Patents by Inventor Tony Thatcher

Tony Thatcher 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: 8297527
    Abstract: A train system includes a track and at least one train component. Connectable and detachable segments join to form the track. Each segment includes a main body with an upper running surface upon which train components run. A receiving chamber is formed within the main body. A pair of track members extend outwardly from opposed sides of the main body. A connector component, with a neck portion and a distal portion, extends outwardly from the main body opposite the receiving chamber and engages the receiving chamber of another segment. The segments move in up-down and side-to-side directions. Each train component connects to the track by a pair of rail guides that engage the opposed sides of the main body. A spring element connected between the rail guides operates a switch element to drive a drive member, which engages the upper running surface to move the train component along the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Genie Toys plc
    Inventors: Casey W. Norman, David Gamlin, Tony Thatcher
  • Patent number: 8282437
    Abstract: A set includes a launchable doll having a body portion and wings fixed to the body portion between a torso portion and a waist portion of the body portion to impart aerodynamic lift to the doll when the doll is rotated and the legs are fixed into a substantially vertical orientation when the wings are fixed to the body portion; and a launcher including a base, a tube that contains the legs and a mechanism that rotates the tube and the doll with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Genie Toys plc
    Inventors: Casey W. Norman, David Gamlin, Tony Thatcher
  • Publication number: 20110146529
    Abstract: A train system includes a track and at least one train component. Connectable and detachable segments join to form the track. Each segment includes a main body with an upper running surface upon which train components run. A receiving chamber is formed within the main body. A pair of track members extend outwardly from opposed sides of the main body. A connector component, with a neck portion and a distal portion, extends outwardly from the main body opposite the receiving chamber and engages the receiving chamber of another segment. The segments move in up-down and side-to-side directions. Each train component connects to the track by a pair of rail guides that engage the opposed sides of the main body. A spring element connected between the rail guides operates a switch element to drive a drive member, which engages the upper running surface to move the train component along the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: GENIE TOYS PLC
    Inventors: Casey W. Norman, David Gamlin, Tony Thatcher
  • Patent number: 7922101
    Abstract: A train system includes a track and at least one train component. Connectable and detachable segments join to form the track. Each segment includes a main body with an upper running surface upon which train components run. A receiving chamber is formed within the main body. A pair of track members extend outwardly from opposed sides of the main body. A connector component, with a neck portion and a distal portion, extends outwardly from the main body opposite the receiving chamber and engages the receiving chamber of another segment. The segments move in up-down and side-to-side directions. Each train component connects to the track by a pair of rail guides that engage the opposed sides of the main body. A spring element connected between the rail guides operates a switch element to drive a drive member, which engages the upper running surface to move the train component along the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Genie Toys PLC
    Inventors: Casey W. Norman, David Gamlin, Tony Thatcher
  • Patent number: 7780167
    Abstract: A multi-sided playing die capable of indicating at least one of a plurality of symbols on sides of the die comprises an energy storage device within the die and a trigger for discharging energy from the energy storage device to cause rotation of the die out of a position in which said at least one symbol is indicated. The die may include a casing formed from parts arranged to rotate relative to each other to cause rotation of the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Genie Toys PLC
    Inventors: Casey William Norman, David Gamlin, Tony Thatcher
  • Publication number: 20100197191
    Abstract: A set includes a launchable doll having a body portion and wings fixed to the body portion between a torso portion and a waist portion of the body portion to impart aerodynamic lift to the doll when the doll is rotated and the legs are fixed into a substantially vertical orientation when the wings are fixed to the body portion; and a launcher including a base, a tube that contains the legs and a mechanism that rotates the tube and the doll with respect to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Genie Toys, plc, a corporation of the United Kingdom
    Inventors: Casey W. Norman, David Gamlin, Tony Thatcher
  • Publication number: 20090139424
    Abstract: A train system includes a track and at least one train component. Connectable and detachable segments join to form the track. Each segment includes a main body with an upper running surface upon which train components run. A receiving chamber is formed within the main body. A pair of track members extend outwardly from opposed sides of the main body. A connector component, with a neck portion and a distal portion, extends outwardly from the main body opposite the receiving chamber and engages the receiving chamber of another segment. The segments move in up-down and side-to-side directions. Each train component connects to the track by a pair of rail guides that engage the opposed sides of the main body. A spring element connected between the rail guides operates a switch element to drive a drive member, which engages the upper running surface to move the train component along the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Genie Toys, plc, a corporation of Great Britain
    Inventors: Casey W. Norman, David Gamlin, Tony Thatcher
  • Publication number: 20090130943
    Abstract: A launchable doll having arms, legs and wings fixed to the doll at a waist level thereof which impart aerodynamic lift to the doll when the doll is rotated A set including the launchable doll and a launcher including a base, a tube that contains the legs and a mechanism that rotates the tube and the doll with respect to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: GENIE TOYS PLC
    Inventors: Casey W. Norman, David Gamlin, Tony Thatcher
  • Publication number: 20070069461
    Abstract: A multi-sided playing die capable of indicating at least one of a plurality of symbols on sides of the die comprises an energy storage device within the die and a trigger for discharging energy from the energy storage device to cause rotation of the die out of a position in which said at least one symbol is indicated. The die may include a casing formed from parts arranged to rotate relative to each other to cause rotation of the die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: Genie Toys PLC, a corporation of Great Britain
    Inventors: Casey Norman, David Gamlin, Tony Thatcher
  • Publication number: 20050116419
    Abstract: A game including a frame of substantially constant, e.g., circular, cross-section, having guides running along the frame and spaced at regular intervals around the frame. Playing pieces are guided into positions between the guides, the positions being arranged continuously around the frame. The pieces may be of different colors and/or may bear letters, numbers and/or other symbols. A lid may be provided so that the pieces can be stored within the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Applicant: Genie Toys, plc, a corporation of the United Kingdom
    Inventors: Casey Norman, Tony Thatcher, David Gamlin
  • Toy
    Patent number: 6431944
    Abstract: A toy including at least one endless stretchable loop supporting or defining a figure or representative object, the toy being sized and shaped for removable placement around a toy wheeled vehicle by tension exerted by the loop against selected exterior portions of the toy wheeled vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Genie Toys, plc.
    Inventors: Casey William Norman, David Gamlin, Tony Thatcher