Patents Assigned to The ERTL Company
  • Patent number: 5951358
    Abstract: A combination toy vehicle and book having a toy vehicle with an inner rigid frame and an outer flexible three-dimensional shell that alleviates possible pinch points when the vehicle is opened to reveal the book and the internal book has page tabs that extend out of an opening in the toy vehicle to assist opening toy vehicle when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: The Ertl Company
    Inventors: Steve Hilko, Mark Reyner
  • Patent number: 5297981
    Abstract: A toy ball in accordance with this invention includes a hollow sphere with spaced apart resilient knobs extending outwardly from the sphere and an internal mechanism that causes a random motion and bouncing of the ball. A safety switch is also provided to prevent injury to a user or damage to the toy while it is disassembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: The Ertl Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John Maxim, Christopher Thompson, Mark F. Reyner
  • Patent number: 5222902
    Abstract: A toy connector in accordance with the present invention joins first and second structural elements which are aligned adjacent one another and engaged to form a flush, secure connection having a female connector assembly joined to the first structural element having at least two recess elements and at least one female snap element disposed between the recess elements, and a male connector assembly joined to the second structural element having at least one tongue adapted to engage each of the recess elements, and at least one male snap element adapted to engage the female snap element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: The ERTL Company
    Inventor: Steven E. Piersch