Patents by Inventor Eric C. Ostendorff
Eric C. Ostendorff 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).
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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
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Patent number: 9421473Abstract: A toy vehicle track set is provided including a first track portion and a second track portion. The second track portion is distal from the first track portion. The first track portion and the second track portion define a gap therebetween. The toy vehicle track set also includes a pair of separately rotating arms. The rotating arms cooperate to transfer a toy vehicle across the gap from the first track portion to the second track portion. When the toy vehicle is released at the second track portion, the toy vehicle may traverse along a path of the track set from the second track portion to the first track portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2013Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Eric C. Ostendorff, Sang Joon Kwak
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Patent number: 9028291Abstract: An image capturing toy may include a toy vehicle that may include at least one wheel and a camera, the camera including a camera lens and/or a housing that may include a first aperture and a wheel chock configured to inhibit displacement of a wheel. The housing may be moveable from an open position in which the toy vehicle may be placed in and removed from the housing, to a closed position in which the housing releasably encases the toy vehicle such that the camera lens is accessible through the first aperture and the wheel chock engages the at least one wheel.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2011Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Anthony M Martino, Eric C Ostendorff, Kevin K Cao, Christopher J Hardouin, David A Sheltman, Stacy L O'Connor
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Publication number: 20140097263Abstract: A toy vehicle track set is provided including a first track portion and a second track portion. The second track portion is distal from the first track portion. The first track portion and the second track portion define a gap therebetween. The toy vehicle track set also includes a pair of separately rotating arms. The rotating arms cooperate to transfer a toy vehicle across the gap from the first track portion to the second track portion. When the toy vehicle is released at the second track portion, the toy vehicle may traverse along a path of the track set from the second track portion to the first track portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Inventors: Eric C. Ostendorff, Sang Joon Kwak
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Publication number: 20130309937Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Inventor: Eric C. Ostendorff
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Patent number: 8192246Abstract: A stunt arrangement for a toy vehicle including a launching section configured to launch a propelled toy vehicle into flight; a capturing section configured to receive the toy vehicle from the flight; a deflection section disposed between the launching section and the capturing section and configured to be impacted by the toy vehicle in flight and to redirect the vehicle toward the capturing section, wherein the deflection section includes a target, the target being pivotally secured to a release mechanism for movement from a first position to a second position, wherein movement of the target from the first position to the second position causes the release mechanism to drop another toy vehicle towards the capturing section; and a reorienting section coupled to an outlet of the capturing section, the reorienting section being rotatably driven about the desired direction of travel and is configured to upright the toy vehicle or the another toy vehicle if either vehicle exits the capturing section partly or comType: GrantFiled: August 26, 2010Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Eric C. Ostendorff, Michael Nuttall
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Publication number: 20120052767Abstract: An image capturing toy may include a toy vehicle that may include at least one wheel and a camera, the camera including a camera lens and/or a housing that may include a first aperture and a wheel chock configured to inhibit displacement of a wheel. The housing may be moveable from an open position in which the toy vehicle may be placed in and removed from the housing, to a closed position in which the housing releasably encases the toy vehicle such that the camera lens is accessible through the first aperture and the wheel chock engages the at least one wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: MATTEL, INC.Inventors: Anthony M. Martino, Eric C. Ostendorff, Kevin Kai Cao, Christopher J. Hardouin, David A. Sheltman, Stacy L. O'Connor
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Patent number: 7963821Abstract: A stunt arrangement for a toy vehicle including a launching section configured to launch a propelled toy vehicle into flight, a capturing section configured to receive the toy vehicle from the flight, including a narrowing cross-section configured to align a longitudinal axis of the toy vehicle with a desired direction of travel, and a reorienting section coupled to an outlet of the capturing section configured to upright the toy vehicle if the vehicle exits the capturing section partly or completely inverted.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: Eric C. Ostendorff
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Publication number: 20110053456Abstract: A stunt arrangement for a toy vehicle including a launching section configured to launch a propelled toy vehicle into flight; a capturing section configured to receive the toy vehicle from the flight; a deflection section disposed between the launching section and the capturing section and configured to be impacted by the toy vehicle in flight and to redirect the vehicle toward the capturing section, wherein the deflection section includes a target, the target being pivotally secured to a release mechanism for movement from a first position to a second position, wherein movement of the target from the first position to the second position causes the release mechanism to drop another toy vehicle towards the capturing section; and a reorienting section coupled to an outlet of the capturing section, the reorienting section being rotatably driven about the desired direction of travel and is configured to upright the toy vehicle or the another toy vehicle if either vehicle exits the capturing section partly or comType: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: Eric C. Ostendorff, Michael Nuttall
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Patent number: 7766720Abstract: A racing play set for toy vehicles includes a first track segment, a second track segment disposed in intersection with the first track segment, a return portion disposed in communication with the first and second track portions, and a scoring mechanism, where the return portion is configured to be shared by toy vehicles traveling on the first and second track segments, where the return portion is configured to receive a first toy vehicle from the first track segment and return the first vehicle to the first track segment, where the return portion is configured to receive a second toy vehicle from the second track segment and return the second vehicle to the second track segment, where the scoring mechanism is configured to record a pass of the first vehicle through the return portion and a pass of the second vehicle through the return portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Mattel Inc.Inventor: Eric C. Ostendorff
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Patent number: 7651398Abstract: Toy raceways and finish line apparatuses for toy raceways are disclosed. Toy raceways may include a plurality of hingedly coupled multi-lane track segments, a starting apparatus, and a finish line apparatus. The plurality of hingedly coupled multi-lane track segments may be configured to foldably transition between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the plurality of hingedly coupled multi-lane track segments may be aligned to provide a multilane toy raceway, which may have a first end and a second end. In the second configuration, the plurality of hingedly coupled multi-lane track segments may produce a stack of folded track segments. The starting apparatus may be disposed proximate the first end of the toy raceway, and the finish line apparatus may be disposed proximate the second end of the toy raceway.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Eric C. Ostendorff, Michael Nuttall, Harold Garner, Steve P. Dunham
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Patent number: 7637172Abstract: A speed measuring device with an output generating system is disclosed. The output generating system can generate visual outputs and/or audible outputs in response to a detected flow of air. The device includes a coupling component that allows the device to be wearable by a user.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Glenn Yu, Christopher Patrick Purcell, Eric C. Ostendorff, Steven M. Moran
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Patent number: 7600757Abstract: A game playset includes at least one movable game piece object for a player to advance during game play. It also includes a game board which has a path provided thereon across which the at least one movable game piece object advances. The game board also including a plurality of components attached to a surface of the game board, and each of the plurality of components is pivotably mounted and has a manual trigger associated therewith. So when a first of the plurality of components pivots downwardly in a falling motion, it comes into contact with a corresponding trigger associated with a second of the plurality of components, thereby causing the second of the plurality of components to pivot downwardly by falling.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2007Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Kimberly V. Matilla, Stephen Pang Kwai Lau, Sammy Wai Nang Lam, Eric C. Ostendorff
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Publication number: 20090072481Abstract: A racing play set for toy vehicles includes a first track segment, a second track segment disposed in intersection with the first track segment, a return portion disposed in communication with the first and second track portions, and a scoring mechanism, where the return portion is configured to be shared by toy vehicles traveling on the first and second track segments, where the return portion is configured to receive a first toy vehicle from the first track segment and return the first vehicle to the first track segment, where the return portion is configured to receive a second toy vehicle from the second track segment and return the second vehicle to the second track segment, where the scoring mechanism is configured to record a pass of the first vehicle through the return portion and a pass of the second vehicle through the return portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2007Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: MATTEL, INC.Inventor: ERIC C. OSTENDORFF
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Publication number: 20090075558Abstract: A stunt arrangement for a toy vehicle including a launching section configured to launch a propelled toy vehicle into flight, a capturing section configured to receive the toy vehicle from the flight, including a narrowing cross-section configured to align a longitudinal axis of the toy vehicle with a desired direction of travel, and a reorienting section coupled to an outlet of the capturing section configured to upright the toy vehicle if the vehicle exits the capturing section partly or completely inverted.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2007Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: MATTEL, INC.Inventor: Eric C. Ostendorff
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Patent number: 6241573Abstract: A toy vehicle trackset includes a base supporting a vertically extending tower. A toy vehicle trackway includes a vertically rising portion supported by the tower which transitions to a vertical loop and a plurality of helically arranged downwardly spiraling track loop portions. The track loop portion form intersections with the vertically rising portion of the track. Each intersection is covered by a shroud to prevent injury to a child user in the event of collisions within a given intersection. The trackway includes a return which is coupled to a toy vehicle accelerator whereby toy vehicles repeatedly cycle through the trackway set.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2000Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Eric C. Ostendorff, Helena Bartok, James Rhoden
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Patent number: 5767655Abstract: A toy vehicle is operatively driven by an electric motor having a storage capacitor coupled in parallel therewith. The capacitor and motor are coupled to a pair of underside contacts on the toy vehicle for charging. The toy vehicle underside further includes an aperture and an elongated slot. A cooperating charger/launcher includes a vehicle receiving surface upon which a wheel pedestal is positioned between the area at the rear of the vehicle for raising the vehicle rear wheels. The charger/launcher further includes an interlock post received within the aperture formed on the vehicle undersurface and a safety rib received within the elongated slot of the vehicle. A pair of electrical contacts are positioned on each side of the protective rib and are coupled to a battery supply within the launcher for charging the vehicle capacitor. A pit-stop recharger includes a pivotable gate and pit area within which a second recharging apparatus is provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1996Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Eric C. Ostendorff, Lena Bartok
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Patent number: 5254030Abstract: A toy vehicle launcher includes a generally planar base having a pair of angularly disposed downwardly sloped toy vehicle feed ramps coupled thereto. A pivotally supported carriage defines a pair of angularly disposed launching stations for receiving toy vehicles from the feed ramps. An operative mechanism is coupled to a slidable handle supported upon the base to pivot the carriage back and forth between the feed ramps to alternate each launching station between a vehicle receiving position in alignment with a feed ramp and a launching position. A movable spring-loaded striker is operative in response to handle motion to strike the toy vehicle positioned within the launch position and drive the vehicle outwardly from the launcher.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1992Date of Patent: October 19, 1993Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Eric C. Ostendorff, Toshio Yamasaki
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Patent number: 5234216Abstract: A toy vehicle crash simulating playset includes a crash simulator having a support base to which a pair of toy vehicles are pivotally secured in a spaced apart arrangement. Each toy vehicle is pivotally secured at the outer portion thereof and a spring mechanism urges the toy vehicles toward pivotal motion away from the base. A releasable latch mechanism is operative upon each toy vehicle which releases upon impact permitting abrupt high energy pivotal motion thereof. A third toy vehicle is receivable between the two spring-loaded toy vehicles and interacts therewith when impacted to also cause the release of the latching mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1992Date of Patent: August 10, 1993Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: Eric C. Ostendorff
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Patent number: 5022884Abstract: A temperature activated toy vehicle includes a vehicle body within which a temperature responsive spring is supported. One or more vehicle body parts are movably supported within the vehicle body and are movable between alternate positions to provide alternate configurations of the vehicle. The temperature responsive spring is coupled to the movable body portions to provide alternative configurations of the toy vehicle in response to spring temperature.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1990Date of Patent: June 11, 1991Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Keith A. Hippely, Eric C. Ostendorff