Patents Assigned to Fisher-Price, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6857966
    Abstract: The present invention provides an infant swing frame having a base, and first and second support posts. Each of the support posts is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the base, and each of the support posts has a second end. A cross member is coupled between the support posts. The support posts and the base are reconfigurable between a first position in which the support posts are angularly spaced from the base and a second position in which the support posts are adjacent the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Armbruster, John S. Canna, Michael T. Kane, Robert Sonner
  • Patent number: 6851745
    Abstract: The infant product of the invention is of the type having an infant receptacle suspended from a frame. The infant product is foldable between a deployed position for use and a compact configuration for shipping and storage. In the assembled configuration, the infant receptacle is convertible between a bassinet configuration in which the infant receptacle has a substantially planar support surface and an infant seat configuration in which the support surface of the infant receptacle is partially titled or disposed at an angle such that the infant can be supported in an elevated or seated position. The infant product may include a fabric canopy incorporating floating webs and a quick connect system for securing the canopy in an open position. When the canopy is closed, it is folded so as to lie flat against the infant receptacle. The infant receptacle may also include a lateral support assembly to cradle the infant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventors: Julia Favorita nee Wilkins, John S. Canna, Sandra M. Darling, Kenneth Von Felten, Brian L. Badger
  • Patent number: 6824472
    Abstract: The present invention provides an infant swing frame having a base, and first and second support posts. Each of the support posts is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the base, and each of the support posts has a second end. A cross member is coupled between the support posts. The support posts and the base are reconfigurable between a first position in which the support posts are angularly spaced from the base and a second position in which the support posts are adjacent the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Armbruster, John S. Canna, Michael T. Kane, Robert Sonner
  • Publication number: 20030057744
    Abstract: The infant product of the invention is of the type having an infant receptacle suspended from a frame. The infant product is foldable between a deployed position for use and a compact configuration for shipping and storage. In the assembled configuration, the infant receptacle is convertible between a bassinet configuration in which the infant receptacle has a substantially planar support surface and an infant seat configuration in which the support surface of the infant receptacle is partially titled or disposed at an angle such that the infant can be supported in an elevated or seated position. The infant product may include a fabric canopy incorporating floating webs and a quick connect system for securing the canopy in an open position. When the canopy is closed, it is folded so as to lie flat against the infant receptacle. The infant receptacle may also include a lateral support assembly to cradle the infant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventors: Julia Wilkins, John S. Canna, Sandra M. Darling, Kenneth Von Felten
  • Patent number: 6461218
    Abstract: A motorized snake includes a chassis having a front end and a rear end with at least one ground contacting drive wheel. A neck is pivotally coupled with the front edge of the chassis to pivot forward and back. A head portion, which includes eyes and an extending tongue, is pivotally connected to the front portion of the neck. A multi-section tail including a trailer and at least one follower is coupled with the rear end of the chassis. The trailer has at least one ground contacting wheel and is coupled with the rear end of the chassis to pivot side to side on the rear end of the chassis. The one or more followers are coupled with the rear end of the trailer in a chain to pivot side to side on the rear end of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean T. Mullaney, Michael G. Hoeting, Frederick B. Robjent
  • Patent number: 6390555
    Abstract: The infant product of the invention is of the type having an infant receptacle suspended from a frame. The infant product is foldable between a deployed position for use and a compact configuration for shipping and storage. In the assembled configuration, the infant receptacle is convertible between a bassinet configuration in which the infant receptacle has a substantially planar support surface and an infant seat configuration in which the support surface of the infant receptacle is partially titled or disposed at an angle such that the infant can be supported in an elevated or seated position. The infant product may include a fabric canopy incorporating floating webs and a quick connect system for securing the canopy in an open position. When the canopy is closed, it is folded so as to lie flat against the infant receptacle. The infant receptacle may also include a lateral support assembly to cradle the infant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventors: Julia Wilkins, John S. Canna, Sandra M. Darling, Kenneth Von Felten
  • Patent number: 6319087
    Abstract: A combination including a toy and a removable element inserted therein includes the toy having a generator and an actuator therewith. The actuator enables the generator to generate a sound or movement. An improvement of this combination includes the removable element being operably connected to the generator such that the removable element enables the generator to generate a first volume of the sound and removal of the removable element enables the sound generator to generate a second volume of the sound which is different from the first volume of the sound. Instead of or in addition to the removal of the removable element enabling the toy to generate a different volume of the sound, the removal of the removable element can enable the toy to emit a second duration of sound different from a first duration of sound and/or produce a second duration of a movement different from a first duration of a movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Ferrigno
  • Publication number: 20010015569
    Abstract: The infant product of the invention is of the type having an infant receptacle suspended from a frame. The infant product is foldable between a deployed position for use and a compact configuration for shipping and storage. In the assembled configuration, the infant receptacle is convertible between a bassinet configuration in which the infant receptacle has a substantially planar support surface and an infant seat configuration in which the support surface of the infant receptacle is partially titled or disposed at an angle such that the infant can be supported in an elevated or seated position. The infant product may include a fabric canopy incorporating floating webs and a quick connect system for securing the canopy in an open position. When the canopy is closed, it is folded so as to lie flat against the infant receptacle. The infant receptacle may also include a lateral support assembly to cradle the infant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventors: Julia Wilkins, John S. Canna, Sandra M. Darling, Kenneth Von Felten
  • Patent number: 6257659
    Abstract: The infant product of the invention is of the type having an infant receptacle suspended from a frame. The infant product is foldable between a deployed position for use and a compact configuration for shipping and storage. In the assembled configuration, the infant receptacle is convertible between a bassinet configuration in which the infant receptacle has a substantially planar support surface and an infant seat configuration in which the support surface of the infant receptacle is partially titled or disposed at an angle such that the infant can be supported in an elevated or seated position. The infant product may include a fabric canopy incorporating floating webs and a quick connect system for securing the canopy in an open position. When the canopy is closed, it is folded so as to lie flat against the infant receptacle. The infant receptacle may also include a lateral support assembly to cradle the infant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventors: Julia Wilkins, John S. Canna, Sandra M. Darling, Kenneth Von Felten
  • Patent number: 6155638
    Abstract: A child restraint seat is shown having a system for tightening the safety harness belt that includes an adjuster plate with the adjuster plate being slidably mounted on a guide track on the back side of the restraint seat. The adjuster plate includes a belt tensioning portion that contacts the safety harness belt at various positions between two opposite fixed ends of the safety harness belt. Movement of the adjuster plate along the guide track on the back side of the restraint seat causes the belt tensioning portion of the adjuster plate to change the slack length of the safety belt by an amount approximately equal to two times the distance which the adjuster plate is moved along the guide track. A pawl is part of the adjuster plate assembly and is biased into contact with teeth on the guide track to hold the adjuster plate in a predetermined position along the guide track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Bapst
  • Patent number: 6031662
    Abstract: A dual purpose optical device that is convertible between binocular and stereoscope modes of operation while using a common eyepiece arrangement for both. The device includes a housing containing a pair of optic supports mounted side-by-side for lateral movement towards and away from one another. Each support preferably carries three lenses. Two lenses on each support serve as the eyepiece and are aligned in a common plane with an eyepiece opening through the housing and a rotatable mirror assembly. The assembly pivots substantially ninety degrees from opposing forty-five degree angle positions with respect to the plane through the eyepiece opening and the eye and field lenses so as to fold the lines of sight either up or down within the housing. A circular photo transparency reel is received horizontally in a slot provided on an upper side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Fisher - Price, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Miller, Peter F. Reile, Stephen D. Fantone
  • Patent number: 5974636
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for securely and releasably attaching load-bearing soft goods to a frame without requiring the use of tools for attachment and detachment is disclosed. A connection mechanism, or buckle, that is comprised of a first, male connector portion and a second, female connector portion is provided. The male connector, which is fixedly secured to the soft good, is releasably received within the female connector, which is fixedly secured to the frame, in order to releasably attach the soft good to the frame. The male connector contains a thin, rectangular attachment tab that provides for fixedly attaching the soft good to the male connector. The female connector is directly secured to the frame, such as by riveting. By fixedly securing one portion of the connection mechanism to the frame for mating with another portion, it is obvious to the user where the attachments of the soft good to the frame are to be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Brown, John S. Canna, Curt J. Mahlstedt
  • Patent number: 5957531
    Abstract: A child restraining apparatus for mounting in a passenger seat of a vehicle is provided. In one embodiment, the child restraining apparatus has an improved vehicle seat belt pathway to accommodate vehicles having particularly forward or high seat belt anchor positions. The child restraining apparatus can also include easily identifiable seat belt pathways corresponding to the seat's forward seat-facing and rear seat-facing orientations and an adjustable harness with easily identifiable harness placements corresponding to the seat's forward facing and rearward facing orientations. In the forward facing orientation, the improved vehicle seat belt pathway generally provides an entry point for a vehicle seat that is disposed forward of, and above, the seating surface of the child car seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Fisher Price Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Kane, Peter J. Kelch
  • Patent number: 5937461
    Abstract: A reconfigurable support for an infant includes a main body and two reconfigurable restraints or support members mounted to opposite ends of the main body. The infant support can be used to securely position an infant that is either lying prone on a flat surface or that is seated in a child's seat, such as a car seat.The first configurable support member is formed as a cylindrical cushion and contains a bendable element that can be configured into a variety of shapes. The first support member retains the shape into which it is configured and thus can be configured and positioned to securely position an infant.A second reconfigurable support member is provided at the opposite end of the main body. The second member is integrally formed with the main body and includes two or three planar members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventors: David Dombrowski, Brian L. Aiken, Kenneth Von Felten
  • Patent number: 5911431
    Abstract: A removable front wheel assembly for a stroller is provided that is able to be disassembled from the stroller frame for shipment and assembled by the consumer upon receipt for use. The invention has applicability to any stroller configuration where, in the stroller's folded configuration, the front wheel assembly includes the outer-most structure of the stroller which defines at least one dimension for the shipping cube of the stroller. The front wheel assembly, which includes the stroller's wheels, lower front leg tubes, framing support structure, and a footrest, if provided, is joined to the stroller frame at a location external to an outer-most frame structure hinge point so as to reduce the complexity of the task of assembling the stroller for the consumer. A swaged joint and connector is utilized to connect the lower front leg tubes of the front wheel assembly to the upper front leg tubes of the stroller's frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Brown, Brian L. Badger
  • Patent number: 5884797
    Abstract: A hingeless lid for use with a container can be closed by a child while reducing the likelihood of a freefalling lid. The hingeless lid can be used with a toy box or any application that includes a horizontal and vertical lid position, and especially where it is desirable to reduce the likelihood of a freefalling lid. The hingeless lid of the invention includes a plurality of hingeless couplers, each coupler including a container portion having a plurality of ridges and pivots and a lid portion having a plurality of W-shaped members depending downwardly from the bottom surface of the lid. The W-shaped members include a first plurality of saddles for engaging the ridges and a second plurality of saddles for engaging the pivots. The engagement of the saddles and the ridges retains the lid against back-and-forth horizontal movement when the lid is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald M. Asbach
  • Patent number: 5865501
    Abstract: The present invention includes a table and a plurality of seats that can be coupled together in multiple use configurations and can be easily collapsed into a compact storage unit when not in use. The table includes a table top and a plurality of table legs depending therefrom. In a first use configuration, the table is positioned over the seats with each table leg aligned to engage the seat. Retaining pins extend through apertures formed in the seats and apertures formed in the legs so as to retain the table in position. The retaining pin can be inserted into a second aperture in the leg to retain the table in an extended use configuration. When the pin is withdrawn, the table can be completely removed from the seats for the storage configuration. In the storage configuration, the seats are positioned on the bottom surface of the table top, and the seat legs are aligned to engage recesses formed in the bottom surface of the table top that provide a friction fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventors: Alison Eisenberg, William R. Howell
  • Patent number: 5845967
    Abstract: A molded booster seat has an upper back portion and a lower seat portion connected to an integral hinge. The upper and lower portions are pivoted about the integral hinge toward each other to form a rigid body, and cooperate to form a plurality of mortise and tenon joints. The upper and lower portions are locked in the rigid body configuration by a pair of side plates and a pair of locking rods extending through the seat between the side plates. The booster seat also includes an adjustable belt positioner that is configured to move between a plurality of different adjustments. The upper and lower positions are located to accommodate the fall range of sizes of children of a child sitting in the booster seat. The booster seat further includes indicia for indicating height limitations of a child sitting in the seat. The indicia can be labels attached to a seat cover disposed on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Fisher Price Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Kane, David M. Bapst, Douglas A. Soller
  • Patent number: D409261
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Fisher Price, Inc
    Inventor: Miriam Kelley
  • Patent number: D424481
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Soller, Kenneth P. Morton