Patents by Inventor Michael G. Hoeting

Michael G. Hoeting 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: 11957991
    Abstract: An interactive toy is shown and described. The toy can be in the shape of a balloon animal, such as a dog, and react in a predetermined manner to user input or stimulus. More specifically, the balloon animal responds and reacts to the user input provided to specific locations on the balloon animal and/or to placement of an object in proximity to or in contact with the balloon animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: MOOSE CREATIVE MANAGEMENT PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Steven Fink, Miguel Rusch, Dean Del Giudice, Michael G. Hoeting, Alex D. Dieterle
  • Patent number: 11389740
    Abstract: A toy system includes: a toy body including an interface; an extrusion tube including a sidewall that defines an open interior region, the sidewall extends from a first end to a second end, at least one of the first end and the second end is configured to attach to the interface, and the sidewall defines extrusion features that pass through the sidewall; and a plunger configured to move in the interior region and to force a moldable material in the interior region through the extrusion features to form an extruded moldable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Casino, Michael G. Hoeting
  • Publication number: 20200197827
    Abstract: A toy system includes: a toy body including an interface; an extrusion tube including a sidewall that defines an open interior region, the sidewall extends from a first end to a second end, at least one of the first end and the second end is configured to attach to the interface, and the sidewall defines extrusion features that pass through the sidewall; and a plunger configured to move in the interior region and to force a moldable material in the interior region through the extrusion features to form an extruded moldable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Steven Casino, Michael G. Hoeting
  • Patent number: 9345977
    Abstract: A figure includes a frame having a body portion and at least two appendages extending from and fixed relative to the body portion. The body portion has an aperture positioned therein. The figure also includes a casing, a motor coupled to the casing, and a crank rotatably coupled to the motor. The crank has a crank pin that is spaced from a center of the crank and engages the aperture of the frame. When the motor is activated, the crank moves the casing relative to the frame while the frame remains substantially stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Alex Dieterle
  • Patent number: 9101847
    Abstract: A shape changing apparatus includes a body portion and first and second appendages pivotally attached to respective first and second opposing sides of the body portion so as to be rotatable about respective first and second axes of rotation. The first and second appendages are moveable between an open position and a closed position. Each appendage has a generally arcuate shape. The shape changing apparatus further includes a biasing mechanism coupled to the first and second appendages. The biasing mechanism is configured to bias the first and second appendages to the open position. The shape changing apparatus further includes a release mechanism operatively coupled to one of the first or second appendages. Upon activating the release mechanism the biasing mechanism pivots the first and second appendages to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
  • Publication number: 20150104995
    Abstract: A figure includes a frame having a body portion and at least two appendages extending from and fixed relative to the body portion. The body portion has an aperture positioned therein. The figure also includes a casing, a motor coupled to the casing, and a crank rotatably coupled to the motor. The crank has a crank pin that is spaced from a center of the crank and engages the aperture of the frame. When the motor is activated, the crank moves the casing relative to the frame while the frame remains substantially stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Alex Dieterle
  • Publication number: 20150087200
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a platform having first and second sides and upper and lower surfaces. First and second wheels are operatively coupled to the platform and disposed proximate the first side of the platform. The first and second wheels each have a support surface contact patch that lies in a first plane. The vehicle also includes a disk rotatably coupled to the lower surface of the platform. The disk has first and second regions associated with respective first and second sides of the platform and an inner ring. The disk lies in a second plane disposed at an angle to the first plane, such that when the contact patches of the first and second wheels are in contact with the support surface the first region is further away from the support surface than the second region and the inner ring contacts the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: BANG ZOOM DESIGN, LTD.
    Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
  • Patent number: 8876604
    Abstract: An electronic handheld gesture game device includes a game housing with a speaker and a plurality of lights to provide commands, feedback, and other information to a player. In one type of game play experience, the game device issues one or more commands that indicate a desired movement or gesture to perform, and the player must respond by moving the game housing to simulate the desired movement or gesture. The game device is self-contained and does not require outside computing devices or visual displays to perform the game play experiences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven R. Casino, Michael G. Hoeting, Steven Fink, Robert W. Jeffway, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140273724
    Abstract: A shape changing apparatus includes a body portion and first and second appendages pivotally attached to respective first and second opposing sides of the body portion so as to be rotatable about respective first and second axes of rotation. The first and second appendages are moveable between an open position and a closed position. Each appendage has a generally arcuate shape. The shape changing apparatus further includes a biasing mechanism coupled to the first and second appendages. The biasing mechanism is configured to bias the first and second appendages to the open position. The shape changing apparatus further includes a release mechanism operatively coupled to one of the first or second appendages. Upon activating the release mechanism the biasing mechanism pivots the first and second appendages to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BANG ZOOM DESIGN, LTD.
    Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
  • Publication number: 20140076298
    Abstract: A device for projecting a soft-projectile made from a super absorbent polymer, the device comprising a holder designed for containing the soft-projectile made from a super absorbent polymer; and a firing mechanism operatively arranged to accelerate the holder from a firing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: KEITH G. MEGGS, Ronald Brawer, Michael G. Hoeting, Neil Hamilton
  • Patent number: 8640683
    Abstract: A device for projecting a soft-projectile made from a super absorbent polymer, the device comprising a holder designed for containing the soft-projectile made from a super absorbent polymer; and a firing mechanism operatively arranged to accelerate the holder from a firing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Maya Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith G. Meggs, Ronald Brawer, Michael G. Hoeting, Neil Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20130247891
    Abstract: A device for projecting a soft-projectile made from a super absorbent polymer, the device comprising a holder designed for containing the soft-projectile made from a super absorbent polymer; and a firing mechanism operatively arranged to accelerate the holder from a firing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: KEITH G. MEGGS, Ronald Brawer, Michael G. Hoeting, Neil Hamilton
  • Patent number: 8500512
    Abstract: A motorized doll includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion. The upper body portion may include a torso and a pair of arms. The lower body portion may include a pelvis connected to the torso at a universal joint, a pair of legs, and a pair of feet rotatable with respect to the legs. The doll is actuated to walk by a torso motor which drives the torso to tilt and rotate about the universal joint, which causes the doll to shift from foot to foot and repeatedly rotate forwards in a realistic walking motion. The doll includes a shoulder motor for rotating the pair of arms and a pelvis motor for driving the legs between a standing position and one of a crawling position or sitting position depending on the position of the pair of arms when the doll is tipped forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
  • Patent number: 8371282
    Abstract: A device for projecting a soft-projectile made from a super absorbent polymer, the device comprising a holder designed for containing the soft-projectile made from a super absorbent polymer; and a firing mechanism operatively arranged to accelerate the holder from a firing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Maya Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith G. Meggs, Ronald Brawer, Michael G. Hoeting, Neil Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20120322340
    Abstract: A motorized doll includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion. The upper body portion may include a torso and a pair of arms. The lower body portion may include a pelvis connected to the torso at a universal joint, a pair of legs, and a pair of feet rotatable with respect to the legs. The doll is actuated to walk by a torso motor which drives the torso to tilt and rotate about the universal joint, which causes the doll to shift from foot to foot and repeatedly rotate forwards in a realistic walking motion. The doll includes a shoulder motor for rotating the pair of arms and a pelvis motor for driving the legs between a standing position and one of a crawling position or sitting position depending on the position of the pair of arms when the doll is tipped forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: BANG ZOOM DESIGN
    Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
  • Patent number: 8241085
    Abstract: A motorized doll includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion. The upper body portion may include a torso and a pair of arms. The lower body portion may include a pelvis connected to the torso at a universal joint, a pair of legs, and a pair of feet rotatable with respect to the legs. The doll is actuated to walk by a torso motor which drives the torso to tilt and rotate about the universal joint, which causes the doll to shift from foot to foot and repeatedly rotate forwards in a realistic walking motion. The doll includes a shoulder motor for rotating the pair of arms and a pelvis motor for driving the legs between a standing position and one of a crawling position or sitting position depending on the position of the pair of arms when the doll is tipped forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
  • Publication number: 20110271940
    Abstract: A device for projecting a soft-projectile made from a super absorbent polymer, the device comprising a holder designed for containing the soft-projectile made from a super absorbent polymer; and a firing mechanism operatively arranged to accelerate the holder from a firing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Keith G. Meggs, Ronald Brawer, Michael G. Hoeting, Neil Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20100216370
    Abstract: A motorized doll includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion. The upper body portion may include a torso and a pair of arms. The lower body portion may include a pelvis connected to the torso at a universal joint, a pair of legs, and a pair of feet rotatable with respect to the legs. The doll is actuated to walk by a torso motor which drives the torso to tilt and rotate about the universal joint, which causes the doll to shift from foot to foot and repeatedly rotate forwards in a realistic walking motion. The doll includes a shoulder motor for rotating the pair of arms and a pelvis motor for driving the legs between a standing position and one of a crawling position or sitting position depending on the position of the pair of arms when the doll is tipped forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: BANG ZOOM design, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
  • Patent number: 7338341
    Abstract: An animated toy effectively mimics human dance steps such as the Hokey Pokey with upper and lower halves of the torso pivoting about a diagonal waist laterally upwardly sloping to the left so that a left arm may be put forward and back. A spin/shake drive mechanism in a left leg selectively rotates the toy about a spin disk when activated in one direction and rotating a shake cam against the upper half of the torso when activated in another direction, thereby achieving each portion of the dance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design Ltd., LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Steven K. Hurt, Steven T. Fink
  • Patent number: RE39827
    Abstract: A measuring vessel has cavity-defining wall structures and at least one ramp which rises from about the bottom of the wall structure toward the top of the wall structure. The at least one ramp has an upwardly directed surface with a lateral inner edge integral with portions of the wall structure below the ramp and a lateral outer edge integral with portions of the wall structure below the ramp. Indicia on the upwardly directed surface of the at least one ramp allows a user to look downwardly into the measuring vessel to visually detect the volume level of the contents in the vessel, thereby eliminating the need to look horizontally at the vessel at eye level. Preferably the vessel has two ramps, with at least one bearing indicia of standard English units, and another bearing indicia of metric units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Stephen C. Hoeting