Balanced Or Self-righting Patents (Class 446/325)
  • Patent number: 10383256
    Abstract: As an air mover assembly is translated from a first orientation to a second orientation, a first roller and a second roller translate about at least one rail such that the a frame and a door maintain a position relative to the direction of the force of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Shih-Huai Cho, Hung-Pin Chien, Yu-Hung Wang
  • Patent number: 9931556
    Abstract: A horse shaped riding trainer and method of constructing a horse shaped riding trainer. The riding trainer includes a horse shaped riding structure, a convex shaped, rotating platform, and a post for mounting the horse shaped riding structure to the convex shaped, rotating platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Christopher Cosma
  • Patent number: 9757615
    Abstract: An exercise chair includes a frame and a seat rotatably coupled to the frame. First and second front support members are coupled to the frame in laterally spaced part relation and first and second rear support members are coupled to the frame in laterally spaced part relation, the first and second front support members and the first and second rear support members cooperating to support the frame above a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Moxxi, LLC
    Inventor: Dorianne P. Walkama
  • Patent number: 9533190
    Abstract: An exercise chair includes a frame and a seat rotatably coupled to the frame. First and second front support members are coupled to the frame in laterally spaced part relation and first and second rear support members are coupled to the frame in laterally spaced part relation, the first and second front support members and the first and second rear support members cooperating to support the frame above a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: MOXXI, LLC
    Inventor: Dorianne P. Walkama
  • Patent number: 9399161
    Abstract: A punching training device includes a base, a barrel, and a punching member. The base includes an upper shell and a lower shell made of soft material. The base is formed with a cavity and defines a vertical central axis wherein the cavity is located at the central axis. The lower shell has a convex cambered face at the bottom thereof. The upper shell has a connecting portion at the top thereof. The barrel has a shape corresponding to the cavity and is received in the cavity. The punching member is disposed on the connecting portion and extends upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Inventor: Yi-Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 9301504
    Abstract: The invention provides animal play toys that engage an animal in play before and during consumption of a treat. In one aspect, the invention provides an animal play toy having a top portion defining at least one hole therethrough and a weighted bottom portion. The animal play toy is able to stand upright when there is no interaction with the animal play toy. One or more ropes of a consumable product or a non-consumable product can be attached to the top portion of the animal play toy through the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Stephen Andrew Wurth, Kisun Kim, Jacob Ballard, Paul Seal, James P Persells, Janice Halbirt
  • Publication number: 20130231027
    Abstract: In combination a toy figure and an apparatus for launching the toy figure from the apparatus is provided, the toy figure having: a main body portion; a pair of leg members extending from the main body portion, wherein each of the pair of leg members has an enlarged rounded feature at a distal end and wherein the enlarged rounded feature is provided with a mass for self-righting the toy figure into a vertical orientation regardless of the initial orientation of the toy figure; and wherein the apparatus is a vehicle having a deployable launching mechanism configured to receive the toy figure therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Mauricio Bedolla, Kwun Chung Mo, Windsor Williams, Glenn Yu, Edmond Fan
  • Patent number: 8517848
    Abstract: A carousel ride in which vehicles may move at differing speeds, in differing directions, and each be independently positioned relative to a load/unload platform. In one embodiment, a carousel ride is provided that includes: (1) an inner ring assembly including a first ring supporting vehicles and a drive system operable to rotate the first ring about a center axis of the carousel ride; and (2) an outer ring assembly including a second ring, concentric to the first ring, supporting vehicles and a drive system operable to rotate the second ring about a center axis of the carousel ride. During a portion of a ride, the drive system of the inner ring assembly operates to rotate the first ring at a first rotation rate, and the drive system of the outer ring assembly operates to rotate the second ring at a second rotation rate differing from the first rotation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Crawford, Edward A. Nemeth
  • Patent number: 8313389
    Abstract: A carousel ride in which vehicles may move at differing speeds, in differing directions, and each be independently positioned relative to a load/unload platform. In one embodiment, a carousel ride is provided that includes: (1) an inner ring assembly including a first ring supporting vehicles and a drive system operable to rotate the first ring about a center axis of the carousel ride; and (2) an outer ring assembly including a second ring, concentric to the first ring, supporting vehicles and a drive system operable to rotate the second ring about a center axis of the carousel ride. During a portion of a ride; the drive system of the inner ring assembly operates to rotate the first ring at a first rotation rate, and the drive system of the outer ring assembly operates to rotate the second ring at a second rotation rate differing from the first rotation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Crawford, Edward A. Nemeth
  • Publication number: 20110294394
    Abstract: A self-righting toy having a base with a convex-shaped exterior bottom surface. A watertight internal chamber is disposed within the base. Liquid fill material is used to fill the internal chamber. The liquid fill material is visible through the material of the convex bottom surface. Flotsam objects are disposed within the internal chamber that swirl within the liquid fill material when the liquid fill material is disturbed. A toy body section is affixed to the base. The toy body section is lighter than the base. This causes the toy body section to self-right into an upright position when said self-righting toy is placed on a flat surface. In a variation of the self-righting toy, games can be formed within the internal chamber that are played by disturbing the flotsam objects swirling within the internal chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Webb T. Nelson, Mark J. Chernick
  • Patent number: 7938730
    Abstract: The Rotating Device (1) comprises a rotating shaft (1000) being bearing interrelated to a nipple/coupling frame. The rotating shaft (1000) supports swing arms right and left from which are suspended swing seats. The nipple/coupling frame extends into and is supported by a generally concrete foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventors: Raymond B. Richardson, Shane A. Bales
  • Publication number: 20090233517
    Abstract: An interactive rocking cradle and doll is disclosed where, when the cradle is rocked with the baby inside of it, the cradle emits music and baby sounds. If the cradle is rocked without the baby, however, then the cradle only emits music but no baby sounds. None of the electronics required to emit the sounds are located in the doll, thereby allowing the doll to be created in a real and life-like manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Man Kit Hui
  • Publication number: 20090111353
    Abstract: A human-figure toy includes a head, a torso, two upper limbs and two lower limbs. The torso supports the head. The two upper limbs are connected with the torso. The two lower limbs supports the torso, each lower limb at least includes a main body and a cover, the main body defines battery cases configured for receiving batteries, the cover is mounted on the main body and covers the battery cases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHUAN-HONG WANG, LI-ZHANG HUANG, WEN-HSIANG LU
  • Patent number: 7326101
    Abstract: A switching arrangement capable of being actuated by an application of an air current with a playset component, a movable member for receiving an application of an air current relative to the playset component wherein the movable member for receiving an application of the air current is movable in response to the application of the air current, and an arrangement for actuating a response to a movement of the movable member for receiving an application of the air current. The switching arrangement can be electrical or non-electrical. Where the switching arrangement is electrical, it can cause an electrical signal to be produced in response to a sensed movement of the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventors: Robert W. Engel, Robert Stephen Lee, Steve G. Fouke, John Rey Hollis, William John Kelley
  • Patent number: 7258591
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to apparatuses having some characteristic(s) of traditional “roly-poly” toys, which are traditional passive toys that, when struck, wobble about their typically-rounded base but stay upright due to bottom-heavy weighting. Some embodiments of the present invention can be especially relevant to such an apparatus that is mobile and/or not totally passive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Yang-Sheng Xu, Hang Tong, Shu-Shang Zhao, Wing-Seng Fong
  • Patent number: 7086921
    Abstract: Children's rocking toy, in particular in the form of a stylized horse, having a one-piece basic body made of flexible synthetic material, a simply curved rocking surface forming the base of the rocking toy and a seat region molded into it. In one refinement, the seat region is molded into it to a sufficient depth that a backrest region is produced. The rocking toy has a horse's head and a horse's rear part which serves as a support for a child situated in the seat. The basic body can consist of foam, in particular of foam rubber. In this case, the basic body is of a Shore hardness sufficient for it to have sufficient stability for rocking and to yield when a child is lying on a side surface of the toy. For further stabilization purposes, the basic body widens in its cross section towards the base. The basic body is preferably manufactured from a foam block and, for further refinement, can have a material covering, if appropriate a slip-on cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventor: Jost-Ulrich Kuegler
  • Patent number: 7028428
    Abstract: A self-balancing hunting decoy comprised of two vertically attached portions is disclosed. The upper portion depicts the body and appendages of a prey animal. Underneath the upper portion is a lower portion that is a semispherical shell containing a ballast. The decoy sits upright while freestanding on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Spencer
  • Patent number: 6938833
    Abstract: A vehicle air freshener is constructed to include a bottle holding a color fluid and a volatile liquid perfume floating on the color fluid, a socket fastened to the bottle neck of the bottle to hold an absorptive core member that dissipates the volatile liquid perfume into air outside the bottle, a weight-attached ornament set in the volatile liquid perfume and the color fluid, a base fastened to the bottom side of the bottle and adapted to support the vehicle air freshener on a surface; and a bottle cap fastened to the bottle neck of the bottle around the socket, the bottle cap having a center through hole, which receives the bottleneck of the bottle, and a plurality of wire holes for mounting cord members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Hsiang Mei Chen
  • Publication number: 20040198159
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to apparatuses having some characteristic(s) of traditional “roly-poly” toys, which are traditional passive toys that, when struck, wobble about their typically-rounded base but stay upright due to bottom-heavy weighting. Some embodiments of the present invention can be especially relevant to such an apparatus that is mobile and/or not totally passive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Yang-Sheng Xu, Hang Tong, Shu-Shang Zhao, Wing-Seng Fong
  • Patent number: 6776682
    Abstract: An acrobatic doll and accessory combination with an acrobatic doll body, an engaging member coupled to the doll body, a doll accessory, and an engaging member coupled to the doll accessory wherein the engaging member coupled to the doll body and the engaging member coupled to the doll accessory can engage one another in a mating relationship. The acrobatic doll can have a torso, a head, first and second arms hingedly coupled to the torso, and first and second legs hingedly coupled to the torso. The doll accessory can take many forms including a tumble baton, a tumble garment, a tumble bar arrangement, a dancing stand, a balance wand, a vertical stand, a rocker unit, a swing arrangement, a propeller driven arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventors: Robert W. Engel, Robert Stephen Lee, Steve G. Fouke, John Rey Hollis, William John Kelley
  • Patent number: 6739940
    Abstract: A squeezable elastic toy is formed from a soft resilient material, such as foamed polyurethane, and has a suitable height to stand upright. A supporting member having a sufficient elastic resilience is disposed in the toy, so that the toy freely deforms when being squeezed and quickly recovers from deformation when being released. The toy may be fixedly attached to an article at any surface thereof by attaching, for example, a double-side adhesive tape to a bottom of the toy, so that the toy may be stroke or patted to swing a head portion thereof without falling down. The toy may have a variety of appearances and allows a user to freely squeeze or strike it and therefore serves as a good ornament as well as a good vent of feelings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Chia-Chien Chuang
  • Patent number: 6736693
    Abstract: A doll that includes a pair legs pivotally attached to a torso. The torso having a front side and backside. A pair of motor mechanisms separately attached to each leg for pivoting the legs forwards and backwards in accordance to a set of pre-programmed positions that moves the doll from a first orientation to a second orientation. The movement may be defined as rolling the doll from its front side to its backside and vice versa, as well as moving the doll to a standing position and walking the doll while it is standing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Lund and Company
    Inventors: Bruce D. Lund, Krishnan Srirangam, Michael Starrick, Sunil Moothedath
  • Patent number: 6569068
    Abstract: Grasping the device by its handles, and applying motive force through wrist and forearm motion, the pair of arms and the final component of the device may be made to simultaneously or individually whirl about their axes of rotation in an infinite variety of sequences and an assortment of styles. Holding the device by either handle, or by both of its handles, and applying concentration and steadiness of hand, there are several balancing configurations which may be achieved. Setting the device on a surface, there are additional balancing configurations which may be attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Timothy T. Cox
  • Patent number: 6533634
    Abstract: A figurine assembly is for providing a user with an attractive and functional device that would be used to decorate a computer monitor. The figurine assembly includes a figurine that has a torso, head, arm and leg portions. A base member is adapted for coupling to a top of the computer monitor. A spring member has a first end coupled to the base member and a second end coupled to the body portion. The spring member has a spring constant such that the figurine moves with an exaggerated motion when the movement of the computer monitor moves the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Brenda L. Sugar
  • Patent number: 6530815
    Abstract: A bubble-blowing apparatus for use in blowing bubbles from bubble solution may be provided with a bubble solution container capable of holding a volume of bubble solution and having a rounded bottom surface and a container side wall that at least partially defines an interior volume. The container may have a weight distribution, when the internal volume of the container is at least partially filled with bubble solution, that causes the container to automatically move to an upright position from a tilted position angularly displaced from the upright position. The apparatus may also be provided with a cap member that is capable of being attached to the bubble solution container and a bubble wand having a bubble-blowing orifice disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Oddzon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay M. Bro, Daniel Seifert, Terry J. Sanchez, Syed J. Hasan, Martin J. Hirsch
  • Patent number: 6511360
    Abstract: A pendulum and animated figurine having pivot links, some of which are counterbalanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: Ronald Lee Lyman
  • Patent number: 6461216
    Abstract: A toy device (10) is provided having a housing (11) having a top viewing side (12) and a bottom side (13). The housing (11) has a cavity (15) therein having an annular array of light reflecting surfaces (16). Mounted concentrically within the annular array of light reflecting surfaces is a rotatable sphere (18) having a decorative pattern thereon. The housing cavity (15) has an opening (19) extending from the bottom side (13) sized and shaped to allow a portion of the sphere (18) to extend past the housing bottom side (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventors: John T. Applewhite, Steve Chininis, Jose Longoria
  • Publication number: 20020009945
    Abstract: An expressive figurine having dynamic facial features and, optionally, verbalization capability. The figurine of this invention can have the appearance of a human, creature, or cartoon character, and more particularly to a figurine whose facial and body features are selected and applied to the figurine by a player. The facial and body features include lenticular image and lens composites that can readily interchanged from a selection of features provided with the figurine. The figurine of this invention is also preferably an interactive toy wherein the player imparts motion or force to the toy in the course of such play interaction. The figurine also may include a motion activated sound synthesizer to create the verbalization capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 6273779
    Abstract: A toy for amusing people of all ages by flipping along a surface. The rolling toy includes a cylindrical tube having a first sealed end and a second sealed end and a weighted ball enclosed within the cylindrical shaped tube and having a circumference smaller than a circumference of said cylindrical tube allowing said weighted ball to roll along a length of said cylindrical tube. A flexible body portion is secured to the first sealed end of the cylindrical tube and a spring extends through the body portion. The body portion able to maintain the rolling toy in an upright position with the cylindrical tube positioned atop the body portion. When the cylindrical tube is tiled, the weighted ball is caused to roll along the length of the cylindrical tube from the first end to the second end. This causes the cylindrical tube to move towards the surface, the body portion to bend as the cylindrical tube moves towards the surface and the spring to uncoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Francois Boulaire
  • Patent number: 6173678
    Abstract: A new and useful amusement device for an animal such as a horse is provided, which is designed to (i) occupy and amuse an animal such as a horse which is confined to an enclosure, (ii) condition the animal against an event such as a foreign object appearing in the enclosure, and (iii) enable the animal to exercise by playing in various ways with the device. The amusement device is designed to be rugged and durable enough to withstand environmental conditions of an animal enclosure such as a paddock or corral, and flexible enough to retain is shape despite the physical abuse associated with being played with by a horse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Reibam, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheila Bambauer, JoAnn Reisen
  • Patent number: 6165041
    Abstract: A liquid-type rocking ornament includes a transparent container and a seat assembled to a bottom of the container. The transparent container has a dual-liquid and some floating decorative articles seal therein. Differently shaped recess, hole or slit may be formed on outer surface of the transparent container at suitable position for holding clips, pen or cards. The seat includes a semispherical shell and a weight fixedly connected near an inner bottom center of the shell, so that the whole liquid-type ornament could rock under a minor push without easily tumbling over. The liquid in the rocking ornament presents dynamic and interesting scenes that last for a period of time in the transparent container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Rich Lin
  • Patent number: 6129606
    Abstract: An action mechanism toy or amusement device which by centrifugal force causes the device to wobble, bob and rock due to a motor mechanism and offset weight rotating about a fixed motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Po Man Yuen
  • Patent number: 5975982
    Abstract: A toy missile which when let fly by a player and then caught by a catcher, produces upon impact sounds appropriate to the nature of the missile. When in the configuration of a humanoid figure, the missile includes a torso defined by a fabric casing stuffed with a soft filler. Embedded in the stuffing of the torso is a sound-producing unit powered by a battery through an impact-sensitive switch whereby when the missile is caught, on impact the switch then turns the unit on to generate sounds which are appropriate to the figure. Hinged to the torso of the figure and extending therefrom are fabric arm and leg appendages. When the player grasps one of these appendages and whirls the missile to let it fly, the torso of the figure then rotates in the course of flight, causing the appendages to stretch out from the torso to stabilize the flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 5932303
    Abstract: An ornament is shaped to be in balance about a surface point that is adapted to engage an upstanding projection. In one preferred embodiment, the ornament is formed from paper and is in the shape of a bird. The surface point is located at the bird's beak. The beak is adapted to engage the drinking edge of a vessel such as a glass. The center of mass of the bird is located below the surface point so that the bird has a stable equilibrium. The bird has a flat tail positioned to face upward. The tail may be written on, making the bird suitable for use a place indicator on a table at a formal function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Marilyn Stern
  • Patent number: 5810641
    Abstract: A rocking mechanism with upward, downward, forward and backward actions is disclosed. It mainly includes a base, a driving unit, a rocking unit, an outer pipe unit, an inner pipe unit, a rocking block, a upper sleeve and a decoration. With matching the inclined guiding slots on the rocking block and the fixed key of the outer pipe unit, the driving block can rock forward and backward when moving upward and downward in the same time. The effect of the rock makes the decoration of the mechanism lively as a horse runs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Szu Wei Lo
  • Patent number: 5806768
    Abstract: A self-righting inflatable toy coupleable to a source of pressurized water for producing water sprays emanating from the toy's top and sides. The toy comprises a ballasted inflatable housing including a rounded base portion and an elongated shaft portion. An upper spray producing mechanism disposed in the distal end of the shaft is provided for selectively creating a water spray directed vertically upward from the shaft. Dual-channelled tubing mechanism carried on the outer surface of the housing connect the upper spray producing mechanism to the water source and further selectively provide a water spray directed radially outward from the housing. Flow control mechanisms associated with the tubing enable the user to select the desired spray pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Robert W. Engel
  • Patent number: 5714212
    Abstract: A jigsaw puzzle sculpture comprising a plurality of interlocking pieces with a suspension point which is oriented relative to the center of gravity of the assembled puzzle sculpture. The suspension point is provided for display of the figure on a display means such as a horizontal rod member, or vertical balancing point, thereby replicating the natural posture, position, stance or carriage of the replicated figure. In the preferred embodiment, the puzzle sculpture replicates a living or extinct creature, such as an exotic, endangered, or extinct bird, which perches on a branch in a natural position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: AKK Foundation, LLC
    Inventors: Ofer Nissim, Trisha Sutherlan, Donald B. Ellingham
  • Patent number: 5409413
    Abstract: An ornamental figure is mounted on a vertical support rod extending upwardly from a rocker base assembly comprised of a cross plate, a pair of cross braces and a pair of rocker members which may be quickly assembled without requiring glue or fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Giftec, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jack Hou
  • Patent number: 5360366
    Abstract: A wobbling toy includes a hollow platform, a first magnet unit a soft toy housing including a head and a body and a driving mechanism. The first magnet unit is disposed horizontally and mounted rotatably adjacent to the top surface of the platform. The driving mechanism is operable so as to drive rotatably the first magnet unit. The toy body unit rests on the top surface of the platform. The toy body unit further includes a pivot plate which has two distal ends connected pivotally to the wall of the toy body and a vertically extending swing rod which has an intermediate portion that extends through and that is connected to the pivot plate. The swing rod further has a lower end with a second magnet unit mounted thereon and disposed adjacent to the platform and an upper end disposed within the head of the soft toy housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: C.C. Family Overseas Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ivan Lin
  • Patent number: 5322036
    Abstract: A novelty pet toy which can be set up with either a stationary base or a rocking base. The toy has a resiliently mounted cartoon character which oscillates back and forth when touched. Thus, a pet, such as a cat, can touch the character which oscillates on its resilient mount providing recreation and exercise for the pet. The base may be hollow and filled with any suitable material, such as cat litter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Inventor: Dennis Merino
  • 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: 5137281
    Abstract: A word game playing piece having at least one gravity-stable playing position, at least one gravity-unstable playing position, and a holder that supports the playing piece in its gravity-unstable position. The playing piece is provided with word game indicia, concealed when the playing piece is in its gravity-stable playing position, and revealed when the playing piece is supported in its gravity-unstable playing position by the holder. The player piece is automatically self-righting from gravity-unstable to gravity-stable position to minimize the exposure of its indicia to view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Inventors: Roger W. Lehmann, Michael I. Satten
  • Patent number: 4995845
    Abstract: An ornamental figure is mounted on a vertical support rod extending upwardly from a rocker base assembly comprised of a cross plate, a pair of cross braces and a pair of rocker members which may be quickly assembled without requiring glue or fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Inventor: Jack Hou
  • Patent number: 4921458
    Abstract: A self-righting upright rolling toy figure is provided which can be molded in half sections and assembled into a body forming the figure. Weights are mounted in the lowermost portion of the sides of the halves in precise location to form the necessary righting and stabilizing forces. A wheel having a relatively wide rim and hollow interior portion is pivotally mounted within the halves with the lower portion of the wheel exposed below the body surface for rolling contact on a support surface. The mounted counterbalancing weights are positioned within the rim of the wheel in symmetrical configuration and spaced slightly inward from the inner surface of the rim which is in contact with the support surface. A circular cap can be attached to the upper portion of the assembled body halves to seal and secure the halves. Suitable sockets are provided on each side of the figure in a position coaxial with the axle rotatably supporting the internal wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Inventor: Donald L. Greenwood
  • Patent number: 4907537
    Abstract: A cat toy with an ovate-shaped configuration having a weight inserted into a recessed area in the front section and a tail piece protruding from the rear section. When manipulated by a cord attached in a front to rear through configuration, the toy moves and rolls in unpredictable ways creating an enticing toy cats will chase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Inventor: Charles A. Shirk
  • Patent number: 4897070
    Abstract: A two-wheeled toy includes a central housing supported on a rotatable shaft between the wheels. The diameter of the wheels is larger than the housing, with a figure mounted on the housing extending above the wheels. The housing includes a miniature electric motor, gearing, batteries and a switch to activate the motor and drive the wheels. The batteries are mounted in the bottom of the housing to provide a weight and low center of gravity to maintain the housing and figure in an upright position during movement. The figure limits counter-rotation of the housing about the shaft when the wheels start to turn and move forward. The shaft extends outwardly from the wheels and provides a stop which prevents the wheels from falling sideways. The wheels may also be driven independently by separate motors and shafts and may be remotely controlled to permit turning and movement in different directions while the housing remains upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Inventor: Ronald D. Wagstaff
  • Patent number: 4787875
    Abstract: A water spouting bop bag includes an inflatable housing having ballast in a lower portion thereof. A spray head is connected at the top of the housing and water is delivered thereto from a garden hose via a tube in the housing. With water spouting from its top, a child punches the bop bag from an initial upright position, so as to tilt the water spout onto another player. The weight of the ballast restores the bop bag (and the water spout) to the initial upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Kid Biz, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Baron, Marie F. Gredel
  • Patent number: 4770412
    Abstract: A free-standing, self-righting punching bag having utility as a toy. The punching bag is sculptured and three dimensional; it is provided with a water-filled flexible enclosure at its lowermost end which serves as a counterweight to right the bag when it has been toppled by a punch or kick. In a first embodiment, a hollow tube member that also serves as a fill spout maintains the enclosure in its original shape at all times. In a second embodiment, a pair of strap members maintain the enclosure in its original shape and the fill spout is provided as a separate member which is positioned on the bottom of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Inventor: Henry S. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 4655722
    Abstract: A water toy includes an inflatable housing having ballast in the lower portion thereof. A spray head is connected to the top of the housing and water is conveyed to the spray head from a garden hose through a tube in the housing. With water spraying from the top of the housing, the toy can be hit from an initial upright position so as to tilt to various angles but will resume its initial upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Kid Biz, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Baron, Marie F. Gredel
  • Patent number: 4643922
    Abstract: This invention is a turtle-shaped figurine that includes an arcuately rounded underside surface positioned for rocking the turtle forwardly-rearwardly about a transverse axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Inventor: James M. Fujiwara