Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Pollack

Thomas J. Pollack 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: 11927598
    Abstract: An analyzer system for in vitro diagnostics includes a sample handler module having a robot arm that delivers samples from drawers into carriers on a linear synchronous motor automation track. Samples are delivered via the automation track to individual track sections associated with individual analyzer modules. Analyzer modules aspirate sample portions directly from the sample carriers and perform analysis thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: David Stein, Roy Barr, Mark Edwards, Colin Mellars, Thomas J. Bao, Charles V. Cammarata, Benjamin S. Pollack, Baris Yagci, Beri Cohen
  • Publication number: 20150108738
    Abstract: A foldable stroller has a frame reconfigurable between an unfolded and a folded configuration. The frame has left and right sides, each having a fold joint, a handle push arm slidably coupled to the fold joint, a front leg substantially parallel to the push arm with an upper end connected to the fold joint, a rear leg pivotably extending down from the fold joint, and a drive link with a rear end pivotally coupled to the rear leg and a front end pivotally coupled to a lower end of the push arm. When moved to the folded configuration, the push arm slides downward relative to the fold joint and the rear leg and the drive link rear end move toward the front leg and push arm. In the folded configuration, the rear leg is substantially parallel with and close to the front leg and push arm. A slide collar can be fixed to the front leg and define an opening. The push arm can slide within the opening. A drive mechanism can be operably coupled to the frame to assist in moving the frame to the folded configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas J. Pollack, Louis Doucette, Thomas M. Perrin, William Forbes, Alan W. Ball, Kelly Hon
  • Patent number: 8991929
    Abstract: A stroller seat has a seat bottom with a calf support pivotally connected thereto and pivotable between a lowered position and a raised position. A positioning mechanism is coupled to the calf support and movable between an engaged arrangement and a released arrangement. The positioning mechanism, when in the engaged arrangement, retains the calf support in a position selectable from among at least the lowered position and raised position. A release actuator on the calf support is coupled to the positioning mechanism. The release actuator moves the positioning mechanism to the released arrangement. The positioning mechanism, whether in the engaged or released arrangement, allows the calf support to move in the direction of the raised position. The positioning mechanism, when in the engaged arrangement, prevents the calf support being moved in the direction of the lowered position. The positioning mechanism, when in the released arrangement, permits the calf support to move toward the lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Louis Doucette, Shelley Palazzolo, Thomas J Pollack, Brady Matthew Schroeder
  • Patent number: 8919806
    Abstract: A foldable stroller has a frame assembly with a fold joint, a fold joint, a handle push arm, a front leg with an upper end connected to the fold joint, a rear leg extending down from and pivotally connected to the fold joint, and a drive link. The drive link has a rear end pivotally coupled to the rear leg below the fold joint and a front end pivotally coupled to a lower end of the push arm. The frame assembly is reconfigurable between an unfolded and a folded configuration. In the folded configuration, the fold joint moves upward along the handle push arm. The rear end of the drive link and the rear leg are moved toward and lie closely adjacent the front leg and handle push arm. The frame assembly may automatically move to the folded and/or unfolded configuration. The foldable stroller may also stand upright in the folded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Pollack, Louis Doucette, Thomas M. Perrin, William Forbes, Alan W. Ball, Kelly Hon
  • Publication number: 20130292987
    Abstract: A stroller seat has a seat bottom with a calf support pivotally connected thereto and pivotable between a lowered position and a raised position. A positioning mechanism is coupled to the calf support and movable between an engaged arrangement and a released arrangement. The positioning mechanism, when in the engaged arrangement, retains the calf support in a position selectable from among at least the lowered position and raised position. A release actuator on the calf support is coupled to the positioning mechanism. The release actuator moves the positioning mechanism to the released arrangement. The positioning mechanism, whether in the engaged or released arrangement, allows the calf support to move in the direction of the raised position. The positioning mechanism, when in the engaged arrangement, prevents the calf support being moved in the direction of the lowered position. The positioning mechanism, when in the released arrangement, permits the calf support to move toward the lowered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Louis Doucette, Shelley Palazzolo, Thomas J. Pollack, Brady Matthew Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20120205954
    Abstract: A child motion device has a support having an upstanding post, a seat mounted on the upstanding post, and a rotation assembly. The rotation assembly has detents carried by either the seat or the post and spaced around and radially outward from the post, and has a spring biased protrusion carried on the other of the seat and the post. The seat can be rotated to different orientations corresponding to the detent positions. The protrusion seats in one of the detents positioning the seat in a selected orientation relative to the support and determined by the detent in which it is seated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Pollack, Chad Robbins
  • 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
  • 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: 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: 20100263121
    Abstract: A convertible bassinet has a frame with a bottom and spaced apart sides extending from the bottom. A first chamber is attachable to the frame and has a first bottom panel and a first plurality of walls with a first minimum wall height. A second chamber is attachable to the frame and has a second bottom panel and a second plurality of walls with a second minimum wall height. The frame can be arranged in a first position resting on one of the sides and supporting the first chamber and in a second position resting on the bottom and supporting the second chamber. The second minimum wall height in one example is greater than the first minimum wall height. A first elevation of the first bottom panel is greater than a second elevation of the second bottom panel in another example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: John (Jason) C. Arnold, IV, Thomas J. Pollack, Rachel Eirich
  • Patent number: 7696711
    Abstract: A diaper pail has a body with an interior container space and an access opening into the interior container space. A diaper receptacle is also in the body and has a diaper receiving opening into the receptacle. An obstruction is provided that can be moved between a receiving orientation and a dumping orientation. In one aspect, an input device I configured to signal a part of the diaper pail to automatically operate the obstruction between the dumping orientation and the receiving orientation to receive a soiled diaper into the diaper receptacle and to dump the soiled diaper from the diaper receptacle into the interior container space. In another aspect, an activated charcoal filter is in communication with at least the interior storage space and is designed to chemically eliminate odors that emanate from the soiled diapers in the interior storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Pollack, Jeffrey Swan, Brad Studer
  • Patent number: 7614930
    Abstract: A child activity center has a body structure that can be deflated and inflated. The body structure has a bottom end and a top end spaced upward from the bottom end when inflated. An opening is in the top end of the body structure and a child retaining region is accessible through the opening and defined within the body structure when inflated. A sealed air space is in the body structure and an air inlet is in communication with the air space and configured to permit inflation of the body structure. A seat is suspended in the retaining region and configured to support a child in the retaining region above the bottom end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Cindy L. Berkey, Michael A. Dotsey, Thomas J. Pollack, William B. Bellows, Brian Kincaid