For Joint Allowing Movement About Plural Axes Patents (Class 446/381)
  • Patent number: 11738280
    Abstract: A plush toy includes a rigid body and a plurality of expandable, articulable and positionable tubes each extending from a proximal tube end to a distal tube end. Each proximal tube end is attached to the rigid body. At least two rigid hollow bases are each filled with weighting material. Each rigid base is attached a respective distal tube end of one of the plurality of tubes. A fabric covering surrounds the entirety of the rigid body, the plurality of tubes and the at least two rigid hollow bases. A compressible packing material is disposed inside of the fabric covering and outside of the rigid body, the plurality of tubes and/or the at least two rigid hollow bases. The fabric covering resembles an animal. At least one of the plurality of tubes represents an arm, a leg, a neck, a tail or a horn of the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Inventor: Randy Wayne Clark
  • Patent number: 11565191
    Abstract: An articulable toy figure that has multiple body parts joined by ball and socket joints. Frame sections are disposed within the body parts. The frame sections are molded from a first plastic. The ball structures for the joints are molded as part of the frame structures. Additionally, breakaway necks are molded into the frame structures immediately adjacent the ball structures. Body features are over-molded onto frame structures. The body features are molded from a second plastic. The socket structures of the joints are molded as part of the body features. When a body part is first manipulated, the narrowed breakaway neck within the internal frame structure breaks. This frees the ball structure on the frame structures to move within the socket structure of the body feature. This produces a functional ball and socket joint that enables the body parts to be selectively posed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Plan C, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Williams
  • Patent number: 11311007
    Abstract: A scarecrow includes a scarecrow body corresponding generally in shape to a body of a live animal; and an assembled and balanced hollow head of molded plastic construction corresponding in shape to a head of the live animal. The assembled and balanced head includes a front face portion and a rear head portion fixed together to form the head. The front face portion has a first thickness and the rear head portion has a second thickness, the front face portion and the rear head portion being unequal in weight, with the rear head portion having selected areas on an interior surface thereof that are thicker than the first thickness and define an offset weight so that the assembled head is substantially balanced as assembled. An unstable mount is disposed between the body and the head onto which the head is rotatably mounted for 360-degree movement of the head to the body without interfering with free movement of the head, the head being balanced on the unstable mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Dalen Products, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Draeger
  • Patent number: 10960745
    Abstract: A pickup truck that includes a cab section located in front of a bed section is provided. The pickup truck comprises a tonneau cover that covers the bed section. The tonneau cover includes a plurality of panel sections; and wherein each of the plurality of panel sections is movable with respect to each other to allow access to, or conceal the bed section underneath. At least one prop rod assembly includes a longitudinally extending first rod having a first end and a second end. The first end of the longitudinally extending first rod is pivotably and removably coupled to a side rail that is secured to the first side of the bed section, and the second end of the longitudinally extending first rod is located opposite the first end and pivotably coupled to the first latch assembly of the third panel section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: TRUCK ACCESSORIES GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene A. Dylewski, II, Adrian Cook, Justin J. McGraw, Christopher David Mattison, Ernest M. McDonald, II
  • Patent number: 10933340
    Abstract: The animation puppet includes a body core, a head configured for friction-fit engagement with the body core and forming a head joint therebetween, a pair of upper limbs configured for friction-fit engagement with the body core and forming a respective pair of upper limb joints therebetween, and a pair of legs configured for friction-fit engagement with the body core and forming a respective pair of leg joints therebetween. Each of the joints include a pair of articulable surfaces in said friction-fit engagement by way of a surface interface pre-tension having a coefficient of friction relatively greater than the weight of the animation puppet such that each joint independently supports the weight of the animation puppet while simultaneously permitting relative independent position posing of one or more of the head, the pair of arms, and/or the pair of limbs relative to the body core for stop-motion animation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: StickyBones Inc.
    Inventor: Erik J. Baker
  • Patent number: 10907708
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention achieves a reduction in size of a movable structure for a device. A right link (6) is fixed to a rotary shaft (51) of a right motor (5). The right link (6) has a tip (61) which can slide in a sliding region (31). A portion of the tip (61) which can make contact with a connecting part (3) has a spherical shape. A left link (8) is fixed to a rotary shaft (71) of a left motor (7). The left link (8) has a tip (81) which can slide in a sliding region (32). A portion of the tip (81) which can make contact with the connecting part (3) has a spherical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shogo Sakai, Atsuki Oi
  • Patent number: 10500514
    Abstract: The animation puppet includes a body core, a head configured for friction-fit engagement with the body core and forming a head joint therebetween, a pair of upper limbs configured for friction-fit engagement with the body core and forming a respective pair of upper limb joints therebetween, and a pair of legs configured for friction-fit engagement with the body core and forming a respective pair of leg joints therebetween. Each of the joints include a pair of articulable surfaces in said friction-fit engagement by way of a surface interface pre-tension having a coefficient of friction relatively greater than the weight of the animation puppet such that each joint independently supports the weight of the animation puppet while simultaneously permitting relative independent position posing of one or more of the head, the pair of arms, and/or the pair of limbs relative to the body core for stop-motion animation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: StickyBones Inc.
    Inventor: Erik J. Baker
  • Patent number: 9314703
    Abstract: A toy vehicle track set is provided including a track segment. The track set having: a movable character located proximate to the track segment, wherein the character includes a torso, a first appendage, and a second appendage, each of the appendages is positioned adjacent the track segment, at least one of the pair of appendages being movably secured thereto and configured to intermittently block portions of the track segment such that a toy vehicle travelling thereon is captured by the character depending on the location of the appendages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W Nuttall, Stacy Lynn O'Connor
  • Toy
    Patent number: 8057276
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a toy including a figure and a launcher for launching objects at the figure. The figure has an upper portion and a lower portion wherein the upper portion is movably secured to the lower portion and at least one appendage is movably secured to the upper portion, the at least one appendage having a distal end with an item rotatably secured thereto. An actuator is disposed on an exterior surface of the upper portion of the figure and movement of the actuator causes the upper portion to move from a first configuration to a second configuration with respect to the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Stacy Lynn O'Connor
  • Patent number: 7736214
    Abstract: A toy with repositionable portions is disclosed. The toy may be stylized as a toy figure that may include a leg section and a torso section. The leg section includes legs pivotally coupled to a pelvic section. The pelvic section may also include an upward-extending connection post. The torso section, furthermore, may include a body cylinder that connects to the connection post. The body cylinder includes a series of resilient tabs that slidingly engage the post, securing the sections together while permitting the rotation of the torso section about the post. With this configuration, the toy figure possesses multiple degrees of motion, being adapted to move in bending and twisting motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Brumagin, Dafna Mor
  • Patent number: 7566256
    Abstract: Joints for movable toys, such as action figures, that use friction to maintain a fixed position. The toys include several body part members interconnected by a joint that includes a plug portion and a socket portion that receives the plug portion. The socket portion includes one or more protrusions, against which the plug portion is urged to create friction between the plug portion and the socket portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Fuk Chai Alvin Wai
  • Patent number: 6869331
    Abstract: A toy figure having multiple articulating limbs connected to the torso by pivot joints that are molded in a vertical injection molding step that forms and pivotally interconnects, in situ, one member of the pivot joint to a second, pre-formed member of the pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: C. J. Associates, Ltd.
    Inventors: James S. W. Lee, Chiu Keung Kwan
  • Patent number: 6830497
    Abstract: A toy figure having multiple articulating limbs connected to the torso by pivot joints that are molded in a vertical injection molding step that forms and pivotally interconnects, in situ, one member of the pivot joint to a second, pre-formed member of the pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: C. J. Associates, Ltd.
    Inventors: James S. W. Lee, Chiu Keung Kwan
  • Patent number: 6712211
    Abstract: A stationery holder comprises a body, a limb attached movably to and extending from the body, a spring interposed between the body and the limb and biasing the limb to move with respect to the body, a stationery receiver at or near a distal end of the limb, and a release mechanism for allowing the spring to move the limb with respect to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: C. C. & L Company Limited
    Inventor: Sik-Leung Chan
  • Patent number: 6638136
    Abstract: A toy figure having multiple articulating limbs connected to the torso by pivot joints that are molded in a vertical injection molding step that forms and pivotally interconnects, in situ, one member of the pivot joint to a second, pre-formed member of the pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: C.J. Associates, Ltd.
    Inventors: James S. W. Lee, Chiu Keung Kwan
  • Patent number: 6482068
    Abstract: A toy figure having multiple articulating limbs connected to the torso by pivot joints that are molded in a vertical injection molding step that forms and pivotally interconnects, in situ one member of the pivot joint to a second, pre-formed member of the pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: C.J. Associates, Ltd.
    Inventors: James S. W. Lee, Chiu Keung Kwan
  • Patent number: 6478653
    Abstract: A poseable figure has a spine system that is capable of a wide range of life-like movement and capable of being positioned and maintained in numerous life-like poses. The spine system includes a plurality of mating spine segments engaged, in a friction fit, with one another such that the mating spine segments swivel with respect to one another. A soft body portion, such as a foam, is disposed around the spine system to simulate the flesh of the figure and to allow the spine system to be moved into a wide range of positions. In-one embodiment, first and second appendage connectors couple a first and second pair of appendages, such as arms and legs, to the spine system such that the appendages swivel with respect to the spine system and can be moved and held in numerous positions. A resilient member preferably extends through the mating spine segments and engages with the head of the figure to hold the head in swiveling engagement with a neck segment coupled to the spine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Langton
  • Patent number: 6419546
    Abstract: A movable structure for loin and groin of toy figures is composed of a coxa member formed as a partition wall and attached to a lower portion of a body 2 of a movable jointed doll; right and left huckle bone members are installed pivotably with the coxa member, and right and left groin members are installed into installed spaces respectively formed at each of the huckle bone members. Further, the groin members have protruded fitted portions which are inserted into depressed fitted portions formed at gluteu maximus corresponding portions of the huckle bone members, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignees: Medicom Toy Corporation, Time House Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Akashi, Toshiaki Okubo
  • Patent number: 6287166
    Abstract: A toy figure having multiple articulating limbs connected to the torso by pivot joints that are molded in a vertical injection molding step that forms and pivotally interconnects, in situ, one member of the pivot joint to a second, pre-formed member of the pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: C. J. Associates, Limited
    Inventors: James S. W. Lee, Chiu Keung Kwan
  • Patent number: 6110002
    Abstract: A poseable figure has a spine system that is capable of a wide range of life-like movement and capable of being positioned and maintained in numerous life-like poses. The spine system includes of plurality of mating spine segments engaged, in a friction fit, with one another such that the mating spine segments swivel with respect to one another. A soft body portion, such as a foam, is disposed around the spine system to simulate the flesh of the figure and to allow the spine system to be moved into a wide range of positions. In one embodiment, first and second appendage connectors couple a first and second pair of appendages, such as arms and legs, to the spine system such that the appendages swivel with respect to the spine system and can be moved and held in numerous positions. A resilient member preferably extends through the mating spine segments and engages with the head of the figure to hold the head in swiveling engagement with a neck segment coupled to the spine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Michael Langton
  • 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: 5797784
    Abstract: A system for coupling components of toy assemblages, educational models, hobby constructions, component attachments, or the like together using a compact single point snap together axial connector, which is configured or formed with a key like portion included as part of the male connector part, and a corresponding female connector configured to prevent rotational movement about the connectors axis, and/or to limit the selective attachment of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventor: Michael Wolfe
  • Patent number: 5555815
    Abstract: A horn control system for model vehicles on a track includes a sound generation unit mounted on the model vehicle which generates different sounds based on the combination of two inputs, the speed of the vehicle and an operator initiated horn signal. The type of sound is also preferably varied based on how long the horn button is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Neil P. Young
    Inventors: Neil P. Young, Joe Thibodeau, David Trubitt, Dennis Fowler
  • Patent number: 4989862
    Abstract: A device which simulates a defensive basketball player for practicing offensive moves such as shooting is formed from a resilient, durable synthetic foam. The device can be selectively adjusted to various heights and the arms are manually rotatable in order for an offensive player to sharpen his shooting skills without the necessity of an opponent being present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Inventor: Michael Curtis
  • Patent number: 4954118
    Abstract: A doll or similar toy is divulged comprising a flexible body (1) and rigid or semi-rigid members (5, 6). This doll comprises, embedded in its body (1), at least one metal rod (7) each end of which carries a rigid ball (8), each ball being capped with slight clamping by a rigid shell (9) fast with one of the members (5, 6) so as to form an easy fit articulation for this member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Corolle S.A.
    Inventor: Jacques Refabert
  • Patent number: 4578045
    Abstract: The action figure includes two arms mounted to the figure's torso for rocking movement toward the torso about laterally spaced axes, the action figure also including two legs that are mounted for pivotal movement to the torso in a scissors-like fashion. Integral with the rockable mounting means for each arm is an inwardly extending shank, the shanks projecting into end portions of a coil spring. When either arm is moved laterally toward the side of the torso, the spring is flexed into a V-shaped configuration. A link extends downwardly from the center of the spring so that the flexing action imparted to the spring causes the link to move downwardly or upwardly. Each unit for pivotally mounting the legs includes a crank pin that is receivable in forwardly and rearwardly located slots at the lower end of the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: CPG Products Corp.
    Inventors: John F. Mayer, Nick H. Langdon, Stuart A. Cook, L. Todd Nicholson, John R. Belcher