Patents Assigned to Mattel
  • Patent number: 8210891
    Abstract: A toy with repositionable portions is disclosed. The toy may be stylized as a toy figure that may include a leg section and a torso section. The leg section includes legs pivotally coupled to a pelvic section. The pelvic section may also include an upward-extending connection post. The torso section, furthermore, may include a body cylinder that connects to the connection post. The body cylinder includes a series of resilient tabs that slidingly engage the post, securing the sections together while permitting the rotation of the torso section about the post. With this configuration, the toy figure possesses multiple degrees of motion, being adapted to move in bending and twisting motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Brumagin, Dafna Mor
  • Patent number: 8210896
    Abstract: A lights and sounds mechanism for use in a toy is provided. The lights and sounds mechanism may be connected to a product test switch switch. One or more components of the toy may be disassembled for packaging. The disassembled components may include one or more lights or speakers. When the product test switch is triggered, the lights and/or speakers in the disassembled components may properly function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Wittenberg
  • Patent number: 8210956
    Abstract: A switch or switch mechanism that can be used with an object to detect motion of the object in a particular direction or directions is disclosed. The switch can include two contacts and a conductive mechanism that remains engaged with one contact and that is selectively engageable with the other contact in response to movement in a particular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sonner, Kyle Bleyle
  • Publication number: 20120161397
    Abstract: An apparatus for playing a game is provided. The apparatus may include a base, a plurality of projectiles and a first target platform moveable with respect to the base. The first target platform may include a collecting position, in which the plurality of projectiles are collected at the first target platform, and a dispersing position, in which the plurality of projectiles are dispersed from the first target platform. The apparatus may further include an actuator mechanism configured to actuate movement of the first target platform from the collecting position to the dispersing position and a first launcher attached to the base and configured to project the plurality of projectiles toward the first target platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Moran, Stephen P.K. Lau, Jeremy R. Fischer, Alan Chung Chi Cheung, Vincent Chen Wen Yong, Tom Lee Tai To, Erick Huang Shi Xiong, Edmond Jiang Xiao Dong
  • Patent number: 8206223
    Abstract: A game system including cards with computer-readable information is provided. The computer-readable information may be in the form of a code embodied on the cards. The cards may be selectively chosen and compiled in a card compiling device that is configured to remove singly a series of cards from one location and to deliver the removed cards to a new location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Elaine Marans, James Zielinski, Rene M. Pasko, Kimberly Culmone, Stacey K. Brand
  • Patent number: 8205284
    Abstract: A prenatal/postnatal pillow is disclosed. The pillow includes a body with a first end, a medial portion, and a second end. The pillow may possess a generally C-shaped structure defining an interior well operable to curve around a body part of a user. The interior of the pillow body defines a cavity, which may include a series of cells containing a predetermined amount of fill material. The ends of the pillow body may include fasteners that connect to draw the ends of the pillow together, forming a compact support surface. The pillow also includes an internal compartment for storing articles such as blankets, bottles, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Mary G. Mastrosimone-Gese
  • Patent number: 8202137
    Abstract: Toy aircraft may include an airframe, a modular power system, first and second wheel supports, and first and second wheels. The modular power system may be configured for selective use with and selective removal from the airframe. The power system may include a propulsion unit operable to propel the toy aircraft and a power unit, which may include an energy source configured to supply energy to the propulsion unit. The airframe may include a fuselage, a propulsion unit mount, which may be disposed on the airframe and configured to removably retain the propulsion unit, and a power unit mount, which may be disposed on the fuselage and configured to removably retain the power unit. The first and second wheel supports may extend from the power unit mount toward respective first and second wheel mounts to which the first and second wheels may be rotatably mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Amireh, Paulo King, David Strom, Chi Keung Chui
  • Patent number: 8197298
    Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a central housing having first and second oppositely disposed sides. A first wheel is rotatably mounted on the first side of the housing and a second wheel is rotatably mounted on the second side of the housing. Each of the first and second wheels has a central hub. Each hub has a center disposed along a common first axis of rotation. A plurality of vanes are attached to the hub and form the first and second wheels. An end of each vane distal to the hub forms a circumferential surface portion of one of the first and second wheels. Each vane is individually and separately manually angularly repositionable about a second axis of rotation extending transversely with respect to the first axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: William Willett
  • Patent number: 8197350
    Abstract: A ride-on activity device is disclosed, wherein the device includes a seat, a base and a connector for movably connecting the seat relative to the base. The connection between the seat and the base allows multiple degrees of freedom such that the seat is capable of bouncing and rotating relative to the base. The connection between the seat and the connector includes a rotation safety mechanism that allows rotation at the connection when the seat is occupied by a user and prevents rotation at the connection when the seat is unoccupied. Furthermore, the connector includes a resilient member that allows the seat to bounce vertically relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sonner, Patrick Ritossa
  • Publication number: 20120142827
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a play composition including a polymeric binder and oil. In an embodiment, the binder is a hydrogenated triblock copolymer including styrene. The oil is a mineral oil. The composition may further include a plasticizer, a release agent, and one or more fillers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventor: Abimael Cordova
  • Publication number: 20120142849
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward water based play compositions including a crosslinkable network polymer and a crosslinking system effective to crosslink the polymer. The crosslinking system is a water-soluble salt complex including a primary crosslinking agent, a secondary crosslinking agent, and a tertiary crosslinking agent. The crosslinking system contains a diminished amount of boron compounds while remaining effective in crosslinking network polymers including polyvinyl alcohol (to form moldable dough compositions) and guar gum (to form hydrogels).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Abimael Cordova
  • Patent number: 8191713
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a display package for a toy product (e.g., a toy figure), the package facilitating demonstration of the toy's animated features, or provides animation features to a toy that otherwise would not otherwise not be animated. The display package of the present invention defines an enclosure that houses the toy. The display package includes a manually-manipulated animation mechanism that repositions the toy within the enclosure and/or moves a portion of the toy from a first display position to a second display position (and vice versa). For example, the display package may include a movable segment to which the toy is connected. An actuator drives the movable segment, which, in turn, generates motion in the toy (motion which simulates animation of the toy).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: John Calendrille, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8192246
    Abstract: A stunt arrangement for a toy vehicle including a launching section configured to launch a propelled toy vehicle into flight; a capturing section configured to receive the toy vehicle from the flight; a deflection section disposed between the launching section and the capturing section and configured to be impacted by the toy vehicle in flight and to redirect the vehicle toward the capturing section, wherein the deflection section includes a target, the target being pivotally secured to a release mechanism for movement from a first position to a second position, wherein movement of the target from the first position to the second position causes the release mechanism to drop another toy vehicle towards the capturing section; and a reorienting section coupled to an outlet of the capturing section, the reorienting section being rotatably driven about the desired direction of travel and is configured to upright the toy vehicle or the another toy vehicle if either vehicle exits the capturing section partly or com
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric C. Ostendorff, Michael Nuttall
  • Patent number: 8193943
    Abstract: Handheld charge indicator assemblies, children's ride-on vehicle kits including the same, and methods of determining the state of charge of a battery assembly of a children's ride-on vehicle. Handheld charge indicator assemblies are sized to be held in the hand of a user and are configured to be selectively interconnected to a battery assembly of a children's ride-on vehicle and output an output signal representative of a voltage of the battery assembly. Handheld charge indicator assemblies include a body, an electronic circuit housed within the body, an indicator configured to output an output signal representative of an input voltage to the electronic circuit, and a battery connector configured to engage the battery assembly of a children's ride-on vehicle. In some embodiments, the handheld charge indicator assembly further includes an actuator configured to actuate the electronic circuit to detect the input voltage responsive to a user engaging the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Bergum, Timothy J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 8187051
    Abstract: A computer peripheral toy device is provided that connects to a personal computer and enables a child user to create drawings, animated figures, cards, posters, and other projects and items. The device includes a housing having a drawing tablet and a stylus that connects to the housing for use on the drawing tablet. There a plurality of buttons on the top surface of the housing that a user depresses when engaging in a drawing activity. Computer software is provided for installation on the personal computer in order to display data associated with a drawing activity. When executed by the computer, the computer software causes the computer to respond to the messages received from the controller to engage in a drawing activity using drawing style parameters based on which of the drawing style buttons, color palette buttons and design tool buttons are selected by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Miller, George A. Inashvili, John W. Taylor, Bruce R. Cordier, Rachel A. Wiatrowski, Rebecca S. Barclay, Diane M. Gambino
  • Patent number: 8186270
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a pad printing system configured to print a work piece having at least a first print area and a second print area distal from the first print area is provided. The pad printing system may include a first print station and a second print station, wherein each print station is independently operable and configured to transfer a fluid image from an ink tampon to a work piece at least once during a printing cycle. The pad printing system may further include a moveable platform and a work piece holder supported by the platform having a first orientation and a second orientation. The first orientation may be configured to align the first print area with an ink tampon in the first print station and the second orientation may be configured to align the second print area with an ink tampon in the second print station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Arun Kochar, Tony Solis, Mukund Dange
  • Publication number: 20120129422
    Abstract: A toy figure includes a body, an arm movably coupled to the body, and a drive mechanism coupled to the arm. The drive mechanism moves the arm along a first path of motion between a first position and a second position during a first segment of a movement cycle, and the drive mechanism moves the arm along a second path of motion between the second position and a third position during a second segment of the movement cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Chuang
  • Publication number: 20120129423
    Abstract: A toy playset is provided. The toy playset may include a base having a first play surface and may further include a first socket attached to the first play surface. The first socket may include a central detent configured to releasably retain a toy wheel with a portion of the toy wheel held inside the central detent. The first socket may include a pair of lateral detents configured to releasably retain a toy axle. The lateral detents may extend across the first socket and may intersect the central detent. The lateral detents may be narrower than the central detent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Finizza
  • Publication number: 20120126022
    Abstract: A toy vehicle raceway and rolling cart may include a plurality of multilane track segments, each of which may have a corresponding pivotably mounted support bracket. A toy vehicle raceway may be capable of being assembled in a plurality of configurations, including a racing configuration wherein the track segments and brackets may be assembled as a ramped raceway and a transport configuration wherein one or more of the track segments and brackets may be assembled to form a rolling cart for securely carrying other raceway components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Nuttall, Brendon Vetuskey, Stacy L. O'Connor
  • Patent number: D662737
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Chalin Yu