Patents Assigned to Mattel
  • Remote controlled toy vehicle, toy vehicle control system and game using remote controlled toy vehicle
    Patent number: 7758399
    Abstract: A vehicle toy combination includes a wireless controlled toy vehicle having a mobile platform configured to move over a surface. A central controller on the platform is configured to control at least one aspect of the toy vehicle. A hand-held manually actuable wireless controller is configured to remotely control user selected movement of the toy vehicle. An optical receiver is attached to the platform to look downward on the surface and is coupled to the central controller. The receiver is configured to read a predetermined reflective pattern located on the surface over which the toy vehicle moves. Multiple vehicles can be controlled simultaneously with multiple wireless, manually operated controllers operating at the same frequency by initially synchronizing the controllers to transmit in non-overlapping windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Nicholas Weiss, LaVonne Erick Strand, Joseph T. Moll, Vikas Kumar Parkhie Sinha, Justin Discoe, David Vincent Helmlinger, Gregory Nungester, Frank William Winkler, Charles Stewart McCall, Jesse Dorogusker
  • Game controller with interchangeable controls
    Patent number: 7758424
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a game controller that has a body, a first input location, a second input location and a first input device. The first input device is adapted to be removably coupled to the body at both the first input location and the second input location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Riggs, Michael Hammond, Chan Kei Shek
  • Reconfigurable Support Pillow System
    Publication number: 20100175192
    Abstract: A reconfigurable support pillow system is disclosed. The system includes a base pillow, a first accessory pillow, and a second accessory pillow. The accessory pillows are removable, with the first accessory pillow being configured to connect to the second accessory pillow to form a nursing pillow that supports an infant. The system may be utilized as a prenatal pillow, comfortably supporting an expectant mother, or may be utilized as a postnatal pillow, supporting a nursing mother and/or her infant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Aiken, Mary G. Mastrosimone-Gese
  • Nursing Pillow
    Publication number: 20100175194
    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: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Mary G. Mastrosimone-Gese
  • Playsets with pop-up structures
    Patent number: 7753753
    Abstract: Playsets are disclosed. The playsets may include a support surface and a pop-up structure. The pop-up structure may be adapted to be selectively transitioned between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the stowed configuration the pop-up structure may be collapsed and may extend along the support surface. In the deployed configuration the pop-up structure may stand substantially transverse to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian Payne, Kwun Chung Mo, Chung Chi Cheung, Kit Hong Lau
  • Pneumatic jumping toy
    Patent number: 7749047
    Abstract: A toy vehicle. The toy vehicle includes a body with at least one rollable wheel operatively connected to the body, and a pneumatic system operatively connected to the body and configured to store a pressurized gas and release stored gas upon a triggering event. A lifter is operatively connected to the at least one wheel and is configured to use energy from the pressurized gas to cause the toy to jump responsive to the triggering event, at least in part, by extending the at least one wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Dunham
  • Toy vehicle
    Patent number: 7749046
    Abstract: A toy vehicle may include a drive unit; a plurality of wheels; mechanical linkage coupling the drive unit to one or more of the wheels to permit energy stored in the drive unit to be discharged to drive the one or more driven wheels and propel the vehicle; and a user operable selector mechanism configured to permit a user of the toy to select, from a plurality of different speeds, a desired speed at which the vehicle is propelled when energy from the drive unit is discharged through the one or more driven wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Filoseta Miva, Jamie Cheung
  • Interactive play sets
    Patent number: 7744441
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to interactive play sets that include play companions and play companion bases, and methods of guiding play companions to those play companion bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Sosnovskiy
  • Dolls with alterable facial features
    Patent number: 7744442
    Abstract: Toy dolls include a head having a face having an alterable appearance and a mechanism for altering the appearance of the face. The mechanism may include a first element configured to pivot about a first axis between a first position and a second position, a second element operatively coupled to the first element and configured to pivot about a second axis between a third position and a fourth position in response to the first element pivoting from the first position to the second position, and a third element operatively coupled to the first element and configured to pivot about a third axis between a fifth position and a sixth position in response to the first element pivoting from the first position to the second position. Pivoting the second element may alter a first aspect of the appearance of the face, and pivoting the third element may alter a second aspect of the appearance of the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Rettberg, Joe C. Ward, Tsui Yiu Sang
  • Posable toy and method of forming
    Patent number: 7736214
    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: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Brumagin, Dafna Mor
  • Systems and methods of incorporating preformed items into a molded article
    Patent number: 7736568
    Abstract: A method of forming a molded toy product is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may include securing a preformed item having a first magnetic-attraction element in a desired location in a mold via magnetic attraction between the first magnetic-attraction element and the mold; adding moldable material into the mold such that the moldable material covers at least part of the preformed item; and curing the moldable material. A mold for manufacturing a molded toy product also is disclosed. In some embodiments, the mold may include a mold core including a surface and at least a second magnetic-attraction element complementary with at least a first magnetic-attraction element of a preformed item; and at least one mold cavity wall spaced from the mold core, wherein an area between the mold core surface and the at least one mold cavity wall is configured to receive moldable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick Chan
  • Water guns
    Patent number: 7731064
    Abstract: A water gun may comprise a body having a front surface, a nozzle mounted on and extending from the body, an actuator, at least one fluid reservoir, and a pump. The nozzle may have at least a nozzle portion adapted to move between an extended position spaced away from the front surface and a retracted position closer to the front surface than the extended position. The actuator may be adapted to be moved relative to the body, and mechanically coupled to the nozzle for moving the nozzle between the retracted and extended positions when the actuator is moved between first and second positions. The fluid reservoir may comprise first and second end portions and a generally uniform elongate intermediate portion extending between the first and second end portions, which may have volumes that are larger than the volume of the intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Chuang, George Eden, Kevin Hou, Francis Ponton, Chiu Wah Wong
  • Packaged Toy With Selector
    Publication number: 20100136875
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally to product packaging and, more specifically, to product packaging assemblies with try-me toys that may allow a consumer to visualize, experiment, and design various looks available in the product line at the point of purchase while the product remains in the product packaging and after purchase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Buynak, Yuk Ha Mo, Garrett Sander
  • Free-standing jumping device
    Patent number: 7727076
    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 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Bapst, John DeRubes, Domenic T. Gubitosi, Brian S. Kelly, John Martin Maul, Philip R. Pyrce, Robert W. Salmon
  • Display packaging for reconfigurable product
    Patent number: 7726482
    Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to container for reconfigurable products and, in particular, to a display package operable to display a product in multiple configurations. The display package may include product housing portions adapted to slide from a first, adjacent position, where one product portion is positioned adjacent to another product portion, to a second, separated position, where one product portion is spaced from the other product portion. The display package may include a plurality of product housings adapted to rotate with respect to each other along a common axis such that product portions within the product housings may be selectively aligned to form desired configurations of a completed, displayed product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian M. Rice
  • Toy vehicle with improved animated function
    Patent number: 7722430
    Abstract: A toy vehicle having a plurality of play configurations, comprising a frame; a vehicle body moveably coupled to the frame with at least two degrees of freedom of movement, said two degrees of freedom of movement including a longitudinal translation of the body relative to the frame for selecting at least a first play configuration of the plurality of play configurations; and a rotation of the body relative to the frame for selecting at least a second of the plurality of play configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Hippely
  • Repositionable child support device
    Patent number: 7722118
    Abstract: An infant glider device is disclosed. The glider includes a base, a carriage that moves in an oscillatory motion along a predetermined path with respect to the base, and seat connected to the carriage. The seat is rotationally repositionable about an axis generally perpendicular to the carriage, and is adapted to be reoriented from a first seat facing position to a second seat facing position, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Bapst, Emily Schoenfelder
  • Transformation toy and related products
    Patent number: 7722429
    Abstract: A product, comprising of a reconfigurable toy assembly, said assembly being reversibly reconfigurable between at least a first configuration and a second configuration; where said toy assembly operates as a toy vehicle in said first configuration and operates as a wearable power-suit toy in said second configuration, wherein said wearable power-suit toy may be coupled to a figure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Fraser Campbell
  • Reconfigurable toy extreme sport hang glider
    Patent number: 7722426
    Abstract: A toy, comprising or a cockpit; and a pair of wings moveably coupled to the cockpit; wherein at least the pair of wings are transformable between a driving configuration and a flying configuration, wherein in the driving configuration the wings extend longitudinally and flank the cockpit, and wherein in the flying configuration the wings extend laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Fraser Campbell
  • Swing with a recline mechanism and method of using the same
    Patent number: 7717800
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an infant support structure, such as a swing for a child. In one embodiment, the child swing includes a recline mechanism that can be adjusted to change the recline angle of the seat in which a child is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip R. Pyrce