Patents Assigned to Mattel
  • Patent number: 8182355
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a support frame, a resilient member, a seat, and a retainer. The resilient member has a first end portion configured to be coupled to the support frame and a second end portion, opposite from the first end portion. The seat is configured to be coupled to the second end portion such that the seat is suspended from the support frame by the resilient member. At least one of the first end portion and the second end portion includes multiple sleeves, each defining an opening therein. A portion of the retainer is configured to be disposed within a first one of the sleeves and coupled to at least one of the seat and the support frame such that a position of the seat relative to the support frame is adjustable by disposing the portion of the retainer within a second one of the sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Bapst, John DeRubes, Domenic T. Gubitosi, Brian S. Kelly, John Martin Maul, Philip R. Pyrce, Robert W. Salmon
  • Patent number: 8181964
    Abstract: A game apparatus and method of playing a game is disclosed herein. The game apparatus having: a central area that is configured to be rotated in a first direction; an outer member surrounding the central area, the outer member being configured to be rotated in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction; a wall member separating an outer periphery of the central area from an inner periphery of the outer member; and a plurality of grabbing devices disposed about the outer member, each of the plurality of grabbing devices being configured to grab an object from the outer member and move it to the central area by tossing it over the wall member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Janice E. Ritter, Damon R. Saddler
  • Patent number: 8182308
    Abstract: A toy vehicle playset is disclosed herein the playset having: a vessel configured to define a receiving area; an object being located proximate to the vessel, the object having a pair of body portions configured for movement between a first position wherein the pair of body portions are next to each other and a second position wherein the pair of body portions are moved away from each other; first and second track segments disposed proximate to the vessel such that a gap is formed between the first and second track segments and across the vessel; a trigger disposed on the second track segment; a toy vehicle having a thermochromic paint thereon that is configured to travel along the first and second track segments, wherein the thermochromic paint on the toy vehicle changes from a first color to a second color in response to a temperature change of the thermochromic paint; wherein the pair of body portions are moved from the first position to the second position when the toy vehicle travels along the second tra
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Julian R. Payne
  • Publication number: 20120118765
    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: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: Keith Hippely, Michael Lee
  • Publication number: 20120118315
    Abstract: A hair extension kit may be packaged in such a way that patterns may be readily printed onto the hair using a standard printer. The hair extension may be removable from the kit to easily accessorize a girl's or doll's hair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Goff, Joy Lyn Burns, Paul Tsu-Peng King, Craig Stock, Eric Edward Skifstrom, Carolyn Holden Buse, Natalie Repp Zigal, Thomas Earl Washington, Abimeal Cordova
  • Publication number: 20120118651
    Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles having window mechanisms, and window mechanisms for such vehicles. In some embodiments, the window mechanism is a manual window mechanism, and in some embodiments the window mechanism is a powered, or motorized, window mechanism. The window mechanism includes a window drive assembly that selectively drives movement of a window member relative to the vehicle body. In some embodiments, the window drive assembly is a powered window drive assembly that includes a window motor assembly and a window linkage to couple the output of the window motor assembly to the window member. In some embodiments, the window drive assembly is a manual window drive assembly. In some embodiments, the window member includes a receiving region coupled to the window linkage. In some embodiments, the window mechanism includes a window support assembly that maintains the window member in a predetermined orientation relative to the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Asbach, David M. Bapst, Kurt J. Huntsberger, Jacob J. Clark
  • Patent number: 8176852
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a toy track for traversal of at least one toy vehicle. It includes a track segment having a flipper disposed therein, the flipper being attached to the track segment at a pivot point and capable of movement thereabout. A vibration damper post having a stanchion portion and a resilient portion for supporting the track segment is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Stacy Lynn O'Connor
  • Patent number: 8164429
    Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle is disclosed. In some embodiments, the vehicle may include at least one driven wheel and a drive assembly adapted to selectively drive the rotation of the at least one driven wheel. The drive assembly may include at least one electric motor, a battery assembly including at least one battery and adapted to provide a plurality of voltages to the at least one electric motor, and at least one user input device positioned to receive inputs from a child sitting on the at least one seat, and adapted to select among the plurality of voltages and to apply that selected voltage to the at least one electric motor; and an electronics system adapted to detect the applied voltage to the at least one electric motor and to generate at least one of an audio output and a visual output based, at least in part, on the applied voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Reynolds, Richard A. Zirnheld
  • Patent number: 8162717
    Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a body supported by a plurality of wheels. The body also includes a roof and rear window supporting a plurality of user inputs. Within the toy vehicle body, a microprocessor controller drive and steering mechanism is operative. The operation of the microprocessor is set by the user inputs. The body further supports a movable bumper mouth and movable eyes and eyebrows behind the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Hippely, Mike Andrews, Chris Down, Mark Mayer, Mark Trageser
  • Patent number: 8162715
    Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a chassis, a front road wheel supported for rotation from the chassis and a rear road wheel supported for rotation from the chassis. A reversible motor is supported from the chassis and is operatively coupled with one of the front and rear road wheels so as to rotate at least one of the front and rear road wheels to propel the toy vehicle in a forward direction. A wheelie mechanism is operatively connected to the motor and has a first end pivotally attached to the central axis of one of the front and rear road wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Mayer
  • Patent number: 8162716
    Abstract: A toy vehicle track set. The track set includes toy roads sized for toy vehicles. The track set allows a toy vehicle to be raised and lowered to different elevations using one or more different mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Nuttall
  • Patent number: 8157609
    Abstract: A mind-control toy is provided, comprising one or more biosensors configured to detect brainwave activity and generate signals based on the detected brainwave activity. A controller may be responsive to the signals to direct a member to effect movement of one or more objects. In some embodiments, the member includes a device for suspending the object in midair above the device, and the controller is responsive to the first signal to vary output of the device to control a suspended height of the object. In some such embodiments, the mind-control toy includes an obstacle course defining an aerial path. In other such embodiments, the mind-control toy includes a track along which players can compete or cooperate. In other embodiments, the mind-control toy includes a maze, a portion of which may be rotated using mind control to maneuver the object from a start zone to an end zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Hallaian, Stephen P. K. Lau, Kam Young-eun Kim Redlawsk, Joseph W. Franke
  • Publication number: 20120088435
    Abstract: A vehicle track play set includes a base, a plate coupled to and extending upwardly from the base, and first and second tracks extending along the plate toward the base. The first track includes a first curved portion extending outwardly from a first surface of the plate and a second curved portion extending outwardly from an opposite second surface of the plate. The first track extends through a first opening in the plate between the first and second curved portions. The second track includes a third curved portion extending outwardly from the second surface and a fourth curved portion extending outwardly from the first surface. The second track extends through a second opening in the plate between the third and fourth curved portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: Robert William Jourdian, William J. Maloney, II, Larry R. Nagode, Timothy J. Trapp
  • Patent number: 8152589
    Abstract: A play set comprises master and slave toy vehicles and a stationary base unit. The master toy vehicle includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver to be controlled by a manually operated RF remote control unit and an infrared (IR) transmitter configured to broadcast an IR tracking signal. The slave toy vehicle includes a directional receiver to detect the source of the IR tracking signal and an on-board, self-directing control circuit coupled to the at least one directional receiver to control the slave toy vehicle to chase the master toy vehicle. The base unit includes a platform with a game controller and one or more targets mounted so as to move when struck by the master toy vehicle. The game controller and one or both of the toy vehicles are configured for one way or two way wireless communication between the game controller and toy vehicles(s). The game controller is configured to initiate and control one or more modes of game play through the targets or communication with the toy vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: David Scott Bowen, Kenlip Ong, Nicholas Amireh, Joseph Thomas Moll
  • Publication number: 20120081336
    Abstract: Capacitive touchpad assemblies, toys including capacitive touchpad assemblies and integral card readers, and methods for detecting contact with a capacitive touch surface are provided. A capacitive touch surface may have a capacity that varies depending on whether it is being contacted by an object such as a human finger. A voltage of the capacitive touch surface may be altered during each of a predetermined number of recurring time intervals. The capacitance of the capacitive touch surface will determine the amount of time required to alter its voltage to a threshold voltage within each time interval. The sum amount of time required for the voltage of the capacitive touch surface to reach the threshold voltage in a predetermined number of time intervals may be used to determine whether the capacitive touch surface is being touched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: James Zielinski, Charles H. DeVoe
  • Publication number: 20120083184
    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: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventor: Carol Snyder
  • Patent number: 8146744
    Abstract: Blister pack assemblies include a blister pack and a lenticular lens member. The blister pack includes a blister card, a blister attached to the blister card, and indicia of lenticular art. The lenticular lens member is attached to the blister pack and includes a lenticular lens array functionally aligned with the indicia of lenticular art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: James Wolfe, Van Dickranian
  • Publication number: 20120077411
    Abstract: A hand held remote control unit includes a wireless signal transmitter configured to transmit a fixed frequency (tone) signal and a manually operated switch to selectively operate the transmitter to transmit the wireless tone signal. A toy has an appropriate wireless signal receiver and control circuit responsive to the tone signal that controls one or more electrically operated devices that can provide at least two different, electrically activated responses of the toy apparent to an observer. The control circuit provides a sequence of two or more different predetermined responses of the toy in response to sequential reception and loss of the tone signal, the sequence of responses being repeated after completion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventor: Nicholas AMIREH
  • Patent number: 8141668
    Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles. The ride-on, or ride-on vehicle, includes a frame having a seat adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a biasing assembly that is connected to the frame and adapted to bias the seat away from the vehicle's driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed operation of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt J. Huntsberger, John L. Jones, Jr., William R. Howell, Karl D. Lerch, Brian L. Bienz
  • Patent number: D656562
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan F. Papp, York Bleyer