Operated By Movably Mounted Weight Patents (Class 446/351)
  • Patent number: 11951412
    Abstract: A plush toy that is configurable to change the face displayed on the toy. In a first embodiments, the hair is moveable to display a face flap that has a different face on each side of the flap. The flap can be positioned to display either side and face or can be stowed on the back of the toy's head to display a third face. In a second embodiment, a face strap is pulled to position a first and second face on the front of the plush toy. A third embodiment includes a moveable face hood that can be positioned in one of two positions to display two different faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Great Eastern Entertainment Co.
    Inventors: Kent Hsu, Nancy Chen
  • Patent number: 9017136
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, an eccentric load adapted to be rotated by the rotational motor, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. The legs are coupled to the housing at the leg base and include at least one driving leg constructed from a flexible material and configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: David Anthony Norman, Robert H. Mimlitch, III, Douglas Michael Galletti, Joel Reagan Carter
  • Patent number: 8905813
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, an eccentric load adapted to be rotated by the rotational motor, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. The legs are coupled to the housing at the leg base and include at least one driving leg constructed from a flexible material and configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: David Anthony Norman, Robert H. Mimlitch, III, Douglas Michael Galletti, Joel Reagan Carter
  • Patent number: 8858294
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a base, a drive mechanism attached to the base for causing the base to move across a support surface, a bobble head rotatably coupled to the base and rotatable about at least one axis, and a vibrating mechanism adapted to cause the bobble head to oscillate about at least one axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David Anthony Norman, Raul Olivera
  • Patent number: 8834227
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, an eccentric load, a rotational motor coupled to the body and adapted to rotate the eccentric load, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. At least a portion of the plurality of legs are constructed from a flexible material, are injection molded, are integrally coupled to the body at the leg base, and include at least one driving leg configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: David Anthony Norman, Robert H. Mimlitch, III, Douglas Michael Galletti, Joel Reagan Carter
  • Patent number: 8834226
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, an eccentric load adapted to be rotated by the rotational motor, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. The legs are coupled to the housing at the leg base and include at least one driving leg constructed from a flexible material and configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: David Anthony Norman, Robert H. Mimlitch, III, Douglas Michael Galletti, Joel Reagan Carter
  • Patent number: 8196551
    Abstract: A simulated mouse toy having a prerecorded sound chip therein is provided which emits a prerecorded sound upon physical movement, such as when swatted, rolled or carried, to encourage pets to continue to play. A motion imparting device formed of a solenoid is operatively connected in conjunction the prerecorded sound chip to simultaneously provide a jittery or twitching visual stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: OurPet's Co.
    Inventor: Steven Tsengas
  • Publication number: 20120015585
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, an eccentric load, a rotational motor coupled to the body and adapted to rotate the eccentric load, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. At least a portion of the plurality of legs are constructed from a flexible material, are injection molded, are integrally coupled to the body at the leg base, and include at least one driving leg configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: David Anthony Norman, Robert H. Mimlitch, III, Douglas Michael Galletti, Joel Reagan Carter
  • Patent number: 8038503
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, an eccentric load, a rotational motor coupled to the body and adapted to rotate the eccentric load, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. At least a portion of the plurality of legs are constructed from a flexible material, are injection molded, are integrally coupled to the body at the leg base, and include at least one driving leg configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: David Anthony Norman, Robert H. Mimlitch, Douglas Michael Galletti, Joel Reagan Carter
  • 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: 7927170
    Abstract: A portable device comprises a motor for providing vibration, a power source for powering the motor, a switching device for controlling the direction of the motor, propelling means for engaging a surface and for propelling the device when the motor is vibrating, the propelling means extending downwardly at an angle to the vertical, and an input device connected to the switching device, the switching device arranged to switch the direction of the motor when the input device receives a predetermined signal. Advantageously, the propelling means comprise a set of bristles. By using angled bristles, this increases friction in the backwards direction and so causes the device to move forwards when vibrating. The bristles dig into surface when vibration tries to move the object backwards, and the bristles slide over surface when vibration tries to move object forwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: JKID Limited
    Inventors: Matthew James Bickerton, Michael Lee Simpson
  • 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: 6899589
    Abstract: A toy animal mounted on 4 spring legs to permit movement of the animal in response to the rotation of an eccentrically mounted weight. This weight is mounted in the front body portion about a shaft disposed transverse to the body portion. The shaft is driven by a reversible motor, the speed and direction of which is controlled by a program controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventors: Bruce D. Lund, Sunil Moothedath
  • Patent number: 6705918
    Abstract: An eye assembly for toys, stationery or ornaments includes an outer shell disposed and fixed with a mobile eyeball. The eyeball is provided with a mobile cover at the top thereof and at the inner side of the outer shell, and an eyelid cover at the front thereof for forming an eye structure. The eye structure appears vivid and appealing when being erected and lain by opening and closing the eye for that the internal mobile cover is situated at different positions relative to the eyeball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Chin-Sung Chang
  • 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: 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: 6149494
    Abstract: A toy includes a platform, a moving body, and a balance bar. The moving body has front and rear wheels rotatable about horizontal rotary axes, a turning wheel, and a drive unit coupled to the turning wheel and one of the rear wheels to drive movement of the moving body when the moving body is disposed on the platform. The turning wheel is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the rotary axes of the front and rear wheels, and prevents the moving body from falling off the platform when the moving body moves to a peripheral edge of the platform. The balance bar has an intermediate fulcrum portion mounted pivotally on the moving body about a horizontal pivot axis, and two arm portions projecting from two opposite lateral sides of the moving body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Dah Yang Toy Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Nan Yang
  • 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: 6042450
    Abstract: A doll with simulated physiological functions, in particular a toy doll in the form of a teddy bear, is described. The teddy bear has a head with eyes that can move and a mouth that opens and closes. A lower jaw pivots about a first axis to provide the opening and closing action of the mouth. A mechanical linkage means is provided to transmit a movement of the lower jaw to another part of the doll, for example to the eyes, whereby opening and/or closing of the mouth, for example when feeding the teddy bear, can produce a simulated physiological response from the doll, for example a responsive eye movement. The mechanical linkage means also actuates a sound generating means. The arrangement of the mechanical linkage means is such that there is a degree of unpredictability in the simulated physiological functions which enhances the long term play value of the doll and increases the enjoyment of a child. Incorporating other simulated physiological functions further enhances the play value of the teddy bear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Toy Concepts Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: John Malcolm Leversedge, Victor Manuel Pracas
  • Patent number: 5993286
    Abstract: A walking insect that comprises a torso having a set of legs and wings attached thereto. Disposed within the torso is a battery and a rotating electric motor operative to vibrate the torso. The electric motor is attached to a counterbalance and tail cone such that when the counterbalance and tail cone are rotated, the insect vibrates thereby causing the legs to move and the insect to walk. The counterbalance is adjustable in order to amplify the vibration of the insect. The insect may be sold in kit form for assembly by children as an educational toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventors: Timothy L. Tacquard, Patricia B. Tacquard
  • Patent number: 5720644
    Abstract: A voice-actuated spherical tumbler including two hollow semi-spherical shells connected into a spherical housing, a mounting plate fixedly mounted inside one semi-spherical shell, a rocker supported on a spring to hold a weight, a voice-controlled circuit board, a motor controlled by the voice-controlled circuit board to turn the rocker, causing it to shift the center of gravity of the tumbler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Wane Ming Ku
  • Patent number: 5628668
    Abstract: Complicated movements of a walking doll such as going frontward or backward while making a big turn or making a turn in place is possible if the walking doll includes a body with a gear unit for supporting and driving a pair of feet having the same length and moved in an oscillating manner in the front/rear direction with respect to the body without restraint. The doll stands erect on the feet since they have surfaces which stay in contact with the floor. These surfaces have a curvature in the oscillating direction and the curvature is constantly in contact with the floor. A member for adjusting the position of a gravitational center of the doll is swiveled or deformed on a first plane parallel to the oscillation direction and another plane orthogonal to the first plane. This can three-dimensionally shift the center of gravity frontward or backward or to a side region of the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Seikoken Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kunitaka Takemae
  • Patent number: 5088953
    Abstract: A gravity activated walking toy on an elevated flat horizontal surface is provided wherein the walking movement is actuated by a weighted cord hanging from the toy over the edge of the elevated flat horizontal surface. When the angle of the cord hanging therefrom is changed to a vertical position the toy will stop walking when it reaches the edge so that it will not fall off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventor: Robert Richman
  • Patent number: 5052970
    Abstract: A toy apparatus includes a simulated bird like figure, including a main body portion and legs mounted to underlying platform, with a head member and a tail member pivotally mounted at respective forward and rear terminal ends of the body member. Pendulum lines are mounted to the head member and to the tail member to effect oscillation of the figure upon oscillation of an associated pendulum weight mounted to lower ends of the pendulum lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Inventor: John D. Balwigaire
  • Patent number: 4708690
    Abstract: A toy mechanical monster has a rounded base that engages a playing surface and houses a motor driving an eccentric weight within the housing. Legs pivotally attached to the housing move to and away from the outside of the housing as it is driven by the eccentric weight increasing the effect of erratic movement of the monster about the playing surface. A head is supported atop the base for rotation by the motor. Pivotally connected to the head are pincer arms with claws that can be used to grasp toy action figures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Ralph J. Kulesza, Walter J. Wozniak, Harry Disko
  • Patent number: 4578044
    Abstract: A toy including a movable model, components for generating and alternating a magnetic field in response to a direct current, a permanent magnet disposed in the generated magnetic field, and a component for transmitting movement of the permanent magnet in the generated magnetic field to the movable model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Masudaya Corporation Limited
    Inventor: Shigeru Saitoh
  • Patent number: 4560363
    Abstract: An animated figure toy (10) includes a head (14) in which a pendulum (26) is swingably mounted for reciprocating a cam follower (48) to blink eyelids (60, 62) and simultaneously move eyeballs (68, 70) from side to side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard G. Garza, Pinhas Sayegh, James R. Bjorklund