Toy Patents (Class 368/45)
  • Patent number: 11809144
    Abstract: A timer to monitor lapse of time relative to a total amount of allowed time includes: a body and a foot on or of the body, a sensor; a processor connected to the sensor and configured to monitor a lapse of time; and an output device connected to the processor. The processor is configured to control the output device to generate a signal at least indicating the monitored, lapsed time relative to the total amount of allowed time. The sensor is configured to indicate whether the timer rests on the foot; and the processor is configured to monitor the lapse of time, during which it is indicated by the sensor that the timer rests on the foot, and stop or pause to monitor the lapse of time, when the timer rests not or not only on the foot. The processor is configured to control the output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: YKO Systems B.V.
    Inventor: Renatus Wilhelmus Seraphinus Overhoff
  • Patent number: 10261472
    Abstract: The invention relates to a striking mechanism, comprising striking hammers, gongs, each being arranged to produce a sound under the action of a hammer associated therewith, actuators for actuating the associated hammer, a striking control device, and at least one striking drive device arranged to engage with the control device. The invention further comprises at least one mechanism for striking multiples of n hours, n?2, kinematically connected to said striking drive device, said mechanism for striking multiples of n hours being arranged to actuate the hammers to strike the multiples of groups of n hours according to a specific striking when said control device has been actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: COMPLITIME SA
    Inventors: David Bernard, Florian Corneille, Thomas Dietrich, Stephen Forsey
  • Publication number: 20090269729
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the passage of time are described. One system includes a predetermined event and a set of counting units, with each counting unit having a first side displaying a number. Each number corresponds to a number of time increments until the predetermined event. Each counting unit has a second side displaying a portion of an image corresponding with the predetermined event, and when the counting units are arranged in a predetermined arrangement the image is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventor: Carol M. McCoy
  • Patent number: 7551523
    Abstract: An animated toy alarm clock resembles a stuffed puppy, kitten, or other lovable creature. When the alarm is armed, the creature rotates or bows its limbs so that its body assumes a sleeping position. It may emit audible purring or other soothing noises for the relaxation of its owner. When the alarm goes off at the preset alarm time, the creature rotates or stretches its limbs so that its body rises into an awake position. It may emit barking, meowing, or other excited noises to awaken its owner to the world. The alarm clock may be conveniently disguised as a pet tag hung around an animal collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Isaac Larian
  • Publication number: 20080206729
    Abstract: A timer and a watch for managing the behavior of children are disclosed. The timer and watch both utilize linear movement to depict the passage of time, which relates a child's instinctive understanding of speed and distance of linear movement to the passage of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Karolyn Woolverton, Frederick Woolverton, Joanna Ferrone
  • Publication number: 20080138782
    Abstract: A children's clock comprising a housing, at least one clock display on the housing for displaying time and illustration means for visually illustrating the continuous passage of time to a child who cannot read time. The illustration means is on the housing and is synchronized with the at least one clock display. The clock helps a child to learn concepts of time by providing them with an identifiable visual image to illustrate the continuous passage of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Jennifer Klein
  • Patent number: 6705919
    Abstract: An electronic amusement device includes a housing having an outer side presented to a consumer using the device; an electronic timer in the housing and a controller. The timer is configured to track time to an end of an extended time period having a length of at least a plurality of weeks and preset in the device before the device is released to the consumer. The timer is further configured to output a signal at the end of the extended period to the controller. The controller is configured to perform at least one task in an initial mode of operation available to the consumer using the device and to respond to the signal from the timer to enable, for a first time, the performance of at least one new additional mode of operation the controller did not perform before receipt of the timer signal or to disable a mode of operation it had performed or to exchange a new mode of operation for a previously performed mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin G. Curran, Charles R. Mahoney
  • Patent number: 6614727
    Abstract: The present invention is a children's sleeptime timer and clock device. It includes (a) a housing adapted to contain and display at least one clock and to contain (b) at least one clock; and (c) a sleeptime display timer contained within the housing, which contains: (i) a moveable, three dimensional display having at least two three dimensional illustrations, wherein, when a first three dimensional illustration is openly displayed, at least a second three dimensional illustration is hidden from view, and when the second three dimensional illustration is openly displayed, at least the first three dimensional illustration is hidden from view, and wherein the first three dimensional illustration relates to a child's sleeptime; (ii) a step-up mechanism connected to the three dimensional display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Patricia E. McGuire
  • Patent number: 6478583
    Abstract: A child educational entertainment device is provided including a housing with a display mounted thereon. Further included is a control mechanism positioned within the housing and adapted to be prompt a user to enter an amount of time. Once the time has been entered, a decrementing timer is displayed to count down from the entered amount of time. The control mechanism has at least one mode wherein it is adapted to graphically display the decrementing timer. Further, additional modes are included for entertainment purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventors: Jocelyn D. Standiford, Candius L. Edgerle
  • Patent number: 6361325
    Abstract: The present invention is children's sleeptime timer and clock device. It includes a housing which contains and displays a clock, such as a digital clock, and/or an analog clock, and contains a sleeptime display timer. The sleeptime display timer contained within the housing includes a display wheel having at least two illustrations wherein when a first illustration is openly displayed at least a second illustration is hidden from view and vice versa and wherein at least the first illustration relates to a child's sleeptime. There is also a step-up drive mechanism connected to the display wheel and adapted to maintain the display wheel in a first position and then shift it to a second position and vice versa, at predetermined times. There is also a timing mechanism to operate the set-up drive mechanism at the first and second predetermined times to rotate the display wheel, as well as a setting mechanism to permit setting of the first and the second predetermined times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Patricia E. McGuire
  • Patent number: 6354841
    Abstract: An educational toy clock which has a base with a plurality of spaced apart recesses about the outer periphery thereof reflecting the number positions of a clock face. The base further includes a central recess. A rotatable mounting unit is provided for receipt in the central recess of the base. A pair of clock hands are adapted to be removably mounted in the mounting unit for rotation therewith. A plurality of disc members which cooperate with the bottoms of the recesses are provided, the disc members each having a color and number from 1 to 12. A plurality of dowel members are provided for receipt in the recesses, the dowel members having first and second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventor: W. Lorne Bradt
  • Patent number: 6034591
    Abstract: The present invention is an alarm clock device which programmably and automatically coordinates the movement of one or more electric toy trains, or the like. The present invention alarm clock preferably triggers the movement of an electric toy train when a pre-set alarm time is reached. The alarm clock device comprises at least one base that defines an elongated substantially non-linear track for regulating the movement of a toy train. The traveling speed of the train is preferably regulated by a voltage varying device, such as a transformer, that is attached to the track and also coupled to a manually adjustable speed controlling member within the alarm clock. The movement of the train is preferably accompanied by applicable audible sounds that correspond therewith. The duration of movement may be programmed manually and may be adjusted in any variety of ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Ideal Ideas, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex P. Glynn, Kenneth P. Glynn
  • Patent number: 6030228
    Abstract: An educational system is provided including a recipient surface such as a cloth or base having a plurality of entities positioned thereon which are selected from the group of entities including colors, shapes, alphabetic characters, and numbers. Also included are marbles and figurines for being removably positioned adjacent to the entities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Thalia I. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 6026061
    Abstract: A watch, especially a wrist, pocket watch or table clock, with a case containing a movement and means for showing the time, in which a game of skill fitted in the case can be played from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventor: Wolfgang Heck
  • Patent number: 5848029
    Abstract: A motion liquid display toy including a base, a transparent container mounted on the base and holding a liquid, a floating ornament floating in the liquid and having a magnet at the bottom, and a transmission mechanism mounted in the base and controlled to force the floating ornament to move in the liquid, wherein the transmission mechanism includes a dial horizontally disposed in the base below the transparent container and having a center hole, an output shaft protruding over the center hole of the dial, a link horizontally suspending above the dial, the link having a first end coupled to the output shaft and a second end terminating in a coupling device, and a magnetic member coupled to the coupling device of the link, the magnetic member of the transmission mechanism being turned round to act with the magnet of the floating ornament when the output shaft is turned to move the link over the dial, thereby causing the floating ornament to move forwards and backwards in the liquid, to sink or float in the liq
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Yu-Shun Chang
  • Patent number: 5684758
    Abstract: A child's disciplinary device including a plush toy and a countdown timer secured to the toy. The timer includes indications corresponding to children's ages, and the timer is set to a proper time-out period by setting the timer to the child's age. The correspondence between ages and time-out periods is nonlinear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: T.O.T. Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacqueline D. Gray, Margaret B. Sterr
  • Patent number: 5226021
    Abstract: An alarm clock structure configured of a simulation train structure is provided with the alarm in electrical communication with a cassette tape to effect actuation of the cassette tape and its play for simulation of various train audio reproductions, wherein the organization may optionally be provided with a chamber within the locomotive portion of the structure in electrical communication with the alarm of the clock to effect heating of a container therewithin to project simulation steam and smoke from the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventor: Matthew P. Dell'Olio
  • Patent number: 5044961
    Abstract: A timer for teaching young children the concept of time is described. The timer includes a timing mechanism contained within a housing having a timer dial and activity selector. The timer dial permits selection of a duration of predetermined length and includes an indicator which moves in relation to a time scale to graphically illustrate the change in duration of length. The activity selector permits display of a graphic representation of the activity being timed or for which the child is waiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventor: Eileen Bruskewitz
  • Patent number: 4685599
    Abstract: A child's wristwatch construction comprises a strap element which is detachably securable on a wrist of a wearer, an enlarged three-dimensional ornament element which is attached to the strap element, and a timepiece element which is attached to either the ornament element or the strap element. The ornament element is preferably made in a plush toy construction and embodied as the head of a three-dimensional character, and it is secured to the strap element so that it is hingeable between an open position wherein it is hinged outwardly and away from the strap element and a closed position wherein the timepiece element is concealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl Israel, Melissa M. Morgan
  • Patent number: 4482256
    Abstract: A compact reconfigurable toy watch assembly which includes a wristband member connected to a body member having an upper body surface with a time display and a robotic humanoid head. A pair of arm members are movably attached to the body member and form either robotic arms or form with the body member a portion of the upper surface of the watch assembly. The arm members also form outer perimetrical sides of the watch assembly when moved adjacent the body member. A pair of leg members are movably attached to the body member and form either robotic legs or, when positioned in a folded configuration adjacent the body member, another portion of the upper watch assembly surface and an outer perimetrical side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Takaro Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 4307459
    Abstract: A time teaching device which gives a numerical readout to teach a child the position of clock hands and is capable of advancing the clock hands every time the child activates the readout portion has a housing in which is located a clock face and typical hour and minute clock hands. Within the housing are two carrier members which have a plurality of indicia thereon which indicate numerically the position of the clock's hands. The carrier members are located in the housing beneath display openings. Interspaced between the display openings and the carriers is an interference member which normally interferes with viewing of the indicia on the carrier. Both the hands and the carriers are coordinated such that movement of the minute hand will move the hour hand and both of the carriers through appropriate increments. An operator member is located on the housing and when it is depressed into the housing the indicia corresponding to the positions of the hands is viewable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: Tomy Kogyo Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Noriaki Iwao
  • Patent number: 4240525
    Abstract: A toy timing device including an escapement-like mechanism regulating the movement of a movable portion toward a position on a housing toward which it is biased by the alternate slipping and sticking of parts of a rubber band extending over ribs on the movable portion as the rubber band parts move along a continuous surface on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1980
    Assignee: Custom Concepts, Incorporated
    Inventor: James F. Kubiatowicz
  • Patent number: RE38528
    Abstract: The present invention is an alarm clock device which programmably and automatically coordinates the movement of one or more electric toy trains, or the like. The present invention alarm clock preferably triggers the movement of an electric toy train when a pre-set alarm time is reached. The alarm clock device comprises at least one base that defines an elongated substantially non-linear track for regulating the movement of a toy train. The traveling speed of the train is preferably regulated by a voltage varying device, such as a transformer, that is attached to the track and also coupled to a manually adjustable speed controlling member within the alarm clock. The movement of the train is preferably accompanied by applicable audible sounds that correspond therewith. The duration of movement may be programmed manually and may be adjusted in any variety of ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: E. Mishan & Sons, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex P. Glynn, Kenneth P. Glynn