Electric Patents (Class 446/484)
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Patent number: 6139399Abstract: A vehicle may have a chassis, wheels rotatably mounted on the chassis and motors disposed on the vehicle for selectively rotating the wheels to (a) accelerate the vehicle forwardly and rearwardly, (b) spin-turn the vehicle (turn the vehicle on a substantially stationary position), (c) turn the vehicle to the right or left during the vehicle movement forwardly or rearwardly, and (d) move the vehicle forwardly or rearwardly at a substantially constant speed. Energy is introduced from a battery in the vehicle to an energy storage member (e.g. capacitor) in the vehicle and from the capacitor to a microprocessor in the vehicle. The microprocessor controls the operation of the vehicle motor(s) in performing individual ones of the movements specified in (a) to (d) above.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1998Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Inventor: Peter C. DeAngelis
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Patent number: 6135850Abstract: A safety method and toy position a rotatable stopper in a bore where the stopper can not be gripped by human hands and create a friction fit between the stopper and bore that requires a rotational torque that can not be applied to the stopper by human hands alone when the stopper is in the bore.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1998Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Inventor: Gerald D. Reed
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Patent number: 6076946Abstract: A spherical housing (11) having multiple flats (1-8) about the surface of the housing with adhesive means (i.e. . . . magnets) that enable it to adhere to an alternate surface. Multiple flats (1-8) are arranged around the housing (11) for the purpose of directing light in many directions.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1999Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Inventors: Thomas Brouillette, III, Thomas Brouillette, Jr.
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Patent number: 6062937Abstract: An assembly block for a teaching material and a plaything ensures connection of wire lines at all possible link positions at which the assembly block is linked and in all possible link directions in which the assembly block is linked. Four link recess portions 12 are formed in a link surface 11a of an assembly block 10, and a round connector 13 is disposed at the center of the link surface 11a. Bottom plates of steel are disposed at the bottom of the link recess portions 12. Magnets are inserted inside the link recess portions 12 with the link recess portions 12 opposed with each other, whereby two assembly blocks are linked to each other. The connector 13, disposed for electrical connection with the connector 13 of another assembly block, comprises connection terminals which are disposed in a concentric arrangement on an insulation plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1998Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: System Watt Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hideo Kikuchi
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Patent number: 6062936Abstract: A toy that includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are coupled to an electrical circuit. The first electrode is also coupled to an consumable substance. The circuit is closed when an end user becomes electrically coupled to the first electrode and the consumble substance. Closing the circuit may activate one or more actuators, sound devices, etc. of the toy.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1998Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: Elliot A. RudellInventors: Elliot A. Rudell, Raymond Earl Fisher, George Foster
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Patent number: 6046670Abstract: An interchangeable sound effect device (1) which incorporates and plays sound effects that have been digitally recorded on interchangeable sound cartridges (4). This device (1) is designed to be used with entertainment and educational type products such as toys, dolls, figurines, books and instructional guides. The sound effect device (1) employs an infrared receiver (28) housed within a durable encasement which straps around the user's waist or is embedded within the doll, figurine, toy, or book. The receiver unit (28) contains an infrared detector (44), an electronic diving means (60), an audio speaker (52), and a sound cartridge (4) that rests within a sound cartridge chamber (32). The sound cartridge (4) contains a sound enabler chip (12) that stores, in digital form, a number of prerecorded sound effects. In addition, the user can easily remove the sound cartridge (4) and insert one of many other sound cartridges each containing a different set of sound effects.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1998Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Inventor: Frank A. Martin
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Patent number: 6036574Abstract: A toy vehicle is operatively driven by an electric motor having a storage capacitor coupled in parallel therewith. The capacitor and motor are coupled to a pair of underside contacts on the toy vehicle for charging. The toy vehicle underside further includes an aperture and an elongated slot. A cooperating charger/launcher includes a vehicle receiving surface upon which a wheel pedestal is positioned between the area at the rear of the vehicle for raising the vehicle rear wheels. The charger/launcher further includes an interlock post received within the aperture formed on the vehicle undersurface and a safety rib received within the elongated slot of the vehicle. A pair of electrical contacts are positioned on each side of the protective rib and are coupled to a battery supply within the launcher for charging the vehicle capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1996Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: Wayne Halford
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Patent number: 6019659Abstract: A heated stuffed toy for providing warmth to a user. The heated stuffed toy includes a body member having a stuffed interior and an outer layer configured to resemble a predetermined figure. A heating element for providing heat when energized is provided in the interior of the body. The heating element is positioned adjacent the outer layer of the body member in a serpentine arrangement extending over the entire body member including the extremities of the body member.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1998Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Inventor: Michael B. Walters
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Patent number: 6010339Abstract: A housing supports a keypad having a four by three matrix of depressible buttons each baring an appropriate number or symbol in correspondence to the four by three arrangement of a conventional telephone dial pad. The housing further supports a pageable book having a plurality of pivotally secured pages each baring a selected image and corresponding number. A simulated telephone hand unit is secured to the housing by a safety cord and is receivable within a cradle formed in the housing. Each depressible button includes a lighting device and a push button switch in association therewith. The depressible button operates the switch when the button is pressed and the button is illuminated when the light is energized. An electronic circuit within the housing operates the plurality of switches and lights associated with the plurality of buttons in accordance with a stored instruction set.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1999Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: David Lewis McDonald
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Patent number: 5989098Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for displaying collectibles and a kit for use with the apparatus. In its most basic form, the apparatus of the present invention includes a display dimensioned for receiving said at least one collectible, at least one light generating device for illuminating the collectible when received within the display, and a controller. The controller includes a sound generating device for generating at least one predetermined sound, a light control for activating a predetermined one of said at least one light generating device corresponding to the predetermined sound, and a control module having a user interface for sending a light control signal to the light control, and a sound control signal to the sound generating device, each corresponding to a collectible selected by a user. In operation, a user selects a desired collectible on the user interface causing the control module to send a control signal to the light control and to the sound generating device.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1999Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Inventors: Peter Reynolds, Bruce Poole
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Patent number: 5941751Abstract: A sound-generating unit (30) is encased within the body (20) of an article (10) which is to be launched by a burst of compressed and/or pressurized fluid (15) from a fluid launching device (11). The sound-generating unit (30) has the three main elements of a piezoelectric electromechanical transducer (32), a sound-generator electronic circuit (40), and a speaker (42). The body (20) of the article to be launched has a bore to receive the burst of fluid (15). The piezoelectric element (32) is positioned within the bore in alignment for receiving the impact of the burst of fluid (15). The piezoelectric element (32), the speaker (42) and an electrical energizer (36) are connected to the sound-generator circuit (40). Upon being impinged by a burst of fluid (15) projected into the bore of the body (20), the piezoelectric element (32) minutely deforms and generates a voltage that is processed by the sound-generator circuit (40) into a desired sound-effect signal that drives the speaker (42).Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1996Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Johnson Research and Development Co., Inc.Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, John T. Applewhite, John A. Alphonso-Gibbs
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Patent number: 5823848Abstract: The present invention proposes a toy vehicle powered and propelled by a launching device. More specifically, the invention includes a toy vehicle, preferably about three inches long, with a flywheel at its midpoint. The body, chassis, wheel and other parts are preferably plastic. The flywheel, however, is preferably a non-ferrous metal, and most preferably a diecast zinc metal. In one embodiment of the invention, the toy vehicle is placed in the launching device. The vehicle rolls down a ramp to a car stop. Magnets in the flywheel activate a switch that turns on an electromagnet, causing the flywheel to accelerate. When the vehicle reaches the vehicle stop of the launcher, the flywheel is spinning and magnets on the flywheel activate a reed switch that turns on an electromagnet each time a magnet passes the reed switch. The reed switch, acting as a commutator along with the magnets in the flywheel, creates the effect of a D.C. motor.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1997Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Inventor: Charles Cummings
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Patent number: 5772489Abstract: A detonator for exploding amusement balloons is disclosed in which the detonator comprises a pair of electrical lead wires electrically connected at their ends by a small-gage filament, which filament may be a standard office-type staple, and the detonator may be covered by an intermediate layer of material between the detonator and the balloon wall through which layer heat passes from the heated filament to the balloon wall to cause the balloon to explodes.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1996Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Inventors: Ronald B. Sherer, James O. Watkins
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Patent number: 5762534Abstract: An automatic opening/closing mechanism is disclosed. It includes a coil spring, a pushing member, a driven member and a contact board which are disposed in a cylinder under a decorative article. A shaft is disposed at a center of the coil spring. One end of the shaft is connected with one end face of the pushing member. The pushing member has a disc-like shape. The other end face of the pushing member is disposed with several slope teeth which are slidably engaged with several slope recesses of one end of the driven member. The other end of the driven member abuts against the contact board. Two electric contacts are disposed beside the contact board. The power of coil spring is gradually released to rotate the pushing member so as to upward push the driven member for lifting the contact board to contact with the electric contacts and close the circuit. At this time, a bulb or a music box is turned on to emit light or music.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1997Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Inventor: Yi-Chen Lo
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Patent number: 5690535Abstract: An improved candy pop holding device which includes two different spindle shafts each including a receptacle for holding a stick of a candy pop. The device includes a power supply, a switch for controlling the power supply, a motor for driving a suitable gearing system for rotating the two candy pops at a convenient rotation for consumption by a consumer. The motor and gearing system is designed to produce a desired torque and rotational speed to spin the two candy pops.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1996Date of Patent: November 25, 1997Inventors: Thomas J. Coleman, William K. Schlotter, IV, Princess Ann Coleman, Ann M. Schlotter
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Patent number: 5683284Abstract: A self contained battery operated electric toy spinning top contains a DC electric motor, flywheel, batteries and electric switch in stacked relationship that allows for efficient assembly of a gyroscopic toy. A spinning cardboard carton is produced by installing the energized top within the carton.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1996Date of Patent: November 4, 1997Assignee: Hart Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Richard Paul Christen
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Patent number: 5679049Abstract: A toy telephone includes a telephone base enclosure a microphone, a speaker, a memory chip for recording sounds for later retrieval, a microprocessor electrically connected to the memory chip, and at least one button electrically connected to the microprocessor for selecting one of a plurality of segments of the memory chip for recording. The memory chip is configured to produce an output signal the duration of which has a known mathematical relationship to the recording capacity of each of the plurality of segments of the memory chip.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1996Date of Patent: October 21, 1997Assignee: Robert W. Jeffway, Jr.Inventors: Avi Arad, Robert W. Jeffway, Jr.
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Patent number: 5648753Abstract: An interchangeable sound effect device which incorporates and plays sound effects that have been digitally recorded on interchangeable sound cartridges. This device is designed to be used with entertainment and educational type products such as toys, dolls, figurines, books and instructional guides. The sound effect device employs an infrared receiver housed within a durable encasement which straps around the user's waist or is embedded within the doll, figurine, toy, or book. The receiver unit contains an infrared detector, an electronic diving means, an audio speaker, and a sound cartridge that rests within a sound cartridge chamber. The sound cartridge contains a sound enabler chip that stores, in digital form, a number of prerecorded sound effects. In addition, the user can easily remove the sound cartridge and insert one of many other sound cartridges each containing a different set of sound effects. Finally, the sound effect device uses an infrared transmitter that attaches to an adjustable glove.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1994Date of Patent: July 15, 1997Inventor: Frank A. Martin
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Patent number: 5619179Abstract: A sound generator includes independent and identical generators for the left and right sound channels. In one embodiment, identical sound synthesizer ICs contain the same library of sound loops. By retarding one IC's RESET port, the two ICs will always begin to output sound at slightly different times. If both ICs are clocked at the same clock rate, a fixed time shift between the left and right channel loops produces a pseudo-stereo effect. If the ICs are clocked at slightly different rates, the time shift between channels can drift continuously, producing the effect of migrating sound having great depth and spatial separation. In a second embodiment, substantially identical white noise generators output the left and right sound channels. In one mode, a common sawtooth waveform modulates each channel producing a wide variation in pulsating wave sounds. In another mode, the user may manually modulate both channels.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1994Date of Patent: April 8, 1997Assignee: Sharper Image CorporationInventor: Blaine Smith
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Patent number: 5584742Abstract: A rocking ornament in a tray, which comprises a tray with an ornamental pattern, and the front recess portion of the tray is mounted with a rocking member; the back side of the rocking member has an elongate slot, which is to be engaged with a stud on an eccentric wheel connected with transmission device in a mechanism chamber behind the tray; the lower part of the rocking member has a through hole for receiving a screw spindle with a shaft, and the screw spindle is to be fastened to the tray as a supporting shaft to the rocking member; the rocking member can move circularly with the stud on the eccentric wheel simultaneously upon of the transmission device in the mechanism chamber driving the eccentric wheel, and then the rocking member will sway laterally and regularly.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1995Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Inventor: Li-Heng Chen
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Patent number: 5549501Abstract: A toy car including a casing mounted inside the car body to hold a driving mechanism and a transmission mechanism, a steering wheel assembly mounted in a circular opening on the chassis and coupled to the transmission mechanism, a battery power supply mounted on the chassis, a stop member mounted on the chassis, a link coupled between an upright shaft on the steering wheel assembly and the transmission mechanism and having a front downward rod, a slide having one end coupled to the link and an opposite end terminating in two retainer arms engaging the stop member, and a switch disposed in a side opening on the slide, wherein when the toy car is depressed by the player against the ground, the steering wheel assembly is lifted to tilt the link, causing the front downward rod of the link forced into a locating hole on the slide for permitting the slide to be moved by the link to switch off the switch in cutting off battery power supply from the driving mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Assignee: Chain Fong Toys Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jin-Long Jow
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Patent number: 5540608Abstract: A toy for interacting with a series of bubbles to play a tune. The illustrated toy has a housing that includes a handle and at least two spaced-apart electrical contacts. Housed within the housing and electrically connected to the contacts and to one another in a circuit are a microprocessor chip, a speaker and a holder for a power source such as a battery. Each time the contacts strike a bubble, the circuit is completed, which causes a note to be emitted from the speaker. The microprocessor is programmed so that when the contacts sequentially engage a plurality of bubbles, a series of notes are emitted that create a tune. The illustrated toy also includes a blower mechanism for producing a plurality of bubbles for use with the toy.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1995Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Inventor: Adolph E. Goldfarb
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Patent number: 5538451Abstract: A detonator for exploding toy balloons without the use of explosive or flammable materials is disclosed which comprises an electrically conductive filament which becomes electrically heated and explodes the balloon.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1995Date of Patent: July 23, 1996Inventor: Ronald B. Sherer
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Patent number: 5536196Abstract: A drinking vessel, preferably a beer mug, includes a sound-generating circuit in the base of the mug which produces a "burping" sound effect. An actuation switch is located in the base which is responsive to the proximity between the bottom of the mug and a support surface upon which it rests. The sound-generating circuit is housed in a bottom portion of the mug which is releasably affixed to the fluid-containing top portion by interlocking lugs and slots. The "burping" sound effect is played only when the vessel is put down on a support surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1995Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Assignee: Fun-Damental Too Ltd.Inventor: Harry W. Sternberg
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Patent number: 5499941Abstract: A balloon inflation device with a light source involving a tube with internal electrical conducting wire such that a power source can be attached to one end of the tube, a light bulb can be attached to the other end of the tube and the power source will illuminate the light bulb. The tube also has a radially projecting flange with a chamfered edge on its outer surface such that the tube can be inserted into a balloon, light first, and the stem of the balloon can be stretched over the flange, holding the tube in place and creating a mechanical seal that prevents gas from passing between the flange and the balloon stem. The power source of the light bulb can be removed from the tube and a gas stream can be projected into the balloon, inflating it, but the tube is arranged and configured such that the gas in the balloon cannot flow out of the balloon through the tube.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1994Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Inventor: Daniel T. Penjuke, Sr.
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Patent number: 5478267Abstract: An electronic soap bubble sensing and responsive device which is activated upon making contact between a soap bubble and an electronic sensor. The device consists of two electrodes mounted on a support frame and electrically coupled to internal electrical signal generation circuitry. The soap bubble sensor includes electrodes which are positioned so as to contact the soap bubble conjointly. Soap bubble fluid being conductive allows such contact to complete a trigger circuit, which contact also bursts the bubble, thereby breaking the circuit. The electrodes have a geometric configuration so as to maximum the conjoint contact with spherical bubbles, and the electrodes are supported on a frame so as to minimize wetting of the frame and triggering inadvertent activation. The completed electrical circuit can activate any sensory output as a result of the triggering, including sounds, lights or motion.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1993Date of Patent: December 26, 1995Assignees: Gerald A. McDonald, Ronald G. MagersInventors: Gerald A. McDonald, Ronald G. Magers, Lee K. Wa
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Patent number: 5462472Abstract: A magnetic induction toy includes a casing cowered with a cover to hold a battery, a holder frame fixed within the casing to hold an electromagnet and a rocker arm by a pivot pin, the electromagnet being connected to the battery, the rocker arm having a top permanent magnet repulsed or attracted by a permanent magnet placed above the cover and two lateral permanent magnets to repulse against the electromagnet, and round ornaments placed above the cover, each round ornament having at least one permanent magnet respectively reacted with the top permanent magnet on the rocker arm such that said rocker arm is induced to oscillate on the pivot pin by placing the operation control permanent magnet on the cover with one pole facing toward the permanent magnet on the base of the rocker arm to produce a magnetic repulsion and then moving the operation control permanent magnet along a course guide sign, the rocker arm being stopped by placing the other pole of the operation control permanent magnet on the cover towardType: GrantFiled: April 19, 1994Date of Patent: October 31, 1995Inventor: Mon S. Lin
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Patent number: 5413518Abstract: A proximity responsive toy includes a motor-driven drive unit for propelling the toy, and a variable frequency oscillator unit including a capacitor plate for sensing approach of a capacitive body and having a frequency output that decreases in response to proximity of the capacitive body from the toy. A programmable frequency divider receives and divides the frequency output by a predetermined factor.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1994Date of Patent: May 9, 1995Inventor: Ming-Tuan Lin
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Patent number: 5411429Abstract: A light display of the present invention is incorporated in a wheeled toy and is visible through a translucent or transparent cover. The light display includes a rotatable arm and a bracket which rotates on the arm. A generally vertical gear is rotated by movement of the toy and meshes with a pinion gear on the arm to rotate the arm. The light bracket is rotatably mounted on the arm spaced from the pinion gear so that it will orbit in the toy. The light bracket in turn has a pinion gear which meshes with a gear defined by a toothed surface of an opening in the toy. The meshing of the bracket gear with the toothed surface of the opening causes the bracket to rotate. The bracket houses electric light means, a battery, and a centrifugally operated switch. A movable weight, in the form of a bearing, is provided to facilitate closing of the switch even at slow speeds of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1994Date of Patent: May 2, 1995Assignee: Handi-Pac, Inc.Inventor: Ronald R. Klawiter
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Patent number: 5399115Abstract: A doll with an eyeblink mechanism includes an eye with a reciprocatable eyelid, a drive providing intermittent slow rotary motion, and a torsion spring for accumulating such rotary motion, as necessary, and converting each predetermined quantity of such rotary motion into intermittent, relatively rapid reciprocating motion of the eyelid to blink the eye. A safety mechanism precludes overwinding of the torsion spring, e.g., when movement of the eyelid is physically blocked.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1994Date of Patent: March 21, 1995Assignee: Toy Biz, Inc.Inventors: Avi Arad, Robert W. Jeffway, Jr.
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Patent number: 5391107Abstract: This invention sets forth a two part housing with a motor in a lower part. The motor has a downwardly extending shaft to which an offset weight is secured. The upper housing includes an axially directed aperture of different diameters with the largest diameter portion at an upper end to receive a stick of a candy sucker. The candy sucker is vibrated or jiggles when the motor is operated so that during consumption of the candy sucker the candy sucker jiggles in the users mouth.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1993Date of Patent: February 21, 1995Assignee: B.A.A.T Enterprises Inc.Inventor: Thomas J. Coleman
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Patent number: 5382188Abstract: An audio playback device is formed in the configuration of a conventional telephone. The device includes an image plate having a plurality of images thereon, and an integrated circuit assembly having a memory which is pre-programmed with a plurality of sound tracks which correspond to the images on the image plate. The circuit assembly further includes an output unit for outputting selected sound tracks, and a switch assembly for actuating the output unit for outputting selected sound tracks. The device is further provided with a rotatable selector for individually selecting the images and for operating the switch assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1993Date of Patent: January 17, 1995Assignee: Playskool, Inc.Inventor: Dalita R. Tomellini
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Patent number: 5376039Abstract: A motor-driven, rope-jumping doll. The doll features a conventional toy that closely imitates rope-jumping by a human. A battery powered motor is activated and deactivated by lightly pressing on top of the doll's head. Once in motion, the doll appears to swirl the rope overhead and underfoot while effecting a jump each time the rope passes its zenith and nadir. The "timing" jump and the rope-skipping jump, combined with a true swirling motion applied to the rope by principally the "elbows" and "wrists" of the toy sincerely emulate one rope-jumping technique used by human beings. An eccentric, asymmetrically spiraled cam and a biasing spring are used to effect the two-jump characteristic by shuttling a discrete internal mass between a first and a second position, twice for each rotation of the cam.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1994Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Inventor: Lionel G. Balgin
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Patent number: 5370569Abstract: A voice-controlled ornamental toy includes a rocker supported on a mount above a base by a pivot axle to hold reversed permanent magnets, an electromagnet controlled by a voice actuated control circuit to repulse or attract the reversed permanent magnets causing the rocker to swing an ornament being coupled to the pivot axle by a transmission rod, and a tension spring connected between the rocker and the base to pull the rocker back to its former position when the electromagnet is deenergized.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1994Date of Patent: December 6, 1994Inventor: Lin Mo-Hsin
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Patent number: 5334076Abstract: A radio control car allowing the self-running car to be smaller and lighter, requiring less frequent and easier replacement of the battery. The radio control car according to the present invention is characterized in that said radio control car is provided with a self-running car 12 having a power unit 14, a receiving control unit 15 and an accumulating unit 16 for supplying power to the above-mentioned units and with a controller 13 having a transmitting control unit 19 and a battery unit 20, wherein said accumulating unit 16 of said self-running car 12 is charged by said battery unit 20 when a charged terminal 24 of the accumulating unit 16 of the self-running car 12 is connected with a charging terminal 25 of the battery unit 20 of said controller 13.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1993Date of Patent: August 2, 1994Assignee: Sawara Co., Ltd.Inventor: Morio Shinozuka
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Patent number: 5316513Abstract: There is disclosed an electrothermal color-varying device inducing color change in a thermally color-varying layer by heat generation in an electrothermal heat-generating member, in which the heat-generating member is composed of a non-metallic member having a positive temperature coefficient on the electric resistance at least in a temperature range 25.degree. C. to 65.degree. C. and a particular volume resistivity, is adapted to generate heat by the application of a low voltage and is capable of self-control of the saturated heating temperature at an arbitrary temperature within a range of 25.degree. C. to 65.degree. C., whereby improved safety is achieved without the danger of overheating or current leakage. Also there are disclosed toys utilizing such color-varying device.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1993Date of Patent: May 31, 1994Assignee: The Pilot Ink Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tanehiro Nakagawa, Yoshiaki Ono, Tsutomu Tomatsu, Takeo Yamaguchi, Kyoji Aoyama, Toshiaki Tanaka
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Patent number: 5299971Abstract: An automatic passive interactive tracking device is disclosed which provides for the detection of intruders with a single quadruplex stationary passive infrared sensor covering a relatively wide field of view. Alternatively, two dual sensors may be incorporated. The stationary sensor or sensors provides a signal to a microcontroller, which drives a stepper motor to rotate additional sensors with narrower fields of view to more precisely determine the exact bearing of the intruder. By incorporating appropriate analog to digital conversion and algorithms in the microcontroller, approximate range may also be determined. When the intruder has been verified by all of the sensors, a camera and/or light is activated to record the intruder. A number of the tracking devices may be linked together to cover a larger area, and may provide signals to a remotely located monitor and/or security post.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1991Date of Patent: April 5, 1994Inventor: Frank J. Hart
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Patent number: 5288069Abstract: A talking, soft football for young children, which when caught by a player then emits an audible voice message or crowd roar sounds appropriate to the game of football. The football is formed by an elliptical casing of flexible plastic enclosing a core of compressible material. Nested in a cavity in the core is an electronic module, access to which is had by way of a longitudinal slit in the casing that is closable by a lacing so that the soft football looks like a regulation football. Housed in the module at one side thereof adjacent the inner surface of the casing are a miniature loudspeaker from which the voice messages and crowd roar sounds are emitted, and a piezoelectric sensor which generates a command signal only when the football is caught by a player and impacts on his hands. Also housed in the module are batteries and an integrated circuit chip powered thereby, the chip being normally quiescent and being activated by the command signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1992Date of Patent: February 22, 1994Inventor: Susan Matsumoto
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Patent number: 5273478Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a generally rectangular hollow supporting chassis and a replica vehicle body pivotally secured to the chassis at the front portion. A return spring resiliently biases the rear portion of the truck body in a generally horizontal position. A battery power unit and electric motor are supported within the vehicle chassis and coupled to the vehicle wheels by a gear coupling mechanism. The gear coupling mechanism is engageable and disengageable by a shift lever extending upwardly from within the vehicle chassis to beyond the vehicle body. A sound unit includes a sound drum and a flexible reed supported closely thereto. A plurality of extending tabs within the drive gear system are operative upon motor rotation to flex and release the spring reed against the drum head sound unit to produce engine sounds. A heavy flywheel is coupled to the motor drive system and produces gradual slowdown when the motor is disengaged.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 1991Date of Patent: December 28, 1993Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventor: Toshio Yamasaki
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Patent number: 5268818Abstract: A contact structure for toy motors in which a battery case housing a battery and a motor case housing a motor are detachably and relatively rotatably joined by means of the outer circumferential surface of the end of the battery case and the inner circumferential surface of the end of the motor case, and terminals are provided in the vicinity of the ends of both cases in such a manner that the terminals can be brought into contact with, or separated from each other, characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the ends of motor terminals provided on the motor case is formed into a U shape having a closed end on the side of the outer circumferential surface thereof, with the end thereof on the side of the axial line of the motor being opened, and the inside surfaces of the battery terminals are brought into contact with the outer circumferential surfaces of the closed ends of the motor terminals.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1992Date of Patent: December 7, 1993Assignee: Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Fumiyoshi Itou
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Patent number: 5261851Abstract: A hand-held, motorized amusement device is provided for spinning a ball. A small battery powered motor, easily concealed in the palm of one hand, is attached to a shaft that extends upwardly from the hand and is concealed by one or more fingers. The end of the shaft supports a ball to be spun with the assistance of a small cup or by being inserted into the ball. When the motor is turned-on using a variable speed switch, the shaft and the ball spin, thereby creating the illusion of manually spinning the ball on a fingertip.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1991Date of Patent: November 16, 1993Inventor: Edward J. Siebert, Jr.
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Patent number: 5261384Abstract: A toy gun with a shooting control structure comprising an operation system, a transmission system, a bullet pushing system, and a shooting system, the operation system having a trigger to make two conductors contact with each other to power a motor in the transmission system to turn a half gear to move a piston in the shooting system, the bullet pushing system having an air valve around a tube at the front of a cylinder in the shooting system for a bullet to be shot through out of the opening of the barrel, the air valve being able to be moved forward to push a bullet in the barrel and also function as the extension of the tube, the shooting system having a cylinder and a tubular piston to extend in the cylinder and to be moved by a rack provided with the piston engaging with and moved by a half gear in the transmission system so as to compress the air in the tube to shoot out a bullet.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1991Date of Patent: November 16, 1993Inventor: Shih-Che Hu
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Patent number: 5260512Abstract: Sound signal generator, comprising a housing (1,2) containing a microcontroller for the storage and control of reproduction of several sound messages, and a loudspeaker for reproducing the said sound messages connected to the in lieu thereof microcontroller. The housing of the sound-signal generator also carries, over at least a portion of its outer wall, a keyboard associated with the microcontroller and formed by selection keys (3) respectively bearing identification symbols for the sound messages stored in the microcontroller.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1992Date of Patent: November 9, 1993Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Michel Chomette, Robert J. Mathews, Remond Sautreau
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Patent number: 5259807Abstract: A battery operated, hand held, clamor making device is provided in this invention, for use by booster fans of a sports team to express identifiable outcry and clamorous support for their team. The device is trigger switch operated. A read-only-memory circuit is digitally preprogrammed with digital messages depicting recognizable, characteristic mascot sounds to match a given team mascot. The read-only-memory circuit is coupled with a digital-to-analog converter, an amplifier, a speaker, a power supply, and a trigger switch, miniaturized and packaged in a light weight, hand held apparatus, which, upon actuation, provides reading, amplification and output of recognizable, characteristic sounds of a particular mascot.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1991Date of Patent: November 9, 1993Assignee: Roger D. CrowInventor: Rodger D. Crow
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Patent number: 5221226Abstract: A movable toy having a vibrator arrangement adapted to be mounted in a toy body. The vibrator includes one or more vibrating elements eccentrically mounted on the shaft of a motor that is energized into rotation by a switch. The rotation of the eccentrically mounted vibrating element causes the toy to vibrate and move in different directions depending on how the vibrator is mounted in the toy body. The toy body has an outer portion in which is embedded dyed artificial hair. The bottom portion of the toy body is made of a smooth material for ease of movement of the toy along a contacting surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1990Date of Patent: June 22, 1993Inventor: Dal Ho Park
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Patent number: 5217402Abstract: A sound producing workbench toy includes a molded plastic base supporting a molded plastic work surface. A work station formed of a molded plastic material defines a plurality of receptacles within which various tools and accessories such as simulated nails, screws or bolts may be received. Switch mechanisms within the receptacles are coupled to conventional sound producing circuits and are operative in response to the manipulation of inserted tools, screws, bolts or the like to energize the sound circuits at the appropriate time.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1992Date of Patent: June 8, 1993Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Gross, Brett M. Bogar, Denise C. Alpine
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Patent number: 5201683Abstract: The doll of the invention incorporates a mechanism and electric circuit that, originating from a general activation motor which moves a series of engagements, brings about a correlative series of movements which cause the doll to crawl and give out a message and, subsequently, to stop crawling and raise the trunk of its body and head, to turn its head and give out a new message. These movements are based on the eccentric operating several elements related to the arms, legs and head. Likewise, the emission of the messages is based on parts which are independent but combined electrically and mechanically with the general mechanism in order that, altogether, they achieve a succession of movements which are repeated constantly until a general switch is activated by means of, for example, a dummy, or by means of a ball switch activated automatically when the doll is picked up and put upright.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1991Date of Patent: April 13, 1993Assignee: Fabricas Agrupadas de Munecas de Onil S.A.Inventor: Jaime Ferri
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Patent number: 5199920Abstract: An amusement device including an elongate handle and a chamber defined at each of the opposite ends of the handle. An eccentric weight rotated under power is located in one chamber, and rotation of the weight produces vibrations in the device. Loose material composed of relatively movable members is confined within the other chamber. The loose material is set in motion with vibrations produced in the device.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1992Date of Patent: April 6, 1993Assignee: Hart Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Richard P. Christen
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Patent number: 5195920Abstract: The self-contained sound effects system for a model radio controlled toy vehicle. The conventional internal control signals of the vehicle are detected by the present invention and are utilized to generate realistic sound effects on board the vehicle. The sound data and programming necessary to coordinate the realistic sound effects with the conventional on-board control signals are entirely contained on the vehicle. A microprocessor is used to provide the coordination of the sound data with the programming and the microprocessor modifies the sound effects with any changes in the on-board control signals by varying the pitch, timbre, amplitude, and the like of the sound effects. A communications port is also provided on the vehicle so that when connected with a remote computer, the sound data and programming can be selectively modified by the operator to add new sound effects or to change current sound effects and operating software.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1990Date of Patent: March 23, 1993Inventor: Harry B. Collier
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Patent number: RE35375Abstract: A movable toy having a vibrator arrangement adapted to be mounted in a toy body. The vibrator includes one or more vibrating elements eccentrically mounted on the shaft of a motor that is energized into rotation by a switch. The rotation of the eccentrically mounted vibrating element causes the toy to vibrate and move in different directions depending on how the vibrator is mounted in the toy body. The toy body has an outer portion in which is embedded dyed artificial hair. The bottom portion of the toy body is made of a smooth material for ease of movement of the toy along a contacting surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1994Date of Patent: November 5, 1996Inventor: Dal H. Park