Patents Examined by F. Barry Shay
  • Patent number: 4582495
    Abstract: A constructional element, which is suitable for decorative purposes or toys, comprises a box shaped member open at its base. On an outer top surface of the member are provided a row of pegs which have coaxially extending grooves. Clamping elements are provided within the member for engaging with the coaxially extending grooves on the pegs of another constructional element. Walls are also provided within the member which are connected to the top surface and the two side surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Uexkull & Stolberg
    Inventors: Theodor Orgass, Reinhard Orgass, Rainer Mader
  • Patent number: 4581904
    Abstract: A toy jewelry item including a case having front and back portions relatively movable between closed and open conditions. At least one part is movably carried by one of the case portions, the part being movable between an exposed position in which it projects outwardly from the external contour of the case and a hidden position in which it is located completely within the external contour of the case. The case can be closed completely regardless of whether the part is in its exposed or its hidden position. The part or parts may simulate parts, such as the head and extremities, of a living thing. Subparts may be movably carried by the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Inventors: Roger W. Lehmann, Michael I. Satten
  • Patent number: 4580991
    Abstract: An animated figure toy (10) includes an upper torso (14) provided with a head (18) in which a pair of elongated members (34) are reciprocably mounted for movement by an operating member (26) affixed to the lower ends of the elongated members and riding in a slot (42) provided in the back of the upper torso. A lower torso (16) is rotatably mounted on the upper torso and includes a spring means (54) mounted on a boss (46) coupling the torsos together for limited relative rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry H. Renger, Roger H. Sweet
  • Patent number: 4580417
    Abstract: A clutch and post for pierced earrings is operative for retaining an earring on an earlobe of a wearer with increased effectiveness. The clutch comprises a base portion having an aperture therethrough for receiving the post, and a pair of rearwardly and inwardly curled resilient leaves which extend from the base portion and have serrations thereon. The serrations are transversely disposed on the leaves, and they are preferably arranged so that they define longitudinally extending ribs of adjacent serrations on the leaves. This structure strengthens the leaves and enables using a metal thickness up to 30% less than that of a similar clutch without the ribs. The post comprises an elongated substantially cylindrical member having a plurality of substantially circumferential grooves therein and it is receivable through the aperture in the base portion of the clutch and between the resilient leaves thereof so that the serrations of the leaves interengage the grooves to more securely retain the clutch on the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: T. Sardelli & Sons, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent T. Sardelli
  • Patent number: 4579544
    Abstract: In a motor-driven movable toy vehicle, a single motor is used in common for driving the toy vehicle body at a high speed or a low speed and a winch mechanism. To select one of the driving modes, a selector lever is so arranged as to shift a slide gear assembly. Additionally, a power releasing mechanism is provided for the winch mechanism for preventing toy parts from being damaged when a winch wire is excessively rolled up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Matsushiro
    Inventor: Yukimitsu Matsushiro
  • Patent number: 4579542
    Abstract: The action figure includes two pivotally mounted arms and one leg that can be rocked about a perpendicular axis. In one embodiment, the arms are mounted for pivotal movement about a common horizontal axis, whereas in a second embodiment the arms are mounted for pivotal movement about inclined axes. In either event, an actuating mechanism transmits motion from the leg that is rocked to either or both arms, doing so via either a single or double rotatable cam arrangement. The cam or cams have spiral ribs thereon by which a laterally moved follower converts its lateral movement into rotary movement for either or both arms. Where the arm axes are inclined, a cog arrangement is used which engages in a cruciformly-shaped recess on the arm mounting units so that rotation of the cam about a horizontal axis is transmitted to the arms along their inclined axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: CPG Products Corp.
    Inventors: John F. Mayer, Nick H. Langdon, Stuart A. Cook, Harvey G. Springer, Raymond J. Drake, John R. Belcher
  • Patent number: 4579540
    Abstract: A radio toy having a plastic toy structure with a body portion erectly fixed on the top of a hollow base and a head portion with a movable lower jaw disposed on the top of the body portion, includes a radio set installed in the hollow base and a magnetic device provided in the mouth of the toy structure in connection with the radio set; thereby, opening and closing of the toy mouth will be automatically effected along with the amplitude of the audio frequency produced by the radio set so as to increase the amusing actions of the radio toy and to stimulate the intelligence of the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Giraffe Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Karl Ho
  • Patent number: 4578045
    Abstract: The action figure includes two arms mounted to the figure's torso for rocking movement toward the torso about laterally spaced axes, the action figure also including two legs that are mounted for pivotal movement to the torso in a scissors-like fashion. Integral with the rockable mounting means for each arm is an inwardly extending shank, the shanks projecting into end portions of a coil spring. When either arm is moved laterally toward the side of the torso, the spring is flexed into a V-shaped configuration. A link extends downwardly from the center of the spring so that the flexing action imparted to the spring causes the link to move downwardly or upwardly. Each unit for pivotally mounting the legs includes a crank pin that is receivable in forwardly and rearwardly located slots at the lower end of the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: CPG Products Corp.
    Inventors: John F. Mayer, Nick H. Langdon, Stuart A. Cook, L. Todd Nicholson, John R. Belcher
  • Patent number: 4574595
    Abstract: An improved jewelry mounting construction for use in adapting pierced-ear earrings into earrings capable of being clamped on unpierced ears. Also disclosed is a construction for adapting pierced-ear earrings into stickpins. The improved construction comprises a clamping mechanism for securing a medium between opposed surfaces, one of those opposed surfaces being a receptacle for an earring post, with the receptacle having a means for securing the earring post of a pierced-ear earring therein. The mechanism for adapting pierced-ear earrings into stickpins comprises a post receptacle affixed to an elongated pin, with a means for securing an earring post therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Inventor: Leonardo Moody
  • Patent number: 4575345
    Abstract: Two dolls and a method of playing with the dolls is disclosed. The dolls are identical but one is clothed and the other is bandaged. The dolls are made of separable interchangeable parts such that a child can pretend that one or the other doll has been injured and substitute the bandaged parts from one doll for the clothed parts of the other. Both dolls can be played with simultaneously as if both have injuries of any of the various parts of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Inventor: Jack B. Wager
  • Patent number: 4575355
    Abstract: A toy vehicle has a seat with a simulated seat belt in the form of two semi-circular parts which are able to rotate between an opened and closed position, the closed position simulating fastened seat belts. A power release push button is centrally positioned on the vehicle so that it does not exert any unbalanced force on the vehicle when it is pressed. When the seat belt is opened, the push button is captured in a raised position so that the vehicle cannot run. When the seat belt is closed, the capture is released from the push button so that is can be pushed. Thereafter, the push button is pushed, the power is released, and the toy vehicle is propelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: Zima Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: James S. W. Lee, Kwong-Wai Chow, Alfred T. Y. Lau, Ming-Ngar Chow
  • Patent number: 4573940
    Abstract: A doll stand imparts to a doll inflexibility of its legs relative to its torso. The stand includes left and right leg-brace elements having a length at least as great as the doll's legs and carrying at their lower ends independent ankle-engaging stirrup-shaped fixtures for independently engaging the doll's ankles. A waist-securement loop is connected to the upper ends of said leg-brace elements for their mutual securement to the torso of the doll and for maintaining the leg base elements along the doll's legs for preventing bending. With the stand used, the doll is maintained in a stiff-legged position for causing it to remain standing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Inventor: Robert A. Showers
  • Patent number: 4573936
    Abstract: A toy wherein remote objects are moved in response to the rotation of a steering wheel. A first embodiment has a pulley keyed to the shaft of the steering wheel, a second pulley journaled in the base of the toy and a belt therebetween. A drive arm arranged to snap into a slot on the side of a toy vehicle is affixed to the second pulley whereby its rotation will cause the drive arm and the vehicle to rotate. The drive arm includes a hinged center portion to permit vertical movement of its end in addition to the horizontal movement.In a second embodiment a ninety degree sector is secured at one apex to the steering wheel shaft, the sector being restrained to rotate only about ninety degrees before being returned to its original position. A rigid link has one end attached to a further apex of the sector and the other to a ratchet arm secured to a center post in the base of the toy. Also secured to the center post for rotation thereon is a ratchet wheel to which the drive arm is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Inventor: Tobin Wolf
  • Patent number: 4573939
    Abstract: A toy music box including a table having an ornament. The table is journaled in a freely rotatable manner and is rotated by the mechanism of the music box. The toy music box is designed such that a rod is journaled in a freely rotatable manner on the table at a position on the side and apart from a rotational shaft of the table, a free end of the rod is projected outside of the table to mount ornaments. The free end of the rod is constantly energized in the rotational direction of the table by an interposed spring, and a protruded part on the lower side of the rod is abutted against a plurality of projected edges erected on the upper periphery of the platform. The ornaments on the turntable and the rod make interesting movements with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Inventor: Chojiro Hoshino
  • Patent number: 4573942
    Abstract: A toy motorized vehicle which can be reconfigured into a longer, racier-looking vehicle with raised exhaust pipes. The reconfiguration takes place automatically while the car's motor is driving it over a supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Takara Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Iwakichi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 4573331
    Abstract: A thumb ring construction for use as ornamentation on a hand including a support base member on which a decorative gem can be disposed and a ring shank attached to the support base where the ring shank has undulations with respect to a vertical transverse plane. The ring shank and base member define an opening and a central axis through the center of the opening. The mid or side portions of the ring shank are inclined relative to the central axis to enhance the fit of the ring shank to a thumb and to provide rotational stability of the ring when worn on a thumb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Inventor: Merle L. Wideman
  • Patent number: 4573941
    Abstract: A four-wheeled toy vehicle provided with a driver's cab and a steering post therebehind which extends above the body of the vehicle and makes it possible for a player to steer the vehicle from its exterior. Each front wheel has a short axle which extends transversely through a bearing that is pivotally supported on a vertical axis at right angles to the axle whereby the wheel is steerable. The steering post passes through the chassis and terminates in a crank at right angles to the post at the underside of the vehicle. The crank is pivotally connected to the leg of a T-shaped lever having arms extending outwardly from opposite sides of the leg, the lever fulcrum being at the junction of the leg and the arms whereby rotation of the crank in one direction by the steering post causes the arms to swing in the opposite direction. Each arm is pivotally connected to the bearing of a respective front wheel to effect steering thereof as the arms swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Buddy L Corp.
    Inventors: John Holden, Sam Colombrito, Arthur H. Jeffreys
  • Patent number: 4571206
    Abstract: The toy action figure includes a torso having a pair of pivotally mounted wings and a pair of legs, the legs being mounted to the torso for both pivotal and rocking movement. A pair of actuating mechanisms within the torso convert the rocking movement to a pivotal movement so that the wings are moved in a flapping manner. A spring returns the legs and wings to their normal or unactuated positions whenever the child stops pressing the legs together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: CPG Products Corp.
    Inventors: John F. Mayer, Stuart A. Cook, Harvey G. Springer, Earl M. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4571205
    Abstract: An express delivery playset includes an airplane, a delivery van, a loading dock, packages, a cargo transporter, and cargo containers. The plane has a conveyor belt for movement of the containers between a hatched opening at the fore end and the aft end of the substantially enclosed cargo area. Various packages carried by the van fit into the cargo containers and the plane, dock and transporter are adapted to receive the container. Off-loading packages from the van onto the dock is facilitated by a tilt-dump floor. A parallel linkage permits raising and lowering of the cargo transporter deck between the dock and the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: John V. Zaruba, Burton C. Meyer, Steven P. Hanson
  • Patent number: RE32106
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a toy guideway or track and vehicle for riding thereover. The track is made of a plastic material of such state and configuration wherein the track is not normally self supporting. Self support means are provided to support the track in a desired manner to define a trackway of particular configuration, and the track is provided with guide means for directing a toy vehicle thereover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Inventor: Jerome H. Lemelson