Rolling Or Tumbling (e.g., Wheeled) Patents (Class 446/431)
  • Patent number: 11766620
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toy vehicle assembly. The assembly includes a first toy vehicle and a second toy vehicle. Furthermore, the assembly includes a connector for connecting the toy vehicles. Advantageously, the toy vehicles may be connected together so that a player may play with both vehicles at the same time with one hand only to thereby significantly enhance the playing experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Icon23 Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Dallyn Seale
  • Patent number: 11657853
    Abstract: The tractor and trailer radio with. CD Player is the only product of its kind that has the capability of functioning as an alarm clock, a speaker, a charger, and a radio, yet showcases as an automotive small-scale accessory. This avant-garde product is uniquely designed with durable materials to ensure long term sustainability, and includes cutting-edge features such as wireless charging, illuminated cab lights and interchangeable volume and tune headlights for any AM/FM radio with the station numbers in the grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventor: Dale Ruby
  • Patent number: 11298629
    Abstract: A ball toy having a solid, resiliently flexible body is disclosed. The body is penetrated by a bore, wherein bearing means are mounted, defining a rotational axis of the body therein. The bore has a bore closure at each end, mechanical connection means connecting each closure to the bearing means. The body is able to spin on said axis relative to the closures, when the closures are held in a pinching manner by a user. The body is made of a thermoplastic rubber of selected hardness properties, giving it excellent bouncing performance, with unpredictability of bouncing direction resulting from the spinning of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: MEJJJET HOLDINGS PTY LTD
    Inventor: Edward Holden
  • Patent number: 10913310
    Abstract: Provided is a wheel including: a main housing with a series of apertures disposed radially thereabout; an inner shaft disposed within the main housing and rotatably coupled thereto; a set of spokes distributed radially around the inner shaft and attached thereto at a first end, each spoke positioned within one of the series of apertures in the main housing; a set of linkages distributed radially around the inner shaft and attached to a second end of the spokes, the linkages positioned within the apertures; and a set of rollers distributed radially around the inner shaft and mounted on the linkages; wherein the spokes, linkages, and rollers can be moved from a first, contracted position, to a second, expanded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventors: Ali Ebrahimi Afrouzi, Shahin Fathi Djalali
  • Patent number: 10410320
    Abstract: Systems and methods for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) course profiling are provided. A plurality of images may be captured by a UAV flying along a course at a first location. A profile may be constructed for the course based on the images captured by the UAV. The constructed course profile is transmitted over a communication network to a virtual reality system at a second location. The virtual reality system may generate a virtual environment corresponding to the course based on the constructed course profile, and a second UAV at the second location may fly along the virtual course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Dennis Dale Castleman
  • Patent number: 10335628
    Abstract: The rolling dumbbells is a continuation in part of USPTO non-provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 14/969,138. The present disclosure presents an alternate attachment mechanism for attaching the first wheel and the second wheel of the cited disclosure to the grip of the cited disclosure. The rolling dumbbells comprises a threaded rod, a first nut, and a second nut. The grip of the cited disclosure is modified to further comprise a third axial aperture. The threaded rod forms a threaded connection with the first nut, a first threaded center, the third axial aperture of the grip, a second threaded center, and the second nut to attach the first wheel and the second wheel to the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Nazzaro Scarpa
  • Patent number: 10220388
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a centrifugal microfluidics control system and a method configuring the same. The system may comprise a centrifugal tube; a centrifugal unit for accommodating the centrifugal tube and providing a centrifugal force to the centrifugal tube; a control unit fixed in bottom of the centrifugal tube; and a microfluidic supporting unit coupled to the control unit in the centrifugal tube. The control unit may change an orientation of the microfluidic supporting unit to change a direction of the centrifugal force applied to the microfluidic supporting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignees: The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Nanjing University
    Inventors: Minghui Tang, Ho-Pui Ho, Guanghui Wang, Siu-Kai Kong, Fong-Chuen Loo, Ho Chin Kwok, Shu-Yuen Wu, Xuping Zhang
  • Patent number: 9901839
    Abstract: A vehicle combination for orientation free steering experience to a user includes a remote control unit to for sending rotational and speed signals and a vehicle unit moves in the direction for receiving the rotation and speed signals, and further moving in the direction decoded from the rotation and speed signals. The remote control unit includes transmits the rotational pulse and speed signals. The vehicle unit includes a receiver to decode the rotational pulse and the speed signal received from the transmitter and further converts the decoded rotational pulse to determine the steering power. The vehicle unit is further driven based on the steering power and a second power source to power the receiver and the motor unit. The rotational pulse generated from the remote control unit is directly proportional to the steering power decoded by the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventor: Ho Yin Wong
  • Patent number: 9400505
    Abstract: An electric vehicle may comprise a board including first and second deck portions each configured to receive a left or right foot of a ride, a wheel assembly disposed between the deck portions and including a ground-contacting element, a motor assembly mounted to the board and configured to rotate the ground-contacting element around an axle to propel the electric vehicle, at least one sensor configured to measure orientation information of the board, and a motor controller configured to receive orientation information measured by the sensor and to cause the motor assembly to propel the electric vehicle based on the orientation information. The electric vehicle may include exactly one ground-contacting element, and the motor may be a hub motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen
  • Patent number: 9028291
    Abstract: An image capturing toy may include a toy vehicle that may include at least one wheel and a camera, the camera including a camera lens and/or a housing that may include a first aperture and a wheel chock configured to inhibit displacement of a wheel. The housing may be moveable from an open position in which the toy vehicle may be placed in and removed from the housing, to a closed position in which the housing releasably encases the toy vehicle such that the camera lens is accessible through the first aperture and the wheel chock engages the at least one wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M Martino, Eric C Ostendorff, Kevin K Cao, Christopher J Hardouin, David A Sheltman, Stacy L O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20150079875
    Abstract: A toy includes a rotational lift mechanism having a rotatable drive shaft, a helical guide track positioned about the drive shaft, a receiver basin positioned atop the drive shaft, an upper track, a tilted panel, a chute having an opening formed therein and a lower track. In example forms, one or more balls traverse a closed-loop pre-defined path including along the guide track and within the basin, along the upper track, through an airborne trajectory into contact with the tilted panel, bouncing into the opening of the chute, and back along the lower track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: KIDS II, INC.
    Inventor: Milton Aaron FLORES
  • Patent number: 8982541
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a protective enclosure comprising a base comprising a first continuous mating surface and at least one conveyance aperture, a cover comprising a second continuous mating surface, wherein the second continuous mating surface is configured to form a seal with the first continuous mating surface, and a clamp, wherein at least a portion of the clamp is coupleable to the base, wherein a mouth of the clamp is configured to be offset from the aperture when the clamp is coupled to the base, wherein the clamp comprises a first sealing layer, and wherein the clamp is configured to seal the aperture against contaminants. The protective enclosure may be configured for use in a remotely controllable model vehicle to protect a control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Traxxas LP
    Inventors: Timothy E. Roberts, Jon Kenneth Lampert, Otto Karl Allmendinger
  • Patent number: 8976511
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a protective enclosure comprising a base comprising a first continuous mating surface and at least one conveyance aperture, a cover comprising a second continuous mating surface, wherein the second continuous mating surface is configured to form a seal with the first continuous mating surface, and a clamp, wherein at least a portion of the clamp is coupleable to the base, wherein a mouth of the clamp is configured to be offset from the aperture when the clamp is coupled to the base, wherein the clamp comprises a first sealing layer, and wherein the clamp is configured to seal the aperture against contaminants. The protective enclosure may be configured for use in a remotely controllable model vehicle to protect a control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Traxxas LP
    Inventors: Timothy E. Roberts, Jon Kenneth Lampert, Otto Karl Allmendinger
  • Patent number: 8944880
    Abstract: An apparatus for distributing scale ballast over a model railroad track includes a hopper configured to funnel scale ballast to a spreader assembly, the spreader assembly including a spreader aperture formed between a compactor brush and a spreader plate, a chassis and a pair of contour skirts configured to contour scale ballast along the sides of the model railroad track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Anthony LaSalle
  • Patent number: 8894465
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a powered children's toy configured for movement along a support surface. According to various embodiments, the powered children's toy includes a drive system configured to impart a motive force on the children's toy that causes the toy to roll, bounce, shake, or otherwise move along an eccentric motion path when placed upon a support surface (e.g., a floor). Various embodiments of the drive system are configured to drive a rotating member about a movable rotation axis, thereby generating a varying motive force that causes eccentric movement along the support surface. This varying motive force assists in freeing the toy ball from obstacles encountered on a support surface (e.g., a wall or piece of furniture). In addition, the children's toy may include a power supply provided in a fixed position within the children's toy and configured for convenient user access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kids II, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris McClintock, Robert Karnick
  • Patent number: 8849451
    Abstract: A robot includes a chassis, a motive subsystem configured to maneuver the chassis, a hopping actuator attached to the chassis and configured to launch the robot, and at least one leg pivotable with respect to the chassis to pitch the chassis upward at a selected launch trajectory angle. A control subsystem automatically actuates and controls the motive subsystem when the robot is airborne and uses the rotational momentum of the motive subsystem to control the attitude of the robot chassis in flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Anthony Rizzi, Michael Patrick Murphy, John Joseph Giarratana, Matthew David Malchano, Christian Allen Weagle, Chris Aaron Richburg
  • Patent number: 8814629
    Abstract: A transformable toy with an alterable exterior structure. The toy is constructed to transform from a non-rollable first shape to a second rollable shape. An interior structure inside the exterior structure includes two or more exterior wall portions that collectively define a sphere, the wall portions moveably coupled relative to each and actuated by a triggering mechanism reactive to a magnetic force that is initiated external to the toy, and a biasing member that effects a force which transitions the wall portions to control the exterior structure—from a non-rollable (e.g., half-sphere or the like) first shape to a rollable (e.g., sphere or the like) second shape. Without initiation of the magnetic force, the first shape is maintained. With initiation of the magnetic force, the first shape transforms to the second shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventor: Andrew Lewis Johnston
  • Patent number: 8811002
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a protective enclosure comprising a base comprising a first continuous mating surface and at least one conveyance aperture, a cover comprising a second continuous mating surface, wherein the second continuous mating surface is configured to form a seal with the first continuous mating surface, and a clamp, wherein at least a portion of the clamp is coupleable to the base, wherein a mouth of the clamp is configured to be offset from the aperture when the clamp is coupled to the base, wherein the clamp comprises a first sealing layer, and wherein the clamp is configured to seal the aperture against contaminants. The protective enclosure may be configured for use in a remotely controllable model vehicle to protect a control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Traxxas LP
    Inventors: Timothy E. Roberts, Jon Kenneth Lampert, Otto Karl Allmendinger
  • Publication number: 20140206255
    Abstract: This is a great hand eye coordination toy for kids and enhances motor skills; The serpentine slot is a relaxing eye watching pleasure; Gravity pulls the balls through the slotted path in the base of the toy; Just turn the toy 180 degrees and it repeats the process; This toy is for entertainment use only; A slotted path is for multiple balls to follow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Jon Maurice Quaid
  • Patent number: 8751063
    Abstract: A self-propelled device determines an orientation for its movement based on a pre-determined reference frame. A controller device is operable by a user to control the self-propelled device. The controller device includes a user interface for controlling at least a direction of movement of the self-propelled device. The self-propelled device is configured to signal the controller device information that indicates the orientation of the self-propelled device. The controller device is configured to orient the user interface, based on the information signaled from the self-propelled device, to reflect the orientation of the self-propelled device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Orbotix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, Brian Keith Smith
  • Patent number: 8734201
    Abstract: A toy vehicle racetrack is provided with one or more obstacle pairs. The obstacle pairs may be arranged in a geometrical progression and each obstacle pair may determine the relative positions of two toy vehicles and impede the travel of the trailing vehicle. Impeding the travel of the trailing vehicle may be accomplished by ejecting the trailing toy vehicle from the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Nuttall, Brendon Vetuskey
  • Patent number: 8734199
    Abstract: A toy component group (17) has a loading arm (18) with a free end for lifting a load and with a connecting end (19) via which the loading arm (18) is mounted on a frame (20) of the component group (17). An activating device (21) serves for adjusting a loading arm setting angle (?) and, thereby, for lifting the free end of the loading arm (18). The activating device (21) comprises an activating element (23), a spindle (22) mounted on the frame (20) which is in drive connection with the activating element (23) for rotation about a spindle axis (24). Further, the activating device (21) comprises a spindle nut (25) with at least one guiding element (26) and a connecting link (27) secured to the loading arm (18). The connecting link (27) cooperates with the at least one guiding element (26) of the spindle nut (25) for link guiding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Bruder Spielwaren GmbH and Co. KG
    Inventor: Paul Heinz Bruder
  • Publication number: 20140141690
    Abstract: A composite toy for use with a writing utensil. The composite toy includes a first and second assembly. The first and second assemblies are removeably mutually attachable, and the first and second assemblies are each removeably attachable to a writing utensil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Stuart BROWNING
  • Publication number: 20140057526
    Abstract: A toy set is provided including a reconfigurable toy capable of transitioning between a first configuration and a second configuration. The toy set also includes a launch mechanism having an activation means and a toy receiver. A propulsion mechanism transfers movement of the activation means to the reconfigurable toy to propel the reconfigurable toy in a second configuration from the launch mechanism along a propulsion axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: David Alan Sheltman, Kevin Kai Cao
  • Patent number: 8641470
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a signal of light may be emitted from an illumination source of a first transceiver. A second transceiver may detect a signal of light from the first transceiver that exceeds a threshold luminosity; and activate, in response to the detecting of the signal of light that exceeds the threshold luminosity, an illumination source of the second transceiver to illuminate. An intensity of the illumination source of the first transceiver may then be reduced in response to the activating of the illumination source of the second transceiver to illuminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenlip Ong, Courtney Watkinson, Armen Mkrtchyan
  • Patent number: 8562386
    Abstract: A mobile skateboard-shaped toy which is propelled by a displaceable flywheel is described. The skateboard-shaped toy comprises a skateboard deck with the flywheel positioned within the skateboard deck. The flywheel is positioned such that the flywheel protrudes beyond a top portion and a bottom portion of the skateboard deck. The flywheel is rotatable within the skateboard deck to change a rotational direction of the flywheel with respect to a major axis of the skateboard deck. Additionally, the flywheel can be repositioned at different ride heights within the skateboard deck. In one aspect, the flywheel is removable from the skateboard deck to allow the flywheel to be easily repositioned within the skateboard deck or replaced with another flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel Carlson, Dominic Laurienzo, Dion Fields, Michael Bernstein
  • Patent number: 8562387
    Abstract: A driving mechanism for a radio-controlled toy vehicle is disclosed comprising a radio controlled drive assembly with a frame, two (2) large central wheels, and two (2) small motor driven drive wheels. The large wheels are driven by two (2) independent motors with drive wheels attached which engage the outer perimeter of each large wheel. The drive train and power supply are positioned upon a platform of the frame. Front and rear midpoints of the frame are provided with a finger protrusion to support the vehicle when changing directions or when balance is lost. The wheels are driven independently enabling one (1) wheel to be driven forward while the other one (1) is driven backwards to allow the vehicle to spin in place about a center point. The motors can be driven in a simultaneous manner to propel the vehicle forward or backward. Proportional steering enables the vehicle to turn corners and produce movements that follow curves or arcs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: Gary R. Henthorne
  • Publication number: 20130065482
    Abstract: A toy system comprises a surface (1) provided with position encoding information; and a toy (2, 20) arranged to be movable across the surface (1), said toy (2, 20) comprising at least one sensor (4) for reading said position encoding information, and processing means (3) arranged to process the position encoding information read by the sensor (4) and to determine the position of the toy (2, 20) on said surface (1) on the basis of said position encoding information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Liberation Consulting Limited
    Inventor: Alastair Trickett
  • Patent number: 8376804
    Abstract: A multi-directional radio controlled toy, having a main vehicle with housing configured as a creature-like head containing propulsion and control components including two drive motors with controller, drive wheels coupled with the motors, power supply and wireless signal receiver coupled with the controller. An unpowered body portion trails the main vehicle and body members movably connected together by articulated couplings to permit body articulation throughout substantially the entire body portion of the creature-like device. A jaw moving mechanism in the main vehicle is powered by the motors to raise an upper jaw portion of the head until tripped by contact of a trigger at the front end of the main vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: William Willett, Chung Ming (Bryan) Cheng, Chun Wing (Edward) Wong
  • Patent number: 8376806
    Abstract: A toy including a housing and at least one view port disposed within the housing and adapted to permit a user to view objects through the at least one view port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Steed Sun, Ruben Martinez, Peter Fan
  • Publication number: 20120302128
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a powered children's toy configured for movement along a support surface. According to various embodiments, the powered children's toy includes a drive system configured to impart a motive force on the children's toy that causes the toy to roll, bounce, shake, or otherwise move along an eccentric motion path when placed upon a support surface (e.g., a floor). Various embodiments of the drive system are configured to drive a rotating member about a movable rotation axis, thereby generating a varying motive force that causes eccentric movement along the support surface. This varying motive force assists in freeing the toy ball from obstacles encountered on a support surface (e.g., a wall or piece of furniture). In addition, the children's toy may include a power supply provided in a fixed position within the children's toy and configured for convenient user access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: KIDS II, INC.
    Inventors: Chris McClintock, Robert Karnick
  • Patent number: 8315040
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a protective enclosure comprising a base comprising a first continuous mating surface and at least one conveyance aperture, a cover comprising a second continuous mating surface, wherein the second continuous mating surface is configured to form a seal with the first continuous mating surface, and a clamp, wherein at least a portion of the clamp is coupleable to the base, wherein a mouth of the clamp is configured to be offset from the aperture when the clamp is coupled to the base, wherein the clamp comprises a first sealing layer, and wherein the clamp is configured to seal the aperture against contaminants. The protective enclosure may be configured for use in a remotely controllable model vehicle to protect a control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Traxxas LP
    Inventors: Timothy E. Roberts, Jon Kenneth Lampert, Otto Karl Allmendinger
  • Patent number: 8298039
    Abstract: A two-wheel toy car includes a car body, a chassis for supporting the car body, a wheel assembly, and two balancing assemblies fixed to the chassis. The chassis includes an inner surface facing the car body and symmetrically defines two through holes. The wheel assembly includes two wheels symmetrically positioned on the chassis and two driving members corresponding to the wheels, respectively. The balancing assemblies correspond to the through holes, respectively. Each balancing assembly includes a guiding member fixed to the inner surface corresponding to the through hole, a contacting member extending from the through hole, and at least one elastic member positioned between the guiding member and the contacting member. The contacting member faces the guiding member and is slidably connected to the guiding member. One end of the elastic member abuts against the guiding member, and the other end of the elastic member abuts against the contacting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bao-Shuai Liu
  • Patent number: 8162715
    Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a chassis, a front road wheel supported for rotation from the chassis and a rear road wheel supported for rotation from the chassis. A reversible motor is supported from the chassis and is operatively coupled with one of the front and rear road wheels so as to rotate at least one of the front and rear road wheels to propel the toy vehicle in a forward direction. A wheelie mechanism is operatively connected to the motor and has a first end pivotally attached to the central axis of one of the front and rear road wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Mayer
  • Publication number: 20120094573
    Abstract: An apparatus for distributing scale ballast over a model railroad track includes a hopper configured to funnel scale ballast to a spreader assembly, the spreader assembly including a spreader aperture formed between a compactor brush and a spreader plate, a chassis and a pair of contour skirts configured to contour scale ballast along the sides of the model railroad track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Anthony LaSalle
  • Publication number: 20120088427
    Abstract: A toy helicopter with a functioning rotor blade and winch is disclosed. In one embodiment, a toy helicopter includes a rotor blade and winch coupled to a drive mechanism housed in the helicopter. The drive mechanism is coupled to a drive shaft, and is operated by an actuator with a winch attached thereto. Pulling the winch away from the helicopter body loads or winds up the drive mechanism, and releasing the winch allows the drive mechanism to rotate the drive shaft and retract the winch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Son Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8142254
    Abstract: A vehicle having a chassis and motor. An electronic controller and receiver for receiving control signals from a remote control. A pair of ground-engaging front and rear wheels mounted to a front and rear portions of the chassis, and being freely rotatably mounted to the chassis. A ground-engaging center drive wheel operably coupled to the drive motor, the center drive wheel being mounted on a rotatable platform positioned on the chassis within a perimeter defined by the front and rear wheels, the rotatable platform rotating with respect to the chassis to allow the central drive wheel to steer the vehicle in different directions, the central drive wheel having a coefficient of friction higher than the front and rear wheels to aid in driving the vehicle in different direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: G2 Inventions, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Greenley, Nick Grisolia
  • Publication number: 20120071062
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a signal of light may be emitted from an illumination source of a first transceiver. A second transceiver may detect a signal of light from the first transceiver that exceeds a threshold luminosity; and activate, in response to the detecting of the signal of light that exceeds the threshold luminosity, an illumination source of the second transceiver to illuminate. An intensity of the illumination source of the first transceiver may then be reduced in response to the activating of the illumination source of the second transceiver to illuminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Kenlip Ong, Courtney Watkinson, Armen Mkrtchyan
  • Patent number: 8128500
    Abstract: A method provides a virtual presentation including a virtual character in an environment other than a natural environment of the virtual character. The method includes validating a registration code associated with a toy, providing at least one virtual room representing a natural environment of the toy in the virtual presentation, and displaying the virtual character in the virtual room representing the natural environment of the toy, which represents the toy in the virtual presentation. The method further includes providing at least one additional virtual room representing an unnatural environment of the toy in the virtual presentation, the unnatural environment of the toy being different than the natural environment of the toy, and providing the virtual character with an environment extension tool that enables the virtual character to exist in the room representing the unnatural environment of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ganz
    Inventors: Karl Joseph Borst, Stephen Braund
  • Patent number: 8111500
    Abstract: Described herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects. Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes in an electroadhesive device. The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces. When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall, the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object. This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface. Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Harsha Prahlad, Roy D. Kornbluh, Patrick D. Lincoln, Scott Stanford
  • Publication number: 20120021667
    Abstract: A toy vehicle has a hard top shell formed with a top concave shell cavity. The hard top shell has an inside surface. The hard top shell is pervious to light. A top layer of adhesive adheres to the hard top shell. A flexible chassis core is formed with a top profile and a bottom profile. The top profile matches and receives the top hard shell. The top layer of adhesive adheres to a top surface of the chassis core. A bottom layer of adhesive adheres to a bottom surface of the flexible chassis core; and a hard bottom shell is formed with a bottom concave shell cavity. The bottom concave shell cavity is formed to fit to the bottom profile. The hard bottom shell is pervious to light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Dean Ronald Thompson
  • Publication number: 20120009845
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling movement of a self-propelled toy that interacts with human users, receiving assistance from those users in reaching a destination, and communicates with other self-propelled toys, with human users, and with social media forums via various networks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: JUNIPER HOLDING CORP.
    Inventor: Richard Schmelzer
  • Patent number: 8057277
    Abstract: The present invention provides a toy car wheel with an adjustable center of gravity. The middle of the toy car wheel defines a through hole. At least one spoke is distributed between the rim of the toy car wheel and the through hole. At least one channel is defined in each spoke. At least one spherical body is disposed in each channel. When a toy car decelerates, a momentum of the toy car decreases, the at least one spherical body descends in a corresponding channel, and the center of gravity of the toy car wheel descends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kim-Yeung Sip, Kui-Jun Wang
  • Patent number: 8038504
    Abstract: A toy includes a vehicle body having a front portion and a rear portion. A pair of rear wheels is coupled with the rear portion and located on the vehicle so as to at least partially support the rear portion. A first electric motor is drivingly coupled with the at least one rear wheel. There is a pair of front wheels coupled with the front portion and located on the vehicle so as to at least partially support the front portion. An electrically operated steering actuator is mounted on the front portion and is drivingly coupled to the at least one front wheel to rotate the front wheels to steer the toy vehicle. When the vehicle is inverted, the sensor detects the orientation change and signals a microprocessor inside the vehicle, the microprocessor responds to the signal and changes the left/right motor control signal to the steering motor and the forward/backward motor control signal on the driving motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Silverlit Limited
    Inventor: Kwok Leung Wong
  • Patent number: 8025551
    Abstract: A toy vehicle has first, second and third wheels for movement over a surface. Each of the first, second and third wheels has a respective first, second and third axis of rotation that lies between the remaining two other axes of rotation such that the three axes of rotation are mutually adjoining. Each of the three axes of rotation crosses over the other two axes of rotation such that an angle is formed between each adjoining crossing pair of the axes of rotation where each angle is other than a multiple of 90 degrees. Each wheel is individually powered so that the toy vehicle can translate in any horizontal direction regardless of its facing direction. Two of the wheels can be realigned so their axes of rotation are collinear for conventional movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Torres, Christopher J. Hardouin, Mark S. Mayer, Tin Hung Ngai, Chun Wing Wong
  • Patent number: 8011737
    Abstract: A wheel for a toy vehicle includes a rim, a tire, and a ballast. The rim includes an outer circumferential surface. The tire is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the rim. The tire and the rim cooperatively define a ring-shaped receiving channel therebetween. The ballast is received in the ring-shaped receiving channel, and slidably connected to the outer circumferential surface of the rim. The weight of the ballast is greater than the frictional force between the ballast and the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kui-Jun Wang, Feng-Xiang Tang
  • Patent number: 8007341
    Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a shaft and a pair of wheels rotatably connected to opposite ends of the shaft. Each wheel includes an inner cover, an outer cover connected to the inner cover, and a steering member sandwiched between the inner cover and the outer cover. The steering member includes a motor, a rotating plate, at least two elastic elements equidistant from each other around the inner cover, and at least two pawls rotatably connected to the outer cover. The motor is fixed on the inner cover and includes a rotating shaft. The rotating plate is fixed to the rotating shaft and is driven by the motor to rotate. Each elastic element connects the rotating plate to each pawl. Each pawl extends out of the inner cover by rotation of the rotating plate, thereby changing the radius of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiao-Guang Su
  • Publication number: 20110189923
    Abstract: A toy component group (17) has a loading arm (18) with a free end for lifting a load and with a connecting end (19) via which the loading arm (18) is mounted on a frame (20) of the component group (17). An activating device (21) serves for adjusting a loading arm setting angle (?) and, thereby, for lifting the free end of the loading arm (18). The activating device (21) comprises an activating element (23), a spindle (22) mounted on the frame (20) which is in drive connection with the activating element (23) for rotation about a spindle axis (24). Further, the activating device (21) comprises a spindle nut (25) with at least one guiding element (26) and a connecting link (27) secured to the loading arm (18). The connecting link (27) cooperates with the at least one guiding element (26) of the spindle nut (25) for link guiding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: BRUDER SPIELWAREN GMBH AND CO. KG
    Inventor: Paul Heinz BRUDER
  • Patent number: 7988519
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product for an interactive toy vehicle that provides new structures and combinations of features for enhancing education and amusement, particularly for an improved small-scale vehicle toy that produces feedback (e.g., sounds or lights and a motorized output event) directly related to the amount of a child's input. The apparatus, method, and computer program product for a toy vehicle includes: a chassis; a motive element, coupled to the chassis, for moving the chassis; an impulse detector for generating an impulse signal responsive to one or more impulses applied to the chassis; and a controller, coupled to the chassis and responsive to the impulse signal, for: counting a number N of impulse signals received during a setup period; determining an operational mode responsive to the number N; setting a duty mode for the motive element responsive to the operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Go Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Eckerman, Phillip H. Neal
  • Patent number: 7988168
    Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a base, a body, and at least one of a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly. The base includes a first curved member, a second curved member, and a cross member securing the first curved member to the second curved member. The first curved member includes a first front arm and a first rear arm and the second curved member has a second front arm and a second rear arm. The front wheel assembly includes a first front wheel assembly and a second front wheel assembly having respective first and second wheels. The front wheel assemblies mount to the respective first front arms. The front wheels are movable between among at least one of a first position and a second position. Methods of converting a toy vehicle are also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: The Step2 Company, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Miroewski