Kransco

Mattel, Inc.

Steven M Moran

Glenn Yu

Eric C Ostendorff

James W Mazzolini

Wayne Halford

Stephen E Schneider

Stephen P K Lau

Jeremy R Fischer

Tom Lee Tai To

Erick Huang Shi Xiong

Edmond Jiang Xiao Dong

Christopher Patrick Purcell

Alan Chung Chi Cheung

Eric SodKar Fai

Vincent Chen Wen Yong

Peter M Chang

An apparatus for playing a game is provided. The apparatus may include a base, a plurality of projectiles and a first target platform moveable with respect to the base. The first target platform may include a collecting position, in which the plurality of projectiles are collected at the first target platform, and a dispersing position, in which the plurality of projectiles are dispersed from the first target platform. The apparatus may further include an actuator mechanism configured to actuate movement of the first target platform from the collecting position to the dispersing position and a first launcher attached to the base and configured to project the plurality of projectiles toward the first target platform.

Launch and target game

In one embodiment, a race set is described. The race set may comprise a portable race management device, comprising: a detachable lane defining element configured to be actuated; a starting indicator; a finishing indicator; and circuitry configured to receive start and/or finish signals via actuation of the detachable lane defining element, control actuation of the starting indicator upon race starting, and control actuation of the finishing indicator upon race finishing. Various alternative embodiments and alternative example race sets are also included.

Race set

A speed measuring device with an output generating system is disclosed. The output generating system can generate visual outputs and/or audible outputs in response to a detected flow of air. The device includes a coupling component that allows the device to be wearable by a user.

Electronic device with speed measurement and output generation

A miniature roll-up halfpipe for use with fingerboards or miniature skateboards includes a pair of sideframes configurable in either a collapsed compact configuration or an extended open configuration. A pair of platforms join the end portions of the sideframes to form a generally rectangular structure having a pair of upwardly open curved edges. A flexible resilient sheet is received upon the supporting frame to form a curved surface of the type frequently used by skateboarder's or the like. In the closed configuration, the flexible sheet is rolled into a cylindrical shape and encloses the collapsed siderails and platform elements. A pair of generally cylindrical endcaps are received upon the opposed ends of the rolled sheet to provide closure and secure attachment thereof.

Roll-up halfpipe for miniature toy skateboard

An improved bodyboard includes a core, an outer covering enclosing the core, and, according to one aspect of the invention, a separation-resistant terpolymeric intermediate layer disposed between and adhesively bonding at least a portion of the core and covering. Preferably, the intermediate layer is a terpolymer based on polyethylene vinylacetate and in the form of a thin, slit-film bonding adhesive. According to another aspect of the invention, a bodyboard core is formed from a plurality of elongate cells joined together in a manner defining a honeycomb structure. Preferably, the cells are extrusions of a polypropylene material. Methods for forming the above are described as well.

Composite bodyboard with increased strength and bonding characteristics

A bodyboard with skins covering the top and bottom surfaces of a foam plank that forms a core in the bodyboard. The top skin is prepared by heat-expanding a foamable matrix layer having a polyolefin film deposited on the top surface of the matrix layer. With the application of heat, the matrix layer becomes a foam, and the polyolefin film softens and integrates with the foam. Graphics carried internally on the film become an integral part of the foam.

Core with foamed skin covering

A bodyboard for riding ocean surf is provided which includes a layer of stiffening material beneath the outer skin of the board in selected regions of the board. The stiffening material is in the form of one or more layers of open-weave or open pattern, crosshatched fiber mesh laminated into the semi-rigid foam which makes up the majority of the board's interior. The stiffening material is preferably located adjacent the bottom skin of the board in order to resist or inhibit creasing of the planing surface on which the board rides. The board retains sufficient flexibility for maneuvering and for comfort, while resisting bottom skin damage due to stresses exerted on the board in use. Alternative embodiments of the invention include using stiffening mesh beneath the side rails of the board and using one or more additional layers of stiffening mesh in selected regions between the foam core and the outer skin of the bodyboard.

Bodyboard with stiffening reinforcement

A textured bottom surface is provided for bodyboards of the type which have a semi-rigid foam core and which are used to ride on waves such as ocean surf with the rider in a prone or procumbent position. The improved bottom surface comprises a plurality of discreet depressions formed in the bottom of the bodyboard, numbering at least 50-depressions over the entire bottom surface, and preferably numbering more than 1500 such depressions. The depressions are believed to generate bubbles in the air-water mixture passing beneath the board which help reduce the shear forces in the water. The effect is called air lubrication and results in reduced drag and greater speed, as well as a lighter 'feel' for the board on water. A bodyboard incorporating the improved bottom surface, and a bottom skin for bodyboards which includes the texturing depressions, are disclosed. A method of forming the textured bottom skin is also disclosed.

Textured bottom skin for bodyboards and method

A bodyboard is provided which incorporates selected regions of differing stiffness in order to combine in one board the speed associated with relatively stiff bodyboards and the maneuverability of soft bodyboards. Laminated into the layered structure of the bodyboard is a fiber mesh which has a size and orientation designed to stiffen the rear four-fifths of the bodyboard. The remainder of the board, adjacent the nose, incorporates a pattern of parallel arcuate channels which increase the bendability of the nose portion of the board. Because the board is stiff in the region supporting most of the weight of the rider, it has less drag than soft bodyboards and is fast. The flexibility in the nose area enhances maneuverability. The design of the reinforcing mesh and the bendability-enhancing nose inhibits the formation of permanent creases and allows the board to retain the overall general appearance and internal laminated structure of prior art bodyboards.

Bodyboard with variable stiffness

A system is disclosed for applying a graphics-imprinted skin to a substrate of expanded polyolefin foam. The system is used to create bodyboards and other foam devices with durable graphic images. The skin is made of a plurality of thin-film polyethylene layers adhesively bonded together. The outermost layer is a sheet of nonopaque (i.e., clear) polyethylene with graphic images imprinted on one side. The images are printed in reverse pattern and viewed through the polyethylene sheet from the other side. The nonopaque sheet is then adhesively bonded to an opaque backing sheet along the graphic-imprinted surface. The result is a flexible laminated skin material with visible graphics on one side. The skin material is then thermolaminated to the foam substrate with the graphics facing outwardly. A method of continuous fabrication is also disclosed.

Foam-core structure with graphics-imprinted skin

A bodyboard is provided with a pair of elongate side-rail grip contours formed in the top surface of the board for providing an improved handhold along the side edge of the bodyboard. The grip contour includes a ridge extending from the nose end of the board approximately one-third to four-fifths the length of the bodyboard. Immediately adjacent the ridge is an elongate depression or channel which extends into or below the top riding surface of the bodyboard. The depression is sized to accommodate the thumb of a hand gripping the side edge of the board with the thumb resting comfortably within the channel touching the inner and outer faces of the channel. The grip contour extends from the side edge of the board inwardly toward the center line of the board a distance of between about 2.3-inches to 3.3-inches. The contour is formed by attaching an elongated ridge-piece immediately adjacent each side edge of the core of the board, forming a depression in the foam core immediately adjacent the ridge, and covering both the depression and ridge with the outer skin of the bodyboard.

Bodyboard with side grip contour

A bodyboard is provided which incorporates selected regions of differing stiffness in order to combine in one board the speed associated with relatively stiff bodyboards and the maneuverability of soft bodyboards. Laminated into the layered structure of the bodyboard is a fiber mesh which has a size and orientation designed to stiffen the rear four-fifths of the bodyboard. The remainder of the board, adjacent the nose, incorporates a pattern of parallel arcuate channels which increase the bendability of the nose portion of the board. Because the board is stiff in the region supporting most of the weight of the rider, it has less drag than soft bodyboards and is fast. The flexibility in the nose area enhances maneuverability. The design of the reinforcing mesh and the bendability-enhancing nose inhibits the formation of permanent creases and allows the board to retain the overall appearance and internal laminated structure of prior art bodyboards.

Growing community of inventors

Long Beach, CA, United States of America

Steven M Moran