Patents by Inventor Julian R. Payne

Julian R. Payne 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: 10363491
    Abstract: An improved toy vehicle is disclosed herein. The toy vehicle includes a plurality of different modules that may be removably coupled to one another to provide a variety of different toy vehicles. The modules include at least a steering module, a gearbox module, and a main body module. The main body module may house any number of elastic members configured to drive a drive axle disposed within the gearbox module. The size and construction of the main body module chosen to be used may dictate how fast and how far the modular toy vehicle is capable of traveling across a support surface. The gearbox module may further include a crank that enables the elastic members to be wound and an actuator that actuates the wound elastic members to drive the toy vehicle. Finally, the steering module may be configured to direct the modular toy vehicle in a desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Gustavo Ricardo Ferreyra, Michael Finizza, Julian R. Payne
  • Publication number: 20180078867
    Abstract: An improved toy vehicle is disclosed herein. The toy vehicle includes a plurality of different modules that may be removably coupled to one another to provide a variety of different toy vehicles. The modules include at least a steering module, a gearbox module, and a main body module. The main body module may house any number of elastic members configured to drive a drive axle disposed within the gearbox module. The size and construction of the main body module chosen to be used may dictate how fast and how far the modular toy vehicle is capable of traveling across a support surface. The gearbox module may further include a crank that enables the elastic members to be wound and an actuator that actuates the wound elastic members to drive the toy vehicle. Finally, the steering module may be configured to direct the modular toy vehicle in a desired direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Gustavo Ricardo FERREYRA, Michael FINIZZA, Julian R. PAYNE
  • Patent number: 9314705
    Abstract: A toy track set includes a vehicle path defined by a track and a gap disposed between a first gap end and a second gap end. The toy track also includes a carriage assembly configured to carry a toy vehicle across the gap such that the toy vehicle travels from the first gap end to the second gap end on the carriage assembly, the carriage assembly being moved from the first gap end to the second gap end by an assembly having an arm rotatable about an axis of rotation and that rotates through an angle equal to or greater than 360 degrees as it carries the toy vehicle from the first gap end to the second gap end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: Julian R. Payne, Alec Tam
  • Patent number: 9168463
    Abstract: A toy track set includes a vehicle path defined by a track and a gap disposed between a first gap end and a second gap end. The toy track also includes a carriage assembly configured to carry a toy vehicle across the gap such that the toy vehicle travels from the first gap end to the second gap end on the carriage assembly, the carriage assembly being moved from the first gap end to the second gap end by an assembly having an arm rotatable about an axis of rotation and that rotates through an angle equal to or greater than 360 degrees as it carries the toy vehicle from the first gap end to the second gap end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: Julian R. Payne, Alec Tam
  • Patent number: 8944881
    Abstract: A toy track set is disclosed herein, the toy track set having: a vehicle path defined by a track and a gap disposed between a pair of ends of the track; a carriage assembly configured to carry a toy vehicle across the gap such that the toy vehicle may travel from one of the pair of ends of the track to another one of the pair of ends of the track on the carriage assembly; a ferromagnetic material disposed in the track; wherein the toy vehicle has at least one magnet disposed on the toy vehicle such that the toy vehicle may travel on the track in anyone of an inverted or vertical fashion; and a release mechanism positioned on the carriage assembly, the release mechanism being configured to engage one of the pair of ends of the track when the release mechanism is in a first position and release the release mechanism from the one of the pair of ends of the track when the release mechanism is moved to a second position from the first position by the toy vehicle travelling onto the carriage assembly; and wherein t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Julian R. Payne
  • Publication number: 20140057524
    Abstract: A toy vehicle set is disclosed herein. A toy vehicle set includes a toy vehicle having at least one reflective surface. A toy track is provided having a toy vehicle guiding pathway. A toy vehicle identification system is coupled to at least a portion of the toy track. The identification system includes a light source arranged to direct an emitted light towards the at least one reflective surface. A plurality of light sensors, each arranged to receive the emitted light that is reflected from the at least one reflective surface. A controller is electrically coupled to the plurality of light sensors, the controller having a processor responsive to executable computer instructions for identifying the toy vehicle in response to a first signal received from the plurality of light sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Peter E. Teel, James W. Mazzolini, Jason K. Chen, Julian R. Payne
  • Patent number: 8628373
    Abstract: A toy vehicle playset having a toy vehicle and a vessel holding a body of water is provided. The toy vehicle traverses a gap above the vessel when a toy creature is in a first position and the toy vehicle is launched from one of first and second track segments into a gap. The toy vehicle is captured by the toy creature and subsequently lowered into the vessel and the body of water when the toy creature is in a second position and the toy vehicle is launched from one of the first and second track segments into the gap. A thermochromic paint on the toy vehicle changes from a first color to a second color when it is lowered into the body of water by the toy creature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Julian R. Payne
  • Patent number: 8328596
    Abstract: A play set having a main panel section and a pair of side panel sections, each of which is pivotably connected to tile side lateral edges of the main panel section. When the play set is in a first orientation, the main panel section and the pair of side panel sections are oriented generally co-planar to each other such that the upper main surface and upper side surfaces define a play surface having a perimeter, and when the play set is in a second orientation, the side panel sections are adjacent each other and in a plane parallel to the main panel section to define a play set case. When in the first orientation, one of the panel sections includes an elongated member extendable therefrom in a telescoping manner to define an additional play surface outside the perimeter of the main panel sections and side panel sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Julian R. Payne
  • Publication number: 20120220183
    Abstract: A toy vehicle playset having a toy vehicle and a vessel holding a body of water is provided. The toy vehicle traverses a gap above the vessel when a toy creature is in a first position and the toy vehicle is launched from one of first and second track segments into a gap. The toy vehicle is captured by the toy creature and subsequently lowered into the vessel and the body of water when the toy creature is in a second position and the toy vehicle is launched from one of the first and second track segments into the gap. A thermochromic paint on the toy vehicle changes from a first color to a second color when it is lowered into the body of water by the toy creature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: Julian R. Payne
  • Publication number: 20120129424
    Abstract: A play set, the play set having: a first surface having a central panel section and a pair of side panel sections, each of which is pivotally connected to the central panel section, the pair of side panel sections each being releasably attachable to each other via a latch member that is pivotally secured to one of the pair of side panel sections; and an elevated platform rotatably mounted to the first surface, the elevated platform having a central panel section and a pair of side panel sections, each of which is pivotally connected to the central panel section, wherein the elevated platform is enclosed within the pair of side panel sections of the first surface when the pair of side panel sections are attached to each other via the latch member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Julian R. Payne
  • Patent number: 8182308
    Abstract: A toy vehicle playset is disclosed herein the playset having: a vessel configured to define a receiving area; an object being located proximate to the vessel, the object having a pair of body portions configured for movement between a first position wherein the pair of body portions are next to each other and a second position wherein the pair of body portions are moved away from each other; first and second track segments disposed proximate to the vessel such that a gap is formed between the first and second track segments and across the vessel; a trigger disposed on the second track segment; a toy vehicle having a thermochromic paint thereon that is configured to travel along the first and second track segments, wherein the thermochromic paint on the toy vehicle changes from a first color to a second color in response to a temperature change of the thermochromic paint; wherein the pair of body portions are moved from the first position to the second position when the toy vehicle travels along the second tra
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Julian R. Payne
  • Publication number: 20120061484
    Abstract: A toy track set includes a vehicle path defined by a track and a gap disposed between a first gap end and a second gap end. The toy track also includes a carriage assembly configured to carry a toy vehicle across the gap such that the toy vehicle travels from the first gap end to the second gap end on the carriage assembly, the carriage assembly being moved from the first gap end to the second gap end by an assembly having an arm rotatable about an axis of rotation and that rotates through an angle equal to or greater than 360 degrees as it carries the toy vehicle from the first gap end to the second gap end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Julian R. Payne, Alec Tam
  • Publication number: 20120052766
    Abstract: A toy track set is disclosed herein, the toy track set having: a vehicle path defined by a track and a gap disposed between a pair of ends of the track; a carriage assembly configured to carry a toy vehicle across the gap such that the toy vehicle may travel from one of the pair of ends of the track to another one of the pair of ends of the track on the carriage assembly; a ferromagnetic material disposed in the track; wherein the toy vehicle has at least one magnet disposed on the toy vehicle such that the toy vehicle may travel on the track in anyone of an inverted or vertical fashion; and a release mechanism positioned on the carriage assembly, the release mechanism being configured to engage one of the pair of ends of the track when the release mechanism is in a first position and release the release mechanism from the one of the pair of ends of the track when the release mechanism is moved to a second position from the first position by the toy vehicle travelling onto the carriage assembly; and wherein t
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Julian R. Payne
  • Publication number: 20110217901
    Abstract: A play set having a main panel section and a pair of side panel sections, each of which is pivotably connected to tile side lateral edges of the main panel section. When the play set is in a first orientation, the main panel section and the pair of side panel sections are oriented generally co-planar to each other such that the upper main surface and upper side surfaces define a play surface having a perimeter, and when the play set is in a second orientation, the side panel sections are adjacent each other and in a plane parallel to the main panel section to define a play set case. When in the first orientation, one of the panel sections includes an elongated member extendable therefrom in a telescoping manner to define an additional play surface outside the perimeter of the main panel sections and side panel sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Julian R. Payne
  • Patent number: 7927176
    Abstract: A play set having a main panel section and a pair of side panel sections, each of which is pivotably connected to tile side lateral edges of the main panel section. When the play set is in a first orientation, the main panel section and the pair of side panel sections are oriented generally co-planar to each other such that the upper main surface and upper side surfaces define a play surface having a perimeter, and when the play set is in a second orientation, the side panel sections are adjacent each other and in a plane parallel to the main panel section to define a play set case. When in the first orientation, one of the panel sections includes an elongated member extendable therefrom in a telescoping manner to define an additional play surface outside the perimeter of the main panel sections and side panel sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Mattel Inc.
    Inventor: Julian R. Payne
  • Publication number: 20100330868
    Abstract: A toy vehicle playset is disclosed herein the playset having: a vessel configured to define a receiving area; an object being located proximate to the vessel, the object having a pair of body portions configured for movement between a first position wherein the pair of body portions are next to each other and a second position wherein the pair of body portions are moved away from each other; first and second track segments disposed proximate to the vessel such that a gap is formed between the first and second track segments and across the vessel; a trigger disposed on the second track segment; a toy vehicle having a thermochromic paint thereon that is configured to travel along the first and second track segments, wherein the thermochromic paint on the toy vehicle changes from a first color to a second color in response to a temperature change of the thermochromic paint; wherein the pair of body portions are moved from the first position to the second position when the toy vehicle travels along the second tra
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Julian R. Payne
  • Publication number: 20090004949
    Abstract: A play set having a main panel section and a pair of side panel sections, each of which is pivotably connected to tile side lateral edges of the main panel section. When the play set is in a first orientation, the main panel section and the pair of side panel sections are oriented generally co-planar to each other such that the upper main surface and upper side surfaces define a play surface having a perimeter, and when the play set is in a second orientation, the side panel sections are adjacent each other and in a plane parallel to the main panel section to define a play set case. When in the first orientation, one of the panel sections includes an elongated member extendable therefrom in a telescoping manner to define an additional play surface outside the perimeter of the main panel sections and side panel sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Julian R. Payne
  • Patent number: 6663464
    Abstract: A toy car wash play set including a toy vehicle car wash station, including a conveyer belt for transporting a toy vehicle from a first position to a second position, scrubbing rollers for simulating scrubbing rollers used in car washes for full-scale vehicles, and a bubble producing apparatus for simulating soap suds generated by car washes for full-scale vehicles. The conveyer belt and the bubble producing apparatus are motorized. The toy car wash play set further comprises a base section, the car wash station being elevated with respect to the base section. A manually operated elevator for raising a toy vehicle from the base section to the car wash station is provided, along with a rinse station which may be rotated under the action of a manual actuator. The toy car wash may further comprise a drying station which includes a fan which may be rotated under the action of a manual actuator and a rotating table in the base section rotatable under the action of a manual actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian R. Payne, Trevor J. Hayes, Robert A. Butkiewicz, Jeremy S. Robotham
  • Publication number: 20030082985
    Abstract: A toy car wash play set including a toy vehicle car wash station, including a conveyer belt for transporting a toy vehicle from a first position to a second position, scrubbing rollers for simulating scrubbing rollers used in car washes for full-scale vehicles, and a bubble producing apparatus for simulating soap suds generated by car washes for full-scale vehicles. The conveyer belt and the bubble producing apparatus are motorized. The toy car wash play set further comprises a base section, the car wash station being elevated with respect to the base section. A manually operated elevator for raising a toy vehicle from the base section to the car wash station is provided, along with a rinse station which may be rotated under the action of a manual actuator. The toy car wash may further comprise a drying station which includes a fan which may be rotated under the action of a manual actuator and a rotating table in the base section rotatable under the action of a manual actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Julian R. Payne, Trevor J. Hayes, Robert A. Butkiewicz, Jeremy S. Robotham
  • Patent number: 6508179
    Abstract: A play set for use with unpowered (e.g. {fraction (1/64)} scale) toy vehicles having non-steerable, free rotating wheels includes a closed loop track with a conveyor that raises such unpowered toy vehicles from a lower end to an upper, elevated end and a driven, tilting roadway that randomly directs toy vehicles from the upper level to either of two track branches. At least part of each track branch can be opened to release a toy vehicle from the track. A merge track section joins together a lower level end of each of the two track branches and leads to the lower end of the conveyor. The upper end of the conveyor and the tilting roadway are simultaneously supported by a single and driven by a single motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Annis, Daniel Gleason, Trevor J. Hayes, Robert A. Butkiewicz, Julian R. Payne, Jeremy S. Robotham, Francis Ponton