Patents by Inventor Michael D. Armbruster

Michael D. Armbruster 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: 7506922
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reconfigurable child receiving device that includes a seat portion and arcuate leg members that support the seat portion above a supporting surface. The seat portion is further supported by arcuate cross members that extend between the leg members and are pivotally connected to the leg members. The arcuate cross member can each be individually pivoted upward above the leg members or downward below the leg members. The pivotal connection between the leg members and the cross members enables the reconfigurable child receiving device to be configured into four different modes of use. In a first mode, both arcuate cross members are pivoted upward above the leg members to allow the device to rock on the leg members in a first direction. In a second mode the second cross member is pivoted downward to prevent rocking in the first direction and to secure the seat portion in a relatively upright configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony G. Schulte, Michael D. Armbruster
  • Patent number: 7252594
    Abstract: An infant support structure with an entertainment device that may be used to pacify and/or entertain an infant is disclosed. In one embodiment, the infant support structure is an infant swing. In one embodiment, the entertainment device includes a toy aquarium. The entertainment device may be removably coupled to the infant support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Armbruster, Ronald M. Asbach, Jennifer A. Schroth, Maarten Van Huystee
  • Patent number: 7088259
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a parent unit (receiver) of an infant monitor includes an electronics housing, an antenna, a speaker, and a visual light display portion. In one embodiment, the light display portion is mounted on the front surface of the monitor. In another embodiment, the light display portion is mounted in conjunction with the antenna. The light display portion may include elongate light display members associated with individual light sources (LEDs). Also in accordance with the present invention, a parent unit of an infant monitor includes an LED test or LED “try-me” switch which allows the parent to both test the visual output of the light display portion of the parent unit (prior to purchase) and test the functioning of the light display portion (after purchase and removal from the packaging) without actually receiving actual sound-representative signals from the infant unit (transmitter).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Armbruster, Karen Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 6908397
    Abstract: An infant support structure with an entertainment device that may be used to pacify and/or entertain an infant is disclosed. In one embodiment, the infant support structure is an infant swing. In one embodiment, the entertainment device includes a toy aquarium. The entertainment device may be removably coupled to the infant support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Armbruster, Ronald M. Asbach, Jennifer A. Schroth, Maarten Van Huystee
  • Patent number: 6857966
    Abstract: The present invention provides an infant swing frame having a base, and first and second support posts. Each of the support posts is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the base, and each of the support posts has a second end. A cross member is coupled between the support posts. The support posts and the base are reconfigurable between a first position in which the support posts are angularly spaced from the base and a second position in which the support posts are adjacent the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Armbruster, John S. Canna, Michael T. Kane, Robert Sonner
  • Publication number: 20040259648
    Abstract: An infant support structure with an entertainment device that may be used to pacify and/or entertain an infant is disclosed. In one embodiment, the infant support structure is an infant swing. In one embodiment, the entertainment device includes a toy aquarium. The entertainment device may be removably coupled to the infant support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Michael D. Armbruster, Ronald M. Asbach, Jennifer A. Schroth, Maarten Van Huystee
  • Patent number: 6824472
    Abstract: The present invention provides an infant swing frame having a base, and first and second support posts. Each of the support posts is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the base, and each of the support posts has a second end. A cross member is coupled between the support posts. The support posts and the base are reconfigurable between a first position in which the support posts are angularly spaced from the base and a second position in which the support posts are adjacent the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Fisher-Price, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Armbruster, John S. Canna, Michael T. Kane, Robert Sonner
  • Publication number: 20040217868
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a parent unit (receiver) of an infant monitor includes an electronics housing, an antenna, a speaker, and a visual light display portion. In one embodiment, the light display portion is mounted on the front surface of the monitor. In another embodiment, the light display portion is mounted in conjunction with the antenna. The light display portion may include elongate light display members associated with individual light sources (LEDs). Also in accordance with the present invention, a parent unit of an infant monitor includes an LED test or LED “try-me” switch which allows the parent to both test the visual output of the light display portion of the parent unit (prior to purchase) and test the functioning of the light display portion (after purchase and removal from the packaging) without actually receiving actual sound-representative signals from the infant unit (transmitter).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Michael D. Armbruster, Karen Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20040198514
    Abstract: The present invention provides an infant swing frame having a base, and first and second support posts. Each of the support posts is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the base, and each of the support posts has a second end. A cross member is coupled between the support posts. The support posts and the base are reconfigurable between a first position in which the support posts are angularly spaced from the base and a second position in which the support posts are adjacent the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Michael D. Armbruster, John S. Canna, Michael T. Kane, Robert Sonner
  • Publication number: 20030201662
    Abstract: An infant support structure that may be used to pacify and/or entertain an infant is disclosed. In one embodiment, the infant support structure is an infant bouncer. In one embodiment, the infant support structure includes an entertainment device with toy aquarium. The entertainment device is removably coupled to the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Michael D. Armbruster, Jennifer A. Schroth, Mark H. Weppner
  • Publication number: 20030119593
    Abstract: The present invention provides an infant swing frame having a base, and first and second support posts. Each of the support posts is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the base, and each of the support posts has a second end. A cross member is coupled between the support posts. The support posts and the base are reconfigurable between a first position in which the support posts are angularly spaced from the base and a second position in which the support posts are adjacent the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Michael D. Armbruster, John S. Canna, Michael T. Kane, Robert Sonner
  • Patent number: 6520862
    Abstract: The present invention provides an infant swing frame having a base, and first and second support posts. Each of the support posts is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the base, and each of the support posts has a second end. A cross member is coupled between the support posts. The support posts and the base are reconfigurable between a first position in which the support posts are angularly spaced from the base and a second position in which the support posts are adjacent the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Armbruster, John S. Canna, Michael T. Kane, Robert Sonner