Patents Represented by Attorney Lempia Braidwood LLC
  • Patent number: 7789762
    Abstract: A child motion device has a frame assembly configured to rest on a floor surface. The device also has a drive system that drives a swing assembly. The swing assembly can include a pair of swing arms having proximal ends and distal ends. The distal ends support a child seat assembly. The distance between the distal ends relative to the distance between proximal ends is adjustable, thereby adjusting at least one motion characteristic of the device. The adjustable motion characteristics can include a gliding motion and a swinging motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Greger, Nicholas Efthermios Papageorge
  • Patent number: 7789402
    Abstract: A stroller includes a base frame assembly and a seat assembly supported by the base frame assembly. A seat leg extending from the seat assembly is slidably engaged with the base frame assembly for movement of the seat assembly relative to the base frame assembly from a first seating height level to a second seating height level. In some cases, a support post of the base frame assembly is oriented in a telescopic arrangement with the seat leg along a generally vertical axis. In some cases, one or more slider mechanisms slidably couple the seat assembly to the base frame assembly, where each slider mechanism has a lock to secure the seat assembly at either the first seating height level or the second seating height level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Saville, Daniel Newhard, Nico Michler, Christian Busse, Bianca Fleischer
  • Patent number: 7789238
    Abstract: A storage bin assembly has a container base with a front, a back, a bottom, a perimeter side wall extending up from the bottom, and a storage space above the bottom within the side wall. A base lid is positioned over a top of the storage space. An access opening into the storage space is positioned near the front of the container base. A cover is selectively movable relative to the lid between a closed position closing off the access opening and two optional open positions. One of the positions is a rear position rearward of the access opening and the other of the positions is a front position forward of the access opening. Each optional open position exposes the storage space through the access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher J. Claypool, Jason E. Begin
  • Patent number: 7786622
    Abstract: A juvenile product includes a power adapter comprising a first AC-to-DC converter to generate a DC transmission voltage from a line power source, and a power cable coupled to the power adapter and configured to carry the DC transmission voltage. A power transmitter coupled to the power cable includes a transmitter coil and a DC-to-AC converter coupled to the transmitter coil such that an AC current flows through the transmitter coil based on the DC transmission voltage. A power supply includes a receiver coil configured for generation of induced current in the receiver coil via inductive coupling with the transmitter coil, and further includes a second AC-to-DC converter coupled to the receiver coil to generate DC power based on the induced current. An electrical load coupled to the power supply is configured for operation via the DC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Swan
  • Patent number: 7784625
    Abstract: An organizer is configured to store and organize storage article product packages. The organizer has a first storage bin with a front panel and is configured to hold one or more storage article product packages which can dispense individual storage articles through a dispenser opening. The first storage bin is mountable to a generally vertical mounting surface. An opening in the front panel of the first storage bin is positioned to align with the dispenser openings of the one or more product packages. A second storage bin has a front panel, an open top, and a bottom and is configured to hold one or more elongate product packages in a vertical orientation and accessible via the open top. The second storage bin is mountable to the mounting surface and can pivot forward from and rearward back toward the generally vertical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Roddy Burgess, Michael A. Zarkis
  • Patent number: 7780128
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for leveling relative to a basis surface. The system includes an object having a first side confronting the basis surface and a second side opposite of the first side, a rod positioned to extend beyond the first side of the object to space the object from the basis surface and beyond a second side of the object to provide access to the rod, and first and second couplers to couple the rod and the object. Each of the first and second couplers includes a respective threaded hole threadably engaged with the rod to a position in which respective surfaces of the first and second couplers are in contact with, and rotationally stationary with respect to, the first and second sides of the object, respectively, such that rotation of the rod translates into translational displacement of the first and second couplers and the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Martin C. Walsberg
  • Patent number: 7775354
    Abstract: A waterproof enclosure for use with personal music players has a case formed of a flexible material and creates an interior sized to receive a personal music player. The case in one example can have a first part and a second part that together define the interior The case can be opened to expose the interior and can be closed along a joint. A watertight seal can be provided along the joint between the first and second parts when closed. In one example, a tether can connect the first and second parts of the case. In one example, the tether can be configured to create an attachment loop with the case in the closed position. The enclosure can also have a sound emitting device extending from the case. In one example, the sound emitting device can include a jack adapter integrally formed with the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventors: Janet Lee Latchford, Lynette Kay Werner, Bryan Jon Lempia
  • Patent number: 7775547
    Abstract: A stroller has a frame structure with two laterally spaced apart sides. A seat is supported between the sides of the frame structure. A frame extension is provided on each side of the frame structure. Each frame extension projects rearward of the seat. The frame structure is at least collapsible laterally from a side-to-side in-use spacing between the frame extensions to a side-to-side compact spacing less than the in-use spacing between the frame extensions. A cross-brace extends between and interconnects the frame extensions. The cross-brace is selectively reconfigurable from a stiff condition to a loose condition with the frame extensions in the in-use spacing. In the stiff condition the brace maintains the in-use spacing between the frame extensions and in the loose condition the brace permits the frame extensions to collapse to the compact spacing. A cup holder can be carried on the cross-brace to be collapsible with the frame structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Dotsey, Todd D. Sorzano, Roy L. Dean
  • Patent number: 7770911
    Abstract: A collapsible stroller has a frame structure collapsible between an in-use configuration and a compact or collapsed configuration. The stroller has a variety of features or accessories that improve collapsibility, as well as stroller function and comfort during use. A number of these features or accessories also permit three-dimensional collapse of the stroller frame structure without requiring removal or disassembly of these features or accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Dotsey, Todd D. Sorzano, Roy L. Dean
  • Patent number: 7770971
    Abstract: A child motion device has a frame assembly configured to rest on a floor surface, a drive system defining a generally vertical axis of rotation, and a support arm supported above the floor surface by the frame assembly. The support arm is cantilevered from near the axis of rotation and has a driven end coupled to the drive system, which pivotally reciprocates the support arm through a partial orbit around the axis of rotation. A seat holder is carried by the support arm spaced from the driven end and a seat is supported by the seat holder. The seat and seat holder are constructed to permit the seat to be removed from the seat holder. The seat is usable as a seat when removed from the seat holder and can be positioned on the seat holder in more than one optional seat facing orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Bellows, Samuel Chambers, Baku Kakuda
  • Patent number: 7770905
    Abstract: A stroller wheel suspension mechanism has a generally rigid carrier with a top mounting section connectable to a stroller frame and a downward facing surface. The carrier also has a depending spring section that extends downward from the top mounting section adjacent an end of the downward facing surface and that has a generally vertically oriented surface. The carrier also has a bottom spring section that extends from the depending spring section and that has an upward facing surface. The depending and bottom spring sections are resiliently deflectable relative to the top mounting section. A wheel mount is provided on the bottom spring section. A solid body damper of a resilient, flexible material is positioned within a damper region formed adjacent the downward facing, generally vertically oriented, and upward facing surfaces of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Dotsey, Patrick Nolan
  • Patent number: 7774032
    Abstract: A video baby monitor system has a child unit with a back-up battery, a video camera, a microphone, and a transmitter configured to transmit video signals representing video images sent from the camera and audio signals representing sounds sent from the microphone. A parent unit having a receiver for receiving the video signals and the audio signals, a video screen for displaying the video images, and a speaker for emitting the sounds. The child unit is configured to operate on primary power from an external power source and to operate on back-up power from the back-up battery source. The monitor system is configured to switch from the primary power to the back-up power and to deactivate at least one video function upon detecting a loss of the primary power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Swan, Craig Desrosiers, Fa-Yun Zhang
  • Patent number: 7766367
    Abstract: An adjustable handle assembly is configured for a device that supports and carries a child and that can be moved along a surface. The handle assembly is coupled to a handle extension that extends from a part of the device and that has an end with an extension axis. The handle assembly has a stem configured to attach to the end of the handle extension. The handle assembly also has a grip body coupled to the stem. The grip body is independently movable relative to the handle extension both longitudinally along the extension axis and rotationally about the extension axis. An actuator is provided on the handle assembly and can be actuated between a lock position and a release position. In the lock position, the grip body is in a fixed position relative to the handle extension. In the release position, the grip body is permitted to move both longitudinally and rotationally relative to the extension axis between a plurality of selectable longitudinal and rotational positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Dotsey, Todd D. Sorzano, Roy L. Dean
  • Patent number: 7755441
    Abstract: A signal generation technique is based on a reference frequency provided by a MEMS resonator. The signal generation technique compensates for temperature- and fabrication process-induced frequency variations collectively. In some embodiments, a device implementing the disclosed signal generation technique includes a fractional-N synthesizer, a temperature sensor, calibration data, and a sigma-delta modulator to adjust the reference frequency of the MEMS resonator to a desired frequency value while compensating for the temperature variation of the MEMS resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Discera, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Cioffi, Didier Lacroix
  • Patent number: 7753445
    Abstract: A child seat includes: a base member; a seat body switchable at least between a forward facing state and a sideways facing state in a bed shape on the base member; a prop or strut member attached to a front end of the base member and extending to a position where the prop member abuts on a floor of an automobile; and a rigid bar-shaped support member supported by the prop member so as to be displaceable between an upper position and a lower position. A side engagement portion is provided in a side surface of the seat body. The side engagement portion engages with the support member when the support member is brought to the upper position in the sideways facing state in the bed shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Aprica Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Kenzou Kassai, Haruo Kawano
  • Patent number: 7752693
    Abstract: A mattress assembly for a playard has a plurality of support panels coupled to one another and movable relative to one another. The support panels are movable between a generally planar in-use configuration having a top side and a bottom side and a multi-sided storage configuration with an interior space sized to surround a collapsed playard. A mattress pad is detachable from and attachable to the plurality of support panels. The mattress pad lies against the top side of the plurality of support panels and is movable with the plurality of support panels between the in-use configuration and the storage configuration. A plurality of attachment devices are provided for selectively attaching the mattress pad to and detaching the mattress pad from the plurality of support panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg R. Espenshade
  • Patent number: 7751662
    Abstract: An optical display device, in particular for use in a head-up display or a head-mounted display, comprises an essentially planar light guide, an image-generating system, a first diffraction grating by which light that comes from the image-generating system can be coupled into the light guide, and a second diffraction grating, by which the light can be coupled out again from the light guide. At least one of the two diffraction gratings is a binary-blazed grating having a multiplicity of diffraction structures, which are composed of a multiplicity of individual substructures that ensure a blaze effect and in plan view have the shape of a closed geometrical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventor: Bernd Kleemann
  • Patent number: 7744091
    Abstract: An identity guessing game includes a plurality of identities to be guessed. Each identity is provided on a media in a manner permitting selection of one identity by a player for a round of play. The game also includes a plurality of clue sets, each clue set having multiple clues relating to a respective one of the identities. Each clue within each clue set is provided on a media so as to be presentable one at a time to a player during the round of play. A game can be played by selecting or providing a first identity to be guessed and a first set of clues each relating to the first identity. A first player is presented with at least one clue of the first set of clues. The first player can then determine whether to guess the first identity and move to the next step or to be presented with another of the first set of clues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventors: Alana Berke, Eileen Berke
  • Patent number: D619001
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry T. McKinney
  • Patent number: D620316
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry T. McKinney