Patents Represented by Attorney Max E. Shirk
  • Patent number: 4264114
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly having an electrical connector with an elongate main body with a socket in one long edge thereof with first and second rows of conductive leads extending outwardly from the opposite long edge, a first row of leads bent 90.degree. to the plane of the edge with the other row of leads being bent angularly with the free ends thereof bent again in parallel relation to the first row of leads, the free ends of both rows being generally parallel for insertion into apertures on a printed circuit board with the main body in adjacent proximate relation to the board with the leads secured to the board adjacent an edge portion, the edge having a width generally equal to the length of the body. A cartridge is provided for use with the connector, the cartridge including a pocket in one end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: David P. Chandler
  • Patent number: 4256306
    Abstract: A game having a playing surface for receiving a spinning top propelled onto the surface by a top spinning mechanism at the general midpoint of the playing surface. First and second oppositely disposed siderails are provided with the edges thereof a predetermined height above the playing surface for impacting with the top, the edges being angularly inclined outwardly from the midpoint toward opposite ends of the playing surface. First and second barrier members are provided at opposite ends of the playing surface with each of the barrier members having at least one opening for passage therethrough of the spinning top. A blocker member is slidably mounted on each barrier member for manual operation by opposing players for protecting against passage of the top through the opening with each barrier member having a tongue portion extending toward the playing surface with the tongue portion being configured for redirecting the top, upon impact therewith, back onto the playing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Gross, Lane M. Buscho
  • Patent number: 4248426
    Abstract: A pinball-type game utilizing a spinning top actuated by a high speed spinning mechanism, release of the top onto a playing surface having a number of obstacles propelling the top against a scoring mechanism having a rocker arm which, upon impact, through a pawl device rotates a scoring indicator. The scoring indicator is provided with a spring clutch to enable the indicator to return to zero. "Flippers" are provided to redirect the spinning top along the playing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: Mattel Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Sims, Gerard L. Lambert, Raymond J. Gross, Harold B. Collins
  • Patent number: 4246722
    Abstract: A baby doll having an extendable torso, an extendable neck, movable legs, and a mechanism for causing the torso and the neck to extend and the legs to straighten so that the doll appears to grow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jurgis Sapkus, J. Stephen Lewis, Raymond J. Douglas
  • Patent number: 4247286
    Abstract: A first hinge member has a serrated shank affixed to a dental restoration section and a spherical pivot-head at the free end of the shank; a pair of oppositely-open, axially-aligned, hemispherical bearing cups are provided on the pivot head for engagement by hemispherical trunnions provided on the inner wall of a substantially spherical cap forming part of a second hinge member affixed to a clasp section engaging an abutment tooth; a downwardly-open semi-cylindrical stop member is affixed to the cap in overlying relationship with the free end of the shank for engagement thereby to limit relative movement between the restoration section and the endentulous ridge portion of a user's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Inventors: William R. Herrera, Alex F. Presley
  • Patent number: 4246452
    Abstract: A switch apparatus having first and second surfaces with conductive pattern segments thereon in proximate spaced overlying relation, each of the patterns being generally identical and having a circular array of alternating solid and interleaved conductive portion, one pattern being movable toward the other by tilting of a disc for providing a plurality of discrete signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1981
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: David P. Chandler
  • Patent number: 4244141
    Abstract: A motor operated walking doll which upon energization of the motor walks in a straight line for a given distance, then proceeds along a curve to turn around, then commences on a straight line to its approximate starting point whereupon the doll raises its arms, the arm raising action de-energizing the switch to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Douglas, Norman E. Sindlinger
  • Patent number: 4241534
    Abstract: A toy vehicle having a spring drive mechanism coupled through first and second unidirectional slip clutch members to the drive wheels thereof, the slip clutches including gear members for winding the spring through a first gear ratio while pushing the vehicle in the reverse direction on a surface, and for propelling the vehicle through a second gear ratio upon release of the vehicle, each of the actions utilizing only one of the slip clutch members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ake L. Larsson, Gunther E. Gronwold, Derek A. Corris
  • Patent number: 4236344
    Abstract: A toy having a pivotable component in the form of a construction wheel loader having a shovel, the toy including a manually actuable handle cocking a spring coupled to a slidable member having a rack portion for operating the shovel. Movement of the slidable member during cocking of the handle simultaneously moves a coupler connected to a piston slidable axially within a stationary closed ended cylinder. The piston has a minute aperture in the face thereof with a larger aperture in the skirt thereof with the apertures being on opposite sides of the piston seal. A locking lever coacts with the coupler for retaining the parts in the powered position against the force of the spring. Manual release of the locking lever permits the spring to urge against the slidable member with the two apertures in the piston providing speed regulation during movement of the piston into the cylinder for moving the slidable member gradually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1980
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Kelly
  • Patent number: 4235041
    Abstract: A figure toy having appendages of a soft plastic. The toy is covered front and back on its body and appendages with suction cups so that it will adhere to various smooth surfaces at its front, back, and appendages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger H. Sweet
  • Patent number: 4232474
    Abstract: A toy safe having a box-like housing forming a compartment and a closure member hingedly coupled thereto for closing the compartment. An alarm mechanism is provided adjacent a sidewall of the housing with an aperture extending through the sidewall in proximity thereto. The alarm mechanism includes an alarm member such as a bell with a clapper mechanism pivotally mounted within the compartment adjacent the bell, the clapper mechanism having a tab portion in proximity to the aperture for engagement by a key member inserted through the aperture. The spring-wound actuating member coacts with the clapper member to intermittently pivot the same during unwinding of the spring, the actuating member including a handle positioned and configured relative to the interior of the closure member with a stop member engaging the handle member to prevent unwinding of the spring after the key is removed and to permit actuation of the alarm mechanism when the closure member is opened without the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Dyer
  • Patent number: 4223561
    Abstract: A mechanism for translating motion in a first direction to an output motion in a direction normal to the first direction, the mechanism having a generally bar-shaped member with a second generally bar-shaped member slidably coupled thereto with an interconnecting pressure plate member operable toward the first bar-shaped member for sliding the second bar-shaped member. The pressure plate member is formed integrally with the first and second members and spring-biased. The mechanism may be used for example in a doll or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1980
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin G. Guerrero
  • Patent number: 4223472
    Abstract: A toy projectile launching device having a main tubular member in fluid communication with an air pump, an air storage tank and a projectile launching housing rotatably coupled to the main tubular member. A valve member manually operable within the main tubular member, and with the valve member in a first position air from the air pump passes into the air storage tank; in a second position of the valve member, the pressurized air within the tank is released to propel a projectile within the housing. A third position of the valve member permits air from the air tank to be released in minute quantities to actuate an air-operated sounding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1980
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ferenc Fekete, Wayne R. Halford, Michael O. Hirtle
  • Patent number: 4217726
    Abstract: A doll having a first leg secured to the torso for pivotal movement relative thereto with the other leg hingedly coupled to the torso for pivotal movement about a fore-to-aft axis. The head member is interconnected through gear devices to the first leg, relative displacement between the first and second leg members can result in tilting the torso relative to the second leg member and rotating of the head in response to pivoting of the first leg member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Alcwyn Flicker, Derek J. Gay, Tony Rhodes, Roger H. Sweet
  • Patent number: 4217725
    Abstract: A doll having an air-contained compressible body portion the interior thereof communicating with an aperture in the palm of the hand of the doll. An accessory article such as a hat has a tubular portion insertable within the aperture with a valve selector manually operable to one of three positions for pneumatically actuating one of three conduits within the hat for elevating a movable object above the rim of the hat in response to compression of the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jurgis Sapkus, J. Stephen Lewis
  • Patent number: D258573
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Seiko Konya, Janice E. Rosenthal, Virginia R. Sargent, Robert F. Schroeder
  • Patent number: D258599
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Mattell, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry T. Hodges, Robert W. Nall, William F. Sestito
  • Patent number: D258673
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. McHose
  • Patent number: D258748
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Livesey
  • Patent number: D259473
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Seiko Konya, Janice E. Rosenthal, Virginia R. Sargent