Patents by Inventor Wayne Halford

Wayne Halford 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: 6435929
    Abstract: A generally rectangular base supports a pair of gateways at two corners thereof and a pair of resiliently powered impact-responsive rebounders at the remaining two corners thereof. A flat surface extends between the rebounders and the gateways. A pair of toy vehicle launchers and track segments are operatively coupled to each of the gateways to launch toy vehicles therethrough. A plurality of elastic bands extend between the gateways to provide resilient boundaries for the rectangular base. The rebounders and the gateways include pivotal supports allowing the track segments and launchers as well as the rebounders to be pivoted for aiming purposes. A toy vehicle launched by a launcher traverses its track segment and enters its gateway. Thereafter, it strikes either a resilient boundary or a rebounder and is deflected accordingly. An additional toy vehicle launched from the second launcher may collide with or otherwise interact with the first launched toy vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Halford
  • Patent number: 6350174
    Abstract: A miniature roll-up halfpipe for use with fingerboards or miniature skateboards includes a pair of sideframes configurable in either a collapsed compact configuration or an extended open configuration. A pair of platforms join the end portions of the sideframes to form a generally rectangular structure having a pair of upwardly open curved edges. A flexible resilient sheet is received upon the supporting frame to form a curved surface of the type frequently used by skateboarder's or the like. In the closed configuration, the flexible sheet is rolled into a cylindrical shape and encloses the collapsed siderails and platform elements. A pair of generally cylindrical endcaps are received upon the opposed ends of the rolled sheet to provide closure and secure attachment thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Halford, Eric SodKar Fai, Steven Moran
  • Patent number: 6170754
    Abstract: A spiral ramp for toy vehicles includes a vertical center pole supported by a base having a receiving socket for the lower end of the pole and a plurality of radially extending feet. A plurality of support clamps are arranged at different positions along the center pole and receive the upper ends of a corresponding plurality of downwardly angled support arms. A plurality of curved track segments are serially joined to form a spiral ramp which is supported by the attachment of the lower ends of the support arms to selected ones of the curved track segments. The height and character of the spiral ramp thus formed is adjustable by moving the plurality of support clamps upon the center pole and adjusting the angle defined by the support arms extending therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Halford
  • Patent number: 6036574
    Abstract: A toy vehicle is operatively driven by an electric motor having a storage capacitor coupled in parallel therewith. The capacitor and motor are coupled to a pair of underside contacts on the toy vehicle for charging. The toy vehicle underside further includes an aperture and an elongated slot. A cooperating charger/launcher includes a vehicle receiving surface upon which a wheel pedestal is positioned between the area at the rear of the vehicle for raising the vehicle rear wheels. The charger/launcher further includes an interlock post received within the aperture formed on the vehicle undersurface and a safety rib received within the elongated slot of the vehicle. A pair of electrical contacts are positioned on each side of the protective rib and are coupled to a battery supply within the launcher for charging the vehicle capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Halford