Patents by Inventor Mark S. Coats

Mark S. Coats 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: 6446981
    Abstract: A cart including a body, at least two wheels, and a frame. The body has an upper surface and a lower surface. The at least two wheels are operably coupled to the body. The frame includes a generally planar and substantially rigid upper member and at least one leg support member. The leg support member is coupled to the upper member and is releasably coupled to the body. The frame is positionable in a first configuration, wherein the upper member is substantially disposed over the upper surface of the body thereby forming a cover, and a second configuration, in which the frame is decoupled from the body and placed on a generally horizontal surface thereby forming a table. The frame includes means for releasably coupling the at least one leg support member to the body without the use of tools. A table includes a generally planar and substantially rigid first member, and leg support members. The first member substantially extends between and connects the leg support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: The Little Tikes Company
    Inventors: Gerald C. Wise, Cristina N. Gerwitz, Mark S. Coats
  • Publication number: 20020067012
    Abstract: A cart including a body, at least two wheels, and a frame. The body has an upper surface and a lower surface. The at least two wheels are operably coupled to the body. The frame includes a generally planar and substantially rigid upper member and at least one support member. The support member is coupled to the upper member and is releasably coupled to the body. The frame is positionable in a first configuration, wherein the upper member is substantially disposed over the upper surface of the body thereby forming a cover, and a second configuration, in which the frame is decoupled from the body and placed on a generally horizontal surface thereby forming a table. The frame includes means for releasably coupling the at least one support member to the body without the use of tools. A table is configured for removable attachment without the use of tools to a cart. The table includes a generally planar and substantially rigid first member, and second and third substantially rigid members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: The Little Tikes Company
    Inventors: Gerald C. Wise, Cristina N. Gerwitz, Mark S. Coats
  • Patent number: 5893809
    Abstract: A basketball goal assembly (10) includes a base (11), a pole assembly (12) carried by the base (11), a rim assembly (14) pivotally carried by the pole assembly (12) and a backboard (13) carried by the pole assembly (12). The pole assembly (12) has a front face (21) having a recess (27) therein. A lug (36) on the rim assembly (14) is received in the recess (27) to hold the rim assembly (14) in a useable condition. Upon a downward force on the rim assembly (14), the rim assembly (14) breaks away from the pole assembly (12) as the lug (36) comes out of the recess (27). A yoke (59) extends between the base (11) and the pole assembly (12) to assist in supporting the pole assembly (12). However, the yoke (59) may be removed from the pole assembly (12) and the base (11) and positioned in a compartment (64) formed in the base (11). The pole assembly (12) may then be rotated to be generally flat with the base (11) and to be positioned over the yoke (59).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: The Little Tikes Company
    Inventors: Mark S. Coats, Peter C. McEachen, Michael Miroewski
  • Patent number: 5626373
    Abstract: A draw latch assembly is formed of three major components including a base member and a latch or bail member interconnected by a link member. The link member and the base member are capable of being pivotally connected in either of two positions rotated 180.degree. from each other so that the reach of the bail member can selectively be either of two different lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: The Lamson & Sessions Co.
    Inventors: William M. Chambers, Mark S. Coats