US3928934A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controller for a figure toy
Assignee: Mattel Inc
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Filing: 1974-11-18
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1994-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A control lever is swingably mounted in torso for controlling rotation and tilting of upper and lower torso members with respect to each other. When control lever is swung to a first position it imparts a frictional drag to the connector connecting the torso portions together. When the lever is swung to a second position the torso portions are freed for unobstructed rotation and the lever extends outwardly from the torso for manipulation by a user of the toy.
Inventors
- 👤 J Stephen Lewis
- 👤 Jurgis Sapkus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:24
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H3/00; A63H3/36; A63H3/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
In a figure toy construction including a torso having an upper torso member and a lower torso member and means connecting said torso members together so that said torso members may rotate with respect to each other, the improvement which comprises: a torso-control means movably mounted on said torso, said torsocontrol means including means for imparting a frictional drag to said connecting means when said torso-control means is moved to a first position and for releasing said frictional drag when said torso-control means is moved to a second position, whereby said torso-control means will hold said torso members in predetermined rotated positions when said torso-control means is in said first position and will release said torso members for unobstructed rotation with respect to each other when said torso-control means is in said second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a figure toy construction including a torso having an upper torso member and a lower torso member and means connecting said torso members together so that said torso members may rotate with respect to each other, the improvement which comprises: a torso-control means movably mounted on said torso, said torsocontrol means including means for imparting a frictional drag to said connecting means when said torso-control means is moved to a first position and for releasing said frictional drag when said torso-control means is moved to a second position, whereby said torso-control means will hold said torso members in predetermined rotated positions when said torso-control means is in said first position and will release said torso members for unobstructed rotation with respect to each other when said torso-control means is in said second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An improvement as stated in claim 1 wherein said torso-control means includes a manipulating member which may be used to rotate said members with respect to each other when said torso-control means is in said second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An improvement as stated in claim 1 wherein said torso-control-means is a lever swingably mounted in said torso.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An improvement as stated in claim 3 wherein said lever is swingably mounted in said upper torso member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
An improvement as stated in claim 3 wherein said lever includes a first end inside said torso for imparting said frictional drag to said connecting means and a second end extending outside said torso for manipulation by a user of said toy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
An improvement as stated in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a ball-and-socket connection and wherein said means for imparting a frictional drag to said connecting means includes finger means adapted to press the ball portion of said ball-and-socket connection into firm engagement with the socket portion thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
A figure toy, comprising: an upper torso member having an open lower end; a lower torso member having an upstanding ball seated in the open lower end of said upper torso member; and control lever means swingably mounted in said torso, said control lever means including finger means engagable with said ball for firmly seating said ball in said opening when said control lever means is swung to a first position and for releasing said ball when said control lever means is swung to a second position approximately normal to said first position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
A figure toy, comprising: an upper torso member having an open lower end; a lower torso member having an upstanding ball seated in the open lower end of said upper torso member; and control lever means swingably mounted in said torso, said control lever means including finger means engagable with said ball for firmly seating said ball in said opening when said control lever means is swung to a first position and for releasing said ball when said control lever means is swung to a second position approximately normal to said first position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A figure toy as stated in claim 7 including detent means for maintaining said control lever means in said second position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A figure toy as stated in claim 7 wherein said control lever means includes a thumb-engaging member engageable by the thumb of a child-user of said toy for manipulating said upper torso member with respect to said lower torso member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A figure toy as stated in claim 7 wherein said open lower end is provided with an upwardly-concave bottom wall engaging said ball.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A figure toy as stated in claim 10 including a post on said ball and a slot in said bottom wall, said post being operatively engaged in said slot for guiding said upper torso member during forward and rearward movement thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A figure toy as stated in claim 11 including spring means connecting said post to said upper torso member to a substantially upright position.
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) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |