Patents Assigned to Mattel
  • Patent number: 6997580
    Abstract: A multidirectional light emitting diode unit includes a light emitting diode chip configured to emit light from at least one side of the chip when powered. An at least translucent casing extends from at least the one side of the light emitting diode chip. A distal end of the casing has at least two protrusions. Each protrusion has a substantially flat distal end surface facing outwardly away from the light emitting diode chip and inwardly toward a centerline of a cylindrical sidewall to form a recess between the protrusions within the distal end of the casing. Light from the light emitting diode chip is internally reflected by the sidewall and directed outwardly from the casing through the flat surfaces along output directions normal thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Yeung Chung Wong
  • Patent number: 6997773
    Abstract: A toy is provided having a motion detector that detects motion of the toy and generates a signal indicative of the motion. There is a visual display that is capable of selectively producing a visual output and an audio system capable of producing an audible output corresponding to, and descriptive of, the visual output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Dubois, Albert Maggiore, Marjorie D. Yoder-Parr
  • Patent number: 6994179
    Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle. The ride-on vehicle includes a frame 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 resembles a full-size motorcycle. 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 includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed travel of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a simulated shock absorber and/or a passenger sidecar. Finally, in some embodiments, the ride-on may include wheel assemblies that simulate inflatable wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt J. Huntsberger, John L. Jones, Jr., William R. Howell, Karl D. Lerch, Brian L. Bienz
  • Patent number: 6991511
    Abstract: An expression-varying device is disclosed. The device includes a supporting member that supports two eyeball bodies so that the eyeball bodies are free to pivot. The device also includes a connecting member that connects the two eyeball bodies, and that supports the eyeball bodies so that the eyeball bodies can pivot in synchronization in a side to side or left to right direction. The device includes a swinging mechanism that causes the connecting member to swing upward and downward and to the left and right. The swinging mechanism includes a disk in which a recessed groove is formed in a side surface of the disk and runs in a circumferential direction. The depth of the groove and distance of the groove from the center of the disk vary according to relative positions on the disk. The swinging mechanism includes a motor that causes the disk to rotate. An engaging shaft which engages with the recessed groove of the disk is formed on and protrudes from and to the side of the arm member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Mattel Inc.
    Inventors: Albert P. Maggiore, Toshinobu Ishii, Kazutsugi Kanagawa, Hideyasu Karasawa
  • Patent number: 6988928
    Abstract: A tiny articulation eye and mouth (facial-expression structures) opening and closing structure installable in the hollow interior of a doll head, and utilizing a single, upright-axis motor, and a rotary, co-axial, stepped-diameter drive drum which is rotated by the motor. Circumferential drive tracks formed on the outside of the drum drive followers and actuation which directly impart opening and closing motions in the doll head's eyes and mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: William Willett
  • Patent number: 6981701
    Abstract: A game device is disclosed, including a tank charged with a fluid, a base for supporting the tank, the base further including a pump system to generate a fluid current within the tank, the pump system having a nozzle through which current is directed into the tank and an actuating system to operate the pump system, a play piece within the fluid having a specific gravity slightly greater than the fluid, the play piece further including a body portion and at least one protuberance extending outwardly from the body portion, wherein the at least one protuberance is adapted to impart one or more of rotational and translational motion to the play piece upon engaging a fluid current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Janice Ritter, Alton Takeyasu
  • Patent number: 6973987
    Abstract: Battery retainer assemblies and children's ride-on vehicles including the same. The retainer assembly includes a retaining member coupled to the vehicle's battery compartment. The retaining member is selectively moved between an open position, in which the retaining member permits the battery assembly to be inserted into or removed from the compartment, and a closed position, in which the retaining member obstructs removal of the battery assembly. In some embodiments, the retaining member is adapted to displace the battery assembly as the retaining member is moved to the open position. In some embodiments, the retaining member is adapted to automatically move to the closed position upon insertion of the battery assembly into the compartment and/or engagement with the retaining member. In some embodiments, the retaining member is retained in the open position until selectively released therefrom by a user. Upon release, the retaining member may automatically move to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Damon
  • Patent number: 6971942
    Abstract: A rotary feedback mechanism includes a first set of electrically conductive pads mounted to a first member and a wiper mounted to a second member. As the first and second members rotate relative to one another, the wiper sequentially contacts one or more pads of the first set of pads and provides an electrical signal to the contacted pad or pads. The electrical signal is communicated via the pad or pads to a controller, providing the controller with an indication of the angular position of the first member relative to the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest D. Baker, Leonard R. Clark, Jr., Jesse Dorogusker, David Vincent Helmlinger, Eric David Listenberger, Joseph Thomas Moll, David Ribbe, Stephen N. Weiss
  • Patent number: 6966807
    Abstract: A screw drive vehicle has a main housing with forward and aft ends and first and second lateral sides. A first support arm rotatably supports a first pontoon assembly from the first lateral side of the main housing. A second support arm rotatably supports a second pontoon assembly from the second lateral side of the main housing. A reversible motor in the housing simultaneously rotates the support arms from positions parallel to one another and the main housing to non-parallel positions. Each pontoon assembly includes a tubular housing with exterior screw thread supported for rotation between distal ends of the arm and a reversible pontoon drive motor operably coupled with the tubular housing so as to rotate the housing and thread in a selected rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Leonov, Ong Kenlip
  • Patent number: 6964634
    Abstract: A base releasably coupleable to a pogo stick tip for added stability and prolonged enjoyment of the pogo stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Wojtkiewicz, David E. Grober, David G. Waples
  • Patent number: 6964595
    Abstract: A child's infant-care play center includes a table having a recessed bath tub and a changing-table/bed removably disposed over the tub. Upstanding dividers and a headboard demarcate respective bathing/changing/sleeping and washing-sink/eating areas on the table. A flexible conduit having a faucet attached at one end is extractible from and retractable into one of the dividers, and an electronic element selectably to generate and couple the sound of running water through the conduit and out the faucet. A mobile mounted over the bathing/changing/sleeping area may be selectably actuated to rotate conjointly with an accompanying melody. A baby monitor includes a portion fixed to the upper surface of the table, a portable portion, and elements for selectably generating and projecting one of a variety of baby sounds through the fixed portion. A free-standing booster chair that converts to a potty can be removably supported on an edge of the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc
    Inventor: Elizabeth A. Libretti
  • Patent number: 6960112
    Abstract: An airfoil blade in a powered toy aircraft has a body with a cushioned edge. The body has a first end adjoining a hub, a second opposing end, a forward edge, and an opposing trailing edge. The cushioned leading edge is attached mechanically to the body and extends along the forward edge so as to form a cushioned leading edge of the blade or along the second end to form a cushioned blade tip or both. The body is formed from a first resiliently flexible polymer plastic material. The cushioned edge is formed from a second noticeably softer material such as an elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: David Vincent Helmlinger, Gregory Gilbert Garneau, Lee Chun Wah, Chung Zhi Jie
  • Patent number: 6955363
    Abstract: A toy shopping cart has a basket and seat that may be used for different functions and which are easily removed from and reattached to a frame of the shopping cart. The frame of the toy shopping cart has a pair of leg assemblies with four wheels and a number of cross-members with a holding channel formed on one of the cross-members to removably support the basket by a rim and the seat by a holding member in position at the front and the rear of the frame. The basket includes a housing with a base that is supported by a second of the cross-members when held in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth A. Libretti, Frederick Loh Man Wai, Jon Marine
  • Patent number: 6947714
    Abstract: An identification transmission system for use in an amusement device includes a transmitting antenna, a transmitter and a piezo-electric power source. The transmitter circuit is configured to broadcast a predetermined tone on a predetermined carrier frequency through the antenna. The piezo-electric power source is electrically coupled to the transmitter circuit and is configured to at least briefly provide power to the transmitter circuit. The piezo-electro power source includes a piezo-electric element, a striker, a storage capacitor and a voltage controlled switch. The striker is configured to move so as to at least briefly strike the piezo-electric element. The storage capacitor is configured to receive and store electrical charge from the piezo-electric element. The voltage controlled switch is configured to allow the storage capacitor to discharge through the transmitter circuit thereby providing power thereto after a predetermined amount of charge has been stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Nicholas Weiss, Gregory M. Huffman, Jesse Dorogusker
  • Patent number: 6939194
    Abstract: An infant support structure that may be used to entertain and/or pacify an infant. The infant support structure includes an entertainment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Bapst, John S. Canna, Maarten Van Huystee
  • Patent number: D509858
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry May, Robert W. Salmon, Carol D. Snyder
  • Patent number: D512748
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Beth A. Hageman
  • Patent number: D513130
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Canna, Margo Block Moulin, Emily M. Peters, Robert D. Piwko, Jr., Jennifer Schroth
  • Patent number: D513895
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Louvenia “Kitty” Perkins
  • Patent number: D514173
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: John McBride, Truman John Gilbert