Patents by Inventor Robert W. Engel

Robert W. Engel 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: 7326101
    Abstract: A switching arrangement capable of being actuated by an application of an air current with a playset component, a movable member for receiving an application of an air current relative to the playset component wherein the movable member for receiving an application of the air current is movable in response to the application of the air current, and an arrangement for actuating a response to a movement of the movable member for receiving an application of the air current. The switching arrangement can be electrical or non-electrical. Where the switching arrangement is electrical, it can cause an electrical signal to be produced in response to a sensed movement of the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventors: Robert W. Engel, Robert Stephen Lee, Steve G. Fouke, John Rey Hollis, William John Kelley
  • Patent number: 6776682
    Abstract: An acrobatic doll and accessory combination with an acrobatic doll body, an engaging member coupled to the doll body, a doll accessory, and an engaging member coupled to the doll accessory wherein the engaging member coupled to the doll body and the engaging member coupled to the doll accessory can engage one another in a mating relationship. The acrobatic doll can have a torso, a head, first and second arms hingedly coupled to the torso, and first and second legs hingedly coupled to the torso. The doll accessory can take many forms including a tumble baton, a tumble garment, a tumble bar arrangement, a dancing stand, a balance wand, a vertical stand, a rocker unit, a swing arrangement, a propeller driven arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventors: Robert W. Engel, Robert Stephen Lee, Steve G. Fouke, John Rey Hollis, William John Kelley
  • Publication number: 20030232568
    Abstract: An acrobatic doll and accessory combination with an acrobatic doll body, an engaging member coupled to the doll body, a doll accessory, and an engaging member coupled to the doll accessory wherein the engaging member coupled to the doll body and the engaging member coupled to the doll accessory can engage one another in a mating relationship. The acrobatic doll can have a torso, a head, first and second arms hingedly coupled to the torso, and first and second legs hingedly coupled to the torso. The doll accessory can take many forms including a tumble baton, a tumble garment, a tumble bar arrangement, a dancing stand, a balance wand, a vertical stand, a rocker unit, a swing arrangement, a propeller driven arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Robert W. Engel, Robert Stephen Lee, Steve G. Fouke, John Rey Hollis, William John Kelley
  • Publication number: 20030232567
    Abstract: A switching arrangement capable of being actuated by an application of an air current with a playset component, a movable member for receiving an application of an air current relative to the playset component wherein the movable member for receiving an application of the air current is movable in response to the application of the air current, and an arrangement for actuating a response to a movement of the movable member for receiving an application of the air current. The switching arrangement can be electrical or non-electrical. Where the switching arrangement is electrical, it can cause an electrical signal to be produced in response to a sensed movement of the movable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Robert W. Engel, Robert Stephen Lee, Steve G. Fouke, John Rey Hollis, William John Kelley
  • Patent number: 6346024
    Abstract: A thermally erasable bath toy for enabling a user to create and erase drawing figures in a wet environment. The bath toy includes a drawing desk with a drawing surface that incorporates thermochromic material. A user can draw on the drawing surface by inducing the thermochromic material to enter its active temperature range, and the user can erase the drawing surface by inducing the thermochromic material to leave its active temperature range. The drawing desk can be caused to float atop a volume of water by incorporating or being formed of buoyant material or by housing an open inner volume. The color change in the thermochromic material can be induced by a temperature-operated drawing implement with a temperature applicator of heat transmissible material. The temperature applicator can include an elongate shaft that will act as a skeleton for a volume of insulative material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Robert W. Engel
  • Patent number: 5806768
    Abstract: A self-righting inflatable toy coupleable to a source of pressurized water for producing water sprays emanating from the toy's top and sides. The toy comprises a ballasted inflatable housing including a rounded base portion and an elongated shaft portion. An upper spray producing mechanism disposed in the distal end of the shaft is provided for selectively creating a water spray directed vertically upward from the shaft. Dual-channelled tubing mechanism carried on the outer surface of the housing connect the upper spray producing mechanism to the water source and further selectively provide a water spray directed radially outward from the housing. Flow control mechanisms associated with the tubing enable the user to select the desired spray pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Robert W. Engel
  • Patent number: 5679047
    Abstract: A vibratory toy and game apparatus is disclosed including structures for dynamically isolating the frame from the vibrating play surface. The apparatus comprises a vibration base having a vibratory motor attached thereto, a play base rigidly secured to the vibration base, a frame for supporting the apparatus on a surface, and elastic isolator members for mounting the vibration base to the frame, the isolator members preventing the transmission of vibrations from the vibration base to the frame. The apparatus further includes a plurality of play pieces which move on the upper surface of the play base in response to vibration thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: Robert W. Engel
  • Patent number: 5672057
    Abstract: A device for creating spin art is provided having inflatable components to facilitate packaging and storage thereof. An inflatable disk-shaped platen is coupled for rotation with the upstanding shaft of an electrical motor. The platen includes a broad upper surface for supporting and removably retaining thereon a workpiece. An inflatable splash container partially encloses the motor and platen to prevent splashing of paint from the rapidly rotating workpiece onto nearby objects while allowing the user to pour paint onto the workpiece through the open top. The device optionally comprises as an additional safeguard against splashing an inflatable annular cover which engages the upper rim of the splash container sidewall and which includes a central opening through which the user may access the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventor: Robert W. Engel
  • Patent number: 5085610
    Abstract: A dual sound toy train set includes a toy track formed in a continuous loop and having guiding rails on either side thereof. An electrically powered toy train engine is coupled to the track and includes an internal battery power source, an electric drive motor and a motor control unit. An ultrasonic microphone is supported upon the toy train engine and operatively coupled to the motor control unit. A sound unit includes a housing supporting a pair of air bellows having one way inlet valves attached thereto. A movable pump handle is operative to collapse the air bellows and produce pressurized air streams which are coupled by hollow tubes to an ultrasound whistle and an audible sound whistle. The audible sound whistle produces exciting play sounds similar to those produced by conventional locomotives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Engel, Joseph W. Franke, Alex R. Piyevsky, Enis J. Unalp
  • Patent number: 4438579
    Abstract: A kit for making a three-dimensional picture includes a frame encircling a three-dimensional window into which may be inserted a plurality of substantially planar decorated scenes. The depth of a scene in the window in determined by bending backward resilient hinges carried at the edges of the scene. The scenes are removably anchored in the window by frictional engagement between the hinges and the inner sides of the frame. Cut out regions in the scenes permit more remote scenes to be viewed, creating a three-dimensional effect. Including replicas of scenes allows more than one picture to be created with the kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Inventor: Robert W. Engel
  • Patent number: 4343476
    Abstract: A playing piece for a board game, such as checkers, or the like, has a base, a stem which is mounted centrally in the base and which has a portion protruding above the base and a sliding jacket that is movable between an upper position surrounding the protruding portion of the stem and a lower position exposing the protruding portion of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Inventors: Robert W. Engel, John R. Grube
  • Patent number: 4169323
    Abstract: A sand art hobby craft kit which includes a plurality of substantially transparent tubes which preferably are parts of a unitary structure. The combination also includes a plurality of supplies of differently colored flowable media, preferably sand. There is the outline on the front face of the structure of a design that defines areas to be colored differently. The combination also includes means such as a base for supporting the tubes in vertical position with their upper ends open and for closing the lower ends of the tubes. A color indicia chart indicating the colors for each area also is provided. Color bearing flowable media other than sand may be provided, if desired. The color indicia chart may be a colored print of the final design such as a picture, or it may have each area of the picture color coded to the supplies of color bearing media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1979
    Inventor: Robert W. Engel
  • Patent number: D254745
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Inventor: Robert W. Engel