Patents by Inventor Eric A. Fobean
Eric A. Fobean 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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Publication number: 20220194514Abstract: A child's riding vehicle can be quickly reconfigured between a balance bike configuration and a pedal-powered bicycle is configuration, suitable for children of different ages, without removing any parts to be stored separately. The pedal crank arms can be repositioned on the crank and the pedal axles can be pivoted so that in the balance bike configuration: the pedal crank arms are positioned adjacent to one another and generally upward; the pedal axles are pointed mostly rearwardly but also slightly inwardly rather than extending transversely side-to-side; and the crank arms and pedal axles are telescoped in. The result is that in the balance bike configuration the pedals and crank arms are compacted and folded out of the way so as not to interfere with the child riding the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Jeff Gatto, Eric Fobean
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Patent number: 11242113Abstract: A child's riding vehicle can be quickly reconfigured between a balance bike configuration and a pedal-powered bicycle configuration, suitable for children of different ages, without removing any parts to be stored separately. The pedal crank arms can be repositioned on the crank and the pedal axles can be pivoted so that in the balance bike configuration: the pedal crank arms are positioned adjacent to one another and generally upward; the pedal axles are pointed mostly rearwardly but also slightly inwardly rather than extending transversely side-to-side; and the crank arms and pedal axles are telescoped in. The result is that in the balance bike configuration the pedals and crank arms are compacted and folded out of the way so as not to interfere with the child riding the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Inventors: Jeff Gatto, Eric Fobean
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Publication number: 20200148302Abstract: A child's riding vehicle can be quickly reconfigured between a balance bike configuration and a pedal-powered bicycle configuration, suitable for children of different ages, without removing any parts to be stored separately. The pedal crank arms can be repositioned on the crank and the pedal axles can be pivoted so that in the balance bike configuration: the pedal crank arms are positioned adjacent to one another and generally upward; the pedal axles are pointed mostly rearwardly but also slightly inwardly rather than extending transversely side-to-side; and the crank arms and pedal axles are telescoped in. The result is that in the balance bike configuration the pedals and crank arms are compacted and folded out of the way so as not to interfere with the child riding the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2019Publication date: May 14, 2020Applicant: MGA Entertainment, Inc.Inventors: Jeff Gatto, Eric Fobean
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Patent number: 9505424Abstract: A child's riding vehicle has a handle by which a parent can push and steer the vehicle, as well as a cutout in the roof which defines a handhold by which the parent can walk alongside the vehicle while holding it. The vehicle can be propelled either by the parent pushing via the parent handle or via the parent handhold, or the child can propel the vehicle as a foot-to-floor vehicle. When the handle is not being used, it can be rotated so that it is stowed at least partially within the body and roof support pillars of the vehicle for a clean appearance. A biasing and locking mechanism loosely biases and retains the handle in the stowed position, and automatically locks it into a deployed position.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: MGA ENTERTAINMENT, Inc.Inventors: Nikita Kalinin, Eric Fobean, Yuval Caspi
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Publication number: 20150210307Abstract: A child's riding vehicle has a handle by which a parent can push and steer the vehicle, as well as a cutout in the roof which defines a handhold by which the parent can walk alongside the vehicle while holding it. The vehicle can be propelled either by the parent pushing via the parent handle or via the parent handhold, or the child can propel the vehicle as a foot-to-floor vehicle. When the handle is not being used, it can be rotated so that it is stowed at least partially within the body and roof support pillars of the vehicle for a clean appearance. A biasing and locking mechanism loosely biases and retains the handle in the stowed position, and automatically locks it into a deployed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Nikita Kalinin, Eric Fobean, Yuval Caspi
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Patent number: 7357206Abstract: A battery retainer assembly (42) is provided for retaining a battery package (18) in a storage location (20) on a child's riding vehicle. The battery retainer assembly (42) comprises a clamp (44) and a separate locking tab (46). The clamp (44) is movable relative to the vehicle body (12) between a clamped condition whereat it clamps the battery package (18) in the storage location (20) and a released condition whereat it allows removal of the battery package (18) from the storage location (20). The locking tab (46) is movable relative to the vehicle body (12) between a locked position whereat it locks the clamp (44) in the clamping position and an unlocked position whereat it allows the clamp (44) to be moved to the released condition.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2005Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: The Little Tikes CompanyInventor: Eric Fobean
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Publication number: 20060231303Abstract: A child's riding vehicle includes a shifter (40) for shifting the drive assembly among a forward-high condition, a forward-low condition, and a reverse-low condition. The shifter (40) has a direction switch (72) with a direction switch toggle (102) movable between a forward-direction position and a reverse-direction position and speed switch (74) with a speed switch toggle (108) movable between a high-speed position and a low-speed position. An actuator (76) is movable among a forward-high setting, a forward-low setting, and a reverse-low setting and, during this movement, interacts with the direction switch (72) and the speed switch (74) to shift the drive assembly among the forward-high condition, the forward-low condition and the reverse-low condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2005Publication date: October 19, 2006Inventors: Eric Fobean, G. Lenox
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Publication number: 20060225932Abstract: A battery retainer assembly (42) is provided for retaining a battery package (18) in a storage location (20) on a child's riding vehicle. The battery retainer assembly (42) comprises a clamp (44) and a separate locking tab (46). The clamp (44) is movable relative to the vehicle body (12) between a clamped condition whereat it clamps the battery package (18) in the storage location (20) and a released condition whereat it allows removal of the battery package (18) from the storage location (20). The locking tab (46) is movable relative to the vehicle body (12) between a locked position whereat it locks the clamp (44) in the clamping position and an unlocked position whereat it allows the clamp (44) to be moved to the released condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2005Publication date: October 12, 2006Inventor: Eric Fobean
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Publication number: 20060225934Abstract: A child's riding vehicle has a hood (18) comprising a hood cover (42) and a grill (44). The grill (44) is pivotally connected to a bumper (28) attached to a front wall of the vehicle body thereby pivotally connecting the hood (18) to the vehicle body. The hood (18) pivots forward to move from a closed position to an opened position and pivots rearward to move from the opened position to the closed position. The pivotal connection between the bumper (28) and the grill 44) can be such that the hood (18) will be reconnectably disconnected from the vehicle body if it is pulled past its opened position. The hood (18) has a center of gravity, when its opened position, such that gravity pulls the hood (18) away from the closed position whereby no spring biasing and/or special latches are necessary.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2005Publication date: October 12, 2006Inventor: Eric Fobean
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Publication number: 20040116215Abstract: A sports goal comprised of a frame formed by a base and an upright portion. The upright portion is pivotally connected to the base and extends upwardly therefrom. The base has parallel legs with a cross member positioned therebetween. The parallel legs of the base are releasably secured to the cross member of the base. The upright portion has parallel legs with a cross member positioned therebetween. The parallel legs of the upright portion are releasably secured to the cross member of the upright portion. The upright portion is pivoted onto the base member and the base legs and upright legs are disengaged from each respective cross member and folded towards the cross members to collapse the sports goal for storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: The Little Tikes Company, a corporation of the State of OhioInventors: Eric A. Fobean, Jeff Robert Gatto
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Patent number: 6066022Abstract: A collapsible activity center (10) includes a frame (12) which has pivotally connected thereto a wall (14) and a wall (16). The frame (12) includes a support leg (24) connected to a hinge leg (26) by a cross-piece (28). The hinge leg (26) is provided with a pair of transversely extending ribs (54) that engage a rib (84) extending from each wall (14, 16) to allow pivotal movement of each. A latitudinal detent (94) is provided on the rib (84) to engage the hinge leg (26) to allow the walls (14, 16) to be selectively held in position with respect to the frame (12). The cross-piece (28) includes a handle opening (30) while the support leg (24) includes a lip (46) to assist in carrying the walls (14, 16) when they are closed and the frame (12) is lifted.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: May 23, 2000Assignee: The Little Tikes CompanyInventors: Eric A. Fobean, Matthew R. Fuligni, Paul Madan