Patents Assigned to The Children's Factory
  • Pipe connector assembly with internal locking mechanism
    Patent number: 5878802
    Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting and locking tubular elements in preselected angular relationships. The connector assembly includes a pair of clevis having tube engaging elements at one end and three clevis rings at the other. The clevis rings of each clevis are interengaged and define a bore. The bore has a plurality of grooves therein. Locking elements, including a locking pin and a locking plug are inserted in the bore. The locking pin and locking plug each have a pair of opposed raised ribs and a pair of opposed resilient locking arms that engage the grooves in the bore. Detents on the ends of the resilient arms engage a space between the interengaged clevis rings to secure the locking elements in place. The tubular elements can be interconnected in a system of frames to suspend function and decorative panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: The Children's Factory
    Inventors: Michael A. Richter, Michael F. Mullins, Ron L. Reeves, Dale Emge, Robert Tanner
  • Pipe connector assembly with internal locking mechanism
    Patent number: 5722477
    Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting and locking tubular elements in preselected angular relationships. The connector assembly includes a pair of clevis having tube engaging elements at one end and three clevis rings at the other. The clevis rings of each clevis are interengaged and define a bore. The bore has a plurality of grooves therein. Locking elements, including a locking pin and a locking plug are inserted in the bore. The locking pin and locking plug each have a pair of opposed raised ribs and a pair of opposed resilient locking arms that engage the grooves in the bore. Detents on the ends of the resilient arms engage a space between the interengaged clevis rings to secure the locking elements in place. The tubular elements can be interconnected in a system of frames to suspend function and decorative panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: The Children's Factory
    Inventors: Michael A. Richter, Michael F. Mullins, Ron L. Reeves, Dale Emge, Robert Tanner
  • Non slip insert for a cot leg or other structure
    Patent number: D486061
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: The Children's Factory Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mullins, Michael A. Richter, Dale E. Emge