Transformers Toy Patents

Posting about cool Transformers patents!!

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

@MathewIgnash Patents are available for viewing/download on various sites: https://t.co/bCb5rgyPUV (Japanese design patents w/ PDF), https://t.co/1lOG3mvoyB (Worldwide utility patents w/ PDF), https://t.co/MN6pgjV5xj (Worldwide patents w/ some PDFs, but at least good text content)

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

Yep!! If you search my profile for "Daishirou Shibukawa", the two dino triple changers will show up. A lot of cool stuff around that period was not released because Takara decided to re-release the Diaclone and Microchange toys in Japan as Transformers instead of releasing brand new products.

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

Patent for an early version of Sandstorm. Invented by Daishirou Shibukawa who also worked on the Combaticons and unreleased dinosaur triple changers. The patent is much shorter than most Transformers utility patents. Filed 1985-08-21. JPS6236793U

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

The patent for an unreleased prop plane/excavator triple changer was filed on 1985-06-27, two months before Sandstorm. Invented by Kaoru Matsumoto. JPS626883U

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

The removable wheels for the unreleased monster truck Headmaster actually transformed as well! They turned into a backpack attachment for the main robot, a small gun platform, and a small robot body that can also use the Headmaster head. Filed 1986-4-30. JPS62254790A

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

@Zobovor Maybe they were the inspiration for them.

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

Another unreleased fantasy themed Transformer by Takashi Matsuda. This one is a robot that turns into a heavily armed Pegasus. Filed 1984-12-26. JPS61111482U

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

The second set of Headmaster patents are for an unreleased monster truck that separates into a robot and a base mode. Invented by Takamichi Wakai. Filed 1986-04-30 and 1985-05-13. JPS62177781U JPS62177784U JPS62183891U

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

@Zobovor I hadn't realized that. Great catch!

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

The third and final "first Headmaster" patent filed on 1986-03-31 is for an early version of Chromedome. There are many differences, such as the way the arms, feet and windshield transform. Invented by Kohjin Ohno. JPS62231690A

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

The patent for the Headmaster tech spec gimmick was filed 1986-03-31. Invented by Kohjin Ohno. JPS62157597U

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

@VZMk2 Not yet. If you don't want to wait, Transformers Land has links to the US design patents: https://t.co/63jTZ3jXtI

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

Japanese design patent for Grimlock. Filed 1984-02-08. Created by Kohjin Ohno. 0689686

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

Two patents for Grimlock, focusing on different parts of the transformation. Filed 1984-02-03. Invented by Kohjin Ohno. JPS60128691U JPS60128692U

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

I find the timeline of these patents is so interesting. At the beginning of February 1986 they're done with Scourge, and by the end of March 1986 they're already working on the first Headmaster!

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

The first patent for a Headmaster head was filed 1986-03-31. There are many differences from the production versions: a retracting small head, rotating flaps to cover the arms, and a sliding forehead piece. Invented by Kohjin Ohno. JPS62157596U

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

Unfortunately, I do not. I have a pretty comprehensive list of Japanese utility patents, but Dogfight is not in there. As the years went on, Takara filed fewer patents for Transformers and there were not many filed for the 1988 toys. The only patent I can probably find for Dogfight is the Japanese design patent, which is just a grainy image of the finished toy. Sorry I cannot help!

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

Scourge was the last 1986 movie character to be patented. Filed 1986-02-08. Invented by Hideaki Yoke. JPS62128593U

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

There is a slightly different arm transformation thanks to an extra hinge on the upper arm! I think it looks better than the final version.

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

Patents for Springer were filed on 1985-09-30. Invented by Takayuki Ishizawa. JPS6259090U JPS6259091U

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

"[Claims] (a) Consists of a group of members constituting a first unified form and a group of members constituting a second unified form; (b) A group of members constituting the first form; A part is formed into a shell shape and is connected to the member constituting the second form so as to be expandable and foldable; (c) A state in which the shell member of the member constituting the first form is expanded. In this case, the second form is exposed from the front, but the first form is not established, and only the first form is exposed when the shell-like member of the member constituting the second form is folded. , a shape-changing toy characterized in that the second shape is hidden inside the first shape."

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

Did you know that Takara actually patented shell formers? The patent was filed 1986-02-10 and the two examples included are Scourge and an unreleased dragon Transformer that turns into a bus. Invented by Hideaki Yoke. JPS62183786A

[Transformers Toy Patents @tfpatents]

Patent for Wreck-Gar. Invented by Takayuki Ishizawa who also did Blurr and Gnaw. The pages in the patent PDF are extremely crisp and clear, suggesting a more recent scan of the document compared to the others. 1985-12-27. JPS62155883A