Sounding Patents (Class 446/265)
  • Patent number: 11724207
    Abstract: An adjustable counterweight for a yo-yo allows for the addition or subtraction of weight plates in a midsection of the counterweight assembly. The counterweight includes a first portion having at least one post, a second portion having at least one post, at least one weight plate having at least one aperture, and a bore that extends through the first portion and the second portion, and is configured to receive a fastener. The at least one weight plate is disposed between the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: FLAMBEAU, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Zavracky
  • Patent number: 10780364
    Abstract: A children's toy includes a base having an upper portion and a lower portion and a driving mechanism operably connected to the lower portion of the base. The driving mechanism is configured to move the base along a plurality of paths. One or more lights operably connected to the base are configured to display a patterned light display as the base moves along one of a plurality of paths. A removable member is also included for placement on the base with a sensor on the base triggered by the removable member which affects the path of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: SKIP HOP, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin Bearsch, Hui Jin, Janet Villano
  • Patent number: 10600395
    Abstract: A miniature interactive lighted electronic drum kit is provided. The kit includes a supporting base member, a drum set, and a cymbal set. The drum set cymbal set each includes at least one scaled miniature representation of a musical percussion instrument. The kit further includes one or more speakers, a plurality of light sources, which are mounted within or on the drum kit and base, and a microcontroller in operable communication with a power source, the one or more speakers, and/or a plurality of light sources. One or more switches is operably connected to the microcontroller, wherein actuation of the switches may cause them to initiate a sequence of electrical signals to activate the one or more figures and/or activate at least one of the plurality of lights. The one or more switches are attached to a miniature bass drum and cymbal stand pedals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Inventor: Marlan Bell
  • Patent number: 7997951
    Abstract: Materials and methods for making and using a bird call device involving a surface having a central axis perpendicular to the surface and an opening that is displaced from the central axis by a distance, with the opening being shaped to emit a bird call when the surface is rotated about the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Loontune, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell Rooney
  • Publication number: 20100255752
    Abstract: A manually powered spinning toy is described. The spinning toy includes a core having two ends. The core and ends are formed in a suitable shape to allow the toy to spin, such that a user can position one of the user's fingers against one of the ends and, by pushing down on the end, the end is forced down and ultimately away from the user's finger, thereby causing the toy to spin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Jim McCafferty, Greg Leong, Steven Douglas DeLacy
  • Patent number: 7749044
    Abstract: A manually operated air-driven music box which will generate music at a relatively constant tempo as a user moves the music box back and fourth in opposite directions through the air. The music box has a rotatable drum cylinder to activate tone arms. A first propeller on one end of a drive axle and a second propeller on an opposite end of the drive axle rotate the drive axle as the music box is moved through the air. A gear mechanism for the drive axle rotates the drum cylinder in the same direction as the drive axle is rotated by the propellers. The first propeller is constructed to rotate in a counterclockwise direction and the second propeller is constructed to rotate in a clockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Harald Herglotz
  • Publication number: 20090221211
    Abstract: The invention described herein provides game systems or devices that typically include a projector for projecting a plurality of images or colors at different positions in space, a source of music, and a controller configured to coordinate the presentation of the images or colors with the music.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Phong David Ngo, Patricia L. Christen, Frederick P. Dillon, IV, Nicole Lee Guthrie, Ellen Louise LaPointe, Lalita Kikuyo Suzuki, Richard L. Tate, II, Mark A. Wallace, Elizabeth Ji-Eun Song, Daniel E. Cawley, Christine B. Brumback, Sven D. Newman, Rajiv Kantilal Patel
  • Patent number: 7374481
    Abstract: A sequencing game is provided with a housing and a microprocessor disposed within the housing. A plurality of manually operable controls are affixed to the housing and are in communication with the microprocessor. The microprocessor generates and sensorially renders a sequence of events, wherein each event is related to one of the manually operable controls. Each manually operable control is externally acutable by a participant for responding to said sequence of signals. The microprocessor further compares the participant's response to said sequence of events for determining the correctness of the participant's response. The difficultly of the game is increased with a motor that drives wheels which move the game while the sequence of events are being sensorially rendered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Rehco, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Rehkemper, Jeffrey Rehkemper
  • Patent number: 7361074
    Abstract: A non-battery operated rotating light and/or noise making toy apparatus is disclosed. The system includes a handle to which is connected an electro-mechanical LED power generation chamber. One or more LEDs are electronically connected to the power generation chamber. The power generation chamber contains a series of gears that drive a magnet through a rotational frequency dependent on the gear ratio. The magnet, in turn, induces a current into an induction coil with each rotation of the magnet as it rotates in a circular fashion via its positive and negative poles. The induced current consists of a positive and negative current. Current is fed into one or more LEDs or any type module such as a noisemaker, creating a standing pattern lighting effect and/or noisemaker. The frequency of the lighting of one LED is a function of the gear ratio with respect to the primary gear rotation to magnet rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Rapid Pro Manufacturing, Martin and Periman Partnership
    Inventors: Douglas M. Periman, Ronald A. Angstead, Patrick Bertsch, Brent W. Murray, Armand J. Ferraro, Jr., Ralph M. Martin
  • Patent number: 6933431
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of TG (tone generation) units includes a plurality of TG elements corresponding to a plurality of tone pitches. A plurality of resonant boxes are provided in corresponding relation to the TG units, and each box is formed of a material having a characteristic different from the materials forming the other boxes. One or more of the TG elements to be driven for tone generation are determined on the basis of tone pitch designating information and tone color setting information, and the determined TG elements are driven to vibrate. Because the resonant boxes are formed of different materials, tones can be generated with peculiar tone colors in accordance with the materials of the resonant boxes corresponding to the vibrated TG elements. In an alternative, the TG elements in each of the TG units may be formed of a material of a characteristic different from materials forming the TG elements of the other TG units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeru Muramatsu
  • 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: 6648647
    Abstract: A toy is disclosed. In one embodiment, the toy includes a base. A rotating element is on the base and rotates about an axis. A child can cause the rotating element to rotate about the axis by pressing an actuator at the center of the rotating element. A set of image elements can be on the rotating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Wood, Jorge Gabriel Soto, Barbara Mattson
  • Patent number: 6638135
    Abstract: An animated display comprising a lower sleeve assembly which itself includes a lower outer sleeve and a lower inner sleeve concentrically positioned within the lower outer sleeve. Also included in the animated display is an upper sleeve assembly comprising an upper outer sleeve having an upper inner sleeve concentrically positioned therewithin. The upper sleeve assembly is selectively retractable into and extensible from the lower sleeve assembly in a telescoping fashion. The animated display further comprises an actuation assembly which is cooperatively engaged to the lower and upper sleeve assemblies. The actuation assembly is operative to facilitate the rotation of the lower inner sleeve relative to the lower outer sleeve, the rotation of the upper outer and inner sleeves relative to the lower sleeve assembly, the retraction of the upper sleeve assembly into the lower sleeve assembly, and the extension of the upper sleeve assembly from the lower sleeve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Sui Lun Fong
  • Patent number: 6595827
    Abstract: The present invention is a swinging toy intended for the purpose of recreation, physical and mental health, agility and leisure purposes. The present invention includes a padded object and a cord with a hand or finger loop. The object includes a central cavity that may selectively or permanently contain a substance. The substance may include colored water, beads which may glow in the dark, chemiluminescent fluid, batteries together with a light, reflective material, e.g, tin foil, chemical compositions that alternate between colors or other such substances, or magnetically powered light sources. Further, a decorative tail may be attached to the end of the object to enhance the user's enjoyment of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Lance A. Kirley
  • Patent number: 6551167
    Abstract: A playground-spinning element with noise making device for use in association with a playground set is provided. The element allows the user to play using fine motor skills such that the user causes the creation of rain-like sounds by his action. The element also provides interest in that the user, and other viewers, may view the spinning of an interestingly shaped object. In a preferred embodiment, the device housed within a play panel such that it is visible from two sides, and can be accessed by users on both sides of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Playcore Wisconsin Inc.
    Inventor: Amy E. Duck
  • Patent number: 6547631
    Abstract: A prayer doll having a moveable head, limbs, and eyes, the moveable head, the limbs, and the eyes, pivotally mounted to the prayer doll, the other limbs, and the eyes; and a motion control system. The motion control system has: a motor and drive means, the motor driving the drive means, the drive means driving a plurality of cams, each of the cams driving a respective cam follower, each of the cam followers adjoined to a push pull cable atone end of the cable, each of the limbs, each the eyes, and the head adjoined to a respective opposing end of the cable, each of the cable imparting motion to the respective head, limb, eye. The prayer doll may also have an audio playback system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Suzonne L. Randall
  • Patent number: 6497603
    Abstract: A musical hoop toy may be provided with a hoop structure, a sensing mechanism coupled to the hoop structure and being disposed on an interior side of the hoop structure such that, when the hoop structure is spun around a person's waist, the sensing mechanism will be periodically activated by a portion of the person's waist, an audio speaker coupled to the hoop structure, and a controller operatively coupled to the sensing mechanism and the audio speaker. The controller may include a processor, a memory, and a computer program stored in the memory. The computer program may have a computer program portion that causes a music sequence to be generated and a computer program portion that causes an audio sound effect to be generated in response to each activation of the sensing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignees: M Design, Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Magers, Gerald A. McDonald, Michael Risso
  • Patent number: 6447362
    Abstract: A rotating musical remote control baby mobile device. The baby mobile device has a base attached to a crib or piece of furniture. The device also includes a music box, an extending arm and rotatable bear attached to the arm. The mobile has several animal figures that can be removed from the mobile using snap hooks or hook and loop fasteners. These individual animal figures can be safely given to an infant or newborn for holding or teething. The baby mobile device can also be controlled by an infrared remote control that can be attached to a piece of furniture or conveniently hung by a foldable handle on a door knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventors: Lisa Khamphilavong, Alisha Khamphilavong
  • Publication number: 20020077021
    Abstract: Disclosed is a toy system for downloading digital contents via the internet and processing the downloaded digital contents through real time cooperation between a computer and a toy. The computer comprises a recording medium which stores digital contents and a digital contents driving program. The toy comprises a microprocessor, a communication port, a digital sound decoder, a speaker, a motor driving unit, a motor, an LED/lighting device and an LED/lighting device control unit. The digital contents comprise image data, first and second sound data and motion control data. The digital contents driving program processes the following steps: reading the digital contents; displaying the image data of the digital contents on a screen of the computer; outputting the second sound data of the digital contents to a speaker of the computer; and transmitting the first sound data and the motion control data of the digital contents as a packet form to the toy connected with the computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Soon Young Cho, Jung Ho Moon, In Seob Lee, Sang Kyu Park
  • Patent number: 6398618
    Abstract: A toy consists of a base, a cap and a toy model. The base has stationary wheels and a movable wheel located on the bottom section thereof. The movable wheel may be driven through a gear set by battery power for moving the base around. The cap has a hollow casing located on the top section to house a motor that is driven by a battery for rotating the cap through another gear set. The base has an arched gear rack located on the top surface. By way of an elastic element and a lever to couple with the gear sets and arched gear rack, the cap may be moved to the left and right, and rotated positively and reversely to generate a wide variety of simulative motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: Wen-Long Wu
  • Patent number: 6386940
    Abstract: A motion toy transmission mechanism includes a bottom plate, a clockwork-driven musical box fixedly mounted on the bottom plate, the clockwork-driven musical box having a clockwork shaft and a handle fixedly fastened to the clockwork shaft and spaced below the bottom plate for turning by hand to fasten up the clockwork of the musical box, a drive gear fixedly mounted on the output shaft of the musical box, a driven gear mounted on the bottom plate and meshed with the drive gear; a rotary disk supported on the bottom plate and rotated by the driven gear upon releasing of the clockwork of the musical box, the rotary disk having an internal gear meshed with the driven gear, and a pressure member mounted on the bottom plate and spaced around the musical box to guide rotary motion of the rotary disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Chao Chang Chang
  • Patent number: 6174215
    Abstract: A double deck rotational music box includes a base, a musical kit, a seal cap and a rotational upper cap. A spring knob is located above the base and engages the upper cap. Through turning a spindle and the spring knob, the upper cap and the ornament of the music box may rotate in opposite directions concurrently to produce novel visual and audio amusement effects. The spring knob may be turned easily and safely without turning over the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Barry Shih
  • Patent number: 6149492
    Abstract: A portable game call ideally adapted for turkey hunting is user transformable between a variety of configurations for producing selected, game-attractive sounds. A rigid supportive hub assembly, generally in the form of a parallelepiped at least temporarily mounts the remaining parts for transportation and storage. The hub assembly comprises an upwardly projecting dome that removably gimbel mounts a ring assembly. The removable ring assembly mounts two radially spaced apart, outwardly extending strikers that can be rubbed across a frictional striking surface on the call for making "peg and slate" sounds. An outwardly extending hollow metal suction tube located between the strikers makes "wing bone" sounds. An elongated, blade-like sounding vane removably coupled to the call is slidably received within a slot in the hub. A timing cord extending between the vane and the ring enables the vane, once removed, to be spun in the air by a hunter to produce the "Pulmonic Puff" sound of the wild turkey gobble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Penline Production L.L.C.
    Inventor: James Deff Davis, Jr.
  • 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: 5928057
    Abstract: The invention is a rattle particularly for use at sporting events to generate an interesting noise. The rattle is preferably manufactured by plastic injection moulding and has two components only, namely a handle and a rotor journalled for relative rotation therebetween. The handle has a grip portion, and a toothed portion remote from the grip portion and preferably the toothed portion is manufactured by moulding integrally with the grip portion. The rotor has at least one vane adapted to sweep the toothed portion as the rotor rotates relative thereto and is assembled onto the handle by passing the toothed portion axially. A retainer retains the rotor and handle together while permitting said relative rotation. Preferably, the toothed portion has two sets of teeth and the rotor has twin vanes to sweep respective teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Stefan Teczynski
  • 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: 5810636
    Abstract: An autorotating flyer (10) having a sound-making device (80) for generating an audible sound during descent of the autorotating flyer (10) to the ground after having been thrown into the air. The audible sound generated by the sound-making device (80) is a result of air being passed therethrough during rotation of the autorotating flyer (10). The sound-making device (80) may generate a whistle, a buzzing sound, or any other sound which may be created using the passage of air through the sound-making device (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: William D. Harned
  • Patent number: 5763796
    Abstract: A box having a base, a top rotatable relative to the base, and a motor connected within the box to the base and the top for causing the relative rotation thereof. The base and top are each covered with fabric secured thereto within the interior of the box. A retainer is connected to one of the base and top, positioned within the box and holding the fabric coverings substantially apart for reduced rotary friction. Resilient locking members secure the retainer to the top and the top to the base. In a preferred embodiment, the motor is a music-playing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: The First Years Inc.
    Inventors: James Joseph Britto, Lai Ying Wong
  • Patent number: 5736659
    Abstract: A rotating musical serving plate (10) with a serving plate (12) removably attached thereto. A support (14) has a base (14A) which is securely attached to a lower distal end of a pedestal (14B). The upper distal end of the pedestal (14B) is securely attached to a bearing ring (14C) having a plurality of bearing retainers (14CA) functioning to rotatably restrain a plurality of bearings (14CB). A drive (16) has plurality of mounting lugs (16AA) securely attached around an outside lower distal portion of a perimeter of a drive housing (16A). The drive (16) is securely attached to the base (14A) by a plurality of mounting lugs (16AA) by a fastener. An upper distal end of the drive housing (16A) is securely attached to a drive cover (16B). The drive cover (16B) at a central portion is securely attached to a drive spindle bearing (16D). The serving plate spindle socket (12AA) cooperates with a drive fluted adapter (16E) to securely removably attach the serving plate spindle socket (12AA) thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: Richard Kyle, Jr.
  • 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: 5399136
    Abstract: A toy and exercising device that utilizes a rounded body, such as a sphere, a pair of cord segments through said sphere on each side, and a pair of handles attached to the ends of the cord segments. The cord segments are spaced to allow twisting of the cord upon itself on each side of the device to cause the sphere to be rotated in a forward and reverse direction by pulling against the twisted cord with the handles. The exercising device can be adjusted to require variable force to successfully rotate the sphere in both directions by providing for variable spacing of the apertures that receive the cord on each side of the sphere. The device may also include a variable illuminating device inside the sphere that will illuminate above a certain predetermined rotational velocity. The device can also include variable audible sounds generated by surface elements disposed in or on the surface of the sphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Owl Toy & Novelty Corporation
    Inventor: Philip D. Bart
  • Patent number: 5371318
    Abstract: A motion generation mechanism particularly adapted for use in a music box is mounted in connection to the driving spring of a music box so as to permit the motion generation mechanism to actuate the head and limbs of a doll-like object to motion in tune with the music played by the music box. The motion generation mechanism is equipped with a first swing wire and follower arm wherein the follower arm is actuated by the swing wire to produce a swinging motion and a driving shaft associated with the follower arm is accordingly twisted back and forth. In the meanwhile, the second, third and fourth sets of swing wires and follower arms are driven by the back and forth twisted driving shaft to produce repetitive swing motions, causing the head, limbs of a doll-like object to move or dance in tune with the music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventors: Feng H. Hsu, Ching-fa Huang
  • Patent number: 5226845
    Abstract: A music box having a hollow base within which a power supply and a driving mechanism are installed. A platform is rotatably mounted on the base to be driven by the driving mechanism on which a music playing doll and a dancing doll are movably and rotatably mounted. Each of the dolls has a driving rod secured thereon and the driving rods are guided by an activity generation plate which is disposed under the platform and driven by the driving mechanism to move and rotate the dolls. The activity generation plate has a circumferential groove in a wavy form in a plane parallel with the activity generation plate to receive therein an offset extension of one of the driving rods so as to move the extension portion in a radial direction and thus rotate the driving rod forth and back as the activity generation plate rotates. The activity generation plate further includes several ridge portions thereon to move the other driving rod up and down when the activity generation plate rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Inventor: Chih C. Wu
  • Patent number: 5145443
    Abstract: A hoop type toy is provided having a sound generating system for generating a tone, a steady simple beat, a rhythmic beat, or a tune. In certain embodiments, sound generation only occurs when the hoop is in motion. In other embodiments, the rate, pitch, speed, and/or loudness of the tone, beat or tune varies with the rate of rotation of the hoop. In the preferred embodiments, the sound generating system includes a speaker and a circuit board having an IC chip and integral motion detector. In this way, ruggedness, low cost, and small size are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignees: Cygnet, Inc., Link Group International
    Inventors: Gintaras A. Vaisnys, Philip C. Black, Barry Y. Piels, Robert S. McDarren
  • Patent number: 5115756
    Abstract: A pennant assembly (10) including a pennant unit (11) rotatably supported on a pole unit (12) by a support unit (13) and further including a noise making unit (14) operatively deployed between the support unit (13) and the pole unit (12) whereby noise will be generated as the support unit (13) rotates relative to the pole unit (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Inventor: John J. Maffei
  • Patent number: 5104347
    Abstract: A carousel mechanism includes spaced upper and lower rotatable platforms, a plunger assembly for rotating the lower platform, and a plurality of rollers which are rotatably mounted between the upper and lower platforms and operative for communicating rotation from the lower platform to the upper platform. The plunger assembly is manually depressible and it includes a clutch assembly for rotating the lower platform as the plunger assembly is resiliently returned to an upwardly extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Playskool, Inc.
    Inventor: Leif J. Askeland
  • Patent number: 5085611
    Abstract: An amusement device for a bicycle wheel is disclosed. According to the present invention, the amusement device comprises a whistle, and a means for attaching the whistle to the wheel such that when the wheel rotates, wind passes through the whistle and produces a sound audible to a human ear. The present whistle 10 is a reversible whistle because it will produce a noise when air flows into the whistle from two different directions. The present invention is a double whistle because it funnels air from one direction into two separate whistle elements. The whistle 10 is also a double reversible whistle 10 because it can funnel air into two different whistle elements with air flowing in two different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: NCM International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald R. Sorensen, Raymond J. Gradecki, Daniel J. E. Finkiewicz
  • Patent number: 5041048
    Abstract: A multiple graphics selection toy having a plurality of graphics-bearing elements that are individually rotatable between a position in which the graphics are concealed and a position in which the graphics are revealed, and having a manually operable selector control by which an individual graphics-bearing element is moved from either of the positions to the other. The graphics may be two or three-dimensional representations of animals and other characters of interest to children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Inventors: Roger W. Lehmann, Michael I. Satten
  • Patent number: 4910897
    Abstract: A rotary music box adapted for use on special occasions, such as baby showers, birthdays and weddings. Space is provided on the rotating music box for displaying photographs or cards pertinent to the event being celebrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: Peter Hsu
  • Patent number: 4892499
    Abstract: A novelty grinder includes a grinder base with a pair of guide channels extending across its upper surface and intersecting near its center. The guide channels are preferably perpendicular to one another, and dovetailed in transverse cross-section. A pair of shuttle members or shoes is slidably disposed in the guide channels, each shoe being adapted for reciprocating translational movement in one of the channels. The shoes are preferably trapezoidal in transverse cross-section, and wider at their widest points than the widths of the channels at their upper edges. Alternatively, the channels may be straight-sided and provided with axially extending grooves for receiving pins disposed on the shoes for retaining the shoes in the grooves and preventing their removal in a direction transverse to the direction of their reciprocating movement. Such grooves may have a T-slot configuration for receiving a T-pin on the shoes. The T-slot may be on a side, or on the bottom, of a channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Inventors: Luay Ayyoubi, Theresa R. Beck
  • Patent number: 4816003
    Abstract: A combined teething ring and rattle in which the rattle is rotatably mounted on a continuous shaft which extends through the rattle and into bores in the ring. The shaft is held in place in the ring by plugs which seal the open ends of the bores and which are permanently secured in place, such as by gluing or welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Chun Yip Silver Ware Limited
    Inventors: Chun-Kuen Yip, Chun-Tong Yip
  • Patent number: 4752051
    Abstract: A device which can be tied onto the string of the kite of any kind for producing sound. The windsail of the device rotates to produce a sound imitating the frog's crow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Inventor: Wen-Ping Chang
  • Patent number: 4618330
    Abstract: An amusement toy includes a first member which is cylindrical in shape and is located within a housing. This first member is capable of rotating on the housing. A second elongated member is located within the center of the cylindrical shaped first member and moves up and down within the first member. A first gear located on the first member engages a connecting gear which in turn engages a gear located on the second member so as to transfer linear motion of the second member into rotational motion of the first member. Rotation of the first member transferred to at least one output member whereby the output member is rotated ultimately in response to linear motion of the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Tomy Kogyo Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Akira Abe
  • Patent number: 4615685
    Abstract: There is described a game, particularly a game of skill, which comprises a hoop, an extensible element secured in a point thereof, and a handle at the end of said extensible element, said extensible element further having such a length and elastic properties as to have when it is not under tension, a length which corresponds to about one-third the hoop diameter, while as it is being used, that is when it is tensioned, the length thereof reaches two-thirds the hoop diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Inventor: Koenraad Nelissen