Patents Assigned to Bang Zoom Design Ltd.
  • Patent number: 11389740
    Abstract: A toy system includes: a toy body including an interface; an extrusion tube including a sidewall that defines an open interior region, the sidewall extends from a first end to a second end, at least one of the first end and the second end is configured to attach to the interface, and the sidewall defines extrusion features that pass through the sidewall; and a plunger configured to move in the interior region and to force a moldable material in the interior region through the extrusion features to form an extruded moldable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Casino, Michael G. Hoeting
  • Patent number: 9345977
    Abstract: A figure includes a frame having a body portion and at least two appendages extending from and fixed relative to the body portion. The body portion has an aperture positioned therein. The figure also includes a casing, a motor coupled to the casing, and a crank rotatably coupled to the motor. The crank has a crank pin that is spaced from a center of the crank and engages the aperture of the frame. When the motor is activated, the crank moves the casing relative to the frame while the frame remains substantially stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Alex Dieterle
  • Patent number: 9101847
    Abstract: A shape changing apparatus includes a body portion and first and second appendages pivotally attached to respective first and second opposing sides of the body portion so as to be rotatable about respective first and second axes of rotation. The first and second appendages are moveable between an open position and a closed position. Each appendage has a generally arcuate shape. The shape changing apparatus further includes a biasing mechanism coupled to the first and second appendages. The biasing mechanism is configured to bias the first and second appendages to the open position. The shape changing apparatus further includes a release mechanism operatively coupled to one of the first or second appendages. Upon activating the release mechanism the biasing mechanism pivots the first and second appendages to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
  • Publication number: 20150087200
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a platform having first and second sides and upper and lower surfaces. First and second wheels are operatively coupled to the platform and disposed proximate the first side of the platform. The first and second wheels each have a support surface contact patch that lies in a first plane. The vehicle also includes a disk rotatably coupled to the lower surface of the platform. The disk has first and second regions associated with respective first and second sides of the platform and an inner ring. The disk lies in a second plane disposed at an angle to the first plane, such that when the contact patches of the first and second wheels are in contact with the support surface the first region is further away from the support surface than the second region and the inner ring contacts the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: BANG ZOOM DESIGN, LTD.
    Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
  • Patent number: 8876604
    Abstract: An electronic handheld gesture game device includes a game housing with a speaker and a plurality of lights to provide commands, feedback, and other information to a player. In one type of game play experience, the game device issues one or more commands that indicate a desired movement or gesture to perform, and the player must respond by moving the game housing to simulate the desired movement or gesture. The game device is self-contained and does not require outside computing devices or visual displays to perform the game play experiences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven R. Casino, Michael G. Hoeting, Steven Fink, Robert W. Jeffway, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140273724
    Abstract: A shape changing apparatus includes a body portion and first and second appendages pivotally attached to respective first and second opposing sides of the body portion so as to be rotatable about respective first and second axes of rotation. The first and second appendages are moveable between an open position and a closed position. Each appendage has a generally arcuate shape. The shape changing apparatus further includes a biasing mechanism coupled to the first and second appendages. The biasing mechanism is configured to bias the first and second appendages to the open position. The shape changing apparatus further includes a release mechanism operatively coupled to one of the first or second appendages. Upon activating the release mechanism the biasing mechanism pivots the first and second appendages to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BANG ZOOM DESIGN, LTD.
    Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
  • Patent number: 8500512
    Abstract: A motorized doll includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion. The upper body portion may include a torso and a pair of arms. The lower body portion may include a pelvis connected to the torso at a universal joint, a pair of legs, and a pair of feet rotatable with respect to the legs. The doll is actuated to walk by a torso motor which drives the torso to tilt and rotate about the universal joint, which causes the doll to shift from foot to foot and repeatedly rotate forwards in a realistic walking motion. The doll includes a shoulder motor for rotating the pair of arms and a pelvis motor for driving the legs between a standing position and one of a crawling position or sitting position depending on the position of the pair of arms when the doll is tipped forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
  • Publication number: 20130084979
    Abstract: An electronic handheld gesture game device includes a game housing with a speaker and a plurality of lights to provide commands, feedback, and other information to a player. In one type of game play experience, the game device issues one or more commands that indicate a desired movement or gesture to perform, and the player must respond by moving the game housing to simulate the desired movement or gesture. The game device is self-contained and does not require outside computing devices or visual displays to perform the game play experiences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: BANG ZOOM design, Ltd.
    Inventor: BANG ZOOM design, Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8241085
    Abstract: A motorized doll includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion. The upper body portion may include a torso and a pair of arms. The lower body portion may include a pelvis connected to the torso at a universal joint, a pair of legs, and a pair of feet rotatable with respect to the legs. The doll is actuated to walk by a torso motor which drives the torso to tilt and rotate about the universal joint, which causes the doll to shift from foot to foot and repeatedly rotate forwards in a realistic walking motion. The doll includes a shoulder motor for rotating the pair of arms and a pelvis motor for driving the legs between a standing position and one of a crawling position or sitting position depending on the position of the pair of arms when the doll is tipped forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
  • Publication number: 20100216370
    Abstract: A motorized doll includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion. The upper body portion may include a torso and a pair of arms. The lower body portion may include a pelvis connected to the torso at a universal joint, a pair of legs, and a pair of feet rotatable with respect to the legs. The doll is actuated to walk by a torso motor which drives the torso to tilt and rotate about the universal joint, which causes the doll to shift from foot to foot and repeatedly rotate forwards in a realistic walking motion. The doll includes a shoulder motor for rotating the pair of arms and a pelvis motor for driving the legs between a standing position and one of a crawling position or sitting position depending on the position of the pair of arms when the doll is tipped forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: BANG ZOOM design, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
  • Patent number: 7338341
    Abstract: An animated toy effectively mimics human dance steps such as the Hokey Pokey with upper and lower halves of the torso pivoting about a diagonal waist laterally upwardly sloping to the left so that a left arm may be put forward and back. A spin/shake drive mechanism in a left leg selectively rotates the toy about a spin disk when activated in one direction and rotating a shake cam against the upper half of the torso when activated in another direction, thereby achieving each portion of the dance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design Ltd., LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Steven K. Hurt, Steven T. Fink
  • Publication number: 20070207699
    Abstract: A toy vehicle generally comprises a chassis, front and rear wheels supporting the chassis, and a flywheel configured to rotate within the front wheel to provide a gyroscopic effect. An engagement mechanism housed within and operatively coupled to the front wheel is configured to rotate the flywheel in a first direction when driven by the front wheel in the first direction. The engagement mechanism is also configured to allow the flywheel to continue to rotate in the first direction independently of the front wheel when the front wheel decelerates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: BANG ZOOM DESIGN LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Hoeting, Neil Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7261615
    Abstract: A remotely controlled toy vehicle appears to drift when turning, appearing to slide into the turn, by having a rear driving platform that swivels under a main body of a chassis. In addition to making the chassis appear to slide, the rear driving platform induces a tilt of the chassis into the turn, simulating a car suspension shifting toward the slide. Dummy rear wheels attached to pivoting trailing arms assist in obscuring the rear driving platform and make the toy vehicle appear more realistic. Castoring front wheels further enhance the drifting effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design Ltd., LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hoeting, Neil Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20060009119
    Abstract: A toy vehicle with a flywheel operatively associated with a front wheel. The toy vehicle comprises a chassis having a front end supported by the front wheel and a rear end supported by a rear wheel. A motor is operatively connected to the flywheel to rotate the flywheel and generate a gyroscopic effect while the toy vehicle is moving. The flywheel is adapted to rotate independently of the front wheel. Accordingly, the front wheel rotates about the axle whenever the toy vehicle is in motion whereas the flywheel rotates about a front axle whenever the motor is energized. The motion of the toy vehicle may be controlled by a propulsion drive operatively associated with the chassis and drivingly coupled to the rear wheel. The direction of the toy vehicle may be controlled by a steering drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Applicant: BANG ZOOM design Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Hoeting, Neil Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6939197
    Abstract: A toy vehicle that is capable of lifting off a travel surface by means of a cam member. The toy vehicle comprises a chassis that has first and second ends and first and second drive wheels disposed between the first and second ends. The first and second drive wheels are aligned along an axis and are coupled to a drive system. To provide the toy vehicle with “tank steering” capabilities, the first and second drive wheels may be controlled independently of each other. One or more cam members aligned along the same axis as the first and second drive wheels are adapted to selectively rotate about the axis so that an outer edge contacts the travel surface, causing the toy vehicle to lift into the air. The cam members may be controlled by a cam motor, which operates independently of the drive system. In one embodiment, the toy vehicle and its cam members are adapted to be fully operable in an upright, first drive position and an upside-down, second drive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
  • Patent number: 6786795
    Abstract: A toy vehicle has a tractor and trailer that is countable to the tractor. The tractor includes a tractor hitch assembly and an operating assembly for propelling the tractor in forward and reverse directions and for turning the tractor 360° in place. The trailer has a trailer body and a tongue extending therefrom with a trailer hitch assembly connected to the trailer tongue. The tractor and trailer hitch assemblies are arranged and countable together to enable relative pitch and roll between the tractor and trailer and rotation of the tractor under the trailer tongue at least on a flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design Ltd.
    Inventors: Sean Mullaney, Michael Hoeting, Neil Hamilton, Steven Fink, Tommie Lucas, Robert Paul Spalinski, Matthew James Del Duke
  • Patent number: 6729933
    Abstract: An articulated toy figure includes a torso and pairs of articulated arms and legs. The articulated legs are engaged with the torso at a pair of hip joints, each rotatable about two substantially perpendicular horizontal axes. Each leg has an upper member and a lower member engaged with the upper member at a knee joint to rotate about a third horizontal axis. The hip and knee joints are sufficiently lax for each leg to rotate when moved from an initial position to a displaced, raised position and to return towards the initial position when the leg is released to substantially simulate possible leg movements of a human being. A spring connected between each of the upper leg members and the torso biases each upper leg to return to its initial position after having been moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Robert P. Spalinski
  • Publication number: 20030224694
    Abstract: A toy tractor-trailer vehicle includes multiple separate, but connectable, vehicular components wherein a trailer is formed by a trailer bed and a separate trailer box. The trailer bed and trailer box are joined together to form a conventional toy vehicle trailer and the trailer bed is reversed and joined with the box to form a storage container for the toy vehicle housing at least the tractor. The toy vehicle may be remotely-controlled with the controller also in the storage container. The trailer box is adapted to accept panels with graphic images displayed thereon and printed by the user of the toy vehicle. The graphic images are obtained via the Internet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, James M. Dickinson
  • Publication number: 20030082989
    Abstract: An articulated toy figure includes a torso and pairs of articulated arms and legs. The articulated legs are engaged with the torso at a pair of hip joints, each rotatable about two substantially perpendicular horizontal axes. Each leg has an upper member and a lower member engaged with the upper member at a knee joint to rotate about a third horizontal axis. The hip and knee joints are sufficiently lax for each leg to rotate when moved from an initial position to a displaced, raised position and to return towards the initial position when the leg is released to substantially simulate possible leg movements of a human being. A spring connected between each of the upper leg members and the torso biases each upper leg to return to its initial position after having been moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Robert P. Spalinski
  • Patent number: D733225
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Hoeting, Neil Hamilton, Steven Casino