Patents by Inventor John F. Rhein

John F. Rhein 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: 8992283
    Abstract: This present invention relates generally to an infant seat and, in particular, to an infant seat that provides a stable, enhanced seating position for an infant and includes a sensory stimulus unit with a slide switch that, when actuated, effectuates a change in visual appearance of the stimulus unit and a corresponding change in the sensory output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Piwko, Jr., John F. Rhein, Michael Thomas Kane
  • Patent number: 7918710
    Abstract: A rotatable entertainment device includes a mobile arm rotatably coupled to the entertainment device, and a motion translation device coupled to the entertainment device and the mobile arm to convert an oscillatory motion of the entertainment device into a rotational motion of the mobile arm. The entertainment device is mountable to an oscillating device (e.g., a swing) that conveys the oscillatory motion from the oscillating device to the entertainment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Bapst, Maarten Van Huystee, John F. Rhein, Robert J. Sonner
  • Patent number: 7490558
    Abstract: A tray insert is adapted to be coupled to a support. A tray set includes a tray insert and a base tray or support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Asbach, John F. Rhein
  • Patent number: 7247078
    Abstract: A rotatable entertainment device includes a mobile arm rotatably coupled to the entertainment device, and a motion translation device coupled to the entertainment device and the mobile arm to convert an oscillatory motion of the entertainment device into a rotational motion of the mobile arm. The entertainment device is mountable to an oscillating device (e.g., a swing) that conveys the oscillatory motion from the oscillating device to the entertainment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Bapst, Maarten Van Huystee, John F. Rhein, Robert J. Sonner
  • Patent number: 7166047
    Abstract: A toy ball is formed from two shells and a pair of lock mechanisms 220. During construction, the shells, which may be hemispherical, are mated together and then the lock mechanisms are secured to the shells to form a substantially smooth-surfaced sphere. The lock mechanisms provide a redundant locking feature to hold the two shells together to form the toy ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry A. May, John F. Rhein
  • Patent number: 6920830
    Abstract: A tray insert is adapted to be coupled to a support. A tray set includes a tray insert and a base tray or support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Asbach, John F. Rhein
  • Patent number: 6890031
    Abstract: An adjustable child support structure having a seat back including side sections that fold inward to provide lateral support for an infant or remain flat to provide a wider seat back for a toddler. The structure also includes an adjuster having a user control portion and a side wing actuator portion for remotely adjusting the seat back through a range of motion between the first, wide position and the second, narrow position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Rhein
  • Publication number: 20040217643
    Abstract: This present invention relates generally to an infant seat, and in particular, to an infant seat that provides a stable, enhanced seating position for an infant and includes a sensory stimulus unit with a slide switch that, when actuated, effectuates a change in visual appearance of the stimulus unit and a corresponding change in the sensory output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Robert D. Piwko, John F. Rhein, Michael Thomas Kane
  • Patent number: 6811217
    Abstract: A support frame for a infant or child support device is disclosed. The frame includes oval shaped side members that provide a wide, safe base and a smooth rocking action to the rocker. The kickstand may be used to convert the support frame from a rocking configuration into a stable, non-rocking configuration. The support frame may also include a seat that can be removed from the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kane, Robert David Piwko, Jr., John F. Rhein
  • Publication number: 20040070247
    Abstract: An adjustable child support structure having a seat back including side sections that fold inward to provide lateral support for an infant or remain flat to provide a wider seat back for a toddler. The structure also includes an adjuster having a user control portion and a side wing actuator portion for remotely adjusting the seat back through a range of motion between the first, wide position and the second, narrow position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: John F. Rhein
  • Publication number: 20040031097
    Abstract: A support frame for a infant or child support device is disclosed. The frame includes oval shaped side members that provide a wide, safe base and a smooth rocking action to the rocker. The kickstand may be used to convert the support frame from a rocking configuration into a stable, non-rocking configuration. The support frame may also include a seat that can be removed from the support frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Kane, Robert David Piwko, John F. Rhein
  • Patent number: 6623074
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat may include an adjustable head support, body support, harness, or any combination thereof. A latching mechanism couples an upper portion of the vehicle seat to a seatback. The latching mechanism provides a mechanical coupling between the upper portion and a seat body. The mechanical coupling permits vertical adjustment of the upper portion, which may be configured to provide an adjustable headrest for the vehicle seat. The upper portion may further include side bolsters and harness guides associated with a attached seat harness and/or an auxiliary seat harness. In this embodiment, the latching mechanism permits simultaneous adjustment of the harness, headrest and side bolsters for accommodating a seat occupant. In the preferred embodiment, the vehicle seat is configured as a child's car seat which may be used as either a forward facing car seat with attached harness or a belt positioning booster seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Asbach, David M. Bapst, John F. Rhein
  • Publication number: 20020145318
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat may include an adjustable head support, body support, harness, or any combination thereof. A latching mechanism couples an upper portion of the vehicle seat to a seatback. The latching mechanism provides a mechanical coupling between the upper portion and a seat body. The mechanical coupling permits vertical adjustment of the upper portion, which may be configured to provide an adjustable headrest for the vehicle seat. The upper portion may further include side bolsters and harness guides associated with a attached seat harness and/or an auxiliary seat harness. In this embodiment, the latching mechanism permits simultaneous adjustment of the harness, headrest and side bolsters for accommodating a seat occupant. In the preferred embodiment, the vehicle seat is configured as a child's car seat which may be used as either a forward facing car seat with attached harness or a belt positioning booster seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Asbach, David M. Bapst, John F. Rhein
  • Patent number: 6450576
    Abstract: A child car seat is mounted in a passenger seat of a vehicle. The car seat includes an universal anchoring attachment that is positionable along a tube when converting between forward and rearward facing positions. The tube may also function as a seat belt pathway for restraining the car seat using a vehicle supplied seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Rhein, Ronald M. Asbach
  • Patent number: 5692768
    Abstract: An airbag assembly (10) includes a reaction device (15), an inflator (20), and an airbag (25). The reaction device (15) includes a first housing member (27) and a second housing member (28). In the completed airbag assembly, the housing members (27) and (28) form a receptacle with a cavity (29) and a deployment opening (30). The housing members (27) and (28) are configured to capture and orient the inflator (20) and/or the airbag (25) in the cavity (29) of the reaction device (15) as the housing members are being coupled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Mihm, Tracy S. Sparks, John F. Rhein, Jeffrey C. Synor, Craig M. Fischer, Kurt F. Fischer
  • Patent number: 5356174
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a vehicle airbag assembly includes a reaction device (12) and an airbag/retainer subassembly (14). The airbag/retainer subassembly (14) includes an airbag (16) and a retainer (18) which are joined together by airbag mating members (42) and complementary retainer mating members (62) in a predetermined alignment. In this predetermined alignment, apertures (38) formed in the airbag (16) are aligned with apertures (68) formed in the retainer (18). The reaction device (12) may include mating members (84) which form a cradle configured to engage the airbag/retainer subassembly (14) and to align the airbag/retainer subassembly (14) in a predetermined orientation. In this predetermined orientation, apertures (82) formed in the reaction device (12) will be aligned with the already aligned apertures (38, 68) of the airbag (16) and the retainer (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Rhein, Theodore J. Bachelder, Russell E. Stein
  • Patent number: 5346248
    Abstract: An airbag assembly 20 includes an inflator 100, a coupling device 300, an airbag 400, a cover 500 and a reaction device 600. The inflator 100 is positioned to supply inflation fluid to the airbag 400. The coupling device 300, the airbag 400, and the cover 500 are coupled to the reaction device 600 with a minimum number of fastening elements 28. The airbag assembly 20 further comprises a heat shield 200 which cradles a rear portion of the inflator 100 and which is coupled to the reaction device 600. The heat shield 200 is coupled to the reaction device by the fastening elements 28.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Rhein, Lynn M. Redmond, Dennis F. Farquhar
  • Patent number: 5284358
    Abstract: An air bag assembly 10 includes a reaction/coupling structure 12, an air bag subassembly 14 coupled to the reaction coupling structure 12, and an inflator 16 also coupled to the reaction/coupling structure 12. The reaction/coupling structure 12 includes a reaction device 20 and a coupling device 22 which are coupled together in a mated arrangement. The air bag subassembly 14 includes an air bag 24 having a mouth portion 26 which defines a gas inlet opening The inflator 16 is positioned to supply inflation fluid to the air bag 24 through the inlet opening. The mouth portion 26 of the air bag 24 is trapped between the reaction device 20 and the coupling device 22 thereby coupling the air bag subassembly 14 to the reaction/coupling structure 12. The inflator 16 is coupled to the reaction/coupling structure 12 in such a manner that the reaction device 20 and the coupling device 22 are locked in the mated arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Rhein
  • Patent number: D480884
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kane, Robert David Piwko, Jr., John F. Rhein
  • Patent number: D491736
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kane, Robert David Piwko, Jr., John F. Rhein