Abstract: A sound activated toy vehicle includes a body, a chassis, and a motor. The chassis accommodates the body and has at least a front wheel and a rear wheel. The motor is drivingly connected to at least one of the front wheel and the rear wheel. The toy vehicle also includes a sound transducer configured to generate an electrical signal in response to detected sound. The toy vehicle also includes a controller having an input electrically connected to the sound transducer and an output electrically connected to the motor. The controller changes the output to the motor when the electrical signal is received by the input from the sound transducer. The toy vehicle also includes a vehicle accessory having an exterior portion. The vehicle accessory is mounted for movement between a first position and a second position by mechanical power from the motor.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 7, 2002
Publication date:
December 11, 2003
Applicant:
Mattel, Inc.
Inventors:
William Francis Michael Dougherty, Mary Ellen Gertrude Fosbenner, Robert Jude Henry, Matthew Felix Agostini, Gregory John Sisolak
Abstract: The present invention is a toy vehicle comprising a frame, a first wheel, a second wheel, and a turning mechanism including a rotatable arm mounted to the frame and a rotatable third wheel mounted to the arm. The arm is rotatable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein, in the extended position, the third wheel contacts the surface and lifts one of the first and second wheels off of the surface. The third wheel then rotates to rotate the vehicle about a remaining one of the first and second wheels in contact with the surface. The vehicle further comprises a motor mounted on the frame. The motor is operatively associated with one of wheels to propel the vehicle and with the turning mechanism to lift and turn the vehicle. The toy vehicle is controlled with a remote control unit which is shaped like a remote-vehicle-entry key chain.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 7, 2002
Publication date:
December 11, 2003
Applicant:
Mattel, Inc.
Inventors:
Joseph T. Moll, Aritty J. Newton, Michael B. DiBartolo
Abstract: The present invention provides a cyanoacrylate adhesive composition having high shear bond strength, peeling bond strength, tensile strength and impact bond strength and superior wear characteristics particularly in toy applications where hostile play environments demand hot-cold cycle resistance. The cyanoacrylate adhesive composition contains (a) up to 20% by weight of a cyanoacrylate monomer, (b) a styrene-based elastomeric block copolymer, and (c) a specifc solvent which is selected to effect the solution of both components. The invention is also directed to a method of applying the instant adhesives to substrate surfaces.
Abstract: The invention relates to the field of optical toys and amusement devices. More specifically, the invention is directed to specific immiscible liquid and semi-liquid compositions of different specific gravities and viscosities and their placement in enclosed spaces or chambers of various toy or entertainment devices thereby creating a multi phase liquid system having enhanced or dynamic visual effect. The invention employs a novel immiscible liquid mixture of hydrophobic alkane hydrocarbons and polar organic esters. In operation, as the two phase liquid system is agitated or otherwise energy stressed, the liquid of the heavier specific gravity flows through the liquid of the lighter specific gravity in distinct spaced apart beads or droplets under the influence of gravity.
Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle. The ride-on includes a frame adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on further includes one or more steerable wheel and one or more driven wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on resembles a full-size motorcycle. In some embodiments, the ride-on includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on'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 vehicle.
Abstract: A pedal assembly for a children's ride-on vehicle and children's ride-on vehicles including the same. The pedal includes a pedal with a body having a foot engagement surface adapted to support a rider's foot. The pedal further includes a bore adapted to receive a crankshaft extending at least partially through the body of the pedal and an alignment cavity at least partially coextensive with the bore and having a first opening adapted to receive a fastener in an operable orientation relative to the crankshaft. The pedal also includes a retention structure adapted to retain the fastener within the alignment cavity when the pedal is removed from the crankshaft. In some embodiments, the vehicle includes a fastener-retaining structure adapted to retain fasteners other than on the pedals.
Abstract: A game housing supports a liquid crystal display having a plurality of liquid crystal display elements therein together with a processor and sound circuit. A plurality of switches simulating the operations of making cookies are operative upon the game housing. These switches include a simulated cookie batter stirring handle together with a simulated roller. Further, the switches include simulated cookie cutters having different shapes. In operation, the manipulation of the simulated cookie batter stirring element produces display images corresponding thereto. Similarly, manipulation of the roller causes a different image to be displayed. Finally, pressing any of the cookie cutter switches causes the corresponding shapes to be display upon the liquid crystal display.
Abstract: A toy vehicle slot track is formed from a plurality of interconnecting track segments. Each segment includes two opposing ends, each end having a pair of coupling projections intended to mate with corresponding coupling sockets on an interconnecting segment. Each end further includes at least one locking lug which in a first preferred embodiment mates with a corresponding locking tab or in a second preferred embodiment mates with a locking recess. The interconnecting track segments are thus releasably locked together by the coupling projections and coupling sockets, acting in combination with the locking lug and locking tab or recess. Each segment further includes a plurality of conductive strips partially embedded in each segment, extending between the opposing ends. At least one end portion of each one conducting strip extends beyond the end of the track segment, and is bent to wrap around the end portion of the track segment.
Abstract: A toy vehicle ramp has a resiliently flexible sheet panel and a pair of stiffer support members. Each support member has a plurality of support points formed thereon arranged to define a channel in which a lateral edge portion of the sheet panel is slidingly received for height adjustment of the panel in the supports and thus of the ramp. One or more elastic members extend between the support members and beneath the sheet panel to hold the ramp together. The flexible sheet panel collapses and the band(s) stretch when a load heavier than an ordinary remote control toy vehicle is applied so that a child cannot jump from or ride over the ramp and so that the ramp can collapse without damage to its components for reassembly and reuse.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 14, 2002
Publication date:
November 20, 2003
Applicant:
Mattel, Inc.
Inventors:
Dean C. Reisher, Gerhart P. Huy, Aritty J. Newton
Abstract: A hoop having an adjustable diameter and including a fixed portion and an adjustable portion. The adjustable portion can be disposed in an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration. A user can vary the diameter of the hoop by moving a first end of the adjustable member with respect to a second end of the adjustable member.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 10, 2002
Date of Patent:
November 18, 2003
Assignee:
Mattel, Inc.
Inventors:
Daniel Dignitti, David E. Moomaw, Gerald P. Sitarski, Mark Andre Wojtkiewicz
Abstract: A ball launching apparatus configured to launch balls to a user. The ball launching apparatus is configured such that a user may change an angle of trajectory T of launched balls by simply resting the ball launching apparatus on one of two different base portions. The ball launching apparatus is configured to receive, feed, and launch balls having different shapes, such as baseballs and footballs. A ball feed mechanism of the ball launching apparatus is driven by ball propulsion mechanism of the ball launching apparatus.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 21, 2001
Date of Patent:
October 28, 2003
Assignee:
Mattel, Inc.
Inventors:
Mark Wojtkiewicz, Ross Rumfola, III, Kevin R. Shinn, Dave Moomaw