Patents by Inventor Dennis R. Stauffer
Dennis R. Stauffer 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: 8567867Abstract: A child seat has a seat base with a seating surface, a front edge, and a back end. A back support surface of the child seat is generally inclined relative to the seating surface. A seat bight is formed at the juncture between the seating surface and the back support surface. The seat bight is adjustable between a first bight position spaced a first distance from the front edge of the seat base and a second bight position spaced a second distance from the front edge of the seat base. The second distance is less than the first distance. A seat back insert can be provided that is attachable to the seat base in one or more insert positions defining one or more of the bight positions. The insert can create the back support surface at one or more position relative to the front edge. The seat base can also have a back wall creating the back support surface further from the front edge when the insert is removed.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2009Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: John (Jason) C. Arnold, IV, Dennis R. Stauffer
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Patent number: 7344428Abstract: A motion conversion mechanism is described. The motion conversion mechanism includes a first member and an a second member. The firs member is configured to be arranged relative to the child containment structure to undergo motion in a first angular direction and in a second angular direction opposite to the first angular direction. The second member includes a rotation device that is rotatable about a rotation axis. The first and second members configured in combination to convert motion about the angular motion axis to motion of the rotation device about the rotation axis when the first member moves in at least one of the first angular direction and in the second angular direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2005Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Ransil, Nicholas E. Papageorge, Dennis R. Stauffer
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Patent number: 6896624Abstract: A child swing includes a swing frame and a 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 swing may further include a swing seat and at least one hanger arm rotationally coupled to the swing frame and supporting the swing seat. The at least two positions may include a lift position wherein a central portion of the swing handle is arranged above the rotational axis, an open access position wherein a central portion of the swing handle is arranged rearward of the rotational axis, an entertain position wherein a central portion of the swing handle is arranged forward of the rotational axis, and a storage position wherein a central portion of the swing handle is arranged forward and below the rotational axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Dennis R. Stauffer
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Patent number: 6875117Abstract: A swing drive mechanism for a swing having a swing seat, at least one hanger arm supporting the swing seat, and a pivot shaft providing reciprocal motion to the swing seat via the at least one hanger arm is described. The drive mechanism may include a gear, an eccentric element coupled to the gear and a motor mechanism configured to drive the gear. The drive mechanism may also include a substantially elongated drive link having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end coupled to the gear via the eccentric element, and a spring coupled to, and configured to being driven by, the distal end of the drive link. The spring being configured to directly drive the pivot shaft in a reciprocal fashion. A swing drive assembly including a blade and pivot shaft is also described.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Ransil, James Michael Dillner, Dennis R. Stauffer
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Publication number: 20040102252Abstract: A child swing includes a swing frame and a 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 swing may further include a swing seat and at least one hanger arm rotationally coupled to the swing frame and supporting the swing seat. The at least two positions may include a lift position wherein a central portion of the swing handle is arranged above the rotational axis, an open access position wherein a central portion of the swing handle is arranged rearward of the rotational axis, an entertain position wherein a central portion of the swing handle is arranged forward of the rotational axis, and a storage position wherein a central portion of the swing handle is arranged forward and below the rotational axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2002Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Longenecker, Dennis R. Stauffer
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Publication number: 20040102253Abstract: A swing drive mechanism for a swing having a swing seat, at least one hanger arm supporting the swing seat, and a pivot shaft providing reciprocal motion to the swing seat via the at least one hanger arm is described. The drive mechanism may include a gear, an eccentric element coupled to the gear and a motor mechanism configured to drive the gear. The drive mechanism may also include a substantially elongated drive link having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end coupled to the gear via the eccentric element, and a spring coupled to, and configured to being driven by, the distal end of the drive link. The spring being configured to directly drive the pivot shaft in a reciprocal fashion. A swing drive assembly including a blade and pivot shaft is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2002Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Ransil, James Michael Dillner, Dennis R. Stauffer
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Publication number: 20030199329Abstract: A child swing is described. The swing may have an object hanger for use with the child swing. The object hanger includes a support bar coupled to the seat; and a decorative object coupled to the support bar such that the decorative object is positionable above a child seating area of the seat, wherein motion is imparted to the decorative object by the motion of the swing. The swing may have a display supported by a support member and facing toward a front of the child swing; and function activators supported by the forward facing support member and facing toward the front of the child swing, each function activator activating a function of the swing upon a user activating the activator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2002Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Steve Wood, Christopher W. Campbell, Sheila Dubell, Gregory Kaplun, Cindy L. Berkey, Dennis R. Stauffer, James M. Dillner
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Patent number: 6339304Abstract: A control (200) for an infant and child swing (40) driven by a direct current motor (160) includes a user interface (312) for selecting from a plurality of swing heights (or amplitudes), a microcontroller (400) having a processor (401), a swing angle indicator (118) having a light interrupter detector (210), and a music system (410). Processor (401) receives an output signal from light interrupter detector (210) for monitoring the current swing amplitude. At the end of each swing cycle processor (401) compares the current swing amplitude with the user selected maximum swing amplitude, and, if not substantially equal, generates a control signal to adjust the power output from motor (160) so that the current swing amplitude substantially equals the user selected maximum swing amplitude. This cycle-by-cycle adjustment produces a swing arc having improved accuracy and consistency.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1998Date of Patent: January 15, 2002Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Truman L. Allison, Daniel R. Mitchell, Dennis R. Stauffer
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Patent number: 6273451Abstract: A stroller has a collapsible frame, a removable stand, a removable footrest assembly, removable front and upper trays, and a latch for maintaining the collapsible frame in the collapsed position. The stand is connected to the cross brace and the intermediate bar of the frame, and movable between an extended position when the stroller frame is in the collapsed position and a retracted position when the stroller frame is in the operating position. The stand includes a stand guide and an elongated member movable relative to the stand guide. The elongated member has a first C-shaped collar at one end thereof and a foot at the opposite end. The foot can engage the ground or support when the stand is moved to the extended position to keep the collapsed stroller in an upright position. The stand guide has a second C-shaped collar.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1999Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Christine E. Julien, Devon T. Siesholtz, Dennis R. Stauffer