US3620538A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Position-responsive voice unit
Assignee: Mattel Inc
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Filing: 1969-05-15
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Granted: 1971-11-16
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Expires: 1989-05-15
Abstract
Abstract A toy phonograph which selects one of a plurality of sound tracks in accordance with the orientation of the toy, comprising a tone arm mounted for lateral movement to engage any of the tracks and a selecting member movable by gravity to direct the tone arm into a particular track. In one position of the toy, the selecting member is moved to a position where it abuts the tone arm to force it to engage a first track, and in a second position of the toy, the member moves to a position clear of the tone arm to allow it to engage another track. The toy has a plurality of sides with different designs, and the recording which is selected at any orientation of the toy is appropriate to the design to be viewed at that orientation, such as the design on the upwardly facing side.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis T Mercer
- 👤 Frederick A Petersen Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:54
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H3/00; A63H3/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A toy comprising: a housing; record means in said housing having first and second tracks, laterally spaced from each other, and defining different sound recordings; pickup means in said housing pivotally mounted for movement laterally of said first and second tracks to selectively engage said first and second tracks; motor means mounted on said housing for moving said record means relative to said pickup means to play a sound recording; selector means mounted in said housing for movement by gravity between first and second positions when said housing is rotated about an imaginary horizontal axis between first and second housing positions, to position said pickup means to engage said first and second tracks, respectively; means for moving said pickup means along a lateral path across said tracks; and said selector means comprising a member mounted for movement between said first position in the path of said pickup means to limit its movement therealong, and said second position clear of the lateral path of said pickup means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A toy comprising: a housing; record means in said housing having first and second tracks, laterally spaced from each other, and defining different sound recordings; pickup means in said housing pivotally mounted for movement laterally of said first and second tracks to selectively engage said first and second tracks; motor means mounted on said housing for moving said record means relative to said pickup means to play a sound recording; selector means mounted in said housing for movement by gravity between first and second positions when said housing is rotated about an imaginary horizontal axis between first and second housing positions, to position said pickup means to engage said first and second tracks, respectively; means for moving said pickup means along a lateral path across said tracks; and said selector means comprising a member mounted for movement between said first position in the path of said pickup means to limit its movement therealong, and said second position clear of the lateral path of said pickup means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The toy described in claim 1 wherein: said selector means comprises a member pivotally mounted on said housing and having weight means for gravity urging it toward one of said first and second positions, and limit means for limiting said member to predetermined pivotal positions with respect to said housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The toy described in claim 1 wherein: said selector means comprises a member for abutting said pickup means and means for guiding said member in substantially linear movement toward and away from a position to abut said pickup means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
The toy described in claim 1 wherein: a second member is fixed to said housing to limit the lateral movement of said pickup means to a position wherein it engages said second track; and wherein said selector means comprises a first member movable to said first position wherein it limits the lateral movement of said pickup means to a position short of engaging said second member, and to said second position wherein it is clear of said pickup means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The toy described in claim 5 wherein: said selector means comprises a post and said member comprises a washer mounted on said post for slidable movement substantially perpendicular to the lateral path of said pickup means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The toy described in claim 1 wherein: said housing includes first and second different sides carrying first and second designs thereon defining different subject matter; and said first and second tracks define sound recordings related characteristic to said first and second designs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
A toy comprising: a portable housing adapted to be placed in different attitudes, in each of which it displays designs of different subject matter, phonograph means mounted within said housing, including record means having thereon different sound recordings characteristic of said different subject matters; and means responsive to gravity when said housing is in said different attitudes for selecting that one of said sound recordings to be played which is characteristic of the subject matter then displayed by said housing, said record means comprising a plurality of laterally spaced sound trackS, and pickup means movable to engage different tracks; and said means for selecting comprising a member mounted for movement by gravity between different positions to limit the movement of said pickup means for directing it into one of said tracks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
A toy comprising: a portable housing adapted to be placed in different attitudes, in each of which it displays designs of different subject matter, phonograph means mounted within said housing, including record means having thereon different sound recordings characteristic of said different subject matters; and means responsive to gravity when said housing is in said different attitudes for selecting that one of said sound recordings to be played which is characteristic of the subject matter then displayed by said housing, said record means comprising a plurality of laterally spaced sound trackS, and pickup means movable to engage different tracks; and said means for selecting comprising a member mounted for movement by gravity between different positions to limit the movement of said pickup means for directing it into one of said tracks.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
177 words
A toy comprising: a portable housing adapted to be placed in different attitudes, in each of which it displays designs of different subject matter, phonograph means mounted within said housing, including record means having thereon different sound recordings characteristic of said different subject matters; and means responsive to gravity when said housing is in said different attitudes for selecting that one of said sound recordings to be played which is characteristic of the subject matter then displayed by said housing, said record means comprising a plurality of laterally spaced sound tracks, pickup means laterally movable to engage one of said tracks, and means for laterally moving said pickup means prior to the playing of a sound recording; and said means for selecting one of said sound recordings comprising a member for abutting said pickup means to limit its lateral movement, and guide means for guiding said member for movement by gravity between a first position in the path of said pickup means and a second position wherein it is clear of the path of said pickup means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
177 words
A toy comprising: a portable housing adapted to be placed in different attitudes, in each of which it displays designs of different subject matter, phonograph means mounted within said housing, including record means having thereon different sound recordings characteristic of said different subject matters; and means responsive to gravity when said housing is in said different attitudes for selecting that one of said sound recordings to be played which is characteristic of the subject matter then displayed by said housing, said record means comprising a plurality of laterally spaced sound tracks, pickup means laterally movable to engage one of said tracks, and means for laterally moving said pickup means prior to the playing of a sound recording; and said means for selecting one of said sound recordings comprising a member for abutting said pickup means to limit its lateral movement, and guide means for guiding said member for movement by gravity between a first position in the path of said pickup means and a second position wherein it is clear of the path of said pickup means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The toy described in claim 12 wherein: said member comprises a washer, and said means for guiding comprises a post for retaining said washer while allowing its movement therealong.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
155 words
A toy comprising: a portable housing adapted to be placed in different attitudes, in each of which it displays designs of different subject matter; phonograph means mounted within said housing, including record means having thereon different sound recordings characteristic of said different subject matters said record means comprising a plurality of spaced sound tracks: movable pickup means selectively engageable with different tracks; means for imparting relative movement between said record means and said pickup means, whereby different tracks may be selected; and means responsive to gravity when said housing is in said different attitudes for selecting that one of said sound recordings to be played which is characteristic of the subject matter then displayed by said housing, said means for selecting comprising a member mounted for movement by gravity between different positions to limit said relative movement between said pickup means and said record means for directing said pickup means to one of said tracks.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
155 words
A toy comprising: a portable housing adapted to be placed in different attitudes, in each of which it displays designs of different subject matter; phonograph means mounted within said housing, including record means having thereon different sound recordings characteristic of said different subject matters said record means comprising a plurality of spaced sound tracks: movable pickup means selectively engageable with different tracks; means for imparting relative movement between said record means and said pickup means, whereby different tracks may be selected; and means responsive to gravity when said housing is in said different attitudes for selecting that one of said sound recordings to be played which is characteristic of the subject matter then displayed by said housing, said means for selecting comprising a member mounted for movement by gravity between different positions to limit said relative movement between said pickup means and said record means for directing said pickup means to one of said tracks.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
83 words
The toy described in claim 15 wherein: said record means comprises a plurality of laterally spaced sound tracks, pickup means movable to engage one of said tracks, and means for moving said pickup means laterally across said tracks prior to the playing of a recording; and said means for selecting comprises a member pivotally mounted on said housing for pivoting between a first position in the path of said pickup means and a second position out of the path of said pickup means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-15 | 1975-05-17 | 1975-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-15 | 1979-05-17 | 1979-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-15 | 1983-05-17 | 1983-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |