Patents by Inventor Joseph L. McGowan

Joseph L. McGowan 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).

  • Publication number: 20150147936
    Abstract: A mechanized, movable toy with the ability to interact with and explore its environment, while performing actions and creating noises at specific intervals. The toy has at least two receivers and a control unit capable of detecting wireless signals from a source and capable of reacting to move towards the source of the wireless signals. Once the toy enters within an area of the source, the toy performs a new action. The source may be a stationary device, handheld device, movable device, or another mobile toy. The toy may contain switches thereupon to switch the toy on or off. The receivers may be arranged in and around the toy to detect the wireless signals from one side of the toy or another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: CEPIA LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Joseph L. McGowan, Michael C. Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20130320619
    Abstract: A track set includes track sections having parallel first and second rail edges on which a ball travels. Each track section includes a first upstanding sidewall projecting from the first rail edge having a first guide rail positioned a sufficient distance radially outward of the first rail edge. Each track section further includes a second upstanding sidewall projecting from the second rail edge having a second guide rail positioned a sufficient distance radially outward of the second rail edge. A connection member includes a resilient retaining portion configured to be inserted and retained between two spaced-apart pillar supports on at least one other track section to attach thereto. The track sections accommodate a derailed ball using a guide rail positioned a sufficient distance from an adjacent rail edge, to support the derailed ball via the guide rail and one rail edge when the ball rolls off the first and second rail edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Joseph L. McGowan, Ryan William Alexander Lee
  • Patent number: 8439757
    Abstract: An entertainment device is configured to receive a limited range wireless signal from at least one other entertainment device when adjacently arranged in close physical proximity to at least one other entertainment device, and to responsively operate in a first mode or a second mode based on whether the other entertainment device is adjacent a first side or second side. In the first mode, the entertainment device initiates one or more wireless activation signals to control an audio/visual element of another entertainment device. In the second mode, the entertainment device receives wireless activation signals from another entertainment device to control activation of an audio/visual element of the receiving entertainment device. Each device is interchangeable between operation in the first mode of controlling at least one other entertainment device and the second mode of being controlled by another entertainment device based on position of one entertainment device relative to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Cepia, LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Joseph L. McGowan, Michael C. Reynolds, Steven Fink, Robert W. Jeffway, Jr., Steven R. Casino
  • Publication number: 20120077597
    Abstract: An entertainment device is configured to receive a limited range wireless signal from at least one other entertainment device when adjacently arranged in close physical proximity to at least one other entertainment device, and to responsively operate in a first mode or a second mode based on whether the other entertainment device is adjacent a first side or second side. In the first mode, the entertainment device initiates one or more wireless activation signals to control an audio/visual element of another entertainment device. In the second mode, the entertainment device receives wireless activation signals from another entertainment device to control activation of an audio/visual element of the receiving entertainment device. Each device is interchangeable between operation in the first mode of controlling at least one other entertainment device and the second mode of being controlled by another entertainment device based on position of one entertainment device relative to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Joseph L. McGowan, Michael C. Reynolds, Steven Fink, Robert W. Jeffway, JR., Steven R. Casino
  • Patent number: 7410405
    Abstract: The subject invention provides an amusement device and method of play using the device, wherein the device includes a gun for shooting a liquid and/or a light beam, wherein the gun comprises a generally elongated barrel, a tank for containing a liquid, a source of power, a pump for pressurizing the tank, valve structures suitable for controlling the flow of the liquid, at least one light source, and a trigger mechanism which may selectively cause a stream of liquid to be discharged and one of more of the light sources to be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Jakks Pacific, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Hornsby, Marcellus R. Benson, Paul M. Brown, Joseph L. McGowan
  • Patent number: 7207860
    Abstract: The present invention provides an interactive robotic device having a body, a transport mechanism, a drive mechanism, a plurality of inputs and outputs for receiving, delivering and/or displaying information, including aural and/or visual information or signals, a container for carrying or holding items to be delivered or dispensed to a user, and a dispensing structure for dispensing items to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: JAKKS, Pacific, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Hornsby, Marcellus R. Benson, Joseph L. McGowan, Timothy S. Brakensiek, David Niehaus
  • Patent number: 7131887
    Abstract: The present invention provides an amusement device having a body, wherein the body has features, at least one motor for powering the device and at least some of the features, and an information receiving structure for receiving information from an information carrying item that is separate or discrete from the amusement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Jakks Pacific, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Hornsby, Joseph L. McGowan, Christopher N. Hall, David M. Niehaus
  • Patent number: 6949003
    Abstract: An amusement device has a body, wherein the body has features, at least one motor for powering the device and at least some of the features, and an information receiving structure for receiving information from an information carrying item that is separate or discrete from the amusement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: All Season Toys, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Hornsby, Joseph L. McGowan, Christopher N. Hall, David M. Niehaus
  • Patent number: 6913508
    Abstract: A toy race car and track system are disclosed having illuminated portions in the car and the track that are illuminated by light sources based on movement of the car on the track. The car includes a pull-back motor and has translucent windows for display of the light source inside the car. The track is a modular track system having interchangeable track portions and other parts. The track system includes a jump and a gauge for measuring the height of a vehicle on the jump. The gauge illuminates when the car travels through it and includes a break-away sign at the end of the gauge that detaches when the car reaches the end. The track system also includes a jump and loop portion, in which the jump launches the car upside down toward one of a plurality of loops that catch the car and redirect it back toward the jump. The car then is launched from the jump to an inner loop to decreased jump speed, and the process repeats until the car no longer has sufficient speed to reach the loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventors: James R. Hornsby, Kurt V. Ulmer, Joseph L. McGowan, Marcellus R. Benson
  • Patent number: D666682
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Cepia, LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Joseph L. McGowan, Michael C. Reynolds, Dana L. Stewart
  • Patent number: D667062
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Cepia, LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Joseph L. McGowan, Michael C. Reynolds
  • Patent number: D669544
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Cepia, LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Joseph L. McGowan, Michael C. Reynolds
  • Patent number: D671601
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Cepia, LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Joseph L. McGowan, Dana L. Stewart
  • Patent number: D671608
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Cepia, LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Joseph L. McGowan, Dana L. Stewart
  • Patent number: D672409
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Cepia, LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Joseph L. McGowan, Dana L. Stewart
  • Patent number: D672825
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Cepia, LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Joseph L. McGowan, Dana L. Stewart
  • Patent number: D672826
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Cepia, LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Joseph L. McGowan, Dana L. Stewart
  • Patent number: D702775
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cepia, LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Joseph L. McGowan, Ryan William Alexander Lee
  • Patent number: D712491
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cepia LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Joseph L. McGowan, Ryan William Alexander Lee
  • Patent number: D748208
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Cepia LLC
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Joseph L. McGowan, Scot P. Terry