Material Or Article Handling Device Patents (Class 446/424)
  • Patent number: 9861904
    Abstract: A motorized toy system includes a toy implement that may be manipulated. The toy implement has a bin and an auger chute. The auger chute is hingedly coupled to the toy implement. The auger chute is positionable between a deployed position and a stored position. The bin may contain particles. A dispensing unit is coupled to the toy implement. The dispensing unit is operationally coupled between the bin and the auger chute. Thus, the dispensing unit may selectively urge the particles outwardly from the auger chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventor: Dustin Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20150093960
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toy vehicle play set with a chamber, a moveable platform, a resilient stencil, and an airbrush. The platform is configured to move from within the chamber to the top surface of the chamber. Moreover, the resilient stencil is configured to be placed over the platform, and any object on the platform, when the platform has been raised. The resilient stencil is configured to be pliable and contain a series of apertures that create a design. The airbrush is then configured to spray ink onto the stencil and object beneath the stencil, coloring the design of the stencil onto the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Julian PAYNE
  • Patent number: 8827762
    Abstract: A gripper for a toy has a base body, and two gripping bodies. Each gripping body is connected by a respective gripping body connecting joint to the base body is movable between a release position with an opened gripper and a gripping position with a closed gripper. At least one gripping body is formed as a lever body and has a jaw portion and a lever portion. The associated gripping body connecting joint is arranged between the jaw portion and the lever portion. A control rod is connected to the gripping bodies by a respective control rod connecting joint and, when the gripper is open, is arranged between the gripping bodies in a freely accessible jaw encompassing region. By contact with an item to be gripped, the control rod can be moved between a release position with an opened gripper and a gripping position with a closed gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Bruder Spielwaren GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rainer Klenk
  • Publication number: 20140242874
    Abstract: A toy apparatus includes a base piece and a plurality of elongated members. The base piece is configured to slide on a surface. Each elongated member has a first end and a second end, with the elongated members being movably coupled to the base piece near the first ends. A tether is coupled to the first ends of the elongated members, and tension applied to the tether moves the elongated members from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the second ends of the elongated members are expanded apart from each other. In the second position, the second ends of the elongated members are contracted toward each other and are capable of surrounding a target piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: James Austin Rucker, Derek S. Handy
  • Publication number: 20130309936
    Abstract: A push toy includes a collecting mechanism and a stifling mechanism in order to enhance the play value. The push toy is comprised of a handle, a housing, and a wheel assembly such that a user may roll the push toy along a support surface. The push toy may collect objects, such as toy balls, store the objects within the housing, and subsequently release or expel the objects so they may be collected again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Jacob J. Clark, Michael Armbruster
  • Patent number: 8568193
    Abstract: A mechanical toy apparatus operated by a lever structure transforming a removable symbolic structure in a way that is simple yet unique and exciting for a user. A symbolic structure having a plurality of sections is configured to shift between a first collapsing position and a second rising position and is mounted at a base including a mounting portion for receiving the symbolic structure at the base. A support structure is mounted at the base for contacting and shifting the symbolic structure to the rising position and a lever structure is affixed to the base to traverse between an engaging position and a non-engaging position at the support structure. A guide structure including a cam and a slider linkage is mounted at the base with the symbolic structure contacting with the cam to move the slider linkage, the support structure is positioned into contact with the lever structure to shift the symbolic structure to the second rising position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Evans, Ivy Strauss, Gary Strauss
  • Patent number: 8516977
    Abstract: An animal toy features the ability to connect two or more separate toys of varying shape, size, color, and/or texture, together to create larger and more complex toy systems. The animal toy allows an almost endless variety of toy systems to capture the interest as well as challenge and develop the animal's problem solving skills. The animal toy is either solid or include internal chambers for holding and ultimately dispensing food. When two or more toys with the internal chambers are combined the food may flow from the chamber of one toy into another toy several times before exiting the toy system. The increased problem of extracting the food challenges and develops the animal's skills. Moreover, by combining solid and food dispensing toys in random combinations further increases the problem solving skills required to completely extract the food from the toy system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Canine Genius, Inc.
    Inventors: Alise Shatoff, Birte M. Haakansson
  • Publication number: 20130065477
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an interactive playset with a slide/ramp including an entrance area at the top of the slide and an exit area at the bottom of the slide. The playset further includes a dynamic transfer system that transfers the accessory from the slide exit back to the slide entrance. The dynamic transfer system includes a plurality of stepped platforms, each platform having a piston that is selectively engaged to drive the accessory from a lower platform to an upper platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventor: John Thaddeus Smokowski
  • Patent number: 8337273
    Abstract: A toy parking set includes multiple floors and a tower is connected to the toy parking set. The tower includes an opening which is located corresponding each of the floors. A slot is defined through a wall of the tower. A box is received in the tower and a frame is fixed on the top of the box. A shaft extends through the frame and the slot of the tower. A spring is biased between the flange of the shaft and the inside of the end of the frame. The shaft extends through the box and the slot and is connected to an end member. The end member includes an engaging portion which is removably engaged with the slot. The players pull shaft to remove the engaging portion from the slot to move the box to desired floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Cheng-Hua Han
  • Patent number: 8141521
    Abstract: An animal toy features the ability to connect two or more separate toys of varying shape, size, color, and/or texture, together to create larger and more complex toy systems. The animal toy allows an almost endless variety of toy systems to capture the interest as well as challenge and develop the animal's problem solving skills. The animal toys are either solid or include internal chambers for holding and ultimately dispensing food. When two or more toys with the internal chambers are combined the food may flow from the chamber of one toy into another toy several times before exiting the toy system. The increased problem of extracting the food challenges and develops the animal's skills. Morever, by combining solid and food dispensing toys in random combinations further increases the problem solving skills required to completely extract the food from the toy system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Canine Genius, Inc.
    Inventors: Alise Shatoff, Birte M. Haakansson
  • Patent number: 7682218
    Abstract: A toy vehicle set. The toy vehicle set includes a toy vehicle including a steering mechanism, and a toy launcher to selectively energize the toy vehicle for movement while selectively securing the toy vehicle in a fixed position. The toy launcher looks approximately the same as the steering mechanism of the toy vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Yu, Kevin Cao, Bryan Benedict
  • Patent number: 7601047
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toy vehicle for collecting and conveying garbage, paper or the like, having a collection container with charging hole, and distinguished by a collecting and emptying arrangement for a garbage can, paper can or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Bruder Spielwaren GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Paul Heinz Bruder
  • Patent number: 7597174
    Abstract: An anti-deflection structure for a chassis of a remote-controlled car includes a board which is added below a central differential gear at a center of a chassis, to strengthen a rigid structure of the chassis. A center of the board is provided with a hollow part for emplacing a gear set of the central differential gear, and an exterior side of the hollow part is provided with a plurality of pivoting holes. The pivoting holes correspond to through-holes on the chassis for locking the central differential gear, thereby locking and fixing the board. In addition, the hollow part is locked at columns of the central differential gear by transfixing screws from bottom to top into the pivoting holes and the through-holes. On the other hand, front and rear ends of the board provide for connection of two support arms, thereby constituting the anti-deflection structure for the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Daimler Chu
  • Patent number: 7591234
    Abstract: An animal toy features the ability to connect two or more separate toys of varying shape, size, color, and/or texture, together to create larger and more complex toy systems. The animal toy allows an almost endless variety of toy systems to capture the interest as well as challenge and develop the animal's problem solving skills. The animal toys are either solid or include internal chambers for holding and ultimately dispensing food. When two or more toys with the internal chambers are combined the food may flow from the chamber of one toy into another toy several times before exiting the toy system. The increased problem of extracting the food challenges and develops the animal's skills. Moreover, by combining solid and food dispensing toys in random combinations further increases the problem solving skills required to completely extract the food from the toy system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Canine Genius
    Inventors: Alise Shatoff, Birte M. Haakansson
  • Patent number: 7389748
    Abstract: An animal toy features the ability to connect two or more separate toys of varying shape, size, color, and/or texture, together to create larger and more complex toy systems. The animal toy allows an almost endless variety of toy systems to capture the interest as well as challenge and develop the animal's problem solving skills. The animal toys are either solid or include internal chambers for holding and ultimately dispensing food. When two or more toys with the internal chambers are combined the food may flow from the chamber of one toy into another toy several times before exiting the toy system. The increased problem of extracting the food challenges and develops the animal's skills. Morever, by combining solid and food dispensing toys in random combinations further increases the problem solving skills required to completely extract the food from the toy system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Canine Genius
    Inventors: Alise Shatoff, Birte Haakansson
  • Patent number: 6592427
    Abstract: A toy vehicle set accessory is claimed. The toy vehicle set accessory comprises a grain loader and a toy vehicle adapted for use with the grain loader. The grain loader comprises a grain elevator assembly for simulating the transfer of grain to the toy vehicle. The toy vehicle includes a movable load and a release mechanism for returning the movable load from an unstable condition to a stable condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Learning Curve International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Wilhelm, Gregory R. Kieso, Gary Aigner
  • Patent number: 6524160
    Abstract: A toy vehicle gear shield for protecting the gears of a toy vehicle from debris. The device includes a panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second edge. A first flange is attached to and extends along a length of the top edge. The first flange generally lying in a plane orientated perpendicular to a plane of the front side of the panel. A second flange is attached to the second side edge of the panel and has a free edge positioned distal to the panel. A tab is attached to the free edge of the second flange which lies in a plane orientated generally perpendicular to the plane of the panel. The plane of the tab is orientated generally parallel to a plane of the first flange. The tab has a pair of openings therein for receiving fasteners from the toy vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventors: Steven A. Ismail, David Williams
  • Patent number: 6328304
    Abstract: The invention provides a game apparatus which is in the nature of a vehicle or an attachment for a vehicle, the vehicle being operated by a driver, who travels with the vehicle. The idea is that the apparatus is equipped to receive from a play surface, hold and propel over the play surface a play member, in particular a ball. The apparatus can be described as a motorized version of football. The apparatus has an inlet by which the ball is received, and either the ball is propelled back out of the inlet or out of either of one or more separate outlets in the apparatus. When the ball enters the inlet it is held by a holding plate which rests, by gravity, on the top of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Econ Engineering Limited
    Inventor: William George Lupton
  • Patent number: 6322416
    Abstract: A toy system including a housing, an ultraviolet light source provided in the housing; and a representative element comprising photochromatic material, the representative element being temporarily disposed in the housing, the representative element being exposed to the ultraviolet light source while in the housing, the representative element having a first state in which a first condition is visually simulated and a second state in which a second condition is visually simulated, the first and second visually simulated conditions being different from one another. One of the first and second states is achieved in response to the representative element having been within the housing and exposed to the ultraviolet light source, whereby a corresponding one of the first and second conditions is simulated by the representative element having been within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Brian M. Burke
  • Patent number: 6264528
    Abstract: The instant invention is directed toward a toy trash truck. More specifically, it relates to a remote-controlled toy trash truck capable of forward motion and realistic operation. The toy vehicle includes a propulsion system, including a plurality of tires, operably affixed to a frame member. There is also a trash-holding bin mounted on the frame member, and a load-lifting arm operably connected to the frame member and capable of lifting items (e.g., actual or simulated trash) for placement into the trash-holding bin. A signal receiver that receives and interprets signals from a remote-control device may be mounted on the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventors: Steve D. Doan, James R. Barker
  • Patent number: 6165044
    Abstract: A power-operated mobile toy bulldozer that is capable of seating one person. The toy bulldozer comprises a central body frame having a front portion and a rear portion. The central body frame has a seat, a pair of mobility means mounting the central body frame, a pair of gear boxes having a plurality of gears, one of the plurality of gears mounting the mobility means, a movable blade mounted on the front portion of the central body frame, a movable ripper mounted on the rear portion of the central body frame, and a pair of brakes having brake shoes. The brake shoes press against the inner portion of the top end wheel of the mobility means when the pair of brake pedals connected to the brakes are activated. A power source on the central body frame is provided to supply electrical energy for operating the mobile toy bulldozer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Tommy Lamar, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6099381
    Abstract: A catching toy includes a container having a first container body and a second container body which is relatively movable to the first container body. The first and second container bodies are configurable in a first state in which the container is opened and a second state in which the container is closed to form a chamber which is large enough to contain an object to be caught. A biasing member biases the second container body to the second state when the container is in the first stage. An engaging member engages the second container body with the first container body to keep the container in the first state. A releasing member releases an engagement of the first and second container bodies to change the container in the second state, by a contact with the object to be caught so that the object is entrapped in the chamber of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Tomy Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kei Sodeshima
  • Patent number: 6068537
    Abstract: The present invention is a vehicle, preferably a powered vehicle, which is adapted to play a game in which a ball (20), rolling free on a play surface (16), can be caught by the vehicle, held by the vehicle whilst it moves over the surface (16), and under the control of the driver, propelled to either side of the vehicle, to for example, shoot at a goal, or to pass to another player in a team, or to aim at an impact sensitive pad on the vehicle of an opposing team. The invention also related to a new method of steering vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Go Sport Ltd
    Inventor: William George Lupton
  • Patent number: 6015329
    Abstract: A toy vehicle set accessory is claimed. The toy vehicle set accessory comprises a dumper station for removing a toy log from a toy vehicle. A saw mill is positioned substantially adjacent the dumper station. The saw mill receives a toy log from the dumper station and separates the toy log into two distinct pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Learning Curve International Inc.
    Inventors: Will Isaksson, Donald Edward Toht, Jeffry Han Katz
  • Patent number: 5871385
    Abstract: A toy vehicle playset includes a trackway having a vehicle launcher coupled to a looped track portion and a dual tank unit positioned within the travel path of the toy vehicle through the trackway. The trackway further includes an exit ramp on the opposite side of the dual tank unit from the track loop which is coupled to a toy vehicle catcher and a display area. The dual tank unit includes a pair of tank portions separated by an intervening wall. The dual tank unit is supported within the trackway travel path such that either tank portion is alternatively positionable within the travel path of the toy vehicle. The playset further includes a multiply articulated robot arm supporting one or more thermally conductive tools or stamps which are immersible within the proximate one of the dual water tanks and appliable to the surface of the toy vehicle when resting in the toy vehicle catcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Hippely, Larry R. Wood, Brian E. Walsh, Terence A. Choy
  • Patent number: 5676585
    Abstract: A toy vehicle (10) emulating more than one function of an adult vehicle utilizes a novel chassis, The chassis includes at least two portions (11 and 12) hinged together at a pivot rod (13). The pivot rod may be raised or lowered placing the toy vehicle in at least a first and second position. The toy vehicle may perform one function in its first position and a second function in its second position, each junction emulating the actions performed by an adult work vehicle. A stop (25) is incorporated to the chassis to define maximum and minimum positions for the pivot rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: The Smalltime Toy Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl H. Nuermberger, III, Walter A. Sobieraj
  • Patent number: 5643040
    Abstract: A toy vehicle playset includes a trackway having a vehicle launcher coupled to a looped track portion and a dual tank unit positioned within the travel path of the toy vehicle through the trackway. The trackway further includes an exit ramp on the opposite side of the dual tank unit from the track loop which is coupled to a toy vehicle catcher and a display area. The dual tank unit includes a pair of tank portions separated by an intervening wall. The dual tank unit is supported within the trackway travel path such that either tank portion is alternatively positionable within the travel path of the toy vehicle. The playset further includes a multiply articulated robot arm supporting one or more thermally conductive tools or stamps which are immersible within the proximate one of the dual water tanks and appliable to the surface of the toy vehicle when resting in the toy vehicle catcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Hippely, Larry R. Wood, Brian E. Walsh, Terence A. Choy
  • Patent number: 5584743
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toy road scraper having three blade members which are vertically movable between a first and a second limit position. The movement of the blade members is controlled through the instrumentality of cables slidingly engaging flexible sheathings. Each blade member is connected to one such cable, the latter being also connected to a control panel having levers for imparting linear displacements to the cables. The linear displacement of a cable results in a corresponding blade member moving from its first to its second limit position, or vice-versa. Two directional cables are connected to the front pivotable wheels and to directional handles on the control panel for steering the toy road scraper. The control panel is positioned at the rear end of the toy road scraper and at such a height to allow a child using it to stand up, walk and have unlimited access to the controls on the control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Inventor: Gerald Beaulieu
  • Patent number: 5441435
    Abstract: A trackway toy featuring a powered vehicle for movement along sections of track and action stations which may be in the form of an elevator and a crane in the vicinity of the trackway and provided with a movable structure for attracting the attention of the child, and a mechanism for stopping the vehicle at the action station and for using the power of the vehicle to activate movement of the movable structure of the action station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Tomy Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisashi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 5413515
    Abstract: A material handling toy which can be used in three different modes--as a mobile crane, a highline carrier, or a highline hoist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Inventor: Richard F. Knox
  • Patent number: 5387148
    Abstract: A grab for a toy crane is provided with two two-armed levers having a common axis of rotation. Portions of the levers overlap each other at the axis of rotation about which the levers are mutually hinged at at least two places. Each lever has a first arm and a second arm which are mutually contiguous solely on one side of a central plane of the grab perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Interlego A.G.
    Inventors: Erling T. Dideriksen, Kim Pagel
  • Patent number: 5378191
    Abstract: A toy device picks up objects from a plane surface, where a set of wheels drives rotary blades adapted to move the objects up a guide plate toward a magazine. The blades are relatively stiff and comprise an integral hinge spaced from the axis of rotation of the blade wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventor: Jan Ryaa
  • Patent number: 5366227
    Abstract: A recycling game apparatus includes a toy vehicle having a plurality of bins for holding game pieces and having a card caddy thereon. A deck of cards is supported in the toy vehicle card caddy along with a plurality of game pieces with each game piece having a shaped emulative of a recycling member and stored in a marked bin. The game pieces can be moved into and out of the bins in playing the game. Each card in the deck of cards has information concerning one recycling item which is emulative of at least one game piece, such as aluminum, newspaper, glass, or plastic. Each toy vehicle plurality of bins may be marked with indicia to indicate aluminum, paper, glass, plastic, or trash. The toy vehicle is used to store the game with cards and pieces as well as used in playing the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: Patrick Duffy
  • Patent number: 5131881
    Abstract: A toy is provided for lifting goods onto a stand-by portion and discharging them from the stand-by portion in response to the passing of an object. A goods lifting portion is pivotably supported by a vertical support member at a pivot point. A receiving portion is located at one end radially extending from the pivot point. An extension member is located at a second end radially extending from the pivot point for upwardly pivoting the receiving portion to empty the goods from the receiving portion onto the stand-by portion when the support member reaches a predetermined vertical distance. A contact member provides a force upon the passing of an object. A separating and discharging member rotatingly receives goods of a predetermined quantity from the stand-by portion and discharges the goods when the contact member provides the force. A retaining member disables the separating and discharging member when both positionally moved to a predetermined position and the absence of a magnetic force is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Tomy Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Okada
  • Patent number: 5017076
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system for conveying cotton from an unloading station to a gin house, while preventing the cotton from absorbing moisture from the ground. In accordance with the present invention, the system provides for the use of a network of railway tracks either directly from the field to a gin site or least at the gin mill, as well as the use of lightweight, flat, open bed carriers which run along the railway tracks, transporting cotton modules from one station to the other en route from the field to a gin house or storage facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventor: Tommy Condrey
  • Patent number: 4992796
    Abstract: In a radio-frequency radar system, a radar antenna (12) irradiates a region to be monitored, and antenna elements (14a-p) arrayed irregularly about a mobile platform (10) receive the resultant echo signal, which mixers (18 and 21) translate in frequency, coherently with the transmitted signal, to a lower frequency, at which a sample-and-hold circuit (24) can sample it. A beam-forming operation is performed on the sample signals by employing coefficients that have been computed from calibration readings taken by the elements mounted on the platform. The beam signals resulting from numerous successive transmitted pulses are then integrated coherently to produce an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Lockheed Sanders, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Apostolos
  • Patent number: 4917648
    Abstract: A toy sanitation truck having forwardly pivoting arms carrying a pivotable cleaning structure mounting a sponge thereon for being pushed along in front of the truck, pivoted forwardly from mounting positions on opposite sides of the truck and with the arm pivotable rearwardly over and toward the aft portions of the body structure that embodies a cleaning brush revolvable by a power pack of batteries to power an electric motor that drives the brush and that also drives a vacuum cleaner pump having an inlet port facing the bottom rearward portions of the brush and having a dust or debris collector within the body space. The aft portions of the body have a lid portion that may be opened to gain access to the interior in which there is mounted a water container vessel in which water may drip or drain from the rearwardly-pivoted sponge and for gaining access to the dust storage structure of the vacuum cleaner inner structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Inventor: Robert A. Hartje
  • Patent number: 4889515
    Abstract: A piggyback toy car and truck assembly in which all four wheels of the car are driven by a battery-powered motor, the truck being of the flat bed type and motorless. The car is switchable from a neutral mode to operation in either the forward or reverse mode, its front and rear wheel axles each having a drive pinion mounted thereon whose teeth are projected below the chassis. Lying on the flat bed of the truck is a ramp having a pair of tracks for accommodating the car wheels. The ramp is slidable from a retracted horizontal position to an extended horizontal position in which the rear half section of the ramp overhangs the rear of the bed and is pivoted therefrom so that it is then free to swing down to form an inclined ramp. With the ramp so inclined, the car in its forward mode climbs up the ramp until it reaches its front end and causes the inclined ramp to return to its horizontal extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Buddy L Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Auer, David Reina
  • Patent number: 4690656
    Abstract: Included in a toy construction set is a special block having an axle projecting therefrom, the axle having a slot providing a pair of resilient legs with a groove formed near the free end of each leg. A hub has a bore so that the hub can be journaled for rotation on the axle, the bore having an annular rib therein to provide a releasable snap-action retention. A resilient tire is provided so that it can be mounted on the hub to provide a wheel assembly. Also, a crank unit is provided so that it can be attached to the hub to provide a winch assembly, a locking pin then being available to either allow or prevent rotation of the hub on the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Kenner Parker Toys, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Friedman, David J. Stricker
  • Patent number: 4614504
    Abstract: A toy vehicle having a plurality of leg members driven by a motor, with a ramp at the rear end thereof positionable between a first position enabling loading of other vehicles thereon, and a second position for supporting the vehicle in an upright position, with actuation of the rear leg members engaging the supporting surface to rock the figure while motion of the other leg members simulate a boxing figure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Toshio Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 4571210
    Abstract: An elevator for a toy playset has a drum wound cable attached to a carrier for toy figures. The carrier includes an elongated, open bottomed shell into which is secured a folded piece of high density foam material, such as foam polyethylene. Compressed together opposed faces of the material form a slit along the length of the open bottom of the shell. Hands of a toy figure are inserted into the slit and retained by the compressed foam as the figure is transported by winding and unwinding the elevator drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: John V. Zaruba, Michael A. Andersen, Burton C. Meyer
  • Patent number: 4571205
    Abstract: An express delivery playset includes an airplane, a delivery van, a loading dock, packages, a cargo transporter, and cargo containers. The plane has a conveyor belt for movement of the containers between a hatched opening at the fore end and the aft end of the substantially enclosed cargo area. Various packages carried by the van fit into the cargo containers and the plane, dock and transporter are adapted to receive the container. Off-loading packages from the van onto the dock is facilitated by a tilt-dump floor. A parallel linkage permits raising and lowering of the cargo transporter deck between the dock and the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: John V. Zaruba, Burton C. Meyer, Steven P. Hanson
  • Patent number: 4551103
    Abstract: An educational toy that shows how watermelons and similar farm products are grown, harvested, and removed from the field in field trucks and taken to a packing shed where they are placed on conveyors and transferred to over the road trucks. These trucks take the melons to commission houses where they are put into wooden or cardboard bins. The bins are transferred to city trucks that finally deliver the melons to chain stores and fruit markets for sale. The various types of trucks and equipment are introduced at the appropriate time and all are manipulable by children in a teaching toy mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Mickey Green
    Inventor: Vincent J. Vitale
  • Patent number: 4458440
    Abstract: A toy barn and silo connected thereto in which an elevator is operable to receive and elevate toy hay bales to the loft of the barn and eject them into and through the loft for discharge into a vehicle in a bay of the barn. The barn below the loft has stalls closed by gates and containing animals which can be ejected from the stalls by plungers and the gates are opened by discharge movement of the animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Arco Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruce M. D'Andrade, Liu S. Wong