Patents by Inventor Tony Rhodes

Tony Rhodes 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: 4605381
    Abstract: An animated figure toy (10) of the type which includes an upper torso (12) having a chest drum (14) rotatably mounted in a chest opening (18) for sequential rotation to expose an undamaged section (58), a single damaged section (60) and a double damaged section (62) is provided with an improved multiple-force spring (74). Chest drum (14) may be molded from suitable polymeric materials and includes a cam follower (45), an axle (38), a spring stop (56) and drum stops (48, 50 and 52), all of which may be formed as a unitary structure during the molding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald H. MacBain, Tony Rhodes
  • Patent number: 4571198
    Abstract: A holder for animated figures in the form of the simulated skeletal structure of a prehistoric beast, including a simulated rib cage having clip members at the extremeties thereof. Each of the clip members is configured for frictionally retaining an animated figure toy at a portion of its anatomy, particularly the waist. The animated figure holder is provided with a handle for carrying, and includes a skull configured to provide storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Barbato, Tony Rhodes, Edward W. Watts
  • Patent number: 4526552
    Abstract: An animated figure toy (10) includes an upper torso (14) provided with a neck opening (28) in which an elongated neck-and-head assembly (18) is reciprocably mounted for reciprocation by a twisted blade (52) affixed to a lower torso (16) and riding in a slot (54) provided in the lower end of neck-and-head assembly (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony Rhodes
  • Patent number: 4406085
    Abstract: A modular radio control unit for use with multiple toy vehicles is disclosed. The control unit is in the shape of a vehicle passenger compartment and is designed to plug into a cavity formed in each vehicle. The control unit contains a control circuit including a radio receiver and a motor drive circuit to control two motors mounted in the vehicle and connected to control the motion of the vehicle. The control unit also contains batteries to provide power to the control circuit and to the motors. A set of contacts is provided in the control unit and in each vehicle so that when the control unit is plugged into a vehicle cavity, the output signals from the drive circuits are provided to the motors to effect remote control of the vehicle in response to commands from a transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony Rhodes
  • Patent number: 4217726
    Abstract: A doll having a first leg secured to the torso for pivotal movement relative thereto with the other leg hingedly coupled to the torso for pivotal movement about a fore-to-aft axis. The head member is interconnected through gear devices to the first leg, relative displacement between the first and second leg members can result in tilting the torso relative to the second leg member and rotating of the head in response to pivoting of the first leg member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Alcwyn Flicker, Derek J. Gay, Tony Rhodes, Roger H. Sweet
  • Patent number: 4141176
    Abstract: In an apparatus for posing a doll, a platform is provided for supporting the legs of a doll and providing relative movement between the so-supported legs, the doll including means for moving the head in response to relative movement of the legs. The movement is accomplished by rotation of a lens member of a toy camera having a viewfinder through which the action can be observed to simulate a photography session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1979
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Alcwyn Flicker, Derek J. Gay, Tony Rhodes, Roger H. Sweet
  • Patent number: 3965561
    Abstract: Machine places substantially flat, open-throated elements on rods by passing open-throat portions of the elements past the rods transversely to the major axes thereof. Elements and rods are automatically moved from storage areas to assembly areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1976
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony Rhodes, Derek John Gay