You wouldn’t know it by the avalanche of vintage knockoffs, but Hasbro had filed US Patents for nearly all of the original G1 Transformers. These legalese-named patents protect the “ornamental design” and often the transformation mechanism of classic Transformers characters, typically for up to 10 years. To the fandom, however, these patents present an interesting opportunity to learn the names of the designers, see original design drawings, and discover interesting background tidbits. Google Patents indexes US Patents, and has made them easily accessible for searching and viewing.
However, 30-year old patent information can be inconsistent, and sometimes hard to dig up. Combined with the fact that Hasbro and Takara have hundreds or thousands of patents, the Transformers we love can be buried in the bizarre terms under which these patents are filed, such as “Reversibly Transformable Toy Block Assembly” – Sunstreaker. (Takara’s “Transform Block” makes more sense, huh?) However, with some dedication, Transformerland has uncovered and compiled all these patents in one place for the your perusal and enjoyment. You may have already seen some of this info in our Transformers Toy Wiki, but now we’re compiling all of these links in one place!
There are a few notes worth making to increase understanding and ease-of-use for this table.
- Each Transformer’s name links to its TFL Toy Wiki entry. Each US Patent number links to the Google Patents original document.
- Some patent filings contain drawings and descriptions for multiple different toys. This was likely done to save patent filing costs. On this list, a given patent may appear multiple times, paired with each individual Transformer it contains.
- Noted mecha designer Koujin Ohno is repeatedly referenced in the patent documents as “Kouzin” Ohno. Since the fandom widely recognizes the Romanji form as containing a “j”, we use that spelling.
- A few patents mention several designers’ names. Most likely, every toy had multiple contributors, and the patent names only the lead designer(s).
- We intend for this list to be a living document and a continual resource for the Transformers community. If you find an error in the listing, or you have discovered a patent not listed here, please contact us! Your contributions are always appreciated, and help us to have the best resources possible.
1984
| Figure Name (link) | US Pat. No. (link) | Designer | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluestreak | US4680018 A | Koujin Ohno | October 12, 1982 |
| Brawn | USD297035 S | Hideaki Yoke | October 4, 1985 |
| Buzzsaw | USD283335 S | Takashi Matsuda | December 2, 1983 |
| Camshaft | USD286169 S | Koujin Ohno | December 30, 1983 |
| Downshift | USD284491 S | Koujin Ohno | December 30, 1983 |
| Frenzy | USD288221 S | Takashi Matsuda | December 18, 1982 |
| Gears | USD295300 S | Hideaki Yoke | October 4, 1985 |
| Hound | USD285466 S | Koujin Ohno | April 17, 1984 |
| Ironhide | US4530670 A | Koujin Ohno | August 12, 1983 |
| Jazz | USD281087 S | Koujin Ohno | June 15, 1983 |
| Laserbeak | USD283335 S | Takashi Matsuda | December 2, 1983 |
| Megatron | US4571201 A | Takashi Matsuda | June 15, 1983 |
| Mirage | USD285465 S | Koujin Ohno | April 4, 1984 |
| Optimus Prime | US4516948 A | Hiroyuki Obara | September 22, 1983 |
| Overdrive | USD284490 S | Koujin Ohno | December 30, 1983 |
| Prowl | US4680018 A | Koujin Ohno | October 12, 1982 |
| Ratchet | US4530670 A | Koujin Ohno | August 12, 1983 |
| Ravage | USD283336 S | Takashi Matsuda | December 2, 1983 |
| Sideswipe | USD281001 S | Koujin Ohno | September 2, 1983 |
| Skids | US4580993 A | Koujin Ohno | October 12, 1982 |
| Skywarp | USD279804 S | Koujin Ohno | March 10, 1983 |
| Soundwave | USD285464 S | Satoshi Koizumi | April 4, 1984 |
| Starscream | USD279804 S | Koujin Ohno | March 10, 1983 |
| Sunstreaker | US4578046 A | Koujin Ohno | March 24, 1982 |
| Thundercracker | USD279804 S | Koujin Ohno | March 10, 1983 |
| Trailbreaker | US4680018 A | Koujin Ohno | October 12, 1982 |
| Wheeljack | USD279916 S | Hiroyuki Obara | September 20, 1983 |
| Windcharger | USD295298 S | Hideaki Yoke | October 4, 1985 |
1985
| Figure Name (link) | US Pat. No. (link) | Designer | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astrotrain | USD289536 S | Koujin Ohno | January 14, 1985 |
| Beachcomber | USD290723 S | Akio Kitamura | October 25, 1984 |
| Blaster | USD287521 S | Hiroyuki Obara | May 30, 1984 |
| Blitzwing | USD287378 S | Koujin Ohno | May 25, 1984 |
| Bombshell | USD287155 S | Takashi Matsuda | August 21, 1984 |
| Bonecrusher | USD289187 S | Koujin Ohno | March 28, 1984 |
| Cosmos | USD291461 S | Akio Kitamura | October 25, 1984 |
| Dirge | USD293804 S | Takayoshi Doi | December 27, 1984 |
| Drill Dasher | USD279591 S | Iwakichi Ogawa | July 29, 1983 |
| F1 Dasher | USD279592 S | Iwakichi Ogawa | July 29, 1983 |
| Grimlock | USD286901 S | Koujin Ohno | February 8, 1984 |
| Hook | USD288342 S | Koujin Ohno | March 28, 1984 |
| Inferno | US4680018 A | Koujin Ohno | October 12, 1982 |
| Kickback | USD287261 S | Takashi Matsuda | August 21, 1984 |
| Long Haul | USD289069 S | Koujin Ohno | March 28, 1984 |
| Mixmaster | USD288577 S | Koujin Ohno | March 28, 1984 |
| Perceptor | USD287520 S | Hideaki Yoke | May 30, 1984 |
| Powerglide | USD290480 S | Masaki Maruyama | October 25, 1984 |
| Ramjet | USD294046 S | Takayoshi Doi | December 27, 1984 |
| Red Alert | USD281001 S | Koujin Ohno | September 2, 1983 |
| Scavenger | USD288341 S | Koujin Ohno | March 28, 1984 |
| Scrapper | USD288948 S | Koujin Ohno | March 28, 1984 |
| Seaspray | USD290481 S | Akio Kitamura | October 25, 1984 |
| Shrapnel | USD286664 S | Takashi Matsuda | August 21, 1984 |
| Sky Dasher | USD278643 S | Iwakichi Ogawa | July 29, 1983 |
| Slag | USD287038 S | Koujin Ohno | March 3, 1984 |
| Smokescreen | US4680018 A | Koujin Ohno | October 12, 1982 |
| Snarl | USD287151 S | Koujin Ohno | April 10, 1984 |
| Swoop | USD286419 S | Koujin Ohno | May 1, 1984 |
| Thrust | USD293803 S | Takayoshi Doi | December 27, 1984 |
| Topspin | US4543073 A | Takashi Matsuda | November 30, 1983 |
| Twin Twist | CA1200389 A1 | Takashi Matsuda | December 15, 1983 |
| Warpath | USD290630 S | Akio Kitamura | October 25, 1984 |
1986
| Figure Name (link) | US Pat. No. (link) | Designer | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Raid | USD294048 S | Kaoru Matsumoto | February 12, 1985 |
| Blades | USD294605 S | Kaoru Matsumoto | October 24, 1985 |
| Blast Off | USD293806 S | Daishirou Shibukawa | October 14, 1985 |
| Brawl | USD296913 S | Daishirou Shibukawa | October 14, 1985 |
| Breakdown | USD295303 S | Kaoru Matsumoto | July 31, 1985 |
| Broadside | USD295994 S | Kaoru Matsumoto | December 17, 1985 |
| Bruticus | USD294055 S | Daishirou Shibukawa | October 17, 1985 |
| Dead End | USD294610 S | Kaoru Matsumoto | July 31, 1985 |
| Divebomb | USD298562 S | Teruo Kitamura | December 13, 1985 |
| Dragstrip | USD296914 S | Kaoru Matsumoto | July 31, 1985 |
| First Aid | USD296915 S | Kaoru Matsumoto | October 24, 1985 |
| Groove | USD296801 S | Kaoru Matsumoto | October 24, 1985 |
| Headstrong | USD298560 S | Teruo Kitamura | December 13, 1985 |
| Hot Spot | USD297034 S | Kaoru Matsumoto | October 24, 1985 |
| Hubcap | USD295302 S | Hideaki Yoke | October 4, 1985 |
| Menasor | USD297039 S | Kaoru Matsumoto | August 1, 1985 |
| Metroplex | USD301261 S | Koujin Ohno | September 12, 1985 |
| Octane | USD297038 S | Koujin Ohno | December 24, 1985 |
| Onslaught | USD297956 S | Daishirou Shibukawa Koujin Ohno |
October 15, 1985 |
| Outback | USD297035 S | Hideaki Yoke | October 4, 1985 |
| Overkill | USD301353 S | Takashi Matsuda | September 12, 1986 |
| Pipes | USD297036 S | Hideaki Yoke | October 4, 1985 |
| Predaking | USD295652 S | Teruo Kitamura | December 13, 1985 |
| Ramhorn | USD295059 S | Takashi Matsuda | March 15, 1985 |
| Rampage | USD298561 S | Teruo Kitamura | December 13, 1985 |
| Ratbat | USD294056 S | Takashi Matsuda | March 15, 1985 |
| Razorclaw | USD298559 S | Teruo Kitamura | December 13, 1985 |
| Runabout | USD295199 S | Hideaki Yoke | October 14, 1985 |
| Runamuck | USD295305 S | Hideaki Yoke | October 14, 1985 |
| Sandstorm | USD295299 S | Daishirou Shibukawa | December 24, 1985 |
| Silverbolt | USD294049 S | Koujin Ohno | May 13, 1985 |
| Slingshot | USD294045 S | Kaoru Matsumoto | February 12, 1985 |
| Slugfest | USD301354 S | Takashi Matsuda | September 12, 1986 |
| Steeljaw | USD295542 S | Takashi Matsuda | March 15, 1985 |
| Streetwise | USD295301 S | Kaoru Matsumoto | October 24, 1985 |
| Superion | USD295060 S | Koujin Ohno Kaoru Matsumoto |
May 13, 1985 |
| Swerve | USD295300 S | Hideaki Yoke | October 4, 1985 |
| Swindle | USD295304 S | Daishirou Shibukawa | October 14, 1985 |
| Tailgate | USD295298 S | Hideaki Yoke | October 4, 1985 |
| Tantrum | USD298563 S | Teruo Kitamura | December 13, 1985 |
| Trypticon | USD294611 S | Muneyoshi Shinohara | February 3, 1986 |
| Ultra Magnus | US4599078 A | Hiroyuki Obara | May 30, 1984 |
| Vortex | USD294604 S | Daishirou Shibukawa | October 14, 1985 |
1987
| Figure Name (link) | US Pat. No. (link) | Designer | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abominus | USD305918 S | Daishirou Shibukawa | December 2, 1986 |
| Afterburner | USD301359 S | Muneyoshi Shinohara | November 18, 1986 |
| Apeface | USD305051 S | Koujin Ohno | October 6, 1986 |
| Battletrap | USD303412 S | Takashi Matsuda | November 14, 1986 |
| Beastbox | USD306621 S | Takayoshi Doi | October 30, 1987 |
| Blot | USD306046 S | Daishirou Shibukawa | December 2, 1986 |
| Brainstorm | USD301358 S | Takashi Kunihiro | November 4, 1986 |
| Chase | USD301349 S | Takayuki Ishizawa | September 22, 1986 |
| Chromedome | USD301505 S | Takashi Kunihiro | November 4, 1986 |
| Cloudraker | USD301350 S | Takayoshi Doi | October 17, 1986 |
| Computron | USD306047 S | Muneyoshi Shinohara | November 18, 1986 |
| Crosshairs | USD301356 S | Takayoshi Doi | November 5, 1986 |
| Cutthroat | USD305919 S | Daishirou Shibukawa | December 2, 1986 |
| Doublecross | USD305050 S | Takayuki Ishizawa | October 29, 1986 |
| Fastlane | USD301351 S | Takayoshi Doi | October 17, 1986 |
| Flywheels | USD303411 S | Takashi Matsuda | November 14, 1986 |
| Fortress Maximus | USD305786 S | Koujin Ohno | December 25, 1986 |
| Freeway | USD301266 S | Takayuki Ishizawa | September 22, 1986 |
| Goldbug | USD301263 S | Takayuki Ishizawa | September 22, 1986 |
| Grotusque | USD305255 S | Takayuki Ishizawa | October 29, 1986 |
| Hardhead | USD301357 S | Takashi Kunihiro | November 4, 1986 |
| Highbrow | USD301504 S | Takashi Kunihiro | November 4, 1986 |
| Hun-Grrr | USD305917 S | Daishirou Shibukawa | December 2, 1986 |
| Lightspeed | USD303409 S | Muneyoshi Shinohara | November 18, 1986 |
| Mindwipe | USD307777 S | Muneyoshi Shinohara | November 5, 1986 |
| Misfire | USD302449 S | Takayuki Ishizawa | December 5, 1986 |
| Nosecone | USD303410 S | Muneyoshi Shinohara | November 18, 1986 |
| Pointblank | USD301355 S | Takayoshi Doi | November 5, 1986 |
| Pounce | USD305053 S | Takayoshi Doi | October 17, 1986 |
| Punch-Counterpunch | USD301352 S | Takayoshi Doi | October 17, 1986 |
| Repugnus | USD305054 S | Takayuki Ishizawa | October 29, 1986 |
| Rippersnapper | USD306048 S | Daishirou Shibukawa | December 2, 1986 |
| Rollbar | USD301265 S | Takayuki Ishizawa | September 22, 1986 |
| Scattershot | USD302448 S | Muneyoshi Shinohara | November 18, 1986 |
| Scorponok | USD307926 S | Muneyoshi Shinohara | December 17, 1986 |
| Searchlight | USD301262 S | Takayuki Ishizawa | September 22, 1986 |
| Sinnertwin | USD305916 S | Daishirou Shibukawa | December 2, 1986 |
| Sixshot | US4750895 A | Muneyoshi Shinohara Yoshio Suzuki Takashi Kunihiro |
December 11, 1986 |
| Skullcruncher | USD307776 S | Muneyoshi Shinohara | November 5, 1986 |
| Snapdragon | USD305049 S | Takashi Kunihiro | October 6, 1986 |
| Strafe | USD302447 S | Muneyoshi Shinohara | November 18, 1986 |
| Sureshot | USD301901 S | Takayoshi Doi | November 5, 1986 |
| Weirdwolf | USD307778 S | Muneyoshi Shinohara | November 5, 1986 |
| Wideload | USD301264 S | Takayuki Ishizawa | September 22, 1986 |
| Wingspan | USD305052 S | Takayoshi Doi | October 17, 1986 |
1988
| Figure Name (link) | US Pat. No. (link) | Designer | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crankcase | USD311043 S | Takashi Kunihiro | January 25, 1988 |
| Dreadwing | USD306616 S | Koujin Ohno | January 13, 1988 |
| Grandslam | USD306619 S | Takayoshi Doi | October 30, 1987 |
| Guzzle | USD311040 S | Takashi Kunihiro | November 6, 1987 |
| Nightbeat | USD311042 S | Tetsuya Ikeda | November 9, 1987 |
| Quickmix | USD311041 S | Muneyoshi Shinohara | November 26, 1987 |
| Raindance | USD306620 S | Takayoshi Doi | October 30, 1987 |
| Slamdance | USD306618 S | Takayoshi Doi | October 30, 1987 |
| Squawkbox | USD306622 S | Takayoshi Doi | October 30, 1987 |
| Squawktalk | USD306623 S | Takayoshi Doi | October 30, 1987 |
