Patents Assigned to The First Years Inc.
  • Publication number: 20010000556
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Publication date: May 3, 2001
    Applicant: The First Years Inc., a Delaware Corporation
    Inventors: Jon R. Rossman, Bryan R. Hotaling, Carl J. Conforti
  • Patent number: 6212706
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: First Years Inc.
    Inventors: Jon R. Rossman, Bryan R. Hotaling, John A. MacNeil
  • Patent number: 6202247
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a baby bottle and an artificial nipple includes a handle, a bottle brush head and a nipple brush head. The bottle brush head made of materials creating a multi-action cleansing ability is attached to the handle at a flexible neck for ease of cleaning the interior of a bottle. The bottle brush head may be replaced when worn. The nipple brush head, made of a spongy material, is attached such that it may be moved into a chamber within the handle when not in use, protecting it from contact with foreign surface. The nipple brush head may also be replaced when worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: The First Years Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Lorenz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6176042
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: The First Years Inc.
    Inventors: Jon R. Rossman, Bryan R. Hotaling
  • Patent number: 6089653
    Abstract: A chair and carrier assembly comprises a base, a carrier receiving support mounted to the base and adapted to receive a carrier, and a carrier removably received in the carrier receiving support. The carrier includes a seat, for holding a child, and a handle including arms joined by a cross member, the arms being pivotally mounted to the seat, and including an elongated member transversely extending from the cross member for carrying the carrier when the handle is in a first position and for providing a passive restraint for the child when the handle is in a second position. The carrier is removable from the carrier receiving support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: The First Years Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan R. Hotaling, Jon R. Rossman, Gerard J. Kaelblein, James J. Britto
  • Patent number: 6049954
    Abstract: A buckle apparatus includes first and second couplings, and a housing. The first coupling includes a first locking member and is configured to mate with a second locking member. The housing is configured for receiving the first coupling and configured to mate with the first locking member to secure the first coupling to the housing. The housing and the first coupling form a subassembly. The second coupling is configured to be received by the subassembly and includes the second locking member configured to mate with the first coupling to secure the second coupling to the subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: The First Years, Inc.
    Inventor: James Joseph Britto
  • Patent number: 6033019
    Abstract: A child's feeding seat includes a base, a tiltable seat for holding a child, and a removable feeding tray. The base has a bottom surface for supporting the seat upon a horizontal support. The tiltable seat includes a seat frame with a back portion and a pair of side arms, with the seat frame attached to the base in one of a series of selectable tilt positions, and a bottom portion attached to the seat frame at one of a series of selectable positions for adjusting the height of the bottom portion with respect to the back portion of the seat frame. The feeding tray is adapted to be removably attached to both of the side arms of the seat frame. The base includes a pair of spaced apart slots for receiving a strap to secure the seat base to the horizontal support, such as a dining chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: The First Years Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth M. Hession-Kunz, Kyle A. Nanna, Bryan R. Hotaling, Jon R. Rossman
  • Patent number: D436655
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: The First Years Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan R. Hotaling, Jon R. Rossman
  • Patent number: D436800
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: The First Years Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph M. Nowak, James D. Orr, Michael A. Lorenz, Jr.
  • Patent number: D443233
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: The First Years Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Gaudet, Stephane Lepage, Ralph M. Nowak
  • Patent number: D421125
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: The First Years Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph M. Nowak
  • Toy
    Patent number: D421469
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: The First Years Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Reinke, Karen M. Laude
  • Patent number: D422849
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: The First Years, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth B. Knight, Bryan R. Hotaling
  • Patent number: D424203
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: The First Years, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph M. Nowak
  • Patent number: D424312
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: The First Years, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan R. Hotaling, Jon R. Rossman
  • Patent number: D424958
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: The First Years, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph M. Nowak
  • Patent number: D426300
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: The First Years, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Conforti
  • Patent number: D430052
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: The First Years Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph M. Nowak
  • Patent number: D430737
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: The First Years, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph M. Nowak, Carl J. Conforti, Scott A. Johnstone, Glen Nielsen
  • Patent number: D432342
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: The First Years Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce P. Popek, James M. Buckley