Patents by Inventor Austin Rucker

Austin Rucker has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10265616
    Abstract: A toy apparatus includes a base piece having a distal end, a movable elongated member having a first end and a second end, and a tether coupled to the first end of the movable elongated member. Tension applied to the tether moves the movable elongated member from an open first position to a closed second position. The toy apparatus is configured to freely slide on a surface due to momentum generated when an initial pushing force is applied to the toy apparatus. The tension applied to the tether causes the tether to become taut, without other human contact to the toy apparatus. In the closed second position, the second end of the movable elongated member is closer to the distal end of the base elongated member, and the base elongated member and the movable elongated member are capable of retaining a target piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: James Austin Rucker, Derek S. Handy, Scott H. Derman
  • Patent number: 9789388
    Abstract: A toy apparatus includes a base piece and a plurality of elongated members. The base piece is configured to slide on a surface. Each elongated member has a first end and a second end, with the elongated members being movably coupled to the base piece near the first ends. A tether is coupled to the first ends of the elongated members, and tension applied to the tether moves the elongated members from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the second ends of the elongated members are expanded apart from each other. In the second position, the second ends of the elongated members are contracted toward each other and are capable of surrounding a target piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: James Austin Rucker, Derek S. Handy
  • Publication number: 20170157504
    Abstract: A toy apparatus includes a base piece having a distal end, a movable elongated member having a first end and a second end, and a tether coupled to the first end of the movable elongated member. Tension applied to the tether moves the movable elongated member from an open first position to a closed second position. The toy apparatus is configured to freely slide on a surface due to momentum generated when an initial pushing force is applied to the toy apparatus. The tension applied to the tether causes the tether to become taut, without other human contact to the toy apparatus. In the closed second position, the second end of the movable elongated member is closer to the distal end of the base elongated member, and the base elongated member and the movable elongated member are capable of retaining a target piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: James Austin Rucker, Derek S. Handy, Scott H. Derman
  • Patent number: 9616327
    Abstract: A toy apparatus includes a base piece configured to slide on a surface when an initial pushing force is applied to the toy. A base elongated member is coupled to the base piece, and has a distal end away from the base piece. A movable elongated member has a first end and a second end, and is movable between an open first position and a closed second position. A tether is coupled to the first end of the movable elongated member, wherein tension applied to the tether moves the movable elongated member. In the open first position, the second end of the movable elongated member is away from the distal end of the base elongated member. In the closed second position, the second end is closer to the distal end, and the base elongated member and the movable elongated member are capable of retaining a target piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: James Austin Rucker, Derek S. Handy, Scott H. Derman
  • Patent number: 9533233
    Abstract: One or more methods, apparatuses, and/or systems are disclosed herein for selectively grasping one or more target objects. The apparatus includes a string and a winding mechanism. The winding mechanism is configured to selectively unwind and wind the string, wherein a first portion of the apparatus is configured to be separated from a second portion of the apparatus when the string is unwound and wherein the first and second portions are configured to be adjacent to one another when the string is wound. A plurality of members are pivotally mounted to the apparatus and operably coupled to the winding mechanism, wherein the plurality of members are configured to grasp an object responsive to actuation of a button that is located within an area defined by the plurality of members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Austin Rucker, C. Evangelos Kafantaris, Susie E. Buckman, Leo Shen, Roy Hu, Josiah T. S. Li
  • Patent number: 9345976
    Abstract: A toy figurine is disclosed. The toy figurine includes a body to which one or more plates are coupled. The toy figurine includes a launching mechanism that is used to launch a projectile from the toy figurine. The plates cover the launching mechanism when the plates are mounted to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Josiah To Sang Li, William J. Kerner, James Austin Rucker
  • Patent number: 9345978
    Abstract: A toy figure assembly including a footing assembly in combination with a dual action actuator employing first and second working surfaces accessible through underside openings of the footing assembly for driving action movements of the toy figure by both a user's fingers and a piston driven controller secured to the footing. Further alternative embodiments with various alternative mechanism appendage couplings with the torso assembly through the footing gears, bracket or channel elements facilitate driven for movements in relation to the torso assembly moved relative to the footing assembly. Battling action game play may be expanded with the controller to battle virtual robots, allowing users to play various interactive computer based games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert James Victor, James August Baker, Matthew Devin Brown, James Austin Rucker, William J Bryant
  • Publication number: 20160136518
    Abstract: A toy apparatus includes a base piece configured to slide on a surface when an initial pushing force is applied to the toy. A base elongated member is coupled to the base piece, and has a distal end away from the base piece. A movable elongated member has a first end and a second end, and is movable between an open first position and a closed second position. A tether is coupled to the first end of the movable elongated member, wherein tension applied to the tether moves the movable elongated member. In the open first position, the second end of the movable elongated member is away from the distal end of the base elongated member. In the closed second position, the second end is closer to the distal end, and the base elongated member and the movable elongated member are capable of retaining a target piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: James Austin Rucker, Derek S. Handy, Scott H. Derman
  • Publication number: 20160082346
    Abstract: A toy apparatus includes a base piece and a plurality of elongated members. The base piece is configured to slide on a surface. Each elongated member has a first end and a second end, with the elongated members being movably coupled to the base piece near the first ends. A tether is coupled to the first ends of the elongated members, and tension applied to the tether moves the elongated members from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the second ends of the elongated members are expanded apart from each other. In the second position, the second ends of the elongated members are contracted toward each other and are capable of surrounding a target piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: James Austin Rucker, Derek S. Handy
  • Patent number: 9227148
    Abstract: A toy apparatus includes a base piece and a plurality of elongated members. The base piece is configured to slide on a surface. Each elongated member has a first end and a second end, with the elongated members being movably coupled to the base piece near the first ends. A tether is coupled to the first ends of the elongated members, and tension applied to the tether moves the elongated members from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the second ends of the elongated members are expanded apart from each other. In the second position, the second ends of the elongated members are contracted toward each other and are capable of surrounding a target piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: James Austin Rucker, Derek S. Handy
  • Patent number: 9205341
    Abstract: A toy is provided, the toy having: an action figure with a pair of appendages movably secured thereto for movement between a first separated position and a second un-separated position; a pair of accessories removably secured to the pair of appendages; and wherein the pair of accessories are configured to be secured to each other and form an item when the pair of appendages are in the second un-separated position and the pair of accessories are secured to the pair of appendages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: Terence J Y. Higuchi, Kit Hong Lau, J. Austin Rucker
  • Publication number: 20140315469
    Abstract: A toy is provided, the toy having: an action figure with a pair of appendages movably secured thereto for movement between a first separated position and a second un-separated position; a pair of accessories removably secured to the pair of appendages; and wherein the pair of accessories are configured to be secured to each other and form an item when the pair of appendages are in the second un-separated position and the pair of accessories are secured to the pair of appendages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Terence J Y. Higuchi, Kit Hong Lau, J. Austin Rucker
  • Publication number: 20140242874
    Abstract: A toy apparatus includes a base piece and a plurality of elongated members. The base piece is configured to slide on a surface. Each elongated member has a first end and a second end, with the elongated members being movably coupled to the base piece near the first ends. A tether is coupled to the first ends of the elongated members, and tension applied to the tether moves the elongated members from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the second ends of the elongated members are expanded apart from each other. In the second position, the second ends of the elongated members are contracted toward each other and are capable of surrounding a target piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: James Austin Rucker, Derek S. Handy
  • Publication number: 20140099857
    Abstract: A toy figurine with projectiles is disclosed. The figurine includes a torso, at least one appendage, and at least one projectile launchable from the figurine. The projectile launches directly from the torso and away from the toy figurine. The projectile is resilient, such that movement in a first direction creates energy to launch the projectile in a second and opposite direction. In some embodiments, the toy figurine may also include a launcher on an appendage which may provide an additional method of launching projectiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: James Austin RUCKER, Josiah To Sang LI
  • Publication number: 20130237123
    Abstract: One or more methods, apparatuses, and/or systems are disclosed herein for selectively grasping one or more target objects. The apparatus includes a string and a winding mechanism. The winding mechanism is configured to selectively unwind and wind the string, wherein a first portion of the apparatus is configured to be separated from a second portion of the apparatus when the string is unwound and wherein the first and second portions are configured to be adjacent to one another when the string is wound. A plurality of members are pivotally mounted to the apparatus and operably coupled to the winding mechanism, wherein the plurality of members are configured to grasp an object responsive to actuation of a button that is located within an area defined by the plurality of members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: J. Austin Rucker, C. Evangelos Kafantaris, Susie E. Buckman, Leo Shen, Roy Hu, Josiah T.S. Li
  • Publication number: 20130225038
    Abstract: A toy figurine is disclosed. The toy figurine includes a body to which one or more plates are coupled. The toy figurine includes a launching mechanism that is used to launch a projectile from the toy figurine. The plates cover the launching mechanism when the plates are mounted to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Josiah To Sang Li, William J. Kerner, James Austin Rucker
  • Patent number: 8515092
    Abstract: An interactive toy for audio output is provided having a speaker contained within a housing, connected to an electrical signal defining an audio output to be generated by the speaker. The housing may include a humanoid face defined at least in part by lights contained within the housing; and an information processor that measures a variable audio characteristic of the electrical signal, prompts a user to change the variable audio characteristic and controls a pattern scheme for the lights. A pattern scheme for the lights may include a first pattern scheme in which the lights illuminate in multiple ascending groups and a second pattern scheme in which the lights illuminate in multiple descending groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Austin Rucker
  • Publication number: 20110151746
    Abstract: An interactive toy for audio output is provided having a speaker contained within a housing, connected to an electrical signal defining an audio output to be generated by the speaker. The housing may include a humanoid face defined at least in part by lights contained within the housing; and an information processor that measures a variable audio characteristic of the electrical signal, prompts a user to change the variable audio characteristic and controls a pattern scheme for the lights. A pattern scheme for the lights may include a first pattern scheme in which the lights illuminate in multiple ascending groups and a second pattern scheme in which the lights illuminate in multiple descending groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Austin Rucker
  • Patent number: D868067
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Guarniere, Christopher Robert Renner, James Austin Rucker, Scott Edward Van Vliet