Including Means For Causing Erratic Movement Patents (Class 446/437)
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Patent number: 6679752Abstract: A new and improved remote controllable toy device and an associated method of using are disclosed. The remote controllable toy device includes a radio transmitter unit and a toy car responsive to the radio transmitter unit. The radio transmitter unit having a housing, an antenna, a first battery, a transmitter circuit, a propulsion switch, a steering switch, a front end hopping switch, a four wheel lifting switch, and an on/off switch. The toy car having an upper shell, an undercarriage attachable to the upper shell, in which the undercarriage has a receiver, a control unit, a motor, a gear set, a plurality of wheels, and a means for hopping, a means for lifting all four wheels, and a means for oscillating up and down after hopping. The method includes the steps of activating, bending, depressing, detaching, lifting, manipulating, obtaining, picking, placing, pressing, pushing, reattaching, releasing, toggling, and touching.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Inventor: Rodrick L. Reed, Sr.
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Patent number: 6679750Abstract: A toy building set comprising at least one toy building element with a body part provided with coupling for interconnecting with other toy building elements, and a vehicle with a body that is provided with coupling for interconnecting with other toy building elements. The vehicle is provided with at least one wheel that is journalled on a shaft and that extends downwards from the vehicle body for abutment on a drive face. The wheel or wheels have a rolling face with varying distances from the shaft on which it is journalled such that a waving movement of the vehicle is obtained when it travels across a plane drive face.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Interlego AGInventor: Helle Kleist Nielsen
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Patent number: 6672937Abstract: A miniature toy vehicle, preferably of the wireless control self-propelled type equipped to flip or upset another similar toy vehicle or object upon forward impact therewith. The preferred toy vehicle includes a molded toy car body supporting front and rear wheels, steering, a control circuit board, a drive motor and a battery. A front flipping member is supported by the car body having a forwardly distal portion at a height, when the flipping member is armed, for engagement beneath a lower side or end margin of another toy vehicle or an object. The flipping member will upwardly flip or upset the other toy car or object when a trigger member thereof strikes the other toy car or an object.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Inventor: Stephen J. Motosko
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Publication number: 20030224695Abstract: A toy vehicle has front and rear chassis portions and a flipping mechanism which allows the front chassis portion to rotate 360 degrees with respect to the rear chassis portion about a longitudinal axis. The flipping mechanism includes a triggering mechanism, a rotational drive mechanism and a mechanism to prevent damage to a main spring which drives the rotational motion of the front chassis relative to the rear chassis. The toy vehicle may be remote controlled, and include a remote control transmitter. One remote control transmitter includes a left hand and a right hand portion, with the two portions being pivotable with respect to one another to activate a control switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2003Publication date: December 4, 2003Applicant: The Obb, LLCInventors: Androc L. Kislevitz, Adam L. Kislevitz, Noah L. Kislevitz, Justin M. Discoe, David V. Helmlinger, David J. Ribbe
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Patent number: 6648722Abstract: A three wheeled wireless controlled toy stunt vehicle capable of both highly elastic impact and less elastic impact with obstacles struck while the vehicle is in motion is disclosed. Two wheels are separately driven, and have tires with interiors that are vented to atmosphere. The third wheel has a tire with an interior that is sealed and pressurized. The pressurized tire is capable of highly elastic impact when it strikes obstacles while the toy vehicle is in motion. The non-pressurized tires are characterized by a less elastic impact with obstacles. The third wheel has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the drive wheels. All components of the vehicle are contained within the two planes tangent to the three wheels, such that the toy vehicle may be operated on either of its two major sides.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: The Obb, LLCInventors: Michael John Lynders, James Michael Ferro, Androc Luther Kislevitz, Adam Luther Kislevitz, Noah Luther Kislevitz
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Patent number: 6629510Abstract: A cat toy comprising a randomly moving body and one or more attached members. The pseudo-random mechanical motion of the body is transmitted by the member to a free end of the member. Angular momentum tends to keep the free end of the member moving near the ground thus creating a moving object attractive to cats and inducing them to play and exercise.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2000Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Inventor: Michael B. Robkin
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Patent number: 6579145Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 12, 1999Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Inventor: John G. Maxim
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Patent number: 6568987Abstract: A brake assembly for a toy vehicle includes first and second wheel assemblies mounted on a axle, a cam which is rotatable with the first wheel assembly, and a brake member which is activatable by the cam to engage the second wheel assembly. An orthogonal gear assembly, including first and second gear members, drives the cam. A shaft member is disposed orthogonal to the axle and bears the cam and second gear member. The first gear member is mounted an the axle. The shaft is pivotally mounted and movable between a first position in which the first and second gear members are engaged and a second position in which the first and second gear members are disengaged.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2002Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: May Cheong Toy Products Factory LimitedInventor: Moon-Lam So
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Patent number: 6565409Abstract: This invention provides a stop mechanism capable of stopping a model car under a spin-turn state. A seesaw-shaped swing member 22 is mounted to a car body 11 of a model car 10 at a position deviated either to the right or left from a centerline of the car body 11 in a driving direction. An axle 21 of driving rear wheels 13 supports the swing member 22 and allows it to swing. A driving motor 20 is fitted to rear side of the swing member and a stopper plate 23, to the front side. A spring 25 for always biasing the swing member in a direction in which the stopper plate of the swing member comes into touch with a road surface 30 is interposed between the swing member and the car body. An intermeshing gear is arranged in such a fashion that a direction of reaction force transmitted from the driving rear wheels to the driving motor operates in a direction in which the stopper plate is separated from the road surface against the biasing force of the spring when the driving motor is rotated for advance.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2002Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: CCP Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasuo Isogai
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Patent number: 6565412Abstract: A model car having a mechanism driven by an electric motor for selectively raising and lowering the front of the car in synchronization with actuation of the hood, and raising and lowering the rear of the car in synchronization with actuation of the trunk lid.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Craft House CorporationInventor: Matthew S. Thrasher
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Publication number: 20030082990Abstract: A three wheeled wireless controlled toy stunt vehicle capable of both highly elastic impact and less elastic impact with obstacles struck while the vehicle is in motion is disclosed. Two wheels are separately driven, and have tires with interiors that are vented to atmosphere. The third wheel has a tire with an interior that is sealed and pressurized. The pressurized tire is capable of highly elastic impact when it strikes obstacles while the toy vehicle is in motion. The non-pressurized tires are characterized by a less elastic impact with obstacles. The third wheel has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the drive wheels. All components of the vehicle are contained within the two planes tangent to the three wheels, such that the toy vehicle may be operated on either of its two major sides.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Applicant: The Obb, LLCInventors: Michael John Lynders, James Michael Ferro, Androc Luther Kislevitz, Adam Luther Kislevitz, Noah Luther Kislevitz
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Patent number: 6540583Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a chassis having front and rear portions with a wheel supporting the front portion of the chassis. The toy vehicle further includes spaced-apart swing arms connected to the rear portion of the chassis. Rear wheels are rotatably mounted to each end of the swing arms. The swing arms are independently movable with respect to the chassis between first and second positions. Two separate propulsion drives are operatively associated with the chassis and are drivingly coupled to respective rear wheels. Each propulsion drive is adapted to independently drive the respective rear wheels in either a first direction or a second opposite direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Sean T. Mullaney
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Patent number: 6537125Abstract: An inflatable or inflated ball comprising an outer chamber formed of an airtight flexible outer skin which, when properly inflated and fully expanded, defines an interior volume. A sealed inner chamber filled or fillable with a substance substantially heavier than air is positioned within and occupies a relatively small amount of the interior volume. A plurality of elongated radially extending and three-dimensionally spaced elastic members are each connected and radially extend between, the inner chamber and the inner surface of the outer chamber. The elastic members are cooperatively sized in length and suitably tensioned to support and hold the inner chamber centrally in an at-rest position within the interior volume.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2002Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Inventor: Stephen J. Motosko, III
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Patent number: 6506096Abstract: A running toy, wherein four running wheels (14) mounted detachably on the axles of a running toy main body (10) are provided with two axle inserting holes having those profiles formed so that they match the cross-sections of angular shaft of these axles, respectively, one of these axle inserting holes is formed at the center of running wheel (14), and the other axle inserting hole is formed at a position eccentric from the center of the running wheel (14) so as to obtain an irregular running mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Nikko Co., Ltd.Inventor: Zenichi Ishimoto
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Patent number: 6503120Abstract: A basketball retrieval device for allowing the user to retrieve the basketball without the using having to run after the ball. The basketball retrieval device includes an attractor unit being adapted to be worn about a user's wrist; and also includes a retrievable system being adapted to be disposed in the basketball and being attractable to the retriever unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2001Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Inventor: Keith Lumpkins
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Patent number: 6435929Abstract: A generally rectangular base supports a pair of gateways at two corners thereof and a pair of resiliently powered impact-responsive rebounders at the remaining two corners thereof. A flat surface extends between the rebounders and the gateways. A pair of toy vehicle launchers and track segments are operatively coupled to each of the gateways to launch toy vehicles therethrough. A plurality of elastic bands extend between the gateways to provide resilient boundaries for the rectangular base. The rebounders and the gateways include pivotal supports allowing the track segments and launchers as well as the rebounders to be pivoted for aiming purposes. A toy vehicle launched by a launcher traverses its track segment and enters its gateway. Thereafter, it strikes either a resilient boundary or a rebounder and is deflected accordingly. An additional toy vehicle launched from the second launcher may collide with or otherwise interact with the first launched toy vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: Wayne Halford
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Patent number: 6398616Abstract: An inflatable or inflated ball comprising an outer chamber formed of an airtight flexible outer skin which, when properly inflated and fully expanded, defines an interior volume. A sealed inner chamber filled or fillable with a substance substantially heavier than air is positioned within and occupies a relatively small amount of the interior volume. A plurality of elongated radially extending and three-dimensionally spaced elastic members are each connected and radially extend between, the inner chamber and the inner surface of the outer chamber. The elastic members are cooperatively sized in length and suitably tensioned to support and hold the inner chamber centrally in an at-rest position within the interior volume.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2001Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Inventor: Stephen J. Motosko, III
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Patent number: 6394877Abstract: A model truck having a mechanism driven by a reversible electric motor for selectively raising and lowering the front of the truck and the bed of the truck.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Craft House CorporationInventor: Arthur Venditti
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Patent number: 6378634Abstract: A tracking device includes an external member and an internal member rotatable relative to the external member. A motor is attached to the internal member and includes a rotor shaft attached to the external member. A pair of target sensors that sense a phenomenon such as a magnetic field, sound, light or RF radiation, provide input to a controller that controls rotation of the motor. Angular acceleration of the internal member will cause an equal and opposite angular acceleration of the external member and the tracking device will roll toward the target. The tracking device may hop by suddenly stopping the rotation of the internal member or by suddenly decreasing or increasing the acceleration of the motor or by inserting a linkage fixed to the external member into the rotation path of the internal member.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: Mark H. Yim
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Patent number: 6250987Abstract: A programmable device such as a toy or novelty item has a keyboard which can be activated by a user to set up any one of multiple different motions of the toy. Sounds and lights can be activated to coordinate with the movement. The toy can be a car or other device capable of moving in the environment.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Silverlit Toys Manufactory Ltd.Inventor: Kei Fung Choi
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Patent number: 6227934Abstract: A toy vehicle has a curved cam surface on the upper surface of its chassis, with a forward point on a tangent that is relatively close to the center of mass of the vehicle, and a rearward point on a tangent that is relatively far from the center of mass. The vehicle includes a breaking mechanism that can be used to start the vehicle rotating forwardly. As the vehicle rotates, the point of contact between the vehicle and the supporting surface moves from the front wheels to a leading edge and subsequently to the cam surface. As the vehicle rotates with the cam surface in contact with the supporting surface, the center of mass of the vehicle is forced upwardly, providing sufficient momentum to propel the vehicle into the air.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1998Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: The Simplest SolutionInventors: William Isaksson, Paul Dowd
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Patent number: 6155833Abstract: A ride simulator for use with a children's ride-on vehicle. The simulator includes a base, and a mechanism for removably securing to at least one of the wheels of an independently operable children's ride-on vehicle. The mechanism includes a fastener that selectively engages a mount on the wheel to support the wheel and at least a portion of the vehicle above the base. Driven rotation of the wheel to which the fastener is engaged causes reciprocating horizontal and vertical motion of the vehicle with respect to the base, thereby simulating ground-traveling movement of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1999Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: Gary G. Lenihan
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Patent number: 6152801Abstract: A toy car structure in which a power source such as a motor is activated to drive a gear set for driving decorative car doors, engine hood and car light cover bodies of a car body to open or close so as to create versatile operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1999Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Inventor: Wen-Ho Tsai
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Patent number: 6126510Abstract: A shaped toy includes a kinetically resilient central core and an outer layer of varying thickness covering the central core. The outer layer may be a material which also exhibits kinetic resiliency, to a degree more or less than that of the core, or, alternatively, be substantially non-resilient, such as fabric or pile. In a preferred embodiment, the toy includes a substantially spherically shaped core, covered by an outer layer of fabric, the type used for fabrication of conventional plush stuffed toys, increasing its appeal, by virtue of appearance and feel, to user and animal alike. The fabric, when stitched together using conventional stuffed animal sewing techniques, encloses the resilient central core, and presents regions of varying thickness over an expanse thereof, such that when thrown against a surface, unpredictable direction and bounce response will result by virtue irregular surface curvature and damping due to increasing and decreasing fabric thickness.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 1997Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Inventor: Andrew M. Weiss, Jr.
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Patent number: 6123600Abstract: A motor driven surface engaging multi directional and surface translating amusement device which simulates a creature of the sea or land, or a robot which has forward, reverse or rotational movement across a surface and which forward and reverse movement may be interval-cycling timed including forward-reverse speed control.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1999Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Inventor: Po Man Yuen
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Patent number: 6095890Abstract: A remote control toy vehicle includes an invertible chassis having vehicle body portions on opposite sides thereof, a plurality of highly resilient balloon tire support wheels, a high torque drive motor assembly for driving at least one of the support wheels and a remote control receiver circuit. The chassis and the support wheels are constructed and positioned so that the support wheels define a three dimensional maximum outer perimeter of the vehicle from which the chassis and the other components of the vehicle are spaced inwardly, and the remote control receiver circuit includes an antenna which is contained within the body of the vehicle. The high torque drive motor assembly, the position of the antenna, and the positions and configurations of the support wheels enable the vehicle to perform a variety of self-inverting, tumbling and deflecting maneuvers.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1999Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. George, Michele P. Trammell
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Patent number: 6071167Abstract: A toy includes a spherical outer casing, a circular coupling ring, a support member, a base and an inner toy body. The coupling ring is disposed around the outer casing, and is mounted pivotally on the outer casing about a first pivot axis that extends along a diameter of the outer casing. The support member has a plate portion with first and second end portions, and a pair of spaced-apart arm portions extending from the first end portion of the plate portion. The arm portions flank the coupling ring, and are mounted pivotally on the coupling ring about a second pivot axis that extends along a diameter of the coupling ring and that is perpendicular to the first pivot axis. The base engages releasably the support member, and is adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface for disposing the outer casing above the horizontal surface. The inner toy body is disposed in the outer casing, and is in frictional contact with an inner surface of the outer casing.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1999Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Dah Yang Toy Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chieh-Te Yang
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Patent number: 6036575Abstract: A model car having a mechanism driven by a reversible electric motor for selectively raising and lowering the front or rear of the car.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1999Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Craft House CorporationInventors: Steven F. Rehkemper, Jeffrey G. Rehkemper
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Patent number: 6015330Abstract: A hopping model car includes a body, a pair of vertically adjustable rear wheels mounted near the rear of the body, a pair of vertically movable front wheels mounted near the front of the body, and an actuator connected to the front wheels. The car is balanced to have a center of gravity slightly in front of a rear axle. To use, the rear wheels are adjusted downwardly to raise the rear end of the car. The front wheels are quickly extended downwardly to propel the front end of the car into the air. The car is balanced for hopping with less power consumption and a less powerful actuator, and for causing the front end to fall realistically slowly.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1998Date of Patent: January 18, 2000Inventors: Donald Simmons, Larnell Simmons
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Patent number: 5964639Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 12, 1997Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Inventor: John G. Maxim
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Patent number: 5947739Abstract: A ride simulator for use with a children's ride-on vehicle. The simulator includes a stationary base, a first support structure extending upwardly from the base for supporting at least a portion of the vehicle above the base, and an actuator for coupling to the vehicle to effect reciprocating horizontal and vertical motion of the vehicle about a defined location on the simulator, thereby simulating ground-traveling movement of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1996Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: Gary G. Lenihan
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Patent number: 5934968Abstract: A toy having a motorized portion in the form of an inanimate object and a non-motorized portion in the form of an animate object. The two portions are tethered together, and the motorized portion is driven such that the non-motorized portion in the form of an animate object appears to be alive and in pursuit of the inanimate motorized portion. The motorized portion preferably is in the form of a substantially spherical hollow ball within which an eccentric driving mechanism is placed. The non-motorized portion is an animal with a furry body or bushy tail and is preferably a weasel, embodies by a furry tail having a face invisibly connected to the ball. The non-motorized portion is preferably tethered to the motorized portion with a substantially invisible attachment so that from a distance the two portions of the toy do not appear to be connected together.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1997Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: Dah Yang Toy Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Li-Hsiang Lin
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Patent number: 5919075Abstract: A remote control toy vehicle includes an invertible chassis having vehicle body portions on opposite sides thereof, a plurality of highly resilient balloon tire support wheels, a high-torque drive motor assembly for driving at least one of the support wheels and a remote control receiver circuit. The chassis and the support wheels are constructed and positioned so that the support wheels define a three dimensional maximum outer perimeter of the vehicle from which the chassis and the other components of the vehicle are spaced inwardly, and the remote control receiver circuit includes an antenna which is contained within the body of the vehicle. The high torque drive motor assembly, the position of the antenna, and the positions and configurations of the support wheels enable the vehicle to perform a variety of self-inverting, tumbling and deflecting maneuvers.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1997Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. George, Michele P. Trammell
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Patent number: 5857892Abstract: A toy element composed of a rolling body having a body surface, with at least four apertures provided in the body surface, and at least two movable members. Each of the members consists of a first and a second oppositely arranged element interconnected by a rigid rod. The first and second elements are aligned with the apertures of the body surface. Each of the members is movable within the rolling body between a first position where the first element is significantly protruding from the rolling body surface while the second element is less protruding from the rolling body surface, and a second position where the second element is substantially protruding from the rolling body surface while the first element is less protruding from the rolling body surface. Each member has a center line, and the center lines of all of the members intersect at a common intersection point.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1996Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: INTERLEGO AGInventor: Paul Leadbetter
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Patent number: 5823844Abstract: A vibrating toy is provided and includes a housing, a battery mounted within the housing, a motor mounted within the housing activated by the battery, a shaft driven by the motor, a mechanism on the shaft for imparting an eccentric vibration from the housing, a play element outside of the housing, and a mechanism for connecting the play element to the housing and through which the play element can receive vibrations generated from the mechanism that imparts the eccentric vibration. A weighted element attached to the shaft in a manner to unsymmetrically distribute weight imparts the eccentric vibration. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a vibration is transferred to the housing which in turn through contact vibrates a wire serving as the mechanism that connects to the play element. The invention further concerns a method whereby a live pet animal can be entertained by interaction with the aforementioned vibrating toy.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1994Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Inventor: Eli Markowitz
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Patent number: 5785576Abstract: A toy wheeled vehicle having a chassis and a selectable vehicle suspension system, with the vehicle having a frame and a chassis attached to the frame. The vehicle has at least one opening through the chassis, longitudinally spaced rotatable front and rear axles supported on the frame, and a first and second set of wheels attached to the front and rear axles, respectively. The vehicle also has at least one lifting motor mounted on the frame and has a first rotatable arm connected to a vertically extending guide post, with the guide post being vertically extendable through the chassis opening and being connected to the chassis. At least one driving motor is mounted on the frame and has a rotatable shaft connected to the rear axle. Further, at least one hopping actuating motor is mounted on the frame and has a second rotatable arm connected to the front axle.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1996Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: Sports Wheels, Inc.Inventor: Wyatt H. Belton
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Patent number: 5766056Abstract: A transmission structure of toy fire engine including a casing in which a power source is disposed and connected to a driving shaft for rotating two cams disposed in the casing and two cams disposed outside the casing. The outer cams serve to drive two lateral slide members to slide and push two decorative members pivotally disposed on two sides of the casing to pivot outward. One of the inner cams via a support rod abuts against a linkage set to drive a scaling ladder to pivot upward from the casing or downward to the casing. When the scaling ladder is pivoted to an upright position, a movable doll is driven to climb up along the scaling ladder. The other of the inner cams pushes a pushing slide member to depress a pushing shaft of a rotary power wheel set, making the rotary power wheel set descend and touch the ground for driving the toy fire engine to running.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1996Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Inventor: Wen Ho Tsai
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Patent number: 5741185Abstract: The invention provides a toy light projector or light gun and player-worn and self-propelled toy targets which detect light emitted by a toy light gun, and a toy shooting game which includes at least one toy light gun, and at least one toy target. The game is played by a player attempting to "hit" a target which provides audio/visual effects upon detecting light projected by the gun. A main target contains a light detector and all of the circuitry and audio/visual components needed to play a game, and an auxiliary target may contain a light detector and only some of the components needed to play a game and be coupled to a main target to share components therein. A self-propelled target includes circuitry which provides pseudorandom (or other pre-programmed or random) motion to the target. The light gun emits a sound while it is on and ready to be fired, which can serve as a warning to an opposing player.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1997Date of Patent: April 21, 1998Assignee: Toymax Inc.Inventors: David Chu Ki Kwan, Steven Lebensfeld, Carmine Russo, Frank Landi, Ng Wing Kwong
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Patent number: 5735727Abstract: A transmission mechanism of a toy car, including a housing in which a power source is disposed. The power source is drivingly connected to a first and a second cams via a gear set. A slidable pressing/pushing slide board and a driving slide board are respectively pushed by the first and second cams to slide. The driving slide board further drives a linkage set to upward pivot a movable casing cover open or close the movable casing cover. A decorative body is disposed on inner side of the movable casing cover, whereby when the movable casing cover is upward opened, the decorative body is exhibited to create a visual entertaining effect. The pressing/pushing slide board can depress a rotary power wheel set and make the same descend and contact with the ground, enabling the toy car to run over the ground and create a live versatile entertaining effect.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1996Date of Patent: April 7, 1998Inventor: Wen Ho Tsai
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Patent number: 5733169Abstract: A toy airplane with rotary decorative bodies, which includes a motor for driving a gear set. The gear set in turn drives a rotary power wheel set and two opposite cams to rotate. Each cam is formed with a guiding groove along its periphery for guiding a rocking arm to regularly swing therewithin. The rocking arm further drives a resilient linking member which drives an ascending/descending support shaft to move up and down for pushing a rotary shaft and changing the engagement state between a gear disposed at middle section thereof and the gear set, whereby the rotary shaft is rotated in cooperation with the ascending/descending of the ascending/descending support shaft so as to drive the decorative body disposed at the end portion of the rotary shaft to rotate and create an entertaining effect.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1996Date of Patent: March 31, 1998Inventor: Wen Ho Tsai
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Patent number: 5727986Abstract: A rolling mechanism for a radio-controlled toy car causes a rolling motion of the radio-controlled toy car around a longitudinal direction along which the radio-controlled toy car travels. The rolling mechanism includes a rotation arm, which extends to have a component orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The rotation arm has a free end and a pivotally fixed end, around which the rotation arm rotates, so that the free end defines a circle in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, where the circle completely encompasses the radio-controlled toy car in view of the perpendicular plane. A rotation mechanism is provided to be mechanically connected to the pivotally fixed end for forcibly rotating the rotation arm around the pivotally fixed end so as to roll the radio-controlled toy car around the longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1996Date of Patent: March 17, 1998Assignee: Fertig Stubenfoll Design Group, Inc.Inventors: Leonard Stubenfoll, Zenichi Ishimoto
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Patent number: 5727985Abstract: A remote control toy vehicle includes an invertible chassis having vehicle body portions on opposite sides thereof, a plurality of highly resilient balloon tire support wheels, a high torque drive motor assembly for driving at least one of the support wheels and a remote control receiver circuit. The chassis and the support wheels are constructed and positioned so that the support wheels define a three dimensional maximum outer perimeter of the vehicle from which the chassis and the other components of the vehicle are spaced inwardly, and the remote control receiver circuit includes an antenna which is contained within the body of the vehicle. The high torque drive motor assembly, the position of the antenna, and the positions and configurations of the support wheels enable the vehicle to perform a variety of self-inverting, tumbling and deflecting maneuvers.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1996Date of Patent: March 17, 1998Assignee: Tonka CorporationInventors: Kevin M. George, Michele P. Trammell
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Patent number: 5725412Abstract: A jumping mechanism for a radio-controlled toy vehicle with a slender opening provided in a chassis of a toy vehicle; a rotary shaft provided on the chassis in a lateral direction, vertical to a longitudinal direction of the opening; a rotation mechanism mechanically connected to a first portion of the rotary shaft for rotating the rotary shaft; and at least a rotation arm being mechanically connected to a second portion of the rotary shaft and extending in a vertical direction in relation to the axis of the rotary shaft and having a rotation center positioned over the opening so that the rotation arm rotates in a plane vertical to the axis of the rotary shaft and so that, when the rotation arm is directed downward it passes through the opening of the chassis wherein a top portion of the rotation arm is positioned below the bottom level of the toy vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1996Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Assignee: Nikko Co., Ltd.Inventor: Zenichi Ishimoto
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Patent number: 5707271Abstract: A toy car (1) is provided which has a car box (10) on which two wheels (20) are rotatably mounted. Each wheel (20) has an eccentric disc (21) at the side facing the car box (10). The sidewalls (16) of the car box (10) have longitudinal grooves (27). These are engaged by guide cams of skid places over the corresponding wheel (20). When the car is pulled, the wheels rotate, the eccentric disc (21) moves which causes the skid to reciprocally move. The car thus simulates foot movement.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1996Date of Patent: January 13, 1998Assignee: INTERLEGO AGInventors: Philippe Kunz, Heinz Looser, Werner Tanner
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Patent number: 5683284Abstract: A self contained battery operated electric toy spinning top contains a DC electric motor, flywheel, batteries and electric switch in stacked relationship that allows for efficient assembly of a gyroscopic toy. A spinning cardboard carton is produced by installing the energized top within the carton.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1996Date of Patent: November 4, 1997Assignee: Hart Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Richard Paul Christen
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Patent number: 5683285Abstract: A toy beetle which travels down a vertical surface under the influence of gravity has four movable limbs which are arranged in pairs at opposite ends of an axle that is rotatable about a transverse axis of the beetle. Sticky materials at the ends of the limb adhere temporarily to the vertical surface in use. According to the orientation of the beetle with respect to the vertical the beetle will either, in somewhat random fashion, walk or tumble down the surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1996Date of Patent: November 4, 1997Assignee: T. K. Wong & Associates, Ltd.Inventor: Tak-Ko Wong
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Patent number: 5618219Abstract: A vehicle includes cam structure mounted on the vehicle constructed and arranged to have a first at-rest position and a second lift-initiating position that causes the vehicle when moving to jump, and at least one motor mounted on the vehicle for driving the vehicle and actuating the cam structure from the first at-rest position to the second lift-initiating position.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1995Date of Patent: April 8, 1997Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventors: Dean C. Simone, Rand W. Siegfried, Gerald M. Rodmaker
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Patent number: 5609510Abstract: The invention provides A toy vehicle comprising a body being divided into two parts on front and rear sides, a chassis being divided into two parts on front and rear sides on which the front and rear side body parts are mounted respectively, the front and rear side chassis parts being so coupled with each other as to bend those at its coupling portion in upward and downward directions, driving mechanisms for coupling front and rear tires on left side with front and rear tires on right side respectively which are provided to the chassis, driving motors being engaged with the left and right side driving mechanisms respectively and a controller for controlling the driving motors to allow the left side front and rear tires and the right side front and rear tires to rotate mutually in the same direction or in opposite directions.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 1995Date of Patent: March 11, 1997Assignee: Fertig Stubenfoll Design Group, Inc.Inventors: Leonard Stubenfoll, Zenichi Ishimoto
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Patent number: 5542872Abstract: A transmission mechanism of a toy motorcycle, having a transmission case, a transmission mechanism, a forward pushing unit, a laterally pushing unit, a lifting unit, a front hood pivotally disposed on a front side of a main body, and two lateral hoods pivotally disposed on two lateral sides of the main body. The transmission case is disposed on a chassis of the main body and the transmission mechanism is disposed in the transmission case. The transmission mechanism includes a power unit, a transmission gear set, a driving wheel and a coaxial cam set. The driving wheel enables the motorcycle to run on the ground. By means of the coaxial cam set, the forward pushing unit, laterally pushing unit and lifting unit in sequence respectively push and pivot the front hood and the lateral hoods forward and laterally to display decorative missiles and lift and rotate the main body of the toy motorcycle.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1995Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Inventor: Tsai W. Ho
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Patent number: 5364300Abstract: A toy train is disclosed including a driving mechanism in a gear box, two driving wheels coupled to the driving mechanism, two driven mechanism coupled to the driving wheels through two transmission mechanisms and moved to turn linked wheel sets and driving gears, and two guide wheels driven by the driving mechanism, wherein turning on the gear box causes the driven mechanism to be swung outwards and inwards alternatively in moving the toy train or causing it to simulate the flying of a flying object.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1993Date of Patent: November 15, 1994Inventor: Jin-Long Jow