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: 9375649
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Colquhoun, William Willett
  • Publication number: 20160038846
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Christian Colquhoun, William Willett
  • Patent number: 8574021
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Mayer, Allan F. Papp, William Willett
  • Patent number: 8430713
    Abstract: 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 at
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: William Willett, Chung Ming (Bryan) Cheng, Chun Wing (Edward) Wong
  • Publication number: 20130078888
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. MAYER, Allan F. PAPP, William WILLETT
  • Patent number: 8376804
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: William Willett, Chung Ming (Bryan) Cheng, Chun Wing (Edward) Wong
  • Patent number: 8197298
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: William Willett
  • Patent number: 7946902
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: William Willett, Chung Ming (Bryan) Cheng, Chun Wing (Edward) Wong
  • Patent number: 7794300
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Moll, Vladimir Leonov, William Willett, Kenlip Ong
  • Publication number: 20090325456
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: William Willett
  • Publication number: 20090280718
    Abstract: 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 at
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: William Willett, Chung Ming (Bryan) Cheng, Chun Wing (Edward) Wong
  • Publication number: 20090212968
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: William Willett, Nicholas Amireh, Christopher J. Hardouin
  • Publication number: 20090137186
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: William Willett, Chung Ming (Bryan) Cheng, Chun Wing (Edward) Wong
  • Publication number: 20090124164
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventor: William Willett
  • Publication number: 20090117820
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: William Willett, Chung Ming (Bryan) Cheng, Chun Wing (Edward) Wong
  • Publication number: 20080108276
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: William Willett, Vladimir Leonov
  • Publication number: 20070210540
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Moll, Vladimir Leonov, William Willett, Kenlip Ong
  • Patent number: 7217170
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Moll, Vladimir Leonov, William Willett, Kenlip Ong
  • Publication number: 20060089080
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph Moll, Vladimir Leonov, William Willett, Kenlip Ong
  • Patent number: 6988928
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: William Willett