Part
01
of one
Part
01
IP Mattel Inc. - Proprietary Manufacturing Processes/Tools and Patents.
Included in this write-up are ten patents that have been granted as they relate to the manufacturing processes and tools proprietary to Mattel, Inc. It’s important to note that over 167 patents have been granted for Mattel, Inc. since 2012, but we have provided ten patents here within the scope of one Wonder request. Application and grant dates have been included with each patent, as well as a brief description, patent or application number, and inventors of said patent.
PATENTS
Summary: A toy projectile (and method of making a toy projectile) with a dart body and a secured (SEBS rubber) tip.
Type: Grant
Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
Inventors: Kin Fai Chang, Chun Wing Wong, Peter Kit Fan, Him Fung Hau
Summary: Method of making an elevator-type system for a toy track and vehicle, where the system may include “a carriage configured to receive a toy vehicle, the carriage is configured to move between a first position and a second position.” It may include:
Counterweight attached to second end, where weight is greater than the weight of the carriage, or less than weight of toy vehicle and carriage combined.
Type: Grant
Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
Inventors: Robert William Matthes, Stacy Lynn O’Connor, Sang Joon Kwak
Summary: A base piece that is made to slide on a surface, and elongated member that has a first and second end, where they are movable with the base near the first end. There is a tether that connects the first end with the elongated member, and tension when the tether moves from first end to second end.
Type: Grant
Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
Inventors: James Austin Rucker, Derek S. Handy
Summary: A convertible toy vehicle playset, which is convertible from first configuration to second, and “altered configuration upon a predetermined interaction with a toy vehicle.” Includes a convertible track with a tower and a base mounted on top of the tower, and “a platform rotatably mounted atop the base.” Base includes a retractable support, with the platform having trigger operable support.
Type: Application
Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
Inventors: Andrey Cherednichenko, Berrigan A. R. Lennon
Summary: Support base that supports the infant support structure on a surface, which includes a seat that is “supported by the support base at a distance above the supporting surface”, with a lift mechanism that handles the vertical adjustment of the seat. The lift mechanism allows rotational movement while the seat is also utilizing vertical movement.
Type: Grant
Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
Inventors: Michael Armbruster, Noah Mauer, Chalin Yu
Summary: Includes a “cavity configured for receiving a plurality of toy vehicles”, with a launching mechanism that can launch one toy and simultaneously load another toy into the launching position. Mechanism has an actuator that triggers the launching of the toy vehicles, and is stored within the cavity of the toy vehicles.
Type: Grant
Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
Summary: A base portion on the lid, with “spout framework that extends from the base”, and a valve at the end of the spout. The spout is soft, and is molded with the base to prevent beverage leaks, and the value “may contain a slit and when deformed, the slit transforms into an opening” for beverages to flow out of the container.
Type: Grant
Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
Inventors: Charlie Smith, David Shapiro, Domenic T. Gubistosi
Summary: Building components combined with new coupling portions that improve the manufacturing process of building components, and “permit the use of conventional tools” during the manufacturing process, instead of precision tools which are a higher cost.
Type: Application
Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
Inventors: Edmund (Kin Fai) Chang
Summary: Assembly and manufacturing process (and use of) a toy that will provide a child with enjoyment for numerous hours, but is still easy to develop and use, and is inexpensive to create. Method is utilizing a string and winding mechanism, where the winding mechanism can unwind and wind the string.
Type: Grant
Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
Inventors: J. Austin Rucker, C. Evangelos Kafantaris, Susie E. Buckman, Leo ShenRoy HuJosiah, T.S. Li
Summary: Control system for a swing that has a swinging mechanical arm that uses a motor, and the control system is configured with EMF (electromotive force) through an input signal by the motor, and “configured to use the monitored EMF to control a speed of the motor.” The selected swing angle will receive “a pulse width modulation (PWM) drive signal” that affects the output torque of the swing arm.
Type: Grant
Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
Inventors: Peter von Scheidt, Jr., James P. Meade
SUMMARY
In all, I've provided ten patents relevant to Mattel, Inc. as they relate to the manufacturing process and tools used, which is within the scope of one Wonder request. Please note, there have been over 167 patents granted to Mattel, Inc. since 2012. The majority of these surround child toy patents, while a few (e.g. baby swing mechanisms, sippy cup lids) involve products that are more in line with a child product that they use, rather than play with.