Figure Toy Or Accessory Therefor Patents (Class 446/268)
  • Publication number: 20120190270
    Abstract: A toy with folding retractable wings includes a body and wings connected to the body via snap-in pivot articulations that allow the folding of the wings in a space minimizing nesting configuration. Various springs, latches, triggers and stopping mechanisms ensure that the folded wings deploy in a spring-loaded fashion, with minimal user effort. The pivot articulations can release the wings in a non-destructive manner when exposed to high mechanical stress loads, thus preventing destructive wing breakage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Thinking Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Wai Tai Chan, Ka Hung (William) Ko
  • Publication number: 20120178337
    Abstract: A stand for a figure includes a base, a support member, and a receiving portion. The receiving portion includes a first leg receiving member and a second leg receiving member. Each leg receiving member is configured to receive a leg of a figure, such as a doll. The location at which the legs of a doll are supported is forward of the location at which the support member is coupled to a base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: Mark Wittenberg
  • Patent number: 8210896
    Abstract: A lights and sounds mechanism for use in a toy is provided. The lights and sounds mechanism may be connected to a product test switch switch. One or more components of the toy may be disassembled for packaging. The disassembled components may include one or more lights or speakers. When the product test switch is triggered, the lights and/or speakers in the disassembled components may properly function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Wittenberg
  • Publication number: 20120164366
    Abstract: A decorative accessory unit, a decorative accessory assemblage, a kit for a personal accessory craft project and a method for creating a personal accessory are described. A plurality of decorative units having at least two linking ends protruding there from are provided along with a plurality of connector elements for coupling the linking ends of two decorative units together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Aubren M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8182308
    Abstract: A toy vehicle playset is disclosed herein the playset having: a vessel configured to define a receiving area; an object being located proximate to the vessel, the object having a pair of body portions configured for movement between a first position wherein the pair of body portions are next to each other and a second position wherein the pair of body portions are moved away from each other; first and second track segments disposed proximate to the vessel such that a gap is formed between the first and second track segments and across the vessel; a trigger disposed on the second track segment; a toy vehicle having a thermochromic paint thereon that is configured to travel along the first and second track segments, wherein the thermochromic paint on the toy vehicle changes from a first color to a second color in response to a temperature change of the thermochromic paint; wherein the pair of body portions are moved from the first position to the second position when the toy vehicle travels along the second tra
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Julian R. Payne
  • Patent number: 8177601
    Abstract: The invention provides a toy that talks when activated. The toy may be activated by simulating play with the toy or by changing the illumination of the toy's environment. Through electronic circuitry, the toy produces a sound output when its magnetic sensor detects a magnet nearby or when its photosensor detects a change in the level of illumination in the surrounding area. The toy may be used for peek-a-boo play involving children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Penny Ekstein-Lieberman
  • Publication number: 20120112922
    Abstract: Enhanced devices, processes, and systems provide measurement of electrical resistance as a means for determining the intensity with which stress is applied to an object, such as but not limited to a toy, e.g. a stuffed toy. The induced strain resulting from such an applied stress may also be determined from the measurement of electrical resistance. One or more actions may preferably be taken in response to the determined stress or the resulting strain, such as but not limited to providing any of visual feedback, auditory feedback, haptic feedback, or a numerical readout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Lars Arnt Jangaard
  • Publication number: 20120108138
    Abstract: An assembly of a toy and a capsule. The toy can be selectively removed from the capsule. Alternatively, the toys can be left inside the capsule and multiple capsules can be interconnected to produce a larger toy structure. Each capsule used in the system has a first half and a second half. The two halves selectively interconnect along a common seam. When the capsule is closed, the capsule's interior can only be accessed through an access opening. Each capsule comes with a toy figure that is held within its interior. The toy figure is mounted to a suction cup. The suction cup remains external of the capsule while the toy figure is inside the capsule. A neck links the toy figure to the suction cup through the access opening in the capsule. Different capsules can be interconnected to build a larger structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Steve Walterscheid
  • Patent number: 8162316
    Abstract: A game system is provided that includes at least one game device and at least one game piece. The game piece includes game information, which is not readily legible to the naked eye, and is projected onto a game surface. A device is also provided for playing a game that is configured to receive a game piece that is at least semi-transparent and contains information thereon not readily legible to the naked eye. Also provided is a game piece that is at least semi-transparent that includes game information that is not readily legible by the human eye that is insertable in a game device for projecting or viewing the game information. A figurine is also provided that includes a plurality of semi-transparent game pieces containing indicia or images thereon. The figurine also includes a rotatable portion and an aperture configured for viewing or projecting the indicia or images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Home Focus Development Ltd
    Inventor: Jacob Ranis Stokholm Andersen
  • Patent number: 8157610
    Abstract: A small stuffed animal (10) is worn on the wrist of a user (14) and is held on via long arms featuring hook and loop fasteners. When the user wishes to activate the toy, the user places the animal's mouth close to the user's ear. A sensor (50) detects this action, and triggers one of many entertaining audio messages stored in the toy, thus creating the sensation of the animal whispering in the user's ear. In addition, the toy has a sensor (30) that can detect the presence of nearby location transmitters. This allows the toy to appropriately choose the audio messages to match the current location. Also, rather than waiting for the user to randomly discover the location driven messages, the toy alerts the user that it has an interesting message waiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul H. Dietz, Edward A. Sotto, III, M. O. S. C. Jasba Simpson, Elise M. Fermier
  • Patent number: 8157611
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interactive play are provided, including a method of interacting with an action figure. The method includes the steps of providing a base unit having a processor, providing an action figure having a memory which stores data relating to the action figure, communicating the data in the form of communication signals to the processor, and presenting an activity instruction based on the communication signals received, with the activity instruction enacting a real-life activity that the action figure can engage in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Patent Category Corp.
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Publication number: 20120088434
    Abstract: A toy figure has a torso, a torso light source, a light source support member, a plurality of peripheral light sources, one or more spacers, and a speaker. A controller is operably connected to the torso light source, the plurality of peripheral light sources, and the speaker to coordinate a magical light and sound experience. Clothing fabric hides the plurality of peripheral light sources, but allows light from the plurality of peripheral light sources to be seen through the clothing fabric when the light and sound experience begins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Peter E. Teel, Anna Y. Yi, Andrey Cherednichenko, John G. Martin
  • Patent number: 8142252
    Abstract: Items are releasably interconnected to one another to create amusing assemblies. In one particular application, a humanoid figurine is mounted on a base, which in turn, is mounted on an article of clothing. For example, a LEGO figurine is press fitted onto a base, and the base is secured beneath a closure on a shoe. In another example, the base is secured to the bill of a visor. In still other examples, the base is secured to a shirt pocket or a shirt button. In various applications, the base is configured to support the figurine in more than one orientation. Furthermore, the base or other first item may be provided with one or more walls that surround the figurine or other second item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Mark A. Krull
  • Publication number: 20120071062
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a signal of light may be emitted from an illumination source of a first transceiver. A second transceiver may detect a signal of light from the first transceiver that exceeds a threshold luminosity; and activate, in response to the detecting of the signal of light that exceeds the threshold luminosity, an illumination source of the second transceiver to illuminate. An intensity of the illumination source of the first transceiver may then be reduced in response to the activating of the illumination source of the second transceiver to illuminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Kenlip Ong, Courtney Watkinson, Armen Mkrtchyan
  • Patent number: 8137149
    Abstract: An interactive doll is disclosed where the doll is controlled by a remote control. When the user pushes a button on the remote control, it can cause the doll and the remote control to interact via electromagnetic transmissions where both emit sounds simultaneously or at different times. The remote control can represent various items, including mobile phones and birthday cakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Man Kit Hui
  • Patent number: 8133090
    Abstract: A toy product including a doll and a display device that may be used with the doll is disclosed. The doll may have one or more movable features and may be releasably coupled to the display device. The display device may include an actuating assembly and a folding assembly with enclosure pieces that may alternately enclose and reveal the doll within the display device. The assemblies may communicate with each other and with movable features of the doll through selectively actuable components. A locking member may engage and releasably retain the folding assembly in a retracted position and may return the folding assembly to an extended position upon disengagement. In the embodiments in which the enclosure pieces resemble flower petals, the movement of the enclosure pieces may have the effects of a flower bloom closing and opening up to respectively surround and reveal the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Hardin
  • Patent number: 8128500
    Abstract: A method provides a virtual presentation including a virtual character in an environment other than a natural environment of the virtual character. The method includes validating a registration code associated with a toy, providing at least one virtual room representing a natural environment of the toy in the virtual presentation, and displaying the virtual character in the virtual room representing the natural environment of the toy, which represents the toy in the virtual presentation. The method further includes providing at least one additional virtual room representing an unnatural environment of the toy in the virtual presentation, the unnatural environment of the toy being different than the natural environment of the toy, and providing the virtual character with an environment extension tool that enables the virtual character to exist in the room representing the unnatural environment of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ganz
    Inventors: Karl Joseph Borst, Stephen Braund
  • Publication number: 20120052763
    Abstract: A doll includes a body having a torso, and a bodice or garment member is coupled to the torso. The bodice or garment member includes an outer layer having a plurality of facets configured to resemble a cut gemstone. In one embodiment, the torso includes a recess in which the bodice is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Patricia Chan, Andrew Lourits, Steven D. Ryniker
  • Patent number: 8092271
    Abstract: An interactive toy for playing a game with a user of the toy includes electrical components for producing audible messages to instruct user actions. The toy also includes a hat having a brim movable between up and down positions. The position of the brim determines the play sequence of the toy and the audible messages played thereby by way of an activation mechanism. The toy is switched between “hide me” and “locate me” modes based on the position of the brim. An abbreviated trial mode is provided by way of a removable pull tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jennifer R. Garbos, Rebecca A. Hottel, Nancy Lynn Short, Timothy Roger Staley
  • Publication number: 20120003899
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to toys that have dolls combined with artificial flowers. A topsy turvy toy in one exemplary embodiment comprises an artificial flower at one end and a doll having a head at an opposite end. A cover is coupled to the toy between the head and the artificial flower. In one mode of use, the cover is pulled over the doll substantially hiding the doll and exposing the artificial flower. For another mode of use, the cover is pulled over the artificial flower substantially hiding the artificial flower and exposing the doll. Accordingly, the toy is selectively transformed from a doll to an artificial flower and vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: Albert D. Wallace
  • Patent number: 8075316
    Abstract: An apparatus for indicating a duration of time for brushing designated teeth and specific portions thereof has a tooth carrying body including an upper tooth carrying structure and a lower tooth carrying structure. The tooth carrying structures are in spaced apart relation with respect to each other in a manner whereby the tooth carrying structure resembles dental gums in a fully or partially open orientation. A first set of tooth-shaped bodies is attached to the upper tooth carrying structure and a second set of the tooth-shaped bodies is attached to the lower tooth carrying structure. Each one of the tooth-shaped bodies includes at least two discretely illuminatable portions. Each one of the discretely illuminatable portions has a respective selectively activatable light output device coupled thereto for allowing each one of the discretely illuminatable portions to be selectively illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventors: Richard Thomas Krause, Tonya Lynn Krause
  • Patent number: 8070552
    Abstract: An infant gym includes a first support member having opposite ends engageable with a support surface, a hub located between the ends of the first support member, and a second support member having a first end pivotally coupled to a rear portion of the hub and a second end engageable with the support surface. The second end of the second support member is movable toward and away from the ends of the first support member, thereby changing the orientation of the hub relative to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Carol Snyder
  • Publication number: 20110294393
    Abstract: A toy having a humanoid body and a jet pack is provided. The toy includes a first fabric portion partially ejected from a first aperture in the jet pack in response to a lever being moved from a first position to a second position. The toy further includes a fan disposed in the body that blow airs across the first fabric portion. The toy further includes a first light emitting diode that illuminates the first fabric portion when the first fabric portion is partially ejected from the first aperture such that the first fabric portion simulates flames being emitted from the jet pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: Terence Higuchi
  • Patent number: 8038502
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to toy figures, corresponding play sets and play set accessories. In particular, the toy figures have a body portion comprising at least two articulated appendages and a magnetic base portion disposed at the bottom of the body portion, wherein the magnetic base portion has a distinct shape permitting the magnetic base portion to be detachably coupled with a recess of compatible shape. Additionally, corresponding play set and play set accessories can have magnetic, distinctly shaped recesses for receiving the particular distinctly shaped base of the toy figure. Thus, the magnetic base portion and the recess of a play set or play set accessory have essentially the same distinct shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee Ronald Loetz
  • Publication number: 20110230114
    Abstract: A toy capable of exhibiting bonding behavior toward a user and a method of simulating such behavior. The toy includes input sensors for receiving interactive input from users, an output apparatus for communicating with users, a processor and memory containing machine instructions causing the processor to receive interactive input, process received input and send control signals to the output apparatus. The processor classifies received input as either positive or negative and adjusts an accumulated input, stored in the memory, in accordance with the classification. The control signals, in turn, are dependent on the accumulated input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Johan Adam Du Preez, Ludwig Carl Schwardt
  • Patent number: 7985117
    Abstract: A toy vehicle for a doll that can be coupled to a child's vehicle is disclosed. In one implementation, the toy vehicle is a toy scooter that is configured to support a doll in a standing configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Leynes
  • Publication number: 20110177479
    Abstract: An historical educational game book/box that unearths and chronicles important eras, people, places and events in the past and present. The book contains a set of paints with brush, a scraping tool, a multicolored square or rectangular surface containing or holding miniature replicas to unearth. A brief summary of the historical set is attached to the inside cover of the book/box. After items have been unearthed, the box can be painted and figures and pieces can be stored within.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventor: Maura B. King
  • Publication number: 20110143632
    Abstract: Figure interactive systems and methods are provided. The system includes at least a base device. The base device includes a storage unit, a detecting unit, and a processing unit. The storage unit stores a content database recording scenario data corresponding to a plurality of figures. The detecting unit respectively detects identification data of at least a first figure and a second figure. The processing unit respectively retrieves the scenario data of the first figure and the second figure from the content database, dynamically generates an interactive instruction set for the first figure and the second figure, and enables the first figure and the second figure to interact according to the interactive instruction set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Sheng-Chun LIN, Yu-Chuan CHANG, Yu-Shiang HUNG
  • Patent number: 7942719
    Abstract: A fully functional miniature toy bicycle is sized and configured to receive and support a doll in a typical riding posture. Apparatus secures the toy bicycle to the host bicycle handle bars in a releasable attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Leynes
  • Publication number: 20110111671
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a fixed base, a platform supported by the fixed base, and a mechanism for causing vibration coupled to the platform and adapted to induce vibration of the platform sufficient to cause a vibration-powered vehicle to move across the platform without relying on an internal power supply of the vehicle. In some cases, a substantially planar cover is situated approximately parallel to the platform and spaced apart from the platform at a great enough distance to allow the vibration-powered vehicle to move across the platform and at a low enough distance to deter the vibration-powered vehicle from turning over.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: David Anthony Norman, Robert H. Mimlitch, III, Douglas Michael Galletti, Joel Reagan Carter, Paul David Copioli
  • Publication number: 20110097966
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a self-standing toy skeleton display includes a skeleton body that has a human form and is made of a plurality of connectable body parts that are each formed of bone structures. The connectable body parts at least includes a torso part that extends from a pelvic bone to a bottom end of a femur bone and a lower body part that extends from a top end of a tibia bone to foot bones. The skeleton toy display also includes an inner frame for supporting the skeleton in a standing manner. The inner frame passes through the femur bone and the tibia bone and is formed of separate upper and lower frame members that interlockingly mate with one another at an interface between the femur bones and the tibia bones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Harry Kronenberg
  • Publication number: 20110092131
    Abstract: An illuminated display device with a base member with a plurality of cavities therein. Illumination devices illuminate the cavities and emit light through an opening of the cavities in a pattern, and a speaker can emit sounds in synchronization with the pattern. A panel with translucent portions can overly the base member and the cavities. An animated talking character can have an animated mouth cavity complex with multiple predetermined mouth lighting configurations simulative of human utterances. The cavities can be open, or optical waveguide material or positive members can be disposed therein. Reflective material can enhance internal reflectance and light emission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: HEILBRON ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Valerie J. Heilbron, Paul G. Clem, Adam Wade Cook
  • Publication number: 20110076913
    Abstract: A system and subsystems include a server for determining the identity of a media program being received which will provide stimuli to an interactive figure. The system, and the subsystem as well as programmed media which, when executed on a processor, will operate the interactive figure, the system, and subsystems. A master library of sound patterns, preferably housed in a server, provides a reference for a recognition routine to identify, e.g., a particular television show. A control signal library stores commands each corresponding to a distinctive value. The commands initiate actions, e.g., motion, speech, or other response, by operating means in the interactive figure. The server may “push,” or transmit information to a user computer which transmits to and which may receive intelligence from the interactive figure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Gary W. Smith
  • Patent number: 7912500
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile communication device, in particular in the form of a mobile telephone, with a computer device for simulating a virtual living being in respect of the development of said living being, with a display device for outputting the development status of the virtual living being and with an input device for controlling the development of the virtual living being.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Janina Maschke, Michael Maschke
  • Patent number: 7905759
    Abstract: An interactive play set, method and apparatus, is disclosed which is based on a host toy and a plurality of action figures. Each of the action figures has a unique set of attributes related to how the action figure interacts with the host toy device. The play set includes communication means to transmit the identity of the action figure to the host toy, and/or to transmit commands from the host toy to the action figure. The preferred embodiment discloses a remote control toy car, and a plurality of action figures that represent drivers. Associated with each action figure is one or a plurality of motion profiles that are stored in the memory of the car device. Upon connecting an action figure to the car device, the microprocessor of the car device will select and execute a motion profile corresponding to the action figure. The car toy device has a remote control apparatus to enable a player to interact with it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventor: Nabil N. Ghaly
  • Publication number: 20110028066
    Abstract: A changeable modeling toy includes a front housing, a back housing and a changeable modeling module. The front housing has a window, a first surface printed with a first scene, and a second surface printed with a second scene. The back housing having a first surface and a second surface is connected with the front housing by a first pivot. The changeable modeling module is arranged between the second surface of the front housing and the first surface of the back housing and includes a plurality of modeling groups, wherein each of the modeling groups includes a plurality of changeable modeling plates that can be put together to create a variety of modelings. Fun of the changeable modeling toy can be increased as a result of design of multiple scenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Kuo-Hsing Cho, Ping-Hung Tsai, Chin-I Liu
  • Patent number: 7871304
    Abstract: A gaming device for enhancing sporting event on television including an assembled unit loaded with a number of pins/flags and a remote control through which the unit receives radio/infrared signals in order to actuate the device. A right arm of the figurine is connected to a stepper motor and can be placed on top of the assembled unit. When the user depresses the button on the remote control the stepper motor makes one revolution and the hand portion of the arm makes contact with the pin/flag and ejects the pin/flag out of the assembled unit in order to signal rule infractions associated with a game. The device simply gives users the satisfaction of calling their own penalties, and or counts the number of actual penalties in the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventor: Anthony R. Lovato
  • Publication number: 20100330868
    Abstract: A toy vehicle playset is disclosed herein the playset having: a vessel configured to define a receiving area; an object being located proximate to the vessel, the object having a pair of body portions configured for movement between a first position wherein the pair of body portions are next to each other and a second position wherein the pair of body portions are moved away from each other; first and second track segments disposed proximate to the vessel such that a gap is formed between the first and second track segments and across the vessel; a trigger disposed on the second track segment; a toy vehicle having a thermochromic paint thereon that is configured to travel along the first and second track segments, wherein the thermochromic paint on the toy vehicle changes from a first color to a second color in response to a temperature change of the thermochromic paint; wherein the pair of body portions are moved from the first position to the second position when the toy vehicle travels along the second tra
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Julian R. Payne
  • Patent number: 7857678
    Abstract: A toy is provided comprising a plush figure with a hole passing through a body part thereof, and an accessory for removable attachment to the figure, for customizing the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Barbara L. Isenberg
  • Patent number: 7854642
    Abstract: A balloon display that simulates motions of a lighter-than-air balloon includes a balloon holder and an inflated balloon. The balloon holder includes a neck fastening assembly, and the inflated balloon is secured to the balloon holder by the neck fastening assembly. A compression spring balloon support extends upwardly relative to the neck fastening assembly to support a majority of the inflated balloon above the neck fastening assembly. The inflated balloon is secured to the neck fastening assembly and supported by the compression spring balloon support such that the balloon slightly loads the compression spring balloon support and the balloon tends to move up and down, side to side, and front to back as the compression spring balloon support reacts to the load of the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventors: David C. Nelson, Wesley A. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 7819719
    Abstract: In one aspect, a supported walking system is disclosed, comprising a robotic walking figure and a wheeled support that at least partially supports the robotic walking figure. The supported walking system may be driven and controlled by a human operator. Computer algorithms automatically control the robot's walking functions so that it may step forwards, backwards, and sideways in synchronicity with the movements of the cart while driving and turning at varying speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan S. Tye, Akhill Jiten Madhani
  • Publication number: 20100255753
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to frames useful for affixing a garment to figurines such as dolls. In particular, the disclosure relates to play sets comprising a frame of the disclosure and a figurine such as a doll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Genie Toys, plc, a corporation of Great Britain
    Inventors: Casey W. Norman, David Gamlin
  • Patent number: 7785167
    Abstract: A toy animal for use with forward-facing toddler seat 7, for placement on an adult seat of transportation such as a motor vehicle. The toy animal has a body 2. The body 2 has a rear 16 with a vertical slot 4 near the rear of the body. The slot 4 extends from a top 4a of the rear of the body to a bottom 4B of the rear of the body. The slot 4 is of sufficient size to allow a bottom portion of a restraint, such as a buckle assembly 6 of a shoulder harness 11, to pass vertically through the slot 4, and locate the toy 2 on the child safety seat 7. Latching the buckle assembly 6 secures the toy 2 and a child to the forward-facing toddler seat 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Patricia Friend-Douglass
  • Publication number: 20100197195
    Abstract: A game system is provided that includes at least one game device and at least one game piece. The game piece includes game information, which is not readily legible to the naked eye, and is projected onto a game surface. A device is also provided for playing a game that is configured to receive a game piece that is at least semi-transparent and contains information thereon not readily legible to the naked eye. Also provided is a game piece that is at least semi-transparent that includes game information that is not readily legible by the human eye that is insertable in a game device for projecting or viewing the game information. A figurine is also provided that includes a plurality of semi-transparent game pieces containing indicia or images thereon. The figurine also includes a rotatable portion and an aperture configured for viewing or projecting the indicia or images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: HOME FOCUS DEVELOPMENT LTD.
    Inventor: Jacob Ranis Stokholm Andersen
  • Publication number: 20100181720
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an action figure battle game including figures with movement mechanisms are disclosed. A method for playing an action figure battle game, the game involving a first action figure and a second action figure, each of the first action figure and the second action figure having its own movement function and its own attack function is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Mark Barthold, Tyler B. Kenney, Brian M. Yu, Benjamin J. Blagg, Erich W. Weidetz, Scott Hart Derman, Jeannie B. Hardie, Christopher M. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 7751936
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a processing method for playing motion-including multimedia content using a network-based robot system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Robomation Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoung Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 7747350
    Abstract: Conventional pet robots have the ability to distinguish users and take a different behavior pattern per each different user, and conventional pet robots have the ability to phase their behavior patterns based on their own behavior history to stage a growth process. The present invention provides an improvement to the conventional pet robots by, when in contact with a user in possession of a memory card, acquiring various types of information from the memory card, such as identification information of the memory card, information regarding the user, and history information regarding contact between the user and the robot. This provides the user a high degree of satisfaction by performing behavior that reflects the acquired information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Natsume Matsuzaki, Kaoru Yokota
  • Patent number: 7740518
    Abstract: A jousting element for use in a game. The jousting element has a body which is arranged around a cylindrically aligned vertical axis. The body is configured to rotate about the vertical axis and to be carried above a playing surface. A traveling component connected to the body enables the body of the jousting element to be carried above the playing surface along multiple directions of travel. Attached to the body is a first playing component. The first playing component enables the jousting element to engage a second jousting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Elliott
  • Patent number: 7731563
    Abstract: A transformable toy is presented. The toy includes a first member, a second member and a third member. A first surface of the first member is a first part of an exterior surface of a substantially spherical structure in a first configuration. A second surface of the second member is a second part of the exterior surface of the substantially spherical structure in the first configuration. The first member and second member are positionable in a second configuration in which at least a portion of the second member is further from at least a portion of the first member. The at least portion of the second member includes an edge which includes an arc-shaped portion. The first member, second member and third member are positionable in a third configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Aldric J. Saucier
  • Publication number: 20100136875
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally to product packaging and, more specifically, to product packaging assemblies with try-me toys that may allow a consumer to visualize, experiment, and design various looks available in the product line at the point of purchase while the product remains in the product packaging and after purchase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Buynak, Yuk Ha Mo, Garrett Sander