Patents by Inventor Robert T. Pike

Robert T. Pike 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: 8322744
    Abstract: A stroller has a frame assembly, a seat assembly mounted to the frame assembly, and a hub assembly carried by the seat assembly. The hub assembly has a hub axis, a first hub part connected to the stroller, and a second hub part connected to the first hub part and to the seat assembly. A cup holder is connected to the first hub part. The second hub part and the seat assembly can be rotated about the hub axis relative to the first hub part to adjust a recline position of the seat assembly while the cup holder does not rotate therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Ahnert, Patrick W. Laffan, Robert T. Pike
  • Patent number: 8316999
    Abstract: A brake assembly for a stroller has a wheel rotatable about a wheel axis and a plurality of pockets on the wheel spaced from and circumferentially around the wheel axis. A brake lever has an actuator arm and a link arm fixedly connected to one another and is movable between a braking orientation and a released orientation. A boss is driven by the link arm between a braking position and a released position corresponding respectively to the braking and released orientations of the brake lever. A biasing mechanism is configured to bias and retain the boss into engagement with one of the plurality of pockets when the brake lever is moved to the braking orientation and to bias and retain the boss out of engagement with the plurality of pockets when the brake lever is moved to the released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew L. Solinski, Todd D. Sorzano, Robert T. Pike, Michael A. Dotsey
  • Patent number: 8230536
    Abstract: A changing table for a playard has a flexible platform sized to support a child and a changing table mount arranged to releasably engage the platform to the playard. The changing table mount can have a plurality of straps each having a fastener and removably received in corresponding slots of the playard. The changing table mount can comprise a zipper releasably connecting the changing table to the playard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, Jeffrey David Swan, Neil C. Penza, Todd D. Sorzano, Matthew J. Ransil, Thomas J. Pollack, Jonathan M. Pacella, Robert T. Pike, Michael A. Dotsey
  • Patent number: 8210563
    Abstract: A stroller includes a frame, a pivot joint assembly mounted on the frame, and a handle coupled to the frame at the pivot joint assembly. The handle rotates about a pivot axis defined by the pivot joint assembly between first and second positions relative to the frame. A latch assembly includes a projection and is movable between a latched state in which the latch assembly secures the handle in either the first position or the second position and a released state in which the handle is released for movement between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Dotsey, Patrick W. Laffan, Stephen Ahnert, Devon T. Siesholtz, Branden McCorkel, Robert T. Pike, Joseph T. Grintz
  • Patent number: 8070179
    Abstract: A foldable stroller has a frame assembly that can be moved from an in-use configuration to a folded configuration. A storage latch for the foldable stroller has a catch part carried on a first frame part that extends transversely between left and right frame sides. The storage latch also has a latch part carried on a second frame part that extends transversely between the left and right frame sides, at least one of the latch or catch parts moving from a stowed position to a latching position adjacent the other of the parts as the frame assembly is moved to the folded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Pike, Michael A. Dotsey
  • Publication number: 20110197356
    Abstract: A changing table for a playard has a flexible platform sized to support a child and a changing table mount arranged to releasably engage the platform to the playard. The changing table mount can have a plurality of straps each having a fastener and removably received in corresponding slots of the playard. The changing table mount can comprise a zipper releasably connecting the changing table to the playard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, Jeffrey David Swan, Neil C. Penza, Todd D. Sorzano, Matthew J. Ransil, Thomas J. Pollack, Jonathan M. Pacella, Robert T. Pike, Michael A. Dotsey
  • Patent number: 7971897
    Abstract: A stroller is provided having a stroller frame supported by front and rear wheels. The frame includes a latch assembly that is movable between a locked and an unlocked position. When in the locked position, the latch assembly prevents the frame from being folded. When in the unlocked position, the latch assembly allows the frame to be folded. The frame is connected to an ergonomically friendly handlebar having discrete outer ends. The handlebar includes a latch release handle that is operably connected to the latch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Pike, Michael A. Dotsey, Roy L. Dean, Andrew Serbinski
  • Patent number: 7938433
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are soft goods attachment designs and techniques for a stroller. The stroller includes a frame having a section, and further includes a soft goods component with an edge having a loop that forms a tunnel running along the edge. The soft goods component is attached to the section of the frame at the edge. A support strip is inserted in the tunnel and shaped to extend along the edge of the soft goods component and follow the section of the frame to facilitate attachment of the soft goods component to the frame. In some cases, a set of fasteners extends through the support strip to secure the soft goods component to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Pike, Sharon L. Griffiths
  • Patent number: 7908686
    Abstract: A changing table for use with a playard includes a platform that is sized to support a child and at least one changing table mount arranged relative to the platform to releasably engage the platform to the playard. The changing table mount includes a release actuator. When the changing table is engaged with the playard, the changing table is configured to remain engaged with the playard when a force of less than or equal to 25 pounds is applied to a location on the changing table other than the release actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua E. Clapper, Jeffrey David Swan, Neil C. Penza, Todd D. Sorzano, Matthew J. Ransil, Thomas J. Pollack, Jonathan M. Pacella, Robert T. Pike, Michael A. Dotsey
  • Publication number: 20110048867
    Abstract: A brake assembly for a stroller has a wheel rotatable about a wheel axis and a plurality of pockets on the wheel spaced from and circumferentially around the wheel axis. A brake lever has an actuator arm and a link arm fixedly connected to one another and is movable between a braking orientation and a released orientation. A boss is driven by the link arm between a braking position and a released position corresponding respectively to the braking and released orientations of the brake lever. A biasing mechanism is configured to bias and retain the boss into engagement with one of the plurality of pockets when the brake lever is moved to the braking orientation and to bias and retain the boss out of engagement with the plurality of pockets when the brake lever is moved to the released position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew L. Solinski, Todd D. Sorzano, Robert T. Pike, Michael A. Dotsey
  • Publication number: 20100259021
    Abstract: A stroller has a frame assembly, a seat assembly mounted to the frame assembly, and a hub assembly carried by the seat assembly. The hub assembly has a hub axis, a first hub part connected to the stroller, and a second hub part connected to the first hub part and to the seat assembly. A cup holder is connected to the first hub part. The second hub part and the seat assembly can be rotated about the hub axis relative to the first hub part to adjust a recline position of the seat assembly while the cup holder does not rotate therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Graco Childrens Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Ahnert, Patrick W. Laffan, Robert T. Pike
  • Publication number: 20100156060
    Abstract: A stroller includes a frame, a pivot joint assembly mounted on the frame, and a handle coupled to the frame at the pivot joint assembly. The handle rotates about a pivot axis defined by the pivot joint assembly between first and second positions relative to the frame. A latch assembly includes a projection and is movable between a latched state in which the latch assembly secures the handle in either the first position or the second position and a released state in which the handle is released for movement between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Dotsey, Patrick W. Laffan, Stephen Ahnert, Devon T. Siesholtz, Branden McCorkel, Robert T. Pike, Joseph T. Grintz
  • Patent number: 7617550
    Abstract: A playard is movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement. The playard includes a plurality of legs, a plurality of pivot joints connected to the plurality of legs, and a plurality of slider joints engaging the plurality of legs. A plurality of cross members are arranged in pairs extending between the legs, and at least one latch mechanism is operable in a latched condition to maintain a predetermined gap along a leg between one of the slider joints and one of the pivot joints to prevent movement of the playard toward the folded arrangement. A plurality of top rail segments extend between the legs to define an upper periphery of the playard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Gehr, Michael L. Longenecker, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Joshua E. Clapper
  • Patent number: 7614640
    Abstract: A stroller is provided having a stroller frame supported by front and rear wheels. The frame includes a latch assembly that is movable between a locked and an unlocked position. When in the locked position, the latch assembly prevents the frame from being folded. When in the unlocked position, the latch assembly allows the frame to be folded. A cup holder is supported by the frame that can move between an extended and a retracted position. The cup holder automatically moves to the retracted position when the stroller is folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Roy L. Dean, Robert T. Pike
  • Patent number: 7571925
    Abstract: A stroller has a stroller frame with a child seat positioned on the stroller frame. The stroller further includes a child barrier that can be coupled to the stroller frame forward of a seat bight of the child seat. The child barrier also includes a cup holder with a central longitudinal axis. When the child barrier moves relative to the stroller frame, the cup holder pivots about the central longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Pike, Todd D. Sorzano, Gregory S. Sellers, Dmitriy Faktorovich
  • Patent number: 7568243
    Abstract: A playard includes a frame structure movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement. The frame structure includes a plurality of pivot joints arranged in an upper set and a lower set, each pivot joint in the upper set being positioned over a corresponding pivot joint in the lower set, and a plurality of cross members connected at respective slants to the upper and lower sets of pivot joints. The playard further includes a plurality of top rails, each top rail being attached to adjacent pivot joints in the upper set. The frame structure lacks legs to support the upper set of pivot joints at an elevation above the lower set of pivot joints. The elevation decreases as the respective slants of the cross members change to move the frame structure from the folded arrangement to the open arrangement until the top rails are under tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Gehr, Michael L. Longenecker, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Joshua E. Clapper, Jonathan M. Pacella
  • Publication number: 20090152836
    Abstract: A stroller is provided having a stroller frame supported by front and rear wheels. The frame includes a latch assembly that is movable between a locked and an unlocked position. When in the locked position, the latch assembly prevents the frame from being folded. When in the unlocked position, the latch assembly allows the frame to be folded. The frame is connected to an ergonomically friendly handlebar having discrete outer ends. The handlebar includes a latch release handle that is operably connected to the latch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Robert T. Pike, Michael A. Dotsey, Roy L. Dean, Andrew Serbinski
  • Publication number: 20090127827
    Abstract: A stroller system has a stroller with a frame assembly supported by a plurality of wheels. The stroller has a front and a back. A toddler seat is carried on the frame assembly and has a seat bottom and a seat back extending up relative to the seat bottom. The seat back is pivotable forward and rearward and has a front side facing the front of the frame assembly, a top edge, and a back side facing opposite the front side. An infant carrier is removably mounted in part to the top edge or the back side of the seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Pike, Frank Berrios
  • Publication number: 20090019637
    Abstract: A playard is movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement. The playard includes a plurality of legs, a plurality of pivot joints connected to the plurality of legs, and a plurality of slider joints engaging the plurality of legs. A plurality of cross members are arranged in pairs extending between the legs, and at least one latch mechanism is operable in a latched condition to maintain a predetermined gap along a leg between one of the slider joints and one of the pivot joints to prevent movement of the playard toward the folded arrangement. A plurality of top rail segments extend between the legs to define an upper periphery of the playard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Gehr, Michael L. Longenecker, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Joshua E. Clapper
  • Publication number: 20080289103
    Abstract: A playard includes a frame structure movable between an open arrangement and a folded arrangement. The frame structure includes a plurality of pivot joints arranged in an upper set and a lower set, each pivot joint in the upper set being positioned over a corresponding pivot joint in the lower set, and a plurality of cross members connected at respective slants to the upper and lower sets of pivot joints. The playard further includes a plurality of top rails, each top rail being attached to adjacent pivot joints in the upper set. The frame structure lacks legs to support the upper set of pivot joints at an elevation above the lower set of pivot joints. The elevation decreases as the respective slants of the cross members change to move the frame structure from the folded arrangement to the open arrangement until the top rails are under tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Gehr, Michael L. Longenecker, Robert T. Pike, Gregory S. Sellers, Joshua E. Clapper, Jonathan M. Pacella