Abstract: A basketball goal assembly (10) includes a base (11), a pole assembly (12) carried by the base (11), a rim assembly (14) pivotally carried by the pole assembly (12) and a backboard (13) carried by the pole assembly (12). The pole assembly (12) has a front face (21) having a recess (27) therein. A lug (36) on the rim assembly (14) is received in the recess (27) to hold the rim assembly (14) in a useable condition. Upon a downward force on the rim assembly (14), the rim assembly (14) breaks away from the pole assembly (12) as the lug (36) comes out of the recess (27). A yoke (59) extends between the base (11) and the pole assembly (12) to assist in supporting the pole assembly (12). However, the yoke (59) may be removed from the pole assembly (12) and the base (11) and positioned in a compartment (64) formed in the base (11). The pole assembly (12) may then be rotated to be generally flat with the base (11) and to be positioned over the yoke (59).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 6, 1998
Date of Patent:
April 13, 1999
Assignee:
The Little Tikes Company
Inventors:
Mark S. Coats, Peter C. McEachen, Michael Miroewski
Abstract: A crayon sharpening assembly is disclosed comprising an axially rotating cartridge block (106) having an axial bore (178) for axial receipt of a crayon with a forward end of the crayon positioned within a cutting station (152). A pair of convergent sharpening blades (158, 160) carve a conical nose into the forward crayon end; a secondary horizontal blade (180) engages the forward crayon end and cuts an annular stepped shoulder surrounding the conical nose; and a preparatory vertical blade (188) makes a vertical circumscribing cut through the jacket of the crayon proximate the forward end, whereby restoring the forward crayon end into its manufactured form. A carrying case (12, 14) is provided having a pivotal lid (16), with the sharpener drive assembly (20, 22) built into one end wall. A drawer assembly (100) is removable from the end wall and contains the cartridge block (106) and a housing (102) for collecting shavings generated in the sharpening procedure.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 9, 1996
Date of Patent:
March 2, 1999
Assignee:
The Little Tikes Company
Inventors:
John J. Andrisin, III, David D. Hayes, G. Stewart Lenox, Robert L. Quinlan, Douglas Zlatic
Abstract: A pool plug (10) is disclosed comprising a plunger member (12) and a base member (14). The base member (14) is cylindrical having an axial passageway (30) therethrough and opposed annular skirt flanges (32,36) projecting toward each other from opposite rims (26,28) of the member (14). The flange (32) collapses diametrically to allow the base member (14) to be inserted into a panel aperture, and skirt flange (36) depresses to a point that the lower flange (32) is free to open up and resume its original form, capturing the panel between the flanges (32,36). Composed of elastomeric plastic, the flanges (32,36) flex to allow use of the plug in pool panels having a thickness variable within a specified range. The plunger member (12) reciprocally moves upward and downward within the passageway (20) and includes ports (54) that open and close in response thereto. An inwardly directed annular sealing flange (40) engages the plunger member (12) to seal the plunger when it is pushed downward into a closed position.
Abstract: A playground assembly (10) includes a playhouse structure (11) having a plurality of walls (16, 17, 18, 19) and a tower structure (12) having a plurality of walls (29, 30, 31, 32). A tunnel member (15) may be selectively attached between appropriately configured playhouse walls (16, 17) and appropriately configured tower walls (29, 30, 31) by positioning its lug assemblies (91) through notches (92) formed in a selected window (20, 23, 33, 35, 36) and rotating the tunnel member (15) so that the notches (92) traverse ramped surfaces (95) and engage a stop surface (96). Playground assembly (10) also includes a slide (14) which may be selectively attached to appropriately configured playhouse and tower walls (19, 29, 31). To that end, windows (26, 34, 37) in the walls (19, 29, 31) are provided with lugs (109, 110) and the slide (14) is provided with channels (102, 103) which snap over the lugs (109, 110) to attach the slide (14) selectively to one of the walls (19, 29, 31).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 27, 1996
Date of Patent:
October 6, 1998
Assignee:
The Little Tikes Company
Inventors:
Kevin E. Myszka, Travis D. Shamp, Anthony R. Smith
Abstract: A crayon sharpening assembly is disclosed comprising an axially rotating cartridge block (106) having an axial bore (178) for axial receipt of a crayon with a forward end of the crayon positioned within a cutting station (152). A pair of convergent sharpening blades (158, 160) carve a conical nose into the forward crayon end; a secondary horizontal blade (180) engages the forward crayon end and cuts an annular stepped shoulder surrounding the conical nose; and a preparatory vertical blade (188) makes a vertical circumscribing cut through the jacket of the crayon proximate the forward end, whereby restoring the forward crayon end into its manufactured form. A carrying case (12, 14) is provided having a pivotal lid (16), with the sharpener drive assembly (20, 22) built into one end wall. A drawer assembly (100) is removable from the end wall and contains the cartridge block (106) and a housing (102) for collecting shavings generated in the sharpening procedure.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 15, 1997
Date of Patent:
September 8, 1998
Assignee:
The Little Tikes Company
Inventors:
John J. Andrisin, III, David D. Hayes, G. Stewart Lenox, Robert L. Quinlan, Douglas Zlatic