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).
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Patent number: 7617550Abstract: A playard is movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement. The playard includes a plurality of legs, a plurality of pivot joints connected to the plurality of legs, and a plurality of slider joints engaging the plurality of legs. A plurality of cross members are arranged in pairs extending between the legs, and at least one latch mechanism is operable in a latched condition to maintain a predetermined gap along a leg between one of the slider joints and one of the pivot joints to prevent movement of the playard toward the folded arrangement. A plurality of top rail segments extend between the legs to define an upper periphery of the playard.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2008Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Gehr, Michael L. Longenecker, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Joshua E. Clapper
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Patent number: 7597396Abstract: An infant travel system which include an infant travel seat that is adapted to be mounted to a stationary or mobile base. The base includes a restraint system for securing the base to a vehicle seat and a leveling system for positioning the base. The travel seat includes an adjustable carrying handle assembly having a locking mechanism adapted to engage the seat in a variety of positions. A multi-point locking system is used to secure the infant travel seat to the complimentary base.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2005Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Chicco USA, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Bruce L. Williams
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THREE DIMENSIONAL FOLDING STROLLER WITH INFANT CARRIER ATTACHMENT AND ONE HAND ACTUATED SEAT RECLINE
Publication number: 20090243260Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: CHICCO USA, INC.Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Jeff G. Greger -
Patent number: 7568243Abstract: A playard includes a frame structure movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement. The frame structure includes a plurality of pivot joints arranged in an upper set and a lower set, each pivot joint in the upper set being positioned over a corresponding pivot joint in the lower set, and a plurality of cross members connected at respective slants to the upper and lower sets of pivot joints. The playard further includes a plurality of top rails, each top rail being attached to adjacent pivot joints in the upper set. The frame structure lacks legs to support the upper set of pivot joints at an elevation above the lower set of pivot joints. The elevation decreases as the respective slants of the cross members change to move the frame structure from the folded arrangement to the open arrangement until the top rails are under tension.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2008Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Gehr, Michael L. Longenecker, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Joshua E. Clapper, Jonathan M. Pacella
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Publication number: 20090127828Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2008Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: Chicco USA, INC.Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Bruce L. Williams
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Publication number: 20090019637Abstract: A playard is movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement. The playard includes a plurality of legs, a plurality of pivot joints connected to the plurality of legs, and a plurality of slider joints engaging the plurality of legs. A plurality of cross members are arranged in pairs extending between the legs, and at least one latch mechanism is operable in a latched condition to maintain a predetermined gap along a leg between one of the slider joints and one of the pivot joints to prevent movement of the playard toward the folded arrangement. A plurality of top rail segments extend between the legs to define an upper periphery of the playard.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Gehr, Michael L. Longenecker, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Joshua E. Clapper
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Publication number: 20080289103Abstract: A playard includes a frame structure movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement. The frame structure includes a plurality of pivot joints arranged in an upper set and a lower set, each pivot joint in the upper set being positioned over a corresponding pivot joint in the lower set, and a plurality of cross members connected at respective slants to the upper and lower sets of pivot joints. The playard further includes a plurality of top rails, each top rail being attached to adjacent pivot joints in the upper set. The frame structure lacks legs to support the upper set of pivot joints at an elevation above the lower set of pivot joints. The elevation decreases as the respective slants of the cross members change to move the frame structure from the folded arrangement to the open arrangement until the top rails are under tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2008Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Gehr, Michael L. Longenecker, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Joshua E. Clapper, Jonathan M. Pacella
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Patent number: 7418746Abstract: A collapsible frame structure for a playard. The collapsible frame structure includes a plurality of legs, and a plurality of cross members arranged so that at least one cross member extends between, and is pivotally connected to, respective adjacent legs to form a side of the playard. The frame structure also includes a plurality of slider joints, each slider joint slidingly engaging a respective one of the legs, and a plurality of pivot joints, each pivot joint on a respective one of the legs. The frame structure also includes at least one latch mechanism configured to selectively engage at least one of the slider joints with its respective leg, wherein each cross member is mounted to the respective adjacent legs by the slider joint on a first of the respective adjacent legs and by the pivot joint on a second of the respective adjacent legs.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Gehr, Michael L. Longenecker, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Joshua E. Clapper, Jonathan M. Pacella
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Patent number: 7419210Abstract: A high chair features various modes of adjustability and enhanced utility. The height of the chair can be adjusted using a single hand that engages a rear handle. The height of a seat platform of the chair can be adjusted separately relative to the tray. The tray itself is ergonomically designed for the benefit of the caregiver. A removable tray liner facilitates after-meal clean-up. Wheels on the underside of the tray ease fore/aft adjustment. A pivoting back rest of the chair minimizes rearward shift of the center of gravity of the occupied chair, thus requiring a smaller chair footprint. Further, an accessory bar pivoted to a seat back portion of the chair provides readily accessible entertainment.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2006Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Patrick Nolan, James Murray Forbes Hutchinson, Michael L. Longenecker, Myles Christensen
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Patent number: 7401367Abstract: A collapsible frame structure, movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement, includes a plurality of legs, a plurality of cross members arranged in pairs, a plurality of slider joints and pivot joints, and at least one latch mechanism. Each pair of cross members is located between respective adjacent legs to form sides of the collapsible frame structure that define an interior of the collapsible frame structure. Each slider joint slidingly engages a respective one of the legs and pivotably attaches to two adjacent cross members. Each pivot joint is at a respective one of the legs to pivotably attach two adjacent cross members. The latch mechanism, which is mounted to another frame component of the collapsible frame structure, remains so mounted in both the open arrangement and the folded arrangement. Nonadjacent legs and nonadjacent sides of the collapsible frame structure remain unconnected across an interior of the collapsible frame structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Gehr, Michael L. Longenecker, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Joshua E. Clapper
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Patent number: 7081052Abstract: A child swing includes a swing frame and at least one swing handle rotationally coupled to the swing frame such that the swing handle may rotate about a handle rotational axis between at least two positions. The number of swing handles may be two, where each of the swing handles has a hand grip portion. The at least two positions may include a first position and a second position, the first position being substantially rotated about 180° relative to the second position. The swing frame may include first and second legs, each of the first and second legs including a length adjustment mechanism that allows the respective leg to be adjustable in length.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2004Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Jeff G. Greger, Alexander R. Therrien, Michael L. Longenecker, Baku Kakuda, Matthew J. Ransil
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Patent number: 7052403Abstract: A child swing comprises a frame including first and second rear legs and first and second housings. First and second fold mechanisms pivotally connect the first and second rear legs to the first and second housings, respectively. The fold mechanisms each include a socket member to receive an upper end of the respective leg. The socket member is pivotally mounted to the respective housing to guide pivoting movement of the respective leg relative to the respective housing. The fold mechanisms each can further include a release lever pivotally mounted to the socket member, and a locking pin connected to the release lever for engagement with the respective housing to facilitation positioning of the respective leg in an in-use position and in a folded position.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Ransil, Michael L. Longenecker, Paul B. Nelson
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Patent number: 6948219Abstract: A latch system for attaching a child seat to an anchorage of a vehicle seat includes a first latch device connected to a first end of a length of webbing, an adjuster connected to a second end of the length of webbing, and a second latch device. The adjuster has a plate member extending from one end, and the plate member has a connection opening formed therein. The second latch device includes a main member having a hook formed at a first end and a connection aperture at a second end that is distal from the first end. A portion of the second end of the main member passes through the connection opening, and a portion of the plate member passes through the connection aperture.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Baku Kakuda, Douglas R. Bodmann, James M. F. Hutchinson, Michael L. Longenecker, Joshua O. Mullen
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Patent number: 6902489Abstract: A seat recline mechanism for a child swing includes at least one latch, positioned on a side of a seat back of the swing, and first and second latch-receiving members, positioned on a hanger arm of the swing. The latch is configured to engage the first latch-receiving member to position the seat back in a first in-use position, and the latch is configured to engage the second latch-receiving member to position the seat back in a second in-use position in which the seat back is adjusted rearward relative to the first in-use position.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2003Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Jeff G. Greger, Michael L. Longenecker, Paul B. Nelson
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Patent number: 6896624Abstract: A child swing includes a swing frame and a swing handle rotationally coupled to the swing frame such that the swing handle may rotate about a handle rotational axis between at least two positions. The swing may further include a swing seat and at least one hanger arm rotationally coupled to the swing frame and supporting the swing seat. The at least two positions may include a lift position wherein a central portion of the swing handle is arranged above the rotational axis, an open access position wherein a central portion of the swing handle is arranged rearward of the rotational axis, an entertain position wherein a central portion of the swing handle is arranged forward of the rotational axis, and a storage position wherein a central portion of the swing handle is arranged forward and below the rotational axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Dennis R. Stauffer
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Patent number: 6877802Abstract: A foldable infant seat includes a base, configured to support the seat on a surface, and an upper frame. Each side of the base includes a first frame member and a second frame member pivotally connected together. Each side of the upper frame includes a third frame member and a fourth frame member pivotally connected together. The first frame member of the base and the third frame member of the upper frame on each side of the seat are pivotally connected together. The infant seat also includes a link on each side of the seat that is pivotally connected to the base and to an intermediate portion of the upper frame. The base, the upper frame, and the link are moveable between an in use position and a folded position, and a length of the base is greater in the in use position than in the folded position.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Myles T. Christensen, Michael L. Longenecker, George Campbell
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Patent number: 6865756Abstract: A collapsible frame structure for a playard. The collapsible frame structure includes a plurality of legs, and a plurality of cross members arranged so that at least one cross member extends between, and is pivotally connected to, respective adjacent legs to form a side of the playard. The frame structure also includes a plurality of slider joints, each slider joint slidingly engaging a respective one of the legs, and a plurality of pivot joints, each pivot joint on a respective one of the legs. The frame structure also includes at least one latch mechanism configured to selectively engage at least one of the slider joints with its respective leg, wherein each cross member is mounted to the respective adjacent legs by the slider joint on a first of the respective adjacent legs and by the pivot joint on a second of the respective adjacent legs.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2003Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Michael L. Longenecker, Arthur L. Gehr
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Publication number: 20040237191Abstract: A collapsible frame structure for a playard. The collapsible frame structure includes a plurality of legs, and a plurality of cross members arranged so that at least one cross member extends between, and is pivotally connected to, respective adjacent legs to form a side of the playard. The frame structure also includes a plurality of slider joints, each slider joint slidingly engaging a respective one of the legs, and a plurality of pivot joints, each pivot joint on a respective one of the legs. The frame structure also includes at least one latch mechanism configured to selectively engage at least one of the slider joints with its respective leg, wherein each cross member is mounted to the respective adjacent legs by the slider joint on a first of the respective adjacent legs and by the pivot joint on a second of the respective adjacent legs.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2003Publication date: December 2, 2004Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Michael L. Longenecker, Arthur L. Gehr
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Patent number: D503055Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Jeff G. Greger
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Patent number: D504791Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2003Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Jeff G. Greger