Patents Assigned to Mattel
  • Publication number: 20140106891
    Abstract: A control system for a child swing that comprises an amplitude control subsystem configured to use one or more electrical signals from a swing sensor to compare an actual amplitude of the child swing to a pre-set amplitude of the child swing to generate an adjustment signal representing a desired adjustment to the phase of the drive mechanism. The child swing also comprises a phase control subsystem configured to use an electrical signal representative of a phase of the drive mechanism and the adjustment signal to generate a motor drive signal configured to cause the desired adjustment to the phase of the drive mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: Philip R. PYRCE, James P. MEADE, Mark Alan WOLLEN, James Paul BAKER, James A. BISHOP, JR., Ross Allan NIVER
  • Patent number: 8698747
    Abstract: A hand-activated controller including a base and a circuit board attached to the base is provided. The circuit board has an aperture extending therethrough, and first, second, third, and fourth switches disposed thereon proximate to the aperture. The controller further includes a shaft having a tubular portion and a plate portion. The plate portion is disposed proximate to the first, second, third and fourth switches. The controller further includes a ball-shaped member that is coupled to the tubular portion of the shaft, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor determines if the first, second, third and fourth switches transition from a first operational state to a second operational state indicating that the ball-shaped member and the shaft have been pushed downwardly toward the base, and to generate a first command signal in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Stelung, Carl Kamph
  • Publication number: 20140099862
    Abstract: A multi-configurable toy vehicle is described. The multi-configurable toy vehicle comprises a cab and a vehicle body. The cab comprises a first set of one or more wheels and the vehicle body comprises a second set of one or more wheels. The vehicle body is slidably coupled to the cab between a collapsed and expanded configuration. The vehicle body comprises a floor and a platform pivotally coupled to the floor between an upright position and an open position. A trailer may be coupled to the multi-configurable toy vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Esther Levine
  • Patent number: 8690632
    Abstract: A relay segment for a toy track set is provided, the relay segment having a trigger moveably secured to the relay segment proximate to a first vehicle track segment pivotally mounted to the relay segment for adjustable movement with respect to the relay segment, the trigger being capable of movement between a first position and a second position; and a launching element for launching a vehicle from the relay segment when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Stacy L. O'Connor, Michael Nuttall, Brendon Vetuskey
  • Publication number: 20140091907
    Abstract: An electronic system is configured to receive input content (e.g., audio content, video content and/or other content) from a user and convert the input content to input signals (e.g., audio signals, video signals, etc.) that are stored in an electronic storage medium, where the input signals correspond with specific code signals. The recorded input signals are output based upon specific code signals input to the electronic device. For example, the electronic system can include an electronic device and at least one accessory associated with the electronic device, where the accessory includes an accessory code that is readable by a code reader of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Jessica S. YU
  • Patent number: 8684856
    Abstract: An infant swing includes a base, a support coupled to the base, an arm coupled to and movable relative to the support, and a seat portion coupled to the arm. A drive system is coupled to the arm and moves the arm relative to the base. An actuator is connected to the drive system, and is located so that a user can engage the actuator with the user's foot to control the drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Pyrce, Maarten Van Huystee, Jeffrey W. Luchterhand
  • Patent number: 8684785
    Abstract: An infant gym includes a first support member having opposite ends engageable with a support surface, a hub located between the ends of the first support member, and a second support member having a first end pivotally coupled to a rear portion of the hub and a second end engageable with the support surface. The second end of the second support member is movable toward and away from the ends of the first support member, thereby changing the orientation of the hub relative to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Carol Snyder
  • Publication number: 20140080380
    Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a rear wheel assembly, front wheel assembly, a driving mechanism and a frame. Each wheel assembly may include two wheels while the driving mechanism may be disposed within the toy vehicle and may include a flywheel motor operably coupled to the rear wheel assembly. The flywheel motor may provide for various types of play, including allowing the toy vehicle to balance on a part of the frame, drive on four wheels, or drive on its side, such that only the wheels disposed on one side of the toy vehicle are contacting the ground. The toy vehicle may drive in different pathways when driving on its side depending upon whether it is driving on its first or second side, as each side may include projections of different shapes extending from the wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Clark, Kenneth G. Parker
  • Patent number: 8672328
    Abstract: A method of playing a word forming game comprises distributing a predetermined number of tiles to a set of players so as to form a hand of play associated with each player. Each tile has a character value associated with the tile, and at least one tile has a special feature value. The players form words on a playing surface, and the words comprise one or more tiles from a player's hand of play and one or more tiles already on the playing surface. Exemplary special feature values instruct players to skip a turn, to reverse the order of play, or to redistribute tiles. Each tile has a nesting portion and a nested portion. The nesting portion is characterized a concavity into which another playing tile may be nested and the nested portion is characterized by a convex edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Warren Bazarko
  • Publication number: 20140069946
    Abstract: An infant cup includes a container, a lid removably coupled to the container and having an opening, and an insert removably coupled to the lid. The insert is capable of providing various types of fluid flow outlets that control the amount of fluid that flow out of the infant cup. At least two types of outlets are disposed on the insert. Furthermore, the insert is capable of being repositioned with respect to the lid so the desired outlet is used on the infant cup. Each outlet may be designed to be used by children of certain ages, allowing continuing use of the infant cup as the child grows. Finally, the container of the cup may include an insulation layer and the lid may include a cover to sealingly engage the outlet on the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Domenic T. Gubitosi, Ryan Paxson, Charlie Smith
  • Publication number: 20140069887
    Abstract: A food/drink container includes a receptacle, a lid removably secured to the receptacle and a handle movably coupled to the container such that the handle may move between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, at least a portion the handle is disposed below the receptacle and in the second configuration, at least a portion of the handle is rotatable with respect to receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Domenic T. Gubitosi, David Shapiro, Charlie Smith
  • Publication number: 20140069947
    Abstract: A lid of a beverage container includes a base portion, a spout framework extending from the base portion, a valve positioned at the end of the spout framework, and a soft spout overmold that leaves the valve exposed. The soft spout overmold is sealingly engaged with the base portion and spout framework to prevent leaking of the contents of a beverage container which may be coupled to the lid. The valve is in fluid communication with the contents of a beverage container which may be coupled to the lid. The valve may contain a slit and when deformed, the slit transforms into an opening to allow contents of an attached beverage container to flow out of the beverage container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Charlie Smith, David Shapiro, Domenic T. Gubitosi
  • Publication number: 20140070676
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a reconfigurable point of purchase display system including a storage cabinet and a frame structure including a series of components selectively disposable in various configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Palgutt, Marcus John Wiseman, Matthew Lee Isenburg, Kris Carlo Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20140069945
    Abstract: An infant cup includes a container, and at least one handle with a first distal end, a second distal end, and a gripping portion. The distal ends of the at least one handle are coupled to the container, and the handle is repositionable between a deployed position and a stored position. When the handle is configured to the stored position, the gripping portion of the handle is positioned proximate to the container. When the handle is configured to the deployed position, the gripping portion is positioned away from container. In addition, the infant cup may include a second handle that also contains a deployed position and a stored position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Domenic T. Gubitosi, David Shapiro, Charlie Smith
  • Publication number: 20140069944
    Abstract: An infant cup lid includes a base, a cap, and a straw. The base contains an aperture configured to receive a straw. Furthermore, the cap is rotatably coupled to the base and also includes an opening configured to receive the straw. Moreover, the base is configured to attached to a cup or container that contains fluid for consumption by a user. Through selective rotation of the cap about the base by a user, a portion of the straw is crimped or pinched, sealing the straw. This prevents the contents of the cup from spilling or leaking out of the cup, infant cup lid, or straw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: David Shapiro, Charlie Smith
  • Patent number: 8668081
    Abstract: A toy vehicle storage case may be placed in a racing configuration with a toy vehicle raceway deployed and supported by the storage case, or a transport configuration with the storage case containing the toy vehicle raceway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Hippely, Michael Lee
  • Patent number: 8662954
    Abstract: A toy doll is provided having a torso defined by a front surface and a back surface. The doll may additionally include legs extending from a lower portion of the torso, an image sensor located on the back surface of the torso, and an image display located on the front surface of the torso. The doll may additionally include a control panel integrated into the pelvic region of the torso, operatively interconnected with the image sensor and the image display, so that that the image sensor and the image display are controllable by using the control panel. The doll may further include fabric clothing covering the image display, permitting a user to create the appearance of personalized graphic clothing for the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Goff, Tracy L. Curreri, Paul T. King, Wai K. Chan, Chi W. Chan, Eric E. Skifstrom
  • Patent number: 8662564
    Abstract: Hinged assemblies, and children's products including at least one hinged assembly, include a base member and a hinged member operatively and pivotally coupled to the base member to define a hinge. The hinge is configured to release if an obstruction is positioned between the hinged member and the base member while the hinged member is being closed and if a closing torque is greater than or equal to a release torque. The hinge also may be configured to not release when an opening torque is applied when the hinged member is in its open position even when the opening torque is greater than the release torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Howell, Charles D. Smith, Jon Paul Castiglione
  • Patent number: 8662955
    Abstract: A toy figure is disclosed. In some embodiments, the toy figure may include a head; plural facial-expression structures movably mounted to the head and configured to move independent of each other; plural cams configured to rotate about a first axis and to move the plural facial-expression structures; and an elongate cam drive configured to rotate about a second axis spaced from the first axis, and to contact and rotate the plural cams about the first axis, the elongate cam drive having a constant outer diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Chang K. Fai, Edward Wong, James Wong
  • Patent number: D701578
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Martino, Kevin Kai Cao