Gravity Propelled Object Patents (Class 463/69)
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Patent number: 10653970Abstract: A marble run apparatus kit includes a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules, each module configured to retain a marble and guide the travel of the marble through the module. The plurality of marble run modules includes at least a first controllable module. The first controllable module includes a baffle, an actuator, and a wireless receiver. The baffle is disposed in the module, and has a first position and a second position. The baffle is configured to direct the marble within the module in different directions based on whether the baffle is in the first position or the second position. The actuator is supported on the module, and receives a first control signal. The actuator changes the position of the baffle responsive to receiving the first control signal. The wireless receiver provides the first control signal to the actuator upon receiving a first wireless control signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Global Family Brands, LLCInventor: Jeffrey David Forgrave
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Patent number: 9114940Abstract: A basic idea of the present application is that in case of determining a position of the object on the surface, it is possible to also use transport mechanisms for the transport of the object on the surface which leads to less reproducible transport movements as the regulation may be executed directly on the basis of the observed movement as compared to the desired movement. Embodiments using compressed air, magnetism and/or bending waves are described.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2011Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Stefan Kraegeloh, Harald Popp, Josef Bernhard, Harald Fuchs, Marc Gayer, Manfred Lutzky, Thomas Sporer, Sandra Brix
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Patent number: 8734201Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Michael Wayne Nuttall, Brendon Vetuskey
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Patent number: 8574099Abstract: A golf system that includes a tee or other area for striking a golf ball; and a golf green having a concave surface with a ball receptacle located at the lowest point in the surface so that a ball landing and remaining on the green will roll into the ball receptacle. The green includes a resiliently compressible layer coinciding with the concave surface. The resiliently compressible surface may include at least one layer of corrugated plastic material and may be covered with an artificial turf surface. The golf system may be used to play a unique game, wherein a plurality of balls are rolled on the green and travel in a spiral manner into the ball receptacle. The golf green may be mounted on a portable frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2010Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Inventor: Gary L. Sells
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Patent number: 8497838Abstract: A computing system translates a world space position of a hand of a human target to a screen space cursor position of a user interface. When the cursor overlaps a button in the user interface, the computing system actuates the button in response to a movement of the hand in world space that changes the cursor position by a depth threshold along a z-axis regardless of an initial z-axis position of the cursor. When the button includes an activation lock, the computing system unlocks the activation lock, prior to button actuation, if the cursor path satisfies unlocking criteria.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2011Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventor: Adam Jethro Langridge
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Patent number: 7677991Abstract: A golf system that includes a tee or other area for striking a golf ball; and a golf green having a concave surface with a ball receptacle located at the lowest point in the surface so that a ball landing and remaining on the green will roll into the ball receptacle. The green includes a resiliently compressible layer coinciding with the concave surface. The resiliently compressible surface may include at least one layer of corrugated plastic material and may be covered with an artificial turf surface. The golf system may be used to play a unique game, wherein a plurality of balls are rolled on the green and travel in a spiral manner into the ball receptacle. The golf green may be mounted on a portable frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2007Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Inventor: Gary L. Sells
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Patent number: 7651398Abstract: Toy raceways and finish line apparatuses for toy raceways are disclosed. Toy raceways may include a plurality of hingedly coupled multi-lane track segments, a starting apparatus, and a finish line apparatus. The plurality of hingedly coupled multi-lane track segments may be configured to foldably transition between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the plurality of hingedly coupled multi-lane track segments may be aligned to provide a multilane toy raceway, which may have a first end and a second end. In the second configuration, the plurality of hingedly coupled multi-lane track segments may produce a stack of folded track segments. The starting apparatus may be disposed proximate the first end of the toy raceway, and the finish line apparatus may be disposed proximate the second end of the toy raceway.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Eric C. Ostendorff, Michael Nuttall, Harold Garner, Steve P. Dunham
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Patent number: 7241223Abstract: A racing game device for use with non-powered toy vehicles which are released from a starting incline and travel along independent tracks through a finish gate. Electronic starting light tower signals players for remote vehicle release which are electronically interconnected with starting lights and finish gate to indicate winner and elapsed time on a digital display. Sound effects are activated during the start by players remote release mechanism which simulates actual race car sounds.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2003Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Inventor: Wesley Caudill
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Patent number: 6508179Abstract: A play set for use with unpowered (e.g. {fraction (1/64)} scale) toy vehicles having non-steerable, free rotating wheels includes a closed loop track with a conveyor that raises such unpowered toy vehicles from a lower end to an upper, elevated end and a driven, tilting roadway that randomly directs toy vehicles from the upper level to either of two track branches. At least part of each track branch can be opened to release a toy vehicle from the track. A merge track section joins together a lower level end of each of the two track branches and leads to the lower end of the conveyor. The upper end of the conveyor and the tilting roadway are simultaneously supported by a single and driven by a single motor.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2002Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Robert Annis, Daniel Gleason, Trevor J. Hayes, Robert A. Butkiewicz, Julian R. Payne, Jeremy S. Robotham, Francis Ponton
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Publication number: 20020034982Abstract: A game apparatus for providing a game of chance that can be utilized at various events. The inventive device includes a platform, a plurality of support poles attached to the platform extending upwardly, and a length of track supported upon the support poles in a gradual decline for receiving a plurality of balls. The tracks is comprised of a plurality of corners and obstacles for providing a random selection of balls at the end of the length of track. The balls released from a start gate near the upper portion of the track. The balls randomly pass through the track until they are collected in a single line at the lower portion of the track in a random order. Players can select the first ball, the last ball, specific orders of balls and various other combinations to win a payout similar to horse betting. Each of the balls are distinctly identified from one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2000Publication date: March 21, 2002Inventor: Gerardo Mejia
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Patent number: 5676374Abstract: The game disclosed includes a movable staircase assembly that moves characters from one location on the staircase assembly to another. A spinner directs a player to place a character on the staircase at a specific location, to skip a turn, or remove an opposing player's character from the staircase. The winner is the first player to have all of her characters reach the end of the staircase. The staircase includes stationary and movable components that serially move the characters from one step to the next with a reciprocating motion of the movable component relative to the stationary component. A gear mesh and cam converts the rotary motion of a battery-operated motor to a reciprocating motion in the movable component.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1996Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.Inventors: David W. Bossa, Christopher A. Down, Edward J. Estabrook, Ralph J. Kulesza, Wayne A. Kuna