Limb, Hand Or Foot Patents (Class 446/390)
  • Patent number: 6705794
    Abstract: Forms for display of clothing and the like with magnetically attachable parts are provided. The magnetic joints comprise a magnetic assembly with a depth-of-pull sufficient to cause the attachable part to begin to pull toward the form at a distance preferably greater than one-half inch, preferably about one inch. Preferably the magnetic assembly has a depth-of-pull of at least about 120 gauss at a distance of one inch. A metallic plate is arranged in mating configuration with the magnetic assembly. Mating pins may be provided, as well as indexing pins. If the manikin is knocked over, or if the attached part is pulled or bumped, it will come loose rather than breaking off; and the mating parts are self-seeking in use, so that they will come together in proper orientation even when being mated beneath clothes. A bump to the manikin sufficient to overcome the on-contact strength of the magnetic attachment may not result in detachment of the limb because of the depth-of-pull strength of the magnetic assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Fusion Specialties, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Varner, James D. Barber, James Talaric
  • Patent number: 6681150
    Abstract: External state detection device detects an environmental state indicating whether there is an obstacle, external light, or a pheromone signal. On the basis of the detection result, sensor identification unit determining device determines an identifying unit that matches the environmental state. In response to determination of the sensor identifying unit, action units defining actions such as “move forward” or “move backward” related to the sensor identifying unit in an instruction unit are sequentially selected. Action unit execution device executes the action defined by the selected action unit for a preassigned execution time by rotating left and right leg driving wheels in a driving mode including a combination of “forward rotation”, reverse rotation”, and “stop”. Thus, there is provided an insect robot for simulating behavior in a vivid and realistic manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Bandai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Haga, Keiichi Kazami, Yuji Sawajiri, Shinichi Suda, Masayosi Sato
  • Patent number: 6652351
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a dancing figure that includes a body defined by a torso, a head, and a pair of arms, and a pair of legs pivotally attached to the torso at a hip region. Each leg includes at least an upper leg section pivotally attached to a lower leg section at a knee region. Also included therewith is a pair of oversized feet adapted to provide support such that the figure is free-standing. The pair of oversized feet is separately and pivotally attached to one of the lower leg sections at an ankle region. Each foot houses a foot mechanism for independently pivoting the lower leg sections forwards and backwards at said ankle region, wherein the pivoting at said ankle regions causes pivoting motion at the knee regions and hip region to simulate animated movement in the figure. In addition thereto the foot mechanism may independently twist the foot to the left and right.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Rehco, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Rehkemper, Bret Gould, Peter Greenley, Michael Kass, Jackson Wilson
  • Patent number: 6652353
    Abstract: An interactive toy in accordance with the present invention includes two pair of legs extending outwardly and downwardly from either side of a body to be in contact with a surface. Each pair of legs is rotatably attached to a motor. The toy also includes a sound activation device in communication with an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is further in communication and control of the motors such that when the sound activation device is activated, the integrated circuit controls the motors to rotate the legs. The direction of the rotation of the legs will cause the toy to move along the surface in a predefined direction, defined as forward, reverse, or spinning to the right of left.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Lund and Company
    Inventors: Bruce D. Lund, Sunil Moothedath
  • Patent number: 6648721
    Abstract: A generally tubular doll body having hinged upper and lower leg portions. The doll body is provided with arms sockets for freely rotatable arms and a stem for receiving a head. The doll can be accessorized with tubular dresses, skirts, bracelets etc. The doll further includes a head portion on which various hair designs can be placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Rehco, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Rehkemper, Kerry E. Phillips, Dennis O'Patka
  • 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: 6626731
    Abstract: A toy doll with articulated moveable wrist/hand structure. A motor in the doll operates to pull on a cable which is drivingly linked to the wrist/hand structure through rotors and links that cooperate, along with regions in the wrist/hand structure to effect complex/compound rotational, translational, and revolutional motions in the wrist/hand structure. The rotors, links and regions mentioned form a pair of interactive pantograph-like arrangements that enhance the produced motions by introducing mechanical advantage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon C. Marine
  • Patent number: 6568984
    Abstract: A toy figurine 10 is disclosed having a torso 13, a right arm 14, a left arm 15, a right leg 16, a left leg 17 and a head 18. Each arm 14 has a right shoulder portion (22, 29), an elbow portion (23, 30) and a wrist portion (24 31). The shoulder portions are coupled to the elbow portions by upper arm pneumatic cylinders (25, 32). The elbow portions 23 are coupled to the wrist portions by lower arm pneumatic cylinders (26, 33). Each leg (16, 17) has a thigh portion (36, 43), a knee portion (37, 44) and a foot portion (38, 45). The thigh portions are coupled to the knee portions by upper leg pneumatic cylinders (39, 46). The knee portions are coupled to the foot portions by a lower leg pneumatic cylinder (40, 47). The figurine also includes an internally mounted manual air pump (50) positioned within an internally mounted pressure tank (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Co., Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Applewhite
  • Patent number: 6517406
    Abstract: A doll having a sports ball body with attachments connected thereto. The attachments are preferably connected with hooks and loops, commonly known as Velcro(™) with cooperating connectors on the ball body. The body connectors are preferably located on a piece of fabric secured to the inside portion of the ball body with a flap of the ball body cut into the ball body exposing an opening with the body connector therein. The underside of the flap is preferably equipped with a cooperating flap connector which cooperates with the body connector when the attachment is not in use so that the flap is substantially continuous with the remainder of the surface of the ball body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Phillip Cash
  • Patent number: 6485348
    Abstract: A combination lollipop holder and stand having a unitary body forming a character and an elongate torso providing a handle portion, two arm parts outstanding laterally from an upper end of the torso, providing a finger guarding portion and a leg part diverging from opposite sides of a lower end of the body to a flat, foot part, providing a base portion. A bore extends from a neck region between the arms parts vertically into the torso and is provided with a constriction for gripping an inserted lollipop stick which forms an extended neck and consumable head of the character. Engagement of the arm and leg parts above and below a hand enclosing the torso prevents inadvertent dislodgement of the lollipop from the hand. The foot supports the body in stable position standing on a flat surface with the lollipop remote from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: James Diresta
  • Patent number: 6461214
    Abstract: An apparatus for satisfying the non-nutritive sucking needs of infants, especially medically compromised infants, which includes an infant's pacifier held near one end of a wand-like structure; wherein the wand-like structure is formed on a non-toxic, non-allergenic, elastomeric material which is easily cleaned and will not harbor infectious germs or viruses, and wherein the wand-like structure can take the form of an adorable toy animal such as an otter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: Therese Anthony Lynch
  • Patent number: 6458010
    Abstract: An jointed tail of a pet robot can be configured simply and driven to curve freely and autonomously by fitting an jointed cylindrical member 25 around outer circumferences of two wire portions 24a and 24b composed of a wire 24 which is folded nearly into a shape of a hair pin, rotatingly driving two driven ends 24d and 24e on a side opposite to a tip 24c of the two wire portions 24a and 24b connected to each other around an X axis and a Y axis with a differential gear mechanism 38, and moving and controlling two driven ends 26d and 26e reversibly in an axial direction at a swing limit position around the X axis, thereby autonomously curving a tip of the wire 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamagishi, Kazuhiro Kato
  • Patent number: 6454627
    Abstract: A child's portable toy having an audio signal producer is provided with a plurality of pressure switches designating different tones of a fixed interval scale. When one of the pressure switches is depressed, the sound of a corresponding tone is produced through a speaker provided in the toy so that a child may play a melody thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Well Creation Limited
    Inventor: Danny Wai Keung Mak
  • Patent number: 6443802
    Abstract: The present multinational doll is comprised of a rotatable head with a plurality of different faces. The head is attached to a torso about a vertical axis to enable different faces to be aligned with the front of the torso. Hair is attached to the top of the head. The loose hair is simply draped over either face to expose one face and cover the other, so that it can be easily used by a child. The left and right limbs are of different colors, and each limb is a single color all around. Different skin colors are thus visible on the limbs simultaneously from the front of the doll. Therefore, the doll conveys the idea of different races of people living together in harmony. Further, clothing worn on the doll is printed with the names of many different countries to literally indicate the multinational nature of the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Mahvash Vakili
  • Patent number: 6439947
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a visible marker when at least two objects are combined. The visible marker may be any desired marking but, in the preferred embodiment, is a heart-shape. The two objects may be two-dimensional, such as cards, or three-dimensional, such as toys or household items. The creation of the visible marker by bringing two objects into proximity can show common origin and manufacture and, where a heart-shape is used, can send positive social and moral messages of love and togetherness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Tali Lehavi
  • Patent number: 6435938
    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: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: C.J. Associates, Ltd.
    Inventors: James S. W. Lee, Chiu Keung Kwan
  • Patent number: 6435936
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an interactive posable toy that when positioned in various configurations, emits electronic sounds and/or produces motions indicative of such configurations. The posable toy includes a head pivotally attached to an upper torso. The upper torso is also pivotally attached to a mid-section, which is further pivotally attached to a lower torso. The arms and legs of the posable toy are pivotally and/or rotatably attached to the upper torso and lower torso, via shoulder and hip joints, respectively. The posable toy also includes a motor coupled a pair of cams. When activated, one of the cams laterally rocks the upper torso while the other cam tilts the mid-section relative to the lower torso. Positioned within each joint are means for triggering responses to specific positions of the arms and legs. A PC board is coupled to the triggering means as well as a power source, the motor and a speaker unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Rehco, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Rehkemper, Jeffrey Rehkemper, Kerry E. Phillips, Ryan Kratz, Peter Greenley, Michael Kass
  • Patent number: 6425796
    Abstract: A fashion doll includes a doll body wearing a wedding gown together with an overlying removable princess bodice. The doll further includes a pivotable arm which in turn supports a hand mirror. The outer face of the hand mirror supports a dual image lenticular lens display which transforms the presented image in response to pivotal movement of the doll's arm. The doll further supports a tiara worn upon the doll's head together with a wedding veil which is alternately attachable to the doll's waist and to the tiara. A sound circuit within the doll's body responds to the pivotal movement of the doll's arm to produce a musical tone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Joan Gaynor, Tina Ying Yang, Ivy Ross
  • Patent number: 6422871
    Abstract: An educational system for teaching individuals their emotions employs a multiplicity of sets of faces. Each set of faces expresses a different emotion experienced by individuals from time to time. The sets of faces have facial expressions correlated to the different emotions. There are a plurality of states of the particular emotion that are expressed in the facial expressions of each set of faces. The states defined for each of the different emotions are subdued, normal and exaggerated states. The facial expressions on the faces employ certain facial features to express the particular emotions, namely, eyes, eyebrows, a mouth and a nose. These facial features are enclosed in a facial circle. The sizes of these facial features relative to the facial circle change from one state of a particular emotion to another and are smallest in the subdued state, largest in the exaggerated state and inbetween and balanced in the normal state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Kimberly A. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 6328625
    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, preformed member of the pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: C. J. Associates, Ltd.
    Inventors: James S. W. Lee, Chiu Keung Kwan
  • Patent number: 6322420
    Abstract: A plush toy figure includes a motor-driven apparatus supported within the figure head for wiggling a pair of ear paddles which in turn causes the figure's ears to wiggle. A second motor drive unit supported within the figure's torso is operatively coupled to a pair of toe paddles which are oscillated to cause the figure's toes to wiggle. The figure's legs are pivotable between a standing and sitting position and the toes are operative in either posture. A switch positioned within the figure's mouth is actuated by the pressure of an item pressed against the figure's mouth to actuate the upper and lower drive mechanisms thereby causing the ears and toes to wiggle. The supporting paddles of the ears and toes include a spring-biased hinge to prevent damage to the drive mechanism due to misuse or excessive force applied to the ears or toes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Mattel Inc.
    Inventor: Armen Daniellian
  • Patent number: 6296543
    Abstract: A toy figure includes a body having an upper torso pivotally coupled to a lower torso. The lower torso is coupled to a pair of supporting-legs while the upper torso is coupled to a pair of pivotally supported arms. A head is further supported upon the upper torso. The upper torso includes a spring pivot allowing the upper torso to be pivoted approximately ninety degrees with respect to the lower torso. When pivoted and released, the upper torso rapidly pivots back to its original alignment imparting a punching motion to one of the toy figures arms. A switch is supported within the punching arm of the toy figure together with a flash element and a light emitting diode. A control circuit within the toy figure torso responds to actuation of the switch to produce a crash-type sound and to energize the flash element to provide a simultaneous burst of bright light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Andrews
  • Patent number: 6257950
    Abstract: A self-propelled toy including a body member in the shape of an animal such as a gorilla. The body member includes a torso with a pair of legs and a pair of rotatably attached arms that are slightly longer than the legs when rotated to their lowermost position. A rotary drive, such as a battery powered DC motor or a wound spring drive, is operably attached to the body member with its output drivably coupled to the arms. The arms rotate 360° with respect to the torso in synchronization with each other. Pivotally connected hand and feet portions provide a degree of freedom for better landing and balance. As the arms rotate, the hands contact the floor to raise the body member and move it a step forward. Each complete revolution of the arms advances the toy another step forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Jamal M. Saleh
  • Patent number: 6238260
    Abstract: An egg holder toy for containing and supporting an egg and depicting with the egg a character of interest includes a support base or a pedestal that includes the lower body and feet of said character of interest and having an open hollow upper recess for receiving a first end of an egg nested therein and a pair of forelimbs of the character attached to the support base and an upper member that includes features of the top of the character of interest selected from the group including hats and upper head features, the upper member having an open hollow lower recess for receiving a second end of said egg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Adam K. Spindell
  • Patent number: 6203396
    Abstract: A magnetically coupled mannequin joint is provided which includes a first portion and a second portion which is rotatably movable about the axis of the first portion and slidably movable along that axis. The first portion and the second portion may be secured in a position where the first portion and the second portion are substantially secured in a direction parallel to the axis by magnetic attraction. The first portion and the second portion have joint surfaces which interfit with each other such that, from said secured position, rotation of the second portion about the axis simultaneous with sliding the second portion parallel to the axis moves the joint to a position where the first portion and the second portion are substantially unsecured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Bernstein Display
    Inventors: Christopher J. Asmussen, David Didur, Roger S. Friedman, Christopher Krecisz
  • Patent number: 6200190
    Abstract: A mechanism adaptable for a toy provides a hugging motion to a pair of arms extending outward from each side of a rear body member. A front body member is supported by a bottom hinge in V-shaped hinged relation in front of the rear body member. Each arm is comprised of an upper arm and a relatively long forearm supported in hinged relation on the outer end of the upper arm. For each arm, a wide, elongated, yielding forearm actuator is hingedly attached on its outer end to the forearm and on its inner end to the front body member. A hand is hingedly supported on the outward end of the forearm. Supported in front of the forearm is an elongated, yielding hand actuator adapted to move the hand when the forearm actuator is moved toward the forearm. Squeezing the body portions together causes the forearm actuators to pivot the forearms forward in a hugging motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas K Reynolds
  • Toy
    Patent number: 6179685
    Abstract: A toy in the form of a shoe having a heel with a tread and a foresole with a substantially plane tread. The treads of the heel and the foresole being separated from each other. The toy additionally has a platform on which the shoe may be placed. The platform being shaped so that just the heel of the shoe forms a complementary coupling to allow the shoe to be detachably coupled to the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventor: Hanne Toft
  • Patent number: 6171169
    Abstract: A toy figure torso supports at least one pivotal arm together with a spring-loaded mechanism urging the arm toward pivotal motion in a forward direction. A spring is coupled to the arm and provides the urging force. A trigger and latch mechanism is supported within the torso of the toy figure and is operable by a push button supported at the torso rear. The mechanism includes a cooperating lock arm and a cam which engage to inhibit return motion when the toy figure arm is raised to the cocked position. Energy is stored in the spring which is released by activation of the push button allowing rapid forwardly pivoting motion of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff A. Saunders
  • Patent number: 6132285
    Abstract: A doll includes a torso supporting a pivotally attached arm and a string winding spool. A slide is moveably supported within the torso and is coupled to a button extending outwardly from the rear of the doll torso. A pivotable arm is secured to the torso and is operated through a predetermined pivot angle in response to the vertical movement of the button. A spring urges the button to its upper most position. A string passes through an aperture formed in a dolls arm and is wound partially upon the interior string winding mechanism. The outer end of the string supports a simulated yoyo object. As the button is pressed downwardly against the return spring by the user the arm pivots upwardly and the string winds upon the winding spool raising the yoyo. As the button is released the return spring raises the button allowing the arm to pivot downwardly and unwinding a quantity of the supporting string from the spool causing the simulated yoyo to descend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Feldman
  • Toy
    Patent number: 6089943
    Abstract: An educational toy comprises a soft toy (10) carrying a barcode scanner (20) for scanning a number of barcodes each individually associated with a visual message in a book (12). A decoder and audio device in the toy generate an audio message corresponding to that visual message in the book associated with the scanned barcode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Tai Sun Plastic Novelties Ltd.
    Inventor: Wai Shing Lo
  • Patent number: 5989094
    Abstract: A boxing game machine in which a pair of boxer dummies are opposed to each other, each boxer dummy having at least one extensible arm, includes: an extender which drives the extension of the arm; a rotary unit which is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and carries at least one of the boxer dummies; and an operative member which is connected with the rotary unit and provided with a switch for switching over the drive of the extender, the operative member being operable to rotate the rotary unit about the horizontal axis. By rotating the operative member about the substantially horizontal axis together with the rotary unit while gripping the operative member, the boxer dummy connected with the rotary unit rotates about the same axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Konami Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Tamura
  • Patent number: 5738561
    Abstract: A doll having a microphone and sound recording device along with a sound playback device and a speaker. The doll is provided with contacts or buttons to activate the sound recording device and the sound playback device. A child may speak to the doll and record messages, which may be played back at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Concepts Development Australia Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Victor Manuel Pracas
  • Patent number: 5713781
    Abstract: A doll having the figure of a girl or other human being, adapted to function as a carrier for a plurality of miniature toy animals, which may be kittens or puppies. The doll includes a pair of bendable and stretchable arms extending from the shoulders and terminating in hands. Each hand has a projecting thumb and fingers partially clenched over the palm to define a hook. The hands are positioned in opposing relation so that the hook of one hand can be intermeshed with the hook of the other to cause the hands to be clasped together to create in conjunction with the arms a cradle that is stretchable to embrace several toy animals. The doll wears a removable garment provided on either side thereof with deep pockets that lie below the cradle and accommodate additional toy animals. And a back pack strapped on the shoulders of the doll serves as a carrier for more toy animals. Thus the loaded doll presents the figure of a caring girl burdened front and back with toy animals which she has rescued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventor: Geroge Castanis
  • Patent number: 5701878
    Abstract: The toy gun disclosed includes a trigger mechanism for launching projectiles from a flexible tail or other appendage. The tail bends and compressed gas is released in response to pulling the trigger to its full extent so that the projectile is launched when the flexible tail is bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Moore, David R. Griffin, Jeffery Dubose
  • Patent number: 5695380
    Abstract: A new and improved adjustable object-holding accessory for dolls and other toy figures, comprised of interlocking straps (10 and 10'), one strap being releasably fastened around the hand of a toy figure and the other strap being releasably fastened around the object to be juxtaposed to the hand of the toy, the interlocking portions of the straps (10 and 10') being positioned at or near the palm of the toy's hand, thus enabling the doll or other toy figure to appear to be holding the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Juanita A. Morrison
  • Patent number: 5690330
    Abstract: A toy basketball game having a court floor, a stand attached to the floor for a backboard ring and net, an articulated player and a movable base for the player. The player contains a compressible spring in one leg which is held compressed by a lever on the player's leg, which lever releases the spring to cause the player to jump and to raise its arm having in its hand a releasable ball, which ball releases when the player's arm contacts the ring of the basketball basket. The base has a rotatable wedge-shaped plate for changing the angle of jump of the player so as to cause the player to be projected toward the ring from any location of its stand on the court. If desired, the ring and the arm of the player may be provided with adhering roughened surfaces so that the player can hang on the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: The Ohio Art Company
    Inventor: Isamu Ozawa
  • Patent number: 5630745
    Abstract: A figure configured in the shape of human or animal with multiple repositionable parts is disclosed. The figure is made of two kinds of soft resilient materials, one is of extra softness to be placed in the joint areas; the other is of average softness to be placed in all other areas. Coated on the surface of the figure is rubber or rubber-like resilient material which can be textured and colored. Running through the torso and various parts of the figure are single or multiple internal flexible wires or braided wires. Rigid bars are bonded to the internal flexible wires or braided wires in the nonflexible parts. By protruding rigid bars into a joint from both proximal and distal aspects of joint, and not bonding protruded parts of rigid bars to the internal flexible wires, one can restrict direction and range of the bendability of the joint. A coil encases the internal flexible wires or braided wires within the repositionable joints to extend the life of the internal flexible wires or braided wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventor: Hsu-Chong Yeh
  • Patent number: 5607337
    Abstract: A system for memorializing the birth of an infant comprising a marking medium and a soft sculpture. The marking medium is appliable to the palms and soles of the infant's hands and feet and is used to replicate the epidermal pattern of the infant's hands and feet upon a substrate. The soft sculpture includes an area of substrate on an outer surface thereof which is suitable for receiving thereon markings replicating the epidermal pattern of the infants hands and feet. The soft sculpture may include a protective cover for covering the area of substrate upon which the pattern is placed. The protective cover is preferably clear, and more preferably, includes a sheet of flexible plastic attached along an edge thereof to the soft sculpture. The sheet of flexible plastic may include an adhesive material on a portion thereof to allow the protective cover to be secured over the substrate area after the feet and hand prints are placed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Inventor: Glenda C. Callahan
  • Patent number: 5607311
    Abstract: An orthopaedic human skeletal bone demonstration aid for demonstrating surgical orthopaedic techniques comprises a facsimile human skeletal bone having two joint portions and interconnected by an elongate hollow shaft. The facsimile bone comprises two separable component parts, each consisting of one of the joint portions and a portion of the shaft, which are detachably connected together by a projection on one part engaging within a receiving recess in the other part in such a manner as to provide intercommunication between canal portions within the parts. Such a demonstration aid can be produced by moulding in a straightforward manner, and has the advantage that, if only one of the component parts has been damaged or destroyed in demonstrating a particular surgical technique, only that part of the aid requires replacing in order to enable the aid to be re-used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Inventor: Oliver Browne-Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 5601469
    Abstract: A fastening device for cloth dolls and decorative articles comprises a fastening assembly and a button ring. The fastening assembly has a pin head portion with a relatively large diameter. There is a pin hole formed axially in the pin head portion. A fastening portion is formed behind the pin head portion. There is an annular fastening groove formed on the fastening portion. The fastening assembly runs through a through hole disposed on the cloth doll's skin. A button ring is used to engage with the fastening groove, thus to firmly secure the fastening assembly on the cloth doll. The decorative article has a protrusive pin disposed at the corresponding position of the pin hole on the cloth doll. Thereby, the decorative article can be movably fastened on the cloth doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Inventor: Chen C. Yang
  • Patent number: 5580295
    Abstract: A toy figure having rotatable arms which protrude from the body of the figure. The arms are rotationally coupled to each other so that they have a limited mutual rotatability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventors: Frank Ruzskai, Bent Landling, Synn.o slashed.ve Vatakar
  • 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: 5516322
    Abstract: A liquid fillable transparent doll formed of a plurality of hollow relatively movable body parts that are interconnected to form a common reservoir wherein a liquid filling the reservoir provides the color of the outer appearance of the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventor: Jeff D. Myers
  • 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: 5507678
    Abstract: A doll having a heads torso and limbs e.g., a pair of arms and a pair of legs. Each pair of limbs is in the form of a unitary elongated member of a fixed length which are movably, e.g., slidably, mounted with respect to the torso so that each of the limbs extend out of the torso. The length that each limb extends out of the torso is adjustable so that an increase in the distance that one limb extends out of the torso correspondingly decreases the length that the other limb extends out of the torso and vice-versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventor: John Chiang
  • Patent number: 5503583
    Abstract: A toy painted with paint containing thermochromic material which changes color as the temperature of the toy varies. Selected portions of the toy may be painted with the thermochromic material to provide a variety of patterns, designs, numbers, letters or other indicia which change color in response to temperature variations. In addition, different portions of the toy may be painted with different paints containing different colored thermochromic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Hippely, Larry R. Wood, Jill E. Barad, Prodromos Papavasiliou
  • Patent number: 5478269
    Abstract: A toy figure includes a torso supporting a pair of pivotally secured legs and a pair of pivotally secured arms. One of the legs is further pivotable in an inward direction and is coupled to a pivotal lever supported within the torso interior. One of the arms is coupled to a grasping claw having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw pivotal with respect thereto. A cable mechanism is coupled between the movable jaw and the internally supported lever to provide opening and closing of the grasping claw in response to inward motion of one leg with respect to the torso. The opening and closing of the grasping claw is independent of the pivotal motion of the arm and the rotational motion of the grasping claw and is instead solely dependent upon the inward motion of the coupled leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Wolfram
  • Patent number: 5433643
    Abstract: A new and improved toy doll apparatus includes a base assembly and a simulated human doll assembly supported by the base assembly. The doll assembly includes feet assemblies supported by the base assembly. A torso assembly is supported by the feet assemblies and the base assembly. Arm/hand assemblies are supported by the torso assembly, and a head assembly is supported by the torso assembly. The head assembly includes pierced cars. Boots are supported by the feet assemblies. The boots include storage compartments adapted for storing a comb and a brush. An earring storage assembly is supported by an arm/hand assembly. The earring storage assembly includes an earring support base unit and a plurality of apertures for receiving earrings. Fingers on the arm/hand assemblies are adapted to be coated with finger nail polish. An apron is adapted to be supported by the torso assembly, and hook assemblies are supported by the apron for storing necklaces and/or bracelets. A mirror is supported by the torso assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Rosanna M. Pratt
  • Patent number: 5417601
    Abstract: A toy having a tail attached to a flap which is tucked into clothing worn by a child at the rear so the tail appears to be part of the child. The flap is thin and has a large surface area for frictional engagement with the clothing. Both the flap and tail are soft and flexible, and the flap can detach from the clothing when the tail is pulled. In one embodiment, the flap can detach from the tail when pulled with a predetermined amount of force. Self expression, independence, knowledge and empathy for wildlife are promoted in the child by the toy. The flap can also house a story or picture relating to the animal represented by the tail, further interesting and enlightening the child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventor: Vivian E. Y. Steiger
  • Patent number: 5415580
    Abstract: A variable height double-faced doll, adaptable to the body and height of the user. The doll is made up of a body like those of ragdolls, with its corresponding limbs, lower and upper, being soft, as well as the head. Both the lower and upper limbs are made of elastics concertinered at the seams on the arms and legs to make stretching possible for their adaptation to the height and contours of the user. The head has two faces, one on each side, which consist of hair and of a cap which are placed in such a way that they will complement each other in a different way on each respective face, depending which side is viewed. The widened parts that form the feet are endowed with a lower covering with two distinct parts on either side of a lower transverse fixing strap, so that each part of the covering is separable from the foot in order to form an opening for the positioning of the user's foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Onilco Innovacion S.A.
    Inventor: Jaime Ferri