Patents by Inventor Jacob Kearl

Jacob Kearl 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: 11897183
    Abstract: In one example, a structure includes a flexible plastic body having a first end and a second end, as well as a first side and a second side disposed opposite each other. The first side includes a first group of segments, and the second side includes a second group of segments. The structure also includes a group of living hinges integral with the body, and one of the living hinges is positioned between segments, and the living hinges enable the flexible plastic body to alternatively assume a flat state, or another state in which the body is not flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Astle, Danny Green, Jacob Kearl, Eric Olsen
  • Patent number: 10940636
    Abstract: One example of a flexible structure includes an elongate body having a first end and a second end, and the first end is configured to be releasably connected to the second end. As well, one or more living hinges are positioned in the elongate body between the first end and the second end, and the one or more living hinges are configured and arranged to enable the first end and second end to be moved toward each other. Finally, the flexible structure is configured to alternatively assume at least a flat state and an assembled state, and in the assembled state, the first end of the elongate body is connected to the second end of the elongate body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Astle, Danny Green, Jacob Kearl, Eric Olsen
  • Publication number: 20200023568
    Abstract: In one example, a structure includes a flexible plastic body having a first end and a second end, as well as a first side and a second side disposed opposite each other. The first side includes a first group of segments, and the second side includes a second group of segments. The structure also includes a group of living hinges integral with the body, and one of the living hinges is positioned between segments, and the living hinges enable the flexible plastic body to alternatively assume a flat state, or another state in which the body is not flat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Robert A. Astle, Danny Green, Jacob Kearl, Eric Olsen
  • Patent number: 10265630
    Abstract: In one example, a panel includes a series of hollow ribs arranged generally parallel to each other, and the hollow ribs define part of a first side of the panel. A flexible web is disposed between each two successive ribs of the plurality of ribs. The panel is made of plastic and is in the form of a unified single-piece structure in which the flexible webs are integral with the plurality of ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Lynn D. VanDyke, Jacob Kearl
  • Publication number: 20180029287
    Abstract: One example of a flexible structure includes an elongate body having a first end and a second end, and the first end is configured to be releasably connected to the second end. As well, one or more living hinges are positioned in the elongate body between the first end and the second end, and the one or more living hinges are configured and arranged to enable the first end and second end to be moved toward each other. Finally, the flexible structure is configured to alternatively assume at least a flat state and an assembled state, and in the assembled state, the first end of the elongate body is connected to the second end of the elongate body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Robert A. Astle, Danny Green, Jacob Kearl, Eric Olsen
  • Publication number: 20160346703
    Abstract: In one example, a panel includes a series of hollow ribs arranged generally parallel to each other, and the hollow ribs define part of a first side of the panel. A flexible web is disposed between each two successive ribs of the plurality of ribs. The panel is made of plastic and is in the form of a unified single-piece structure in which the flexible webs are integral with the plurality of ribs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Lynn D. VanDyke, Jacob Kearl
  • Patent number: 9427670
    Abstract: In one example, a playground slide includes first and second side rails each having respective first complementary structures. As well, a slide bed is provided that includes second complementary structures configured to releasably engage the respective first complementary structures of the first and second side rails. The slide bed and side rails are configured to releasably lock together with nothing more than the first and second complementary structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Lynn VanDyke, Jacob Kearl
  • Publication number: 20150367213
    Abstract: In one example, a basketball system includes a basketball goal, a support structure, a connecting structure connected to the basketball goal and the support structure, and a height adjustment mechanism. The height adjustment mechanism includes a biasing mechanism operably connected to the connecting structure and the basketball goal, and also includes a locking member. An adjustment member of the height adjustment mechanism is engaged with the locking member and is movable relative to the locking member. The adjustment member is also connected to the connecting structure so that the adjustment member and connecting structure are operable to move in unison with each other. Finally, a foot actuator of the height adjustment mechanism is connected to the adjustment member and is operable to releasably engage the locking member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Eric Olsen, Danny Green, Jacob Kearl, S. Curtis Nye, Robert A. Astle
  • Publication number: 20150157950
    Abstract: In one example, a playground slide includes first and second side rails each having respective first complementary structures. As well, a slide bed is provided that includes second complementary structures configured to releasably engage the respective first complementary structures of the first and second side rails. The slide bed and side rails are configured to releasably lock together with nothing more than the first and second complementary structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Lynn VanDyke, Jacob Kearl
  • Publication number: 20140309047
    Abstract: In one example, a teeter totter is provided that includes four support arms spaced apart at substantially equal angular intervals, with a seat being attached to each of the support arms. A hub of the teeter totter includes top and bottom plates which cooperate to at least partly define four sockets, and each of the sockets receives an end of a corresponding support arm. A plastic receiver is connected to the hub, and a plastic pivot is rotatably engaged with the receiver such that the pivot and the receiver cooperate to enable simultaneous movement of the seats in three dimensions. Finally, a base is provided that supports the pivot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Allen Keetch, Jacob Kearl, Lynn VanDyke, James Schaffner, Robert Read
  • Patent number: 8746155
    Abstract: A structure constructed from plastic may include one or more reinforcing portions that are sized and configured to prevent damage to the structure. For example, the structure may be a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic and the table top may include a body with one or more corners. The corners may include an interior portion and an exterior portion, and reinforcement portions may be sized and configured to help prevent damage to the corners of the table top. In addition, one or more depressions may be at least partially disposed within the reinforcement portions, if desired. The reinforcement portions, for example, may include one or more inwardly and/or outwardly extending portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thayne B. Haney, Jacob Kearl
  • Patent number: 8590962
    Abstract: In one example, a trailer is provided that includes a bed frame, a first panel at least indirectly connected to the bed frame, and a second panel at least indirectly connected to the bed frame. At least one of the first panel and the second panel is configured to be releasably secured in two different positions so as to at least partially define first and second configurations of the trailer, the first configuration being different from the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen F. Nye, Jacob Kearl, Lynn D. VanDyke, James Harvey Schaffner
  • Patent number: 8578865
    Abstract: A structure constructed from plastic may include one or more reinforcing portions that are sized and configured to prevent damage to the structure. For example, the structure may be a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic and the table top may include a body with one or more corners. The corners may include an interior portion and an exterior portion, and reinforcement portions may be sized and configured to help prevent damage to the corners of the table top. In addition, one or more depressions may be at least partially disposed within the reinforcement portions, if desired. The reinforcement portions, for example, may include one or more inwardly and/or outwardly extending portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thayne B. Haney, Jacob Kearl
  • Publication number: 20130291481
    Abstract: A structure constructed from plastic may include one or more reinforcing portions that are sized and configured to prevent damage to the structure. For example, the structure may be a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic and the table top may include a body with one or more corners. The corners may include an interior portion and an exterior portion, and reinforcement portions may be sized and configured to help prevent damage to the corners of the table top. In addition, one or more depressions may be at least partially disposed within the reinforcement portions, if desired. The reinforcement portions, for example, may include one or more inwardly and/or outwardly extending portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Thayne B. Haney, Jacob Kearl
  • Patent number: 8303225
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, described herein is a wall anchor system includes an insert that is positionable within a hole in a wall. The wall anchor system further includes an anchor that is insertable into and passable through the insert. Additionally, the wall anchor system includes an elastic member that couples the insert and anchor. The insert and anchor remain coupled via the elastic member as the anchor is inserted into and passes through the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Lifetime Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Kearl, Lynn Vandyke, Matthew Wiggins, Curtis Taylor
  • Patent number: 8302541
    Abstract: A structure constructed from plastic may include one or more reinforcing portions that are sized and configured to prevent damage to the structure. For example, the structure may be a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic and the table top may include a body with one or more corners. The corners may include an interior portion and an exterior portion, and reinforcement portions may be sized and configured to help prevent damage to the corners of the table top. In addition, one or more depressions may be at least partially disposed within the reinforcement portions, if desired. The reinforcement portions, for example, may include one or more inwardly and/or outwardly extending portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thayne B. Haney, Jacob Kearl
  • Publication number: 20120193942
    Abstract: In one example, a trailer is provided that includes a bed frame, a first panel at least indirectly connected to the bed frame, and a second panel at least indirectly connected to the bed frame. At least one of the first panel and the second panel is configured to be releasably secured in two different positions so as to at least partially define first and second configurations of the trailer, the first configuration being different from the second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen F. Nye, Jacob Kearl, Lynn D. VanDyke, James Harvey Schaffner
  • Publication number: 20120024201
    Abstract: A structure constructed from plastic may include one or more reinforcing portions that are sized and configured to prevent damage to the structure. For example, the structure may be a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic and the table top may include a body with one or more corners. The corners may include an interior portion and an exterior portion, and reinforcement portions may be sized and configured to help prevent damage to the corners of the table top. In addition, one or more depressions may be at least partially disposed within the reinforcement portions, if desired. The reinforcement portions, for example, may include one or more inwardly and/or outwardly extending portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thayne B. Haney, Jacob Kearl
  • Patent number: 8079915
    Abstract: A support member for playground equipment may include a first section with a flared end and a second section with a tapered end. An opening may be disposed in the flared end of the first section and an elongated slot may be disposed in the tapered end of the second section. When the tapered and flared ends are initially connected, the openings may be aligned and a fastener may be inserted into the aligned openings. When the tapered and flared ends are forced together and overlap a greater amount, which may create a more secure connection, the fastener may help keep in the first and second sections in alignment and may help prevent unintended rotational movement of the first and second sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Spencer, Jacob Kearl, Carl R. Stanford
  • Patent number: D972874
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: LIFETIME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: McKay Anderson, Sharon Jones, Jacob Kearl