Having Portions Knocked Apart Or Awry By Impact Patents (Class 446/4)
  • Patent number: 11400386
    Abstract: In an aspect, a toy assembly is provided and includes a housing and an inner object inside the housing. The inner object includes a breakout mechanism that is operable to break the housing to expose the inner object. A pushbutton that is provided on the inner object can be pressed by pressing a correct spot on the housing. The pushbutton controls operation of an LED in the inner object, wherein the LED, when illuminated, is visible through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SPIN MASTER LTD.
    Inventors: David Lewis McDonald, Anne N. Charbonneau, Hamid R. Hashemi, Victor Lai
  • Patent number: 10807011
    Abstract: In an aspect, a toy assembly is provided and includes a housing and an inner object inside the housing. The inner object includes a breakout mechanism that is operable to break the housing to expose the inner object. The breakout mechanism drives a portion of the inner object outwards towards an extended position relative to a remainder of the inner object. The breakout mechanism urges the portion of the inner object towards the extended position through a biasing member, thereby limiting a force applied by the portion of the inner object based on the biasing member, so as to reduce a risk of a poking injury to a user of the toy assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: SPIN MASTER LTD.
    Inventors: David McDonald, Anne N. Charbonneau, Hamid R. Hashemi, Victor Lai
  • Patent number: 10500511
    Abstract: A spinning top toy including a body and a separate shaft portion. The body has a first hook and the shaft portion has a second hook. The body and the shaft portion are switchable between couplable and decouplable states depending on a relative rotational position. The first hook and the second hook are vertically aligned in the couplable state, and are vertically misaligned in the decouplable state. An urging unit brings an upper face of the first hook and a bottom face of the second hook into contact by an urging force of a spring in the couplable state. The body and the shaft portion enter the couplable state by turning and pushing. The body and the shaft portion engage each other by bringing the upper face of the first hook into contact with the bottom face of the second hook by the urging force of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: TOMY COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Muraki, Takeaki Maeda
  • Patent number: 9814995
    Abstract: In an aspect, a toy assembly is provided. The toy assembly includes a housing, an inner object inside the housing, a sensor, a motor and a controller. A portion of the inner object is drivable into engagement with the housing to break the housing and expose the inner object. The sensor detects interaction with a user. The motor is operatively connected to the inner object such that operation of the motor drives rotation of the inner object in the housing. The controller determines whether a selected condition has been met based on at least one interaction with the user, and operates the motor to rotate the inner object and drive the portion of the inner object into engagement with the housing to break the housing and expose the inner object if the condition is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SPIN MASTER LTD.
    Inventors: David McDonald, Anne N. Charbonneau, Hamid R. Hashemi, Victor Lai
  • Patent number: 9452367
    Abstract: A toy apparatus includes a base having a first surface, a wall movably coupled to the base, and an actuation element located on the first surface of the base. The actuation element is rotatably coupled to the base, the actuation element being rotatable relative to the base in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction. The actuation element includes a main body, and first and second extensions coupled to the main body. The first extension has first and second engageable surfaces, the actuation element rotating in the first direction when a force is applied to the first engageable surface and in the second direction when a force is applied to the second engageable surface. The second extension engages and moves the wall relative to the base when the actuation element rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul William Schmid
  • Patent number: 9084929
    Abstract: A children's building block crashing game and a method of conducting the building block crashing game in which building block assembly structures are crashed upon collision. Players assemble personally designed or preconfigured building block sets which meet the game restrictions on size and thickness, and then crash them together by sliding the structures down a low friction mat through a protective plastic shield. The player with the last piece remaining in the tunnel wins the round.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Inventor: Bradley J. Martin
  • Publication number: 20140273707
    Abstract: A toy system for demolishing a toy structure comprises a plurality of panels combinable to form a toy structure, a device for displacing one or more of the panels that have been combined to form a toy structure, and a controller for triggering the device. The device of the toy system is positionable anywhere relative to the toy structure, and includes a ram that is forced against a panel to displace the panel. The ram may be a variety of different sizes, and the device may include any number of rams. The toy system allows a user to knock down an assembled toy structure in many different ways by varying the number of devices used, the number of rams per device engaged, the velocity of each ram, and the position of the device, as well as other factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: James F. Becker, Andrew D. Barr
  • Patent number: 8733334
    Abstract: A toy hand grenade has a plurality of bores which receive soft darts. A launcher is received in each bore and is spring loaded. An actuator retains the launchers in a spring-loaded, unactuated position. The actuator is displaceable relative to the body to release the launchers and substantially concurrently eject the darts from the hand grenade. A pin or a clip may be employed to lock the actuator in a locked position. A timer is employed to delay actuation of the actuator to release the launchers and eject the darts from the hand grenade. A sandbag ring is imposed to ensure proper orientation and stability of the hand grenade for the timer actuated feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventors: David E. Mroczka, Kevin Mroczka
  • Patent number: 8469011
    Abstract: A toy hand grenade has a plurality of bores which receive soft darts. A launcher is received in each bore and is spring loaded. An actuator retains the launchers in a spring-loaded, unactuated position. The actuator is displaceable relative to the body to release the launchers and substantially concurrently eject the darts from the hand grenade. A pin or a clip may be employed to lock the actuator in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventors: Jack Mroczka, David E. Mroczka
  • Patent number: 8137151
    Abstract: A toy figure for use in a game is provided, the toy having a body portion coupled to a controller movably secured to a base member that is fixedly secured to the body portion, wherein movement of the controller with respect to the base member causes a corresponding movement of the body portion with respect to the base member and movement of the base member causes a corresponding movement of the body portion and the controller; and a button disposed on the body portion, the button being capable of movement from a first position to a second position wherein movement of the button from the first position to the second position causes a pair of body parts pivotally secured to the body portion to pivot from a closed position to an opening position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Tyler B. Kenney
  • Patent number: 7927177
    Abstract: A pop action toy ball assembly. The pop action toy ball assembly has a lower hemispherical section and a separate upper hemispherical section. The two hemispherical sections are joined together by a connection element. The connection element has one end that is anchored to the apex of the lower hemispherical section. The connection element extends upwardly through the apex of the upper hemispherical section without being affixed to the upper hemispherical section. The lower hemispherical section is selectively positionable between a normal orientation, where a first surface faces outwardly, and an inverted orientation, where a second surface faces outwardly. If the toy ball assembly is impacted while the lower hemispherical section is inverted, the toy assembly pops from its inverted orientation back into its normal orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Steve Walterscheid
  • Publication number: 20100273388
    Abstract: A kit with toy tools for cutting a foam surface is described. The kit includes at least one foam piece for constructing an item and a plurality of fasteners (e.g., plastic nails and plastic screws) for fastening foam pieces together. Each foam piece can include markings that provide a cut-pattern for a user to cut the foam piece into a plurality of foam pieces. At least one tool is included for cutting the foam pieces. An example of such a tool is a curved-blade saw with a curved blade edge. The foam piece is a foam board or boards and a foam dowel. Collectively, the foam pieces comprise a plurality of foam pieces that, when assembled, are operable for constructing a desired item. The foam board can be formed to include a wood grain pattern and pine scent to simulate an appearance and smell of wood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Gabriel Carlson, Michael Bernstein
  • Patent number: 7722426
    Abstract: A toy, comprising or a cockpit; and a pair of wings moveably coupled to the cockpit; wherein at least the pair of wings are transformable between a driving configuration and a flying configuration, wherein in the driving configuration the wings extend longitudinally and flank the cockpit, and wherein in the flying configuration the wings extend laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Fraser Campbell
  • Patent number: 7575496
    Abstract: A toy locking mechanism, a toy releasing mechanism, and action figure toys that include the same. The toy locking mechanism may include first and second members having at least one corresponding pair of first and second locking elements forming nip regions. The locking mechanism may also include a third member having an end portion adapted to be retained in a nip region when the second member is in a locked position. A fourth member may be adapted to bias the second member toward the locked position. A fifth member may be adapted to be moved by a user relative to the first and second members, and may be adapted to contact the second member during movement to urge the second member toward an unlocked position. Some embodiments include a releasing mechanism adapted to urge the end portion of a third member away from an associated nip region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Leon Lau, Jamie Cheung
  • Patent number: 6964593
    Abstract: A children's educational toy includes a log section having a plurality of uniquely shaped and detachable log portions for defining altering portions of the log section. Each log portion has a top surface provided with a plurality of spaced notches for defining a striking area medially of the plurality of log portions respectively. The assembly further includes a wedge, a wood-splitting maul, and a mechanism for locking the plurality of log portions respectively. The locking mechanism includes a plurality of male portions extending outwardly from select ones of the plurality of sidewalls respectively and a plurality of female portions formed within adjacent ones of the plurality of sidewalls. The plurality of male and female portions are removably engageable when the plurality of sidewalls are positioned adjacent the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Inventor: Geoffrey L. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6579145
    Abstract: A toy for entertaining a user includes a composite structure configured to execute a play function, the composite structure including several removably interconnected structure elements, each said structure element having at least one propulsion mechanism including a spring-loaded, directionally selectable propulsion member connected to the structure element. The triggering object is optionally a play surface and the element shell optionally includes a representation of a human or animal face. The composite structure has at least two of the structure elements, each structure element having a propulsion mechanism so that several propulsion mechanisms are distributed over the outer extremities of the composite structure for depressing and tilting by the user in individually selected directions into engagement with the shoulder engaging structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: John G. Maxim
  • Patent number: 6332851
    Abstract: A toy conker which has a main body portion attachable to a line member, the body portion having at least one insert which can be struck off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Inventor: Simon Richard Griffin
  • Patent number: 6296543
    Abstract: A toy figure includes a body having an upper torso pivotally coupled to a lower torso. The lower torso is coupled to a pair of supporting-legs while the upper torso is coupled to a pair of pivotally supported arms. A head is further supported upon the upper torso. The upper torso includes a spring pivot allowing the upper torso to be pivoted approximately ninety degrees with respect to the lower torso. When pivoted and released, the upper torso rapidly pivots back to its original alignment imparting a punching motion to one of the toy figures arms. A switch is supported within the punching arm of the toy figure together with a flash element and a light emitting diode. A control circuit within the toy figure torso responds to actuation of the switch to produce a crash-type sound and to energize the flash element to provide a simultaneous burst of bright light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Andrews
  • Patent number: 6149485
    Abstract: A collapsible toy building block with strong board members. Base board (12) and roof board (10) interconnect loosely with frame boards (24)(24A). Frame boards set loosely in channel (26) that is formed by, short in length, projecting spacers (18) that run parallel to flanges (14),(16) that are along the front and back ends of base (12) and roof (10). A building block of this construction can be combined with other identical building blocks or a variety of other building blocks, that have the same widths, to build toy buildings of many different configurations. The loosely fitting members, of a building block of this type, permit a building block or toy building constructed of building blocks to be knocked down flat by an outside force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Lyle J. Christiansen
  • Patent number: 6086449
    Abstract: A spring biased projectable latch mechanism having a triggerable release mechanism at the end of said latch which is projected furthest into a latch receptacle during fastener engagement. A latch housing part of an object being fastened, said housing comprising said latch, said spring bias means, at least one receptacle, and a trigger chamber area. The housing and latch mechanism are constructed such that the spring biased release of the latch of one object actuates the trigger release mechanism of each adjacent object, resulting in a cascading release of a complex structure of interconnected objects in response to a single latch release trigger event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: David F. Sharp
  • Patent number: 6048247
    Abstract: A main wing positioning and release system particularly adapted for use with a toy or model aircraft, includes a wing positioning bracket upon the axial centerline of the aircraft, the bracket having projecting elements directed upwardly from the centerline of the aircraft. The system also includes a wing release mechanism including a lower portion press-fittably securable to the upwardly projecting elements of the positioning bracket to provide proper positioning of the release mechanism relative to the aircraft fuselage, a rear area of the lower portion including a press fittable receiving recess, an upper surface of the lower portion of the release mechanism proportioned for complemental engagement of a lower surface of the main wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: SpinMaster Toys, Ltd
    Inventors: Charles D. Kownacki, Jeffrey G. Rehkemper, Ronnen Harary
  • Patent number: 6048250
    Abstract: A toy dart includes a cylindrical wall having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first open end at one end of the cylindrical wall, and second open end at the other end of the cylindrical wall. At least two fins are attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical wall. In addition, a resilient, bulbous head portion is mounted on the cylindrical wall at the second open end thereof, the head portion defining a chamber adapted to contain fluid and having an opening formed therein so that the chamber communicates with an interior of the cylindrical wall. The toy dart is constructed and arranged for aerodynamic flight when thrown, and upon the bulbous head impacting a hard surface, the bulbous head portion deforms for moving fluid contained therein into the interior of the cylindrical wall. Other embodiments of the toy dart are further contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: Robert H. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5964639
    Abstract: A toy is for entertaining a user includes a shell portion configured to execute a play function, and at least one propulsion mechanism including a spring-loaded, directionally selectable propulsion member connected to the shell portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: John G. Maxim
  • Patent number: 5928049
    Abstract: A toy dart includes a cylindrical wall having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first open end at one end of the cylindrical wall, and second open end at the other end of the cylindrical wall. At least two fins are attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical wall. In addition, a resilient, bulbous head portion is mounted on the cylindrical wall at the second open end thereof, the head portion defining a chamber adapted to contain fluid and having an opening formed therein so that the chamber communicates with an interior of the cylindrical wall. The toy dart is constructed and arranged for aerodynamic flight when thrown, and upon the bulbous head impacting a hard surface, the bulbous head portion deforms moving fluid contained therein into the interior of the cylindrical wall forcing an object out the cylinder. Other embodiments of the toy dart are further contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Robert H. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5397260
    Abstract: A toy vehicle crash center play set includes a base mounting three separate upright walls. Two of the walls are interchangeable at the center and lateral side positions along one edge of the base. One interchangeable wall includes a mechanical impact meter with a horizontally movable target and a linkage coupled impact indicator. The second interchangeable wall includes four pivotally mounted wall panels having irregular perimeters which interfit with one another and rotate apart as a "break away" wall. A separate launcher including a base, a hand-operated actuator coupled to the base and a carrier movably driven along the base by the actuator, is provided and releasably engages with depressions provided at various positions in the base. Additional elements which are provided for mounting to the base and/or walls include different toy vehicle components, signposts, mailbox and parking meter and a pair of upright supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Tyco Investment Corp.
    Inventors: Neil Tilbor, Anthony R. Garr
  • Patent number: 5380234
    Abstract: An inflatable and deflatable combatant action toy includes a rigid support base, a flexible body having an inflatable and deflatable bladder therein, a pair of pivotal arms manually actuatable for delivering an impact force to another similar combatant action toy, and an air inflation support system. The bladder of the flexible body is inflatable and deflatable respectively upon supply therein and discharge therefrom of a gas under pressure. The flexible body is attached upon the rigid support base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: Kevin D. Ledford
  • Patent number: 5334073
    Abstract: A toy figure has a torso with a plurality of removable, spring-biased appendages. Each appendage inserted into the torso with connectors. Each of the connectors includes a groove for receiving a movable detent to attach the appendages to the torso. The front of the toy figure contains two buttons which are actuated upon application of a force. When an upper button is actuated, three spring detents move out of engagement with the connector grooves causing both arms and the head appendages to be simultaneously released and biased outwardly from the torso. When a lower button is actuated, two spring detents move out of engagement with connector grooves, causing both leg appendages to be simultaneously released and biased outwardly from the torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Tyco Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Tilbor, Anthony R. Garr, Jean Newton, Salvatore Mucaro
  • Patent number: 5334079
    Abstract: A toy for launching projectiles. The toy includes a flexible shell generally having a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface. The convex outer surface has a first protrusion and a plurality of claws. The concave inner surface has a second protrusion. A first projectile is mountable on the first protrusion. A second projectile is mountable on the second protrusion. When the first projectile is mounted on the first protrusion and the shell is inverted such that the convex outer surface becomes a concave surface, the plurality of claws grip the first projectile. Thereafter, when pressure is applied to the shell, the shell returns to its original non-inverted shape and the first projectile is discharged into the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Abrams/Gentile Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Gentile, Anthony Gentile
  • Patent number: 5234216
    Abstract: A toy vehicle crash simulating playset includes a crash simulator having a support base to which a pair of toy vehicles are pivotally secured in a spaced apart arrangement. Each toy vehicle is pivotally secured at the outer portion thereof and a spring mechanism urges the toy vehicles toward pivotal motion away from the base. A releasable latch mechanism is operative upon each toy vehicle which releases upon impact permitting abrupt high energy pivotal motion thereof. A third toy vehicle is receivable between the two spring-loaded toy vehicles and interacts therewith when impacted to also cause the release of the latching mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric C. Ostendorff
  • Patent number: 5213538
    Abstract: A pop-action doll includes a resilient bistable hemispherical support member together with a dome-shaped hat portion. A head and torso are secured to the resilient member and the hat portion. The resilient member may be configured in an open position in which it extends downwardly and provides a stable support for the torso, head and hat portions of the doll. Alternatively, the resilient member may be deformed to an alternate stable configuration in which the torso and head portions are enclosed within the domed hat and the resilient member in a "clamshell" type configuration. When in the closed configuration, any impact of the doll against a play surface causes the resilient member to rapidly switch to its alternate configuration in a pop-action which in turn causes the doll to rebound dramatically from the impacted play surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: William Willett
  • Patent number: 5203559
    Abstract: Game apparatus comprising of at least one self-standing upright playpiece and a self-powered striker self-movable along a supporting surface so as to engage and knock over the playpiece. The striker may be aimed toward the playpiece from a stationary position and then caused to move forwardly in the aimed direction toward the playpiece. This allows even young children to take their time to aim the playpiece and not have to try to aim or direct it while it is already moving forwardly. There may be a plurality of the playpieces, each shaped as a fish or other character. The illustrated striker is in the form of a shark having a side-to-side oscillating tail. The striker may engage and knock over the playpieces with its nose, and also with its oscillating tail as it goes by the playpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Inventor: Adolph E. Goldfarb
  • Patent number: 5183427
    Abstract: A toy collapsible house. A column of stacked segments supports the house, held together by a spring tensioned cord, impact triggered release of which slides stiff cord portions away from segment junctions, allowing column and house collapse. The column cord is lifted from above the roof to reassemble the house.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Inventor: A. Allen Draper
  • Patent number: 5135221
    Abstract: A tabletop bowling game including a small scale replica of a bowling alley. A platform is mounted above the replica of the bowling alley at one end thereof. Ten upstanding posts are formed on the platform with the posts arranged in seven columns extending lengthwise of the bowling alley to provide a pattern of posts similar to the pattern of pins on a bowling alley. Each post receives and supports a small scale replica of a bowling pin. Each small scale replica of a bowling pin has a spring which is compressed by its post and which biases the bowling pin in a direction upwardly off the post. A releasable hook mechanism is provided for holding each bowling pin replica on its post against the bias of the spring. Targets extend downwardly from the platform and terminate slightly above the bowling alley with each target aligned with a single column of posts. Slides connect the targets and the hooks to release one of the hooks from its bowling pin replica upon movement of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Gordon Barlow Design
    Inventor: Gordon A. Barlow
  • Patent number: 5074819
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toy bank novelty device. The toy bank structure is collapsible in nature and includes a mouse trap therewith to cause the structure to fly apart or explode when activated. The mouse trap may be activated by insertion of a coin into the toy bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Inventor: Wayne Stadnyk
  • Patent number: 4979926
    Abstract: An apparatus including a forward ramp member spaced from a rear ramp member, with a medial support member positioned therebetween, and a first and second platform plate member secured between the medial support and the forward and rear ramp members, wherein the medial support includes a piston mounted within the support in a retracted first position and directed exteriorly thereof to impact medially of the platform members in a second position to effect a disassembly of the bridge structure and associated side rails mounted upon the forward and rear ramp members and the platform plate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Inventor: Stephen D. Bisceglia
  • Patent number: 4895548
    Abstract: A collapsible construction set comprises a plurality of parts, each of which includes at least one integrally formed connector. A plurality of connector designs are provided. A first design includes a tapered receptacle and a stabilizing pin at the center of the receptacle. A second design includes a tapered end which fits in the receptacle and a hole which receives the stabilizing pin. A third design includes a ledge which forms a recess, and a fourth design includes a hook which engages the ledge and extends into the recess. The ledge of the third design is preferably formed adjacent the receptacle of the first design, and the second design preferably also includes at least one flange which overlies and holds a hook of the fourth design. To dismember the parts of a structure, a tapered end is moved out of the tapered receptacle until the stabilizing pin disengages from the hole, and then all of the parts of the structure topple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Tonka Corporation, Kenner Division
    Inventors: Andrew M. Holland, Dan B. Young, James J. Wright, Timothy M. Sullivan, Hampton Woodhouse, John F. Mayer, Michael A. Katauskas
  • Patent number: 4867723
    Abstract: A toy simulated explodable shack is disclosed that is actuated by a toy car running through the doors thereof. The shack includes a base, and a pair of shack frame members including side walls and doors pivotally mounted on the base for pivotal movement between a closed position, in which the shack frame members come together to form a shack, and an open position in which the shack frame members separate and rest on the side walls thereof. A floor member is mounted on the base onto which a movable hatch member is mounted. A first tensioning spring is provided for tensioning the hatch member to exert a predetermined force. A latch is provided that includes a rear panel on the floor member for releasably holding the hatch member in its tensioned condition. A propelled car strikes and opens the doors, causing the shack frame members to be slammed to their open position. Substantially simultaneously, the car strikes the rear panel releasing the latch, causing the hatch member to catapult the car out of the shack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: The Quaker Oats Company
    Inventor: Ronald M. Asbach
  • Patent number: 4834687
    Abstract: A toy which, when employed, simulates log splitting, comprises two log halves that cosmetically portray natural log halves, each half having a fastener for joining the halves together and a cavity that creates a slot when the halves are joined. A wedge is applied to the slot to split the log by separating the fasteners with the aid of a sledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventor: Ronald J. Elam
  • Patent number: 4824414
    Abstract: An inflated toy is in a general form which is suggestive of a football player with his arm and hand in a passing position. A hook and loop fastener is on the hand of the player and on the football so that the hand may hold the ball. If the toy is tackled properly, the player may fumble the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Inventor: Harold Goldblatt
  • Patent number: 4734076
    Abstract: A toy vehicle play setting simulating a crash test and repair station for use with toy vehicles having body components rotatable on impact to simulate damage from a collision, the setting having a supporting surface member with at least one garage like structure thereon with at least one body repair mechanism therein, with other impact mechanisms for actuating the body component of the vehicle, and for simulating damage to the structure from impact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel M. Goldstein, Timothy S. Engle, Walter A. Kristkeitz, Eric C. Ostendorff
  • Patent number: 4673367
    Abstract: An animated figure toy having a lower torso with a trunnion member coupled for rotatable movement, the trunnion including hinge couplers connectable to mating hinge portions on the interior of front and rear halves of the upper torso. A spring is positioned beneath the trunnion for coaction with an actuating post slidingly captively retained within the trunnion for limited axial movement, the post having pivotably attached thereto a head supporting member with a head thereon. Engaging interlocking fingers on the interior of the front and rear halves of the torso hold the parts together, with an actuating member slidably mounted on one of the fingers engageable by a plate portion on the front torso for separation of the arms and movement of the post under force of the spring to pivot the parts outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: Mattell, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald H. MacBain
  • Patent number: 4661080
    Abstract: A toy playset including a bridge which may be used in a road racing set to emulate the occurence of an explosion. The playset includes a launcher and a toy bridge with a track portion and an actuating device. The track portion includes at least one element thereof which may be operated by the actuating device to project a toy vehicle passing thereover in a manner simulating an explosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel M. Goldstein, Wayne R. Halford
  • Patent number: 4508521
    Abstract: An impact responsive toy has a part of the body that is movable to expose the part in its regular condition or in a damaged condition. A biasing force urges exposure of the hidden damaged condition while the part is releasably latched to expose the undamaged or regular position. Application of an outside force, such as the impact of a crash, releases the latch to automatically and instantaneously switch the undamaged and damaged conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Randall J. Klimpert, Burton C. Meyer
  • Patent number: 4488373
    Abstract: A playset includes a series of pieces sequentially stackable on a hollow base and interconnected by a flexible tether. One end of the tether is secured to an end piece and the other, free end passes through the base and is connected to a tab. When a child pulls the tab the pieces are stacked on the base to form a tower. A plunger mounted on the outside of the base is depressable to move a lever mounted in the base upwardly to topple the stacked pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: David A. Glickson, Harry Disko