Patents by Inventor Gorden W. Spring

Gorden W. Spring 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: 4998902
    Abstract: An improved toppling toy is characterized by a resetting capability that comprises a plurality of finger tip operated actuators, each of which is associated with and coupled to an associated one of the pivotally mounted tiles for joint pivotal movement therewith; and each actuator contains an outer actuator surface exposed on the upper surface of the track to a players finger, such outer surface having a frictional characteristic, whereby dragging movement of the players finger along a finger dragging lane on the track and across and transverse the actuator when the tile is in the down position causes pivoting of the actuator and thereby uprights the associated tile. Suitably the actuator and tile are formed in a unitary one piece structure of molded plastic material. A novel track contains rods to serve as a pivot for the tiles and is also formed of a unitary one piece assembly of molded plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Universal Product Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold E. Garner, Merrill M. Miller, Brian E. Kavanagh, Gorden W. Spring
  • Patent number: 4431190
    Abstract: A device for producing a random output for use in conjunction primarily with games includes a housing having a first and second wheel each independently mounted within the housing and capable of rotating with respect to the housing. A portion of each of the wheels is exposed outside of the housing such that it can be contacted against a surface and each of the wheels independently rotated with respect to the housing as the housing is moved with respect to the surface. An indicating member is mounted on the housing and is capable of moving between an indicating and a non-indicating position. A first and second control component links the indicating member to the first and second wheel respectively. Depending upon the location of the first and second wheels, the first and second control components both have a release position and a lock position. When both of the control components are in the release position, the indicating member will move to the indicating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: Tomy Corporation
    Inventor: Gorden W. Spring
  • Patent number: 4388776
    Abstract: A toy is constructed utilizing an air compressor to supply cycling positive and negative fluid pressure to an output cylinder. A piston is associated with the output cylinder and moves with respect to the output cylinder in response to cycling fluid pressure supplied to the output cylinder. Movement of the piston in turn moves an implement operatively connected to it. With respect to at least negative pressure, the piston or a valve element connected therewith is constructed so as to permit air to move through the cylinder without movement of the piston in the event that the implement is, for any reason, reasonably restrained against movement. The movement of the fluid through the cylinder without concurrent piston movement avoids possible damage to whatever is restraining the implement against movement and additionally avoids possible damage to the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: Tomy Corporation
    Inventor: Gorden W. Spring
  • Patent number: 4372078
    Abstract: A toy has a first body section and a second body section which are preferedly each shaped as one unit of a matched pair; for example, a pair of shoes. A crank extends transversely between the bodies and is rotatably connected to each. The crank includes a first crank section and a second crank section connected together by a connecting section such that the first and second crank sections are parallel but non axial. One of the bodies, because they are connected together by the crank, can be located longitudinally in front of the other body. Upon rotation of the crank the second body moves through an arcuate pathway until it is located in front of the first body. Then the first body moves through an arcuate pathway to once again located it in front of a second body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Tomy Corporation
    Inventor: Gorden W. Spring
  • Patent number: 4266767
    Abstract: A competitive game for play between two players has a support structure which is capable of holding a multiplicity of loose objects. The objects are located on the support structure within a containing framework which includes a centralized holding member and a plurality of locating members. The locating members are activated by appropriate player controls causing the objects to be continually agitated until one of the objects becomes located within a holding member. Each player using a separate control also controls a capture member. When an object is correctly positioned within the holding member each player attempts to capture the object in his capture member before the other player can do the same. After one object is successfully captured the players then attempt to reposition a second object within the holding member to repeat the capture sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: Tomy Kogyo Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Gorden W. Spring