US5141464A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Touch responsive animated toy figure
Assignee: Mattel Inc
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Filing: 1991-01-23
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Granted: 1992-08-25
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Expires: 2011-01-23
Abstract
Abstract A touch responsive animated toy figure is fabricated of a soft or plush material and supports an internal housing formed of a rigid plastic material or the like. A rigid head chassis is supported within the head portion of the plush figure and is pivotally secured to a neck extension of the internal body housing. A motor driven operative mechanism produces a pivotal motion of the figure's head for a predetermined time interval each time the motor is energized. A reciprocating tongue motion is provided in response to head motion to cause a tongue to be successively extended and withdrawn from the head portion of the figure during head motion. A sensor located on the outer portion of the plush figure is operatively coupled to the motor control causing the initiation of an operative cycle for a predetermined interval each time the sensor is touched or manipulated.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard R. Stern
- 👤 Ronald MacBain
- 👤 Ben Guerrero
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:19
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H13/00; A63H13/02; A63H3/00; A63H3/36; A63H3/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A toy figure comprising: a body portion having an outer surface and an interior body cavity therein; a head portion having an interior head cavity therein; a housing supported within said interior body cavity; a head chassis supported within said interior head cavity; pivot means pivotally supporting said head chassis with respect to said housing; a sensor supported proximate said outer surface of said body portion; a tongue supported in a fixed attachment to said housing held angularly deflectable with respect to said housing within said head chassis; and motion means for causing pivotal motion of said head chassis with respect to said housing when said sensor is operated between a first position in which said tongue is generally enclosed within said head portion and a second position in which a portion of said tongue extends generally from said head portion as said tongue angularly deflects with said pivotal motion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A toy figure comprising: a body portion having an outer surface and an interior body cavity therein; a head portion having an interior head cavity therein; a housing supported within said interior body cavity; a head chassis supported within said interior head cavity; pivot means pivotally supporting said head chassis with respect to said housing; a sensor supported proximate said outer surface of said body portion; a tongue supported in a fixed attachment to said housing held angularly deflectable with respect to said housing within said head chassis; and motion means for causing pivotal motion of said head chassis with respect to said housing when said sensor is operated between a first position in which said tongue is generally enclosed within said head portion and a second position in which a portion of said tongue extends generally from said head portion as said tongue angularly deflects with said pivotal motion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A toy figure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing includes a head support extending from said body portion to said head portion and wherein said pivot means include a pivotal attachment between said head support and said head chassis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A toy figure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said head portion defines a mouth aperture and wherein said tongue defines a first end secured to said head support and a second end extending through said mouth aperture during head motion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A toy figure as set forth in claim 3 wherein said head support includes a fixed arm fixedly secured to said head support and wherein said first end of said tongue is coupled to said fixed arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A toy figure as set forth in claim 4 wherein said head chassis includes a tongue guide receiving and slidably supporting said second end of said tongue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A toy figure as set forth in claim 5 wherein said tongue includes a rigid tongue link having a first end pivotally secured to said fixed arm and a second end attached to said first end of said tongue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A toy figure as set forth in claim 6 wherein said motion means includes a motor producing rotational motion, crank means converting said rotational motion to reciprocating motion, and a connecting link coupled between said crank means and said head chassis to pivot said head portion through a limited angle of motion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A toy figure as set forth in claim 7 wherein said motion means includes a motor and a motor controller responsive to said sensor to energize said motor for a predetermined time interval.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A toy figure as set forth in claim 8 wherein said connecting link includes a coil spring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A toy figure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said motion means includes a flexible drive link coupled to said head chassis, said flexible drive link flexing when said head chassis is forced toward pivotal motion by an external force*.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-08-25 | 1996-02-24 | 1996-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-25 | 2000-02-24 | 2000-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-25 | 2004-02-24 | 2004-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |