Patents Assigned to Graco Children's Products Inc.
  • Publication number: 20100244543
    Abstract: A child seat harness system has first and second lap belt straps extendable generally toward one another. A buckle assembly of the system has first and second buckle connectors each coupled to the respective first and second lap belt straps. The buckle assembly is positioned and configured to releasably latch the first and second lap belt straps at the buckle assembly. The system has a release mechanism that is configured, when actuated, to detach the first and second buckle sections at the buckle assembly. The system also has first and second shoulder straps extending collaterally up and away from the buckle assembly. A chest clip has two clip sections, one each coupled to a respective one of the first and second shoulder straps. The two clip sections are configured to releasably engage one another and are positioned above the buckle assembly. The release mechanism also disengages the two clip sections from one another when actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Rachel Fine, Patrick W. Laffan
  • Patent number: 7798571
    Abstract: A car seat has a seat structure with a seating surface and a portion configured to rest on a dedicated seat of a vehicle when installed. The seat structure has a front and a pair of opposed sides. An instruction manual is provided with the car seat. The car seat has a compartment that is configured to receive and retain the instruction manual. The compartment is disposed interior to a part of the seat structure and has an access opening that is accessible when the car seat is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Billman, Charles E. Crane, Daniel J. Brunick, Michael N. Langmaid, Matthew A. Morgenstern, Patrick Nolan, Damaso Lamos, Patrick W. Laffan, Andrew P. Skrzypek
  • Publication number: 20100231019
    Abstract: A child seat for a juvenile product has a seating surface with a first section, a second section, and a seat bight region between the first and second sections. A lap belt is coupled to the child seat near the seat bight region. A first crotch strap is coupled to the child seat on the first section side of the seat bight region and is connectable to the lap belt in a first harness configuration rendering the first section as the seat bottom of the seating surface. The child seat has a removable pad insert with a second crotch strap. With the pad insert installed over the first section of the seating surface, the pad insert positions the second crotch strap on the second section side of the seat bight region. The second crotch strap is connectable to the lap belt in a second harness configuration rendering the second section as the seat bottom of the seating surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Cindy L. Berkey, John (Jason) C. Arnold, IV
  • Publication number: 20100230933
    Abstract: A juvenile product includes a frame, a hub assembly mounted on the frame and including first and second hubs, and first and second seat supports coupled to the first and second hubs, respectively, for pivotal movement between an in-use orientation and a folded orientation. The first hub includes a cam to release the first and second seat supports for the pivotable movement toward the folded orientation in response to rotation of the first seat support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Lucas Dean, Thomas Perrin, Marc Andrew Paradiso, Brady Matthew Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20100231018
    Abstract: A child seat assembly has a clamp mechanism configured to connect to a table and a child seat coupled to and supported spaced from the clamp mechanism. The child seat is reconfigurable between a toddler seat configuration and an infant seat configuration relative to the table and the clamp mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: John (Jason) C. Arnold, IV, Michael A. Dotsey
  • Publication number: 20100229300
    Abstract: A bassinet includes a frame and a bed basket supported by the frame. The bed basket defines an infant sleep surface. The frame and the bed basket are pivotably coupled to allow the bed basket to rotate relative to the frame to convert between a first bassinet configuration and a second bassinet configuration. The second bassinet configuration has a greater wall height about the infant sleep surface than the first bassinet configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Rachel Eirich, John (Jason) C. Arnold, IV, Matthew Rivera, Annette Stella
  • Publication number: 20100229301
    Abstract: A child containment system includes a child containment structure defining an interior space to be occupied by an infant and including an infant support surface within the interior space, and an infant support unit configured for use in a first operational mode in which the infant support unit is coupled to the child containment structure and disposed within the interior space above the infant support surface. The infant support unit and the child containment structure include respective connectors to secure the infant support unit in the first operational mode. The infant support unit includes a frame configured for use of the infant support unit in a second operational mode in which the infant support unit is independent of the child containment structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John (Jason) C. Arnold, IV, Brandon Burkholder, Annette Stella, Matthew Rivera
  • Patent number: 7789762
    Abstract: A child motion device has a frame assembly configured to rest on a floor surface. The device also has a drive system that drives a swing assembly. The swing assembly can include a pair of swing arms having proximal ends and distal ends. The distal ends support a child seat assembly. The distance between the distal ends relative to the distance between proximal ends is adjustable, thereby adjusting at least one motion characteristic of the device. The adjustable motion characteristics can include a gliding motion and a swinging motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Greger, Nicholas Efthermios Papageorge
  • Patent number: 7789402
    Abstract: A stroller includes a base frame assembly and a seat assembly supported by the base frame assembly. A seat leg extending from the seat assembly is slidably engaged with the base frame assembly for movement of the seat assembly relative to the base frame assembly from a first seating height level to a second seating height level. In some cases, a support post of the base frame assembly is oriented in a telescopic arrangement with the seat leg along a generally vertical axis. In some cases, one or more slider mechanisms slidably couple the seat assembly to the base frame assembly, where each slider mechanism has a lock to secure the seat assembly at either the first seating height level or the second seating height level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Saville, Daniel Newhard, Nico Michler, Christian Busse, Bianca Fleischer
  • Publication number: 20100219616
    Abstract: A foldable stroller chassis has left and right sides, a front end, and a rear end. The chassis has a chassis joint between the left and right sides, a front wheel section extending toward the front end, and a rear wheel section extending toward the rear end and coupled to the front wheel section at the chassis joint. The front and rear wheel sections are pivotable away from one another to an in-use configuration and toward one another to a folded configuration. A fold latch mechanism is positioned adjacent the chassis joint between the left and right sides and is reconfigurable between a latched condition securing the chassis in the in-use configuration and an unlatched configuration. A part of the mechanism is carried on the front wheel section and a part of the mechanism is carried on the rear wheel section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: GRACO CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventor: MICHAEL A. DOTSEY
  • Publication number: 20100218311
    Abstract: A juvenile product includes a frame with a rail, the rail including first and second rail sections, a latch assembly coupling the first and second rail sections and configured to reside in a latched state for an in-use orientation of the rail, and an elastic bias element coupled to the first rail section or the second rail section and configured to be under tension in or near the in-use orientation such that the elastic bias element drives the rail away from the in-use orientation when the rail is near the in-use orientation with the latch assembly not in the latched state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Rivera, Brandon Burkholder, Michael A. Dotsey, Johnny Hailyn Tseng, Paul Nelson
  • Patent number: 7786622
    Abstract: A juvenile product includes a power adapter comprising a first AC-to-DC converter to generate a DC transmission voltage from a line power source, and a power cable coupled to the power adapter and configured to carry the DC transmission voltage. A power transmitter coupled to the power cable includes a transmitter coil and a DC-to-AC converter coupled to the transmitter coil such that an AC current flows through the transmitter coil based on the DC transmission voltage. A power supply includes a receiver coil configured for generation of induced current in the receiver coil via inductive coupling with the transmitter coil, and further includes a second AC-to-DC converter coupled to the receiver coil to generate DC power based on the induced current. An electrical load coupled to the power supply is configured for operation via the DC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Swan
  • Patent number: 7775547
    Abstract: A stroller has a frame structure with two laterally spaced apart sides. A seat is supported between the sides of the frame structure. A frame extension is provided on each side of the frame structure. Each frame extension projects rearward of the seat. The frame structure is at least collapsible laterally from a side-to-side in-use spacing between the frame extensions to a side-to-side compact spacing less than the in-use spacing between the frame extensions. A cross-brace extends between and interconnects the frame extensions. The cross-brace is selectively reconfigurable from a stiff condition to a loose condition with the frame extensions in the in-use spacing. In the stiff condition the brace maintains the in-use spacing between the frame extensions and in the loose condition the brace permits the frame extensions to collapse to the compact spacing. A cup holder can be carried on the cross-brace to be collapsible with the frame structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Dotsey, Todd D. Sorzano, Roy L. Dean
  • Publication number: 20100201171
    Abstract: A child motion device includes a frame providing a structural support relative to a reference surface and including an arm pivotably coupled to the structural support for reciprocating movement with a resonant frequency, a child supporting device coupled to the arm and spaced from the reference surface by the frame, and a drive system including a motor configured to drive the arm such that the child supporting device reciprocates along a motion path at a frequency matched to the resonant frequency. The drive system is configured to adjust a duty cycle of the motor to control a speed at which the child support device moves along the motion path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Velderman, Joshua E. Clapper
  • Patent number: 7770905
    Abstract: A stroller wheel suspension mechanism has a generally rigid carrier with a top mounting section connectable to a stroller frame and a downward facing surface. The carrier also has a depending spring section that extends downward from the top mounting section adjacent an end of the downward facing surface and that has a generally vertically oriented surface. The carrier also has a bottom spring section that extends from the depending spring section and that has an upward facing surface. The depending and bottom spring sections are resiliently deflectable relative to the top mounting section. A wheel mount is provided on the bottom spring section. A solid body damper of a resilient, flexible material is positioned within a damper region formed adjacent the downward facing, generally vertically oriented, and upward facing surfaces of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Dotsey, Patrick Nolan
  • Patent number: 7770911
    Abstract: A collapsible stroller has a frame structure collapsible between an in-use configuration and a compact or collapsed configuration. The stroller has a variety of features or accessories that improve collapsibility, as well as stroller function and comfort during use. A number of these features or accessories also permit three-dimensional collapse of the stroller frame structure without requiring removal or disassembly of these features or accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Dotsey, Todd D. Sorzano, Roy L. Dean
  • Patent number: 7770971
    Abstract: A child motion device has a frame assembly configured to rest on a floor surface, a drive system defining a generally vertical axis of rotation, and a support arm supported above the floor surface by the frame assembly. The support arm is cantilevered from near the axis of rotation and has a driven end coupled to the drive system, which pivotally reciprocates the support arm through a partial orbit around the axis of rotation. A seat holder is carried by the support arm spaced from the driven end and a seat is supported by the seat holder. The seat and seat holder are constructed to permit the seat to be removed from the seat holder. The seat is usable as a seat when removed from the seat holder and can be positioned on the seat holder in more than one optional seat facing orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Bellows, Samuel Chambers, Baku Kakuda
  • Patent number: 7774032
    Abstract: A video baby monitor system has a child unit with a back-up battery, a video camera, a microphone, and a transmitter configured to transmit video signals representing video images sent from the camera and audio signals representing sounds sent from the microphone. A parent unit having a receiver for receiving the video signals and the audio signals, a video screen for displaying the video images, and a speaker for emitting the sounds. The child unit is configured to operate on primary power from an external power source and to operate on back-up power from the back-up battery source. The monitor system is configured to switch from the primary power to the back-up power and to deactivate at least one video function upon detecting a loss of the primary power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Swan, Craig Desrosiers, Fa-Yun Zhang
  • Patent number: 7766367
    Abstract: An adjustable handle assembly is configured for a device that supports and carries a child and that can be moved along a surface. The handle assembly is coupled to a handle extension that extends from a part of the device and that has an end with an extension axis. The handle assembly has a stem configured to attach to the end of the handle extension. The handle assembly also has a grip body coupled to the stem. The grip body is independently movable relative to the handle extension both longitudinally along the extension axis and rotationally about the extension axis. An actuator is provided on the handle assembly and can be actuated between a lock position and a release position. In the lock position, the grip body is in a fixed position relative to the handle extension. In the release position, the grip body is permitted to move both longitudinally and rotationally relative to the extension axis between a plurality of selectable longitudinal and rotational positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Dotsey, Todd D. Sorzano, Roy L. Dean
  • Patent number: 7752693
    Abstract: A mattress assembly for a playard has a plurality of support panels coupled to one another and movable relative to one another. The support panels are movable between a generally planar in-use configuration having a top side and a bottom side and a multi-sided storage configuration with an interior space sized to surround a collapsed playard. A mattress pad is detachable from and attachable to the plurality of support panels. The mattress pad lies against the top side of the plurality of support panels and is movable with the plurality of support panels between the in-use configuration and the storage configuration. A plurality of attachment devices are provided for selectively attaching the mattress pad to and detaching the mattress pad from the plurality of support panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg R. Espenshade