Patents by Inventor Baku Kakuda

Baku Kakuda has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8029377
    Abstract: A child motion device includes a frame that provides a structural support relative to a reference surface and that includes an arm pivotably coupled to the structural support. A child supporting device is coupled to the arm and spaced from the reference surface by the frame. A drive system is configured to move the arm such that the child supporting device reciprocates along a motion path at a frequency within a range from about 0.37 Hz to about 0.62 Hz. In some cases, a further drive system is configured to oscillate the child supporting device generally along the axis of rotation at a frequency in a range from about 2.85 Hz to about 3.15 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Velderman, William B. Bellows, Joshua E. Clapper, Matthew J. Ransil, James E. Godiska, Baku Kakuda
  • Patent number: 7883426
    Abstract: A child motion device has a frame assembly configured to rest on a floor surface. The device also has a drive system that defines a generally vertical axis of rotation. An arm extends from part of the device and is cantilevered from the axis of rotation. The arm is supported above the floor surface and has a driven end coupled to and movable by the drive system and a distal end opposite the driven end. The drive system is configured to pivotally reciprocate the arm through a partial orbit around the axis of rotation. A child seat is supported on the distal end of the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Bellows, James Godiska, Baku Kakuda, Matthew J. Ransil
  • 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: 7695374
    Abstract: A bouncer seat assembly generally has a wire frame structure and a seat suspended from the wire frame structure. The wire frame structure includes a seat section and a base section resiliently and flexibly coupled to and supporting the seat section above the base section. The wire frame structure is configured so that any gap between parts of the bouncer seat assembly is either sized small enough to prohibit a head of a child from fitting between any adjacent parts or sized large enough to prevent a head of a child from being entrapped or pinched between any adjacent parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Bellows, Nicholas E. Papageorge, Baku Kakuda, Thomas M. Perrin
  • Patent number: 7563170
    Abstract: A child motion device has a frame assembly configured to rest on a floor surface. The device also has a drive system and a cantilevered arm extending from part of the device. The arm is supported above the floor surface and has a driven end coupled to and movable by the drive system and a distal end opposite the driven end. The drive system is configured to pivotally move the arm through a partial orbit around a generally vertical axis of rotation. A child seat is supported on the distal end of the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Graca Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Bellows, James Godiska, Baku Kakuda, Matthew J. Ransil
  • Publication number: 20090170618
    Abstract: A child motion device has a frame assembly configured to rest on a floor surface. The device also has a drive system that defines a generally vertical axis of rotation. An arm extends from part of the device and is cantilevered from the axis of rotation. The arm is supported above the floor surface and has a driven end coupled to and movable by the drive system and a distal end opposite the driven end. The drive system is configured to pivotally reciprocate the arm through a partial orbit around the axis of rotation. A child seat is supported on the distal end of the support arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Bellows, James Godiska, Baku Kakuda, Matthew J. Ransil
  • Patent number: 7445559
    Abstract: A child swing includes a frame, a hanger arm movably coupled to the frame, and a support base coupled to the at least one hanger arm. The support base is configured to hold a child carrier of an infant car seat and to enable removal of the child carrier. The support base has two or more attachment locations at which the child carrier can be attached to the support base. Upon removal of the child carrier from the support base, the support base remains coupled to the hanger arm, and the hanger arm remains coupled to the frame. The support base can also enable removal of the child carrier from the support base via actuation of a release latch of the child carrier, and the support base is movably coupled to the hanger arms to move between an in-use position and a fold position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventor: Baku Kakuda
  • Publication number: 20080238163
    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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Bellows, Samuel Chambers, Baku Kakuda
  • Publication number: 20080217974
    Abstract: A child motion device includes a frame that provides a structural support relative to a reference surface and that includes an arm pivotably coupled to the structural support. A child supporting device is coupled to the arm and spaced from the reference surface by the frame. A drive system is configured to move the arm such that the child supporting device reciprocates along a motion path at a frequency within a range from about 0.37 Hz to about 0.62 Hz. In some cases, a further drive system is configured to oscillate the child supporting device generally along the axis of rotation at a frequency in a range from about 2.85 Hz to about 3.15 Hz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Velderman, William B. Bellows, Joshua E. Clapper, Matthew J. Ransil, James E. Godiska, Baku Kakuda
  • Publication number: 20070111809
    Abstract: A child motion device has a frame assembly configured to rest on a floor surface. The device also has a drive system and a cantilevered arm extending from part of the device. The arm is supported above the floor surface and has a driven end coupled to and movable by the drive system and a distal end opposite the driven end. The drive system is configured to pivotally move the arm through a partial orbit around a generally vertical axis of rotation. A child seat is supported on the distal end of the support arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: William Bellows, James Godiska, Baku Kakuda, Matthew Ransil
  • Publication number: 20060252565
    Abstract: A bouncer seat assembly generally has a wire frame structure and a seat suspended from the wire frame structure. The wire frame structure includes a seat section and a base section resiliently and flexibly coupled to and supporting the seat section above the base section. The wire frame structure is configured so that any gap between parts of the bouncer seat assembly is either sized small enough to prohibit a head of a child from fitting between any adjacent parts or sized large enough to prevent a head of a child from being entrapped or pinched between any adjacent parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: William Bellows, Nicholas Papageorge, Baku Kakuda, Thomas Perrin
  • Publication number: 20060211506
    Abstract: A child swing includes a frame, a hanger arm movably coupled to the frame, and a support base coupled to the at least one hanger arm. The support base is configured to hold a child carrier of an infant car seat and to enable removal of the child carrier. The support base has two or more attachment locations at which the child carrier can be attached to the support base. Upon removal of the child carrier from the support base, the support base remains coupled to the hanger arm, and the hanger arm remains coupled to the frame. The support base can also enable removal of the child carrier from the support base via actuation of a release latch of the child carrier, and the support base is movably coupled to the hanger arms to move between an in-use position and a fold position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventor: Baku Kakuda
  • Patent number: 7081052
    Abstract: A child swing includes a swing frame and at least one swing handle rotationally coupled to the swing frame such that the swing handle may rotate about a handle rotational axis between at least two positions. The number of swing handles may be two, where each of the swing handles has a hand grip portion. The at least two positions may include a first position and a second position, the first position being substantially rotated about 180° relative to the second position. The swing frame may include first and second legs, each of the first and second legs including a length adjustment mechanism that allows the respective leg to be adjustable in length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff G. Greger, Alexander R. Therrien, Michael L. Longenecker, Baku Kakuda, Matthew J. Ransil
  • Patent number: 6948219
    Abstract: A latch system for attaching a child seat to an anchorage of a vehicle seat includes a first latch device connected to a first end of a length of webbing, an adjuster connected to a second end of the length of webbing, and a second latch device. The adjuster has a plate member extending from one end, and the plate member has a connection opening formed therein. The second latch device includes a main member having a hook formed at a first end and a connection aperture at a second end that is distal from the first end. A portion of the second end of the main member passes through the connection opening, and a portion of the plate member passes through the connection aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Baku Kakuda, Douglas R. Bodmann, James M. F. Hutchinson, Michael L. Longenecker, Joshua O. Mullen
  • Publication number: 20050059502
    Abstract: A child swing includes a swing frame and at least one swing handle rotationally coupled to the swing frame such that the swing handle may rotate about a handle rotational axis between at least two positions. The number of swing handles may be two, where each of the swing handles has a hand grip portion. The at least two positions may include a first position and a second position, the first position being substantially rotated about 180° relative to the second position. The swing frame may include first and second legs, each of the first and second legs including a length adjustment mechanism that allows the respective leg to be adjustable in length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: Jeff Greger, Alexander Therrien, Michael Longenecker, Baku Kakuda, Matthew Ransil
  • Patent number: 6666505
    Abstract: A chair is provided that includes a seat member, a back rest pivotally connected to the seat member, and first and second recline mechanisms. The seat member includes a first back rest support portion and a second back rest support portion. The back rest support portions each have a tooth-receiving member at an upper exterior surface. The recline mechanisms each include a lever mounted to the back rest. The lever of each recline mechanism has a tooth for receipt in a respective tooth-receiving member, and the lever is movable between an engaged state and a disengaged state. When the lever is in the engaged state, the tooth engages the tooth-receiving member to prevent rearward pivotal motion of the back rest relative to the seat member. When the lever is in the disengaged state, the tooth is disengaged from the tooth-receiving member. When the levers of the recline mechanisms are both in the disengaged state, the back rest is allowed to pivot relative to the seat member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff G. Greger, Baku Kakuda
  • Publication number: 20030221294
    Abstract: A latch system for attaching a child seat to an anchorage of a vehicle seat includes a first latch device connected to a first end of a length of webbing, an adjuster connected to a second end of the length of webbing, and a second latch device. The adjuster has a plate member extending from one end, and the plate member has a connection opening formed therein. The second latch device includes a main member having a hook formed at a first end and a connection aperture at a second end that is distal from the first end. A portion of the second end of the main member passes through the connection opening, and a portion of the plate member passes through the connection aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Baku Kakuda, Douglas R. Bodmann, James M.F. Hutchinson, Michael L. Longenecker, Joshua O. Mullen
  • Publication number: 20030197408
    Abstract: A chair is provided that includes a seat member, a back rest pivotally connected to the seat member, and first and second recline mechanisms. The seat member includes a first back rest support portion and a second back rest support portion. The back rest support portions each have a tooth-receiving member at an upper exterior surface. The recline mechanisms each include a lever mounted to the back rest. The lever of each recline mechanism has a tooth for receipt in a respective tooth-receiving member, and the lever is movable between an engaged state and a disengaged state. When the lever is in the engaged state, the tooth engages the tooth-receiving member to prevent rearward pivotal motion of the back rest relative to the seat member. When the lever is in the disengaged state, the tooth is disengaged from the tooth-receiving member. When the levers of the recline mechanisms are both in the disengaged state, the back rest is allowed to pivot relative to the seat member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Jeff G. Greger, Baku Kakuda
  • Patent number: 6557885
    Abstract: An improved stroller is disclosed. The stroller preferably includes a frame which allows the stroller to collapse from an extended configuration. The stroller also allows an operator to easily collapse the stroller. The invention also provides a locking device to prevent inadvertent collapse of the stroller. The invention includes an actuator assembly in association with the locking device which may be actuated by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventor: Baku Kakuda
  • Patent number: D490993
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Jeff G. Greger, Baku Kakuda