Patents by Inventor Robert J. Sonner

Robert J. Sonner 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: 7918710
    Abstract: A rotatable entertainment device includes a mobile arm rotatably coupled to the entertainment device, and a motion translation device coupled to the entertainment device and the mobile arm to convert an oscillatory motion of the entertainment device into a rotational motion of the mobile arm. The entertainment device is mountable to an oscillating device (e.g., a swing) that conveys the oscillatory motion from the oscillating device to the entertainment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Bapst, Maarten Van Huystee, John F. Rhein, Robert J. Sonner
  • Patent number: 7247078
    Abstract: A rotatable entertainment device includes a mobile arm rotatably coupled to the entertainment device, and a motion translation device coupled to the entertainment device and the mobile arm to convert an oscillatory motion of the entertainment device into a rotational motion of the mobile arm. The entertainment device is mountable to an oscillating device (e.g., a swing) that conveys the oscillatory motion from the oscillating device to the entertainment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Bapst, Maarten Van Huystee, John F. Rhein, Robert J. Sonner
  • Patent number: 7037171
    Abstract: An entertainment device for use with at least one toy block is provided, wherein the entertainment device comprises a housing including a block support surface for the at least one toy block. The at least one toy block includes at least first and second planar surfaces adapted to contact the block support surface. The entertainment devices includes a block reorientation mechanism attached to the housing, the block reorientation mechanism being capable of (1) moving the block off of the block support surface from a first position in which the first surface of the block is in contact with the block support surface and (2) reorienting the block to a second position in which the second surface of the block is in contact with the block support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley M. Clark, Robert J. Sonner
  • Patent number: 6887161
    Abstract: An infant swing that may be used to pacify and/or entertain an infant is disclosed. In one embodiment, the swing includes a collapsible seat frame and a collapsible base frame. In another embodiment, the swing includes curved hanger arms that support a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Curt J. Mahlstedt, Robert J. Sonner
  • Publication number: 20040198516
    Abstract: An infant swing that may be used to pacify and/or entertain an infant is disclosed. In one embodiment, the swing includes a collapsible seat frame and a collapsible base frame. In another embodiment, the swing includes curved hanger arms that support a seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Curt J. Mahlstedt, Robert J. Sonner
  • Patent number: 6702685
    Abstract: An infant swing that may be used to pacify and/or entertain an infant is disclosed. In one embodiment, the swing includes a collapsible seat frame and a collapsible base frame. In another embodiment, the swing includes curved hanger arms that support a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Curt J. Mahlstedt, Robert J Sonner
  • Patent number: 6616237
    Abstract: A connector for securing two portions of a frame is disclosed. The connector is well suited for providing a low cost and reliable connection between first and second portions of a body support structure. In the preferred embodiment, the connector is used to secure the ground-engaging leg portions of a child's bouncer seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Sonner, Brian S. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20030034685
    Abstract: A connector for securing two portions of a frame is disclosed. The connector is well suited for providing a low cost and reliable connection between first and second portions of a body support structure. In the preferred embodiment, the connector is used to secure the ground-engaging leg portions of a child's bouncer seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Sonner, Brian S. Kelly
  • Patent number: 6386986
    Abstract: A child swing provides a child support that is supportable by a support frame. The child swing may be configured between a stowed and deployed configuration by providing a collapsible child support and a folding support frame. The collapsible child support may include collapsible hangers and a collapsible child receptacle. Frame members of the frame can be connected by hinges which allow a user to conveniently fold the frame into a compact position such that the folded frame may then be placed in the child support. The child support may be driven by an electric motor mounted to the support frame. A periodic motion output from the electric motor may be transferred to swinging motion of the child support by connecting a hanger arm to a post of the support frame which is coupled to the electric motor. In the preferred embodiment, a releasable latch is used to retain the hanger arm to the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Sonner, Chinawut P. Paesang