Including Movable Figure Patents (Class 446/83)
  • Patent number: 11325049
    Abstract: A miniature magnetic theater apparatus provides an elevated surface supporting on its upper face (stage) one or more magnetic characters. The characters utilize magnets positioned under the stage for manipulation by a user in accordance with a stage play. Scenery elements may utilize magnets to attach to magnetically receptive drops, wings and a back wall. The drops and wings may be positioned in slotted side beams for positioning and support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventor: William August Barrios
  • Patent number: 8876571
    Abstract: A system for performing an aerial display. The system includes a plurality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a ground control system with a processor executing a fleet manager module and with memory storing a different flight plan for each of the UAVs. The system further includes a marionette with a body and articulatable appendages attached to the body. The body and appendages are supported with tether lines extending between the marionette and the UAVs. Then, during a display time period, the UAVs concurrently execute the flight plans to position and articulate the marionette within a display air space. In some embodiments, the UAVs each is a multicopter, and each of the multicopters includes a local controller operating to move the multicopter through a series of way points defined by the flight plan associated with the multicopter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Scott Trowbridge, James Alexander Stark, Clifford Wong
  • Patent number: 8808050
    Abstract: There is disclosed a modular display system for use in displaying memorabilia associated with various tales or stories both fictional and non-fictional. The modular display system generally includes a base member and an environmental member mounted on the base member. The environmental member represents the environment and time frame within which the story or tale takes place. One or more removable display members are provided to exhibit various pieces of memorabilia pertaining to the subject tale or story.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Steven Goldmeier
  • Patent number: 8808054
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an action piece for a toy play set is provided, the action piece being configured to have at least three separate engagement features configured to retain and subsequently release a portion of an action figure. In another embodiment a play set is provided, the play set having: a ring structure, at least one action figure and an action piece for securement to a portion of the ring structure. In still another embodiment, a method of launching an action figure from a play set in order to cause the action figure to fly through the air in a predetermined fashion is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Barthold
  • Patent number: 8398449
    Abstract: A light-weight toy is attached to a player via a near-invisible fixed-length tether, typically using a low-tack adhesive at the ends of the tether. In especially preferred embodiments, the toy has a mechanism that creates an appearance of plausible possibility of flight without actually providing sufficient lift and/or propulsion for flight. Imaginary flight is achieved by manual lifting and moving the toy via the tether. Thus, the tether forms an integral part of the imaginary play for the player and is not used as an implement of a ‘magic trick’ for an audience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: William Mark Corporation
    Inventor: William Mark Forti
  • Toy
    Patent number: 7448932
    Abstract: A toy includes a toy member and one or more articles for detachable attachment to said toy member. Movement apparatus is provided for moving the articles between a first position, wherein the articles are detached from and a spaced distance apart from the toy member, and a second position, wherein the articles are engaged with with the toy member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Origin Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Buckley, Brian Whitehead
  • Patent number: 6764372
    Abstract: A puppet book kit and associated method of using the puppet book kit are disclosed. The puppet book kit comprises a plurality of pages, a cover, an aperture traversing through each of the pages and through the cover to form a three dimensional void, a backdrop curtain, a slide out panel, at least one card holder, a plurality of story cards, and at least one marionette. The plurality of pages is bound together to the cover along one common edge. The backdrop curtain is attached onto the cover, in which the backdrop curtain covers over the cover aperture. The slide out panel is slidably attached to the cover, wherein the slide out panel is mounted over the cover aperture and positioned under the backdrop curtain. Each card holder is attached to each corresponding page in which each story card is attachable to each card holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Rita Rae
  • Patent number: 6663456
    Abstract: A toy comprising in combination a story media, a puppet manipulator, and puppet figures in a stage-like box. The puppet figures may represent characters objects or scenes from the story media. The puppet manipulator device is adapted to allow a user to removably attach various puppet figures to act out a play, scene or story selected from the story media using several puppet figures at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Innovative USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward A. Gemma, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6595385
    Abstract: A game apparatus includes a figure having a head supporting a rotating plate and a torso supported upon a base. The torso defines a token dispensing passage in communication with the head and further supports a pivotably moveable arm. The arm is pivotable between a raised position and a lowered position against a return spring which urges it toward its raised position. A gear mechanism is operable in response to downward movement of the arm against the return spring to rotate the plate within the figures head and agitate a plurality of disc-like tokens received within the head chamber. A single token is discharged through the torso and outwardly through the door formed in the figures torso to complete token dispensing. The arm is released and the cycle repeated by each player to dispense game tokens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen Nakamoto, Jeffery Champ
  • Patent number: 6547624
    Abstract: A toy building set of building elements (10, 14) having a coupling means (11, 12, 13) by which building elements (10, 14) may be built together. One of the building elements (20) contains a camera, which is adapted to record images of its surroundings. A user may built a remote-controlled toy (30) in which the building element (20) with the camera may be arranged in positions and with an orientation at the user's option. A film production system with a camera and recording and editing facilities. Movable objects and a plurality of predefined positions for the movable objects, and means for holding the movable objects in selected one of the predefined positions when the camera records one or more images. Thereby the movable objects can be placed accurately and repeatedly in predetermined positions. The predefined positions are preferably defined by toy building elements having coupling means for interconnecting building elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventors: Simon Berg Bojesen, Richard Siegrist
  • Patent number: 6537123
    Abstract: A magnetic display system is disclosed, including a first screen having a front surface for contacting a magnetic display device and a second screen having a rear surface for contacting a magnetic device controller. The first screen and the second screen define therebetween a scenery receiving space for receiving at least one scenery sheet. The scenery sheet may be advanced and/or replaced while magnetic display devices are displayed on the system, without having to hold the displayed devices in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventors: Richard B. Crossman, Tamaryn K. Crossman
  • Patent number: 6506093
    Abstract: A miniature puppet theater and book combination comprises a housing defining a stage and having collapsible front, side, rear and lower panels. At least one puppet-like object is displaceable on the stage of the housing in the manner of a puppet show. A book whose contents are related to the appearance of the puppet-like object is connected to the housing so that the front, side, rear and lower panels of the housing are collapsible together with the book into a relatively flat compact structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Inventor: Ami Avital
  • Publication number: 20020182973
    Abstract: A miniature puppet theater and book combination comprises a housing defining a stage, at least one puppet-like object displaceable on the stage of the housing in the manner of a puppet show, and a book connected to the housing and whose contents are related to the appearance of the puppet-like object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Ami Avital
  • Patent number: 6485350
    Abstract: An animated holiday-scene display device for providing decorative entertainment tools. The animated holiday-scene display device includes a base member having a top side and being adapted to rest upon a surface; and also includes an ornamental figurine being mounted upon the topside of the base member and having a body and movable arms; and further includes an ornamental object also being mounted upon the top side of the base member; and also includes a light-emitting assembly being disposed throughout the ornamental object; and further includes an assembly for actuating movement of the ornamental figurine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Agnes Giglio
  • Publication number: 20020061699
    Abstract: A magnetic display system is disclosed, including a first screen having a front surface for contacting a magnetic display device and a second screen having a rear surface for contacting a magnetic device controller. The first screen and the second screen define therebetween a scenery receiving space for receiving at least one scenery sheet. The scenery sheet may be advanced and/or replaced while magnetic display devices are displayed on the system, without having to hold the displayed devices in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Richard B. Crossman, Tamaryn K. Crossman
  • Patent number: 6390881
    Abstract: A water dance conductor toy comprising a stage holding an electronic control device on the inside, a rotary conductor's podium supported on a holder frame pivoted to the stage and controlled by the electronic control device to rotate clockwise/counter-clockwise through 180°, a conductor supported on the rotary conductor's podium and controlled by the electronic control device to bow, and a water dance unit mounted on the stage, the water dance unit including an elongated base pivoted to the stage, a plurality of lamp bulbs mounted in the elongated base and controlled by the electronic control device to flash, and a plurality of stick-like light guide elements mounted on the elongated base and adapted to guide out light from the lamp bulbs to produce a lighting effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventors: Hui-Nan Yu, Tzu-Hen Tong, Chi-Feng Chung
  • Patent number: 6383051
    Abstract: A magnetic display system is disclosed, including a first screen having a front surface for contacting a magnetic display device and a second screen having a rear surface for contacting a magnetic device controller. The first screen and the second screen define therebetween a scenery receiving space for receiving at least one scenery sheet. The scenery sheet may be advanced and/or replaced while magnetic display devices are displayed on the system, without having to hold the displayed devices in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventors: Richard B. Crossman, Tamaryn K. Crossman
  • Patent number: 6192215
    Abstract: A mechanical puppet show apparatus provides a base unit supporting on its upper surface (stage) one or more mechanical puppets. The puppets are interconnected with a circuit for motion actuation in accordance with a stage play that is programmed into a memory device and controlled by a digital control unit. Manual, remote control and verbal signals may be received for interactive action of the puppets with the audience. A method for use of materials downloaded by packet data transfer from the Internet may be employed in programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Mai Wang
  • Patent number: 6039625
    Abstract: A mechanical puppet show apparatus provides a base unit supporting on its upper surface (stage) one or more mechanical puppets. The puppets are interconnected with a circuit for motion actuation in accordance with a stage play that is programmed into a memory device and controlled by a digital control unit. Manual, remote control and verbal signals may be received for interactive action of the puppets with the audience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventor: Mai Wang
  • Patent number: 5085609
    Abstract: A puppet theater with a playback device (7) for sounds provided during a theatrical performance has an electrically actuatable display (13, 14, 15) for each puppet to be used. Control signals are recorded on the sound medium (7') of the playback device (7), and include display controls to trigger the displays to cue the puppeteer during the performance as to which puppet is to be used at a given time in the script. The control signals of the playback device can also include automatic commands for unwinding a backdrop (5), and signals for controlling the illumination of colored lamps (16, 17, 18) which light the stage. The theater may be portably arranged via dividing joint (23) and hinges (24, 25) which allow for folding of the walls (1, 3, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Inventor: Walter Haberle
  • Patent number: 5040319
    Abstract: A toy band assembly including a stage assembly, a plurality of movable toy figures, such as toy frog figures, a plurality of toy musical instruments, a sound pick-up unit, a stage lights assembly, power supply, a power supply switch, an integrated circuit, a front transmission mechanism, a front reciprocating mechanism, a rear transmission mechanism, and a rear reciprocating mechanism. When the power supply switch is switched on, light bulbs in a stage lights assembly start to flash and the sound pick-up unit picks up sound signals from the surroundings and directs electric signals to the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit electrically connects the power supply means to a front and a rear motor when sufficient electrical signal is received. The front and rear motors rotate and translate their rotations to the front and rear transmission mechanisms and to the front and rear reciprocating mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Metro Toy Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuang C. Wang, Arthur Y. P. Wang
  • Patent number: 4804348
    Abstract: The animated toy puppet theater comprises a box-like frame defining a top surface having a hole formed therein, and a puppet having a head and hollow body, made of flexible material, connected to the head and the top surface. A rod is connected to the head and extends through the hole into the frame. A motor driven cam shaft acts on a cam follower attached to the rod for automatically animating the puppet. An aperture is provided in the frame for permitting manual animation of the puppet. A cover defining an internal surface bearing a background panel is pivotally connected to the frame. The cover defines at least one open position, whereat the background panel lies perpendicular to the top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Inventor: Francesco Bondi'
  • Patent number: 4560359
    Abstract: A self-contained watch and play activity kit is disclosed which includes a puppet theater having a front and two sides. The front includes a transparent portion through which the interior of the theater is visible. The sides are foldable about weakened first fold lines parallel to the front to form an enclosed theater container in which a central space is provided. A removable insert is sized to be snugly received in the central space of the folded theater container. The insert includes a video cassette holder. The insert further forms a compartment with the folded theater container in which various props for the theater and elements of the kit are stored. The sides also include weakened second fold lines so that the rearward portions of the sides are folded to form a back of the theater. In order to provide access to the inside of the theater, removable panels are located in each side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Direct Broadcast Programs Inc.
    Inventors: Angele Wilson, John Wilson