Rotating Or Having Visible Rotating Portion (e.g., Spinning Or Whirling, Not Rolling) Patents (Class 446/236)
  • Patent number: 6106359
    Abstract: A toy figure resembling an insect such as an ant includes an upper torso pivotally coupled to a lower torso. A pair of legs support the lower torso and a pivotally moveable shell portion is attached to the lower torso. A drive button is slidingly supported within the lower torso and is raised against the shell portion by an internal return spring operative upon the button. A pair of arms are secured to the upper torso and are pivotable at their respective elbow joints. The arms support hands which in turn receive the handle grips of a simulated weapon each weapon comprising a pivotal arm and an outer ball and weight. A gear and rack mechanism is driven by the slidable button and is coupled to the upper torso by a flexible shaft such that pressing and releasing the shell portion moves the button and gear rack correspondingly to produce pivotal movement back-and-forth of the upper torso which in turn moves the simulated weapons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Arriola
  • Patent number: 6102769
    Abstract: A hula hoop is formed of a plurality of spherical bodies, with each having a main body and a pliable connection rod which is provided at the free end thereof with a retaining block. The main body is provided with a receiving slot opposite to the connection rod and extending toward the center of the main body, and an insertion slot extending toward the receiving slot. The insertion slot is provided with a retaining slot corresponding to the center of the main body and greater in inner diameter than the insertion slot. The insertion slot has a width greater than a thickness of the connection rod. The hula hoop is formed of the spherical bodies such that the connection rod of one of the spherical bodies is received in the receiving slot of another one of the spherical bodies via the insertion slot of the another one spherical body, and that the retaining block is retained in the retaining slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Li-Chu Wu
    Inventor: Yu-Yuan Huang
  • Patent number: 6095885
    Abstract: A candy toy holder device which provides fun and visual pleasure for the consumer as well as providing a candy treat. The device includes an upper housing and a main housing which provides a support for a lollipop via a stationary stick holder secured to the main housing. The upper housing has one or more movable parts that perform a variety of movements. It may be constructed so that the movements include appendages moving around, up, down, in or out and the candy is designed to remain stationary whether or not the motion parts are active or inactive. The movements are activated by the use of a motor, a switching device and a power source. The power source is self contained within the main housing and the housing is designed in a manner that allows the battery to be replaced as well as the candy. Use of one or more gears and/or gearing systems allows the movements of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventors: Thomas J. Coleman, William K. Schlotter, IV, Princess Ann Coleman, Ann M. Schlotter
  • Patent number: 6083072
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating freestanding columns of compressible substances such as snow and sand. These freestanding columns can then be sculpted into any desired shape. The apparatus is placed on level ground, filled with the compressible substance after which the substance is compressed using hands or other implements. The operator then rotates the apparatus by pushing horizontally on the handles, thereby causing the apparatus to rise vertically due to the spiral grooves on the inside surface of the apparatus. As the apparatus rises vertically, the column of compressed substance remains stationary while creating space at the top of the apparatus for the addition of more of the compressible substance. The process is repeated until desired height is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Robert Patrick Brooks
  • Patent number: 6083076
    Abstract: An illuminating and sound generating string rotatable toy comprising a sponge disk affixed near one end of a shaft penetrating a sphere. This disk may be rotated by pulling a string that extends perpendicularly from the shaft through a hole in the diameter of the sphere. The free end of that string is furnished with a ring through which a finger of the user of the toy may be inserted. The toy also include a variable illuminating and sound generating device inside the sphere. Upon rotation this illuminates and releases sound. Colorful designs upon the disk create a profusion of color or optical illusion during rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Emmanuel Saint-Victor
  • Patent number: 6077144
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a candy holding device for holding a piece of candy and displaying a random message in response to a movement of the candy. The candy holding device includes a housing having a message display portion, a source of battery power disposed within the housing, a holder disposed within the housing and adapted to hold the stick, a switch disposed within the housing and adjacent to the stick such that a movement of the stick causes an actuation of the switch, and an electronic circuit coupled to the battery and the switch. The circuit is adapted to randomly select in the message display portion one from a plurality of messages in response to the actuation of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Toycept, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Fishman
  • Patent number: 6074268
    Abstract: There is disclosed a space accessory for forming a three-dimensional ornamental pattern. The space accessory includes a rotating center, necessary disk supports disposed along the rotating center and a predetermined number of vanes each having a design shape or pattern, said vanes being of the same shape, thickness and mass and fixed to the disk support for balanced rotation with a natural air current. For changes in the ornamental pattern of the space accessory there are only need in changes in the design or pattern of the vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Noboru Uenishi
  • Patent number: 6074266
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a candy holding device for holding a piece of candy and causing the piece of candy to be rotated. The candy holding device includes a housing, a drive system disposed within the housing, a rotatable member adapted to support a piece of candy so that rotation of the rotatable member by the drive system causes the piece of candy to rotate, a flexible member composed of an elastically deformable material, and an actuator coupled to the flexible member to cause a portion of the flexible member to move as the rotatable member rotates. The flexible member may be provided in the form of a face having a mouth area, and the actuator may be provided in the form of a connecting rod having a first end shaped in the form of a pair of lips and a second end operatively coupled to the rotatable member. The lips may be coupled to the mouth area so that the lips, the mouth area, and/or the cheeks of the face move in and out in synchronism with rotation of the candy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Oddzon, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc Zak
  • Patent number: 6071167
    Abstract: A toy includes a spherical outer casing, a circular coupling ring, a support member, a base and an inner toy body. The coupling ring is disposed around the outer casing, and is mounted pivotally on the outer casing about a first pivot axis that extends along a diameter of the outer casing. The support member has a plate portion with first and second end portions, and a pair of spaced-apart arm portions extending from the first end portion of the plate portion. The arm portions flank the coupling ring, and are mounted pivotally on the coupling ring about a second pivot axis that extends along a diameter of the coupling ring and that is perpendicular to the first pivot axis. The base engages releasably the support member, and is adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface for disposing the outer casing above the horizontal surface. The inner toy body is disposed in the outer casing, and is in frictional contact with an inner surface of the outer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Dah Yang Toy Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chieh-Te Yang
  • Patent number: 6059632
    Abstract: A plastic hula hoop incorporating a decorative outer fabric and a coupling member for securing the free ends of the hula hoop together and the free ends of the decorative fabric within the interior area of each free end of the hula hoop. The coupling member forms a single piece plastic component having a pair of channels on opposite sides of the central portion. The channels accept the free ends of the fabric during assembly such that when the free ends of the plastic hoop portion are urged together, the free ends of the fabric are captured and held securely within the interior area of the plastic hoop portion of the hula hoop. The coupling member is especially well adapted to function with non-stretchable fabric such as nylon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Mark S. Sassak
  • Patent number: 6056621
    Abstract: A hula hoop includes a spheres connected by a circular wire and each sphere has two recesses so that two magnets are received in the two recesses of the sphere. The wire has two ends which are securely connected with each other by an end member which is received in a spherical casing. The two magnets extend out from the outside of each sphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Ruey-Hsiung Lin
  • Patent number: 6052930
    Abstract: An ornamental display globe includes a transparent hollow sphere filled with a transparent liquid and a figurine disposed inside the sphere. The figurine is maintained in a preferred orientation in the transparent liquid when the transparent hollow sphere is subjected to movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Mr. Christmas, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Hermanson, Huang Meng-Suen
  • Patent number: 6045430
    Abstract: A toy flowerpot with movable toy flowers includes a pot defining a space in which a battery-powered transmission mechanism and more than one rotating mechanism are provided to rotate, elevate, and lower toy flowers connected to and located above the rotating mechanisms. The rotating mechanism each includes a rotational shaft connected to a central shaft of an actuating gear that is brought to rotate by gears included in the transmission mechanism and meshing with one another. An elevating cylinder is associated with and therefore rotates along with the rotational shaft. A wheel is connected to a lever horizontally extended from the elevating cylinder and rotatably moves along an inclined top surface of a hollow cylinder surrounding the elevating cylinder when the elevating cylinder rotates, and thereby brings the elevating cylinder to move up and down while rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Chin-Jung How
  • Patent number: 6042451
    Abstract: A doll includes a waist belt rotatably secured between upper and lower torso portions of the doll. A spring driven windup mechanism is supported within the upper torso of the doll and is operative to rotate the upper and lower torsos with respect to the waist belt. The waist belt further includes a pair of outwardly supported belt loops which may be used to hold the waist belt of the doll as the upper and lower torsos spin to simulate activities such as skating or dancing. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a cooperating support doll is configured to couple to the waist belt to simulate support typical of pairs skating or pairs dancing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph B. Feldman
  • Patent number: 6038812
    Abstract: A vase or similar container which includes a display support is formed by a tubular member having an open upper end, a closed lower end, a base support included in the closed lower end and an upper support disposed within the upper region of the tubular member. A vertically disposed elongated support rod is supported in the lower end of the tubular member and extends upwardly through the upper mounting aperture to support an electric motor for driving an active display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventors: Paul Belokin, Martin P. Belokin, Norman P. Belokin, Linda C. Baxter
  • Patent number: 6000989
    Abstract: A lasso toy comprises a generally elongate rope and a handle having an axial bore dimensioned to slidingly receive the rope. A swivel is provided on a first end of the rope and cooperates with the handle to permit rotational movement of the handle about the rope while limiting axial movement of the rope relative to the handle. The second end of the rope is detachably secured preferably by hook and loop fasteners to an intermediate portion of the rope and thereby create a noose. The fasteners permit the noose to release under moderate tension of the rope if the lasso is used unsafely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Strombecker Corporation
    Inventor: Steve E. Bacque
  • Cup
    Patent number: 6000985
    Abstract: A cup consists of an inner body, an outer body and a rotatable base located between a hollow space formed between the inner body and the outer body. The rotatable base has a decorative paper and a plurality of magnets facing coils contained in an annular groove opening to the bottom of the outer body. A battery unit, a control circuit and the coils are contained in the annular groove. When the coils are energized by electricity of the battery unit, then the rotatable base together with the decorative paper is rotated by repelling force of magnetic fields produced by the coils interacting with the magnets of the rotatable base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Wea Bor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mel-Fen Su Yeh
  • Patent number: 5997449
    Abstract: A hula-hoop includes a body having a hollow portion at an inner side thereof, and a plurality of rollers equi-distantly spaced apart and pivotally mounted in the hollow portion of the hula-hoop body. The rollers are covered by a soft outer sleeve and each roller projects slightly from the inner side of the hula-hoop body. When the user turns the hula-hoop at the waist portion, the rollers may enhance the turning of the hula-hoop, and may prevent possible injury to the waist portion. The hula-hoop is easy to dismantle and assemble to facilitate carrying. Additionally, the rollers may massage the waist of the user during play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Joseph Chen Lung Lee
  • Patent number: 5971829
    Abstract: A novelty amusement eating receptacle for supporting, rotating and sculpting a portion of ice cream or similarly malleable food while it is being consumed comprising: a hand-held housing, a cup rotatably supported by the hand-held housing and adapted to receive and contain a portion of ice cream or food product of similar consistency, and a drive mechanism in the hand-held housing for imparting rotation upon the cup and rotationally feeding its contents against a person's outstretched tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Richard B. Hartman
  • Patent number: 5964637
    Abstract: A crank is tangentially placed on a hoop by incorporating a tee member. The crank is rotatable 36.degree. degrees within the tee member. A handle extends from the crank arm and pivots to a position 90.degree. degrees of the crank arm to gain mechanical advantage to rotate and manipulate the hoop. A hand grip fits over the crank handle. As the crank is manipulated to impart revolutions to the hoop, the entire mechanism rotates within the axis of the handle and the hand grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: Mitchell Hardaway
  • Patent number: 5957746
    Abstract: A manually operable device for holding and rotating candy, such as a sucker, that requires only one hand to hold and operate. The device has a handle portion that may be held with one hand of the user. A trigger is carried by the handle for manipulation against the bias of a spring or the like using the same hand of the user as is holding the handle. Actuation of the trigger moves a rack which in turn both rotates and linearly moves a set of gears to rotate a shaft that extends out of the handle. Attached to the end of the shaft extending out of the handle is a sucker or lollipop that is rotated as a result of actuation of the trigger. The sucker may be carried on a dish which is attached to the shaft, outside of the handle portion, for rotation with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Imaginings 3, Inc.
    Inventor: Sidney Diamond
  • Patent number: 5941196
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for amusement of pet animals, which includes a base member, a stand mounted on the base member, a first arm mounted on the stand, a drive member mounted on the first arm, a second arm mounted on the first arm and engageable with the drive member so as to be movable by the drive member, a rotatable member connected to an end portion of the second arm and an object which is suspended from the rotatable member and which is swingable by the rotatable member upon movement of the second arm by the drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Rich Domanski
  • Patent number: 5895309
    Abstract: A hula-hoop adapted to be whirled around the body of a player by movement of the hips. The hoop includes an inflatable annular core formed of plastic film or other flexible material enclosed within an annular fabric casing to provide a hoop of high strength which when not in use can be collapsed and folded to assume a compact state for storage and shipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 5890946
    Abstract: A twirling toy utilizing a hollow member having an outer surface, an inner surface surrounding an inner chamber, and a mouth leading to the inner chamber. An endless rim extends outwardly from the inner surface and into the hollow member inner chamber. An elongated structure is used with the hollow member and includes a first end portion with an endless flange. The endless flange engages the endless rim on the inner surface of hollow member when the hollow member is rotated. A second end portion of the elongated structure includes a hand grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Steven L. Bloomfield
  • Patent number: 5888116
    Abstract: A ballerina doll (10) comprising a torso (12) and a head (14) having a neck (16) integral with the torso (12). A pair of arms (18) are connected to the torso (12). A pair of legs (20) are also connected to the torso (12). A ribbon (22) is provided with a facility (24) for connecting in a permanent manner a middle portion (26) of the ribbon (22) to a crown portion (28) of the head (14). In a first instance the ribbon (22) can be tied into a decorative bow (30). IN a second instance the ribbon (22) when untied can be gripped on it's free ends (32), by a thumb (34) and index finger (36) of a first hand (38) of a person (40), to be carried therefrom. In a third instance the torso (12) can be rotated in a first direction by a second hand (42) of the person (40) to twist the ribbon (22) when gripped by a first hand (38). When the torso (12) is released, the ballerina doll (10) will rotate in an opposite second direction, to simulate twisting and spinning while dancing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventor: June C. Espada
  • Patent number: 5836800
    Abstract: A pinwheel comprises a rotating seat, a screw rod passing through the rotating seat, a head disposed on a top end of the screw rod, and a plurality of blades connected to the rotating seat. The screw rod has a tip end. The rotating seat has a center hole, a plurality of periphery recesses, a plurality of enlarged grooves, a round hole, and a plurality of blocking plates. Each of the periphery recesses communicating with each of the corresponding enlarged grooves. A plug has a guide plate. The guide plate has a camber edge. The guide plate is inserted in the round hole. A spring is inserted in the round hole. A screw screws the round hole. Each of the blades has a post. The screw rod has a screw recess to receive the camber edge. Each of the posts is inserted in each of the corresponding enlarged grooves. Each of the blades is inserted in each of the corresponding periphery recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Chin-Hsiang Liu
  • Patent number: 5830031
    Abstract: A new Doll House Swivel Basement Add-On System for providing a basement in combination with a swivel base for an existing doll house thereby allowing a user to conveniently access all sides of the existing doll house. The inventive device includes a basement structure, a swivel base, a vehicle ramp, a porch, snap-on stairs, and a securing rim. The securing rim is for engaging a bottom portion of the exiting doll house. The swivel base allows the basement structure to rotate along with the existing doll house to allow the user access to all sides of the existing doll house.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventors: Cathy G. O'Brien, Carol A. R Gillis
  • Patent number: 5823846
    Abstract: A circular hoop for use as an exercise and entertainment hoop includes a hollow tubular plastic body having a decorative layer supported thereon. The decorative layer in turn supports various decoration and patterns. The tubular body further includes a transparent or clear layer of plastic material or the like which captivates the decorative layer upon the tube and provides an abrasion resisting layer which protects the decorative patterns during use. An interior passage is formed within the hollow tube and a plurality of objects such as spherical balls are freely movable therein to provide additional amusement during operation of the exercise and entertainment hoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin F. Arriola, Tichakorn Chaikumnerd, Janet K. Simmons, Diana L. McDonough, Isaak Volynsky
  • Patent number: 5823844
    Abstract: A vibrating toy is provided and includes a housing, a battery mounted within the housing, a motor mounted within the housing activated by the battery, a shaft driven by the motor, a mechanism on the shaft for imparting an eccentric vibration from the housing, a play element outside of the housing, and a mechanism for connecting the play element to the housing and through which the play element can receive vibrations generated from the mechanism that imparts the eccentric vibration. A weighted element attached to the shaft in a manner to unsymmetrically distribute weight imparts the eccentric vibration. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a vibration is transferred to the housing which in turn through contact vibrates a wire serving as the mechanism that connects to the play element. The invention further concerns a method whereby a live pet animal can be entertained by interaction with the aforementioned vibrating toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Eli Markowitz
  • Patent number: 5803786
    Abstract: A mobile for a baby's crib or playpen that is operated by a motor. The mobile is mounted to the crib or playpen by means of a resilient shaft that will move under the influence of vibrations from the motor, thereby imparting another type of motion to the mobile. In addition a tape recorder or sound chip is incorporated into the device so parents can play soothing music to the infant. The recorder or sound chip is voice activated and has a mode switch which allows a parent to operate the mobile upon hearing noise, to turn the mobile on manually, or to turn the mobile off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Kathy McCormick
  • Patent number: 5706596
    Abstract: A display having a spectacle shell, and a rotary mechanism disposed in the spectacle shell. A first doll is disposed on the outer periphery of the spectacle shell. A second doll is disposed above the spectacle shell. A middle disk is disposed on the spectacle shell. The middle disk is enclosed by a middle disk casing. An upper disk casing which encloses an upper disk is disposed on the middle disk casing. A third doll is disposed on the upper disk casing. A plurality of dolls are disposed on the middle disk casing. The rotary mechanism includes a plurality of gears and shafts to rotate the corresponding dolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Chin-Jung How
  • Patent number: 5690535
    Abstract: An improved candy pop holding device which includes two different spindle shafts each including a receptacle for holding a stick of a candy pop. The device includes a power supply, a switch for controlling the power supply, a motor for driving a suitable gearing system for rotating the two candy pops at a convenient rotation for consumption by a consumer. The motor and gearing system is designed to produce a desired torque and rotational speed to spin the two candy pops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventors: Thomas J. Coleman, William K. Schlotter, IV, Princess Ann Coleman, Ann M. Schlotter
  • Patent number: 5672089
    Abstract: A marble includes a ball of transparent material having an equatorial plane and a colored tone, and a sheet held inside the ball at the equatorial plane, the sheet having at least one picture on one side and a score on another other side thereof. The ball is formed by two hemispheres, each having a flat surface along the equatorial plane, the sheet is sandwiched between the two hemispheres, and the two hemispheres are welded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventor: Antonio Piera Bermejo
  • Patent number: 5672824
    Abstract: An asymmetrical balance device includes nine positions formed thereto, from position 1 to position 9, each of the positions being a center of gravity of a part disposed thereto, the center of gravity having a value the same as the numeral designating the position, the eight positions, except position 5, being arranged to form a square with the position 5 located at a center of the square, the square including an upper horizontal side, a lower horizontal side, a right vertical side and a left vertical side, the right vertical side respectively intersecting with the upper horizontal side and the lower horizontal side at position 2 and position 6, the left vertical side respectively intersecting with the upper horizontal side and the lower horizontal side at position 4 and position 8, the upper horizontal side and the lower horizontal side respectively having position 9 and position 1 located at a middle point thereof, the right vertical side and the left vertical side respectively having position 7 and position
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventor: Chao-chang Chiu-Wei
  • Patent number: 5666750
    Abstract: Ornamental display device for simulating snowfall over a display object or scene positioned within a housing comprises a liquid filled compartment rotatably arranged within the housing. The compartment includes first and second opposed sidewalls having aligned transparent portions defining a sealed interior cavity for receiving the liquid. The liquid within the cavity is substantially transparent and a plurality of snow-simulating flake particles are dispersed within the liquid. Blade members radially arranged within the compartment are oriented at a predetermined angle so as to transport flake particles from the lower zone of the cavity to the upper zone as the compartment is rotated. The transparent sidewall portions are aligned with the display object or scene so that the object or scene can be viewed during continuous recirculation of the flake particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: M.H. Segan Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Marc H. Segan, Gary Strauss
  • Patent number: 5641317
    Abstract: A transmission mechanism of a toy helicopter, including a casing disposed in a housing of the helicopter, a motor disposed in the casing and a gear set driven by the motor to drive a pair of cams. Each cam is formed with a peripheral groove within which two rocking arms are driven to regularly swing. The rocking arm simultaneously drives a linking lever and a torque spring. The torque spring drives a lifting support shaft to move up and down. The linking lever is levered about a fulcrum and has an inclined board at one end. The inclined board has an inclined side for contacting with two seat boards pulled by springs, whereby when the linking lever swings, the inclined side of the inclined board outward pushes the seat boards. When released from the pushing force, the seat boards are resiliently restored to home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Wen Ho Tsai
    Inventor: Tien Fu Huang
  • Patent number: 5617658
    Abstract: A carrousel including a hollow base covered with a bottom cover, the bottom cover having an endless, wave-like track at a top side around the center, a rotary table supported on the bottom cover and turned on its center, the rotary table having a plurality of equiangularly spaced through holes around the border, a drive mounted on the bottom cover inside the hollow base and controlled to turn the rotary table on its center, a plurality of sleeves respectively mounted in the through hole of the rotary table, and a plurality of tappet rods respectively and slidably inserted into the sleeves and movably supported on the endless, wave-like track to carry a respective ornament above the rotary table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventor: Corrina Chen
  • Patent number: 5603651
    Abstract: A bubble producing toy includes a rod or tether having a circular ring at one end to loosely encircle the user's lower leg or ankle. A bubble producing mechanism is secured to the outer end of the rod and is operative to produce bubbles when twirled about the user's leg. The bubble producing mechanism includes a housing which carries a power wheel rotatable in response to ground engagement during twirling about the user's leg to rotate a bubble plate within the housing. The bubble plate has a plurality of openings over which bubble-producing films are formed as the plate dips into a bubble-producing solution during rotation and moves the films successively through an air passage in the housing so that bubbles are formed through a discharge end of the air passage. The rod or tether is of sufficient length to require a skipping or hopping movement of the user's free leg so as not to impede twirling of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Shure Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Shure, Tai H. Matlin, James A. Waring
  • Patent number: 5601471
    Abstract: A platform on which is mountable a doll resembling a figure skater, the platform serving as a stage simulating a skating rink. Housed within the platform in a finger-actuated mechanism operatively coupled to the lower end of a shaft extending through an upright bearing anchored on the stage. The upper end of the shaft which is slidable in the bearing is clamped to one leg of the doll to support it above the stage. When the mechanism is actuated by a finger on one hand of the player, it then causes the shaft to rotate and thereby spin the doll. When the mechanism is actuated by a finger of the other hand, it then acts to raise the shaft and thereby lifts the doll above the stage. The player, therefore, by concurrently causing the figure skating doll to spin and lift, simulates a figure skating movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Inventor: Melvin Kennedy
  • Patent number: 5582532
    Abstract: A toy for dispersing reflective particles includes a hand-held support, a rotatable shaft extending from the support, and a hollow enclosure on the shaft rotatable therewith and housing the reflective particles. The enclosure has a plurality of spaced apertures therein through which the particles are caused to pass under centrifugal force upon rotation of the shaft. This causes a burst of the reflective particles to be dispersed into the surrounding air. The enclosure may angularly extend from shaft to aid in the dispersion of the particles. The toy is electrically operated by a motor and batteries housed within the support. The toy may also include a filler opening through which the particles are loaded into the enclosure and a closure which fits within the opening to prevent the particles from escaping through the opening after they are loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventor: Sheridan G. Tucker
  • Patent number: 5569134
    Abstract: A collapsible hula-hoop is formed of a plurality of extruded plastic tube sections which can be bent from a straight shape into an arcuate shape. The individual sections are connected by injection molded connecting joints, each made of a stiffer material than the tube sections. An elastic band is threaded through the tube sections and joints. This band is in a stretched condition with the sections being stacked in parallel and is in a stretched condition with the sections coupled together in an assembled hoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventor: Synnove Nordanger
  • Patent number: 5558550
    Abstract: A simulated finger is mounted for unnatural movement on a finger-ring structure so that the simulated finger appears to a casual observer to be the person's natural finger. In different examples, the movements are rotational or axial, and can expose a simulated bone and can be accompanied by appropriated sounds such as screeching or ratchetting. In another example, the simulated finger incorporated a whistle sounded by holding the tip of the simulated finger to the lips and blowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Mark Setteducati
  • Patent number: 5556318
    Abstract: A toy carrousel comprising a body which is formed by a stationary base part and a top part supported above the base part for rotation about a vertical axis. The base part includes a vertical shaft having an upper end reaching into the top part. The top part supports at least one decorative figure atop. The toy carrousel includes a drive mechanism provided in the base part for rotating the top part, which is formed by a motor and a train of gears to be driven by the motor to rotate the top part. The toy carrousel further includes a drive transmission mechanism provided at the upper end of the shaft for setting the decorative figure into individual motion relative to the top part upon rotation of the top part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: May Cheong Toy Products Factory Limited
    Inventor: Moon-Lam So
  • Patent number: 5553643
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for rapidly rotating a small enclosed transparent container and introducing a plurality of visually different materials into the rotating container to produce distinctive multi-aspect designs. The illustrated apparatus includes a support for releasibly holding one of the containers at a time for rotation about an axis, and a drive mechanism for causing the held container to rotate rapidly about that axis. The container has an entrance and the apparatus includes dispensers for selectively and sequentially introducing two or more of the visually different materials in flowable form into the entrance while the container is rotating. The materials have the capacity for maintaining themselves generally separate from the other materials in the rotating container. By way of example, the materials could be sands or gels of different colors or appearances. There may be a plurality of containers with a variety of different shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Adolph E. Goldfarb, David A. Jackson, Martin I. Goldfarb, Fred D. Eddins, Linwood E. Doane Jr.
  • Patent number: 5540610
    Abstract: A flying disc water toy is described. The toy preferably is circularly disc-shaped and includes a hard body, or upper external layer of closed-cell polymer foam material and an adhered soft body, or lower external layer of open-cell polymer having relatively defined fluid carrying capacity. The upper body preferably forms a relatively thin outer shell that extends laterally, through a smooth curve defining a peripheral region and then downwardly to provide a circularly air-confrontative airfoil providing substantial lift. The lower body preferably forms a relatively thick inner liner that extends substantially coextensively with the outer shell, and terminates in a circular edge or frusto-conical shaped radiating edge that inclines downwardly and inwardly from the terminal lower edge of the outer shell. The preferably forty-five degree (45.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Sneddon
  • Patent number: 5538455
    Abstract: A multi-colored twirling baton comprising a transparent tube having a transparent helical partition co-axially extending through the tube to form two separate helical fluid chambers. Two light-transmissive fluids of different colors fill respective ones of the chambers. Light transmitted through the baton displays a helical array of the two colors and a third color which is a blend of the other two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: James Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard T. James, II
  • Patent number: 5538454
    Abstract: Playthings, such as exercise and entertainment hoops, children's bats, batons and jump ropes, are provided with an elongated sheath of fabric tightly adhering thereto, the fabric sheath being available in a variety of decorative patterns at a low cost. This enables the base product to be mass produced in an inexpensive way in accordance with conventional practice, but then to provide such products with individualized appearance with the fabric covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Maui Toys, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Kessler
  • Patent number: 5536054
    Abstract: A lollypop holder of the present invention is designed to move a lollypop having a stick and a piece of hard candy at an end thereof in a wobbling motion. The lollypop holder comprises a generally tubular housing having an elongate chamber formed therein wherein the housing is adapted to be gripped within a person's hand. A power supply and a motor are located within the chamber of the housing. The motor is energized by the power supply and has a drive shaft which is rotatably driven. A switch is provided for selectively operating the motor. A gear train is driven by the drive shaft of the motor, the gear train also being located within the chamber of the housing. A lollypop receiving member has a first end portion which extends out of one end of the housing, the first end portion of the receiving member having an opening formed therein for receiving and securing the stick of the lollypop therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Jyco Inc.
    Inventor: Chu-Yuan Liaw
  • Patent number: 5514021
    Abstract: The present invention provides a coin spinner comprising a plate having a coin slit formed therein and in which a coin spinning mechanism consisting of a pair of leaf springs is encased. The plate is used with a savings box body having a coin receiver provided therein and also a transparent portion. Given a spinning force from the pair of leaf springs, a coin having been passed through the coin slit is spun on the coin receiver. The spinning coin is seen from outside the savings box body through the transparent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Tenyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Sugawara
  • Patent number: 5498192
    Abstract: A top is provided with a conical body having a soft porous parabolic point at the top's conical apex which simultaneously grips and tracks a writing surface over which the top travels. When the top is spun, the point at the apex grips the writing surface and allows the top to travel over the writing surface leaving an ink imprint in its path. During spinning, the top precesses with the rotating angular velocity characteristic of a top spinning down about a fixed point. However, the tip of the top at the conical apex does not remain fixed with respect to the writing surface; rather, the tip travels on its own course over the writing surface as a function both the angle of the tip with respect to the writing surface and the angular spin velocity of the top. As a consequence, the travel of the tip interacts with the forces of top precession to produce a group of characteristic traced spirals on the writing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: DoodleTop
    Inventors: Christopher B. McKay, Stephen deZordo