Patents Examined by Robert F. Cutting
  • Patent number: 4186519
    Abstract: A toy vehicle such as a child's toy truck or tricycle which includes a toy citizens band radio is disclosed. A microphone of the CB vehicle toy is detachable from the vehicle body except for an electrical wire connecting the microphone to the electronics in the vehicle toy. The microphone is designed to be hand-held by a child playing with the toy. When the toy CB radio is turned on and the transmit button on the microphone is on, then sounds received by the microphone are transmitted through a speaker associated with the vehicle toy. In the receive mode, the toy CB radio generates static similar to that heard over a real CB radio when receiving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Inventor: David F. Repka
  • Patent number: 4184285
    Abstract: A toy block shipbuilding kit, with specially formed pieces to provide realistic ships stems and sterns. A number of first blocks are provided with curved sides, and interlocking projections and projection-receiving portions formed on the top and bottom faces. When stacked upon each other, the blocks are staggered and form a continuous upwardly sloping stem or stern portion, and can interlock with other conventional parallelepiped blocks to form the ship body. Specialty second blocks are provided for forming the top or bottom terminations of stacked first blocks, and specialty third blocks may be provided having sides extending above the top faces thereof to constitute side rails for a ship's stem and stern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: Exin-Iber S. A.
    Inventor: Jose M. Arnau Pibet
  • Patent number: 4182077
    Abstract: A device is provided finding particular application in amusement or advertising applications, and includes an enclosure generally having a conventional beverage container shape. The enclosure includes a cylindrical structure having a first end and a second end. Means for attaching a solar cell to the first end of the enclosure includes a structure closing that end. The closing structure has a sleeve extending outwardly from it. The sleeve has a first end integrally formed with the attaching means and a second, free end. The second free end of the sleeve is adapted to receive an electrical motor. The motor includes a rotatably mounted shaft having an end extending outwardly of the enclosure. The outwardly extending end of the shaft has one of a plurality of terminations attached to it. The shaft and termination design determines the kind of movement imparted to the enclosure by the motor upon irradiation of the solar cell by a suitable source of electromagnetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1980
    Inventors: Clyde M. Wagner, John H. Wagner
  • Patent number: 4182071
    Abstract: A toy television set whereby the pictures, characters, words, etc., drawn on a plurality of leaves can be seen in succession through a transparent screen as the leaves are turned over successively. The device comprises a case modeled after the cabinet of a real TV set, a transparent screen provided on the front side of the case, a horizontal shaft provided across the center of the screen in the inside of the case, a prime mover adapted to give the rotative power to said shaft, a pair of discs provided at both ends of said horizontal shaft, each of said discs having formed therein a plurality of holes along the periphery thereof, and a plurality of leaves on which pictures, words, etc., are drawn, each of said leaves having extending from both sides of its lower end the insert pieces fitting in the corresponding holes in said discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1980
    Inventor: Masatoshi Todokoro
  • Patent number: 4180938
    Abstract: A bubble blowing wand for use with a bubble blowing liquid comprising two substantially concentric rings for providing a bubble or bubbles formed within a bubble. The concentric rings are substantially in the same planar relationship with respect to each other. The rings can be substituted with any closed geometric form so long as the peripheries are implaced within each other in a substantially spaced concentric relationship. The preferred concentric rings are formed as a larger outside ring and a smaller inner ring. The larger outside ring is attached to a handle at its outer edge, while the inner surface thereof supports a stem to which the inner ring is connected. Both of the rings have relieved or cut surfaces providing a larger surface area on the rings to accommodate greater amounts of bubble blowing liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Inventors: La Fata, John E., John D. Cuccio
  • Patent number: 4179845
    Abstract: The invention is a simple mechanical method of producing and reproducing various sounds with a tube type diaphragm game call. A hollow plunger sliding within a tube type call, being spring and finger operated, provides a sound chamber varying in size; a means of changing the diaphragm size; and a means of manipulating the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1979
    Inventor: Bart M. Jacob
  • Patent number: 4176492
    Abstract: An articulated magnetized toy having removable appendages is provided for young children. A body member can be subjectively configured to simulate the body of a humanoid, animal, vehicle, etc. The body member contains at least one magnet and armature plates for removably retaining one or more articulated appendages. Preferably, the side surfaces of the body member are flat and parallel. An articulated appendage has a U-shaped configuration which includes a base member and pair of upright members extending on either side of the housing member. The upright members can be configured and positioned on the body member to represent legs or arms. A spherical joint is mounted on the base member for interconnection with arcuate joints on the armature plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Assignee: California R & D Center
    Inventors: Anson Sims, Lawrence T. Jones
  • Patent number: 4176493
    Abstract: As a component for toy building sets there is provided a rotatable element comprising:(a) a base plate (FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7) and(b) a disc (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5) pivotally mounted in a circular aperture in the base plate.A socket for a pivot on the disc is located at the bottom of the base plate and is supported thereon by ribs integral with the socket and with four side walls at the bottom of the base plate.Four identical apertures in the bottom of the base plate are formed by the socket, the ribs and the side walls.Four engagement studs are provided on the top face of the disc and extend beyond the periphery thereof. The underface of these studs provides for slideable contact with the top face of the base plate during the rotation of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Assignee: Interlego A.G.
    Inventor: Erling T. Dideriksen
  • Patent number: 4175353
    Abstract: A gun-like toy device for producing controllable audio and visual effects simulating a fictitious futuristic space-age weapon. The device has a general hand gun shape with a handle attached to a central body section that has an audio speaker on its upper side and a barrel-like front end portion with attached lamps. Packaged within the body and handle are electronic components comprising battery power means, timer means for causing the lamps to flash at a controllable rate, audio generation means connected to said speaker and said power means, control means for preselecting the level and frequency and thus the characteristic mode of the sound produced by said audio generation means and a mode switch means for selecting either a continuous high pitch warbling sound or a single "shot" or blast sound that rapidly decays when a trigger means on said handle is pulled to "fire" the gun and simultaneously activate said lamp means and said audio generation means in the preselected mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Inventor: Vaughn A. Pickett
  • Patent number: 4173841
    Abstract: A guide rod, for rolling a toy hoop, formed of a squared U-shaped guide portion with a short shaft portion arranged approximately perpendicular to the plane of said guide portion and integral with the free end of one of the legs of the guide portion. An elongated pole-like handle is releasably connected to the end of the shaft. The guide portion is made in interchangeable left and right hand configurations, by arranging the U-shape on its side, to open sideways, with the shaft formed on the free end of the upper leg, and with the shaft extending approximately perpendicularly away from the plane of the U-shape in either one or the opposite direction to form either a left or right handed guide, either of which may interchangeably be used with the same handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1979
    Inventor: Richard K. Hensley
  • Patent number: 4173840
    Abstract: A toy fire engine is disclosed including a body, wheel and axle assembly, aerial ladder, ladder support and loose ladder. The ladder support may include a turret for pivotal support of the ladder about a vertical axis. The fire engine body may include a ladder carrier which limits sideward movement and linear movement of a loose ladder when disposed in the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1979
    Assignee: Tonka Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis H. Fahrendorf, Delmar D. Berckhan
  • Patent number: 4173839
    Abstract: This invention is a disc-type, aerodynamic toy. This toy consists of a fabric center which can be altered by the owner to varying thicknesses and degrees of coverage for aerodynamic purposes. The fabric center is bounded by a rim into which the center is pressed. A smooth convex surface surrounds the center and rim. The smooth convex surface is bordered by a lip which is turned inwardly toward the center of the toy. The smooth surface combined with the heavy center of varying thickness, and degree of coverage, makes the toy extremely stable, a toy which the owner can alter to suit his or her aerodynamic requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1979
    Inventor: M. Jane Kovac
  • Patent number: 4173095
    Abstract: A toy vehicle is disclosed which may resemble a jeep. The toy vehicle may include a chassis, an inside compartment, wheels and a top. The inside compartment may have seats, wall panels and a floor. The compartment may serve to enclose various raw edges of the chassis. The top may include support posts which rest on the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1979
    Assignee: Tonka Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald R. Pauly, Royce D. Rumsey
  • Patent number: 4172337
    Abstract: A folded glider is comprised of a sheet of material having a center hinge line which is located along its medial axis and paired side hinge lines which are located generally parallel to the center hinge line at spaced intervals outwardly therefrom. A slit is located in the sheet of material, extending transversely between the side hinge lines proximate the trailing edge of the glider. The glider is formed by folding the sheet of material upwardly along the portion of the center hinge line lying forwardly of the slit to form a fuselage, folding it downwardly along the portions of the side hinge lines lying forwardly of the slit to form wings, and folding it upwardly along the portions of the side hinge lines lying rearwardly of the slit and downwardly along the portion of the center hinge line lying rearwardly of the slit to form an inverted "V"-shaped vertical tail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1979
    Inventor: Roy L. English
  • Patent number: 4170839
    Abstract: A child's toy in the form of a miniature, operative storm sewer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1979
    Inventor: Robert J. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 4170840
    Abstract: A toy assembly which includes an articulated doll and subcomponent parts capable of forming a vehicle is provided. The doll can be configured to represent a humanoid with removable appendages. A front carriage member supporting a pair of wheels can be removably attached to the legs of the doll while a rear carriage member can be removably attached to the back of the doll body. A supplemental connector member can be further attached directly to the front and rear carriage member to complete the vehicle. Finally, a magnetic ball can be provided in a cavity of the doll body for positioning by a magnetic wand adjacent an aperture communicating with the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1979
    Assignee: Takara Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Iwakichi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 4170084
    Abstract: This invention provides an improved version of a glider toy having a forwardly pointed triangular planar wing portion and a planar triangular body portion extending downwardly therefrom and having an adjustable weight movably attached to the lower edge of the body portion. The glider is preferably made of plastic and can be fabricated using extruded shapes which merely need to be trimmed to form the final structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1979
    Inventor: Douglas E. Fierheller
  • Patent number: 4170085
    Abstract: A doll with a lock of hair of adjustable length and a torso which has upper and lower portions which are rotatable relative to each other. The internal doll structure at the waist of the doll which permits the lock of hair to be adjustable in length, so as to simulate growing hair, is integral with the means at the waist which permits the torso portions to be rotatable relative to each other, e.g. the tube which holds the wound-up cord which displaces the lock of hair into the upper torso, also serves to hold the upper and lower torso portions together in slidable engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1979
    Assignee: Mego Corp.
    Inventor: Patrick Luke
  • Patent number: 4169335
    Abstract: A musical amusement device of the type designed to display miniature figures generally representing one or more humans playing musical instruments wherein one or more of the figures, either the human characters or instruments, are mechanically interconnected to one of a plurality of speakers. Each one of a possible plurality of speakers are electrically interconnected to a frequency selector in the form of filter and control circuitry which in turn is electrically connected to a sound source such as a stereo amplifier, etc. The circuitry is designed to allow only sound of a predetermined frequency range to be transmitted to the speaker which in turn causes coincident movement of the individual figures due to a mechanical, movable interconnection between the speakers and the figures themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1979
    Inventor: Manuel Betancourt
  • Patent number: RE30299
    Abstract: Friction driven toys including a gyroscopic stabilizing element. .Iadd.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Assignee: Ideal Toy Corporation
    Inventor: Donald Greenwood