Patents Assigned to Mattel
  • Patent number: 5972092
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a lightweight flour-based modeling dough composition of matter having unique pliability and moldability. The composition comprises flour, water, and glass microsphere bubbles in an amount of from about 1 to 15% by weight. The composition is lightweight and capable of being used as a kneading compound, as well as being moldable and stretchable for use in modeling play activities. The composition is based on a cohesive and substantially nondrying binder composition that is appropriate for child use. The invention is also directed to a method of making the instant flour based modeling composition of matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Abimael Cordova
  • Patent number: 5954340
    Abstract: A balance member is formed of a plurality of substantially planar rigid trunk elements arranged in a vertical stack and alternately oriented orthogonally to each adjacent trunk element. Each planar trunk element further supports a pair of oppositely positioned substantially horizontal tier members. A chance device and a plurality of tokens are provided to complete the game apparatus. The game is played by operating the chance device at the initiation of each player's turn to designate a particular tier level upon the balance member which the player must place a token successfully without tipping the balance member during each turn. The balance member is supported by a base having a downwardly convex preferably spherical surface which allows the balance member to tip in response to imbalances of token distribution caused by player placement of tokens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Megan Tedesco
  • Patent number: 5954561
    Abstract: A play material container includes a base having an interior cavity, a sidewall and a cookie-cutter edge defining a predetermined shape. A lid is configured to be snap-fitted upon the base to provide container closure. An extrusion die is formed in the container base sidewall which is capped by a resiliently supported cap secured to the container lid. The container lid defines an upper surface supporting a plurality of open face press molds. The cookie-cutter shape, the press mold elements, and the extrusion die aperture are preferably coordinated in accordance with a common theme such as a food article or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory M. Cannone
  • Patent number: 5947552
    Abstract: The infant product of the invention is of the type having an infant receptacle suspended from a frame. The infant product is foldable between a deployed position for use and a compact configuration for shipping and storage. In the assembled configuration, the infant receptacle is convertible between a bassinet configuration in which the infant receptacle has a substantially planar support surface and an infant seat configuration in which the support surface of the infant receptacle is partially titled or disposed at an angle such that the infant can be supported in an elevated or seated position. The infant product may include a fabric canopy incorporating floating webs and a quick connect system for securing the canopy in an open position. When the canopy is closed, it is folded so as to lie flat against the infant receptacle. The infant receptacle may also include a lateral support assembly to cradle the infant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Julia Wilkins, John S. Canna, Sandra M. Darling, Kenneth Von Felten
  • Patent number: 5949050
    Abstract: Magnetic cards are formed by plural, coadjoining, generally planar, parallel layers. Outermost layers form outer sides of each card. At least a first visible image is provided on a first of the outer sides. The card includes a generally planar, permanently magnetized layer formed by one or more permanently magnetizable planar components that are fixedly positioned preferably within a frame between the opaque outer sides or a magnetizable material layer only -part of which has been selectively permanently magnetized. The permanently magnetized layer or permanently magnetized portion of a larger, magnetizable layer has a predetermined configuration which is related at least in informational content to the first visible image. A silhouette of the predetermined configuration can be magnetically reproduced by placing a card on a magnetically actuated fluid display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Ellen G. Fosbenner, Truman John Gilbert, Robert J. Henry, Joseph Leonelli, Peter Santaw, Howard Wodin
  • Patent number: 5947739
    Abstract: A ride simulator for use with a children's ride-on vehicle. The simulator includes a stationary base, a first support structure extending upwardly from the base for supporting at least a portion of the vehicle above the base, and an actuator for coupling to the vehicle to effect reciprocating horizontal and vertical motion of the vehicle about a defined location on the simulator, thereby simulating ground-traveling movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary G. Lenihan
  • Patent number: 5947795
    Abstract: A child's ride-on vehicle including a molded plastic body member with a wheel-mounting assembly including a frame member. The wheel-mounting assembly is mountable to the body member with the frame member adjacent the body member. A tongue extends downwardly from the body member to be received by a pocket formed in the frame member so that the tongue fits into the pocket as the wheel-mounting assembly is mounted to the body member, with the tongue fitting closely within the pocket when the wheel-mounting assembly is mounted to the body member, the tongue and pocket thereby establishing alignment between the wheel-mounting assembly and the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel L. Cohen
  • Patent number: 5941755
    Abstract: A toy producing a jumping or bouncing action includes an outer body depicting a fanciful animal and an interior support structure which includes an elongated body housing having a head portion and supporting a tail portion. A pair of leg units having a corresponding pair of supporting feet are slidable within the body housing and are joined by a transversely extending leg unit bridge. A gear drive unit includes an electric motor and a plurality of drive gears which rotate a gear segment. The gear segment engages a gear rack on the leg unit bridge and is operative when the motor is energized to drive the toy figure toward a squatting position as the leg units are drawn into the body housing. A spring is coupled between the leg unit bridge and the body housing and is stretched as the gear segment rotates lifting the gear rack. When the teeth of the gear segment move out of engagement with the gear rack, the spring produces a thrusting force upon the leg units causing the toy to bounce or jump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Armen Danielian
  • Patent number: 5931524
    Abstract: A ride-on vehicle for children having a chassis and a plurality of wheels rotatably connected to the chassis, the vehicle further comprising a simulated roll cage attached to the base, the roll cage configured to allow an upper portion of a seated child driver's body to extend above an upper boundary of the roll cage, and a door attached to the roll cage and rotatable about a horizontal axis, the door being configured to allow a driver to enter and exit the vehicle. The roll cage can include a plurality of molded plastic parts assembled in such a manner to resemble an integral framework of interconnected tubing. The door is held in a closed position by a friction fit between the door and the roll cage. The friction fit is disposed at a position above the horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5928020
    Abstract: A battery connector system for use with a powered ride-on vehicle for children, where the vehicle includes an electric motor adapted to drive one or more wheels of the vehicle and a wiring harness adapted to convey power to the motor. The battery connector system includes a plug attached to the wiring harness and has a case substantially enclosing positive and negative plug contacts. The plug further includes a normally-open switch interposed between a switched one of the plug contacts and the wiring harness with the switch having an actuator by which the switch may be closed, whereby the switched plug contact is not electrically connected to the wiring harness until the switch is closed. The system further includes a battery including positive and negative terminals and a socket including housing structure adapted to fit together with the plug case and substantially enclosing positive and negative socket contacts which are respectively connected to positive and negative terminals of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignees: Mattel, Inc., Ark-Les Corp.
    Inventors: Julian J. Bishop, Jr., Chuck J. Crofut, Jeffrey W. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5924906
    Abstract: A construction toy set includes a plurality of interconnectable toy set elements such as couplers for beams which define respective sockets or bores therein. A pin connector defines a generally cylindrical collar supporting a pair of outwardly extending oppositely directed generally cylindrical pins which are receivable within the bores and sockets of the construction toy elements. The pins of the pin connectors each define an elongated expansion groove and an elongated rib extending substantially the length of the pins. The expansion grooves and ribs deform due to the resilient plastic material of the pin during pin insertion into the cooperating bores and/or sockets of the construction toy elements to allow the pins to deform and provide a snug but pivotable fit therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Grafton
  • Patent number: 5919074
    Abstract: A display package for receiving a doll or toy figure having a bouncing action includes a vertical back, vertical sides and a vertical front forming a generally rigid enclosure. The package further includes a bottom extending between the back, sides and front of the package. A bottom liner overlying the bottom portion of the package defines an elongated slot through which a generally planar springboard member extends. A generally planar base is spaced above and generally parallel to the bottom portion and defines a large aperture exposing the springboard from above. A hinged flap is pivotally secured to the back and extends forwardly to overlie the aperture formed in the base portion. The doll or toy figure is received within the package by securing the feet of the doll or toy figure to the springboard using restraints such as ties and securing the neck portion of the doll or toy figure to the hinged flap using a flexible neck restraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale Honda
  • Patent number: 5919072
    Abstract: A toy vehicle is fabricated from a plurality of construction toy elements which are commonly coupled by a plurality of interlockable couplers. The basic coupler mechanism utilizes a cube-like body having a plurality of extending flanges and supporting cylindrical bosses which are received within appropriately shaped slots in the various construction toy elements. A plurality of specialty elements are provided which facilitate the fabrication of a steering assembly for use on a toy vehicle or the like. The steering assembly employs a steering wheel having integral gear and a gear rack together with a plurality of pivoting couplers and a combination of interlocking couplers and construction toy elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe K. Pohlman
  • Patent number: 5916949
    Abstract: Compositions and methods of making the same, the compositions including a binder, solvent for the binder, humectant, wax, an emulsifier for the wax, filler, a cross-linking agent for the binder, and various additives. The binder preferably is polyvinyl alcohol. The filler preferably includes glass microspheres, talc and flour. The wax preferably includes paraffin and microcrystalline waxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Wallace H. Shapero, Susan A. Reyes, Gilda C. Alvarez
  • Patent number: 5906528
    Abstract: A toy vehicle includes an inner body having a plurality of apertures formed therein and having an interior cavity. A plurality of body panels are formed to be received upon the inner body to form an outer body and are releasibly secured thereto in a snap-fit attachment. A pressure tank and pump are supported within the inner body to provide a reservoir of compressed air secured by a releasible trigger latch. The trigger latch is operated in response to impact against the vehicle front whereupon the latch is released and the pressurized air within the pressure tank rapidly pressurizes the inner body driving the body panels from it in all directions and creating a loud bang.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Ostendorff, Phedon Tsiknopoulos
  • Patent number: D410258
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl D. Lerch
  • Patent number: D410502
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence R. Harrod
  • Patent number: RE36225
    Abstract: A battery recharge interconnection system is provided for use on an electric toy vehicle or other load device powered by a rechargeable battery. The interconnection system includes a charger receptacle, operatively connected to a rechargeable battery, covered by a rotatable disc. An opening in the disc permits a plug from an external charger to be inserted through the opening and into the charger receptacle whenever the disc is rotated to a predetermined position in which the opening overlies the receptacle. The rotatable disc is also mechanically coupled to an actuator which engages and operates a cut-out switch or other device. During normal operation of the battery-operated device, the disc is rotated to a first position in which the charger receptacle is obstructed by the disc and the cut-out switch is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Harris
  • Patent number: D414221
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Jones, Jr., Adam W. Callif
  • Patent number: D415214
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Jones, Jr., Adam W. Callif