Patents Examined by Joseph B Baldori
-
Patent number: 9636601Abstract: In a first aspect, a construction toy element is provided and includes a body and a first circumferential row of arms extending from the body. The body has an axis, and has a first axial end and a second axial end. A first circumferential row of arms extends from the body. Each arm includes a root end and a free end, and has a first connecting member thereon that is configured for connecting the construction toy element to another construction toy element. The root end projects from the body in a direction that is angled towards one of the first and second axial ends relative to a normal direction to a surface of the body.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: SPIN MASTER LTD.Inventor: Paul Andrew Reynolds
-
Patent number: 9586153Abstract: A toy appendage assembly includes an elongated member, an offset shaft having a first end coupled to a coupling end of the elongated member, and a wheel coupled to a second end of the offset shaft. The offset shaft is coupled to the wheel at a location away from the center of the wheel. The coupling end of the elongated member is at least partially spherical in shape and is capable of rotating within a support structure. The elongated member has a first axis, and the offset shaft has a second axis, where the first axis is angularly offset from the second axis. The coupling end serves as a pivot point for the elongated member and the offset shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey Alan Saunders
-
Patent number: 9573074Abstract: A toy building element comprising at least one first type of building element (1), on which a rotation shaft (3) located along an axis of rotation is arranged, and wherein the toy building set comprises at least one second type (6) of building element in which a rotation bushing (9) is provided which is configured for receiving and being interconnected with the rotation shaft on the first building element in such a manner that the two building elements can rotate relative to each other about the axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: LEGO A/SInventor: Jan Ryaa
-
Patent number: 9573073Abstract: A stuffed animal has a primary passageway and an interior chamber. Primary fasteners open and close the primary passageway. A garment has a secondary passageway extending through the garment. A tunnel is defined between a first fabric section and a second fabric section. Stitching attaches the first fabric section to the stuffed animal adjacent to a left free edge. Second stitching attaches the second fabric section to the stuffed animal adjacent to a right free edge.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Inventors: Catherine E. Mazur, Gary M. Mazur
-
Patent number: 9517422Abstract: A tethering assembly includes a housing that may be positioned on a support surface. A plurality of arms radiates outwardly from the housing. A plurality of cylinders is each coupled to a distal end of an associated one of the arms. A plurality of cords each extends outwardly from the distal end of an associated one of the arms and an associated one of the cylinders. A plurality of clips is each coupled to an associated one of the cords. Each of the clips may be coupled to an associated one of a plurality of toys. A plurality of retractors is each positioned within an associated one of the arms. Each of the retractors has an associated one of the cords is coupled thereto. Thus, the retractors each allow the clips to be moved between a minimum distance and a maximum distance away from the housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Inventors: Alan Resh, Sharon Resh
-
Patent number: 9498703Abstract: Kits designed to stimulate creativity, to provide exercise for fine motor skills, and to improve spatial perception. The kits may be useful as a stimulating “toy” for children to develop creativity, spatial perception and motor skills, as a therapeutic kit for the elderly or those requiring rehabilitation of fine motor skills; as a diversion to relieve stress, to create unique works for the home or office, to display photos and memorabilia, and for a host of other purposes, limited by the imagination. The kits include at least shaped components, fasteners, and a platform onto which a three-dimensional work is mounted.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Stat Ventures, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. McCoskey, Daniel Padilla, Shyh-Min Chen
-
Patent number: 9463394Abstract: A visual movement display system including a first annular member; a first coupling element coupled to the first annular member, the first coupling element rotatably coupling the first annular member to a support element, the first coupling element defining a first rotation axis about which the first annular member rotates; a second annular member disposed within the first annular member; a second coupling element coupled to the second annular member, the second coupling element rotatably coupling the second annular member to the first annular member, the second coupling element defining a second rotation axis about which the second annular member rotates; whereby the second rotation axis can be offset in relation to the first rotation axis by a first angle; and a first weight element coupled to the second annular member, whereby the first weight element can be offset in relation to the second rotation axis by a second angle.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Inventor: Lewis James Striggow
-
Patent number: 9457284Abstract: A track set is disclosed herein. The track set includes a track portion configured for receiving at least one device configured to traverse within the track portion, and a rotatable track portion. The rotatable track portion includes a receiving member and a generally spiral portion. The rotatable track portion is selectively rotatable about an axis. The receiving member is positioned to selectively receive the at least one device from the track portion as the rotatable track portion rotates. Movement of the device within the spiral portion generally maintains rotation of the rotatable track portion about the axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: Eric C. Ostendorff
-
Patent number: 9446324Abstract: A launching device for grasping and launching an action figure is provided, the launching device having: a base member; an arm member pivotally secured to the base member for movement between a first position and a second position; a pair of grasping members rotatably secured to the arm member, wherein the pair of arm members are configured to releasably grasp a portion of the action figure; a drivetrain coupled to the pair of grasping members wherein the drivetrain is configured to rotate the pair of grasping members about an axis of the arm member as the arm member moves between the first position and the second position.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Mark Barthold, Michael Strauss
-
Patent number: 9427675Abstract: The present invention is related to a hexagonal block and its stand consistent of various three-dimensional blocks and each of the blocks including one to multiply hexagonal elements constituted by multiply layers of connection in horizontal and vertical directions. Thereby the same blocks can be stacked in either vertical direction in accordance with the corresponding stand with a recess or horizontal direction in accordance with a switched stand with a recess. The blocks are in hexagonal forms at a fixed quantity such that a stacking sequence is required to complete a three-dimensional assembly without vacancy. Therefore certain difficulty is included in order to achieve the training of logic thinking.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Inventor: Mei-Tsu Lin
-
Patent number: 9393499Abstract: The present inventor recognized that children's interest in conventional water rockets can wane rapidly over time, particularly as children are drawn to other types of toys, such as video games. Accordingly, the present inventor devised, among other things, one or more exemplary water rocket systems or assemblies that include a removably mounted action figure. In some embodiments, the water rocket includes two hollow fuselage structures joined via a crossbar structure, with the action figure mounted to the crossbar structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Inventor: Adam L. Flanagan
-
Patent number: 9375648Abstract: A toy vehicle is provided. The toy vehicle having: a vehicle chassis defining a first interior region; a leg movably secured to the vehicle chassis for movement from a first position to a second position, wherein the leg and a wheel rotatably secured to the leg is extended away from the chassis when the leg is moved to the second position; a spring for providing a biasing force to retain the leg into the first position; and an actuation unit received within the first interior region of the chassis and operably coupled to the movable leg member and a body portion movably secured to the chassis, the actuation unit being configured to overcome the biasing force of the spring and move the leg to the second position when the body portion is moved with respect to the chassis.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Keith Alan Hippely, Joseph Wu, Patrick Chu, Denise Wong, Edward Wong
-
Patent number: 9373270Abstract: A male or female human pelvic model for teaching, practicing, or evaluating proficiency in physical examination, medical or surgical techniques, or procedures involving the pelvis are disclosed. The pelvic model can include replaceable pelvic skeletal frame and normal, pathological, or other modules providing 3D anatomical representations of various body components, such as skin, organs, muscles, vessels, connective tissues, ligaments, tendons, or nerves. The pelvic model can include portions that can retain pressurized fluid, such as to mimic a body organ, cavity, or vessel that retains fluid, so that leakage can occur, such as upon unintended cutting or puncture. A rotating open-top pelvic region structure can permit viewing or video capture during the simulated procedure.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Inventor: Douglas Wayne Miyazaki
-
Patent number: 9358823Abstract: An improved Braille erasure mechanism may comprise a reverse-embosser or impressing mechanism to imprint a negative Braille cell. A negative Braille cell is the reverse of a normal Braille cell, with one or more dots lowered or pressed into the printing medium in an opposite direction to the raised dots of a normal Braille cell. Because the dots of a negative Braille cell are lowered past the surface of the printing medium, they may be ordinarily undetectable to the fingers of a Braille user. Accordingly, by imprinting a full negative Braille cell on top of a Braille cell to be erased, all of the previously raised dots of the Braille cell may be lowered beyond the surface of the printing medium. Any further Braille cell embossed over the erased cell will be free from corruption, because any dot not used by the new cell will remain lowered and undetectable.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Perkins School for the BlindInventors: Michael Schmidt, Jude Jonas
-
Patent number: 9352241Abstract: A rubber band powered toy vehicle uses the stored energy of a twisted rubber band to power a propeller during vehicle travel, either airborne flight or water borne travel. The vehicle has a slide tube attached to its underside which is slidably disposed along a main tube, the main tube having the rubber band passing therethrough. Prior to flight, the slide tube and its attached vehicle are slid rearwardly along the main tube until stopped by a positioning ring. Once the vehicle is released for travel, the rubber band untwists providing energy for rotation of the propeller. When the vehicle crashes, either during a crash landing into the ground or crashing in flight into an object, the slide tube and its attached vehicle slide forwardly along the main tube in order to act as a shock absorber for the crash in order to help protect the components of the toy.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2015Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Inventor: James C Gast
-
Patent number: 9339737Abstract: A bubble generating device and a method for producing bubbles. In one aspect, the invention can be an apparatus for generating bubbles comprising: a housing; a motor; an air flow generator operably coupled to the motor; a trough containing a bubble solution; a cam surface comprising a raised portion and a valley portion; a follower member comprising a bubble generating device, the follower member in operable cooperation with the cam surface; the motor operably coupled to the follower member to drive the follower member along the cam surface such that: (1) upon the follower member being located along the valley portion of the cam surface, the bubble generating device is in the trough; and (2) upon the follower member being located along the raised portion of the cam surface, the bubble generating device is aligned with an air flow generated by the air flow generator for producing bubbles.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: HONOR METRO LIMITEDInventor: Adam Hing Ping Chan
-
Patent number: 9308427Abstract: A basketball training aid comprising an axle component and a ball component mounted on the axle component so that the rectilinear axis of the axle component is substantially coincident with a diametric axis of the ball component and so as to be rotatable about the axis of the axle component.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Inventor: Tracy A. Garner
-
Patent number: 9293059Abstract: A primary strap has upper and lower edges, interior and exterior faces, first and second ends, and a mid-point. Hook and loop patches are secured to the interior face of the primary strap adjacent to the first and second ends. A plurality of secondary straps of varying lengths each have an interior and exterior face and opposed ends with hook and loop members on each interior face. The hook and loop members are adjacent to each end of each secondary strap. An elongated closure strap with interior and exterior faces and opposed ends is coupled along its length to the primary strap to form an upper portion and a lower portion. Hook and loop fasteners on essentially the entire length of the upper and lower portions of the exterior face of the closure strap, the hook and loop fasteners adapted to be separably coupled to form a passageway.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2009Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Inventor: Everett Jones
-
Patent number: 9277743Abstract: An alligator game call device is essentially a solid cylindrical body preferably having about a 5/4 inch outer diameter. The device has an exterior surface and a central axial blind bore therein extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The bore has stepped, concentric, progressively smaller diameter sections from the proximal end toward the distal end of the body. Preferably a first section is ½ inch deep, a second section is ½ inch deep, a third section is 1 inch deep and a fourth section is 1½ inch deep. The game call includes a pair of angled nostril bores extending from the fourth section to an exterior surface of the body, wherein the nostril bores intersecting the exterior surface are spaced ½ inch apart.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2015Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Inventor: Charles Pero
-
Patent number: 9259658Abstract: An enhanced toy produces repeating, decaying notes in response to applied pressure. The tone of each note is determined, based on the location at which a user applies pressure. The initial amplitude of each note is proportional to the intensity, as measured by a stress sensor. The toy periodically repeats each note, attenuating the amplitude of each successive repetition by a decay factor. The toy may alter the notes associated with each of a plurality of locations. For example, if all currently repeating notes have decayed below a predetermined threshold, the currently available set of notes may be exchanged for a new set of notes, e.g. with different tones or timbres. The stress sensors may comprise flexible capacitors within the toy. As the user applies pressure, the geometry of one or more capacitors deform, altering the measured capacitance, through which the intensity of the applied pressure is determined.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: APPLIED INVENTION, LLCInventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Russel Howe