For Moving Figure Or Figure Portion Patents (Class 446/169)
  • Patent number: 7766720
    Abstract: A racing play set for toy vehicles includes a first track segment, a second track segment disposed in intersection with the first track segment, a return portion disposed in communication with the first and second track portions, and a scoring mechanism, where the return portion is configured to be shared by toy vehicles traveling on the first and second track segments, where the return portion is configured to receive a first toy vehicle from the first track segment and return the first vehicle to the first track segment, where the return portion is configured to receive a second toy vehicle from the second track segment and return the second vehicle to the second track segment, where the scoring mechanism is configured to record a pass of the first vehicle through the return portion and a pass of the second vehicle through the return portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel Inc.
    Inventor: Eric C. Ostendorff
  • Patent number: 7006001
    Abstract: A speech or phrase emitting celebration device, in the nature of a piñata, includes a longitudinal axial channel within which is placed a complementally sized integrated circuit (“IC”) including a library of pre-programmed voice chips having phrases selected by random. The circuit is responsive to impacts or shocks upon a fanciful housing of the device sufficient to actuate a shock sensor switch thereof. A speaker, in electrical communication with the circuit board of the integrated circuit, is in mechanical communication with a speaker at an end of the channel so that the emitted phrase may be heard by those in the vicinity of the device. A hollow cylindrical sensor may be disposed within the interior channel to provide appropriate input to the shock sensor switch, or a more sensitive discrete element sensor may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventors: Mark A. Estrada, Robert A. Sherwood, Roy A. Griffin, III
  • Patent number: 6368176
    Abstract: A fortune telling entertainment device includes an electronic library of stored text and displayable icons, one of which library entries is selected, preferably at least quasi-randomly, and displayed in apparent response to a user's question. The user preferably shakes the device, which motion initiates a pre-answer period during which optional entertainment display and sound may be output. After initiation is completed, a circuit selects, at least quasi-randomly, a response that is then displayed as an answer to the user's question.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph F. Lozowski, Edward C. McKinney
  • Patent number: 6358112
    Abstract: A toy vehicle trackway set includes a launcher and an entrance track coupled to a stunt loop which in turn supports an exit track. Freely rolling toy vehicles are launched from the toy vehicle launcher to traverse the stunt loop and exit via the exit track. A toy vehicle trap configured to generally resemble a fanciful monster or alien is supported upon the stunt loop and includes a bistable pivotally secured head. The head is pivotable between a first stable position in which toy vehicles are able to avoid the trap and traverse the loop and a second capture position in which toy vehicles are diverted from the track loop into the head of the alien or monster. The bistable support of the pivotal head causes the head to move from its non capture position to a capture position when a sufficient amount of energy has been transferred from a toy vehicle traversing the stunt loop to the trap mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard L. Lambert, Gary Swisher, David Sheltman
  • Patent number: 6273779
    Abstract: A toy for amusing people of all ages by flipping along a surface. The rolling toy includes a cylindrical tube having a first sealed end and a second sealed end and a weighted ball enclosed within the cylindrical shaped tube and having a circumference smaller than a circumference of said cylindrical tube allowing said weighted ball to roll along a length of said cylindrical tube. A flexible body portion is secured to the first sealed end of the cylindrical tube and a spring extends through the body portion. The body portion able to maintain the rolling toy in an upright position with the cylindrical tube positioned atop the body portion. When the cylindrical tube is tiled, the weighted ball is caused to roll along the length of the cylindrical tube from the first end to the second end. This causes the cylindrical tube to move towards the surface, the body portion to bend as the cylindrical tube moves towards the surface and the spring to uncoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Francois Boulaire
  • Patent number: 5100360
    Abstract: A toy includes a tiltable structure having a generally flat surface and an upstanding rim disposed about the periphery of the flat surface, an inverted cup-like member having an open bottom, and a ball disposed partially within the cup-like member and partially therebelow. The ball is configured for free rolling motion over the flat surface within the confines of the upstanding rim when the flat surface is tilted relative to the horizontal. The ball is dimensioned to continuously support at least some portion of the bottom of the cup-like member spaced above the flat surface, whereby movement of the ball over the flat surface carries with it the cup-like member which moves over the flat surface with a wobbling sliding movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Steven Langer
    Inventor: Terry Entzel
  • Patent number: 4929216
    Abstract: A cylindrical ring and a character having a number of extending parts that are circumscribed by a circle having a diameter equal to the inside diameter of the ring are readily combinable by a child to make a rotating toy. Insertion and removal of the character from the inside of the ring are facilitated by making the ring of a deformable material. The combined ring and character are placed in a vehicle in contact with the vehicle wheels so that as the vehicle is moved along a playing surface, the wheels rotate the combined ring and character. Part of the vehicle body is hinged for closing an opening through which the combined ring and character are inserted. Above the ring is a transparent dome in which a ball is positioned in contact with the ring so that as the combined ring and character rotate, the ball rotates within the dome. Other accessories provide rotatable surfaces which engage the outer curved surface of the cylindrical ring to rotate the combined ring and character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates
    Inventors: Lamont C. Morris, Wayne A. Kuna, Rouben T. Terzian