Having Sounding Means Patents (Class 446/297)
  • 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: 5738561
    Abstract: A doll having a microphone and sound recording device along with a sound playback device and a speaker. The doll is provided with contacts or buttons to activate the sound recording device and the sound playback device. A child may speak to the doll and record messages, which may be played back at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Concepts Development Australia Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Victor Manuel Pracas
  • Patent number: 5738526
    Abstract: A toy doll for teaching time of day and time relationships for daily activities, including a hollow body housing a speaker and an associated memory, the memory including controls for storage of selected words for announcement by the speaker, a display unit attached to the exterior of the toy doll including individually selectable display figures, and operator control buttons attached to the exterior of the doll for activating the speaker and the display unit. Means are also included for activation of a time of day display and announcement on demand, and for activation of preset alarms and announcements on demand for review purposes and for education of the intended user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventors: Juan J. Cerda, Jose Berenguer
  • Patent number: 5733131
    Abstract: A one-way individual or group addressable communication link by paging system protocol delivers to a small data terminal of an entertainment or education device command messages relevant to current real world information such as news or weather information, and also relevant to current television series storylines. The device provides a separate and independent mechanism augmenting educational or entertainment aspects of current events or television programming without requiring an expensive user interface mechanism in implementation of complex and robust control and configuration features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Seiko Communications Holding N.V.
    Inventor: Michael C. Park
  • Patent number: 5730638
    Abstract: A housing includes a clip for attachment of the housing to the back surface of a doll or toy figure. Within the housing, an electronic circuit is operative under battery power to provide audible sounds when an on/off button is pushed. A plurality of light-emitting diodes are operatively coupled to the sound circuit and are energized in a flashing operation when the sound circuit is energized. A cape attachable to the doll upon which the housing is attached includes a reflective surface facing the light-emitting diodes of the housing to provide reflection of the light produced thereby. When the sound circuit is energized, audible sounds are produced and the interior surface of the cape is bombarded with flashing light energy to provide an amusing visual effect. The housing is removable from the host doll and may be worn on a convenient attachment such as a bracelet or the like by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Trevor F. Ward
  • Patent number: 5695381
    Abstract: A bear or baby doll that laughs or sings a nursery song when bounced or dandled is disclosed. A particular area on the rump of the doll is pressure sensitive and produces the given sound when a pressure level is detected in that particular area that is within a range of pressure levels produced when the doll's rump contacts the child's knee in a gentle bounce. Tapping one of the bear's knees selects a respective song and controls the sound generator's mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Joseph F. Truchsess
  • Patent number: 5668333
    Abstract: A musical toy is provided with a base member, a second member connected to the base member so as to form a substantially unobstructed space between the second member and the base member, a plurality of photoemitters for generating a plurality of radiation beams between the base member and the second member, a plurality of photodetectors for receiving the radiation beams, audio generation means for generating a plurality of musical sounds, and means for causing the audio generation means to generate one of the musical sounds in response to an interruption of one of the radiation beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Horton, Robert S. Winslow
  • Patent number: 5651716
    Abstract: A sound producing toy figure consists of a head portion including resilient opposing jaw members movable between open and closed positions, a sound producing unit including a speaker for outputting audible sounds, a push-button switch for selectively actuating the sound producing unit to produce audible sounds, a lever-type manual actuator for moving the jaw members between their open and closed positions, and a muffler movable between a first position wherein the muffler is spaced apart from the speaker so that the sound can fully emanate from the speaker, and a second position wherein the muffler substantially covers the speaker so that the sounds cannot fully emanate from the speaker. The muffler is pivotably mounted externally on the body of the figure and it is mechanically coupled to the actuator lever such that as the muffler is manually moved towards and away from the speaker, the actuator lever is correspondingly actuated to open and close the jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin B. Mowrer, Nick H. Langdon
  • Patent number: 5648999
    Abstract: A system and method of remotely recording a telephone message at a selected recording device connected to a telephone receiver by an RF link may include a base station having an RF transmitter connected to a telephone receiver, and plural paging/recording devices, each with an RF receiver and a message recorder. The paging/recording devices may be contained within suitable children's toys, or within pager-like packages. A caller calls the telephone receiver and when the telephone connection has been made provides a first code signal to the telephone receiver to gain access to the RF transmitter, and then provides a second code signal to identify a particular paging/recording device that is to receive and record the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Douglas Easterling, John C. Lee Voelkel, Michael Gene Moeller, Michael J. Lynch
  • Patent number: 5633985
    Abstract: Non-looped continuous sound made up of random sequencing of digital sound segments is generated by taking several short segments of an otherwise continuous sound and forming independent records of those short segments. The stored segments are re-assembled into a sound sequence of arbitrary length based on selecting the next sound segment according to some statistical algorithm. The selected algorithm may be simply a random or pseudo-random selection, or it may provide a probability weighting to emphasize some sound records over others, or some combination of factors also affected by external stimuli such as light, heat or operator input. The selection of sound segments proceeds according to a logical sequence which is programmable. Sounds are organized into groups of similar sounds which may be accessed according to subsects. Groups may include beginning (head), middle and end (tail) sound segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Inventors: Frederick E. Severson, Patrick A. Quinn
  • Patent number: 5607336
    Abstract: A uniquely constructed message delivering doll or action figure is attained, which is capable of providing, when activated, words or phrases specifically relating to one desired, precise subject, activity, profession or area of interest for which the doll or action figure is dressed, by providing a toy doll or action figure which incorporates an audio generator contained therein for producing audible messages, message containing components removably interconnectable therewith, and outfits of wearing apparel for designating or relating to one specific subject, activity, profession, or area of interest. Each message containing component comprises a plurality of messages, each of which is specifically related to a particular subject, activity, profession, or area of interest designated by an outfit of wearing apparel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignees: Steven Lebensfeld, Harvey Goldberg, David K. K. Chu
    Inventors: Steven Lebensfeld, Harvey Goldberg, David K. K. Chu, Ma H. Wai
  • Patent number: 5603652
    Abstract: A doll assembly has a toy figure and an audio output generator to simulate the singing of a song by the toy figure. A microphone, capable of providing audio input to the audio output generator, includes a light source modulated by the audio output generator when placed in propinquity with the toy figure. The modulated light creates the sensation that the toy figure is moving its lips in synchronization with the song.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Inventors: Omri Rothschild, Roni Raviv
  • Patent number: 5544894
    Abstract: A device for simulating the recreational activity of a person "bungee jumping". The device includes a ball having exaggerated, abnormal facial features of a person on the outer surface, a pressure-activated audio circuit inside the ball for producing a screaming sound when activated, a bungee cord attached at a first end to the ball, and a hand or wrist strap attached to the second end of the bungee cord. The device can also be used in a variety of tag or ball games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Stanley B. Howard
    Inventor: Stanley B. Howard
  • Patent number: 5501627
    Abstract: A child's toy has an electrically actuated function such as talking or moving which function is initiated by first covering a sensor and then, within a short time, uncovering the sensor. In a preferred arrangement, a stuffed doll includes potodetectors located in the area of the doll's eyes and movable arms configured such that the hands of the doll may be placed over the doll's eyes and then promptly removed from the doll's eyes whereupon the doll's speech synthesizer produces a message such as "peek-a-boo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Penny Ekstein
  • Patent number: 5495151
    Abstract: A modular apparatus is provided for imparting movement and selected sound to an ornament. The apparatus includes a mechanical movement module and a melody/voice module. The mechanical movement module includes a drive motor, gear assembly and cooperating power transmission rod all operatively connected together and a sound generating element in the form of a piezoelectric buzzer. The melody/voice module includes an electronic controller for controlling the generation of sound. The apparatus also includes a battery compartment for receiving and engaging a battery, a circuit for operatively electrically connecting the battery, drive motor and electronic controller and a connector for selectively connecting/disconnecting the two modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Inventor: Clive S. Lu
  • Patent number: 5485068
    Abstract: A control housing for operating in sequence a variety of remote, plug-in decorative sensory devices such as a Christmas ornamental closure which opens to a scene and other electromechanical ornaments, includes a power supply, audio amplifier, speakers, interface for the devices and a socket for interchangeable program modules which may be changed without tools by a user of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Inventor: Michael Vaught
  • Patent number: 5466181
    Abstract: A doll includes a hollow torso within which a battery power source is supported. The doll further includes a pair of outer surface areas supporting coating or deposits of conductive material. Electrical connection is provided between the conductive outer surface areas and the internal battery power source. A plurality of electrical toy apparatus such as a music or sound producing device or a lighted mirror are provided with conductive pads and electrical connection thereto. In the anticipated play pattern, the doll contacts the electrical apparatus conductive pads using the conductive outer areas of the doll's outer surface to provide electrical connection between the internal battery power supply of the doll and the electrical toy apparatus. Thereafter and so long as the contact is maintained, the battery source within the doll powers the electrical apparatus to provide the desired effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda K. Bennett, Joseph Feldman
  • Patent number: 5458524
    Abstract: The body (2) of the toy (1) includes an effects generator (3) controlled by an electrical control circuit (4) having a pulse counter for counting pulses received from a mechanical generator (5) for generating electrical pulses. The mechanical generator includes a conductive moving body (7) that is displaced inside an enclosure (8) provided with two switch terminals (10, 11) that are insulated from each other, and that are organized such that the motion of the toy (1) can transiently put the body (7) into contact simultaneously with both terminals (10, 11) so as to generate a pulse. After counting a number n of pulses, the circuit (4) switches on the effects generator (3), and it switches off the generator after counting a number m of pulses. Application is to equipping toys representing living beings, such as dolls or fluffy animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Corolle S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Marie Lucas
  • Patent number: 5456626
    Abstract: A odor and sound generating device includes an odor distributing device and a sound generating device mounted in a housing, and a manual depression member mounted on the housing and operatively depressing both the odor distributing device and the sound generating device simultaneously, whereby upon a manual depression of the depression member, both odor distributing device and sound generating device may be depressed to emit odor and to produce sound or music simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Inventor: Liao Ming-Kang
  • Patent number: 5443388
    Abstract: An infant care simulation system for use in teaching individuals the realities, responsibilities and constraints inherent in caring for young babies. The system also demonstrates the special problems of drug-dependent babies. Basically the system includes a doll having the shape and weight of a young baby and accessories of the sort used with such a baby. The doll and accessories are assigned to an individual for an extended period such as several days. A sound system and electronic circuitry are included within the doll to generate sounds simulating a baby crying at selected intervals for selected time periods. A spring loaded key or other manual switch is provided so that the individual can turn off the crying sound by holding the key in an off position. Preferably the key is secured to the assigned individual in a way preventing it being given to another person. Indicators showing rough handling, improper positioning of the doll, periods before a response is made to a crying signal, etc. are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventors: Richard N. Jurmain, Mary M. Jurmain
  • Patent number: 5415579
    Abstract: A doll constructed with a body having a head with at least one eye comprising a pivotal eye ball assembly pivotally retained in a casing. A first arm extends from a main portion of the eye ball assembly and a solenoid with a movable solenoid bolt and a second arm and mechanical assembly movable by the solenoid bolt pivots the eye ball between first and second positions simulating a closed and open eye. The solenoid bolt is moveable between a first position and a second position, so that when the doll is in a substantially horizontal position the solenoid bolt moves from a first position to a second position moving the second arm to cause the eye ball to pivot from the first position to the second position. This is accomplished when a receiver in the doll no longer receives a signal transmitted from a transmitter carried by the child. The doll appears to awaken when the child leaves the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Concepts Development Australia PTY LTD
    Inventor: Victor M. Pracas
  • Patent number: 5376038
    Abstract: This invention relates to talking dolls of the type having internal prerecorded speech mechanisms. More particularly, the present invention relates to talking dolls of the type having internal prerecorded speech mechanisms, wherein the doll's educational speech is activated by pressing on certain parts of the doll's body and head region. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to talking dolls of the type having internal prerecorded speech mechanisms, wherein the doll's educational speech can be programmed by the user to play phrases in a desired sequence. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to talking dolls of the type having internal prerecorded speech mechanisms, wherein the doll's educational speech is programmed to advance with the child user and to educate the child user as to the names and functions of the different body parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Toy Biz, Inc.
    Inventors: Avi Arad, Robert W. Jeffway, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5368517
    Abstract: A speaking unit for a toy squirrel formed with a flexible plastic body 10 consists of two halves 12 and 13 containing electrical components. The unit has a loudspeaker 26 adjacent one end where an annular groove 24 is provided which fits against sides of an aperture 11. An electrical switch button 22 is held against an inside surface of the body 10 so that when the squirrel is squeezed a voice chip 20 is initiated to broadcast a message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: New Ventures, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Pagani
  • Patent number: 5346421
    Abstract: A toy bird capable of drinking water and producing sound is composed of a base and a hollow tubular body. The base is provided with two limbs having a support hole located at the top thereof. The hollow tubular body comprises a head located at the top thereof, a spherical container located at the bottom thereof, and a middle tube located between the head and the spherical container. The middle tube is provided centrally and horizontally with an electrically conductive support rod having two ends received in the support holes of the two limbs. The base contains a sound device comprising a sound circuit, a speaker and batteries. The two limbs are provided respectively with a conducting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas Yeh
  • Patent number: 5314336
    Abstract: A child places a specially marked object in front of a toy capable of recognizing the marks on the object and being able to articulate a word, phrase or sentence in response to the markings. This permits the toy to be able to read and speak. Visible codes, invisible codes or holograms may be located on the objects for this purpose. A mechanism inside the toy is provided to vocalize the sounds associated with each code or marking. Electronic representations of the various sounds vocalized may be stored in the toy or on a removable memory card so that the variety of sounds may be changed as desired. The sounds can be words, sentences, paragraphs, or phonemes. The words can be either spoken or sung.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Inventors: Mark Diamond, Najeeb A. Khalid
  • Patent number: 5295889
    Abstract: A combined toy capable of permitting a user to enjoy play full of unexpectedness and/or novelty. The combined toy includes a toy body constituted by a trunk, and attachments including a head, arms and legs detachably combined with the trunk. Combining between the trunk and the attachments is carried out using magnetic force. Also, a sound producing unit and a light emitting unit are provided in the toy body and/or attachments so as to be actuated when the attachments each are combined with the toy body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Takara Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takio Ejima
  • Patent number: 5290198
    Abstract: A doll having a sensor for determining the insertion of a top portion of a nursing bottle. The sensor includes a movable portion pivoting in response to insertion of the top portion of the nursing bottle. A contact point secures to one end of the movable portion and engages a contact member in order to cause a sound to be emitted by the doll. The sound is emitted from a speaker placed within the doll. A pair of pressure activated switches are also provided in the doll and operate in conjunction with the sensor to generate varied vocal responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Yugen Kaisha Nakashou Giken
    Inventor: Toshiaki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 5281180
    Abstract: A battery-powered doll which cries or laughs, depending upon how it has been stimulated. There is an optical sensor fixed in the mouth of the doll and connected to an integrated circuit located in the torso of the doll. When there is insufficient light striking the sensor, the doll cries through a speaker in the doll's torso. When the doll is subsequently brought into the light to sufficiently expose the sensor, the doll laughs for a short, but variable length of time. There is a first pressure actuated switch positioned in the doll's torso such that it may be actuated by a tickling type of pressure applied to the side of the torso. The doll laughs when this switch is actuated. There is a second pressure actuated switch in the doll's torso which may be activated by pressing the stomach area of the doll. The doll cries in response to actuation of this second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Inventors: Wing F. Lam, Yu F. Lam
  • Patent number: 5281143
    Abstract: A doll, apparently capable of learning through a combination of human speech and touch interaction, includes a speech generator for generating upon actuation the currently indexed sound in a predetermined sequence of sounds. The sequence of sounds evidences a stepwise learning process defined by a plurality of learning steps, each step being composed in turn of a predetermined subsequence of wrong sounds followed by correct sounds. A speech detector detects human speech when energized and, in response thereto, indexes the subsequence of sounds to the next sound within the current step and actuates the speech generator and, at the end of each step, indexes the sequence of sounds to the first sound of the next step and causes the speech generator to request the selected touch. A touch detector detects a selected touch when energized and, in response thereto, actuates the speech generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Toy Biz, Inc.
    Inventors: Avi Arad, Robert W. Jeffway, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5279514
    Abstract: A gift item which is illustrated in the form of a stuffed teddy bear houses a control system which incorporates a re-programmable solid state analog memory device which is used to record a message. In the illustrated embodiment, a write switch is housed in the teddy bear's ear, and while it is being squeezed, a microphone in the main control system will record a spoken message into the non-volatile analog memory. The recording will take place as long as the two-contact switch is squeezed, and will stop upon release of the switch or expiration of the memory capacity of the memory device, which is about 20 seconds. The message is played back by momentary compression of another two-contact switch placed in the bear's paw, which would typically be done by a child. Replacement of a prior message with a subsequent one can be done at will by closing the write switch again as was done initially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventors: David Lacombe, Sherry Yu-Kim, George Seelman
  • Patent number: 5254028
    Abstract: A fluid releasing and sound generating toy includes a toy body, a container, an electric valve, a tube, a sound generating unit, a receiving circuit and a controller unit. The toy body has a chamber formed therein and includes a fluid discharge hole formed in the outer surface of the toy body. The container contains compressed fluid therein and is disposed removably in the chamber of the toy body. The electric valve is connected operatively to the container and is activated to release the compressed fluid from the container. The tube is connected detachably to the electric valve at one end thereof and is communicated with the fluid discharge hole of the toy body so as to allow the compressed fluid to flow out of the toy body from the fluid discharge hole. The sound generating unit is disposed securely in the toy body so as to be activated to generate sound. The receiving circuit is positioned in the toy body and is connected electrically to the electric valve and the sound generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Inventor: Ming-Kang Liao
  • Patent number: 5224895
    Abstract: An aid for small children learning the different basic animal characteristics includes a base facial component which may be used in combination with different sets of ear, nose and mouth, and collar components to form representations of various different types of animals. The same base facial component may be used with different sets of ear, nose and mouth, and collar components, as the ear, nose and mouth, and collar components provide the necessary distinction to provide a representation of a specific animal. Various attachment systems for the various components are provided, and further provision is made for precluding the ingestion of any of the components by small children by the inclusion of pliable stiffners to prevent folding or tearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventor: Judi K. Franz
  • Patent number: 5221225
    Abstract: A motion responsive musical toy includes a generally spherical housing having a transparent hemispherical portion within which a center column supports a conventional musical tone producing circuit together with an output speaker. A motion sensing switch is operatively coupled to the tone producing circuit. A plurality of translucent floor segments are supported within the transparent housing interior and resiliently support a plurality of toy figures. A plurality of externally accessible push buttons are supported upon the periphery of the spherical housing near its center and are actuatable by inward pressure thereon. A plurality of conventional electric lamps are supported beneath the translucent floor segments to provide selective illuminations thereof. The musical toy responds to toy motion sensed by motion switch as well as the operation of the push buttons to provide oscillation of the toy figures together with a pattern of flashing lights and musical tones for the child user's amusement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Newbold, Harry Lebo, Brett M. Bogar
  • Patent number: 5162011
    Abstract: An improved sound producing novelty item includes a plastic cup, a string and a button. The plastic cup has an closed bottom end and an open top end. One end of the string is mechanically coupled to the enclosed bottom end of the plastic cup. The button is securably coupled to the other end of the string. The improved sound producing novelty item also includes a truncated hollow cone and a sponge. The truncated hollow cone has an open bottom end and an open top end. The open bottom end of the truncated hollow cone is coupled to the bottom end of the plastic cup. The sponge is slidably coupled to the string. When water is applied to the sponge, the sponge can be rubbed around and along the string to produce a sound. The external surface area of the truncated hollow cone has representations of a pair of eyes and a beak which may be disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Inventor: Andrew P. Frisque
  • Patent number: 5147238
    Abstract: A doll including a torso, a pair of arms rotatably joined to the torso, a pair of legs rotatably fixed to the torso, a pair of feet rotatably fixed to the legs, apparatus within each of the legs for raising the feet, and apparatus actuated by movement of the arms for actuating the apparatus within each of the legs for raising the feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Kelley, Howard R. Stern
  • Patent number: 5147237
    Abstract: A toy audio generating device is disclosed for use as an accessory to another toy, for example as a backpack for a toy action figure. The toy audio device includes a receptacle defining an enclosure containing a speaker and plural batteries laid out side-by-side adjacent the end of the speaker opposite the sound projecting portion of the speaker. A printed circuit board containing circuitry for generating audio signals is located in a space alongside the speaker under a side wall of the enclosure. A switch for activating sound generation is mounted to that side wall and directly contacts the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Toymax Inc.
    Inventors: David C. K. Kwan, Ma H. Wai, Steven Lebensfeld, Harvey Goldberg
  • Patent number: 5094621
    Abstract: A therapeutic doll for self-help that can be used outside of a therapeutic or self-help session. The doll includes a heart area which can be illuminated and a speech-producing device which outputs encouraging messages. The doll also includes a variety of icons, such as a liquor bottle or pill bottle, which symbolize personal vices. The doll includes a shelf inside its cavity for placement of these icons. The shelf is collapsable by the push of a button mechanism allowing the icons to fall through a hollow portion in the doll and into a knapsack coupled to the doll. Use of the doll encourages the user to confront his or her problems and abstain from using liquor, drugs, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Inventor: Joan Friedel
  • Patent number: 5094644
    Abstract: A doll includes a hollow head and torso and generally replicates a human infant in appearance. The head portion defines an orifice for the introduction of a liquid such as water through simulated nursing. The water is initially received within the doll interior in a first reservoir which is effectively isolated from a second reservoir within the doll torso by a siphon tube coupling. The siphon tube coupling serves to delay the transfer of liquid from the first reservoir to the second reservoir until a predetermined amount of liquid has been introduced. The second reservoir includes a flexible wall portion which bulges outwardly when filled with water to trigger a switch which enables an internally supported sound generating system to produce crying action. In an alternate embodiment, the first and second reservoirs are combined within a common water tank and interconnected by a siphon passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Kelley
  • Patent number: 5092810
    Abstract: A toy audio generating device is disclosed for use as an accessory to another toy, for example as a backpack for a toy action figure. The toy audio device comprises a receptacle defining an enclosure containing a speaker and plural batteries laid out side-by-side adjacent the end of the speaker opposite the sound projecting portion of the speaker. A printed circuit board containing circuitry for generating audio signals is located in a space alongside the speaker under a side wall of the enclosure. A switch for activating sound generation is mounted to that side wall and directly contacts the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignees: Steven Lebensfeld, Harvey Goldberg, David C. K. Kwan
    Inventors: David C. K. Kwan, Ma H. Wai, Steven Lebensfeld, Harvey Goldberg
  • Patent number: 5083965
    Abstract: An interactive doll system incorporates both liquid handling elements for receiving liquid through the mouth of the doll when the doll is in a first range of positions, then dispensing that liquid through the eyes of the doll when the doll is in a second range of positions or through an anal opening of the doll when the doll is in a third range of positions. It also incorporates an electronic assembly for sensing the attitude and motion of the doll, as well as feeding of the doll, and for producing a range of sounds in response thereto, including sounds produced randomly at times in response to motion of the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Catalina Toys, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard M. Mayem
  • Patent number: 5074820
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stuffed toy comprising a main switch turned on in response to a load applied externally, a vibrator activated when the main switch is turned on to vibrate at least a part of the body of the stuffed toy, and a sound generator generating a sound to the outside while the vibrator is vibrating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 5073140
    Abstract: Toy action figures and detachable accessories therefor incorporating audio generating apparatus are disclosed. The audio generating apparatus is entirely contained within the accessory and generates both speed and sound effects. The detachable accessories have a configuration and visual appearance coordinated with the configuration and visual appearance of the toy action figure. For example, the accessory may be a backpack configured and having a visual appearance to coordinate with a soldier, spaceman or policeman action figure. The audio generating apparatus includes separate controls for causing the audio generating apparatus to independently generate speech and sound effects. The accessories in configuration, appearance and sound content are made to be attachable and applicable to different types of action figures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignees: Steven Lebensfeld, Harvey Goldberg, David C. K. Kwan, Ma H. Wai
    Inventors: Steven Lebensfeld, Harvey Goldberg, David C. K. Kwan, Ma H. Wai
  • Patent number: 5037345
    Abstract: A doll of a human baby, teddy bear or other shape is provided and has the capacity to ingest a simulated solid food item in its mouth and thereafter store it within its body, and produce one of a variety of responsive simulated voice expressions. The ingested food item may thereafter be recovered for reuse from a holding region of the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Nakashou Giken Limited Company
    Inventor: Toshiaki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 5029214
    Abstract: Electronic speech control apparatus that includes a circuit for establishing and changing over time a subject code and an utterance index. The subject code generally indicates one of a plurality of sets of utterances. The utterance index identifies an utterance of at least one word in the set indicated by the subject code. Combined with the circuit is another circuit responsive thereto for generating the utterance identified by the utterance index in the set indicated by the subject code. The apparatus also repeatedly computes an emotion and generates an utterance representing the emotion so computed. The various utterances are made in an alternating conversational fashion in response to a person's speech. These and other aspects of apparatus and method are described in greater detail herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Inventor: James F. Hollander
  • Patent number: 5011449
    Abstract: An appendage motion responsive doll includes a body having a torso portion and outwardly extending leg and arm appendages as well as a neck and head simulation. The arm appendages are pivotally secured to the torso to permit motion with respect to the torso. The arms are further fabricated in a manner permitting bending or flexing of the arm appendages. One or more bend sensors are supported within one or more of the arms and cooperate with an internally supported voice unit to produce a selected group of sounds corresponding to the degree of arm motion and bending induced by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Handy, Sterling S. Spector
  • Patent number: 4979925
    Abstract: An amusement device in the form of an openable box is provided wherein a top half and bottom half of the box are formed separately and a hinge member is also formed separately so that the box halves can be interchanged with other box halves to change the exterior appearance of the device. The hinge member may also include a noise maker which is activated by opening and closing of the two box halves to increase the amusement level of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Earl O. Bergersen
    Inventor: Earl O. Bergersen
  • Patent number: 4973941
    Abstract: An electronic sound generating device icludes a two-piece housing having a lower casing and a lid. A contact switch, in the form of a conductive rubber cup, is received in the lower casing adjacent a circuit board. Activating contacts on the circuit board face the contact switch. A sound generating element and a touch plate are also received in the lower casing. The touch plate includes a centrally located dome portion that extends through an actuator opening in the lid. The touch plate also includes at least one sound radiating hole. To activate the device, the touch plate is pushed inwardly into the housing. This causes the circuit board, which is capable of limited movement within the housing, to move toward the contact switch. As the activating contacts on the circuit board engage the contact switch, the circuit is completed and the sound generating device is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: L. B. Davis, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis B. Davis, Stephen C. K. Kwok
  • Patent number: 4944704
    Abstract: A musical nurser includes a bottle portion having a detachable base and a removable nipple opposite the base. A music box is mounted within the detachable base, and a removable cap is provided for enclosing the nipple. The bottle portion, the detachable musical base and the removable cap are each shaped so as to form, when assembled, a unitary structure having a toy-like shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Inventor: Carol Grace
  • Patent number: 4934980
    Abstract: A novelty music box is set forth wherein a deer-like configuration is provided with a bifurcated forward plate, a bifurcated rear plate, and a central torso, with a deer-like head outline secured to an uppermost portion of the forward bifurcated plate. A mechanical sound-generating music box is secured to the forward plate within the torso and includes a hollow shaft extending through the music box and directed exteriorly thereof through the head-like outline terminating in a glove containing a luminescent bulb therewithin. The luminescent bulb is intermittently actuated by use of a sprocket secured to a rear terminal end of the shaft that intermittently engages a spring finger to create intermittent illumination of the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Inventors: Harry S. Egolf, Madeline F. Egolf
  • Patent number: 4917647
    Abstract: A comb and talk doll includes a hair actuated sound generating mechanism. A hair cluster is resiliently secured within a doll head to one end of a spring urged hair shaft. Comb and/or brush engagement of the hair cluster exteriorly of the doll head, linearly displaces the hair shaft. Another end of the hair shaft cooperatively interacts with a cam surface of a pivotal arm for actuating the sound mechanism. In another embodiment, a wire link provides an interconnection between the hair cluster and a pivotal arm. When the hair cluster is released, a spring force restores the pivotal arm to its initial position to deactuate the sound mechanism. In an alternate embodiment, displacement of the hair shaft during combable engagement of the hair cluster, closes an electrical circuit for energizing the sound mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Inventors: Joseph J. Wetherell, Larry Reiner