Patents by Inventor Ken TAO

Ken TAO 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: 20180229136
    Abstract: A toy vehicle playset includes a first track, a second track, a slot, and a diverter mechanism. The first track includes a first end and a second end. The second track includes a third end and a fourth end. The slot is disposed between the first end of the first track and the third end of the second track, where the first end is adjacent to the third end. The diverter mechanism is operatively coupled to the tracks and includes a diverter wall with a top edge and a first surface. The diverter wall is reconfigurable between a stowed position and a deployed position by sliding through the slot. In the stowed position, the top edge of the diverter wall is disposed within the slot and the first surface is unexposed. In the deployed position, the top edge is disposed above the slot and the first surface is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Andrey Cherednichenko, Kurnia Alim, Ken Tao
  • Patent number: 9844735
    Abstract: A loading and launching device for toy vehicles is disclosed that is actuated with a single pull of an actuator to both load and launch a toy vehicle, such as onto a toy vehicle track set. The device includes a horizontal toy vehicle loader and a toy vehicle launcher that are coupled to one another, such that as the launcher moves rearward, the loader moves from a vehicle receiving and loading position (in which the loading and launching device may receive a toy vehicle returning from the toy track set) to a launch position that pushes a toy vehicle into position directly in front of the launcher. When the launcher is released, it contacts and launches the toy vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Tao, Gerry Cody
  • Publication number: 20160263487
    Abstract: A loading and launching device for toy vehicles is disclosed that is actuated with a single pull of an actuator to both load and launch a toy vehicle, such as onto a toy vehicle track set. The device includes a horizontal toy vehicle loader and a toy vehicle launcher that are coupled to one another, such that as the launcher moves rearward, the loader moves from a vehicle receiving and loading position (in which the loading and launching device may receive a toy vehicle returning from the toy track set) to a launch position that pushes a toy vehicle into position directly in front of the launcher. When the launcher is released, it contacts and launches the toy vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Ken TAO, Gerry CODY
  • Patent number: 9387410
    Abstract: A loading and launching device for toy vehicles is disclosed that is actuated with a single pull of an actuator to both load and launch a toy vehicle, such as onto a toy vehicle track set. The device includes a horizontal toy vehicle loader and a toy vehicle launcher that are coupled to one another, such that as the launcher moves rearward, the loader moves from a vehicle receiving and loading position (in which the loading and launching device may receive a toy vehicle returning from the toy track set) to a launch position that pushes a toy vehicle into position directly in front of the launcher. When the launcher is released, it contacts and launches the toy vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Tao, Gerry Cody
  • Publication number: 20160175724
    Abstract: A loading and launching device for toy vehicles is disclosed that is actuated with a single pull of an actuator to both load and launch a toy vehicle, such as onto a toy vehicle track set. The device includes a horizontal toy vehicle loader and a toy vehicle launcher that are coupled to one another, such that as the launcher moves rearward, the loader moves from a vehicle receiving and loading position (in which the loading and launching device may receive a toy vehicle returning from the toy track set) to a launch position that pushes a toy vehicle into position directly in front of the launcher. When the launcher is released, it contacts and launches the toy vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Ken TAO, Gerry CODY