of luminescent, differently colored pegs to design a picture or art form. The present invention may additionally serve as a night light and the luminescent pegs may be specially adapted to project light from the interior of the globe's surface to the exterior of the globe and onto surrounding walls and ceilings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Inventors: Richard H. Anderson, Robert R. Anderson, Richard R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5316513
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electrothermal color-varying device inducing color change in a thermally color-varying layer by heat generation in an electrothermal heat-generating member, in which the heat-generating member is composed of a non-metallic member having a positive temperature coefficient on the electric resistance at least in a temperature range 25.degree. C. to 65.degree. C. and a particular volume resistivity, is adapted to generate heat by the application of a low voltage and is capable of self-control of the saturated heating temperature at an arbitrary temperature within a range of 25.degree. C. to 65.degree. C., whereby improved safety is achieved without the danger of overheating or current leakage. Also there are disclosed toys utilizing such color-varying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tanehiro Nakagawa, Yoshiaki Ono, Tsutomu Tomatsu, Takeo Yamaguchi, Kyoji Aoyama, Toshiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5310377
    Abstract: An illuminated sound producing toy comprising a base frame, a drive mechanism, a sound producing mechanism, an opening formed in the base frame, a mirror fitted in the opening, an electric lamp, a switch and a first light transmitting board. The sound producing mechanism is capable of being driven by the drive mechanism and the switch turns the electric lamp ON and OFF. The first light transmitting board is positioned generally between the mirror and the electric lamp and is driven through a predetermined motion by the drive mechanism. The first light transmitting board comprises an illustration display area so that illustrations can be seen through the mirror means only when the electric lamp is ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Tomy Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Joja
  • Patent number: 5308546
    Abstract: The phosphorescent toy gel composition is produced by suspending phosphorescent particles in an aqueous solution, thickened with guar gum and crosslinked by a borate compound. The method for manufacturing the phosphorescent gel composition comprises, in one aspect, the steps of providing a water-based solution with a borate ion-containing compound dissolved in the water, providing guar gum and phosphorescent particles suspended and dispersed in propylene glycol, and mixing the water-based solution and the propylene glycol dispersion in a proportion to provide a phosphorescent gel composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Glow-Tec
    Inventors: Gary L. Hansen, Richard E. Trapp, Robert B. Clay
  • Patent number: 5288259
    Abstract: A toy doll or toy animal having simulated hair at least some of which is formed by optical fibres. The optical fibres extend into the toy doll's or toy animal's body. A light source is positioned within the body so that light from the source is coupled into the optical fibres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Sente Creations Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Konta, Sachiko Kitajima, Peter C. Lancaster
  • Patent number: RE35556
    Abstract: A figure placed into a first unit and watched through a transparent door is made to disappear and simultaneously to reappear in a remote second unit from which it may be removed. The first unit, also referred to as the sending unit, comprises a housing which includes a multi-chamber turntable which can contain one or more figures. A door in the first unit includes a half silvered mirror and an additional chamber so that a figure in a turntable chamber can be made to seem to dissolve and disappear. A second multi-chamber unit, also referred to as a receiving unit, substantially identical to the first, is connected to the first unit by wires. Selected chambers of the second unit are filled with figures substantially identical to the figures to be sent by the first unit. Initially, a first figure is placed into the first unit. The transparent door closes and locks and the figure seems to dissolve by the transfer of lighting to the additional chamber in the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Inventures, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Weinreich