Patents by Inventor William Willett
William Willett 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: 9375649Abstract: In the present disclosure, disclosed herein, is a toy vehicle. The toy vehicle may include a front portion including a first arm, a second arm, and a first support member coupled to the first arm and the second arm; and a rear portion including a third arm, a fourth arm, and a second support member coupled to the third arm and the fourth arm. The toy vehicle may also include a plurality of wheels in which a first wheel of the plurality of wheels is coupled to the front portion and a second wheel of the plurality of wheels is coupled to the rear portion. An adjustment mechanism includes an actuator and a receiver. The actuator is engaged with the receiver and is rotatable relative thereto. The receiver is movable between a first position in which the receiver is spaced apart from the first support member and the second support member, and a second position in which the receiver contacts the first support member and the second support member.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2015Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Christian Colquhoun, William Willett
-
Publication number: 20160038846Abstract: In the present disclosure, disclosed herein, is a toy vehicle. The toy vehicle may include a front portion including a first arm, a second arm, and a first support member coupled to the first arm and the second arm; and a rear portion including a third arm, a fourth arm, and a second support member coupled to the third arm and the fourth arm. The toy vehicle may also include a plurality of wheels in which a first wheel of the plurality of wheels is coupled to the front portion and a second wheel of the plurality of wheels is coupled to the rear portion. An adjustment mechanism includes an actuator and a receiver. The actuator is engaged with the receiver and is rotatable relative thereto. The receiver is movable between a first position in which the receiver is spaced apart from the first support member and the second support member, and a second position in which the receiver contacts the first support member and the second support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: Christian Colquhoun, William Willett
-
Patent number: 8574021Abstract: A toy vehicle reconfigurable between unfolded and folded configurations includes a generally body pivotally supporting a pair of generally planar driving systems on either lateral side. Each driving system includes a motor and gear train driving a continuous track passed over multiple pulley wheels. One pulley wheel of each driving system is carried on an arm mounted to a frame of the system so as to pivot between retracted and extended positions and spring loaded to the extended position. The tracks are sufficiently elastic to accommodate the movement of the one wheel from the extended position to a retracted position. The arms are pushed into the retracted position when the vehicle is pushed into a combined remote control unit and storage case.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Mayer, Allan F. Papp, William Willett
-
Patent number: 8430713Abstract: A motorized toy vehicle comprising a chassis with opposing, top and bottom sides and opposing, first and second longitudinal ends and a central plane extending in a vertical direction and a longitudinal direction through the chassis and at least generally bisecting the sides and ends; first and second wheels coupled with the chassis proximal the first end so as to pivot with respect to the chassis and steer the first end, the first and second wheels being located on opposite sides of the central plane; a third wheel coupled with the chassis proximal the second end so as to span the central plane and pivot with respect to the chassis at least along an axis located in the central plane, the axis being pitched away from the vertical direction and toward the longitudinal direction in the central plane; and a steering coupling operably connecting the first and second wheels with the third wheel to simultaneously pivot the first, second and third wheels with respect to the chassis so as to steer the toy vehicle atType: GrantFiled: June 19, 2009Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: William Willett, Chung Ming (Bryan) Cheng, Chun Wing (Edward) Wong
-
Publication number: 20130078888Abstract: A toy vehicle reconfigurable between unfolded and folded configurations includes a generally body pivotally supporting a pair of generally planar driving systems on either lateral side. Each driving system includes a motor and gear train driving a continuous track passed over multiple pulley wheels. One pulley wheel of each driving system is carried on an arm mounted to a frame of the system so as to pivot between retracted and extended positions and spring loaded to the extended position. The tracks are sufficiently elastic to accommodate the movement of the one wheel from the extended position to a retracted position. The arms are pushed into the retracted position when the vehicle is pushed into a combined remote control unit and storage case.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: MATTEL, INC.Inventors: Mark S. MAYER, Allan F. PAPP, William WILLETT
-
Patent number: 8376804Abstract: A multi-directional radio controlled toy, having a main vehicle with housing configured as a creature-like head containing propulsion and control components including two drive motors with controller, drive wheels coupled with the motors, power supply and wireless signal receiver coupled with the controller. An unpowered body portion trails the main vehicle and body members movably connected together by articulated couplings to permit body articulation throughout substantially the entire body portion of the creature-like device. A jaw moving mechanism in the main vehicle is powered by the motors to raise an upper jaw portion of the head until tripped by contact of a trigger at the front end of the main vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2008Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: William Willett, Chung Ming (Bryan) Cheng, Chun Wing (Edward) Wong
-
Patent number: 8197298Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a central housing having first and second oppositely disposed sides. A first wheel is rotatably mounted on the first side of the housing and a second wheel is rotatably mounted on the second side of the housing. Each of the first and second wheels has a central hub. Each hub has a center disposed along a common first axis of rotation. A plurality of vanes are attached to the hub and form the first and second wheels. An end of each vane distal to the hub forms a circumferential surface portion of one of the first and second wheels. Each vane is individually and separately manually angularly repositionable about a second axis of rotation extending transversely with respect to the first axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2008Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: William Willett
-
Patent number: 7946902Abstract: An articulated walking device, configured for movement across a surface, includes a frame and a plurality of leg assemblies movably coupled with the frame so as to at least partially support the frame for movement across the surface. Each leg assembly includes a leg member configured to rotate with respect to the frame about a joint. The joint is formed by a pin passed through an at least generally hour glass shaped aperture to provide rotational movement of the leg member with respect to the frame about at least first and second axes of rotation intersecting in the joint. A drive mechanism is operatively engaged with the plurality of leg assemblies so as to actuate each of the leg members to rotate about the first and second axes in a like, predetermined, repeatable cycle of movement. At least some of the leg members are out of phase with other leg members to produce an anatomic-like gait of the toy device upon actuation of the drive mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2008Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: William Willett, Chung Ming (Bryan) Cheng, Chun Wing (Edward) Wong
-
Patent number: 7794300Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a central housing having first and second oppositely disposed sides. A first wheel is rotatably mounted on the first side of the housing, and a second wheel is rotatably mounted on the second side of the housing. Each of the first and second wheels has a central hub and a plurality of individual vanes rotatably attached to the hub. Each hub has a center disposed along a first axis of rotation. Each vane is rotatable about a second vane axis extending transversely with respect to the first axis. An end of each vane distal to the hub forms a circumferential surface portion of one of the first and second wheels.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Joseph T. Moll, Vladimir Leonov, William Willett, Kenlip Ong
-
Publication number: 20090325456Abstract: A play set is disclosed. In some embodiments, the play set may include a play area having a plurality of indicia, the plurality of indicia including a first set of indicia and a second set of indicia; and a play toy including a sensor subsystem configured to measure intensity of light reflected from the first and second sets of indicia, and to generate a signal that corresponds to position of the play toy on the play area based on the measured intensity of the light reflected from the first and second sets of indicia, and a motion subsystem configured to receive the signal and move the play toy based on the received signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventor: William Willett
-
Publication number: 20090280718Abstract: A motorized toy vehicle comprising a chassis with opposing, top and bottom sides and opposing, first and second longitudinal ends and a central plane extending in a vertical direction and a longitudinal direction through the chassis and at least generally bisecting the sides and ends; first and second wheels coupled with the chassis proximal the first end so as to pivot with respect to the chassis and steer the first end, the first and second wheels being located on opposite sides of the central plane; a third wheel coupled with the chassis proximal the second end so as to span the central plane and pivot with respect to the chassis at least along an axis located in the central plane, the axis being pitched away from the vertical direction and toward the longitudinal direction in the central plane; and a steering coupling operably connecting the first and second wheels with the third wheel to simultaneously pivot the first, second and third wheels with respect to the chassis so as to steer the toy vehicle atType: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2009Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: MATTEL, INC.Inventors: William Willett, Chung Ming (Bryan) Cheng, Chun Wing (Edward) Wong
-
Publication number: 20090212968Abstract: A hand carried and operated remote control unit includes a housing configured as an other toy so as to support independent user play activity without a remotely controlled toy and including a main housing portion and at least a first handle extending outwardly and away from the main housing portion. A central vertical plane through front, rear, top and bottom sides of the housing divides the housing into two substantially equal halves. Circuitry in the housing includes a wireless signal transmitter, a controller and at least a tilt sensor connected in a subcircuit with the controller. The tilt sensor includes a ball tube with a central axis and a ball to roll along the tube between opposing ends of the ball tube to make or break the subcircuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2009Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: William Willett, Nicholas Amireh, Christopher J. Hardouin
-
Publication number: 20090137186Abstract: A multi-directional radio controlled toy, having a main vehicle with housing configured as a creature-like head containing propulsion and control components including two drive motors with controller, drive wheels coupled with the motors, power supply and wireless signal receiver coupled with the controller. An unpowered body portion trails the main vehicle and body members movably connected together by articulated couplings to permit body articulation throughout substantially the entire body portion of the creature-like device. A jaw moving mechanism in the main vehicle is powered by the motors to raise an upper jaw portion of the head until tripped by contact of a trigger at the front end of the main vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2008Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicant: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: William Willett, Chung Ming (Bryan) Cheng, Chun Wing (Edward) Wong
-
Publication number: 20090124164Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a central housing having first and second oppositely disposed sides. A first wheel is rotatably mounted on the first side of the housing and a second wheel is rotatably mounted on the second side of the housing. Each of the first and second wheels has a central hub. Each hub has a center disposed along a common first axis of rotation. A plurality of vanes are attached to the hub and form the first and second wheels. An end of each vane distal to the hub forms a circumferential surface portion of one of the first and second wheels. Each vane is individually and separately manually angularly repositionable about a second axis of rotation extending transversely with respect to the first axis of rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: MATTEL, INC.Inventor: William Willett
-
Publication number: 20090117820Abstract: An articulated walking device, configured for movement across a surface, includes a frame and a plurality of leg assemblies movably coupled with the frame so as to at least partially support the frame for movement across the surface. Each leg assembly includes a leg member configured to rotate with respect to the frame about a joint. The joint is formed by a pin passed through an at least generally hour glass shaped aperture to provide rotational movement of the leg member with respect to the frame about at least first and second axes of rotation intersecting in the joint. A drive mechanism is operatively engaged with the plurality of leg assemblies so as to actuate each of the leg members to rotate about the first and second axes in a like, predetermined, repeatable cycle of movement. At least some of the leg members are out of phase with other leg members to produce an anatomic-like gait of the toy device upon actuation of the drive mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2008Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: MATTEL, INC.Inventors: William Willett, Chung Ming (Bryan) Cheng, Chun Wing (Edward) Wong
-
Publication number: 20080108276Abstract: An articulated walking device, configured for movement across a surface, includes a frame and a plurality of leg assemblies movably engaged with the frame. Each leg assembly includes a leg member configured to rotate with respect to the frame about first and second axes at least generally transverse to one another. A drive mechanism operatively engaged with the plurality of leg assemblies actuates each of the leg members in like, predetermined, repeatable cycles of movement. The leg members are out of phase with one another, such that sufficient leg members are always supporting the toy device in an upright manner and immediately adjoining leg members do not move together in parallel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2006Publication date: May 8, 2008Applicant: MATTEL, INC.Inventors: William Willett, Vladimir Leonov
-
Publication number: 20070210540Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a central housing having first and second oppositely disposed sides. A first wheel is rotatably mounted on the first side of the housing, and a second wheel is rotatably mounted on the second side of the housing. Each of the first and second wheels has a central hub and a plurality of individual vanes rotatably attached to the hub. Each hub has a center disposed along a first axis of rotation. Each vane is rotatable about a second vane axis extending transversely with respect to the first axis. An end of each vane distal to the hub forms a circumferential surface portion of one of the first and second wheels.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2007Publication date: September 13, 2007Applicant: MATTEL, INC.Inventors: Joseph Moll, Vladimir Leonov, William Willett, Kenlip Ong
-
Patent number: 7217170Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a central housing having first and second oppositely disposed sides. A first wheel is rotatably mounted on the first side of the housing, and a second wheel is rotatably mounted on the second side of the housing. Each of the first and second wheels has a central hub and a plurality of individual vanes rotatably attached to the hub. Each hub has a center disposed along a first axis of rotation. Each vane is rotatable about a second vane axis extending transversely with respect to the first axis. An end of each vane distal to the hub forms a circumferential surface portion of one of the first and second wheels.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Joseph T. Moll, Vladimir Leonov, William Willett, Kenlip Ong
-
Publication number: 20060089080Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a central housing having first and second oppositely disposed sides. A first wheel is rotatably mounted on the first side of the housing, and a second wheel is rotatably mounted on the second side of the housing. Each of the first and second wheels has a central hub and a plurality of individual vanes rotatably attached to the hub. Each hub has a center disposed along a first axis of rotation. Each vane is rotatable about a second vane axis extending transversely with respect to the first axis. An end of each vane distal to the hub forms a circumferential surface portion of one of the first and second wheels.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2005Publication date: April 27, 2006Inventors: Joseph Moll, Vladimir Leonov, William Willett, Kenlip Ong
-
Patent number: 6988928Abstract: A tiny articulation eye and mouth (facial-expression structures) opening and closing structure installable in the hollow interior of a doll head, and utilizing a single, upright-axis motor, and a rotary, co-axial, stepped-diameter drive drum which is rotated by the motor. Circumferential drive tracks formed on the outside of the drum drive followers and actuation which directly impart opening and closing motions in the doll head's eyes and mouth.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2004Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: William Willett