Patents by Inventor Robert P. Spalinski

Robert P. Spalinski 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: 6729933
    Abstract: An articulated toy figure includes a torso and pairs of articulated arms and legs. The articulated legs are engaged with the torso at a pair of hip joints, each rotatable about two substantially perpendicular horizontal axes. Each leg has an upper member and a lower member engaged with the upper member at a knee joint to rotate about a third horizontal axis. The hip and knee joints are sufficiently lax for each leg to rotate when moved from an initial position to a displaced, raised position and to return towards the initial position when the leg is released to substantially simulate possible leg movements of a human being. A spring connected between each of the upper leg members and the torso biases each upper leg to return to its initial position after having been moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Robert P. Spalinski
  • Publication number: 20030226696
    Abstract: The present invention is a clutch assembly for use with motor driven toys, particularly a toy vehicle configured to be maneuvered on a surface. The clutch assembly includes a clutch operably coupled with the motor and a bell housing having at least one opening in its circumferential wall with a circumferential leading edge. At least an engagement end of the clutch is rotated within the housing. The clutch engagement end has finger members that resiliently flex outwardly from a center of rotation of the clutch. Each finger member has at least one small protrusion extending outwardly from the outside circumferential surface of the finger member that engages with the leading edge when the clutch is rotated and the finger member flexes outwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Spalinski, Matthew J. Del Duke, Bruce E. Gavins
  • Patent number: 6616501
    Abstract: The present invention is a trim adjustment mechanism to balance a toy vehicle. One vehicle has a platform supporting two wheels in line along a central longitudinal vertical plane through the platform. The trim adjustment mechanism has a weight holder slideably supported by the platform to move transversely to the central vertical plane. A weight member is engaged with the weight holder for slideable movement with the weight holder. An adjustment lever has a first end operably coupled with the weight holder. The adjustment lever is pivotable about the first end such that rotation of the adjustment lever causes sliding side-to-side movement of the weight member, whereby a user can effectuate side-to-side movement of the weight member within the vehicle with the adjustment lever in order to balance the vehicle and enhance the stability of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Spalinski
  • Publication number: 20030082989
    Abstract: An articulated toy figure includes a torso and pairs of articulated arms and legs. The articulated legs are engaged with the torso at a pair of hip joints, each rotatable about two substantially perpendicular horizontal axes. Each leg has an upper member and a lower member engaged with the upper member at a knee joint to rotate about a third horizontal axis. The hip and knee joints are sufficiently lax for each leg to rotate when moved from an initial position to a displaced, raised position and to return towards the initial position when the leg is released to substantially simulate possible leg movements of a human being. A spring connected between each of the upper leg members and the torso biases each upper leg to return to its initial position after having been moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Bang Zoom Design, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Robert P. Spalinski
  • Publication number: 20030082992
    Abstract: The present invention is a trim adjustment mechanism to balance a toy vehicle. One vehicle has a platform supporting two wheels in line along a central longitudinal vertical plane through the platform. The trim adjustment mechanism has a weight holder slideably supported by the platform to move transversely to the central vertical plane. A weight member is engaged with the weight holder for slideable movement with the weight holder. An adjustment lever has a first end operably coupled with the weight holder. The adjustment lever is pivotable about the first end such that rotation of the adjustment lever causes sliding side-to-side movement of the weight member, whereby a user can effectuate side-to-side movement of the weight member within the vehicle with the adjustment lever in order to balance the vehicle and enhance the stability of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Spalinski