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).
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Patent number: 11957991Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: MOOSE CREATIVE MANAGEMENT PTY LIMITEDInventors: Steven Fink, Miguel Rusch, Dean Del Giudice, Michael G. Hoeting, Alex D. Dieterle
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Patent number: 11389740Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.Inventors: Steven Casino, Michael G. Hoeting
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Publication number: 20200197827Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2019Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Steven Casino, Michael G. Hoeting
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Patent number: 9345977Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Alex Dieterle
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Patent number: 9101847Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
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Publication number: 20150104995Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Alex Dieterle
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Publication number: 20150087200Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: BANG ZOOM DESIGN, LTD.Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
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Patent number: 8876604Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 3, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.Inventors: Steven R. Casino, Michael G. Hoeting, Steven Fink, Robert W. Jeffway, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140273724Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: BANG ZOOM DESIGN, LTD.Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
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Publication number: 20140076298Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventors: KEITH G. MEGGS, Ronald Brawer, Michael G. Hoeting, Neil Hamilton
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Patent number: 8640683Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 6, 2013Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: The Maya Group, Inc.Inventors: Keith G. Meggs, Ronald Brawer, Michael G. Hoeting, Neil Hamilton
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Publication number: 20130247891Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Inventors: KEITH G. MEGGS, Ronald Brawer, Michael G. Hoeting, Neil Hamilton
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Patent number: 8500512Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 2012Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
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Patent number: 8371282Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 10, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: The Maya Group, Inc.Inventors: Keith G. Meggs, Ronald Brawer, Michael G. Hoeting, Neil Hamilton
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Publication number: 20120322340Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: BANG ZOOM DESIGNInventor: Michael G. Hoeting
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Patent number: 8241085Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 5, 2010Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
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Publication number: 20110271940Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2010Publication date: November 10, 2011Inventors: Keith G. Meggs, Ronald Brawer, Michael G. Hoeting, Neil Hamilton
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Publication number: 20100216370Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: BANG ZOOM design, Ltd.Inventor: Michael G. Hoeting
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Patent number: 7338341Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Bang Zoom Design Ltd., LLCInventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Steven K. Hurt, Steven T. Fink
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Patent number: RE39827Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 24, 2003Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Helen of Troy LimitedInventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Stephen C. Hoeting