Patents Assigned to The First Years Inc.
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Patent number: 6658681Abstract: A nursing pillow has a flexible, positionable spine that allows the pillow to be deformed into a number of stable shapes. The spine is enclosed within a resilient body forming a medial region and first and second cantilever arms extending from opposite ends of the medial region to define a central opening between the arms in an unloaded, nominal shape. The spine is of sufficient stiffness to keep the pillow from returning from an adjusted shape to its nominal shape when unloaded. The spine may be formed of articulating links, or a malleable rod.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: The First Years, Inc.Inventors: James J. Britto, Richard M. Foley
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Patent number: 6658678Abstract: An article adapted to be releasably attached to a bed railing, the article having a housing defining an opening for slidingly receiving a portion of the railing, when the housing is mounted on the railing. The article also has a first pawl movably connected to the housing and arranged to be moved from a retaining position, in which the pawl is adapted to block the opening to prevent removal of the railing from the opening, to a release position to enable removal of the article from the railing member. Further, the article has a spring connected to the housing and bearing against the pawl to bias the pawl towards its retaining position with respect to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: The First Years Inc.Inventors: Bryan R. Hotaling, Carl J. Conforti
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Patent number: 6648396Abstract: Sunshades for vehicle windows are provided, including a shade having upper and lower edges, and a pair of support members having free ends. One of the members is associated with each of the upper and lower edges, and the support members are constructed to be spaced apart to support the shade in an extended, open position during use. Each of the support members includes a self-straightening tape that is arcuate in cross-section and can be repeatedly folded without significant plastic deformation.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: The First Years, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Monahan, Ten-Chang Liu
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Patent number: 6578209Abstract: A tub for bathing children is configured with opposing back rests and associated seating surfaces, for bathing an infant reclining against one of the back rests, or a toddler seated against the other back rest. The tub is molded of a shape enabling multiple tubs to nest particularly well, for efficient merchandising and storage, and includes a fresh water basin molded behind one of the back rests. The underside of the tub is configured to fit safely within either a standard kitchen sink, or one basin of a double sink.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: The First Years Inc.Inventors: A. Paula Lopes, Michael A. Susi, Christopher J. Reinke, Ryan P. Rafter
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Patent number: 6536502Abstract: A method is disclosed of installing a barrier device at a passageway. The method includes attaching a barrier housing containing a retractable barrier to a structural element on one side of the passageway, extending the barrier a desired distance from the barrier housing, with the barrier so extended, setting an extension limit of the barrier to prevent subsequent extension of the barrier beyond the desired distance from the barrier housing and, with the extension limit set, retracting the barrier into the housing. The set extension limit can permit subsequent retraction and re-extension of the barrier up to the set extension limit.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: First Years Inc., TheInventors: James J. Britto, Robert D. Monahan, Thomas A. Hagerty, Jon R. Rossman, Bryan R. Hotaling
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Patent number: 6536163Abstract: A child safety barrier is disclosed, including a receptacle assembly rigidly mountable to a structural element on one side of a passageway, a gate comprising a latch housing, the gate being mountable to a structural element on an opposite side of the passageway and positionable to span across the passageway, a retractable plunger assembly disposed at least partially within the latch housing and extendable from the latch housing to engage the receptacle assembly and retain the gate in a closed position, and a knob exposed at a surface of the latch housing for manipulation by an operator, the knob being movable in a first sense to a first position and movable from the first position in a second sense to cause the plunger assembly to retract from the receptacle assembly to release the gate for opening.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: First Years Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Monahan, Antonio S. Fernandes, Brian D'Amelio, Jon R. Rossman, Thomas A. Hagerty, Bryan R. Hotaling
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Patent number: 6499254Abstract: An apparatus includes a pair of frame members adapted for mounting to opposing surfaces of a passageway. A door is mounted to at least one of the frame members for movement between a closed position, in which the door and frame members substantially traverse the passageway and an open position, in which a portion of the passageway is free of the door and frame members, the portion being large enough to permit passage of an adult therethrough. A lock is coupled to at least one of the frame members and adapted to retain the door in the closed position, the lock including an actuator adapted to release the lock to permit movement of the door from the closed position toward the open position upon application to the actuator of a force of at least a predetermined weight of a child.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2000Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: The First Years Inc.Inventors: Jon R. Rossman, Bryan R. Hotaling, Carl J. Conforti
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Patent number: 6478435Abstract: An apparatus includes a mirror. A body is adapted to couple to and support the mirror in multiple of orientations to allow the mirror to reflect light from and to multiple areas. Multiple tabs are coupled to the body and adapted to interfere with adjacent portions of a car seat, to which the body is mounted, and a rear ledge of a car to inhibit the body from moving relative to the car seat.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2002Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: The First Years Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Monahan, Rene Polin, Jr.
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Patent number: 6415460Abstract: A device includes a base providing an upwardly-directed cavity having a mouth at an upper end thereof and configured to receive a portion of a child and to hold water. A lid is movably coupled to the base and movable into a tub position and a stool position, the lid extending angularly upward and away from the cavity to provide a back rest when in the tub position and the lid being disposed at least partially over the mouth and providing a substantially horizontal top surface when in the stool position. The base and lid provide a bathtub capable of holding a portion of a child therein and water for bathing the child when the lid is in the tub position and provide a step stool adapted to support the weight of a person standing on the substantially horizontal surface when in the stool position.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2001Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: The First Years, Inc.Inventors: Jon R. Rossman, Bryan R. Hotaling, John A. MacNeil
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Publication number: 20020080505Abstract: An apparatus includes a mirror. A body is adapted to couple to and support the mirror in multiple of orientations to allow the mirror to reflect light from and to multiple areas. Multiple tabs are coupled to the body and adapted to interfere with adjacent portions of a car seat, to which the body is mounted, and a rear ledge of a car to inhibit the body from moving relative to the car seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2002Publication date: June 27, 2002Applicant: The First Years, Inc., a Delaware corporationInventors: Robert D. Monahan, Rene Polin
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Patent number: 6354708Abstract: An apparatus includes a mirror. A body is adapted to couple to and support the mirror in multiple of orientations to allow the mirror to reflect light from and to multiple areas. Multiple tabs are coupled to the body and adapted to interfere with adjacent portions of a car seat, to which the body is mounted, and a rear ledge of a car to inhibit the body from moving relative to the car seat.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1999Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: The First Years Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Monahan, Rene Polin, Jr.
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Publication number: 20020020015Abstract: A device includes a base providing an upwardly-directed cavity having a mouth at an upper end thereof and configured to receive a portion of a child and to hold water. A lid is movably coupled to the base and movable into a tub position and a stool position, the lid extending angularly upward and away from the cavity to provide a back rest when in the tub position and the lid being disposed at least partially over the mouth and providing a substantially horizontal top surface when in the stool position. The base and lid provide a bathtub capable of holding a portion of a child therein and water for bathing the child when the lid is in the tub position and provide a step stool adapted to support the weight of a person standing on the substantially horizontal surface when in the stool position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2001Publication date: February 21, 2002Applicant: First Years Inc., The, a Delaware corporationInventors: Jon R. Rossman, Bryan R. Hotaling, John A. MacNeil
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Patent number: 6322149Abstract: An apparatus includes a strap cover adapted to receive a seat belt strap through a passage provided by the cover, the passage having a width that is smaller than a width of the seat belt to be received, at least a portion of the cover that is adapted to be disposed over an edge of the strap having a soft exterior surface, the cover including at least one pair of connectors adapted to selectively connect portions of the cover to enclose the seat belt.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1999Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: The First Years Inc.Inventors: Carl J. Conforti, Alma B. Bair
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Patent number: 6253392Abstract: A tub defines a volume for receiving a child and holding water in a top side at least when oriented in a reclined position, the tub having a back side, head and foot ends, and first and second arms connected by a front cross member. The first and second arms are pivotally attached to the tub about an axis displaced from the foot end of the tub into at least first and second positions. The front cross member is disposed above, and displaced from, the top side of the tub when the arms are in first position. An elongated member is attached to the front cross member at a first end and extends from the front cross member to a second end having a foot disposed below the foot end of the tub and adapted to engage a smooth surface. The elongated member extends toward the foot end of the tub to provide a passive crotch restraint for a child received by the tub when the arms are in first position.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: The First Years Inc.Inventors: Carl J. Conforti, Scott A. Johnstone, Glen Nielsen
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Patent number: D460322Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2001Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: The First Years Inc.Inventors: James D. Orr, Michael A. Lorenz, Jr.
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Patent number: D461361Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2001Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: The First Years Inc.Inventors: James D. Orr, Michael A. Lorenz, Jr.
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Patent number: D465423Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2001Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: The First Years Inc.Inventors: Marita Sofia Larson, Peter Wirz
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Patent number: D467125Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2001Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: The First Years Inc.Inventors: James D. Orr, Michael A. Lorenz, Jr.
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Patent number: D469860Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: The First Years Inc.Inventors: J. Derek Riemer, Michael A. Susi, Christopher J. Reinke, Ryan P. Rafter
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Patent number: D478669Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: The First Years, Inc.Inventor: William Wear