Patents Assigned to Mattel
  • Patent number: 5471968
    Abstract: A projectile launcher includes a clam shell housing formed of pivotally secured shell halves having a maintaining latch for securing the housing in the closed position. A projectile launcher is supported within the shell halves and includes a collapsible bellows together with a pair of cylindrical launch tubes. A selection valve selectively couples the compressed air provided by collapse of the bellows to either of the launch tubes. A pair of generally cylindrical projectiles preferably formed of a resilient foam material or the like define respective closed end cylindrical bores which receive the end portions of the launch tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean S. Lee
  • Patent number: 5466080
    Abstract: A finger painting apparatus includes a housing secured to the backhand portion of a user's hand by a flexible attachment strap. The housing supports a plurality of inverted paint bottles coupled to a corresponding plurality of flexible tubes at one end thereof. The remaining ends of the flexible tubes are coupled to a plurality of pad housings secured to the user's finger tips and supporting a corresponding plurality of porous painting pads on the undersurfaces thereof. The liquid paint material or the like within the inverted paint bottles is caused to flow from the paint bottles through the tubes to the pad housings and thereafter to the porous pads to provide finger painting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean S. Lee
  • Patent number: 5466181
    Abstract: A doll includes a hollow torso within which a battery power source is supported. The doll further includes a pair of outer surface areas supporting coating or deposits of conductive material. Electrical connection is provided between the conductive outer surface areas and the internal battery power source. A plurality of electrical toy apparatus such as a music or sound producing device or a lighted mirror are provided with conductive pads and electrical connection thereto. In the anticipated play pattern, the doll contacts the electrical apparatus conductive pads using the conductive outer areas of the doll's outer surface to provide electrical connection between the internal battery power supply of the doll and the electrical toy apparatus. Thereafter and so long as the contact is maintained, the battery source within the doll powers the electrical apparatus to provide the desired effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda K. Bennett, Joseph Feldman
  • Patent number: 5440996
    Abstract: A track set as set forth for use with a toy train or the like includes a pair of mirror image C-shaped track portions coupled to a circular base. A circular platform is rotatably supported upon the base and includes a plurality of track segments supported thereon. The track segments include orthogonally intersecting straight track portions as well as offset arcuate curved portions symmetrically arranged upon the platform. The base further defines an upwardly extending annular rim which defines a plurality of notches equally spaced thereupon. A platform lock includes a pivotable handle receivable within the notches to securely position the platform at a selected rotational position and thereby align selected track segments of the platform with the C-shaped track portions. The travel path of the track set may be configured to provide a figure-eight, a peanut-shape, and a pair of separate distinct circular travel paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Vittorio Cottino
  • Patent number: 5390510
    Abstract: A pendent defines a generally heart-shaped housing having an interior cavity formed therein and an internal heart-shaped aperture at its center. A planar support base is formed at the lower portion of the heart-shaped housing while an upwardly extending cylindrical neck portion is formed in the upper portion of the heart-shaped housing. A cap includes a cylindrical stopper receivable within the housing neck to provide closure of the interior cavity thereof. The heart-shaped housing interior cavity is divided by an interior wall into a closed sealed cavity portion which receives and supports a liquid and glitter particle combination. The remaining portion of the housing interior cavity is accessible through the neck portion to provide a refillable reservoir for liquids such as cologne, perfume or the like. A heart-shaped compact having mating half portions is receivable within the heart-shaped interior aperture of the housing and is securable to the pendent by a tight fit therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Patricia P. Tirio-Cloonan
  • Patent number: 5387149
    Abstract: A pie making toy includes a generally rectangular base having an angularly disposed roller bed surface and a pair of upwardly extending side walls on either side thereof. A generally cylindrical roller is movable upon the roller bed surface to facilitate the flattening or compressing of a bread slice placed upon the roller bed. The rectangular base further supports an upwardly extending rectangular die having an outer cutting edge and a recess formed in the interior portion thereof. A pivotally supported crimper is pivotally secured to the base proximate the upwardly extending die. A crimping die extends downwardly from the pivotal crimper and is configured to be received upon the upwardly extending die in a precision fit. The flattened bread slice is placed within the pie making toy so as to overlie the upwardly extending die and a quantity of filling material is deposited upon the upper surface of the bread slice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin J. Caveza
  • Patent number: 5364299
    Abstract: A surface skimming toy defines a generally planar base having a flat under surface. An upwardly extending fin is joined to the upper surface of the base member. In one embodiment, a lightweight aesthetically appealing body portion is supported upon the upper surface. In still further alternate embodiments, a pair of elongated upwardly extending side fins are secured to the upper surface of the planar base. The surface skimming toy is launched in close proximity to a smooth extended surface and assumes a skimming travel in close spacing to the surface while being supported upon an extremely thin layer of air flowing beneath the under surface of the skimming toy. In a further embodiment, the generally planar base defines a slightly convex curved surface and in another, a dual faceted surface forming a transverse crown portion. In a still further embodiment, a weight is supported proximate the leading edge of the body for stability of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. Hill, Gary M. Saffer, Robert V. Pugh, Ahmed Asbaghi
  • Patent number: 5346423
    Abstract: A toy for making simulated french fried potatoes includes a base supporting a generally rectangular housing within which a pair of cutter rollers are rotatably supported at the upper end thereof. A crank arm and gear coupling drive mechanism is operatively coupled to the cutter assembly to rotate the cutter rollers as the crank is turned. An upwardly extending cover member positioned above the cutter assembly includes a feed slot and guide passage which directs a bread slice deposited within the feed slot to the interface of the cutting rollers. As the crank is turned the bread slice is drawn through the cutter rollers and sliced into a plurality of elongated segments having an appearance similar to french fried potatoes. The bread segments are then collected within a collecting receptacle and a cooked appearance is imparted thereto by sprinkling coloring and flavoring agents such as cinnamon and sugar upon the bread segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Caveza, Caleb S. Chung, John N. Handy
  • Patent number: 5344358
    Abstract: A doll includes a dress having at least a portion thereof formed of a multi-layered embossible fabric having a malleable layer such as metal foil or the like together with one or more soft flexible layers such as cloth fabric bonded together to form a readily formable and crimpable fabric. An embossing tool used in combination with the doll and the embossible fabric includes a pair of movable jaws hingedly coupled each defining a corresponding embossing raised portion and mating recess on the inwardly facing portions thereof. The embossing tool is applied to the embossible fabric and used to impart a plurality of raised or recessed embossed designs upon the fabric. The malleable character of the foil layer together with the softness and flexible of the fabric layer permit the embossed designs to be removed by simple smoothing of the fabric for repeated use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Ellen E. Jantzen
  • Patent number: 5344234
    Abstract: A toy beverage mixer and dispenser includes a horizontal support and vertical support combined to support a cylindrical mixing container. A crank housing is pivotally secured to the vertical support and includes a hand crank operated drive mechanism which is coupled to a rotating mixing blade extending downwardly into the mixing container. A dispensing valve is supported at the lower portion of the mixing container and controls the dispensing of mixed beverage into a drinking cup supported upon the horizontal support beneath the dispensing valve. The mixing blade is removable from the crank mechanism for cleaning and the entire mixing container and dispensing valve is similarly removable for cleaning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin J. Caveza
  • Patent number: 5334078
    Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a chassis supported by a plurality of wheels. A body includes a jaw which supports a plurality of teeth and is pivotally secured with respect to the chassis. A lever mechanism is coupled to the body and jaw and operates in response to user imposed force to configure the vehicle in either a closed or open mouth configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Hippely, Gary Swisher, Terence A. Choy, Wayne R. Halford
  • Patent number: 5323370
    Abstract: A children's music player with control lockout includes a housing supporting a conventional audio music player having a plurality of control arms operable in connection therewith. An on button and an off button are positioned upon the housing to provide access thereto by a child user. The remaining player controls are supported within a control panel having a lockout mechanism utilizing a slide bar which cooperates with locking tabs on the controls to permit adjustment of the controls in one position and preclude adjustment thereof in the lockout position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna M. Davison, Scott D. Goodman
  • Patent number: 5318469
    Abstract: A doll includes a hollow torso supporting a head, arm appendages and foot appendages. A pair of shoes are received upon the doll's feet and support a slidable drawer having an ink pad disposed therein and a stamp roller. A pendent is secured to the doll's neck by a chain and defines an interior cavity and hingeable cover. The pendent receives a plurality of paper tags in an accordion folded configuration. An earring is removably coupled to the doll's ear and includes a stamp and covering cap in removable attachment thereto. A sticker dispenser is supported within the doll torso and is operatively coupled to one of the doll's arms such that pivotal motion of the doll's arm dispenses a sticker from a supply of stickers retained within the dispenser. A slot is provided on the frontal portion of the doll torso through which the dispenser dispenses the stickers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Janet L. Unalp, William J. Kelley
  • Patent number: 5316515
    Abstract: A hobby horse includes a neck and head portion secured to the user's waist by a belt attachment. A rein switch is supported within the head interior and is coupled to each end of a closed rein set and is responsive to pulling action upon the reins. A motion sensing switch is supported within the head portion of the hobby horse and responds to motion and changes of motion of the child user and hobby horse. A pair of pressure sensitive switches are disposed proximate the forehead and mouth portions of the hobby horse and respond to simulated feeding and petting actions on the part of the user. A sound producing circuit includes a battery power system, a speaker and a sound sensitizing circuit operatively coupled to the range switch, the motion switch, the forehead switch, and the mouth switch to provide a plurality of sound outputs responsive to play activities sensed by the switches. The rein sensing switch is resistant to overstressing by the child user in pulling upon the reins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Hyman, Lawrence Reiner, Martin J. Caveza, Roger A. Newbold
  • Patent number: 5314373
    Abstract: A toy food processor and oven includes a generally rectangular housing supporting a slidable tray above an internal simulated baking chamber. The housing includes a frontal opening which receives the tray in a sliding insertion. A food grinder including a pair of parallel rollers and handle crank mechanism is supported by a generally cylindrical housing above the food tray. The food grinder receives a brittle food material such as crackers or the like which is converted or crushed to a particulate material as the rollers are rotated and the food article is inserted between the rollers. The crushed particulate food material is accumulated upon the tray. The tray and food grinder are separated and the particulate food material is formed into a plurality of shaped food articles or patties upon the tray surface. The tray is then inserted into the baking chamber through the frontal opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Caveza, Caleb S. Chung, Gregory M. Cannone
  • Patent number: 5314338
    Abstract: A shape-matching snap-action toy includes a generally cylindrical domed housing formed of a transparent material and having an exit opening defined therein. A plurality of geometrically shaped apertures are formed in the upper portion of the housing and receive correspondingly spaced geometric objects for deposit within the housing interior. A center column supports a rotatable floor within the housing and a spring-biased push button drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a helical rod which engages the rotatable center column each time the push button is depressed rotating the center column and floor causing geometric objects within the housing interior to be erratically bounced about the housing interior until randomly thrown outwardly from the housing through an opening formed in the housing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Caveza, Derek Gable
  • Patent number: 5312656
    Abstract: A placemat defining a translucent upper surface supporting a red/yellow obscuring design; a plate formed of a transparent red material; and a latent image formed on the placemat obscured by the red/yellow design, the plate being placed upon the placemat overlying the latent image to filter out the obscuring design and reveal the latent image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: James Michaels
  • Patent number: D350897
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Barthold
  • Patent number: D351203
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: John N. Handy
  • Patent number: D354437
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Barthold