And Having Additional Portion Which Reciprocates Or Oscillates, Or Which Rotates About Distinct Axis Patents (Class 446/238)
  • Patent number: 9555340
    Abstract: An animation system with adjustable support of posable figures. A rotatable platform retains the posable figures along a circumference of a circle through adjustable supports. An animation mechanism, such as a slotted drum or a faceted, mirrored hub, is supported by the platform. The adjustable supports can comprise plastically deformable elongate posts to permit pivoting and longitudinal turning of the figures, adjustment in supported height of the figures, and lateral movement of the figures along the circumference of the circle and radially inward and outward. The elongate posts and the figures can have plastically deformable cores, such as bendable wires, at least partially encased in flexible bodies of material. Each figure can have a torso and a repositionable head and appendages. The elongate posts can have distal ends received by apertures in the platform along the circumference of the circle, proximal ends fixed to the figures, and bendable body portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Rufus Butler Seder
  • Patent number: 8858290
    Abstract: A push toy includes a collecting mechanism and a stirring mechanism in order to enhance the play value. The push toy is comprised of a handle, a housing, and a wheel assembly such that a user may roll the push toy along a support surface. The push toy may collect objects, such as toy balls, store the objects within the housing, and subsequently release or expel the objects so they may be collected again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob J. Clark, Michael Armbruster
  • Patent number: 8568191
    Abstract: A toy vehicle which may have the capability to raise and lower a spin mechanism within the vehicle to lift the vehicle up off of a surface and spin the vehicle in a top-like manner when the spin mechanism is charged. The vehicle may further include a chassis with a cavity to house the spin mechanism and a release mechanism to direct the spin mechanism to lower a spin shaft below wheels on the vehicle. Energy may be generated in a power drive system and transferred to the vehicle via a transfer gear in the spin mechanism. Another embodiment of the vehicle may also transforms between multiple configurations, including a spinning top, and utilizes a launch mechanism to spin the vehicle in a top-like manner. This embodiment may further include a sliding front segment, a sliding rear segment, two sliding side segments and a receiving cavity. When the sliding front segment and rear segment move toward one another, the two side segments are pushed outward and direct a spin shaft downward to extend below the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Rehco, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rehkemper, Ryan Kratz, Phillip H Fensel
  • Patent number: 8517790
    Abstract: A transforming vehicle and launch system where the vehicle transforms between multiple configurations including a spinning top. The vehicle includes sliding front and rear segments, two sliding side segments and a receiving cavity. The launch mechanism includes a rotating launch shaft in communication with a power system and a release button. The power system includes the capability to generate and store energy. When the front and rear segments move toward one another, the two side segments are pushed outward directing a central shaft downward below the vehicle. The receiving cavity receives the launch shaft and transfers energy from the power system to the vehicle when it rotates. Energy generated and stored in the power system is transferred to the second configuration via the rotation of the launch shaft when a release button is triggered such that the vehicle separates and spins on the central shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Rehco, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rehkemper, Ryan Kratz
  • Patent number: 7927170
    Abstract: A portable device comprises a motor for providing vibration, a power source for powering the motor, a switching device for controlling the direction of the motor, propelling means for engaging a surface and for propelling the device when the motor is vibrating, the propelling means extending downwardly at an angle to the vertical, and an input device connected to the switching device, the switching device arranged to switch the direction of the motor when the input device receives a predetermined signal. Advantageously, the propelling means comprise a set of bristles. By using angled bristles, this increases friction in the backwards direction and so causes the device to move forwards when vibrating. The bristles dig into surface when vibration tries to move the object backwards, and the bristles slide over surface when vibration tries to move object forwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: JKID Limited
    Inventors: Matthew James Bickerton, Michael Lee Simpson
  • Patent number: 7766717
    Abstract: A system is provided for representing an autonomous entity, which may be a winged entity. In a particular embodiment, the system includes a vessel having an interior that is viewable from outside the vessel. The system further includes a rotational drive system, a flexible shaft connected to the rotational drive system for rotation by the rotational drive system, and a display object positioned in the interior of the vessel and connected to the flexible shaft at a position that is spaced from the rotational drive system. In a particular embodiment, the display object has a plurality of wings, including a first wing and a second wing that is generally opposed to the first wing. Rotation of the flexible shaft causes the display object to move within the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Ted Shapiro
  • Patent number: 6764375
    Abstract: A rotabable decorative-article structure including a rotating device connected with and supported by a base device is disclosed. The rotating device includes a fixed seat, a motor, a guiding cylinder and a rotating seat. The fixed seat includes a through opening and an annular slot with a guiding surface. The motor with a shaft is mounted on the fixed seat. The guiding cylinder is located inside the annular slot and includes a guiding wall to form a guiding track with respect to the guiding surface. The rotating seat is rotatably furnished in the annular slot, and includes a ring gear driven by the shaft of the motor and at least one guiding pillar with a guiding wheel sliding within the guiding track. The rotating seat is individually rotated, and the optical fibers and/or the wires separately go through the opening of the fixed seat. Therefore, the fiber decorations can be further used to decorate the rotatable decorative article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Lieh-Liang Hsu
  • Patent number: 6582273
    Abstract: A music box transmission mechanism for a music box includes a first rotating member having a power device and rotating in one direction, a second rotating member having a wavy track and rotating in an opposite direction to that of the first rotating member, a limiting frame fixed on the first rotating member, and a moving members limited in the limiting frame, disposed on the wavy track of the second rotating member and moving up and down upon moving with the first rotating member. Furthermore, when the first rotating member and the second rotating member engage with each other and rotate in opposite directions, a plurality of movable ornaments respectively limited in special frames fixed on the first rotation member are disposed on an asymmetric wavy track of the second rotating member and move up and down smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: Yu-Kai Chen
  • Patent number: 6419544
    Abstract: A battery operated gyroscopic entertainment device is powered from a mating cradle, or from a battery supply within the device. The device includes an egg-shaped housing in which is disposed a high speed DC motor whose motor shaft preferably extends from each end of the motor. A hub member is attached to each shaft end, and a weighted belt is attached to each hub member. A central portion of the motor housing is fixedly attached to the device housing such that upon application of operating potential to the motor, the motor shaft, and the weighted hub members rotate at high speed, which imparts a gyroscopic action to the device. A cradle may be provided containing a power source, with power connections that mate to the device housing when the housing is placed within the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Parker, Edward C. McKinney, Charles E. Taylor, Richard J. Thalheimer
  • Publication number: 20020061704
    Abstract: An educational, interactive toy that symbolically represents emotions through visual, kinesthetic, and linguistic means. The toy includes a plurality of playpieces. Each playpiece corresponds to a particular emotion, e.g., love, happy, sad, mad, and scared, respectively. The toy also includes a container having a storage chamber into which the playpieces may be independently stored or withdrawn during the course of play. The toy helps an individual understand that the process of emotional experience occurs when individual emotions are named, verbalized, and expressed via a combination of one or more of action, language, facial expression, and/or voice tone. The toy invites children to name and express specific emotions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventor: Amy J. Donnan
  • Patent number: 6146234
    Abstract: An ascending/descending mechanism in which a face gear is rotated to drive two symmetrically arranged cylindrical gears, whereby two eccentric shafts fitted with the cylindrical gears are rotated in reverse directions. Two driven slide blocks are fitted with the short shafts of the eccentric shafts. The top ends of the driven slide blocks are fitted with two columns which are fitted in fitting holes of retaining blocks. When the cylindrical gears are reversely rotated, the short shafts of the eccentric shafts are slided within the slide slots of the driven slide blocks, whereby the columns are reciprocally moved up and down. Accordingly, the dolls or decorative articles at the top ends of the columns are alternately ascended or descended. The power source for driving the face gear can be a music bell or a motor, so that when the dolls or decorative articles at the top ends of the columns are alternately ascended or descended, a music or other audio/video effect is cooperatively created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Ya Yung Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin-Ya Yang
  • Patent number: 6024623
    Abstract: A bubble making toy includes a bubble making device having an impeller and a bubble wheel including a plurality of apertures. The bubble wheel rotates within a bubble making fluid reservoir for forming a film of bubble making fluid over the apertures. The impeller is arranged to rotate within an impeller housing and delivers a flow of air through the apertures for forming a substantially continuous stream of bubbles. Each of the impeller and the bubble wheel are driven from a drive axle to which at least one wheel is secured, and preferably, each are driven at a respective rotational velocity that is a respective multiple of the rotational velocity of the at least one wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: OddzOn, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Menow, Jeffery G. Rehkemper, Lewis Ray Dyson
  • Patent number: 5993284
    Abstract: A toy and reciprocating lamp holder arrangement includes a toy body holding a power drive, and a lamp holder unit coupled to the power drive, the lamp holder unit including a shell, two eccentric wheels revolvably mounted inside the shell, a shaft coupled between the eccentric wheels, a gear transmission mechanism driven by the power drive to turn the eccentric wheel and the shaft, and a plurality of cylindrical lamp holders arranged around the shaft between the eccentric shells coupled to respective annular tracks on the eccentric wheels, the cylindrical lamp holders being reciprocated along radial guide grooves on the shell when the power drive is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Jin-Long Chou
  • Patent number: 5986189
    Abstract: A music carrousel structure with various dynamic actions, including several decorative articles, a stem and a base. The power mechanism of the music box is fixed on a support tray. The power output shaft is engaged with a gear which is engaged with a toothed ring. The center of the toothed ring is disposed with a central disc which is on the same plane as the lower surface of the toothed ring. The above members are all hidden in a canopy. The canopy is fixed with a fixing disc or a hanging disc. The toy horses via copper rods are hung on outer periphery of the toothed ring or the support tray. The canopy is supported on the support rod. A stem in the support rod is connected with a transmission mechanism in the base, whereby the power is transmitted to the transmission mechanism. The decorative articles are fixed on the transverse levers and get into and out of the holes of the base by means of cooperation of the springs and waved block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Ya Yung Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin-Ya Yang
  • 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: 5525086
    Abstract: A launchable figurine device includes a figurine having wings capable of providing aerodynamic lift upon rotation of the figurine. A rotation imparting mechanism is releasably mated with the figurine to provide the requisite rotational velocity for launching the figurine into the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventors: John Gentile, Anthony Gentile, Karyn K. Silfies
  • Patent number: 5412889
    Abstract: An ornamental display assembly incorporates a pair of coaxial support members and has a decorative element mounted on each support member. A cam drive system provides one support member with reciprocating motion while providing the other support member with rotating motion. The drive system may include an eccentrically mounted circular cam in frictional contact with a drive disc associated with the ends of the support members, or may include a centrally mounted cam member having an offset cam stub which engages a slide member to provide the reciprocating motion and which may be either in frictional contact with a drive disc to supply the rotating motion, or may be drivingly connected to the drive disc via interengaging gear teeth. In each case, the sole power supply comes from the output shaft of a power source, such as a music box mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Giftec, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jack Hou
  • Patent number: 5163878
    Abstract: An ornamental carousel assembly is disclosed which simulates a full-size carousel in that various figurines are supported upon a revolving platform below a canopy. The canopy is formed from a flexible material and is supported on the rotatable platform by a canopy support assembly. The canopy support assembly is composed of a plurality of interconnected ring elements and is attached to the platform by various support rods which are spaced about the periphery of the platform. Since the canopy is made from a flexible material and the canopy support assembly may be disassembled into its individual links, the carousel can be shipped and stored in a relatively small container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Giftec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jack Hou, James Chen
  • Patent number: 5060947
    Abstract: A magnetic pendulum random number selector having a symmetrical field of permanent magnets mounted in its base, along with a pendulum with a magnetized mass supported to swing through the fields of the magnets. The magnets are arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical axis through the pendulum support point. The pendulum is manually set to swinging and comes to rest randomly at one of several locations above the assembly of magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Inventor: Guy E. Hall
  • Patent number: 4950199
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel push toy that includes a handle having a main shaft connected to an axle which includes at least two substantially circular members rotatably fitted thereon. The substantially circular members are rotatably engaged with each other such that when the push-toy is pushed or pulled across a surface, the substantially circular member engaging the surface rotates, thereby rotating the other substantially circular member which is not engaged with the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Kinderworks Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Kaplan, Edward B. Seldin
  • Patent number: 4890828
    Abstract: A plurality of ornaments are supported on a base within which a wind-up music box mechanism is housed for imparting rotational movement to a first ornament in driving engagement with a wind-up shaft of the mechanism, and alternating vertical movements to second and third ornaments supported on tappet rods engaged by a pair of offset eccentric cam members mounted on a drive shaft driven by the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Inventor: Jack Hou
  • Patent number: 4753436
    Abstract: A carousel mechanism 10 is disclosed and includes a housing 11, a fixed support disk 17 attached to the housing and having a hollow vertical shaft 19 attached to and extending therethrough. A drum 21 is disposed around vertical shaft 19 and fixed to the support disk 17. A spool member 22, having a pair of spaced disk ends 23, 25 and a central hub 27 is rotatably disposed on the vertical shaft 19 and has one end thereof supported by drum 21. A plurality of carousel figurines 50 are disposed within spool 22 with individual vertical support rods 52 therefor slidably extending through both ends of the spoon 22. An undulating track, formed of arcurate elements 64 and the surface of fixed support disk 17, serves to provide a route for wheels 62 carried on the ends of sliding support rods 52 to give a reciprocating vertical movement to figurines 50 as spool 22 rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Inventor: Josephine B. Sinclair
  • Patent number: 4613927
    Abstract: A signal indicator for an automobile in the form of a reduced-size model of an automobile is mounted behind the rear window of the automobile. Light bulbs inside the signal indicator are activated by the turn signals, brakes, backup signals, tail lights and emergency flashers of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Inventor: Wilbur Brandt