Including Markings Producing Visual Effect (e.g., Chromatic) Patents (Class 446/243)
  • Patent number: 9146159
    Abstract: The method is for identifying and selecting a color or a combination of colors. A color sphere (200) is provided that has a first color pocket (238) defined between a first horizontal disc (202) and a second horizontal disc (208) and vertical inserts (212c, 212b) extending between the first horizontal disc and the second horizontal disc. The first horizontal disc has a plurality of organized first spectrum of color cells and the second horizontal disc has a plurality of organized second spectrum of color cells. The first spectrum is gradually lighter than the second spectrum and gradually more gray from a peripheral surface (209) towards an axial opening (232a) of the first horizontal disc and an axial opening (232b) of the second horizontal discs. A first color cell (236) is identified in a first pocket (238).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Inventor: Nicoline Kinch
  • Patent number: 8482714
    Abstract: A stroboscopic animation system with a handheld stroboscopic light with a light source that emits stroboscopic flashes, a manually rotatable top, and images to be animated retained on the upper surface of the top, such as on an animation disk. The frequency of the stroboscopic flashes can be varied, such as by a rotatable dial, with the “on” portions remaining constant and the “off” portions being adjusted. The flashes can have a lower limit of 10 to 20 flashes per second and an upper limit of 100 to 110 flashes per second, the “on” portions of the flashing sequence can be between one-900th and one-1100th of a second, and the luminous intensity of the light source can be between 65 and 130 foot candles. An orientation switch can automatically induce an “off” condition when the light is disposed outside a predetermined angular range of orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Rufus Butler Seder
  • Patent number: 7909674
    Abstract: A dreidel has a flasher that visually enhances the experience of play. The dreidel can include a rotatable body having four sides, the rotatable body including at least one flashing device; each of the four sides having a transparent or translucent window, each window being marked with a Hebrew letter selected from ?(Nun), ?(Gimel), ?(Hei), ?(Shin) or ?(Pei); and a handle protruding from the rotatable body, the handle being configured to turn the flashing device on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventor: Raphael Goozner
  • Publication number: 20100048089
    Abstract: Described is a collectible marble set where the marble enhancements are tied to a media. The collectible marble set includes a plurality of marbles, the plurality of marbles having at least a first set of marbles and a second set of marbles. Each of the marbles have an insert therein, wherein the first set of marbles has an insert with a first color and the second set of marbles has an insert with a second color. The plurality of marbles are formed to be tied to a media having a first character set and a second character set, such that the first color represents the first character set and the second color represents the second character set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Armen Danielian, Leanne Howard, Christopher Samuels, Jeremy Padawer
  • Publication number: 20090036019
    Abstract: An apparatus useful as an educational device, puzzle or toy of a kind having magnetic interactions between an elongate support and pieces held, or to be held, with or without contact, about said support, wherein a plurality of said pieces collectively form, or can form, a first band of pieces about said support, and another plurality of said pieces form, or can form, a second band of pieces about the support, and wherein at least one piece of each said band has an indicia, said indicia of a piece in one band being able to be indexed to an indicia of a piece of the other band, and wherein at least one of the bands of pieces is able, or will be able, to be rotated about the elongate axis of the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Mark Randall Stolten
  • Patent number: 6843701
    Abstract: A design making toy includes a housing having a bottom wall, an upper wall and a peripheral wall. A motor is mounted in the housing. An axle coupled to the motor extends upwardly through the upper wall. The motor is adapted for rotating the axle. A platform is attached to the axle such that the axle extends through the platform. The axle is orientated substantially perpendicular to a plane of the platform. A panel has an upper surface and a bottom surface. The panel has a centrally located aperture extending therethrough. The panel is removably positionable on the platform such that the axle extends through the aperture and the upper surface faces away from the platform. The platform may be rotated and a writing utensil positioned against the upper surface such that a spiral design is positioned on the upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Michael Arnone
  • Patent number: 6769951
    Abstract: A wind-actuated, spinning novelty device enabling a user to quickly, easily and interchangeably mount and transport a dual-head rotational device on a vehicle and to enjoy an active display along with coincident display of a selected logo, mascot depiction, design and/or vocal, thereby enabling a user to demonstrate patriotism, support for a sports team or to display any other personal interest capable of visual and/or audible expression by providing a dynamic showcase for individual interests and/or beliefs through the incorporation of effects such as, for exemplary purposes only, holographic images, reflective ornamentation, distinctive coloration, lights, insignias, licensed characters, other special visual effects and/or other notable styles or features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Inventor: Delvon Collier
  • Patent number: 6604978
    Abstract: A top toy comprises a hand-held paddle with a contact portion and a handle portion, designed to manipulate, catch and throw a spinning top. The toy has two or more sides configured with substantially flat contact surfaces meeting at a periphery juncture to define an acute angle, such that the spinning top may be scooped or lifted from another surface onto the contact portion. The contact portion includes a perimeter ridge having a gap adjacent the handle, to enable a user to direct the spinning top onto the handle portion, to thereby manipulate, catch, or throw the spinning top from either the contact portion or the handle. The top and/or paddle may be constructed from or covered with glowing or glow-in-the-dark materials or substances to cause the top and/or paddle to glow in the dark, or provide enhanced visibility in daylight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Abel
  • Patent number: 6447857
    Abstract: A show pom provided with a first set of streamers extending from the two ends of a baton handle and a second set of retractable streamers that retract within the ends of the hollow baton handle. The second set of streamers are usually constructed of a different color than the first set of streamers and are retracted into the baton handle so that the second set of streamers are not visible until they are deployed by spring action out the two ends of the baton handle by depressing a trigger pin provided on the baton handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventors: Kendall Ann Roberts, William R. Kampfe
  • Patent number: 6179738
    Abstract: A thin, planar flying toy has a plurality of radially extending, equiangularly spaced, relatively constant width arms extending from a central hub. Each arm has a given length that is substantially greater than the width of each of the arms. The central hub and the arms lie substantially within a common plane with the edges of the arms extending substantially perpendicularly between the first and second surfaces. The process for producing the flying toy includes cutting a planar sheet of plastic material to define the planar body that includes the central hub from which relatively constant width, equiangularly spaced arms radially extend. The material can be translucent with translucent or opaque indicia thereon to produce optically perceived patterns in flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Peter M. Perthou
  • Patent number: 6089945
    Abstract: A yo-yo having a multi-image lenticular instruction system. The system is incorporated into at least one of the yo-yo's side members via a side cap that is secured to the side member and is readily visible. The instruction system functions by displaying sequential images showing how to perform a predetermined yo-yo trick. A user can manually manipulate the yo-yo to display the images in either a forward or reverse order and at any speed the user desires. By watching the images, the user can easily see how to perform the displayed yo-yo trick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Playmaxx, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Van Dan Elzen
  • 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: 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: 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: 5393258
    Abstract: A cover for fitting over the open end of a can, glass, cup or carton type beverage container which employs a straw extending into the container for siphoning liquid therefrom and an impeller mounted in a trough in the housing forming a part of the cover for connecting to and rotating a display device, the improvement including the utilization of an air stream into the cover and against the impeller created by the negative pressure created in the container upon withdrawal of beverage therefrom for rotating the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventor: Don S. Karterman
  • Patent number: 5288260
    Abstract: A color variation device for educational and/or entertainment purposes has a color mixing unit which comprises a number of color variation components.. The color mixing unit can be set in motion by a motion manipulation unit while each color variation component contains a mechanism that can make the color on the visible surface of the color variation components be changible by the players. The color variation components are suggested to be configured with triangular pyramidal shape that are radially placed around the horizontal center of a circular color mixing unit sequentially in the direction of the color mixing unit motion. Different combination of colors selected on each color variation component on the color mixing unit can generate different colors when the color mixing unit is set in motion by the motion manipulation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventors: Haw-Renn Chen, Feichu H. Chen
  • Patent number: 5222738
    Abstract: A gambling device has a base plate (1') and attached to the latter a spring rod (2) to be set moving in bending oscillations. Several disks (15 to 18) are arranged on the latter. The lowermost disk is formed as a catch disk (18) to which pin-shaped spacers (21) and upwards protruding catching pins (22) are attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Werner & Pfleiderer GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Muller
  • Patent number: 5031803
    Abstract: A receptacle for containing and receiving things has a hollow body with a groove on its outer surface. At least one article, which can be moved manually or spontaneously, is movably confined by the groove. The visual movement of the article on the groove provides an amusing effect to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Great Truth Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ying-Che Chen
  • Patent number: 4990091
    Abstract: Apparatus for teaching color combinations includes a generally cylindrical spinner member having first and second apertures extending therethrough proximate to the geometric center thereof and a loop of twine extending through the openings with a portion thereof disposed on each side of the spinner member. The apparatus also includes apparatus for securing a plurality of colored members on the circumferential surface of the spinner member. This apparatus may include other apparatus for securing comprising a plurality of pockets dimensioned and configured for receiving respective generally planar colored members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Saeed Mir-Heidari
  • Patent number: 4934712
    Abstract: A weighted object is attached to a tether and the tether is twisted to cause the weighted object to spin and to change in vertical position. The apparatus which causes the tether to twist can also orbit through a path to cause horizontal motion of the weighted object thereby providing three-dimensional movement to the weighted object. Movable objects are provided as targets for the weighted object with points being given for producing interaction between the weighted object and the movable objects. Also, due to the resonance properties of the tether, many different sculptural forms within the harmonies can be created. By stroboscopically illuminating the tether, further visual forms can be observed. By pulsating the lights on the weight many visual effects can be produced along with altering the tether to produce special effects for film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Inventor: Thomas R. Byrd
  • Patent number: 4906216
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a top which may be used as a toy and/or as a marketing promotional tool. The top has a base member with a central aperture, at least two bendable arms, each having an aperture for receiving a stem member, and a stem member for holding the arms in position relative to the base member and for acting as a pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Inventor: Matthew Abeshouse
  • Patent number: 4631848
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a rotary indicating device adaptable to, for example, wheel covers for motor vehicles. The device includes a rotary base member having, on its front or rear surface, a plurality of indication regions which respectively consist of completely the same desired images and arranged at equal angular intervals about a rotary axis of the rotary base member. When the rotary base member rotates at more than a predetermined rotational speed, an observer located at a predetermined position with respect to the device can view a distinct constant image, appearing at a predetermined position of the rotary base member, due to the after image phenomenon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hiroki Iwasa, Kyozo Ohmi, Tokuhiro Amano
  • Patent number: 4600399
    Abstract: A sequential action toy has a housing with a motor located in the housing. A disc is connected to the motor with the motor rotating the disc within the housing. The disc has a first and second cam surface located on it with the first cam surface extending axially a greater distance away from the surface of the disc than the second cam surface. A first movable member is mounted on the housing in association with the disc and includes a cam follower located thereon which is capable of being engaged by both the first and the second cams as the disc is rotated by the motor. Engagement of the cam follower on the first movable member moves the first movable member on the housing. A second movable member is also associated with the disc and includes a cam follower located thereon, except the cam follower on the second movable member is only capable of engaging the second cam on the disc with the second movable member then moving in response to engagement by the second cam as the disc is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: Tomy Kokyo, Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Abe
  • Patent number: 4555235
    Abstract: This invention, a return top with multiple designing means enables the child to make numerous design changes in his or her return top to satisfy the creative desire or need of the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Inventor: Robert C. Burroughs
  • Patent number: 4507097
    Abstract: A toy assembly which is battery operated to provide a moving design pattern which is visually enhanced by a transparent cover of varying density, the assembly including a unique actuating and interrupting switch arrangement and a unique coupling arrangement for several of the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: Handi-Pac, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald R. Klawitter