Patents by Inventor Michael Finizza

Michael Finizza 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: 9101849
    Abstract: A toy vehicle is disclosed. The toy vehicle includes a body and portions or mechanisms that are movably coupled to the body. The movable portions are repositionable with respect to the body. The toy vehicle includes an actuator that can be moved relative to the body. Movement of the actuator causes at least one of the movable portions to be repositioned or moved relative to the body. The repositioning of the movable portions results in the toy vehicle having different configurations. The actuator can be placed in one of several positions relative to the body. The movement of the actuator from a first position to a second position causes a movable portion to move from a first position to a second position. The movement of the actuator from its second position to a third position causes another movable portion to move from its first position to its second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Mauricio Bedolla, Glenn Yu, Kwun Chung Mo, Michael Finizza
  • Patent number: 8888554
    Abstract: A toy playset is provided. The toy playset may include a base having a first play surface and may further include a first socket attached to the first play surface. The first socket may include a central detent configured to releasably retain a toy wheel with a portion of the toy wheel held inside the central detent. The first socket may include a pair of lateral detents configured to releasably retain a toy axle. The lateral detents may extend across the first socket and may intersect the central detent. The lateral detents may be narrower than the central detent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Finizza
  • Publication number: 20130217298
    Abstract: A toy vehicle is disclosed. The toy vehicle includes a body and portions or mechanisms that are movably coupled to the body. The movable portions are repositionable with respect to the body. The toy vehicle includes an actuator that can be moved relative to the body. Movement of the actuator causes at least one of the movable portions to be repositioned or moved relative to the body. The repositioning of the movable portions results in the toy vehicle having different configurations. The actuator can be placed in one of several positions relative to the body. The movement of the actuator from a first position to a second position causes a movable portion to move from a first position to a second position. The movement of the actuator from its second position to a third position causes another movable portion to move from its first position to its second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Mauricio Bedolla, Glenn Yu, Kwun Chung Mo, Michael Finizza
  • Publication number: 20120129423
    Abstract: A toy playset is provided. The toy playset may include a base having a first play surface and may further include a first socket attached to the first play surface. The first socket may include a central detent configured to releasably retain a toy wheel with a portion of the toy wheel held inside the central detent. The first socket may include a pair of lateral detents configured to releasably retain a toy axle. The lateral detents may extend across the first socket and may intersect the central detent. The lateral detents may be narrower than the central detent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Finizza
  • Publication number: 20050287919
    Abstract: A. track structure utilizes a somewhat flexible track frame having a roadway portion for supporting a rolling toy vehicle. The frame further includes a plurality of outwardly extending opposed pairs of platforms on each side of the roadway. A plurality of guide post supports are secured to the platforms and define notches for receiving a snap-fitted guide rail. A pair of generally cylindrical elongated somewhat flexible and resilient guide rails are snap-fitted to the guide rails supports on each side of the frame to form trackway walls. The cooperation of the guide rails and their supports facilitates the shape retention of the track segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: David Sheltman, Joe Pohlman, Michael Finizza, Mark Mayer, Mike Andrews, Nelson Tam
  • Publication number: 20050287914
    Abstract: A toy vehicle trackset including a closed trackway, a toy vehicle and a booster for accelerating the toy vehicle traveling the trackway. Within the trackway, a portion of the toy vehicle travel path includes a flexible multi-apertured panel held by a support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: David Sheltman, Joe Pohlman, Michael Finizza, Mark Mayer, Mike Andrews, Nelson Tam
  • Publication number: 20050287916
    Abstract: A toy vehicle trackset includes a trackway and a plurality of pneumatically actuated stunt devices within the travel path of the trackway. A source of compressed air is applied to one or more of the stunt devices to act upon a toy vehicle traveling the travel path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: David Sheltman, Joe Pohlman, Michael Finizza, Mark Mayer, Mike Andrews, Nelson Tam
  • Publication number: 20050287917
    Abstract: A clamping element for a toy vehicle trackset support structure includes a housing defining a passage therethrough and a socket. The passage receives an elongated support rod while the socket receives a ball which further supports a trackway segment. A lever actuated lock secures the rod and ball within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: David Sheltman, Joe Pohlman, Michael Finizza, Mark Mayer, Mike Andrews, Nelson Tam
  • Publication number: 20050287915
    Abstract: A spiral stunt device includes a supporting frame having an upper cross member which in turn defines a helical thread. A traveler engages the helical thread of the upper support and further supports a pendulum segment. The pendulum segment extends downwardly and terminates in a toy vehicle receiver or “caddy”. A first track segment is directed toward one side of the spiral stunt device which a second track segment is directed toward an offset portion of the stunt device. As a toy vehicle enters the stunt device with substantial energy, it is captivated by the toy vehicle receiver. As the energy of the captivated toy vehicle is transferred to the receiver and its pendulum support, the receiver together with the toy vehicle and the pendulum support are caused to rotate about the horizontal member advancing the traveler on the helical threads. The resulting lateral movement of the traveler upon the helical thread aligns the toy vehicle receiver with the offset track segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: David Sheltman, Joe Pohlman, Michael Finizza, Mark Mayer, Mike Andrews, Nelson Tam
  • Publication number: 20050287918
    Abstract: The stunt device is positioned within the travel path of a toy vehicle and is supported by a support frame. A flip device is pivotally coupled to the frame and positioned to receive a toy vehicle from a portion of the trackset. A spring is coupled to the flip device and is restrained by the trigger. The trigger is positioned within the toy vehicle travel path upon the vehicle entrance to the stunt device. As the toy vehicle impacts the trigger, the spring is released causing the flip device to pivot rapidly thrusting the toy vehicle into the air in a somersault projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: David Sheltman, Joe Pohlman, Michael Finizza, Mark Mayer, Mike Andrews, Nelson Tam
  • Publication number: 20050191940
    Abstract: A plurality of stunt devices are used within a toy vehicle trackset. Each of the devices includes a movable portion within the toy vehicle travel path. Each movable portion is moved by a pneumatic actuator. A manually operated air bellows is coupled to each pneumatic actuator by a hollow tube. When a particular air bellows is compressed, the corresponding actuator moves the movable portion diverting the toy vehicle on the stunt device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: David Sheltman, Joe Pohlman, Michael Finizza, Mark Mayer, Mike Andrews, Nelson Tam
  • Publication number: 20050191939
    Abstract: A scaffold support system for toy vehicle tracksets utilizes a plurality of base members which in turn support a plurality of generally cylindrical rod elements. The rod elements are elongated and generally circular in cross-section. A plurality of joint members are utilized in securing combinations of the rod members together to form a scaffold structure. In turn, a further plurality of joint members are utilized in securing the track segments to the various rods found in the scaffold structure. The joints are movable and rotatable upon the supporting rods to provide substantial variation of track segment positioning and contour within the trackset. For the most part, each joint utilized in securing the track segments and the combinations of scaffold supporting rods within the trackset is capable of securely locking in a selected position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: David Sheltman, Joe Pohlman, Michael Finizza, Mark Mayer, Mike Andrews, Nelson Tam
  • Publication number: 20050191938
    Abstract: A toy vehicle launcher and supporting clamp are used in providing a gravity driven toy vehicle trackset. The clamp utilizes a ratcheting attachment member which facilitates the rapid sizing or adjustment for size for attachment to a table edge or the like. The launcher and clamp further provides a toy vehicle launcher having a trigger release for gravity driven launch of a toy vehicle down a coupled track segment. The angle of the toy vehicle launcher is adjustable to facilitate changes in launch angle and thereby changes in the amount of energy imparted to the toy vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: David Sheltman, Joe Pohlman, Michael Finizza, Mark Mayer, Mike Andrews, Nelson Tam