Patents by Inventor Mark J. Bergum

Mark J. Bergum 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: 8366135
    Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle is disclosed. In some embodiments, the vehicle may include a body having a seat assembly configured to support a child; and a drive assembly adapted to selectively drive rotation of at least one driven wheel in a plurality of drive configurations, and including a motor assembly comprising at least one electric motor, at least one user input device positioned to receive inputs from a child supported by the seat assembly and adapted to selectively actuate the motor assembly, a battery assembly adapted to selectively energize the motor assembly, and a detection system adapted to detect whether an accessory is coupled to the body. The drive assembly being adapted to restrict driving of the at least one driven wheel to less than all drive configurations of the plurality of drive configurations based on the detection system detecting whether the accessory is coupled to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Asbach, Mark J. Bergum, William R. Howell, Gary G. Lenihan, Scott H. McIlvain, David G. Waples
  • Patent number: 8193943
    Abstract: Handheld charge indicator assemblies, children's ride-on vehicle kits including the same, and methods of determining the state of charge of a battery assembly of a children's ride-on vehicle. Handheld charge indicator assemblies are sized to be held in the hand of a user and are configured to be selectively interconnected to a battery assembly of a children's ride-on vehicle and output an output signal representative of a voltage of the battery assembly. Handheld charge indicator assemblies include a body, an electronic circuit housed within the body, an indicator configured to output an output signal representative of an input voltage to the electronic circuit, and a battery connector configured to engage the battery assembly of a children's ride-on vehicle. In some embodiments, the handheld charge indicator assembly further includes an actuator configured to actuate the electronic circuit to detect the input voltage responsive to a user engaging the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Bergum, Timothy J. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20110084819
    Abstract: Handheld charge indicator assemblies, children's ride-on vehicle kits including the same, and methods of determining the state of charge of a battery assembly of a children's ride-on vehicle. Handheld charge indicator assemblies are sized to be held in the hand of a user and are configured to be selectively interconnected to a battery assembly of a children's ride-on vehicle and output an output signal representative of a voltage of the battery assembly. Handheld charge indicator assemblies include a body, an electronic circuit housed within the body, an indicator configured to output an output signal representative of an input voltage to the electronic circuit, and a battery connector configured to engage the battery assembly of a children's ride-on vehicle. In some embodiments, the handheld charge indicator assembly further includes an actuator configured to actuate the electronic circuit to detect the input voltage responsive to a user engaging the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Mattel. Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Bergum, Timothy J. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20100059968
    Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle is disclosed. In some embodiments, the vehicle may include a body having a seat assembly configured to support a child; and a drive assembly adapted to selectively drive rotation of at least one driven wheel in a plurality of drive configurations, and including a motor assembly comprising at least one electric motor, at least one user input device positioned to receive inputs from a child supported by the seat assembly and adapted to selectively actuate the motor assembly, a battery assembly adapted to selectively energize the motor assembly, and a detection system adapted to detect whether an accessory is coupled to the body. The drive assembly being adapted to restrict driving of the at least one driven wheel to less than all drive configurations of the plurality of drive configurations based on the detection system detecting whether the accessory is coupled to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Ronald M. Asbach, Mark J. Bergum, William R. Howell, Gary G. Lenihan, Scott H. Mcilvain, David G. Waples
  • Patent number: 7621552
    Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicle assemblies having leading and trailing vehicles that are removably coupled together by a connection apparatus. The leading vehicle is an independently operable ride-on vehicle having a drive assembly that is selectively configured between a plurality of drive configurations, such as responsive to user inputs via user input devices. The assembly further includes a detection system adapted to detect whether or not the connection apparatus is in its coupled configuration and to restrict the plurality of drive configurations responsive thereto. This restriction may be automatic responsive to coupling of the leading and trailing vehicles together, and it may be made regardless of user inputs that otherwise would select and/or enable one of the restricted drive configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Bergum, William R. Howell, Gary G. Lenihan, David G. Waples
  • Patent number: 7513324
    Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles having charge indicator assemblies that are adapted to provide at least a visual indication of the state of charge of the ride-on's battery assembly. The vehicles are reduced-scale vehicles, often formed substantially from molded plastic, that are sized for use by children and which include battery-powered motor assemblies. The vehicles include a charge indicator assembly that is adapted to selectively assess an input voltage from the battery assembly and provide an output representative of the relative state of charge of the battery assembly. In some embodiments, the charge indicator assembly includes a charge indicator module that is mounted on the vehicle's body, optionally in a position to be accessed by a child operating the ride-on, and which includes a button or other actuator adapted to cause the charge indicator assembly to assess the state of charge of the battery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Bergum, Kurt J. Huntsberger
  • Patent number: 7207588
    Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicle assemblies having leading and trailing vehicles that are removably coupled together by a connection apparatus. The leading vehicle is an independently operable ride-on vehicle having a drive assembly that is selectively configured between a plurality of drive configurations, such as responsive to user inputs via user input devices. The assembly further includes a detection system adapted to detect whether or not the connection apparatus is in its coupled configuration and to restrict the plurality of drive configurations responsive thereto. This restriction may be automatic responsive to coupling of the leading and trailing vehicles together, and it may be made regardless of user inputs that otherwise would select and/or enable one of the restricted drive configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Bergum, William R. Howell, Gary G. Lenihan, David G. Waples