Patents by Inventor Michael L. Longenecker

Michael L. Longenecker 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).

  • Publication number: 20150054272
    Abstract: A buckle for a child safety seat comprising a body having an opening for receiving and selectively retaining in position a tang portion of a first belt portion connector, a loop element for connecting a second belt portion, the loop element engaging the tang portion to connect the first and second belt portions, the loop element comprising a base with a pair of legs extending therefrom and abutting at distal ends at a split surface. Each leg includes an anti-spread tab extending generally perpendicularly from the leg configured to engage the opening when the buckle is operably assembled to prevent separation of the split surface and retain the loop element engaged on the tang portion. The anti-separation tabs allow separation of the split surface as the tang is partially withdrawn from the opening so that the lop portion may be disengaged from the tang by movement generally transverse to the tang.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: MICHAEL L. LONGENECKER, JAMES M. DILLNER
  • Publication number: 20150035330
    Abstract: A travel seat locking system including a travel seat comprising a front seating surface, a back surface, left and right sides, and left and right stroller securing members respectively positioned on the left and right sides of the travel seat. A stroller is provided comprising a frame having at least one front leg, at least one rear leg, a passenger seating area, and a pair of left and right seat securing members connected to the frame for releasable engagement with a respective one of the left and right stroller securing members of the travel seat. At least one of the travel seat or stroller comprising an actuator to release the engagement between the left and right stroller securing members of the travel seat and the left and right seat securing members of the stroller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: ARTSANA USA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Bruce L. Williams
  • Patent number: 8915547
    Abstract: A multi-point locking system for a carseat including a base having an upper surface, a lower surface, front and rear ends, and left and right sides, the lower surface dimensioned to rest upon a vehicle seat and a seat having a seating surface and an exterior surface, the exterior surface removably engagable with the upper surface of the base. Four locking points removably engage the seat to the base comprising two spaced apart rear locking points positioned toward the rear end of the base and two spaced apart front locking points positioned toward the front end of the base. An actuator control releases the engagement between the seat and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Artsana USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Bruce L. Williams
  • Patent number: 8864166
    Abstract: A travel seat locking system including a seat comprising a front seating surface, an exterior back surface, left and right sides, and left and right retractable securing projections extending from the left and right sides. A stroller is provided comprising a frame having at least one front leg, at least one rear leg, and a passenger seating area. A pair of left and right seat securing members are connected to the frame and have a slot for releasable engagement with the left and right retractable securing projections of the seat. An actuator control is connected to the left and right seat securing members. Actuation of the actuator control withdraws the left and right retractable securing projections toward an interior of the seat to release the locking engagement between the left and right retractable securing projections of the seat and the left and right seat securing members of the stroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Artsana USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Bruce L. Williams
  • Patent number: 8544125
    Abstract: A playard having an easily and selectively attachable changing table platform including a saddle structure for resting upon upper perimeter frame members of the playard and secured from unintentional removal by a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism includes a connector that is secured to the playard upper perimeter frame members in a manner fixing the vertical separation of the connector and the frame member. The changing table includes a latching member moveable between catch and release positions that engages the connector as the changing table is moved into an operable position and prevents the changing table from being uplifted from the playard. The moveable latching member is biased toward the catch position. Movement toward the release position allows the changing table to be removed from the playard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Artsana USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff G. Greger, Michael L. Longenecker
  • Patent number: 8393679
    Abstract: A system for locking together the base and passenger seat of a multi-part carseat. The system includes a base and a passenger seat. The base has an upper surface that receives a passenger seat, front and rear ends, opposed sides extending between the ends, and two spaced apart locking points positioned toward the rear end of the base and two spaced apart locking points positioned toward the front end of the base. The passenger seat is dimensioned to be received by the upper surface of the base and includes four locking elements that are respectively positioned and configured for releasable engagement with a respective one of the four locking points of the base. An actuator releases the locking engagement between the locking elements of the seat and the locking points of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Artsana USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Bruce L. Williams
  • Patent number: 8382127
    Abstract: A stroller having an articulated frame with at least one front leg, at least one rear leg, and a reclinable seatback support. An adjustment member is fixed to the frame and defines a plurality of detents that correspond to selectable recline positions for the reclinable seatback support. A locking member is movably attached to the reclinable seatback support and removably engages one of the plurality of detents. An actuator handle is connected to the locking member and is movably mounted on a handle guide that is fixed to the seatback support. The actuator handle is slidable along the handle guide to a first position to move the locking member away from one of the plurality of detents and slidable along the handle guide to a second position to move the locking member into engagement with one of the plurality of detents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Artsana USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Jeff G. Greger
  • Publication number: 20120235103
    Abstract: A playard having an easily and selectively attachable changing table platform including a saddle structure for resting upon upper perimeter frame members of the playard and secured from unintentional removal by a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism includes a connector that is secured to the playard upper perimeter frame members in a manner fixing the vertical separation of the connector and the frame member. The changing table includes a latching member moveable between catch and release positions that engages the connector as the changing table is moved into an operable position and prevents the changing table from being uplifted from the playard. The moveable latching member is biased toward the catch position. Movement toward the release position allows the changing table to be removed from the playard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: JEFF G. GREGER, Michael L. Longenecker
  • Publication number: 20120233770
    Abstract: An improved bassinet frame for an infant playard comprising a plurality of structural members configured to nest within a playard top frame top and rest upon supports on corner members of the playard frame. The bassinet frame includes a pair of spaced-apart, parallel side members connected by a pair of perpendicularly aligned uplift preventing end members. The bassinet frame end members extend beneath playard frame end members when the bassinet frame is deployed for use such that the playard end frame members inhibit uplift of the bassinet frame. The side members each further include a joint positioned approximately midway along the respective lengths allowing the bassinet frame to be folded along an axis parallel to its width. Folding the bassinet frame retracts the end members from beneath the playard end frame members and allows the bassinet frame to be removed from the playard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: JEFF G. GREGER, MICHAEL L. LONGENECKER
  • Patent number: 8262124
    Abstract: An actuating system for a foldable stroller including a foldable stroller frame having left and right front legs and left and right rear legs and a wheel mounted to each leg. The frame includes an operator handle having left and right support rails extending therefrom and connected to the left and right rear legs. At least one locking member is movably connected to at least one the support rails and biased toward a locking position to secure the connection between the left and right support rails and the left and right rear legs. A support member having an actuator connected thereto is connected between the left and right support rails. The actuator is coupled to the at least one locking member. An operator tray is removably connected to the support member and includes at least one recess formed therein for receiving at least a portion of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Artsana USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Bruce L. Williams
  • Patent number: 8186705
    Abstract: A stroller having a frame with front and rear portions and right and left sides. A seat having a seat base and a seat back is mounted to the front portion of the frame. The seat back is rotatable relative to the frame between a back support position and a travel seat support position where the seat back is substantially parallel to and above the seat base when the stroller is in an operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Artsana USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff G. Greger, Michael L. Longenecker
  • Publication number: 20120119472
    Abstract: A stroller having an articulated frame with at least one front leg, at least one rear leg, and a reclinable seatback support. An adjustment member is fixed to the frame and defines a plurality of detents that correspond to selectable recline positions for the reclinable seatback support. A locking member is movably attached to the reclinable seatback support and removably engages one of the plurality of detents. An actuator handle is connected to the locking member and is movably mounted on a handle guide that is fixed to the seatback support. The actuator handle is slidable along the handle guide to a first position to move the locking member away from one of the plurality of detents and slidable along the handle guide to a second position to move the locking member into engagement with one of the plurality of detents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: ARTSANA USA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Jeff G. Greger
  • Publication number: 20120056452
    Abstract: A system for locking together the base and passenger seat of a multi-part carseat. The system includes a base and a passenger seat. The base has upper surface that receives a passenger seat, a center line defining front and rear ends, opposed sides extending between the ends, and two spaced apart locking points positioned rearwardly of the center line and two spaced apart locking points positioned forward of the centerline. The passenger seat is dimensioned to be received by the upper surface of the base and includes four locking elements that are respectively positioned and configured for releasable engagement with a respective one of the four locking points of the base. An actuator releases the locking engagement between the locking elements of the seat and the locking points of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: ARTSANA USA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Bruce L. Williams
  • Patent number: 8100429
    Abstract: A three-dimensional folding stroller featuring movable infant carrier mounts for securing an infant carrier to the stroller. The infant carrier mounts move between a first position, where the infant carrier may be secured to the stroller, and a second position that facilitates folding. The stroller also features a reclinable seatback support that is operable by one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Artsana USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Jeff G. Greger
  • Patent number: 8056975
    Abstract: A restraint system for a travel seat which includes a frame dimensioned to rest upon a vehicle seat. The frame defines front and rear portions and a center line. An adjustment assembly is coupled to the frame and positioned at a selected one of the front and rear portions of the frame. A strap assembly is connected to the adjustment assembly. The strap assembly has first and second points removably securable to a vehicle anchor and a third point movably secured within the adjustment assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Artsana USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Bruce L. Williams
  • Patent number: 7686322
    Abstract: A foldable stroller which includes a frame having a front leg and right and left rear legs, right and left support rails movably coupled to a respective one of the right and left rear legs, an operator handle extending between the support rails. A locking assembly is secured to at least one of the support rails and biased toward a locking position that fixes the engagement between the support rails and the rear legs. The stroller includes a one hand folding mechanism that can be movably secured to an operator tray. The foldable stroller also includes a reclinable back having a plurality of recline positions that retains the last adjustment position when the stroller is moved between a folded and unfolded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Chicco USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Bruce L. Williams
  • Publication number: 20100019557
    Abstract: A restraint system for a child travel seat which includes a frame dimensioned to rest upon a vehicle seat. The frame defines front and rear portions and a center line. An adjustment assembly is coupled to the frame and positioned at a selected one of the front and rear portions of the frame. A strap assembly is connected to the adjustment assembly. The strap assembly has first and second points removably securable to a vehicle anchor and a third point movably secured within the adjustment assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: CHICCO USA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Bruce L. Williams
  • Patent number: D636300
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Artsana USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff G. Greger, Michael L. Longenecker
  • Patent number: D651140
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Artsana USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff G. Greger, Michael L. Longenecker
  • Patent number: D666848
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Artsana USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Jeff G. Greger