Patents by Inventor Grant M. Strawcutter

Grant M. Strawcutter 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: 6108988
    Abstract: A modular spiral staircase within a surrounding enclosure for indoor playground equipment is disclosed. The modular spiral staircase includes individual stair treads arranged in a spiral pattern within the surrounding enclosure. The individual stair treads are vertically connected to one another and are circumferentially connected to the surrounding enclosure. Preferably, arcuate tread segments each having a plurality of integrally connected individual stair treads are provided. The individual stair treads are laterally offset from each other and are circumferentially arranged in a spiral pattern about an associated supporting central post. The surrounding enclosure includes enlarged spaced lower and upper openings that are aligned with the modular spiral staircase to facilitate entry and exit of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Soft Play, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Keith C. Nagelski, Dustin C. Clark, Grant M. Strawcutter
  • Patent number: 5711744
    Abstract: A one-piece helical tube component for use in forming spiral or helical playground units is disclosed. The helical tube component includes an interconnected series of helical tube segments each having a constant predetermined diameter and slope. Complementary male and female tube segments are provided adjacent opposite ends of the interconnected series of helical tube segments for corresponding mating engagement with complementary male and female tube segments of another similarly formed helical tube component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Soft Play, L.L.C
    Inventors: Grant M. Strawcutter, James O. Dunn, Jr., Jonathan E. Brooks
  • Patent number: 5695407
    Abstract: A movable rocking-type recreational equipment device is disclosed. The device includes a tubular enclosure having opposite open ends for entry of an occupant and a support for suspending the enclosure above a floor or ground surface. The support and tubular enclosure are constructed and connected to one another to permit rocking movement of the tubular enclosure relative to the support through the movement of an occupant within the tubular enclosure. The tubular enclosure is resiliently supported relative to the support in order to level the tubular enclosure on the support following the conclusion of the rocking movement. The tubular enclosure may be connected to flexible tubes in a recreational play system environment to enable rocking movement of the tubular enclosure while remaining connected to the flexible tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Soft Play, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James O. Dunn, Jr., Grant M. Strawcutter, Jonathan E. Brooks, Todd A. Coble
  • Patent number: 5690584
    Abstract: A movable recreational equipment device is disclosed. The device includes an enclosure having at least one opening for entry of an occupant and a support for suspending the enclosure above a floor or ground surface. The support and enclosure are constructed and connected to one another to permit controlled fluid movement of the enclosure relative to the support. The enclosure has controlled fluid or resilient mounting relative to the support in order to permit controlled fluid or resilient movement of the enclosure relative to the support when an occupant enters the enclosure. Preferably, the enclosure provides controlled fluid or resilient multi-directional movement of the enclosure relative to the support. The device may be connected to one or more flexible tubes in a recreational play system environment to enable movement of the enclosure while remaining connected to the flexible tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Soft Play, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Grant M. Strawcutter, James O. Dunn, Jr., Todd A. Coble
  • Patent number: 5683301
    Abstract: A movable occupant directed recreational equipment device is disclosed. The device includes an enclosure having at least one opening for entry of an occupant and a support for suspending the enclosure above a floor or ground surface. The support and enclosure are constructed to permit movement of the enclosure relative to the support in at least one predetermined path. An occupant directed controller within the enclosure is provided for directing movement of the enclosure relative to the support in the at least one predetermined path. Preferably, the enclosure and support are constructed to permit movement of the support in at least two predetermined paths through a dual axis pivoting mechanism, although additional movement of the enclosure relative to the support is provided in pathways outside of the at least two predetermined paths which are generally transverse to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Soft Play, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James O. Dunn, Jr., Grant M. Strawcutter, Jonathan E. Brooks, Todd A. Coble
  • Patent number: 5669855
    Abstract: A movable recreational equipment device is disclosed. The device includes an enclosure having at least one opening for entry of an occupant and a support for suspending the enclosure above a floor or ground surface. The support and enclosure are constructed and connected to one another to restrict movement of the enclosure in a first predetermined path. The enclosure has controlled fluid or resilient mounting relative to the support in a second predetermined path in order to permit controlled fluid or resilient movement of the enclosure relative to the support in the second predetermined path, when an occupant enters the enclosure. Preferably, the first predetermined path, in which movement of the enclosure relative to the support is restricted, is a horizontal path while the second predetermined path, enabling controlled fluid or resilient movement of the enclosure relative to the support, is a vertical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Soft Play, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James O. Dunn, Jr., Grant M. Strawcutter, Jonathan E. Brooks, Todd A. Coble
  • Patent number: 5323874
    Abstract: The invention disclosed comprises a combination ladder and stair for use by children which incorporates stair-like treads and risers with ladder-like rungs to achieve safe climbing activity. The combination ladder and stair is adapted to be used at a comparatively steep angle to the ground with the treads being maintained level. The rungs are placed adjacent to and level with each tread to afford additional security for the foot, and are spaced from the tread to allow the hand to grasp around the rung. In the preferred embodiment the ladder is incorporated into a split tube which serves as an entry to a children's play system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Soft Play, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell R. Warren, Daniel J. Dittberner, Grant M. Strawcutter
  • Patent number: D358190
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Discovery Zone, Inc.
    Inventors: Grant M. Strawcutter, Richard J. Petersheim
  • Patent number: D376405
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Soft Play, Inc.
    Inventors: Grant M. Strawcutter, James O. Dunn, Jr., Jonathan E. Brooks
  • Patent number: D381057
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Soft Play, Inc.
    Inventors: Grant M. Strawcutter, James O. Dunn, Jr., Jonathan E. Brooks
  • Patent number: D381386
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Soft Play, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Grant M. Strawcutter, James O. Dunn, Jr., Todd A. Coble
  • Patent number: D394894
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventors: Grant M. Strawcutter, James O. Dunn, Jr., Jonathan E. Brooks
  • Patent number: D397397
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventors: Grant M. Strawcutter, James O. Dunn, Jr., Jonathan E. Brooks