Squeezable Figure Patents (Class 446/183)
  • Patent number: 11650024
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a color bar launcher, which comprises a cylinder for holding color bars and an elastic sleeve; Two ends of the cylinder are open, one end is connected with an end cover, and the other end is closed by the elastic sleeve; the middle part of the outer side of the elastic sleeve is provided with a hand pinching part; the surface of the end cover is provided with a launching port, a positioning ring is fixed around the launching port, protrusions are arranged inside the positioning ring, and a sealing sheet that closes the launching port is movably assembled between the positioning ring and the protrusions. It can ensure the successful launch of the color bar; at the same time, it has the advantages of simple structure, convenient assembly and low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Liuyang Yuebanwan Arts and Crafts Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Liang Zuo
  • Patent number: 11170667
    Abstract: A method and apparatus according to which a patient simulator includes one or more of the following: a left eye assembly including a simulated left pupil, a simulated left eyelid, and/or a simulated left iris; a right eye assembly including a simulated right pupil, a simulated right eyelid, and/or a simulated right iris; a neck assembly including a simulated neck; a left brow assembly including a simulated left brow; a right brow assembly including a simulated right brow; a tear duct assembly including simulated left and right cheeks through which artificial pores are formed; and a mouth assembly including a simulated mouth. In various embodiments, any one, or a combination, of these assemblies may be, include, or be part of, a manikin in the form of a human face, and may therefore be activated simultaneously to realistically simulate life-like human facial features/expressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: GAUMARD SCIENTIFIC COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Allan R. Kirchhoff, Roberto R. Robaina
  • Patent number: 10953289
    Abstract: A device has a lightweight inner bladder and an outer layer that covers the inner bladder. The inner bladder bunches up, “crunches,” becomes pleated, folded or the like against the inner surface of the outer layer. The bunched up surface of the inner bladder may be flattened and/or reconfigured upon impact, thereby absorbing energy. The bunched up inner bladder may create an uneven surface on the outer layer thereby altering the manner through which the device travels through the air. The device may be configured for any of a variety of sports or games such as, for example, a simulated soccer ball, football, rugby ball, baseball and/or softball, a tennis ball, a beachball or other oversized ball, a golf ball, a flying disc, a weighted punching bag, or any of a wide variety of devices for play and/or training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventor: Joseph Gerard Burke
  • Patent number: 10881977
    Abstract: A leg assembly of a toy figure is provided to include a leg unit that includes a thigh component and a shank component. The thigh component has a first leg hole in a rear surface thereof, and a first recess extending from the rear surface in a front-rear direction. The shank component is rotatably connected to the thigh component, and has a second recess extending from a rear surface thereof in the front-rear direction. The leg unit is switchable between an upright state where the first recess and the second recess cooperatively define a second leg hole, and a bent knee state where an angle between the thigh component and the shank component is smaller than that in the upright state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Evolutive Labs Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Ching-Fu Wang
  • Patent number: 10596475
    Abstract: A plush toy system comprises a foam inner, formed into a character shape, made with a compressible foam. A flexible outer covering surrounds the foam inner and has an inner surface for contacting the foam inner. The foam inner and the flexible outer covering combine to form a plush toy. The system may include a package having at least one open side through which the plush toy traversed when compressed to fill an interior space of the package. In use, when the plush toy is compressed and contained within the package, upon opening of the at least one open side the plush toy at least partially expands out of the at least one open side of the package. When removed completely from the package the plush toy expands to the natural size of the plush toy, preferably three times its size or more when compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: GENNCOMM, LLC
    Inventor: Jeremy Brian Medwed
  • Patent number: 9987565
    Abstract: A crying doll having a head with eyes, each endowed with a tear hole, a mouth, a device housed in the head for producing the visual effect of the doll shedding tears that has a fluid tank connected to the outside and able to accumulate a fluid above the level of the tear holes, and at least one flexible supply duct that hydraulically connects with one or both of the tear holes. The device includes a throttle for the supply duct and an actuating cam for the throttle for arranging the throttle against the supply duct, flattening it locally and impeding the passage of fluid through it. The actuating cam is mounted in the proximity of the mouth and operable upon inserting a nipple of an accessory element, separate or not from the doll, in the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: IMC TOYS, S.A.
    Inventors: Ivan Coronas Coma, Victor Gil Garcia
  • Patent number: 9814216
    Abstract: A pet toy includes a flexible pocket having a proximal end opposite a distal end. A single opening is formed at the proximal end, where the single opening leads to an inner chamber closed at the distal end. A rope pet toy body includes a prolongated end which is partially disposed within the single opening of the pocket allowing a first portion of the pocket along the proximal end to overlay a second portion of the prolongated end. A cylindrically-shaped, heat shrinkable film is disposed over both the first portion of the proximal end of the single opening and the second portion of the prolongated end. The heat shrinkable film has been heated and shrunk fit onto both the proximal end of the pocket and the prolongated end of the rope pet toy body thereby joining the pocket to the rope pet toy body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: C.B. Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Byrne, Jose Luis Andreu
  • Patent number: 9333439
    Abstract: A polygonal-shaped confetti (2) having at least one folded portion (8). As illustrated herein the polygonal-shaped confetti is rectangular-shaped confetti that is placed in stacks (1) folded on a first end (3) and/or a second end (4). The folded portions slow the descent of the confetti and cause the confetti to turn, spiral and dance in the air. The confetti is created by cutting material, such as paper, tissue, plastic, mylar and so forth into substantially elongated polygonal-shaped pieces and then folding in the middle or on one or both ends over of the stack. The confetti may then be a storage device such as a bag (10), box, tube, rubber bands and so forth that maintains the shape of the confetti until use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Inventor: Wanda Miller
  • Patent number: 9282724
    Abstract: The invention is a pet toy with a noise making device secured therein and activated by at least one of a compression force, tension force, or combinations thereof applied to the pet toy. A preferred embodiment includes a flexible and resilient body with a noisemaking device disposed within the body and mounted to an elastic base secured to an interior surface of the body. The device includes a flexible or elastomeric bladder with a noisemaking element mounted within the bladder. Deformation of the bladder by applied forces allows air to pass through the noisemaking device, thereby producing sound. The invention also includes a method of activating a noise making device of the pet toy by a selected one, or a combination of forces applied to the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: The KONG Company, LLC
    Inventor: Hoyt Samuel Nunn
  • Patent number: 9027262
    Abstract: A shoe, such as an athletic shoe, includes a pump assembly integral therewith. The pump assembly includes a pump which produces a stream of pressurized air and a delivery assembly which operates to deliver the stream of pressurized air to an end use location exterior of the shoe. The shoe may comprise an athletic shoe and may be utilized to inflate sports balls such as basketballs, footballs, and volleyballs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Efferent Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ben Blankenship, Sam Howard
  • Patent number: 8926393
    Abstract: A plush toy having electronics therein for interacting with a user includes a non-rigid electrical component for detecting deformation thereof. The component includes a first layer of a compressible material with at least one aperture therethrough. Second and third layers of an electrically conductive material are positioned on opposite sides of the first layer across the aperture. The second and third layers of material may be brought into contact with each other in the aperture of the first layer to complete an electrical connection between the second and third layers by compression of the first layer upon application of a compression force. When the compression force is removed, the first material expands to separate the second and third layers, thereby breaking the electrical connection. Upon detection of deformation of the electrical component, the electronics activate a response by the toy, such as an audio response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert E. Morley, Jennifer R. Garbos
  • Patent number: 8756835
    Abstract: A clothing article for a foot including a sole including a sealed collapsible air cavity having disposed therein a return support for expanding a collapsed air cavity wherein the air cavity includes an outlet permitting a quantity of air to exit when the air cavity is collapsed; an upper, coupled to the sole, for covering a portion of the foot; an air-actuated active element coupled to the upper, the active element including a first mode and a second mode, the active element biased to the first mode and responsive to the quantity of air to transition from the first mode to the second mode; and a communication channel, coupled to the outlet and to the active element, for transferring the quantity of air from the air cavity to the active element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Finn Alexander Strong
  • Patent number: 8752308
    Abstract: A clothing article for a foot including a sole including a sealed collapsible air cavity having disposed therein a return support for expanding a collapsed air cavity wherein the air cavity includes an outlet permitting a quantity of air to exit when the air cavity is collapsed; an upper, coupled to the sole, for covering a portion of the foot; an air-actuated active element coupled to the upper, the active element including a first mode and a second mode, the active element biased to the first mode and responsive to the quantity of air to transition from the first mode to the second mode; and a communication channel, coupled to the outlet and to the active element, for transferring the quantity of air from the air cavity to the active element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventor: Finn Alexander Strong
  • Patent number: 8732987
    Abstract: A clothing article for a foot including a sole including a sealed collapsible air cavity having disposed therein a return support for expanding a collapsed air cavity wherein the air cavity includes an outlet permitting a quantity of air to exit when the air cavity is collapsed; an upper, coupled to the sole, for covering a portion of the foot; an air-actuated active element coupled to the upper, the active element including a first mode and a second mode, the active element biased to the first mode and responsive to the quantity of air to transition from the first mode to the second mode; and a communication channel, coupled to the outlet and to the active element, for transferring the quantity of air from the air cavity to the active element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Finn Alexander Strong
  • Patent number: 8266828
    Abstract: A clothing article for a foot including a sole including a sealed collapsible air cavity having disposed therein a return support for expanding a collapsed air cavity wherein the air cavity includes an outlet permitting a quantity of air to exit when the air cavity is collapsed; an upper, coupled to the sole, for covering a portion of the foot; an air-actuated active element coupled to the upper, the active element including a first mode and a second mode, the active element biased to the first mode and responsive to the quantity of air to transition from the first mode to the second mode; and a communication channel, coupled to the outlet and to the active element, for transferring the quantity of air from the air cavity to the active element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: Finn Alexander Strong
  • Patent number: 8033253
    Abstract: A game method and apparatus reduces the risk that a thrown toy will injure an animal. The apparatus consists of a buoyant toy with a sealed channel extending completely through the toy. A soft, flexible, water absorbent member extends through the sealed channel and is used to throw the toy and to facilitate retrieval of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventors: Sharon A Ritchey, Jon K Curry
  • Patent number: 7682217
    Abstract: An internal rocking structure applied in eyeball of the puppet includes an outer casing made of a transparent material, an inner casing, and an elastic member; the inner casing being connected to the elastic member, which is connected to a bottom of the outer casing; a pattern of an eyeball being printed on where appropriately on the inner casing; upon shaking the rocking structure, the elastic member maintaining the inner casing in a rocking status for a given time to deliver amusing effects of a rocking eyeball and significantly increase bizarrely lovable effects when applied in a puppet or doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Foluck International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Tay Hsu
  • Patent number: 7422507
    Abstract: A toy figure assembly and its method of manufacture. The toy figure has a body structure with an exposed exterior. The exposed exterior of the figure includes at least one first section of fabric material and at least one second section of elastomeric gel material that are joined together along at least one common seam. The common seam can be closed using adhesive, heat bonding or sewing. The sections of the toy figure defined by fabric material are filled with dry fill. The sections of the toy figure defined by elastomeric gel material can be filled with either dry fill or a fluid fill. By forming a toy figure from both fabric material and elastomeric gel, a toy figure is obtained that has external areas having contrasting tactile characteristics, thereby increasing the play value of the toy figure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventors: Mark J. Chernick, Webb T. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7343878
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the risk that a thrown toy will injure an animal. The apparatus consists of a toy which when thrown bounces erratically, which compressively elastically deforms, which includes a soft fabric outer surface that compresses to absorb blows, and which can withstand being bitten or chewed by a dog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventors: Sharon A. Ritchey, Jon K. Curry
  • Patent number: 7264533
    Abstract: A bubble-squeezing toy includes a hollow body formed of flexible plastics material having low stretchability and an aperture; a liner formed of flexible plastics material having high stretchability and located within the hollow body and having a portion adjacent to the aperture that can stretch through the aperture to form an external bubble upon squeezing of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: T. K. Wong & Associates Ltd.
    Inventors: Cecil Shu On Chan, Tak Ko Wong, Lin Tak Chan
  • Patent number: 6881119
    Abstract: A toy or article containing an elastomeric and deformable bladder therein that facilitates in actuating a component of the toy or article such as a tail or an arm when squeezed or otherwise deformed is disclosed. The actuatable toy generally comprises a deformable bladder containing a fluid substance and is deformable proximate to the actuatable component upon application of pressure thereon. In addition, the actuatable toy comprises a flexible outer covering enclosing the deformable bladder, where at least a portion of the outer covering comprises a movable material disposed proximate to the actuatable component of the toy, whereupon actuating of the movable material and deformation of the bladder facilitate actuation of the actuatable component upon application of pressure on the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Treasure Bay, Inc.
    Inventors: Don J. Panec, Scott Stillinger, Ron LaRonge
  • Publication number: 20040110444
    Abstract: A novelty device that has an elongated torical encasement of flexible material that defines a central sleeve. A volume of liquid is contained within the encasement. A least one external accessory is provided that is attached to the encasement. When the point of attachment is on the exterior of the device, the external accessory extends away from the device. However, when the point of attachment rotates within the central sleeve section, the external accessory can be hidden from view. Thus, by selectively exposing and hiding the external accessory, the appearance of the device can be selectively altered and the device can appear to transform between two distinct appearances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Chu-Yuan Liao
  • Patent number: 6672932
    Abstract: A toy or article containing an elastomeric and deformable bladder therein that facilitates in actuating a component of the toy or article such as a tail or an arm when squeezed or otherwise deformed is disclosed. The actuatable toy generally comprises a deformable bladder containing a fluid substance and is deformable proximate to the actuatable component upon application of pressure thereon. In addition, the actuatable toy comprises a flexible outer covering enclosing the deformable bladder, where at least a portion of the outer covering comprises a movable material disposed proximate to the actuatable component of the toy, whereupon actuating of the movable material and deformation of the bladder facilitate actuation of the actuatable component upon application of pressure on the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Treasure Bay, Inc.
    Inventors: Don J. Panec, Scott Stillinger, Ron LaRonge
  • Patent number: 6299502
    Abstract: A device for scattering confetti includes an inverted pocket positioned within the interior of an envelope inflated by a gas inlet at an upper end region of the envelope. Confetti is contained within the pocket, and a break-away closure closes an open end of the pocket at the upper end region, and maintains the confetti within the pocket. Upon compressing the envelope, the pocket is reversed in position, the closure ruptured, and the confetti is suddenly expelled in an explosive manner with a concomitant popping sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Peter Cheng
  • Patent number: 6110001
    Abstract: An animated toy doll having a substantially hollow head and an adjoining body, said head containing external facial features which include a mouth, said animated toy doll housing an operating device which comprises a pair of levers which are hinged together at one end position thereof and held apart by a biasing spring means disposed at the other end portion thereof, and connecting means extending from said one end portion of said pair of levers to the vicinity of the mouth of the doll, whereby, upon compressing the pair of levers against the bias of the spring, the connecting means pulls against the mouth, causing a desired change of expression in the facial features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Hosung NY Trading Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Chae
  • Patent number: 5913708
    Abstract: A method making a toy, doll, or mannequin wherein a relatively rigid core is covered with an elastic skin. The skin is bonded to the core in some areas but not others. This creates an expansible, variable volume pressurizable space between the core and the skin so that the skin may expand relative to the core to simulate weight gain or change of muscle tone. The method comprises selecting and/or treating the core so that only certain parts adhere to the skin-forming material, covering the core with a curable, skin-forming coating and allowing the material to form the skin that, after inflation, assumes a different size and/or shape than the core and thus simulates weight gain, change of muscle tone or other significant change of shape and appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Inventor: Flora Geane Gross
  • Patent number: 5895308
    Abstract: A soft toy missile which when let fly by a player and then caught by a catcher, produces upon impact, sounds appropriate to the nature of the missile. When in the configuration of a humanoid figure, the missile includes a body defined by a fabric casing stuffed with a soft compressible filler, the face of the casing having printed thereon the head and torso of the figure. Embedded in the stuffing of the body is a sound-producing unit powered by a battery through an impact-sensitive switch whereby when the missile is caught. The switch turns the unit on to generate sounds that celebrate the catch. Hinged to the body of the figure and extending therefrom are arm and leg appendages, each formed by a fabric sock stuffed with soft compressible material. When the player grasps one of these appendages and whirls the missile to let it fly, the body of the figure then rotates in the course of flight, causing the appendages to stretch out from the body to stabilize the flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 5692945
    Abstract: A toy is disclosed for producing a simulated eruption. The toy comprises a container having a first chamber for holding a predetermined quantity of a first reagent and a second chamber for holding a predetermined quantity of a second reagent. The second chamber communicates with an upstanding convergent nozzle terminating at its upper end in an orifice opening to the exterior of the container. When the sidewalls defining the first chamber are squeezed, a portion of the first reagent held therein is forced through a connecting tube into the second chamber, where the first regent reacts with the second reagent to produce gaseous products. The elevated pressure thereby created within the second chamber causes the reagent mixture to be ejected from the nozzle orifice at high velocity. The toy may additionally comprise a simulated volcano landscape having a eruption tube depending from the volcano crater which receives at its lower end the tip of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Educational Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb E. Crowell, George Hom, Laura Patterson
  • Patent number: 5462473
    Abstract: Various toys simulating animal characters have appendages with inserts therein which produce slow return motion of the appendages from positions to which they have been deformed to simulate a natural movement or gesture. The inserts each includes an elongate, tubular, resiliently compressible air bags with an impermeable (air tight), skin of plastic or rubber, penetrated by a slow leak valve formed as a small hole and stuffed with resiliently compressible synthetic fiber or foam. In one example the air bag is located in the body of a doll to extend across the chest and along respective arms, whereby a child can deform the arms between open and closed positions, compressing the air bag so that the resiliency returns the arms slowly to an undeformed position while producing a simulated natural gesture of affection such as giving or requesting a hug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Ken Sheller
  • Patent number: 5433644
    Abstract: A device for scattering confetti includes an inverted pocket positioned within the interior of an inflated envelope. Confetti is contained within the pocket, and a break-away closure maintains the confetti within the pocket. Upon compressing the envelope, the pocket is reversed in position, the closure ruptured, and the confetti is suddenly expelled in an explosive manner with a concomitant popping sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Peter S. C. Cheng
  • Patent number: 5419729
    Abstract: This doll, or mannequin, features a relatively rigid core with an expandable flexible covering and inflation mechanism in order to expand the flexible covering to simulate weight gain or muscular development. The inflation mechanism may include a valve to slowly release accumulated pressure to simulate weight loss. The flexible covering, simulating a person's skin, may be formed integrally upon the core or may be placed upon the core as a close-fitting enclosure. The muscle gain doll features nonexpanding bands attached to the flexible covering to simulate muscular definition. Such a doll may be used with essentially non-stretchable clothing to simulate a person growing larger relative to their clothing and the unseemly appearance resulting therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Inventor: Flora G. Gross
  • Patent number: 5338242
    Abstract: A device for scattering confetti includes an inverted pocket positioned within the interior of an inflated envelope. Confetti is contained within the pocket, and a break-away closure maintains the confetti within the pocket. Upon compressing the envelope, the pocket is reversed in position, the closure ruptured, and the confetti is suddenly expelled in an explosive manner with a concomitant popping sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: Peter S. C. Cheng
  • Patent number: 5205773
    Abstract: A squeeze toy has an outer body formed of generally resiliently deformable material which defines a main cavity. A portion of the body extends inwardly into the main cavity to form a receptacle. The receptacle includes a mouth which is dimensioned to enable a projectile to be inserted into and be supported by the receptacle. The receptacle has a configuration which normally causes an interference fit with the projectile to retain the projectile in the receptacle and prevent the receptacle from being removed through the mouth. The body of the squeeze toy can be deformed to cause a portion of the receptacle to be forced outward through the mouth and eject the projectile from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Those Characters From Cleveland
    Inventors: Ingrid M. Koepcke, Michael A. Robertson, Richard E. Knight, Edward G. Chanter, Thomas G. Barnum
  • Patent number: 5162013
    Abstract: A transformable toy which can be converted to represent either of two different characters. A hollow upper part of the toy is collapsible on itself, by pushing down, to cover a lower part of the toy either partly or entirely and thereby hide features which are normally visible. The toy is held collapsed by restraining means and tends to return elastically to its uncollapsed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Mike Bowling Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. von Mohr
  • Patent number: 4936809
    Abstract: A sound-producing toy having a hollow body formed of resilient material, whereby when the body is depressed and deformed by a player, this action produces a honking sound. The body envelops an air-filled cavity at one end of which is an air-intake valve whose actuating element is outside the body so that when the element is actuated by the player, air is admitted into the cavity. Also disposed in the cavity is a sound producer having an air outlet normally closed by a membrane which is partially secured to the outlet so that when the body is depressed by the player, the resultant increase in internal air pressure above ambient is exerted against the membrane and causes deflection thereof to permit air to escape from the outlet. The escaping air causes the membrane to vibrate to produce a honking sound. The air expelled through the outlet creates a partial vacuum in the internal cavity which acts to maintain the body in its deformed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Buddy L Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Auer, Richard J. Mayer
  • Patent number: 4900287
    Abstract: A tearing eye doll having a pair of synthetic eyes, each formed by an eye-shaped porous block whose face simulates the white of a human eye, and an impermeable disc seated in a recess in the face and colored to simulate an iris and a pupil therein. Received in a cavity within the block behind the disc is a nozzle for injecting water into the block, the water passing through the pores and emerging from the face to form a water film thereon from which tears drop, thereby simulating tearing activity. The eye nozzle are coupled to a miniature water reservoir disposed within the doll. The reservoir is subjected to air pressure by a compressible pneumatic actuator enclosed in a flexible arm of the doll, such that when the arm is squeezed, water forced into the eye nozzles to produce a tearing action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: View-Master Ideal Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Fusi, Robert M. Jensen
  • Patent number: 4828526
    Abstract: A toy figurine and a fluid actuated animated module for ready detachment and attachment to the toy figurine. The toy figurine includes a means for generating and transmitting pressurized fluid which is utilized to activate an animated feature contained within the module. The figurine also includes a socket assembly to facilitate the detachment and attachment of the module and provide a fluid seal between the figurine and the module. The socket assembly includes a movable member having a front end surface which is substantially flush with the outer covering of the figurine when the module is detached. The movable member is capable of assuming a depressed position so as to permit the attachment of the module to the socket assembly and facilitate the flow of pressurized fluid from the figurine to the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Those Characters From Cleveland
    Inventors: Thomas P. Schneider, Randy J. Randleman
  • Patent number: 4759737
    Abstract: The invention provides a doll the arms of which are movable caressingly over the body of a child when the doll is held to the chest of the child with its arms about the sides of the child and when manual pressure is applied over the back of the doll. A compressible resilient sealed air filled container is disposed in the doll's body and has resilient flexible tubes sealed at their free ends and extending into the doll's arms. Upon the container being compressed under manual pressure applied over the back of the doll, air is pressured into the tubes causing the arms to caressingly move over the sides of the child. The arms and container relax upon release of the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Inventor: Magda Ferenczi
  • Patent number: 4718877
    Abstract: A winged toy having a flexible hollow body resembling that of a butterfly. Wings are secured to the hollow body portion and upon the hollow body portion being distorted, as by squeezing, the angular position of the wings is changed. Thus, by squeezing and releasing the hollow body repeatedly, the wings can be made to move up and down to simulate a flapping motion.A toy figure such as a fairy is seated upon a saddle member having a backrest, a base portion and a stud, the legs of the toy figure straddling the stud. The body portion is provided at its forward end with antennae which are held by the hands of the fairy to provide further support for the fairy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Inventors: Charles W. Girsch, B. J. Maria Girsch
  • Patent number: 4689033
    Abstract: A toy creature figure has a tongue-like element that darts from the mouth of the figure when a pneumatic bulb, which comprises an integral part thereof, is squeezed. The component parts are few in number, assembly thereof is readily achieved, and manufacture of the figure is relatively simple and inexpensive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Coleco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Droller, Brian Fontaine
  • Patent number: 4689032
    Abstract: A water toy for infants comprises a floatable portion and a restraining portion for loosely restraining the floatable portion so that the floatable portion when floated in water in a pool or tub in which an infant is playing or being bathed is enabled to bob up and down, pitch and roll, spin through an angle of 360.degree. about a vertical axis, and move over a limited portion of the surface of the water but prevented from moving and remaining beyond the reach of the infant. Various ancillary toys are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin M. Trossman
  • Patent number: 4669997
    Abstract: Pneumatic action toy creatures each have a body with a hollow resilient compressible portion. An opening in the compressible portion receives an elongated piston with a cross section substantially conforming to the opening to provide for pneumatic reciprocation of the piston. At least one set of opposed members is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to each other in a direction, and about an axis, generally transverse to the elongated dimension of the piston. Either by an enlargement on one end of the piston, or through interaction with the opposed members, the throw of the piston is limited to retain the one end within the compressible portion. Reciprocation of the piston upon compression and release of the resilient body portion actuates pivotal movement of the opposed members through mechanical engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Ralph J. Kulesza, Harry Disko, Dennis R. Gibbons
  • Patent number: 4630756
    Abstract: A liquid squirting simulated creature is comprised of a front section having a body, legs and head, and a rear section which is assembled thereto. The front section is comprised of top and bottom elements defining a cavity therebetween and front and rear apertures, as well as apertures extending along the sides thereof through which a multiplicity of legs extend. The rear section is a resiliently compressible bulbous member providing a chamber therewithin to contain fluid and having a neck portion extending through the aperture in the rear wall of the front section. A tubular conduit is seated in an opening in the neck portion of the rear section and extends to a front aperture in the front section so as to provide the conduit for discharge of fluid from the chamber therethrough. The leg members are comprised of a web on each side interconnecting a multiplicity of legs on that side of the front section, and flexible portions which extend through apertures along the sides of the front section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Coleco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis R. Amici, Richard I. Farrington, Pietro Piazza
  • Patent number: 4583957
    Abstract: The pneumatically-operated robotic toy includes an internal bellows or air pump which forces pressurized air to flow from the internal air pump or bellows through passageways into hollow arms of the robot. Inasmuch as the arms of the robot include bellows, this flow of air causes the arms to move from an open to a closed position, or vice versa. Air pressure holding joints are provided to permit several degrees of freedom of movement. Alternatively, the internal bellows may be positioned in the head of the robot, and movement of the head will cause the arms to move up and down. A flexible rotatable suction cup base may be provided. A second internal bellows may be provided, either in the torso or in the head, for activation of the suction cup base of the robotic toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Inventor: Henry A. Levy