Universally Movable Patents (Class 446/344)
  • Patent number: 9776097
    Abstract: An artificial eye for use with an animatronic figure or a robot. The artificial eye includes an outer shell formed with a wall defining a spherical inner void space. The outer shell includes a transparent outer or forward portion or half joined with a rear portion or half. The artificial eye includes an inner eye or sphere including a hollow, semi-spherical shell, and the inner eye is positioned in the inner void space of the outer shell. The artificial eye includes an electromagnetic drive positioned within the hollow, semi-spherical shell of the inner eye. The electromagnetic drive supports the inner eye a distance from inner surfaces of the outer shell wall, and the drive includes a pivot joint such as a gimbal operable to pivot the inner eye. The inner eye is supported by a central pivot joint and driven by components centrally located and hidden within the inner eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Lanny S. Smoot, Peter Anastasios Chevako, Eli Joseph Romaire
  • Patent number: 8298037
    Abstract: A toy eye includes a casing having a transparent top portion, a lens defining a through hole, and a pupil received in through hole of the lens. The lens and the pupil are both made of soft resilient material, and clung to the transparent top portion of the casing. The toy eye also includes a push-pull element for pushing the pupil towards the transparent top portion of the casing or pulling the pupil reversely. The toy eye further includes a light processing element for sensing the change of the outside light intensity and generating a driving signal when the value of the change of the light intensity reaches or exceeds a predetermined value, and a driving element for driving the push-pull element to push or pull the pupil, upon receiving the driving signal from the light processing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kim-Yeung Sip
  • Patent number: 8007340
    Abstract: An artificial eye structure rotates an artificial upper eyelid via the attraction between a number of electromagnetic elements disposed in a line and a magnet. The rotation angle of the artificial upper eyelid can be controlled by selectively magnetizing the electromagnetic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kim-Yeung Sip
  • Patent number: 6991511
    Abstract: An expression-varying device is disclosed. The device includes a supporting member that supports two eyeball bodies so that the eyeball bodies are free to pivot. The device also includes a connecting member that connects the two eyeball bodies, and that supports the eyeball bodies so that the eyeball bodies can pivot in synchronization in a side to side or left to right direction. The device includes a swinging mechanism that causes the connecting member to swing upward and downward and to the left and right. The swinging mechanism includes a disk in which a recessed groove is formed in a side surface of the disk and runs in a circumferential direction. The depth of the groove and distance of the groove from the center of the disk vary according to relative positions on the disk. The swinging mechanism includes a motor that causes the disk to rotate. An engaging shaft which engages with the recessed groove of the disk is formed on and protrudes from and to the side of the arm member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Mattel Inc.
    Inventors: Albert P. Maggiore, Toshinobu Ishii, Kazutsugi Kanagawa, Hideyasu Karasawa
  • Patent number: 5769687
    Abstract: A toy eye includes an eye ball rotatably received in the housing and a spring for biasing against the eye ball and for positioning the eye ball in place. The eye ball includes a hole formed in the rear end for engaging with a pin which is secured on a disc. A flexible wire has one end secured to the disc and has the other end secured to a motor for allowing the motor to rotate the wire and the disc and for allowing the pin to rotate the eye ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventor: Lung Ching Ko
  • Patent number: 5407376
    Abstract: A doll eye mechanism responsive to the voice and designed as a replaceable unit provided in a toy or doll to simulate communication with a child. When the child speaks to the doll, the mechanism provides eye rotation, to simulate a human response. The mechanism comprises control circuitry which receives the voice as an input to a microphone, and converts this into a drive signal which powers a transmission designed as a motor and gears to provide rotation. The voice-responsive mechanism provides a metaphor for the natural mechanism of the brain which makes communication possible. The human eye, the organ of sight, receives the information (the child's voice) through the cornea (microphone) and passes on the message (via the control system) to the rear lobe of the brain (transmission mechanism) which coordinates the movement of the two eyes (two axes of motor).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Inventors: Noni Avital, Iko Avital
  • Patent number: 5092811
    Abstract: A mechanism for dolls which allows for crying, movement of the lips and swivelling of the eyeballs. The mechanism includes a control circuit and timing element which is connected to a switch placed in the mouth of the doll, a magnetic field detector placed in the proximity of the mouth, a voice apparatus, and a motor attached to a mechanism for moving the lips and eyes. The latter mechanism consists of an eccentrically mounted shaft which is attached to one end of a spring having its other end connected to a piece that ends in the shape of an arrow-head connected to the doll face in the proximity of the mouth of the doll. A pacifier inserted in the mouth of the doll, opens the switch to maintain inactive all the devices. If the pacifier is removed, the voice device is activated. A bottle having a magnetic element can be inserted into the mouth, and operates the magnetic field detector to start the motor and operate the lips and the eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Irwin Toy Limited
    Inventor: Juan J. Bergenguer
  • Patent number: 4775352
    Abstract: An animated audio doll whose mouth can be driven by replaceable tape cartridges is provided. The doll has a head member with simulated eyes and mouth that can open and close. Uni-directional direct current motors are provided in the body of the doll and are connected to the respective eyes and mouth through flexible driven links that protect the motor if either the eyes or the mouth are held stationary. The tape cartridge can be encoded with audio signals, a base frequency and a pair of coordinated frequency timing signals. The tape player can convert the frequency timing signals into digital signal levels while a binary switch member can determine when the mouth is in a closed position. A level detector circuit can determine whether the first or second timing signals are present and a logic circuit can, in combination with the timing signals and the output from the binary switch, drive the DC motor connected to the mouth in coordination with the audio sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Lawrence T. Jones
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Curran, Richard L. May