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: 6817665Abstract: In order to facilitate child seat installment in a vehicle and to improve performance of a child seat during front impact vehicular collisions, a seat arrangement is provided that includes a seat base into which the child seat can be detachably connected and a load leg pivotally mounted at one end of the base. The load leg is provided with a telescopic length adjustment, which allows the length of the load leg to be adjusted and then to be securely locked at a selected length. The top end of the load leg is provided with a fold latch arrangement which automatically engages when the load leg is rotated from a stored position to an operative one. This arrangement has a push-button type release feature to facilitate easy folding. Alligator clamp-like members (one on either side of the seat base) are provided at the other end of the base to clamp the seat belt, which is used to secure the base to a vehicle seat cushion, and to prevent the belt from slipping in its axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Jonathan M. Pacella, Michael L. Longenecker, Jason A. Carpenter
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Publication number: 20040207235Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2003Publication date: October 21, 2004Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Myles T. Christensen, Michael L. Longenecker, George Campbell
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Publication number: 20040198512Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2003Publication date: October 7, 2004Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Ransil, Michael L. Longenecker, Paul B. Nelson
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Publication number: 20040198511Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2003Publication date: October 7, 2004Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Jeff G. Greger, Michael L. Longenecker, Paul B. Nelson
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Publication number: 20040102252Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2002Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Dennis R. Stauffer
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Publication number: 20030221294Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Applicant: 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: 6645080Abstract: A child swing includes a frame, a seat including a seat back, and at least one hanger arm that connects the seat to the frame. The seat back of the swing seat is positionable in a first in-use position, in a second in-use position in which the seat back is adjusted rearward relative to its first in-use position, and in a fold position in which the seat back is adjusted forward relative to its first in-use position. The frame may be movable between an in-use position and a fold position. In this regard, the seat back may be positionable in its first and second in-use positions while the frame is in its in-use position, and the seat back may be positionable in its fold position while the frame in is its fold position.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Jeff G. Greger, Michael L. Longenecker
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Patent number: 6543070Abstract: A playard includes a changing table. The changing table includes two arm assemblies and first and second rails connected therebetween. Each arm assembly has a pivot arm and a folding arm pivotally attached to the pivot arm. The pivot arms are attachable to upper side rail members of the playard. The pivot arms are connected to the first rail and the folding arms are connected to the second rail. The folding arms are pivotal about the pivot arms so that the changing table is movable between an open position in which the second rail is positioned away from the first rail and a closed position in which the second rail is positioned adjacent to the first rail.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Jason D. Covill
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Publication number: 20030061657Abstract: A playard including a frame and a hub. The frame includes first and second legs configured to move between a stowed position and a deployed position. The hub includes a hub body, at least one locking arm operably coupled to the hub body, and a user interface. Each locking arm includes a socket and is configured to releasably couple to a leg when in the deployed position. An end of the leg extends through a passage in the hub body so that an outer surface of the end of the leg is captured within the socket. The legs are coupled to the hub body by a ring that is captured by at least one retention member in a snap fit engagement. The user interface is configured to release the locking arms and includes a strap with a pleat to prohibit the strap from passing through the aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2001Publication date: April 3, 2003Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Jason D. Covill
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Publication number: 20030061658Abstract: A latch arrangement for a foldable playard has a top rail comprised of first and second tubular members, a bracket to which the first and second tubular members are pivotally supported, and a latch mechanism operatively interconnecting opposed ends of the first and second tubular members. The latch mechanism includes first and second pivotal pawls. which are pivotally supported on the bracket. The pawls can have cam followers that extend inwardly toward each other, as well as engagement end portions which engage end portions of the first and second tubular members. The latch mechanism also includes a cam supported on the bracket so as to be displaceable in a direction essentially parallel with axes about which the pawls pivot. The latch mechanism further includes a spring biasing the pawls in contra-rotating directions to cause the cam followers to engage the cam. In such a latch, a button can be formed integral with the cam, and a layer of fabric can overlay the bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2001Publication date: April 3, 2003Inventor: Michael L. Longenecker
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Publication number: 20030020308Abstract: In order to facilitate child seat installment in a vehicle and to improve performance of a child seat during front impact vehicular collisions, a seat arrangement is provided that includes a seat base into which the child seat can be detachably connected and a load leg pivotally mounted at one end of the base. The load leg is provided with a telescopic length adjustment, which allows the length of the load leg to be adjusted and then to be securely locked at a selected length. The top end of the load leg is provided with a fold latch arrangement which automatically engages when the load leg is rotated from a stored position to an operative one. This arrangement has a push-button type release feature to facilitate easy folding. Alligator clamp-like members (one on either side of the seat base) are provided at the other end of the base to clamp the seat belt, which is used to secure the base to a vehicle seat cushion, and to prevent the belt from slipping in its axial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2002Publication date: January 30, 2003Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Jonathan M. Pacella, Michael L. Longenecker, Jason A. Carpenter
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Patent number: 6510570Abstract: A playard includes a leg, a flexible side panel, and a corner panel. The flexible side panel hugs against the leg so that the flexible side panel forms first and second side panel portions extending at an angle relative to each other about the leg to form a corner of the playard. The corner panel attaches to the inner sides of the angled first and second side panel portions. The corner panel is spaced from and covers the leg. In one embodiment, the corner panel comprises a flexible sheet stretched between the angled first and second side panel portions. In addition, the corner panel and portions of the first and side panel portions can form a corner pocket that hides the leg therein. The legs can be straight or bowed inwardly or bowed outwardly.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2001Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Curtis M. Hartenstine, Michael L. Longenecker
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Publication number: 20020166170Abstract: A playard includes a leg, a flexible side panel, and a corner panel. The flexible side panel hugs against the leg so that the flexible side panel forms first and second side panel portions extending at an angle relative to each other about the leg to form a corner of the playard. The corner panel attaches to the inner sides of the angled first and second side panel portions. The corner panel is spaced from and covers the leg. In one embodiment, the corner panel comprises a flexible sheet stretched between the angled first and second side panel portions. In addition, the corner panel and portions of the first and side panel portions can form a corner pocket that hides the leg therein. The legs can be straight or bowed inwardly or bowed outwardly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2001Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventors: Curtis M. Hartenstine, Michael L. Longenecker
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Publication number: 20020166169Abstract: A playard includes a changing table. The changing table includes two arm assemblies and first and second rails connected therebetween. Each arm assembly has a pivot arm and a folding arm pivotally attached to the pivot arm. The pivot arms are attachable to upper side rail members of the playard. The pivot arms are connected to the first rail and the folding arms are connected to the second rail. The folding arms are pivotal about the pivot arms so that the changing table is movable between an open position in which the second rail is positioned away from the first rail and a closed position in which the second rail is positioned adjacent to the first rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2001Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Jason D. Covill
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Patent number: D460679Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2001Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventor: Michael L. Longenecker
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Patent number: D461645Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Curtis M. Hartenstine, Michael L. Longenecker
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Patent number: D462532Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2001Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Curtis M. Hartenstine, Michael L. Longenecker
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Patent number: D464220Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Curtis M. Hartenstine, Michael L. Longenecker
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Patent number: D467758Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Curtis M. Hartenstine, Michael L. Longenecker
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Patent number: D490993Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2003Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Jeff G. Greger, Baku Kakuda