Body-carried Or Worn Patents (Class 446/26)
  • Patent number: 6108817
    Abstract: A novelty noisemaker and hand sign comprising a hand-shaped foam rubber body portion having a front panel and a rear panel. The invention has a vinyl plastic or other like material covering which is affixed continuously to said front panel. The rear panel contains five digit slits in a pattern such that the spectator can press his or her fingers into the slits to wear the novelty hand. The invention has an orifice in one of the comers of the bottom of said foam rubber body and a hand strap which is connected to the body through the orifice. The covering can be affixed with team logos, colors, slogans or the like such that the spectator can visually communicate his or her support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kostelac
  • Patent number: 6080033
    Abstract: A footprint generating toy that is worn on a person's foot, and enables the wearer to leave liquid or dry simulated footprints. The footprint generating toy is made from an absorbent, moisture retaining material that, after being soaked in water, will leave liquid simulated footprints as the wearer walks. The footprint generating toy may also be used dry, to leave simulated footprint impressions in soft surfaces such as sand, snow or loose dirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventors: Ronald S. Fladwood, Deirdre L. Fladwood
  • Patent number: 6029280
    Abstract: An inflatable applique for a fabric article which may be attached to an article of clothing after it is fully manufactured comprising a top and a backing layer of vinyl which are sealing affixed to one another creating a substantially airtight enclosure, a heat-fusible layer disposed on the outside of the backing layer, and an anti-sealing treatment disposed between some or all portions the top and backing layers to prevent fusing of those portions during attachment of the applique to an article of clothing. In the method of manufacture, the top and backing layers are welded together before attachment of the enclosure to a clothing article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Printmark Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Sloot
  • Patent number: 5993285
    Abstract: A teething device is provided, including a web of sheet material constructed to be positioned around an infant's hand without substantially confining the infant's fingers, and a toy, mounted on the web of sheet material in a position so that it rests on the back of the infant's hand when the device is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: The First Years Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Sofia, Deborah H. Levenson
  • Patent number: 5980351
    Abstract: A set of footwear blocks having a set of footwear blocks has indicia, such as animal tracks or characters thereon, wherein the tracks can be interchanged between different images. The blocks also have rigid handles to support the arms of the child while walking. In a preferred embodiment the height of the rigid handles can be varied so that they can be raised so the child can walk erect while using the blocks underneath the child's shoes, or the height of the handles can be lowered so that the child, while kneeling, can use the blocks as hand-held printing imagines, for imprinting images in soft surface, such as soft ground or sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Norma McCook
  • Patent number: 5962086
    Abstract: A bundle of strands of a plastic or textile material are arranged so as to be bundled together and attached, mechanically, to a handle consisting of a pair of spaced apart legs with a spherical knob at the end of each of the legs for facilitating the grasping of the device, a pompon. The handle is configured to accept a finger of one hand between the legs in order to hold the pompon and this construction prevents the handle from easily slipping off the finger since the spacing between the spheres is too small to allow a finger to pass through. The two spheres also provide an indicia that make the spheres appear as eyeballs. As such, the pompon may be used for shaking as by cheer leaders without the fear of being dropped, or may be placed on any surface with the handle extending upwardly, and then appears to be a small creature with a thick furry coat and a pair of eyes observing its surroundings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Valley Decorating Company
    Inventor: James Offen
  • Patent number: 5957515
    Abstract: A device for assisting an infant with gripping a toy is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the device comprises a first toy-loop, for engaging a first portion of a toy, a second toy-loop, for engaging a second portion of a toy, a hand-strap, for connecting the first and second toy loops, a wrist-band, and a connecting strip, for connecting the wrist-band to the hand-strap. When properly placed on an infant, the wrist-band and hand-strap keep the toy positioned near the infant's hand in case the infant releases his/her grip on the toy so that the toy can be readily gripped again. Furthermore, the infant's hand is disposed between the toy and the hand-strap, thereby positioning the toy near the infant's palm for easy gripping by the infant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Cherie H. Van Der Sluys
  • Patent number: 5937556
    Abstract: A device and method for firing a cap contained within a row of caps. The device includes a base structure for retaining the row of caps so that one of the caps is set in a predetermined firing location. A hammer pin is provided that is movable with respect to the base structure and the cap held therein. The hammer pin is positioned adjacent to the cap in the predetermined firing position so that when the entire device is compressed the hammer pin strikes and fires the cap. The device is preferably compressed by locating the device either in or on the sole of a shoe. As a person stands on that shoe, the device will become compressed and the cap will fire. The device also preferably contains an advancement mechanism for automatically advancing a new cap into the firing position after a cap has been fired. In this manner, multiple caps can be fired simply by walking, running or jumping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventors: Timothy M. Daily, James R. Distel
  • Patent number: 5906846
    Abstract: A candy or gum holding device including an elongated flexible cord. The candy or gum is of a gummy type which can be threaded onto the cord along its length. Near a lower end of the cord, the cord is flared slightly so that the candy or gum pieces will not fall off but can be pulled off over the flare. The upper end of the cord is provided with a head and the lower end of the cord is provided with a tail section. The head is provided with an aperture which receives the end of the tail section in order to form a bracelet or anklet after the candy has been consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Inventors: Thomas J. Coleman, William K. Schlotter, IV, Princess Ann Coleman, Ann M. Schlotter
  • Patent number: 5857217
    Abstract: A light-reflection band device has a protection band, a flexible plate disposed on the protection band, a base band disposed on the flexible plate, a transparent layer disposed on the base band, and a liquid solution and a large number of light-reflection particles disposed between the transparent layer and the base band. A periphery of the protection band, a periphery of the flexible plate, a periphery of the base band, and a periphery of the transparent layer are melted together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Yu-Sheng Hsueh
  • Patent number: 5845335
    Abstract: A new noise making garment for producing sounds when noise pads are compressed as well as providing reinforced areas where wear is likely to occur. The inventive device includes a garment with a plurality of noise pads coupled to the garment. Each noise pad comprises a deformable bladder with a flexible wall that permits deformation of the bladder. The flexible wall defines an interior air chamber that holds air. A valve with a noise making device extends through the flexible wall of the bladder to permit the passage of air from the interior air chamber through the valve when the bladder is deformed. The noise making device creates an audible sound when air passes through the valve. Preferably, a noise pad is located at each knee region towards the front of the garment, at each elbow region towards the back of the garment, and at each sole region. Ideally, a reinforcement layer surrounds the outer surface of each noise pad that is located at the knee regions and at the elbow regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Floleather Twitty
  • Patent number: 5830035
    Abstract: A puppet is adapted to be mounted on a single human digit for providing animated motion of a figurine responsive to movement of the single human digit. The puppet comprises a hollow, elastic cap having an interior wall defining a cavity into which the single human digit is snugly received. The cap includes a resilient neck portion for supporting the figurine at a distance spaced from the single human digit such that movement of the single human digit causes the neck portion and the figurine to oscillate to and fro under the influence of the weight of the figurine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: David J. Budreck
  • Patent number: 5733166
    Abstract: A story board with attachable elements (10) for being secured to a wall, with the associated set of dolls (26) being individually and releasably secured thereto. A plurality of loop members (14) are provided along the top border to enable the securement of the story board (12) to a wall. The front panel (15) of the story board (12) is sectioned into a grid of individual panels (16). Each panel (16) illustrates a particular scene, in similar fashion to a conventional story board. Each of the individual panels (16) is decorated to reflect the personality of the particular doll (26) to be secured to that panel (16) and is provided with a conventional fastener (18) for the securement of the doll (26). A pocket (17) is carried by selected of the individual panels (16) for storing various selected items. One individual panel (16) may be provided with a pocket (20) for carrying a story book (24) illustrating at least one story involving the characters of the dolls (26) carried on the individual panels (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Barbara J. Hoag
  • Patent number: 5729834
    Abstract: An inflatable applique for a fabric article which may be attached to an article of clothing after it is fully manufactured comprising a top and a backing layer of vinyl which are sealing affixed to one another creating a substantially airtight enclosure, a heat-fusible layer disposed on the outside of the backing layer, and an anti-sealing treatment disposed between some or all portions the top and backing layers to prevent fusing of those portions during attachment of the applique to an article of clothing. In the method of manufacture, the top and backing layers are welded together before attachment of the enclosure to a clothing article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: Alexander Sloot
  • Patent number: 5704821
    Abstract: An improved bubble blowing device with a bubble forming ring which is hidden inside a decorative housing when not in use. When in use, the elevation angle and the positions of the bubble-forming ring can be adjusted and the bubble forming process observable by the user. The bubble blowing device is provided with a wrist strap such that it can be worn on either wrist. The lid includes a timepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: HBL Limited
    Inventor: Leslie Mann
  • Patent number: 5694651
    Abstract: A position identification system for use in distinguishing individual team positions to aid in coaching in a multi-player athletic environment including sets of athletic over-vests which utilize different colors to identify selected positions in a pre-selected order and which employs a quick change, durable over-vest, adapted for any team sport that employs an offense and a defense consisting of more than one player per side, mainly football, basketball, baseball, hockey, volleyball, lacrosse, polo, field hockey, rugby and soccer wherein such sports are characterized by multi-teams, multi-positions and a plurality of players which are otherwise difficult to readily identify in the practice environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Paul J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5669803
    Abstract: A glider toy apparatus including a body member made of a resilient material, a wing member having a length greater than a width of the body member, and a weight member secured to the body member forward of the wing member. The wing member has a greater density than the body member. The body member is affixed centrally of the wing member. The wing member extends from the body member in a swept-back boomerang shape. The weight member is secured to the body forward of a center of gravity of the body member. A vertical stabilizer can be affixed to either the body member or to the wing member so as to extend upwardly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventor: James Sweed
  • Patent number: 5613891
    Abstract: An animal caller including a pouch-like housing having top and bottom walls and an opening for forming a pouch pocket, and attachment means on the bottom wall for securing the pouch-like housing to a surface. The animal caller also includes a bellows assembly for producing a strong current of air disposed within the pouch pocket, and a reed assembly for producing a specific animal sound being detachably connected to the bellows assembly. The reed assembly has detachable and interchangeable reed housings for different animal calls, and the reed assembly has at least two flexible and interlocking calling tubes movable relative to each other to vary the pitch and/or tone of the animal call and to direct the animal call to a given direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: Ralph J. Lamo
  • Patent number: 5607091
    Abstract: A universal holder for retaining various configurations of game calls affixed to a limb of a hunter includes a platform provided with a circular aperture within which similarly configured game calls may be nested. The game call is retained in this manner by an elastic member having no less than one stretch bridging the aperture and when thus retained, its bottom sound emanating surface is maintained in a position elevated from a user's limb by legs depending from the platform. An adjustable, flexible body attaching member serves to secure the retained game call relative the user's limb. Non-circular or elongated box-type game calls are retained atop the platform by the same elastic member but wherein the stretch is passed beneath the platform with a portion thereof displaced upwardly through the aperture to releasably engage a catch element on the game call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Inventor: John Musacchia
  • Patent number: 5603651
    Abstract: A bubble producing toy includes a rod or tether having a circular ring at one end to loosely encircle the user's lower leg or ankle. A bubble producing mechanism is secured to the outer end of the rod and is operative to produce bubbles when twirled about the user's leg. The bubble producing mechanism includes a housing which carries a power wheel rotatable in response to ground engagement during twirling about the user's leg to rotate a bubble plate within the housing. The bubble plate has a plurality of openings over which bubble-producing films are formed as the plate dips into a bubble-producing solution during rotation and moves the films successively through an air passage in the housing so that bubbles are formed through a discharge end of the air passage. The rod or tether is of sufficient length to require a skipping or hopping movement of the user's free leg so as not to impede twirling of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Shure Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Shure, Tai H. Matlin, James A. Waring
  • Patent number: 5592689
    Abstract: A sound-emitting knee pad apparatus includes a pad assembly which emits a sound when located between a knee of an infant person and a floor surface when the person is crawling on the floor surface. A pad connector assembly connects the pad assembly to a knee of the person or to an outside surface of a knee-juxtaposed region of a garment worn by the person. The pad connector assembly includes a first connector assembly attached to an outside surface of a knee-juxtaposed region of a garment. A second connector assembly is attached to an outside surface of the pad assembly. The first connector assembly is a quantity of hook-or-loop connector material. The second connector assembly is a quantity of complementary loop-or-hook connector material. The pad assembly may be comprised of a rubber material. Alternatively, the pad assembly may include an air chamber assembly which includes a plurality of resilient exterior walls which define an interior air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventor: Jacqueline R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 5569131
    Abstract: A hopping toy made up of a platform, a base, a spring supporting the platform on the base and a sack having an open top and an open bottom. A ring is attached to the open top. An inflatable animal-like figure is supported on the top of the sack. A child may stand in the sack on the platform in front of the animal-like figure and hop with the base engaging the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventor: Jo. Anne Giulianelli
  • Patent number: 5558550
    Abstract: A simulated finger is mounted for unnatural movement on a finger-ring structure so that the simulated finger appears to a casual observer to be the person's natural finger. In different examples, the movements are rotational or axial, and can expose a simulated bone and can be accompanied by appropriated sounds such as screeching or ratchetting. In another example, the simulated finger incorporated a whistle sounded by holding the tip of the simulated finger to the lips and blowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Mark Setteducati
  • Patent number: 5540609
    Abstract: A story quilt and associated set of dolls (10) for being secured to a wall, with the associated set of dolls (26) being individually and releasably secured thereto. A plurality of loop members (14) are provided along the top border to enable the securement of the story quilt (12) to a wall. The front panel (15) of the story quilt (12) is sectioned into a grid of individual panels (16). Each panel (16) illustrates a particular scene, in similar fashion to a conventional story board. Each of the individual panels (16) is decorated to reflect the personality of the particular doll (26) to be secured to that panel (16) and is provided with a conventional fastener (18) for the securement of the doll (26). A pocket (17) is carried by selected of the individual panels (16) for storing various selected items. One individual panel (16) may be provided with a pocket (20) for carrying a story book (24) illustrating at least one story involving the characters of the dolls (26) carried on the individual panels (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: Barbara J. Hoag
  • Patent number: 5477560
    Abstract: A combination bib and toy device which is comprised of any suitable nonrigid material. The device may include a toy in the form of a human figure or may take the form of an animal or other nonhuman character. The toy figure is attached to the nonworking side of a bib body, preferably by sewing, or other suitable means. When the device is worn around a child's neck as a bib, the positioning of the toy figure prevents the toy figure from becoming soiled and prevents the child from playing with the toy while eating. When not being worn as a bib, the novel design allows the bib body and other extrusions to fold quickly and neatly inward so that an unsoiled toy becomes prominent. The combination bib and toy device reduces the number of children's items that must be carried away from home and is easily stored among other items without contaminating them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventor: G. Alan Shope
  • Patent number: 5462471
    Abstract: A display device suitable for attachment to headwear having a self-contained power source, a reciprocating arm powered by the self-contained power source, and a display symbol at the wagging end of the reciprocating arm. The display device may also have one or more additional reciprocating arms or an audio source, and the display symbols may be permanently attached, replaceable or interchangeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Stephen N. Power-Fardy
  • Patent number: 5458348
    Abstract: A ventilating skate including a skate body formed with several circular or polygonal through holes in which ventilating disks are disposed. One side of the ventilating disk is formed with a ventilating groove. A pivot plate formed with multiple through holes is rotatably connected with the ventilating disk to locate the same in the through hole of the skate body. The ventilating disk can be rotated to adjust the orientation of the ventilating groove and thus adjust the amount of incoming air. A whistling film is disposed in the ventilating groove, whereby when skating with the air passing through the ventilating groove, the whistling film is vibrated to emit a sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Hi Star Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min-Kuo Lee
  • Patent number: 5432991
    Abstract: A display and seat cushion for use at arenas, stadiums, and the like, has a generally hand-shaped foam polymer member having a plurality of finger portions thereon and a ductile frame extending through the foam polymer member plurality of finger portions so that the foam finger portions can be shaped as desired. A fabric covering covers the foam polymer member and a glove compartment is formed in the foam polymer member for hand holding the display. The foam polymer member is shaped and sized to act as a stadium cushion as well as a hand-held display having changeable, positionable finger portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Peter J. Godleski
  • Patent number: 5422628
    Abstract: An movable article carries a circuit including a normally OFF reed switch. In the ON state of the switch, the circuit is adapted to emit an audible or a visible signal. A magnet, mounted on the article to move during normal movement moves over a designed locus which include positions which will cause the reed switch to be ON and OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 5404731
    Abstract: A play assembly for making an item of jewelry includes a gem setting and an imitation unfinished stone comprising an imitation finished gemstone and an irregularly-shaped, water soluble, outer coating on the imitation, finished gemstone. The play assembly is adapted for use in a method wherein a child dissolves the outer coating from the unfinished stone to reveal the finished gemstone and then assembles the finished gemstone in the setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventor: Jo Ann M. Traub
  • Patent number: 5398344
    Abstract: A pair of bags are provided on a front side upper portion of a glove main body of each of a pair of gloves so that the bags are aligned traversely on each glove. The bags are knitted goods similar to the glove main body, and the inside of the bags is in communication with the inside of the glove main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Hirano Seni Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Hirano
  • Patent number: 5394565
    Abstract: A portable play environment functions as a coat or jacket when worn and when not worn is capable of being used as a playing surface. It may include pockets or loops which act as storage means for carrying dolls, action figures, cars or similar small toys. Raised three-dimensional play objects may be permanently incorporated into the jacket. Expandable pocket structures have a dual function. When the jacket is worn by the child, the pocket structure functions as a ordinary pocket. The pocket structure may be removed, however, when the jacket is off and is being used as a play environment. When removed, it may be expanded into the general shape of a building or other imaginary structure. Flat cloth panels have graphic indicia printed on both sides. Such indicia typically will be in the form of maps or other small-scale representations of a natural or imaginary environment. Playing fields may be formed both on the back of the jacket and on its inner lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventors: Patrick D. Stewart, Brian D. Moose
  • Patent number: 5385500
    Abstract: The present invention features a snake toy having an illumination apparatus in its mouth. The body of the snake toy has an inner, flexible, corrugated tube of metal or plastic. The flexible corrugation is easily twisted in order to provide different shapes or configurations for the snake body. In this fashion, the snake can be shaped to stand alone upon a table or to wrap around handlebars of a bicycle or the back of a chair, for example. Likewise, the snake can be easily carried about one's person by wrapping it about the neck, arm, or leg. The twisting and shaping capability also serves as a means by which the illumination from the built-in flashlight can be focused or directed upon an object or a particular spot. By shaping the snake, one can direct the light emanating from the snake's mouth onto the page of a book, for instance. The inner tube of the snake's is covered by soft polyester batting, which is further overlaid with an outer cloth shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Inventor: Caitlyn R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5354226
    Abstract: A hand puppet in which two spheroids, each having an eye illustration upon their faces, are utilized to represent the puppet's eyes, and a flexible or rigid cord is used to connect the eyes and operate the puppet. Additional humanhold features such as a mouth, mustache, eyebrow, tongue, or hair can also be utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventor: David F. Ruppert
  • Patent number: 5343190
    Abstract: An article of footwear is provided with a normally open reed switch and provides a visual or audible signal when the reed switch is closed. A magnet is provided movable under inertial forces between an ON position where it causes the reed switch to close and an OFF position where it allows the reed switch to open. The magnet is biased to OFF position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 5316515
    Abstract: A hobby horse includes a neck and head portion secured to the user's waist by a belt attachment. A rein switch is supported within the head interior and is coupled to each end of a closed rein set and is responsive to pulling action upon the reins. A motion sensing switch is supported within the head portion of the hobby horse and responds to motion and changes of motion of the child user and hobby horse. A pair of pressure sensitive switches are disposed proximate the forehead and mouth portions of the hobby horse and respond to simulated feeding and petting actions on the part of the user. A sound producing circuit includes a battery power system, a speaker and a sound sensitizing circuit operatively coupled to the range switch, the motion switch, the forehead switch, and the mouth switch to provide a plurality of sound outputs responsive to play activities sensed by the switches. The rein sensing switch is resistant to overstressing by the child user in pulling upon the reins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Hyman, Lawrence Reiner, Martin J. Caveza, Roger A. Newbold
  • Patent number: 5316514
    Abstract: A toy vehicle and launcher system includes a motor-driven toy vehicle having a wind-up spring-driven motor to provide forward motion thereof. The launcher is adapted to mount the vehicle and has a releasable latch for precluding forward motion of the vehicle. A biasing spring provides the vehicle with forward motion immediately upon release of the latch. Preferably, the launcher is configured and dimensioned to be releasably mounted on a human limb so that the longitudinal axis of the vehicle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the limb, thereby making the launcher a foot-operated or arm-operated launcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Matchbox Toys (USA) Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Ellman, Fredric Ellman, Julius Ellman, John C. Fusi
  • Patent number: 5286228
    Abstract: A child's toy is a mechanical hand having at least articulated fingers, and perhaps an articulated thumb, associated with a palm section. A control compartment attached to and extending from the palm section includes fingertip controls which selectively move the articulated fingers. A clip-on special effects box, also operated by fingertip control, may be added to the mechanical hand in order to provide a weapon, sound effect, laser beam, or the like. In the embodiment described herein, the weapon is a set of four claws which may extend from or retract into the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: C. J. Associates, Ltd.
    Inventors: James S. W. Lee, Chiu K. Kwan
  • Patent number: 5283969
    Abstract: An identification band having a pocket portion and a strap portion extending from the pocket portion. The pocket portion encloses identification information pertaining to the wearer. The periphery of the pocket portion is configured to convey a creative artistic impression, that is, a configuration resembling at least a portion of any one of a living being (alive now or in the past), cartoon character, a man-made functional article (such a transportation vehicle and a building), a natural object (such as a cloud or star) and a decoration (such as holiday decorations and artwork). The pocket portion may be relatively planar or be formed so that the artistic impression is three-dimensional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Inventor: Steven J. Weiss
  • Patent number: 5275019
    Abstract: A functional ring having the particular characteristic of comprising, in various forms of decorative elements indicative of cardinal orientation or temperature, as well as differently formed lens elements in order to confer a true and proper utility to an object. Specifically, a ring is disclosed including a solid transparent sphere for magnification of objects seen therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: C.T.P. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carlo Pagani
  • Patent number: 5244430
    Abstract: A support apparatus is arranged for the sliding reception and securement of a turkey caller therewithin permitting a hunter and the like to permit use of an associated turkey caller structure mounted within the support while permitting transport of accessory hunting equipment. The invention of the support includes a turkey caller assembly complementarily and slidably mounted within an associated support assembly arranged for ease of use and access by a hunter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Inventor: Roy A. Legursky
  • Patent number: 5224959
    Abstract: A skeleton ball comprising a plurality of loops woven together into a spheroidal grid derived from polyhedral geometry. The loops comprise elongated rod, strand or tube elements joined at the ends subsequent to the weaving process. Only one joint per loop element is required. The grid's connections are frictionally secured through mutual flexural deformation of loops as a result of the weaving process. The frictionally-secured connections allow some embodiments to be collapsed or folded flat through relative sliding motion of loops. Relative sliding motion of loops also allows enlargement of grid openings so the ball may be used as a tote or container. The ball may be designed for bouyancy without need for inflation. The ball is suitable as a swimming or aquatic exercise aid affixed to the limbs through relative sliding of loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventor: Thomas A. Kasper
  • Patent number: 5222259
    Abstract: A basketball hoop (60) mounted on the front (18) of a shirt (10) to provide a basketball game, is described. An aperture (24) through the front of the shirt serves to mount a bracket (58) to connect the basketball hoop to a support (44) housed inside an inner pocket (38) of the shirt. To play the game, a first player (100) wears the shirt with the basketball hoop extending outward from the front of the shirt. A second player then shoots a ball (66) at the basketball hoop and attempts to score goals by moving the ball through the basketball hoop. The players then switch places with the second player wearing the shirt and the first player shooting the ball. The player to record the most goals is the winner. A second embodiment comprising a basketball rim (90) having projecting arms (88) that are received in tubes (86) mounted in an inside pocket (70) provided on the shirt (74) is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventor: Kirk T. Bristor
  • Patent number: 5221222
    Abstract: A novelty sleeve for simulating a muscular arm and having an elongated opening through the sleeve for a person to slip the arm into the sleeve, and the sleeve has enlarged portions therealong for depicting enlarged arm muscles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignees: Chris A. Becker, Stanley E. Buhrow
    Inventor: William H. Townes
  • Patent number: 5141468
    Abstract: A travelling toy having a ramp member to which a toy vehicle is selectively secured, and a base member pivotally secured to the ramp member. The base member is pivotable back and forth between two positions. A ratchet device converts the two-directional pivotal motion of the base member relative to the ramp member into one-directional rotational motion of a flywheel within the toy vehicle. A releasing device selectively releases the toy vehicle from the ramp member after the driving force has been accumulated in the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Toybox Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5135423
    Abstract: This invention relates to a portable toy capable of playing, at different times, different, interchangeable, electro-mechanical toy-units. The invention provides a toy which permits a user to have a single power-unit to supply electrical and mechanical energy to a toy-unit which is received by the power-unit. However, the toy-units are interchangeable and so the user can play, at different times, with several different toy units, with each different toy-unit providing a different toy with which the user can play. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the power-unit is worn on a wrist of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Playtoy Industries, a Partnership
    Inventor: Henry Chung
  • Patent number: 5129851
    Abstract: A toy for amusement purposes which is convertible between a toy vehicle and a finger ring. As a vehicle, the toy has rotatable wheels for rolling the vehicle on a surface. When the toy is re-configured as a ring, it becomes a ring for a finger with an ornament. The toy is comprised of a body member and two extending members pivotally attached to the body member. As a vehicle, one extension member extends forward relative to the body member and the other extends rearward thereby representing the hood, cab, and trunk sections of the vehicle. The second of the two extending members is also slidably attached to the body member. Both extending members have wheel assemblies attached to the end thereof opposite the end attached to the body member. The body member is oval in shape and ornamental in appearance. The pivotal and slidable attachments allow the extending members to be moved arcuately, relative to the body member for changing between a toy vehicle and a ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Lee N. Tran
    Inventor: Angelo Villanueva
  • Patent number: 5114377
    Abstract: A framework assembly that can be selectively manipulated to a variety of configurations for leisure activity, hand and finger exercise and as a teaching aid for shape recognition. Respective circular frame members have a plurality of semi-circled frame members rotatably attached at their ends to the circular frame members in successively overlapping engagement along the lengths of the circular frame members. Two of the semi-circled frame members are rotatably attached to each other thereby providing a framework assembly that can be configured in virtually an infinite variety of shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Inventors: Leslie M. Cove Mercuri, Luis A. Mercuri
  • Patent number: 5000712
    Abstract: A child's riding toy fashioned to simulate the appearance of an animal or other character such as a horse and attachable to the upper leg portion of person comprising a body member having spaced apart top and bottom surfaces, the body member being formed of a compressible type material and having a lower surface conformable to the upper leg portion of a person when attached thereto, the upper surface of the body member having a seat or saddle like shaped area associated therewith adapted to receive the posterior of a child when seated thereon, and a strap arrangement associated with the bottom portion of the body member for attaching the toy to the upper leg portion of a person. The body member is sized and shaped so as to have sufficient padding or other material between the top and bottom surfaces so as to provide some cushioning effect for a child seated thereon. Also, the strap arrangement is preferably adjustable to accommodate attachment to leg portions having different circumferential dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Inventor: John L. Curry, Sr.
  • Patent number: D413618
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Stephen D. Murwin