Patents Assigned to Mattel
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Publication number: 20120019034Abstract: An infant support structure includes a support frame, a seat portion coupled to the support frame and configured for receiving an infant in a seated position, and a restraint assembly. The restraint assembly is coupled to the seat portion and configured to retain the infant in the seat portion. The restraint assembly includes a strap portion having a polymer coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2010Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: Gregory S. Young
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Patent number: 8100736Abstract: A housing supports a rotatable handle grip and is constructed to be received upon the end of a bicycle handlebar in place of a standard hand grip. The housing further supports a dial-type tachometer type readout. A gear drive within the housing responds to movement of the rotatable handle grip to produce tachometer readings. A sound producing device also responds to the handle grip movement to produce engine sounds.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: James Iida
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Patent number: 8098240Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 12, 2009Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: James Zielinski, Charles H. De Voe
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Publication number: 20120006713Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2010Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: MATTEL, INC.Inventors: Timothy J. Trapp, Robert Michael Buresch, Donald George Scheffold
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Patent number: 8087969Abstract: This invention refers to a costume apparatus for enabling a user to engage in role play activities or action play adventures. The costume apparatus may be mounted on a user's back, and comprises deployable arm assemblies which are controlled by a pull cord system. In one embodiment, the costume apparatus takes the form of expandable wings. The arm assembly of the costume apparatus may include two arm pieces connected by a pivoting joint, and may further include a hinged joint within one of the arm pieces. The hinged joint provides a safety feature for the deployed costume apparatus by allowing the arm assemblies to fold rearward when obstacles are encountered.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2008Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Steed Sun, Binh Luong, Brandon C. Sopinsky, Peter Fan, Michael L. Strauss
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Patent number: 8082909Abstract: The present invention is a toy projectile launcher in the form of a role play accessory such as a belt. The belt assembly includes a strap, a launcher housing, and projectiles stored on the belt strap. The belt strap feeds through the launcher housing so that projectiles may be launched from the strap. In one embodiment the launcher is hand-held, and includes a handle which serves both as a means for holding the launcher during operation and as a power switch for the launcher. Projectiles may be discharged singly from the launcher or continuously in a rapid-fire mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2010Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Brandon C. Sopinsky, Binh Luong, Steed Sun, Peter Fan, Henry Miller
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Publication number: 20110312448Abstract: An adjustable basketball device includes a support, a backboard coupled to the support, a mounting structure coupled to the backboard, an adjustment mechanism movably coupled to the mounting structure, and an adjustable rim supported by the mounting structure and engaged with the adjustment mechanism. The adjustable rim is adjustable between a first configuration in which the rim defines an opening with a first diameter, and a second configuration in which the opening of the rim defines an opening with a second diameter different than the first diameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Scott Mcilvain, Christopher F. Lucas, David E. Moomaw
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Patent number: 8075362Abstract: An electronic banking toy is provided. The toy may include a housing defining a storage compartment with an adjoining slot for depositing coins. A controller may display graphical and auditory representations of activities on a display screen based on the sensed location of an icon moveably mounted in a track.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Mark Hardin, Kimberly V. Matilla, Eric Skifstrom, Andy Chan
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Patent number: 8070552Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2009Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: Carol Snyder
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Patent number: 8066545Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 7, 2009Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Robert William Jourdian, William J. Maloney, II, Larry R. Nagode, Timothy J. Trapp
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Publication number: 20110284297Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles are disclosed. In some embodiments, the vehicle may include first and second mechanical members, with the second mechanical member configured to move between a concealing position, in which the second mechanical member conceals a portion of the first mechanical member, and a revealing position, in which the second mechanical member does not conceal the portion of the first mechanical member. In some embodiments, a biasing member urges the second mechanical member toward the concealing position. In some embodiments, a user input device permits a child to lock the first mechanical member in one of a retracted position and an extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Gerald P. Sitarski, David Grober, Ronald M. Asbach
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Patent number: 8062089Abstract: A video toy is provided with a video screen and multiple selectable dioramas positioned behind the video screen. The dioramas may be fixed to a shaft so that rotation of a handle of the shaft moves a first diorama to a position behind the screen and visible through the screen. Rotating the handle and shaft again may sequentially move a second diorama to a position behind the screen replacing the first diorama. The video toy may display characters and objects on the screen that engage in activities and appear to interact with objects in the diorama visible through the video display. Virtual characters may be programmed to exhibit development and modify their activities and interactions with the player based on type and frequency of inputs. The video toy may respond to signals from a computer by accessing additional game play modes or options.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Mark Hardin, Dominic Ambriz, Erich Weidetz, Tracy Thurman, Eric Skifstrom, Ken Metzler, Martin Ly, Jack Millerick
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Patent number: 8057276Abstract: Disclosed herein is a toy including a figure and a launcher for launching objects at the figure. The figure has an upper portion and a lower portion wherein the upper portion is movably secured to the lower portion and at least one appendage is movably secured to the upper portion, the at least one appendage having a distal end with an item rotatably secured thereto. An actuator is disposed on an exterior surface of the upper portion of the figure and movement of the actuator causes the upper portion to move from a first configuration to a second configuration with respect to the lower portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: Stacy Lynn O'Connor
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Publication number: 20110269371Abstract: A toy vehicle racetrack is provided with one or more obstacle pairs. The obstacle pairs may be arranged in a geometrical progression and each obstacle pair may determine the relative positions of two toy vehicles and impede the travel of the trailing vehicle. Impeding the travel of the trailing vehicle may be accomplished by ejecting the trailing toy vehicle from the track.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: MATTEL, INC.Inventors: Michael Wayne Nuttall, Brendon Vetuskey
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Publication number: 20110269367Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: MATTEL, INC.Inventor: Brian C. Byrd
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Publication number: 20110269541Abstract: A display system is provided. The display system may include a housing and a transparent display screen mounted to the housing, the screen configured to be moved between a first position and a second position. The display system may further include a sensor mounted to the housing to detect screen position in relation to the housing and a character generator configured to generate and display images of a virtual character on the screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: MATTEL, INC.Inventors: Mark Hardin, Dominic Ambriz, Evelyn Viohl
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Publication number: 20110263180Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a chassis, a right turning member that supports a right steerable road wheel and a left turning member that supports a left steerable road wheel. A rigid steering link extends across the chassis and has right and left ends that are operably connected to the right and left turning members. An actuator provides a pivoting motion on a horizontal axis extending longitudinally forward and rearward in the vehicle. The motion provided by the actuator moves the steering link side to side across the vehicle. The right and left road wheels are pivoted by the motion of the steering link. An adjustable trim mechanism includes a bias member that helps to maintain a neutral position of the steering link and a trim adjustment that modifies a position on the chassis at which the steering link and road wheels are maintained in the neutral position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: MATTEL, INC.Inventors: Chun Wing WONG, Chung Ming CHENG
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Publication number: 20110256798Abstract: A toy vehicle for a doll that can be coupled to a child's vehicle is disclosed. In one implementation, the toy vehicle is configured to support a doll in a configuration that is similar to the configuration of a child on the child's vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2011Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: Gary Leynes
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Patent number: 8038538Abstract: An electronic device for enhancing an interactive experience with a tangible medium of expression is disclosed. The device is operable with a any of a plurality of preprogrammed, removable memory modules, at least one memory module having content relating to the tangible medium. The electronic device has a processor coupled to each of a user input device, a user output device, and a memory address space comprising a preprogrammed, non-removable electronic memory. A memory interface is configured to increase the memory address space accessible to the processor when any combination of the memory modules is coupled to the interface. The processor is configured to cause the output device to produce an output signal relating to the tangible medium based on the content of the memory address space when any combination of the plurality of removable memory modules including the at least one memory module is coupled to the interface.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2005Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Donald W. Stucke, Jr., Bradley Clark, Robert W. Salmon, Brian Aiken, Scott H. McIlvain
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Patent number: D649602Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2011Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Luis Ruiz, Erich Weidetz