Patents by Inventor William Ward, Jr.

William Ward, Jr. 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: 6572134
    Abstract: A multi-feature stroller (100) includes several unique features. The stroller, which has a forward sub-frame (104) and a rearward sub-frame (108) that is foldable upon itself, provides a napper bar (150) which extends outwardly from the forward sub-frame (104). The napper bar (150) provides a locking mechanism (254) which engages one of two locking tongues (190) extending from an underside of a car seat (160). Accordingly, the car seat (160) may be carried by the stroller (100) in a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position. The napper bar (150) is moveable between an extended position and a recessed position by actuating a release mechanism (302). A fold down mechanism (130) is connected between the rear sub-frame (108) and the forward sub-frame (104) when actuated causes the sub-frames to fold into a collapsed position and simultaneously causes the napper bar to fall to its recessed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Graco Children′s Products Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Barrett, Michael Green, Mary Ann Celestina-Krevh, LeNard Pope, William Ward, Jr., Robert Warner, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020182000
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a connector for coupling tether straps attached to child vehicle seats to anchorages provided on the vehicle, e.g., anchorages provided on the package shelf of the vehicle or anchorages located at the crease of the seat bottom and seat back. The latch provides advantages over the common “J” hook currently in use, including an actuator remote from a spring-loaded pin used to block the entrance to an anchorage receiving area. In addition, the connector may include an opening for attachment of a tether strap. In a preferred embodiment, the latch further includes a plate which is coupled to a strap length adjuster, the plate and adjuster being pivotally connected to permit side-to-side rotation of the adjuster relative to the latch to prevent bunching or twisting of the strap which can cause the belt to lose its ability to uniformly distribute a load across its width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: William Ward, Jr., Robert C. Barrett
  • Patent number: 6163924
    Abstract: A swivel caster assembly is provided with a releasable locking mechanism which selectively locks the caster assembly against rotation. A leg bushing used to support the leg of an associated appliance such as a baby stroller is rotatably supported by a caster body. The caster body has an upwardly extending locking lug recess, a transverse access aperture passing through the recess, and a transverse axle aperture. A locking lug is slidably received within the recess, and is maneuvered to a fully extended locking position and a retracted unlocking position by an arm member pivotally secured to the caster body. Force transfer between the arm member and the lug is through a spring. A locking collar is secured to the leg bushing and has a downwardly opening notch for engaging the upper end of the locking lug when extended. A pair of detent bosses extend outwardly from the caster body and engage with detent apertures formed in the arm member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: William Ward, Jr., Scott Corley
  • Patent number: 4372508
    Abstract: An aircraft crewman protective system properly positions the lower legs and eet of the crewman during emergency egress from an aircraft. The system includes a pair of plate members connected to swing outward from the under side of the crewman's console at each leg position and means for deploying the plate members at the time of ejection. Upon deployment, the plate members push the feet of the crewman backward guiding the feet and lower legs within a contact-free envelope during ejection without changing desired spinal position of the crewman.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Georg D. Frisch, William Ward, Jr.