Patents by Inventor Brian L. Bienz
Brian L. Bienz 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).
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Patent number: 8141668Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles. The ride-on, or ride-on vehicle, includes a frame having a seat adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a biasing assembly that is connected to the frame and adapted to bias the seat away from the vehicle's driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed operation of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Kurt J. Huntsberger, John L. Jones, Jr., William R. Howell, Karl D. Lerch, Brian L. Bienz
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Publication number: 20090229896Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles. The ride-on, or ride-on vehicle, includes a frame having a seat adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a biasing assembly that is connected to the frame and adapted to bias the seat away from the vehicle's driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed operation of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Inventors: Kurt J Huntsberger, John L. Jones, JR., William R. Howell, Karl D. Lerch, Brian L. Bienz
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Patent number: 7530411Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles. The ride-on, or ride-on vehicle, includes a frame having a seat adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a biasing assembly that is connected to the frame and adapted to bias the seat away from the vehicle's driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed operation of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2007Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Kurt J. Huntsberger, John L. Jones, Jr., William R. Howell, Karl D. Lerch, Brian L. Bienz
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Patent number: 6994179Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle. The ride-on vehicle includes a frame adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on resembles a full-size motorcycle. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed travel of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a simulated shock absorber and/or a passenger sidecar. Finally, in some embodiments, the ride-on may include wheel assemblies that simulate inflatable wheels.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2004Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Kurt J. Huntsberger, John L. Jones, Jr., William R. Howell, Karl D. Lerch, Brian L. Bienz
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Patent number: 6771034Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle having an electronic speed controller adapted to regulate at least one of the timing and rate of application of a selected rotational input. The vehicle includes a body with a seat, a steering mechanism positioned for operation by a child to steer at least one of the vehicle's wheels, and a drive assembly with an actuator positioned for actuation by a child sitting on the seat to cause the driven rotation of at least one of the vehicle's wheels by a battery-powered motor assembly. In some embodiments, the drive assembly includes one or more user input devices that enable a child sitting on the seat to select at least one of the relative speed and direction of the vehicle. The drive assembly also includes an electronic speed controller that controls electronically the transmission of a selected rotational input to the vehicle's driven wheel assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Peter Reile, Brian L. Bienz
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Patent number: 6755265Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle. The ride-on vehicle includes a frame adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on resembles a full-size motorcycle. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed travel of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a simulated shock absorber and/or a passenger sidecar. Finally, in some embodiments, the ride-on may include wheel assemblies that simulate inflatable wheels.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2001Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Kurt J. Huntsberger, John L. Jones, Jr., William R. Howell, Karl D. Lerch, Brian L. Bienz
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Patent number: 6656010Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle. The ride-on includes a frame adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on further includes one or more steerable wheel and one or more driven wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on resembles a full-size motorcycle. In some embodiments, the ride-on includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed travel of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2000Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Brian L. Bienz, Karl D. Lerch
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Patent number: 6509719Abstract: An improved battery for children's ride-on vehicles. The battery includes a sealed housing that contains an internal circuit breaker that disconnects the flow of energy from the battery to the vehicle's one or more motors upon actuation. Upon removal of the actuating event, the circuit breaker automatically resets to reestablish the electrical circuit connecting the battery and the vehicle's one or more motors. The battery may alternatively include a manual reset that is accessible external the housing. Additionally, the battery may also include an internal one-shot fuse to protect against catastrophic failure of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2002Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Chuck J. Crofut, Brian L. Bienz
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Publication number: 20020113564Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle having an electronic speed controller adapted to regulate at least one of the timing and rate of application of a selected rotational input. The vehicle includes a body with a seat, a steering mechanism positioned for operation by a child to steer at least one of the vehicle's wheels, and a drive assembly with an actuator positioned for actuation by a child sitting on the seat to cause the driven rotation of at least one of the vehicle's wheels by a battery-powered motor assembly. In some embodiments, the drive assembly includes one or more user input devices that enable a child sitting on the seat to select at least one of the relative speed and direction of the vehicle. The drive assembly also includes an electronic speed controller that controls electronically the transmission of a selected rotational input to the vehicle's driven wheel assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2002Publication date: August 22, 2002Inventors: Peter Reile, Brian L. Bienz
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Publication number: 20020109480Abstract: An improved battery for children's ride-on vehicles. The battery includes a sealed housing that contains an internal circuit breaker that disconnects the flow of energy from the battery to the vehicle's one or more motors upon actuation. Upon removal of the actuating event, the circuit breaker automatically resets to reestablish the electrical circuit connecting the battery and the vehicle's one or more motors. The battery may alternatively include a manual reset that is accessible external the housing. Additionally, the battery may also include an internal one-shot fuse to protect against catastrophic failure of the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2002Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventors: Chuck J. Crofut, Brian L. Bienz
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Publication number: 20020068499Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle. The ride-on vehicle includes a frame adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on resembles a full-size motorcycle. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed travel of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a simulated shock absorber and/or a passenger sidecar. Finally, in some embodiments, the ride-on may include wheel assemblies that simulate inflatable wheels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2001Publication date: June 6, 2002Inventors: Kurt J. Huntsberger, John L. Jones, William R. Howell, Karl D. Lerch, Brian L. Bienz
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Patent number: 6377026Abstract: An improved battery for children's ride-on vehicles. The battery includes a sealed housing that contains an internal circuit breaker that disconnects the flow of energy from the battery to the vehicle's one or more motors upon actuation. Upon removal of the actuating event, the circuit breaker automatically resets to reestablish the electrical circuit connecting the battery and the vehicle's one or more motors. The battery may alternatively include a manual reset that is accessible external the housing. Additionally, the battery may also include an internal one-shot fuse to protect against catastrophic failure of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Chuck J. Crofut, Brian L. Bienz