Phonograph, Tape, Or Wire Patents (Class 446/299)
  • Patent number: 11918924
    Abstract: A carousel ride system includes a first rotatable platform and multiple second rotatable platforms. Each second rotatable platform of the multiple second rotatable platforms is positioned within a respective opening in the first rotatable platform. A first drive system is configured to drive rotation of the first rotatable platform and multiple second drive assemblies are configured to drive rotation of the multiple second rotatable platforms. Multiple figures extend over the multiple second rotatable platforms and multiple figure drive assemblies are configured to independently lift and rotate the multiple figures relative to the multiple second rotatable platforms. One or more processors are configured to coordinate operation of the first drive system, the multiple second drive assemblies, and the multiple figure drive assemblies to maintain the multiple figures in a forward-facing orientation relative to a direction of travel of the first rotatable platform during operation of the carousel ride system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Jerrell Andrew Loudon, Rick A Dias, David Wayne Komives, William Dale Mason
  • Patent number: 11213762
    Abstract: A customizable toy figure, including a body, and a toy book disposed on at least a portion of the body to entertain a user with at least one story, such that the toy book is oriented in a first direction toward at least a portion of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventor: Sylvia Towns
  • Patent number: 8904678
    Abstract: Three-dimensional lightweight foam greeting cards are described herein having a foam body with a perimeter wall that extends between two spaced apart parallel pieces of planar sheet material such as heavy gauge paper, cardboard, or other such material. The greeting cards have a partially hollowed foam body or one or more cavities in the foam body concealed in the front and back by the planar sheet material which may be pre-cut in the shape of the foam body are decorated consistent with the design of the foam body. The cavities in the foam body may contain various electronic components that enable the greeting card to produce sound, record and playback a personalized message, trigger light activation, trigger the movement of moveable parts, display digital video, photographs or slideshows, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Erin Dennis, Michelle Parkinson
  • Patent number: 6926580
    Abstract: A robotic toy has a pedestal, a first casing assembly, a first transmission device, a mounting shaft assembly and a toy assembly. The pedestal has a speaker and a battery container. The first casing assembly is trunk-like and is mounted on the pedestal. The first transmission device and the mounting shaft assembly are mounted in-to the first casing assembly and cooperate with each other to provide a rotating function. The toy assembly is mounted rotatably on the mounting shaft assembly and has movable wings. The bird-like toy assembly can flap its wings, shake its toy head and open its lower beak and coordinate with the speaker producing music or bird song to perform in a natural and charming manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Gemmy Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Sheng-Chien Wang
  • Patent number: 6773322
    Abstract: A programmable assembly toy including a multiplicity of toy elements which are joinable to define a player selectable structure including a plurality of controllable toy elements which are joinable by a player with the selectable structure, and a player programmable control system for controlling the operation of the plurality of controllable toy elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Creator Ltd.
    Inventors: Oz Gabai, Jacob Gabai, Nimrod Sandlerman
  • Patent number: 6585556
    Abstract: A talking toy having audible message reproduction, a storage device for storing audible messages, at least on sensor of external activation, at least one environment sensor, an electronic clock, a message selecting device, and a storage device for storing parameters for choosing audible messages. The toy reproduces messages in response to an external activation of the sensor. An audible message is selected under the influence of parameters recorded in the storage device. These parameters characterize the personality represented by the toy. The selection of messages for reproduction depends on the type of external activation, environment conditions, such as temperature and the currant time of the day, as well as a random factor. The toy reflects the change in the mood of the character depending on the factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Alexander V Smirnov
  • Patent number: 6524157
    Abstract: A pull along toy for a child is provided with an integral cassette recorder. The invention will take the shape of an animal such as a dog, a cat, a lion or the like. A cassette recorder would be built into the back of the animal. An integral speaker is provided. The leash of the animal is formed by a strong electrical cable exiting from the neck area of the animal. Located at the end of the leash/cable is a microphone, for use in recording audio content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Christine A. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20010053651
    Abstract: An educational doll that simulates audible counting for kids The doll has a body portion and a connected head portion. The body is shaped in a girl-like figure to simulate a little girl. Formed on the head is a face with movable lips. A cam mechanism and motor assembly is used to controllably and mechanically move the lips of the doll to simulate speech analogous to human speech. The motor is attached to the cam mechanism for driving the lips. A sound generating apparatus electrically coupled to the assembly to produce the sound of number counting from an individual's. At least one switch is connected to the sound generating apparatus for activating a voice module coincidentally with the movement of the lips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Betty Anne P. Wright
  • Patent number: 6315631
    Abstract: A toy figure has a movable mouth coupled to an actuator in the belly area. A speech generator stores sound elements for an entire song, verse, or nursery rhyme. The speech generator is provided with a first track of sequenced sound elements (singing version) that form a song when sequentially generated, and a related second track of a like number of sequenced sound elements (humming version). Sound elements from the first and second tracks are interchangeable at any given point during sequential output thereof. A switch located in the mouth is connected to the speech generator to provide input as to the mouth position, i.e. open or closed. Squeezing the belly of the figure opens the mouth, changing the state of the switch and initiating an output sequence from the speech generator. When the mouth is open, the child is able to easily control the mouth position by varying the pressure on the belly actuator. The speech generator checks the state of the mouth switch at given intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Design Lab, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Beckman, John Murphy, Kipp Bradford, Stephen Schwartz, Henry Sharpe, III
  • Patent number: 6206745
    Abstract: A programmable assembly toy including a multiplicity of toy elements which are joinable to define a player selectable structure including a plurality of controllable toy elements which are joinable by a player with the selectable structure, and a player programmable control system for controlling the operation of the plurality of controllable toy elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Creator Ltd.
    Inventors: Oz Gabai, Jacob Gabai, Nimrod Sandlerman
  • Patent number: 6106358
    Abstract: A religious doll adapted to recite biblical scriptures and biblical sayings, such as the Ten Commandments. The doll has an internal audio system including a voice chip, portable electrical power source, a speaker, and a pressure sensitive switch operable by externally applied compressive pressure against a pressure plate overlying the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Leila L. McKenzie
  • Patent number: 6089942
    Abstract: The interactive toy includes a speech synthesizer for converting digital data representative of speech into audible synthesized speech; an infra-red transceiver for wirelessly communicating infra-red messages over a field-of-view to a second toy; a microphone; and a selector for selecting between a transmission mode and a stand-alone mode. The toy is programmed so that, in the transmission mode, it receives a first infra-red signal from a second toy identifying a synthesized speech phrase generated by the second toy, supplies selected digital speech data representative of a reply synthesized speech phrase to the speech synthesizer in response to the first signal, and transmits a second infra-red signal to the second toy indicative of the selected reply phrase. In the stand-alone mode, the toy monitors the microphone for sound input, and supplies selected digital speech data to the speech synthesizer after the sound input has ceased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Thinking Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert W. T. Chan
  • Patent number: 5823329
    Abstract: An infant's food dish includes a sound unit which is enabled by a switch, the state of which can be changed merely by bringing an object into proximity with the switch. Suitably the switch is magnetically operable and the object is the magnetized tip of a feeding utensil such as a spoon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Brian G. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5695381
    Abstract: A bear or baby doll that laughs or sings a nursery song when bounced or dandled is disclosed. A particular area on the rump of the doll is pressure sensitive and produces the given sound when a pressure level is detected in that particular area that is within a range of pressure levels produced when the doll's rump contacts the child's knee in a gentle bounce. Tapping one of the bear's knees selects a respective song and controls the sound generator's mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Joseph F. Truchsess
  • Patent number: 5655945
    Abstract: A video and radio controlled remote device control system including at least one moving and talking remote device is presented. Standard video tapes used .in cameras or to home record TV programs have unused space on which data can be stored. This space may be called the vertical interval space. Appropriate digital control data is recorded in this unused vertical interval space. The encoded signal is played when the tape plays and is detected by a control box coupled between the VCR and the television. The control box generates an RF (radio) signal as a function of the encoded signal. A radio receiver in at least one, and possibly substantially more than one device receives the signal and as a function thereof generates selected voice and/or other sounds and mechanical control signals. Each device has a plurality of motors. Selected motors are controlled as a function of response to the transmitted signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Scott Jani
  • Patent number: 5607336
    Abstract: A uniquely constructed message delivering doll or action figure is attained, which is capable of providing, when activated, words or phrases specifically relating to one desired, precise subject, activity, profession or area of interest for which the doll or action figure is dressed, by providing a toy doll or action figure which incorporates an audio generator contained therein for producing audible messages, message containing components removably interconnectable therewith, and outfits of wearing apparel for designating or relating to one specific subject, activity, profession, or area of interest. Each message containing component comprises a plurality of messages, each of which is specifically related to a particular subject, activity, profession, or area of interest designated by an outfit of wearing apparel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignees: Steven Lebensfeld, Harvey Goldberg, David K. K. Chu
    Inventors: Steven Lebensfeld, Harvey Goldberg, David K. K. Chu, Ma H. Wai
  • Patent number: 5468172
    Abstract: This invention provides a doll having a head, a body, a motorized appendage for providing a caress, and a recorder for recording a personal, audible message to be played back. The doll further includes disengagement means for disengaging said motor upon the incidence of a threshold force level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: Pauline R. Basile
  • Patent number: 5329715
    Abstract: A swinging toy for swinging a doll includes a sound producing unit comprising of a platter, a record, a tone arm assembly. The sound producing unit is a buzzer and driven by a motor drive to produce sounds. A clock may be provided which is controlled by a control unit to turn on the motor drive once per hour. And an actuator comprising a chuck carried on a revolving rod connected to a crank through a link and driven by the platter of the sound producing unit through a transmission gear to swing the doll as the sound producing unit produces sounds is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Shih Po-Wen
  • Patent number: 5314365
    Abstract: An improved turntable structure for a moving wooden horse toy, which comprises a rotation structure mounted between a turntable and a base disk; the rotation structure includes a round niche under the turntable, and a music box assembly mounted in the round niche; the center of the music box is connected with the supporting shaft in the center of the bearing base on the base disk. Between the turntable and the base disk, there is a roller bearing assembly to provide a rotary connection between the turntable and the base disk; a vertical-driving mechanism is mounted between the edge portions of the turntable and the base disk; when the turntable is driven with the driving power of the music box, the vertical-moving rods mounted on the edge portion of the turntable will jump up and down simultaneously as a result of a repelling force between the upper magnets under the turntable and the lower magnets on the base disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Inventor: Da-Hsuan Chen
  • Patent number: 5201683
    Abstract: The doll of the invention incorporates a mechanism and electric circuit that, originating from a general activation motor which moves a series of engagements, brings about a correlative series of movements which cause the doll to crawl and give out a message and, subsequently, to stop crawling and raise the trunk of its body and head, to turn its head and give out a new message. These movements are based on the eccentric operating several elements related to the arms, legs and head. Likewise, the emission of the messages is based on parts which are independent but combined electrically and mechanically with the general mechanism in order that, altogether, they achieve a succession of movements which are repeated constantly until a general switch is activated by means of, for example, a dummy, or by means of a ball switch activated automatically when the doll is picked up and put upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Fabricas Agrupadas de Munecas de Onil S.A.
    Inventor: Jaime Ferri
  • Patent number: 5157316
    Abstract: A robotic joint for use in toys to provide locomotion to animated figures, sub-assemblies, and toy construction building sets. The robotic joint is particularly adaptable because one side of the joint carries the motor that is powering the joint. It also provides for four-way action in a joint in a very compact space by attaching a motorized joint directly to the shaft of another motor. It can also provide up to eight-way action in a joint, since each motor turns the shaft or turns the motor housing based on the amount of resistance applied to the shaft. This can be demonstrated in a joint that is used to support a foot in which the foot has a motor for locomotion, and the limb has a motor for locomotion connected by a four-way joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: Lloyd H. Glovier
  • Patent number: 5108341
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a mechanism for synchronizing movement of a portion of a bird or other toy character with an audio source. In one form, a tape deck is included within the body of the bird. The tape deck plays cassettes which are prerecorded to provide audio on one channel and data on another channel. The audio is amplified and delivered to a speaker in the bird so that the bird can speak or sing as desired. Typically, the bird includes more than one movable part. The data is decoded and, in response to the data, drive mechanisms are operated to move desired parts of the bird. The data channel also carries address information in the event one or more optional satellite characters are used. Movement of the satellite characters is synchronized to the audio and to the master character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: View-Master Ideal Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric DeSmet
  • Patent number: 5074821
    Abstract: A voice track is recorded on one track of a dual track recording device, typically a tape recorder. On a second track of the recorder an animation signal is recorded characterized by the signal having a frequency at any given time indicative of the then currently desired animation condition. A character is provided having a tape playback unit therein for playing back such pre-recorded dual track tapes, the character having an amplifier and speaker for reproducing the audio information, and a servo motor having a drive system for driving the character mouth elements and eyes with the desired animation, the drive system having a feedback device thereon for providing a feedback signal to the servo motor control. The electronics in the character which is responsive to the animation control signal provided by the playback unit to provide the servo motor drive signal effectively updates the servo motor drive signal on each cycle of the animation control signal received from the playback unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Worlds of Wonder, Inc.
    Inventors: James McKeefery, James Sachs, James Fan, Ming Liang
  • Patent number: 4985883
    Abstract: An ornament is supported and moved by an apparatus which also includes a cassette tape player for providing accompanying sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Inventor: Jack Hou
  • Patent number: 4959037
    Abstract: A writing doll having a body portion, a head mounted on top of the body portion, a pair of legs protruding from the bottom of the body portion, and a pair of arms connected to the body portion. The arms include a pair of hands with one hand formed to hold a stylus. The writing doll includes a forearm motion control system mounted in at least one of the arms near the stylus hand for moving the stylus hand along an axis in a X direction. A shoulder motion control system mounted in at least one of the arms near the body portion for moving the stylus hand along an axis in a Z direction, and an elbow motion control system mounted in at least one of the arms between the forearm and shoulder motion control systems for moving the stylus along an axis in a Y direction. The doll also has a control means connected to each motion control system for providing control signals to control the movement of the motion control systems in each of the axis directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: Henry Garfinkel
  • Patent number: 4923428
    Abstract: An interactive, articulated talking toy talks and moves certain of its body parts (eyes, mouth, head and arms) under microprocessor control on the basis of the program material selected from a tape storage device incorporated in the body of the toy. The material selected is determined by a human's response to questions asked by the toy. The material stored on tape contains both audio and data. The processor chooses a particular one of a possible three audio tracks stored on tape on the basis of the specific response or nonresponse made by a human. The data track provides data to the processor which causes it to control the toy's body parts in concert with the audio program being reproduced. The toy has limited word recognition capabilities. The result is the appearance of interaction between the toy and a human by the toy's movement of its body parts and its speech seeming to respond to the human's input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Cal R & D, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Curran
  • Patent number: 4775352
    Abstract: An animated audio doll whose mouth can be driven by replaceable tape cartridges is provided. The doll has a head member with simulated eyes and mouth that can open and close. Uni-directional direct current motors are provided in the body of the doll and are connected to the respective eyes and mouth through flexible driven links that protect the motor if either the eyes or the mouth are held stationary. The tape cartridge can be encoded with audio signals, a base frequency and a pair of coordinated frequency timing signals. The tape player can convert the frequency timing signals into digital signal levels while a binary switch member can determine when the mouth is in a closed position. A level detector circuit can determine whether the first or second timing signals are present and a logic circuit can, in combination with the timing signals and the output from the binary switch, drive the DC motor connected to the mouth in coordination with the audio sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Lawrence T. Jones
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Curran, Richard L. May
  • Patent number: 4660033
    Abstract: A complete system for animating external features of a full size walk-around costume designed for the entertainment industry is disclosed. The animation system comprises two major parts: the costume itself and the programming/playback system. The complete system is lightweight and portable and gives complete freedom of motion to a person inside a walk-around costume. The costume is made to simulate life by the inclusion of motors or other devices which move the eyes, the eyelids, eyebrows, the ears, the nose, and the mouth. The mouth movement is controlled by a radio signal which may be synchronized with a prerecorded audio track. To give maximum spontaneity to expression and to reduce the time required to program costume movements, all other external features are controlled by the dancer inside the costume, using newly developed pressure sensitive finger switches which are activated by bending a finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Inventor: Gordon C. Brandt
  • Patent number: 4545775
    Abstract: A dancing hula doll which alternatively moves its hips left and right to give it a lifelikeness that compares with a real hula dancer. The doll includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a base portion. The upper portion resembles and head through waist of a human; the lower portion resembles the waist through hip portion of a human. The upper portion is pivotally connected to the lower portion by a hinge pin. An activator pin is connected to the inner surface of the lower portion. The base portion supports the upper portion and the lower portion by a support rod, one end of which is secured to the base portion and the other end of which is placed in a cavity within the head of the upper portion. The base portion includes a housing with a turning plate secured to its bottom portion, a stationary base with feet spaced below the turning plate, a switch, a battery, a motor, an I.C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Inventor: Douglas S. T. Kim
  • Patent number: 4521205
    Abstract: A player for a pre-recorded sound magnetic tape package in a cartridge or a cassette format in which each package is united with a three-dimensional character thematically related to the recording and animated thereby. The character is provided with eye and mouth openings covered by translucent elements. Housed in the character are light guides extending from the eye and mouth elements to a common optical inlet. When the package is inserted in the player to effect actuation thereof, the character is then at an erect position thereabove and the optical inlet is then in registration with a light outlet on the player behind which is a light bulb connected to the audio output thereof. As the recorded sound is reproduced, the light emitted by the bulb is modulated in accordance therewith. The resultant light pulses are conveyed by the guides to the eye and mouth elements to impart animation to the character in synchronism with the reproduced sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 4516950
    Abstract: A toy including apparatus for producing a desired sequence of sounds and chordic keyboard apparatus for operating same. The desired sequence of sounds may be human speech, music or any other desired sequence of sounds. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a talking doll is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Ergoplic Ltd., An Israel Company
    Inventors: Oded Berman, Zohar Eilam, Zeev B. Itzchak
  • Patent number: 4484408
    Abstract: A talking figure play set comprising an environmental structure having a record player with an upwardly pointing stylus on its tone arm and a plurality of human figures or animal figures, or both, each having an open-bottom base with a phonograph record permanently recessed therein. The tone arm with its upwardly pointing stylus is recessed in a circular opening in the housing of the record player along with support means, such as a ledge or rim, for the open-bottom bases of the various figures. The phonograph record recessed in the open-bottom base of each figure has a sound recording on spiral grooves which is compatible with the appearance of the figure. When the open-bottom base of one of the figures is inserted in the circular opening in the housing of the record player, the record player is turned on to reproduce the sound recording associated with the particular figure while that figure remains stationary to allow a child to perceive the figure as a talking figure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Edward Fogarty, Bonnie R. Fogarty