Patents by Inventor Thomas Robert Norquist

Thomas Robert Norquist 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: 12628948
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a set of components configured to be assembled together to produce a variety of different modular tables and the modular tables that are produced. The components and resulting tables may include at least one tabletop component; at least one seating surface; and at least one leg having a first end that can be affixed to an underside of the tabletop, a second end that can be affixed to an underside of the seating surface, and a central portion that is configured to rest on a ground surface. The components are configured so that a leg may be affixed to the tabletop at different locations, e.g. to produce different seating positions. Moreover, at least one of the tabletop components may be an ā€œLā€-shaped tabletop, which allows for the design of a large variety of different table and seating configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: PlayCore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Norquist, Jacob Arbeiter, Austin Miller
  • Publication number: 20260034462
    Abstract: A swing for use by children or adults in mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, includes a base platform configured to support one or more mobility devices and which is connected, through a rigid framework, to one or more overhead trolleys. The one or more overhead trolleys are configured to move back and forth along first and second elevated and desirably curved tracks, thereby causing the base platform to swing frontward and rearward in a to-and-fro swinging motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2025
    Publication date: February 5, 2026
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Norquist, Jinquan Zhu, Lloyd W. Reese, Charles Griffith
  • Publication number: 20260013652
    Abstract: An improved swing seat for use by children with disabilities includes first and second rotating arms, which are configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis between an open position in which a user can exit the seat in a forward direction and a closed position in which the first and second rotating arms prevent a user from exiting the seat in a forward direction. The rotating arms may each include a latch element which may be fastened together in a manner similar to a conventional automobile seat belt. The swing seat may also have a variety of other features which represent improvements over conventional swing seats of this sort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2024
    Publication date: January 15, 2026
    Inventors: Anthony Parker, Lloyd W. Reese, Thomas Robert Norquist
  • Publication number: 20250276250
    Abstract: The present invention provides a swing that is operable to promote attunement between a child and caretaker. The swing comprises two seats, one of the two seats being configured to be occupied by a caretaker, such as a parent, and another of the two seats being configured to be occupied by a child. The two seats are arranged so that the caretaker and the child can face one another and comfortably see each other's eyes. The two seats are also configured such that, during operation of the swing, both the caretaker and child share the experience of swinging. Thus, using the swing of at least one embodiment of the present invention, a caretaker and child may share the mutual enjoyment of the swinging action while maintaining eye contact with one another, resulting in attunement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2025
    Publication date: September 4, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Norquist, Kim Corvin Blackwood, Charles Lebron Griffith, IV
  • Publication number: 20250221525
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a set of components configured to be assembled together to produce a variety of different modular tables and the modular tables that are produced. The components and resulting tables may include at least one tabletop component; at least one seating surface; and at least one leg having a first end that can be affixed to an underside of the tabletop, a second end that can be affixed to an underside of the seating surface, and a central portion that is configured to rest on a ground surface. The components are configured so that a leg may be affixed to the tabletop at different locations, e.g. to produce different seating positions. Moreover, at least one of the tabletop components may be an ā€œLā€-shaped tabletop, which allows for the design of a large variety of different table and seating configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Publication date: July 10, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Norquist, Jacob Arbeiter, Austin Miller
  • Patent number: 12330076
    Abstract: The present invention provides a swing that is operable to promote attunement between a child and caretaker. The swing comprises two seats, one of the two seats being configured to be occupied by a caretaker, such as a parent, and another of the two seats being configured to be occupied by a child. The two seats are arranged so that the caretaker and the child can face one another and comfortably see each other's eyes. The two seats are also configured such that, during operation of the swing, both the caretaker and child share the experience of swinging. Thus, using the swing of at least one embodiment of the present invention, a caretaker and child may share the mutual enjoyment of the swinging action while maintaining eye contact with one another, resulting in attunement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: PLAYCORE WISCONSIN, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Norquist, Kim Corvin Blackwood, Charles Lebron Griffith, IV
  • Publication number: 20250177796
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to artificial topographical structures, such as mounds, installed at playgrounds using a structural framework. The structural framework is made up of a first plurality of panels extending in a first direction and a second plurality of panels extending in a second direction, with the second direction being transverse to the first direction. Each of the second plurality of panels may be connected to one or more of the first plurality of panels, such as through a complementary arrangement of slots. The artificial structure also includes at least a support layer and a cushion layer. The upper edges of the panels are designed to together provide an artificial mound having a defined contour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2025
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Norquist, Tin-Man Lau, Elisabeth Mathis
  • Publication number: 20250161829
    Abstract: A playground spinner or rocker is configured so that two children may share the spinning or rocking motion while in a face-to-face relationship, thereby promoting social play and attunement. The playground spinner or rocker includes a base that defines a first seating compartment and a second seating compartment, with each seating compartment being configured to hold a single child. The base also includes a dividing wall that extends between and separates the first seating compartment and the second seating compartment. The dividing wall serves as a barrier that helps provide each child with a defined sense of personal space, thereby facilitating play by children having autism spectrum disorder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2023
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Norquist, Anthony Parker
  • Patent number: 12251618
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to artificial topographical structures, such as mounds, installed at playgrounds using a structural framework. The structural framework is made up of a first plurality of panels extending in a first direction and a second plurality of panels extending in a second direction, with the second direction being transverse to the first direction. Each of the second plurality of panels may be connected to one or more of the first plurality of panels, such as through a complementary arrangement of slots. The artificial structure also includes at least a support layer and a cushion layer. The upper edges of the panels are designed to together provide an artificial mound having a defined contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: PLAYCORE WISCONSIN, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Norquist, Tin-Man Lau, Elisabeth Mathis
  • Patent number: 11965293
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to impact-attenuating pathways that can be easily installed in outdoor areas, such as an outdoor area associated with a senior or assisted living facility. The impact attenuating pathways of the present disclosure provide a natural looking path having impact attenuation properties that can help prevent life threatening injuries. In addition to the impact attenuation properties, the pathway is configured to withstand regular wear from shoes, canes, crutches, and the like. The impact-attenuating pathway comprises a firm base layer, such as concrete; a cushion layer positioned on top of the base layer; and a wear layer positioned on top of the cushion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: PLAYCORE WISCONSIN , INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Norquist, Amy Stubley
  • Patent number: 11806633
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to water effect play structures for use in playgrounds, splash pads, and water parks. The play structures comprise a plurality of water tanks maintained at an elevation above a play surface. Each of the plurality of water tanks fills with water and then releases the water contained therein, splashing children in the vicinity. Each of the plurality of water tanks may be configured to release the water contained therein at different times. Further, in some embodiments, the water tanks may be enclosed, such as by being connected to a water transport system that fills the tanks internally and by having a movable cover over the opening(s) through which the water is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: THE FOUNTAIN PEOPLE, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Brown, Chris Thomas, Luke Cavanaugh, Matthew Dangle, Thomas Robert Norquist
  • Publication number: 20230311010
    Abstract: The present invention provides a swing that is operable to promote attunement between a child and caretaker. The swing comprises two seats, one of the two seats being configured to be occupied by a caretaker, such as a parent, and another of the two seats being configured to be occupied by a child. The two seats are arranged so that the caretaker and the child can face one another and comfortably see each other's eyes. The two seats are also configured such that, during operation of the swing, both the caretaker and child share the experience of swinging. Thus, using the swing of at least one embodiment of the present invention, a caretaker and child may share the mutual enjoyment of the swinging action while maintaining eye contact with one another, resulting in attunement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Norquist, Kim Corvin Blackwood, Charles Lebron Griffith, IV
  • Patent number: D1031297
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: PLA YCORE WISCONSIN, INC.
    Inventors: Whitney Shields, Thomas Robert Norquist
  • Patent number: D1033068
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: PLAYCORE WISCONSIN, INC.
    Inventors: Whitney Shields, Thomas Robert Norquist
  • Patent number: D1088164
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: PLAYCORE WISCONSIN, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Norquist, Anthony Parker
  • Patent number: D1095066
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: PLAYCORE WISCONSIN, INC.
    Inventors: Jacob Arbeiter, Thomas Robert Norquist, Austin Miller
  • Patent number: D1100525
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: PLAYCORE WISCONSIN, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Norquist, Jacob Arbeiter, Austin Miller
  • Patent number: D1100551
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: PLAYCORE WISCONSIN, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Norquist, Jacob Arbeiter, Austin Miller
  • Patent number: D1100552
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: PLAYCORE WISCONSIN, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Norquist, Jacob Arbeiter, Austin Miller
  • Patent number: D1121090
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: PLAYCORE WISCONSIN, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Parker, Lloyd Reese, Thomas Robert Norquist