Patents Assigned to Mattel
  • Patent number: 8515092
    Abstract: An interactive toy for audio output is provided having a speaker contained within a housing, connected to an electrical signal defining an audio output to be generated by the speaker. The housing may include a humanoid face defined at least in part by lights contained within the housing; and an information processor that measures a variable audio characteristic of the electrical signal, prompts a user to change the variable audio characteristic and controls a pattern scheme for the lights. A pattern scheme for the lights may include a first pattern scheme in which the lights illuminate in multiple ascending groups and a second pattern scheme in which the lights illuminate in multiple descending groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Austin Rucker
  • Publication number: 20130210317
    Abstract: A protective case for a portable electronic device includes a cover having an aperture and sidewalls defining a cavity configured for releasably receiving a portable electronic device. A back plate is removably disposed within the cavity of the cover. The protective case contains at least two supports movably coupled to the protective case, enabling the protective case and electronic device to be positioned in various orientations. The supports pivot independent of each other into deployed or stowed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventor: MATTEL, INC.
  • Patent number: 8506343
    Abstract: An interactive toy doll is provided having a torso defining a front portion and a back portion. The doll may additionally include legs extending from a lower portion of the torso, an image sensor located on the front portion of the torso, and an image display located on the back portion of the torso. The doll may further include a processor operatively connected to the image sensor and the image display. Additionally, the doll may include legs that may be grasped by a user while leaving the image sensor and the image display exposed so that a user may view an image on the image display while grasping the legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Goff, Paul King, Jeffrey H. Levine, Eric Skifstrom, Erich Weidetz
  • Patent number: 8506344
    Abstract: A doll includes a reconfigurable clothing article coupled thereto. The reconfigurable clothing article can be placed in different configurations relative to the body of the doll. In one configuration, the clothing article can be moved upward and substantially cover an upper portion of the doll body. In another configuration, the clothing article can be moved downward and substantially cover a lower portion of the doll body. In one embodiment, the clothing article may include openings or receiving areas into which the arms of the doll can be inserted. In one embodiment, the clothing article may be placed in intermediate configurations along the body of the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia Chan, Angelica Lee Northrup
  • Patent number: 8500510
    Abstract: A floatable toy structure is disclosed herein, the floatable toy structure having a floatable base portion; a collapsible track section, the collapsible track section having a pair of track sections; a collapsible support secured to the floatable base portion, the collapsible support capable of being positioned in an extended position and a stowed position, the collapsible support extending upwardly from the floatable base portion when it is in the extended position, the collapsible support engages and maintains the collapsible track section in an extended position when the collapsible support is in the extended position; and a fair start mechanism for simultaneously releasing a pair of objects for travel down the pair of track sections, wherein the fair start mechanism comprises a bucket that spills water onto the pair of objects after a predetermined amount of water has been placed into the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Nuttall, Stacy Lynn O'Connor, John Violette
  • Publication number: 20130192575
    Abstract: A reconfigurable toy gun includes a handle portion, a guide member coupled to the handle portion, and a barrel portion. The barrel portion is slidably coupled to the guide member and movable along the guide member between a first end portion of the guide member and second end portion of the guide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventor: Mattel, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130193024
    Abstract: A fastener system includes a toy product, a support platform, and a plug that engages a keyhole formed into the product. The plug includes a base and a pronged key extending from the base. The support platform includes a through-hole that permits the passage of the key into the packaging. One or more integrally-formed biasing members are located on the base of the plug to draw the key toward the product and create a secure connection. The pronged key may be formed from a plastic material and configured such that it plastically deforms but remains attached to the key when and predetermined force is applied to the key to pull the key from a misaligned position with respect to the key hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventor: Mattel, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130186790
    Abstract: A toy package assembly and product are disclosed. The package assembly configures a product within a package assembly so users can fully interact with the mechanical features of the product without removing the product from the package assembly. The package assembly contains a platform. The product comprises two toys, the first toy being fixedly attached to the platform and the second toy being movably attached to the platform. A tether connects the first and second toys which move or are movable with respect to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Brandinelli
  • Patent number: 8491401
    Abstract: An infant support structure includes a frame, a seat portion rotatably coupled to the frame so that the seat portion is movably coupled to the frame, an engagement member coupled to the seat portion, and a lock bar pivotally coupled to the lower portion of the frame, the lock bar movable between a first position disengaged from the engagement member thereby permitting swinging motion of the seat portion, and a second position engaging the engagement member and inhibiting swinging motion of the seat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Alan Szymanski
  • Patent number: 8491215
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a connector for selectively coupling a first member and a second member that are configured to move relative to each other. Each of the first member and the second member includes an opening. A connector that includes a flexible body that has a projection may be inserted within one of the members. The projection is configured to extend through the openings of the members to couple the first member to the second member. The connector also includes a mechanism that selectively couples the connector relative to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory S. Young
  • Publication number: 20130181589
    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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Howell, Charles D. Smith, Jon Paul Castiglione
  • Patent number: 8474505
    Abstract: A tattoo applicator for applying temporary tattoos to a subject, the tattoo applicator including a handheld housing and a sponge moveably supported by the housing to moisten the temporary tattoo and to apply pressure to the temporary tattoo. In some examples, the housing defines a retaining slot for receiving a tattoo-forming sheet. In some examples, the tattoo applicator includes a timer. In some examples, the tattoo applicator includes a push rod and a tattoo mount supported by the housing, the tattoo mount defining a port through which the push rod extends. In some examples, the tattoo applicator includes a fluid reservoir mounted to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Ozuna, Erika Kane, Craig Stock
  • Publication number: 20130165016
    Abstract: Hip joint assemblies, and posable toy figures that incorporate the hip joint assemblies, including a pelvis housing having a front portion and a back portion, where the front and back portions in combination define side openings in the pelvis housing, and a contoured friction plate vertically disposed within the pelvis housing. The hip joint assembly further includes two leg sections, each leg section having a disk member attached via a hip post, and each leg combined with the pelvis housing so that the disk member lies within the pelvis housing and the hip post passes through a side opening so that the face of the disk member abuts a face of the contoured friction plate, and the frictional interaction between the disk face and the friction plate renders the attached leg posable as it pivots around the axis defined by its hip post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventor: Mattel, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130162001
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a restraint system for an infant support such as a highchair. The restraint system includes a restraining member adapted to pass through an aperture formed into the infant support. The restraining member includes a stop member selectively operable to pass through the aperture. Specifically, the stop member is configured to pass through the aperture when in a first orientation relative to the slot, but cannot pass through aperture when positioned in a second (e.g., opposite) orientation relative to the slot. With this configuration, the unintended separation of the restraint system from the infant support may be prevented. Additionally, with this configuration, the accidental tightening of the shoulder straps on a restrained child by a sibling pulling on the straps from behind the seat is also prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Dignitti, John S. Canna
  • Publication number: 20130163090
    Abstract: An augmented reality electronic head gear is disclosed. The head gear includes an electronic device compartment configured to receive and support an electronic device such as an iPhone®. The head gear further includes a reflective surface configured to reflect the display of the electronic device to the eyes of a user. The head set is configured to rest upon a user's head, keeping the user's hands free and able to interact with the surrounding environment, while the user's eyes view real-time images of the surrounding environment being augmented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventor: MATTEL, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130156877
    Abstract: A dough extruder for extruding a dough material includes an extrusion section with a piston that is telescopically movable within a hollow piston support toward a barrier disposed at an end of the piston support. The barrier includes apertures that facilitate extrusion of dough material by the piston through the bather. The dough extruder further includes a handle section including a handle and a plurality of gear members coupled to the handle and to the piston, where the handle is movable with respect to the piston support, and a base to support the extrusion section and the handle section. The gear members couple with the handle and piston to facilitate movement of the piston away from the base and toward the bather when the handle is moved in a direction toward the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin Crane
  • Patent number: 8465336
    Abstract: A packaging assembly for a reconfigurable toy includes a base component and a side component movably connected to the base component. The toy includes a main body and an extendable member movably connected to the main body. The toy is reconfigurable between a first configuration in which the extendable member is retracted relative to the main body and a second configuration in which the extendable member is extended relative to the main body. The main body of the toy is coupled to the base component and the extendable member of the toy is coupled to the side component, so that the toy is reconfigurable between its first configuration and its second configuration while remaining coupled to the packaging assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian C. Byrd
  • Patent number: 8468460
    Abstract: A method for navigating among activity programs in the memory of a portable handheld multifunction electronic system. Simultaneously displaying on contact-sensitive display a plurality of category icons and a subcategory icon associated with a currently selected subcategory, each category icon having a link to one or more activity programs. If a category has been selected, replacing the plurality of displayed category icons with one or more activity program icons, each of the one or more displayed activity program icons corresponding to a separate one of the activity programs belonging to the selected category and to the currently selected subcategory. If another subcategory has been selected, at least changing the link of each separate displayed category icon to a different one or more activity programs, the different one or more activity program being associated the another subcategory and with each category of the category icons being displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Mysliwy, Donald W. Stucke, Jr., Kathleen E. Kremer, William J. McCormick, Ellen K. Donahue
  • Patent number: 8465339
    Abstract: A play system includes a toy vehicle and a playset for use therewith. A toy vehicle includes a chassis having a bottom surface that is at least partially magnetic and a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the chassis. A playset includes a base, a launch ramp mounted to the base and having an upper end and a lower end that includes an upwardly-inclined section terminating in a jump lip, and a magnetic element selectively positionable within a predefined range of positions relative to the jump lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: David Sheltman
  • Patent number: D685862
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Martino, Kevin Kai Cao