The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 22, 2009
Filed:
Aug. 24, 2006
William R. Howell, Arcade, NY (US);
John Rhein, Chula Vista, CA (US);
Gerald P. Sitarski, Grand Island, NY (US);
Richard A. Zirnheld, Niagara Falls, NY (US);
Jeffrey W. Reynolds, East Aurora, NY (US);
William R. Howell, Arcade, NY (US);
John Rhein, Chula Vista, CA (US);
Gerald P. Sitarski, Grand Island, NY (US);
Richard A. Zirnheld, Niagara Falls, NY (US);
Jeffrey W. Reynolds, East Aurora, NY (US);
Mattel, Inc., El Segundo, CA (US);
Abstract
Children's ride-on vehicles having a drive assembly that is selectively configured between a plurality of drive configurations, such as responsive to user inputs via user input devices, and a ground detection system that is adapted to detect when at least one of a plurality of wheels loses contact with the ground surface. The ground detection system may be adapted to restrict the plurality of drive configurations responsive thereto. This restriction may be automatic responsive to loss of contact of the at least one of the plurality of wheels with the ground surface, and it may be made regardless, or independent, of user inputs that otherwise would select and/or enable one of the restricted drive configurations.