Including Support Or Manipulator Extrinsic To Figure (e.g., Marionette) Patents (Class 446/359)
  • Patent number: 11376515
    Abstract: In an aspect, a transformable toy is provided and includes a first rotary member and a second rotary member, which are rotatable relative to one another between first and second rotary positions. A projection member is rotationally fixed to the first rotary member, and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A helical guide is connected and a helical guide follower are connected to the the second rotary member and the projection member. Relative rotation between the first rotary member and the second rotary member between the first and second rotary positions drives relative rotation between the helical guide and the helical guide follower, which in turn drives the projection member to move between the retracted and extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: SPIN MASTER LTD.
    Inventors: Jessica Livingston, Anne N. Charbonneau
  • Patent number: 10010051
    Abstract: A squirrel bungee apparatus is shown. A first plate member is suspended from an overhead structure. A second plate member is pivotally secured to the first plate member whereby the first and second plate members may be moved between first and second positions. A torsion spring interconnects the first and second plate members and yieldably maintains the first and second plate members in their first position. An elongated flexible chain has its upper end secured to the second plate member and has a food item or the like at the lower end thereof. When a squirrel jumps onto the food item, the weight of the squirrel causes the first and second plate members to move from their first position to their second position thereby causing the food item and the squirrel to move downwardly and thence upwardly in a bungee fashion due to the action of the torsion spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Paul L. Cote
  • Patent number: 9375648
    Abstract: A toy vehicle is provided. The toy vehicle having: a vehicle chassis defining a first interior region; a leg movably secured to the vehicle chassis for movement from a first position to a second position, wherein the leg and a wheel rotatably secured to the leg is extended away from the chassis when the leg is moved to the second position; a spring for providing a biasing force to retain the leg into the first position; and an actuation unit received within the first interior region of the chassis and operably coupled to the movable leg member and a body portion movably secured to the chassis, the actuation unit being configured to overcome the biasing force of the spring and move the leg to the second position when the body portion is moved with respect to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Alan Hippely, Joseph Wu, Patrick Chu, Denise Wong, Edward Wong
  • Patent number: 8808054
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an action piece for a toy play set is provided, the action piece being configured to have at least three separate engagement features configured to retain and subsequently release a portion of an action figure. In another embodiment a play set is provided, the play set having: a ring structure, at least one action figure and an action piece for securement to a portion of the ring structure. In still another embodiment, a method of launching an action figure from a play set in order to cause the action figure to fly through the air in a predetermined fashion is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Barthold
  • Patent number: 8758077
    Abstract: A fighter robot system that supplies power to two fighter robots, which have a match against each other, through respective power lines and prevents the power lines from becoming entangled even when the robots are moving. The fighter robot system includes two fighter robots, a power supply providing power to the fighter robots, and a rotary member located above or below the fighter robots, the rotary member having a predetermined length and rotatable around a central axis formed at a predetermined portion. The power supply provides the power to the fighter robots through power lines. Each power line starts from the power supply, extends from the central axis to either end of the rotary member in the lengthwise direction, and is connected at that end to each fighter robot. The rotary member rotates around the central axis following the movement of the fighter robots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Robobuilder Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Min Jang, Seong-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8382550
    Abstract: The present invention is such that a doll equipped with a plurality of auxiliary magnetic poles is inserted into a hermetically-sealed container filled with liquid and the container is circumferentially arranged with variable magnetic poles whose polarities are determined by electromagnets, whereby attraction or repulsion is applied on each portion of the doll. The polarity of each variable magnetic pole can be arbitrarily controlled by adjustment of direction of current flowing in the electromagnets to enable the doll in the container to be driven in various types of motions. Therefore, the motions of the doll can be expressed in various interesting types including dancing to the accompaniment of music without recourse to making the doll in a complicated robotic shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hyun Gu Kang
    Inventor: Hyun Gu Kang
  • Publication number: 20100227526
    Abstract: A system for animating decorative elements or products moved by means of strings connecting the decorative elements to an animating mechanism includes a closed animating device (2) in which the animating mechanism is arranged and enclosed, decorative elements or products (4) animated by animating strings (5), the decorative elements (4) and their animating strings (5) being arranged outside the animating device (2) and distributed in a space to be decorated, control wires (6) being provided to connect the animating strings (5) of the decorative elements (4) to the animating mechanism, and elements (7) for transmitting movements to the decorative elements (4). The transmitting elements are distributed in the space to be decorated depending on the location of the decorative elements (4) relative to the animating device (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Adjl"Atelier Des Jum"s
    Inventors: Nicolas Wolff, Bastien Wolff
  • Patent number: 7695340
    Abstract: An action figure toy may include a base, an action figure, and a flipping mechanism disposed on the base. In some embodiments, the action figure toy may include at least two cords suspended from the base, and the action figure may be configured to ascend the at least two cords toward the base by manipulation of the at least two cords by a user. The flipping mechanism may be configured to engage the action figure when the action figure ascends to the flipping mechanism. The flipping mechanism may enable the action figure to rotate about an axis that is transverse to a line parallel to at least a portion of at least one of the at least two cords when the flipping mechanism engages the action figure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakazato, Ted Lubin
  • Publication number: 20090191785
    Abstract: The present invention provides a miniature live-action surfing attraction and associated surf game specifically adapted for use with one or more surf toy action figures. The surf toy action figures are mountable to a surf board appropriately sized and weighted to provide relatively stable or semi-stable surf-riding action upon a sheet flow of water flowing up an inclined ride surface of the reduced scale attraction. Various surf action figures may be set free upon the ride surface, or they may be constrained or partially constrained by wires, strings, magnets or the like, as desired. Alternatively, or in addition, they may be controlled via a remote control, or radio control transmitter, as desired. Thus, a fun and entertaining game is created that provides realistic live-action surfing within a relatively small or confined area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: Light Wave, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Lochtefeld
  • Patent number: 7517271
    Abstract: There is provided a control mechanism for use with a puppet and puppets adapted for control thereby. One or more single-strand, sheathed cables are adapted for imparting motion to at least one movable part of a puppet. Both longitudinal (i.e., in-and-out) and rotary motions may be imparted to the cables, thereby allowing a wide range of resulting movements of the attached puppet part. In one embodiment, longitudinal movement of the cable strand imparts a flapping motion to the wings of a puppet while rotary motion of the same cable imparts a wagging motion to the puppet's tail. Regardless of whether one or two cables are used, the actuation of the cables may be performed discreetly and out of view of the audience of the puppeteer's show.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventor: Albert Alfaro
  • Publication number: 20080102730
    Abstract: A novelty device including a figurine having a pair of breasts attached to a torso by springs thereby creating a “jiggling” effect to the breasts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Ronald G. Ploog, Joelle M. Ploog
  • Patent number: 7318766
    Abstract: Embodiments of toy dolls and doll stands are disclosed, in which a user input applied to the doll or stand may generate motion in the stand and/or doll to animate the doll and/or stand. In some embodiments, a users' input motion may be stored in a compression or expansion member, such as a spring, and gradually released to actuate motion of one or more parts of the stand and/or doll. In some embodiments, the dolls and stands can be separate or for use with each other, the same stand usable for multiple dolls. In some embodiments, the doll may be powered to move independent of the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon C. Marine, Mark S. Wittenberg, Debbie Glassberg
  • Patent number: 7048605
    Abstract: A bobble head doll shaker includes a base and housing and a supporting platform that is hingedly mounted to the housing. A motor drives an agitator that lifts and releases the supporting platform, thereby imparting an oscillating motion to a bobble head doll supported on the platform. The agitator includes engagement portions that lift the supporting platform. The motor has variable speed and agitator elements having different profiles that may be interchanged to achieve a greater variability of the oscillating motion. Moreover, with the hinge attachment, the bobble head doll's position and corresponding movement may be varied by changing its location on the supporting platform. A riser element may also be placed under the doll to increase the instability of the doll and provide for further varying the bobble head doll motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventors: Grant Hawthorne, David Kapell, Andrew Comfort, Thomas Cheung, Gan Wei Xiong, Liao Wang Xian, Lowell Fritzke
  • Patent number: 6827626
    Abstract: A marionette having a controller and a puppet. The controller having a pair of control wings pivotably connected at the second end to one end of a control rod. The other end of the control rod is connected to the puppet. The puppet can have a human form with a head, torso, arms and legs. A pair of control strings extend from the first ends of the control wings to the arms of the puppet. The arms of the puppet are connected to the torso so as to allow a wide range of movement of the arms. The puppet is moved by tilting and pivoting the control wings on the end of the control rod and by moving the control rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Playstages, Incorporated
    Inventors: Mary Jo Feeney, Tucker Fort, Alexandra Fort
  • Patent number: 6547625
    Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of a toy which comprises at least one article which is movable with respect to a play base and objects on the playbase. The article can have at least one part which is movable with respect to the remainder of the article and the movement is achieved via a magnetic arrangement which involves at least one magnet in the movable part of the article and at least one magnet in a movement means such that as the movement means and/or article move in sufficient proximity, the magnetic forces and field created cause movement of the said part of the article to provide an animated feature to the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Origin Products Ltd.
    Inventor: Brian Whitehead
  • Patent number: 6533639
    Abstract: Toy figures carry cargo items from one building to another and return without the items to appear to have unloaded the items. This is achieved with an electric motor driving gears connected to two parallel belts moving in opposite directions between the buildings at opposite ends of a platform. Duplicate figures are secured on each belt with one set of figures moving in one direction carrying items and the other set moving in the other direction not carrying items. Figures on the upper surfaces of the belts rotate about roller supports at the ends and are returned inverted along the lower belt surfaces. The belt ends and lower surfaces are obscured by the end buildings and side walls so that only the figures on the upper belts are seen moving in opposite directions with and without loads to provide the desired illusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Robert F. Tammara
  • Patent number: 6508688
    Abstract: A revolving structure for built-up toy mainly includes a flat base having round holes provided thereon, flat gear members separately located above the round holes to mesh with one another, disc-shaped stoppers separately located below the round holes, and flat rotating shafts vertically extended through the gear members, the round holes, and the stoppers to project a length from a bottom side of the base. A built-up toy is engaged with a top of each rotating shaft. By turning any one of the rotating shafts at the projected length below the base, the gear members are rotated to revolve all built-up toys connected to the rotating shafts. An interesting dynamic effect is therefore created for the otherwise stationary built-up toys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Kuo-Ching Liu
  • Patent number: 6409571
    Abstract: A mechanical biped assembly (10) consisting of a base assembly (12) which includes a lower section (14) that is hinged to an upper enclosure (28). Attached to the upper enclosure (28) is a biped body (60) consisting of a pelvic enclosure (62) that is supported by a left leg (102) and a right leg (112) and that has pivotally attached a thorax enclosure (124). The thorax enclosure (124) has pivotally attached a left arm (160), a right arm (170), a rotatable neck (186) to which is pivotally attached a head (200). Within the base assembly (12) and the biped body (60) is located a kinematical linkage mechanism (214) that is activated by a single push of the upper enclosure (28). When the mechanism (214) is activated, the thorax enclosure (124) pivots to the right, which is then subsequently followed by the left arm (160) pivoting upward, the right arm (170) moving to the right, and the head (200) rotating to the left and pivoting upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Carlo Rambaldi
  • Patent number: 6042446
    Abstract: A pecking bird toy comprising: a hollow paddle portion, a pecking bird portion and a ball. The hollow paddle portion has a handle and an interior circular raceway. The pecking bird portion is mounted on the top of the hollow handle portion. The pecking bird portion includes a fixed body with a cavity in its lower portion, a head and neck part and a mechanism which imparts a pecking motion to the head and neck part. The head and neck part is pivotally mounted within the cavity. The mechanism is pivotally attached to the end of the head and neck part and includes an actuating pin, with a shallow or truss head, extending through the top of the hollow handle portion into the raceway. The ball is trapped within the raceway as the hollow handle portion is assembled. The invention is designed so that the raceway has a width slightly larger than the diameter of the ball and the distance between the head and the bottom of the raceway is less than the diameter of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Wilner Louis
  • Patent number: 5980357
    Abstract: Apparatus for animating a figure includes a head pivotably connected to a body, a control rod having a lower end fixed in the head and an upper end pivotable about an axis through a handle, and a second rod suspending the body from the handle remotely from the pivot axis, whereby pivoting the control rod about the pivot axis causes the head to pivot with respect to the body, giving the appearance of a change in posture. The head is preferably mounted for universal movement with respect to the body, and the rod is mounted for rotation with respect to the handle about a longitudinal rod axis which is perpendicular to the pivot axis. Rotating the control rod thus causes the head to rotate with respect to the body, giving the impression of looking left and right.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Thomas O. Newby
  • Patent number: 5964638
    Abstract: The subject invention is a figure toy which is to be grasped and manipulated by a child. By way of example, the figure toy could comprise a bird. The child can manually maneuver the toy through the air resembling a bird in flight. The child can also depress a first lever which will result in the flapping of the wings of the bird. The child can also depress a second lever which will result in the extension of the legs of the bird. A third lever is to be actuatable which will result in the moving of the feet of the bird to a grasping position with the feet being capable of grasping onto and holding exterior objects. The object can then be released at a desired time. An annunciator button can be actuated which will also result in emission of a bird-like noise, as well as illumination of the eyes of the bird.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: Anthony G. Emerson
  • Patent number: 5926990
    Abstract: A bird decoy movement system for simulating the movement of a bird is described. Some bird decoys are manufactured with legs that pivot at the lower part of the body. These decoys also have a prefabricated opening on the bottom of the body behind the pivotal legs. The preferred embodiment of the present invention takes advantage of the existing design in that the motion device is mounted in the prefabricated opening. The rotary motion of an arm mounted on the motion device shaft imparts a linear motion to a rod mounted on the end of the arm. When the other end of the arm is attached to a fixed rod in a ground plane, the decoy pivots about the pivotal legs and simulated feeding. Other embodiments simulate movement of a shell type decoy and a full body decoy with fixed legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Russell Okimoto
  • Patent number: 5836802
    Abstract: The interactive animated figure toy is formed with few commonly available component parts. Various interesting figures may be selectively formed by stringing a plurality of bead elements together with elastic bands. The figure is mounted on two elongated supporting rods such that it may be actuated to perform interesting and entertaining responsive actions with the operation of the supporting rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: David B. Harnett
  • Patent number: 5558555
    Abstract: A platform for animating a doll mounted thereon, the platform being provided with a base having a circular well recessed in its underside. Anchored on the base is an upright bearing in which is received a shaft whose upper end projects above the bearing and is clamped to one leg of the doll to support it above the base. The lower end of the shaft projects into the well and is joined to an actuator having an eccentric tip which frictionally engages the horizontal play surface on which the platform is placed. When a player pushes the platform back and forth along this surface the tip is then caused to sweep in a circular path within the well and in doing so to cause the shaft and the doll clamped thereto to rotate. Thus as the platform is pushed, the advancing doll rotates to execute a pirouetting dance movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Melvin Kennedy
  • Patent number: 5443188
    Abstract: A system for simulating human gait embodied as a human-like model, for example, a mannequin, a scarecrow and the like depending on the intended application of the system, driven by a driving system along a pair of tracks. The driving system includes rotatable terminals for reversing the direction of advancement of the model. The model has legs which are pivotally connected to one another in a spaced alignment at a waist enabling a scissor-like action during the step-by-step advancement of the model along the tracks. The waist includes a balancing mechanism for maintaining a substantially even keel of the model during the gait-like motion. Furthermore, the legs include an upper segment pivotally connected at a knee-like joint to a lower segment such the legs have a tendency for a flexion movement and urging mechanisms for straightening them. Still further, the legs terminate in feet pivotally connected thereto which are provided with front and rear shock absorbers for smoothing the gait-like motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventors: Boris Kotlarsky, Gideon Gelman
  • Patent number: 5304087
    Abstract: A soft stuffed puppy is carried in a flexible sling with the head of the puppy exposed. The head has animatable ears driven by rotation of the head relative to the body. In addition, a protruding moveable tongue is driven by an actuator which also serves to effect the rotation of the head relative to the body. Actuation of the animatable ears and tongue may be readily accomplished while the puppy is carried in the sling by a child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Breslow, Morrison, Terzian & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Rouben T. Terzian, Shari L. Smith
  • Patent number: 5254029
    Abstract: The articulated assembly consists, on the one hand, of a cross-shaped neck-and shoulder element (1) made of roundwoods (6, 7) which encompasses the neck (2) and shoulder articulations (3, 4) and, on the other hand, of foot articulation elements (31, 32). Each of said articulations (2, 3, 4) at the neck-shoulder element (1) is formed by a closed eyelet (13, 15, 16) and a loop (12, 17, 18) passing through it, which loop is secured by its free end to the one side of the articulation. The hip articulation is formed by a piping hem (27) into which a roundwood (28) has been inserted. The foot articulations consist of a roundwood (31, 32) which exhibits a slot (33, 34) below, in which an eyebolt (35, 36), supported by a transverse nail, dangles, which eyebolt can be screwed into a wooden foot or a wooden shoe (37, 38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Glorex AG
    Inventor: Mel Myland
  • Patent number: 4992070
    Abstract: Am improved manipulative articulated toy figure has rings attached to certain movable limbs and is operated by the fingers of a human hand for reproducing lifelike human or animal movement. The figure has a central body portion and a plurality of limbs movably mounted thereto. The rings extend outwardly from the limbs and each receives a human finger for independent manipulation of the limbs to control the movements of the articulated figure. The rings allow the figure to be selectively used as a conventional articulated toy figure or as a finger actuated puppet figure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Inventors: Charles F. Mullen, Daniel C. Mullen
  • Patent number: 4762513
    Abstract: A reconfigurable walking toy which may be operated by turning a control knob which activates a gear mechanism within the toy used to move the leg members of the toy in order to simulate a walking action. The toy has two leg members, each having upper and lower leg members. The two upper leg members are rotatably engaged to a hollow body. Each of the two lower leg members is rotatably engaged to one of the upper leg members. The toy is supported by foot members which rotatably engage the bottom ends of the lower leg members. The gear mechanism features two sector gears which are rotatably mounted to the hollow body of the toy. The sector gears are driven by a pinion gear attached to a gear shaft. A control knob is used to rotate the shaft. Rotation of the knob back and forth causes one leg member to stride forward followed by the other leg member, simulating a walking movement of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Terence A. Choy, Harold A. Hartleben, Jaime Serna
  • Patent number: 4750900
    Abstract: A quick drawing mechanism for use in an animated figure toy having a hollow torso and arm. A push button at the back of the torso is pushed causing a plate with rack to pivot and an arm connector having gears which engage the rack to rotate. Rotation of the arm connector causes the hollow arm to rotate upward and an upper member inside the arm to engage a stationary cam member mounted in the torso. The cam member causes the upper member to pivot which releases a lower member releasably held inside the hollow arm simulating a quick draw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: William Hart
  • Patent number: 4723931
    Abstract: Various patterns of receptor holes formed in the torso, arms and legs of a plastic toy action figure permit various accessories, also of plastic, having compliant press-in pins to be selectively added to and removed from the toy figure. Additionally, a rotatable coupling mechanism extends through the torso, the coupling mechanism having a receptor hole at each end thereof, the holes in the coupling mechanism being in a predetermined relation with respect to prearranged patterns of receptor holes in the front and rear of the torso. In this way, accessories can be plugged into the ends of the coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism is provided with two sets of facial teeth or serrations that are normally resiliently urged into engagement but which disengage if the coupling mechanism is subjected to an excessive amount of twisting force, thereby avoiding breakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Kenner Parker Toys Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Allen, Philip M. Baerenwald, Mark D. Boudreaux, Timothy A. Effler, Phillip G. Reed, Stuart A. Cook
  • Patent number: 4674989
    Abstract: An armed toy creature figure has an axe-like element pivotably mounted along its back, which strikes forwardly when disengaged. The plunger for actuating the striker element is associated with the holder by which the figure is supported on the operator's hand, and the figure has flexible legs which carry ring pieces for receiving the tips of the operator's fingers, to permit convenient animation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Coleco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Bovi, Richard I. Farrington
  • Patent number: 4674988
    Abstract: A toy for rotating or twirling a doll to simulate break-dancing. A main housing mounts a rotatable shaft having an upper portion that projects outwardly of the housing. A coupling element is secured to the projecting portion of the shaft, which coupling portion mates with a coupling element provided on a portion of an articulated doll. The shaft is rotatable by a disc, or fly-wheel, concentrically mounted about the shaft in the housing. A slot in a side edge surface of the housing allows for the insertion of a thumb or finger into the interior of the housing to thereby spin or rotate the disc, and therefore the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Inventor: Robertson Kimondo
  • Patent number: 4655725
    Abstract: A figure toy having an upper torso with an arm member pivotally coupled to the shoulder portion thereof, the arm member being hollow and including therein a rotatable assembly having a bevel gear at the shoulder area and a connector adjacent the wrist portion for connection to one of a plurality of simulated weapons which may be rotated. A rotatable wheel within the torso is gear connected to the rotatable assembly within the arm, rotation of the simulated weapon being effected by manually driving the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Torres
  • Patent number: 4623318
    Abstract: An animated figure toy (10) includes an upper torso (14) provided with a pair of arms (22) articulately mounted for relative movement thereto upward toward the plane of the shoulders by centrifugal force, as the upper torso is rotated relative to a lower torso (16) upon which it is mounted, by means of a thumbwheel (64) coacting with a drive means (44) connected between the torsos. The individual arms are also rotatable for 360.degree. about an axis through the shoulders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Phedon J. Tsiknopoulos, Roger H. Sweet
  • Patent number: 4595379
    Abstract: A toy doll with arms and legs mounted for pivotal movement relative to the torso in response to rotational movement of a bottle nipple in the doll's mouth. One gear on a rotatable feed tube within the hollow head of the doll engages vertically oriented racks that then engage spur gears to rotate the arms. A bevel gear also carried by the tube engages a bevel gear on a depending drive shaft that has a crown gear driving a bevel gear for each of the legs. Both the arms and the legs are mounted on spools that freely rotate with respect to the torso. Frictional engagement of the limbs with respect to the spool permit the spool to pivotally drive the arms while also allowing selective, independent angular orientation of each of the limbs with respect to its respective spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Russell G. Rasmussen, Steven P. Hanson, Jeffrey D. Breslow
  • Patent number: 4571207
    Abstract: A simulated exercise apparatus toy having a housing with a seat portion, handlebars, rotatable simulated pedals and a simulated control panel with a window. A manually operated crank is provided with gear members within the housing rotating the pedals and simultaneously rotating a drum member with the indicia thereon appearing within the window of the simulated control panel to simulate an exercise function, such as respiration, or the like. Internal to the housing, one of the pedals is provided with first and second concentric bevel gears, one for engaging the bevel gear operated by the crank, and the second engaging a bevel gear operating the drum member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Henderson, Mark S. Wittenberg
  • Patent number: 4559021
    Abstract: A mechanically actuable doll's head (12) is mounted on an angled cut (20) formed in a neck (14) and is supported on a pair of shoulders (16) fixed to a supporting base (18). An actuating mechanism (26) for rotating the head from one side to the other, and at the same time tilting the head up or down is provided, and includes a knob (28), a first shaft (32), a first bevel gear (34), a second bevel gear (38), a second shaft (42) and a neck-plug (44) having an enlarged portion (46) carrying the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Wittenberg, Virgil W. Wulff
  • Patent number: 4536164
    Abstract: A toy computer "busy box" assembly wherein a toy assembly in the form of a simulated computer is provided with hand manipulated actuating members in a keyboard section connected to image producing members in a screen section through systems of gears and levers to produce moving visible images on the screen section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: Handi-Pac, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald R. Klawitter