Patents Assigned to Bang Zoom Design Ltd.
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Patent number: 11389740Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.Inventors: Steven Casino, Michael G. Hoeting
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Patent number: 9345977Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Alex Dieterle
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Patent number: 9101847Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
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Publication number: 20150087200Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: BANG ZOOM DESIGN, LTD.Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
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Patent number: 8876604Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 3, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.Inventors: Steven R. Casino, Michael G. Hoeting, Steven Fink, Robert W. Jeffway, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140273724Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: BANG ZOOM DESIGN, LTD.Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
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Patent number: 8500512Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 2012Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
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Publication number: 20130084979Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: BANG ZOOM design, Ltd.Inventor: BANG ZOOM design, Ltd.
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Patent number: 8241085Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 5, 2010Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
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Publication number: 20100216370Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: BANG ZOOM design, Ltd.Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
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Patent number: 7338341Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Bang Zoom Design Ltd., LLCInventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Steven K. Hurt, Steven T. Fink
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Publication number: 20070207699Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2007Publication date: September 6, 2007Applicant: BANG ZOOM DESIGN LTD.Inventors: Michael Hoeting, Neil Hamilton
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Patent number: 7261615Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 16, 2004Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Bang Zoom Design Ltd., LLCInventors: Michael Hoeting, Neil Hamilton
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Publication number: 20060009119Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2005Publication date: January 12, 2006Applicant: BANG ZOOM design Ltd.Inventors: Michael Hoeting, Neil Hamilton
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Patent number: 6939197Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 3, 2005Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Bang Zoom Design Ltd.Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
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Patent number: 6786795Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 7, 2002Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Bang Zoom Design Ltd.Inventors: Sean Mullaney, Michael Hoeting, Neil Hamilton, Steven Fink, Tommie Lucas, Robert Paul Spalinski, Matthew James Del Duke
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Patent number: 6729933Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 10, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Robert P. Spalinski
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Publication number: 20030224694Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Applicant: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, James M. Dickinson
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Publication number: 20030082989Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Applicant: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Robert P. Spalinski
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Patent number: D733225Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2014Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.Inventors: Michael Hoeting, Neil Hamilton, Steven Casino