Including Hinge Feature Connecting Parts Patents (Class 446/371)
  • Patent number: 8297980
    Abstract: A calf roping training apparatus incorporating a simulated calf, a support column and a towing structure. The support column has a spin joint and an invert joint. The calf body of the simulated calf is formed by one or more pieces of simulated skin and a simulated head fixed in anatomical form by a body frame. The support column is anchored to the towing structure. The towing structure has a tow member, a pair of long skids, a short skid, and a towing attachment device. The support column base is attached to the short skid which provides for transfer of the weight of the simulated calf to the ground. The support column top is attached to or integrated with the body frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: William Clark Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20090130950
    Abstract: A stuffed toy with removable arms, legs, and other parts uses magnets to allow easy attachment and removal. A magnet interlocks with another piece to prevent lateral movement or slippage of the magnets against the piece. Variously colored stuffed toys can be arranged together so that the user can mix and match variously shaped and colored pieces with variously shaped and colored main bodies. The stuffed toys can mimic actual limb rotation and positioning because the magnets permit stuffed toy pieces to rotate relative to one another once the pieces are attached via magnets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Martin Deutschman
  • Publication number: 20070270075
    Abstract: There are provided joint members which can join a plurality of figure forming parts 28, 32, 34, . . . which are each formed into a bag-like shape of a net-like fabric with each other in any positions the user desires, a toy played by assembling figure forming parts using the joint member and a method for assembling the figure forming parts into a specific figure. An assembly toy is made up of the plurality of figure forming parts 28, 32, 34, . . . and the joint members 10, 18, 20, . . . , and the figure forming parts are each formed into the bag-like shape of the net-like fabric so that a stuffing material is stuffed in the interior thereof so as to provide flexibility, while the joint members are each formed into a rod-like shape which tapers at least at one end portion thereof and has a spiral thread-like portion formed on a side thereof in such a manner as to extend spirally along an axial direction thereof, whereby the figure forming parts are joined together by the joint members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: AGATSUMA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinji TODOKORO
  • Patent number: 6843703
    Abstract: A toy includes a body and an appendage system at a side of the body. The appendage system includes an arm and a linkage. The arm includes a first end fixed to rotate in a circular path and a second unfixed end. The arm defines a slot extending between the first and second ends. The linkage includes a linkage rod that is engaged with the slot. The linkage is positionable about a linkage shaft coupled to the body. Rotation of the first end of the arm causes the second unfixed end of the arm to move in a non-circular path that varies depending on the position of the linkage about the linkage shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Iaconis, Richard Maddocks, Leif J. Askeland
  • Publication number: 20020002022
    Abstract: A doll having a natural appearance, a natural feel, and natural motion has an internal support system covered by a flexible integument. The support system has a forward section corresponding to a shoulder girdle and a rearward section corresponding to a pelvic girdle. The forward section and the rearward section are connected by a first component that is flexible in range but not in scope. Forward limbs are attached to the forward section and rearward limbs are attached to the rearward section. A plurality of components comprising a second (straight) component, a third (hinge joint) component, and a fourth (ball-and-socket joint) component are used for other portions of the support system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Reed N. Wilcox, Richard L. George, W. Kenn Thiess, Lane Anderson
  • Patent number: 6220922
    Abstract: An inanimate figure having soft, resiliently deformable skin defining a body and limbs, at least one of the limbs housing an articulating limb structure comprising at least two substantially rigid limb frame members joined by at least one articulating joint disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: C. J. Associates, Ltd.
    Inventors: James S. W. Lee, Chiu-Keung Kwan
  • Patent number: 6139328
    Abstract: Disclosed is a grappling dummy is useful as a mock opponent for exercise or practice for athletes training for competitive martial art or wrestling purposes, as well as for practicing self-defense moves. The dummy is given a life size stature (for example, five foot ten inches or 178 cm), but a relatively diminutive weight:--e.g., about forty pounds or 18 kg for the given example. By giving the grappling dummy such a relatively diminutive weight, it happens to just "feel" right to the user who is practicing or exercising with the dummy. To preserve strength and toughness but conserve on weight, the dummy is produced substantially from soft materials including paper (as newspaper and computer paper, in some uses it is shredded, in others not), the plastic film of waste grocery sacks, burlap (in some uses in sack format, in others plain cloth), garden hose, braided nylon rope, poly strapping, cellophane tape, and duct tape. The sum total of hard elements can be limited to just eight pieces of pine 2.times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Brettco, Inc.
    Inventor: Brett H. Picotte
  • Patent number: 6132821
    Abstract: A three-dimensional soft sculpture wall adornment is made of a pliable and lightweight material. The wall adornment has a raised relief front surface and a back that is at least partially flat. The raised relief has a minimum total relief contrast that assures a three-dimensional visual quality. The raised relief also has a maximum projection. The back has a mounting element attached to the flat portion for securing the wall adornment to a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Dan A. Garr
  • Patent number: 6053799
    Abstract: The invention relates to a joint for fastening movable members to a doll's torus, in particular dolls' arms to an upper section. A rotating insert is put into the movable member, in particular the doll's arm, and both rotating sections are connected to each other to form a joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: Annette Himstedt
  • Patent number: 5944577
    Abstract: Plush toy that includes a concealed message therein is comprised of first and second halves or portions. The first half of the plush toy has a plush-like surface and a flat, printable surface on which a message is written, and the second half has a plush-like surface and a flat surface that optionally has a message written thereon. When the flat surfaces of the first and second halves are brought face to face with one another, magnets within the two halves, or other suitable device, keep the two halves coupled together producing a complete plush toy that only reveals the plush-like surfaces. When the flat surfaces are moved away from one another, the flat surfaces are revealed thus revealing the concealed message(s) written on one or both of the flat surfaces. The plush toy may include one or more straps, or other suitable device, that keep the two halves together even when the flat surfaces thereof are not in face to face contact with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Wow Wee International
    Inventors: Richard Yanofsky, Peter Yanofsky
  • Patent number: 5788554
    Abstract: A plush toy is provided having a body and plurality of detachable appendages in the form of arms, legs, tail and a head. The appendages are provided with a male member having hook-and-latch material which fits into mating alignment with recesses provided in the body. Hook-and-latch material provided within the recesses secures the appendages securely to the body, while hiding the hook-and-latch material from view. The bodies and appendages may be configured to represent the body and appendages of various animals and may be interchanged to create multi-animal plush toys. Additionally, the heads are provided with switches and audio signal generators to produce audio signals associated with the animals represented by the heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: General Creation International Limited
    Inventors: Richard P. Goodwin, Ralph Bernet
  • Patent number: 5516314
    Abstract: A self-supporting, two-legged figure includes an armature with leg wires of stiffly bendable material, extending a substantial distance into the torso preferably at least 3/4 of the way to the head end of the torso a body supported by the leg wires and feet assemblies fixedly connected to a lower end of each of the leg wires. The body includes a head, hands, a torso and arms that may be part of the hands. The head and hands are made of clay, and are generally at least twice as heavy as the torso, making the figure top-heavy. At least one of the feet assemblies has a lower surface for engaging a support surface but independent of the support surface. The feet assemblies weigh more than the entire rest of the figure, and have an effective support surface-engaging area to support the body in an erect or standing condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventor: S. Catherine Anderson
  • Patent number: 5378190
    Abstract: A soft sculpture product and method of manufacturing the soft sculpture whereby a simplified and strong joint comprising a single mechanical fastener is used to joint a head, a body and arms. The head, body and arms are all independently rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventor: Pamela L. Young
  • Patent number: 5350333
    Abstract: A toy doll which can be draped over an exterior structure and remain on that exterior structure during its period of usage. The toy doll can use the appendages of the doll as a further securing arrangement on the exterior structure. The head section of the doll is to be freely movable relative to the body section of the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Inventor: Noreen A. Croyle
  • Patent number: 5310378
    Abstract: The toy is transformable into two distinct open and closed conditions (O, C) through a body and appendages each of a fixed geometric shape mentioned to collectively present the image of an identifiable animate object in the open condition (O) and an image of an inanimate object in the form of a rounded structure in the closed condition (C) through hinges connecting the body and the appendages to permit controlled relative movement of the appendages both for transformation and play in either configuration. Fasteners are provided to hold the toy in the closed configuration defining the inanimate image and upon release to allow the appendages to open relative to the body to define the open configuration and animate image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventor: Suel G. Shannon
  • Patent number: 5162012
    Abstract: A musical pull string toy having a pull string extending from the head through the body that is displaceable under tension between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position. The music box emits sound when the string is recoiled from a second position to the first position. The toy body is defined by at least two accordion pleats forming a bellows region. The accordion pleats have a substantially symmetric shape and each pleat is substantially concentric around the pull string when the pull string is extended to the second position. Accordingly, the appearance of the pleats is not distorted at all positions of the pull string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Bantam Collections Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore Blandi, Susan S. Gelb
  • Patent number: 5112265
    Abstract: A toy animal having a main body part and an oscillating body part movably mounted upon the main body part by a mounting mechanism which will permit the oscillating body part to have relative rotary and oscillating movement relative to the main body part when a small force or vibration is imparted to the main body part. The oscillating body part could be the toy animal's head mounted upon the neck portion of the main animal body part to permit the head to rotate about a vertical axis and also to oscillate or vibrate relative to the main body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Inventor: Elena D. Naum
  • Patent number: 5083966
    Abstract: A poseable, soft doll has a head which is constructed of a generally circular front portion and a generally circular back portion which are sewn together. The head is attached to an inner body by a flat tubular neck which is attached at its upper end to the back portion of the head along a first connection line which is generally parallel to and above a horizontal center line of the back portion. At its lower end, the neck is attached to an upper end of the inner body along a second connection line. A shirt covers the inner body and a portion of the neck. Arms are attached to the shirt, as is a bottom panel with legs attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Imagination Factory, Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter G. Blank
  • Patent number: 4884991
    Abstract: A readily and realistically poseable baby doll has shells made of double layers of stretch fabric for the torso, arms and legs. For the most part, each of the shells is filled with a very fine, freely flowable particulate filler. However, a less freely flowable stuffing material, such as DuPont Certified QUALLOFIL pillow stuffing material, is also inserted in particular locations. Stitched joints, inboard of the periphery of adjacent portions of the limbs, are used to connect the arms and legs to the torso. Atop a neck portion of the torso is a generally bulbous enlargement that contains the less freely flowable stuffing material and is compressible to fit inside and retain a hollow molded vinyl head on the neck and torso. Molded vinyl hands and feet may be attached to the free ends of the arms and legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Breslow, Morrison, Terzian & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Rouben T. Terzian
  • Patent number: 4878871
    Abstract: A method of preparing and conveying a personalized message from a sender to a recipient utilizes a toy having a cavity containing a cassette player, a battery holder, a switch and circuit elements interconnecting the player, the holder and the switch. The method includes the following steps which are performed by the sender: personally taping the personalized message on a cassette; inserting the cassette in the player; and giving the toy to the recipient with the cassette therein. The toy is cuddly and may be in the general likeness of the sender or may be a stuffed animal, in either case having a flap that is movable between a closed position in which the flap covers the cavity and an open position in which the cavity is exposed. The switch is of the push button type and the push buttons produce bulges in the flap when the latter is closed, so that the switch can be operated without moving the flap to its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Inventor: Nancy C. Noto
  • Patent number: 4824410
    Abstract: A device for articulating the limbs and head to the body of toy figures. The device consists essentially of plastic disks that grip the covering material and of a plastic bolt that extends through the disks and has barbed sections. The object is to facilitate assembly of the toy and establish a secure joint that will also be mobile. The bolt (8) has three essentially cylindrical securing sections (13, 14, and 15). Each section accommodates a disk (9, 10, and 11). The section (13) adjacent to the head (12) of the bolt accommodates a disk (9) with several rings of teeth (26) that engage similar teeth (27) that are displaced by half their width in relation to the first ring of teeth on the disk (10) accommodated on the adjacent section (14), gripping the fabric (6) that covers the limb (2) or head between them. The third disk (11), which secures the fabric (5) that covers the body (1), is in the shape of a bowl or cup and at least to some extent receives the two other disks (9 and 10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Pluco Spielwaren GmbH
    Inventor: Rudiger Sommer
  • Patent number: 4816000
    Abstract: A stuffed toy animal including an enclosed flexible fluid container and a soft furry exterior having a head portion and a plurality of extremities stuffed with a non-flammable material and a body portion accessible via a zipper for accommodating the flexible fluid container which is secured in place by a plurality of elastic securing straps. The flexible container is filled with a hot fluid if heat is to be radiated or filled with a cold fluid if heat is to be absorbed. The flexible container is then fitted with a leakproof stopper and inserted into the stuffed toy animal beneath the securing straps of the body portion. The stuffed toy animal may now be held by a human or be utilized as a pillow for a small pet for providing a warming or cooling effect.In a second embodiment, the fluid container is permanently formed within the body portion and access to the container is provided by removing the head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Inventor: Tony T. Hsu
  • Patent number: 4776823
    Abstract: A convertible toy figure provided with a head having a face with interchangeable expressive mouths is disclosed. The face includes a first panel with an expressive mouth and nose thereon. The first panel is hingedly attached to the head along a border portion of the first panel above the nose. A second panel is also provided with a front including an expressive mouth and nose. The second panel is hingedly attached along a border portion thereof below the mouth to a portion of the border below the mounth of the first panel. The head also includes a pocket located beneath the first panel. The first panel is suitably held in place when the second panel is located in the pocket and the first panel is also suitably held in place when the second is removed from the pocket and is located over the top of the first panel. Preferably, the second panel is held on the first panel by a resilient band located around the border thereof and the first panel is held in place by suitable separable holder members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Monarch Toy Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Barbara J. Hanlon
  • Patent number: 4758200
    Abstract: A doll assembly and method therefor having structures for attaching a head to a torso. The head includes an opening traversing through the neck and an enlarged cavity. A flexible sleeve stands from the torso into the neck opening and the enlarged head cavity. A ball is captured in the sleeve. The sleeve connects between the ball and shoulders of the torso to secure the head to the torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Inventor: Renate Von Moltke
  • Patent number: 4662857
    Abstract: An articulated soft doll construction in which a soft skin covers a soft doll head and a soft skin covers a soft torso in which the head is universally moveable relative to the torso. The torso has a first skin cover covering a fiber filler material. The torso and first skin cover are formed with an opening in which a neck connecting member is received. A second soft skin cover is used to cover a soft head that is filled with fiber material. A neck plug is received through an opening in the head and second soft skin cover. Disposed inside a neck plug is a ball and socket assembly in which the ball is connected to a spindle member that extends into the torso and is received by the neck connecting member for engagement therewith. A collar member is received inside the neck plug for retaining the second soft skin cover around the head. A remaining member is received by the neck connecting member to retain the first soft skin cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory F. Quinn, Virgil W. Wulff, Robert F. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 4575351
    Abstract: An improved training doll for prospective mothers, sisters, child attendants and the like is provided which includes a life-like torso having the approximate weight, size and appearance of a baby, preferably a newborn infant. The torso has arms and legs articulated to it and including fold lines. The arms and legs are also of the proper approximate size, weight and appearance, to simulate a baby and include means in the form of surface patches for restricting movements thereof to life-like movement directions. Thus, the knees may have patch knee caps and the arms may have elbow patches. The head is also of the approximate size, weight and appearance of a baby and is connected to the torso by a weak preferably tube-like neck which permits the head to freely flop forwardly and rearwardly. This can be accomplished by pinching the neck transversely, as by a sew line, at about the junction with the torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Inventor: Cindy L. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 4568298
    Abstract: A doll figure representing a baby or other human figure having a torso enclosing rubber-like liquid reservoir substantially filled with water, has removable reservoir liquid fill port, permitting addition and removal of liquid from reservoir after doll's manufacture.Threaded nipple extends from the bottom of doll's head and screws into threaded collar located at top of doll's torso. Unscrewing of head from torso provides access to fill port plug. Snap-type fasteners joining bottom of doll's head to clothing secures head from accidental or premature removal from torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Inventor: Rita G. Acree
  • Patent number: 4516951
    Abstract: A movable toy animal wherein an electric motor is set on a frame in a head and electrically connected to a battery in a trunk, gearing is operatively connected to the electric motor, an axially-movable change-over gear is meshed with a first output gear in the gearing and adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from a nose-driving gear, which is adapted to move a nose forward and backward and mounted fixedly on a crankshaft, a driving shaft having an input gear is meshed with a second output gear in the gearing, a cam disc is mounted fixedly on the driving shaft, the cam disc having on its inner side surface a projection adapted to urge a pressure-receiving portion of a slide shaft, on which the change-over gear is fixedly mounted, first and second cam plates of different shapes is mounted fixedly on both end portions of the driving shaft and connected operatively to operating members, which are adapted to move ears up and down, and a switch unit is provided in a rear portion of a head so as to constitute a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Iwaya Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Saigo, Hiroshi Kaneko