Patents by Inventor John L. Jones, Jr.

John L. Jones, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8302218
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tub for bathing infants or children. The tub includes a receptacle for containing water and for receiving an infant. The tub also includes a selectively removable insert or positioning member that can be used to change the bathing area inside of the tub. When the positioning member is locked to the tub, the positioning member defines two separate infant seating positions within the tub. The positioning member is removable from the tub to allow the entire receptacle to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Dignitti, John L. Jones, Jr., Juliette Welch
  • Patent number: 8141668
    Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles. The ride-on, or ride-on vehicle, includes a frame having a seat adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a biasing assembly that is connected to the frame and adapted to bias the seat away from the vehicle's driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed operation of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt J. Huntsberger, John L. Jones, Jr., William R. Howell, Karl D. Lerch, Brian L. Bienz
  • Publication number: 20100101011
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tub for bathing infants or children. The tub includes a receptacle for containing water and for receiving an infant. The tub also includes a selectively removable insert or positioning member that can be used to change the bathing area inside of the tub. When the positioning member is locked to the tub, the positioning member defines two separate infant seating positions within the tub. The positioning member is removable from the tub to allow the entire receptacle to be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel Dignitti, John L. Jones, JR., Juliette Welch
  • Publication number: 20090229896
    Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles. The ride-on, or ride-on vehicle, includes a frame having a seat adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a biasing assembly that is connected to the frame and adapted to bias the seat away from the vehicle's driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed operation of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Kurt J Huntsberger, John L. Jones, JR., William R. Howell, Karl D. Lerch, Brian L. Bienz
  • Patent number: 7568753
    Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles with reconfigured, or flexed panel, bodies. The bodies include at least one reconfigured, or flexed, body panel that is retained in a biased, or flexed, configuration and/or against its internal bias to move from the flexed configuration. In some embodiments, the body has an exterior shape that is determined at least in part by the at least one flexed body panel. In some embodiments, the at least one body panel is integrally formed with other portions of the ride-on's body, and in some embodiments, a portion of the body panel remains in an unflexed configuration when another portion of the body panel is retained in the flexed configuration. In some embodiments, the vehicles include at least one retainer that engages a flexed panel and retains the panel in a defined position relative to another portion of the ride-on's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert L. Arendt, John L. Jones, Jr., Michael B. Zielinski
  • Patent number: 7530411
    Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles. The ride-on, or ride-on vehicle, includes a frame having a seat adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a biasing assembly that is connected to the frame and adapted to bias the seat away from the vehicle's driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed operation of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt J. Huntsberger, John L. Jones, Jr., William R. Howell, Karl D. Lerch, Brian L. Bienz
  • Patent number: 6994179
    Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle. The ride-on vehicle includes a frame adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on resembles a full-size motorcycle. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed travel of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a simulated shock absorber and/or a passenger sidecar. Finally, in some embodiments, the ride-on may include wheel assemblies that simulate inflatable wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt J. Huntsberger, John L. Jones, Jr., William R. Howell, Karl D. Lerch, Brian L. Bienz
  • Patent number: 6755265
    Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle. The ride-on vehicle includes a frame adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on resembles a full-size motorcycle. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed travel of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a simulated shock absorber and/or a passenger sidecar. Finally, in some embodiments, the ride-on may include wheel assemblies that simulate inflatable wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt J. Huntsberger, John L. Jones, Jr., William R. Howell, Karl D. Lerch, Brian L. Bienz
  • Patent number: 6508322
    Abstract: A battery retaining system for a children's ride-on vehicle. The system includes a retaining member that is selectively movable between a first or nominal position in which the retaining member blocks removal of a battery assembly from the body of the vehicle, and a second position in which the retaining member does not block removal of the battery assembly. The battery retaining system also includes a biasing member coupled to the retaining member and configured to urge the retaining member from the second position toward the first position. In some embodiments, the battery retaining system is further adapted to retain portions of the vehicle other than the battery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Dignitti, Gerald P. Sitarski, John L. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6408967
    Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle that resembles a riding lawnmower or tractor. The vehicle includes a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor, and a frame that is adapted to support a child. The ride-on further includes a bubble-producing mechanism adapted to produce a stream of bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt J. Huntsberger, John L. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6345676
    Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle that resembles a riding lawnmower or tractor. Th vehicle includes a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor, and a frame that is adapted to support a child. The ride-on further includes a bubble-producing mechanism adapted to produce a stream of bubbles, such as to simulate the stream of clippings discharged by a full-size mower or tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt J. Huntsberger, John L. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6179331
    Abstract: An engine model for use on a children's ride-on vehicle. The engine model includes a pivotal portion configured to pivot about a pivot axis, a vibration source connected to the pivotal portion to thereby vibrate the pivotal portion at an amplitude, and an adjustment mechanism for selectively controlling the amplitude. A dampening structure may be provided to dampen the vibration of the pivotal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Jones, Jr., William R. Howell
  • Patent number: 6120345
    Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle with a free-floating wheel is disclosed. The ride-on includes a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor, and a frame that is adapted to support a child and resemble a full-size motorcycle. The ride-on further includes a steerable wheel, plural driven wheels and a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary G. Lenihan, John L. Jones, Jr., Karl D. Lerch
  • Patent number: 6095268
    Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle is provided with a chassis formed at least in part of molded plastic, a seat mounted to the chassis and configured to accommodate a driver, and first and second driven wheels mounted to the chassis on opposite sides of the seat. The wheels are coaxially rotatable in a first plane and a second plane, wherein the wheel planes are substantially parallel to one another. A motive power source for the wheels, including a battery and two electric motors is mounted to the chassis and is operable to drive each wheel selectively in a forward direction or a reverse direction under control of a foot-pedal power/braking switch and two armrest-mounted joysticks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5931524
    Abstract: A ride-on vehicle for children having a chassis and a plurality of wheels rotatably connected to the chassis, the vehicle further comprising a simulated roll cage attached to the base, the roll cage configured to allow an upper portion of a seated child driver's body to extend above an upper boundary of the roll cage, and a door attached to the roll cage and rotatable about a horizontal axis, the door being configured to allow a driver to enter and exit the vehicle. The roll cage can include a plurality of molded plastic parts assembled in such a manner to resemble an integral framework of interconnected tubing. The door is held in a closed position by a friction fit between the door and the roll cage. The friction fit is disposed at a position above the horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: D410047
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Jones, Jr., Adam W. Callif
  • Patent number: D414221
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Jones, Jr., Adam W. Callif
  • Patent number: D415214
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Jones, Jr., Adam W. Callif
  • Patent number: D418546
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Jones, Jr., Adam W. Callif
  • Patent number: D426861
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Jones, Jr., William R. Howell