Patents by Inventor Jeffrey M. Ford

Jeffrey M. Ford 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: 7431629
    Abstract: A toy is configured to closely resemble a live animal and to respond to stimuli in a realistic manner that is consistent with the way in which a real animal would respond. For example, when the toy is designed to resemble a dog or a cat, the toy may be configured to move in a manner consistent with the movements of a dog or a cat. This realistic movement, in conjunction with a realistic fur coat coupled to and covering inner mechanical components, may be used to provide a strikingly realistic toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Maddocks, Jeffrey M. Ford
  • Patent number: 7364489
    Abstract: A toy includes a body, a motor within the body, an appendage coupled to the body of the toy, a tail device coupled to the body of the toy, and a neck device coupled to the body of the toy. The appendage is actuated by the motor to move along a first path. The tail device is actuated by the motor to move along a second path. The neck device is actuated by the motor to move along a third path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Iaconis, Jeffrey M. Ford, Leif J. Askeland, Peter Hall, Richard Maddocks
  • Patent number: 7207859
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides an animated plush doll such as a newborn dog or cat. The doll includes a plush covering over a housing comprising a head portion and a body portion. Disposed within the body portion is a drive mechanism including a motor and a plurality of gears. An electronic control circuit is linked to the drive mechanism for controlling the motor and producing pre-recorded songs among other things. One or more actuatable switches or sensors provide inputs to the electronic control circuit for effecting various movements of the toy. The head portion is movably coupled to the body portion and includes movable eye members. The drive mechanism is operative to move the eye members in a coordinated manner with the head portion so that the toy simulates the movements of a newborn animal such as awakening and falling asleep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Iaconis, Richard J. Maddocks, Jeffrey M. Ford
  • Patent number: 7066782
    Abstract: A toy is configured to closely resemble a live animal and to respond to stimuli in a realistic manner that is consistent with the way in which a real animal would respond. For example, when the toy is designed to resemble a dog or a cat, the toy may be configured to move in a manner consistent with the movements of a dog or a cat. This realistic movement, in conjunction with a realistic fur coat coupled to and covering inner mechanical components, may be used to provide a strikingly realistic toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Maddocks, Jeffrey M. Ford
  • Patent number: 6296268
    Abstract: An improved toy assembly is adapted to be alternatively used as a foot-to-floor ride-on vehicle, or as a walker. The convertible walker/rider toy includes a chassis which is supported on a plurality of wheels, and a body that is pivotally attached to the front end of the chassis. The body includes a contoured upper surface that functions as a seat when the toy is assembled in the rider configuration. The toy further includes an L-shaped handlebar having a rider portion and a walker portion which are joined at approximately a 90° angle. The walker portion of the handlebar is pivotally attached to the rear end of the body and is pivotally movable relative to the body. When the toy is in the rider configuration, the body overlies the chassis, the walker portion of the handlebar is received beneath the body and the rider portion of the handlebar projects upwardly through the opening in the front end of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Ford, Craig J. McElhaney, Lee Spielberger