Patents by Inventor Robert Sonner

Robert Sonner 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: 8591347
    Abstract: A ride-on activity device is disclosed, wherein the device includes a seat, a base and a connector for movably connecting the seat relative to the base. The connection between the seat and the base allows multiple degrees of freedom such that the seat is capable of bouncing and rotating relative to the base. The connection between the seat and the connector includes a rotation safety mechanism that allows rotation at the connection when the seat is occupied by a user and prevents rotation at the connection when the seat is unoccupied. Furthermore, the connector includes a resilient member that allows the seat to bounce vertically relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sonner, Patrick Ritossa
  • Publication number: 20130017896
    Abstract: A ride-on activity device is disclosed, wherein the device includes a seat, a base and a connector for movably connecting the seat relative to the base. The connection between the seat and the base allows multiple degrees of freedom such that the seat is capable of bouncing and rotating relative to the base. The connection between the seat and the connector includes a rotation safety mechanism that allows rotation at the connection when the seat is occupied by a user and prevents rotation at the connection when the seat is unoccupied. Furthermore, the connector includes a resilient member that allows the seat to bounce vertically relative to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Sonner, Patrick Ritossa
  • Patent number: 8210956
    Abstract: A switch or switch mechanism that can be used with an object to detect motion of the object in a particular direction or directions is disclosed. The switch can include two contacts and a conductive mechanism that remains engaged with one contact and that is selectively engageable with the other contact in response to movement in a particular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sonner, Kyle Bleyle
  • Patent number: 8197350
    Abstract: A ride-on activity device is disclosed, wherein the device includes a seat, a base and a connector for movably connecting the seat relative to the base. The connection between the seat and the base allows multiple degrees of freedom such that the seat is capable of bouncing and rotating relative to the base. The connection between the seat and the connector includes a rotation safety mechanism that allows rotation at the connection when the seat is occupied by a user and prevents rotation at the connection when the seat is unoccupied. Furthermore, the connector includes a resilient member that allows the seat to bounce vertically relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sonner, Patrick Ritossa
  • Patent number: 7927171
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an infant entertainment device with a movable object. In one embodiment, the infant entertainment device is a toy aquarium. The infant entertainment device includes a drive mechanism that is operably coupled to the movable object to move the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Mark Goszewski, Patrick Ritossa, Robert Sonner
  • Publication number: 20100279782
    Abstract: A ride-on activity device is disclosed, wherein the device includes a seat, a base and a connector for movably connecting the seat relative to the base. The connection between the seat and the base allows multiple degrees of freedom such that the seat is capable of bouncing and rotating relative to the base. The connection between the seat and the connector includes a rotation safety mechanism that allows rotation at the connection when the seat is occupied by a user and prevents rotation at the connection when the seat is unoccupied. Furthermore, the connector includes a resilient member that allows the seat to bounce vertically relative to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sonner, Patrick Ritossa
  • Patent number: 7780500
    Abstract: A ride-on activity device is disclosed, wherein the device includes a seat, a base and a connector for movably connecting the seat relative to the base. The connection between the seat and the base allows multiple degrees of freedom such that the seat is capable of bouncing and rotating relative to the base. The connection between the seat and the connector includes a rotation safety mechanism that allows rotation at the connection when the seat is occupied by a user and prevents rotation at the connection when the seat is unoccupied. Furthermore, the connector includes a resilient member that allows the seat to bounce vertically relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sonner, Patrick Ritossa
  • Publication number: 20100056016
    Abstract: A switch or switch mechanism that can be used with an object to detect motion of the object in a particular direction or directions is disclosed. The switch can include two contacts and a conductive mechanism that remains engaged with one contact and that is selectively engageable with the other contact in response to movement in a particular direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sonner, Kyle Bleyle
  • Publication number: 20090075549
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an infant entertainment device with a movable object. In one embodiment, the infant entertainment device is a toy aquarium. The infant entertainment device includes a drive mechanism that is operably coupled to the movable object to move the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Mark Goszewski, Patrick Ritossa, Robert Sonner
  • Publication number: 20080090669
    Abstract: A ride-on activity device is disclosed, wherein the device includes a seat, a base and a connector for movably connecting the seat relative to the base. The connection between the seat and the base allows multiple degrees of freedom such that the seat is capable of bouncing and rotating relative to the base. The connection between the seat and the connector includes a rotation safety mechanism that allows rotation at the connection when the seat is occupied by a user and prevents rotation at the connection when the seat is unoccupied. Furthermore, the connector includes a resilient member that allows the seat to bounce vertically relative to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: MATTEL, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Sonner, Patrick Ritossa
  • Publication number: 20070249260
    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: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: David Bapst, Maarten Huystee, John Rhein, Robert Sonner
  • Publication number: 20050227578
    Abstract: An entertainment device for use with at least one toy block is provided, wherein the entertainment device comprises a housing including a block support surface for the at least one toy block. The at least one toy block includes at least first and second planar surfaces adapted to contact the block support surface. The entertainment devices includes a block reorientation mechanism attached to the housing, the block reorientation mechanism being capable of (1) moving the block off of the block support surface from a first position in which the first surface of the block is in contact with the block support surface and (2) reorienting the block to a second position in which the second surface of the block is in contact with the block support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Bradley Clark, Robert Sonner
  • Publication number: 20050143181
    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 18, 2005
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Armbruster, John Canna, Michael Kane, Robert Sonner
  • Publication number: 20050095948
    Abstract: A children's toy having an opening for receiving objects, a passage for conveying the objects, and an opening for returning the objects. The toy provides the user with a sensory stimulus in response to performance of the task of passing the object through the toy. The sensory stimulus is preferably an audible or visible output to encourage continued use of the toy by a child.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Carol Snyder, Robert Sonner
  • Publication number: 20050048459
    Abstract: The invention includes a body defining a viewing aperture. An opaque substrate bearing a first image and a second image is disposed within the body and is movable between a first position in which the first image is disposed within the viewing aperture and a second position in which the second image is disposed within the viewing aperture. An output generator is coupled to the body and is configured to generate a first output associated with the first image when the substrate is disposed in the first position and a second output associated with the second image when the substrate is disposed in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventors: Domenic Gubitosi, Christopher Hayes, John Keller, Erica Nissen, Robert Sonner
  • 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: 20050014443
    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: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: David Bapst, Maarten Huystee, John Rhein, Robert Sonner
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 6755713
    Abstract: The invention includes a toy having a translucent body that includes a first surface and a second surface. A light source is disposed opposite the first surface. The first surface includes an image of a facial feature in a first position and the second surface includes an image of the same facial feature in a second position. When the light source is illuminated, the facial feature appears to be in the first position and when the light source is not illuminated, the facial feature appears to be in the second position. An audible output generator produced audible output simultaneously with illumination of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Mattel
    Inventors: Gary Weber, Robert Sonner, Christopher J. Hayes, Albert Maggiore, Nancy M. Cariffe