IP Library Granted Patent US 8,692,658
Granted Patent B2
US 8,692,658 · App. 13/092,270 · Granted Apr 8, 2014

Interactive timing system for a play system

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,692,658
App. No.
13/092,270
Granted
Apr 8, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

An interactive timing system for use with a play system includes a base unit configured for mounting at a base location on the play system and a plurality of remote units each configured for mounting at a location on the play system remote from the base station. The base unit comprises a timer and a switch for activating the timer. Each remote unit comprises an indicator and a manually-activated input for controlling the indicator.

Claims (34)

1. An interactive timing system for use with a play system, the timing system comprising:

a base unit configured for mounting at a base location on or near the play system, the base unit comprising—

a timer; and

a manually-activated input for activating the timer; and

a plurality of remote units each configured for mounting at a location on or near the play system remote from the base unit, each remote unit comprising—

an indicator; and

a manually-activated input for controlling the indicator.

2. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the base unit further comprises a transmitter for transmitting an activation signal to the remote units when the manually-activated input of the base unit is activated.

3. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 2 , wherein each of the remote units further comprises a receiver for receiving the activation signal and for controlling its indicator in response thereto.

4. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the activation signal activates the indicators of the remote units and the manually-activated input of each remote unit is configured to deactivate its indicator when operated.

5. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the base unit further comprises a control device configured to instruct the timer to countdown a specified amount of time and to instruct each of the remote units to activate its indicator in a particular sequence when the manually-activated input of the base unit is operated.

6. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 5 , wherein each of the remote units further comprises a control device configured to send a confirmation signal to the control device of the base unit when the manually-activated input of the remote unit is operated.

7. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the manually-activated input of the base unit is a push-button switch and the manually-activated input of each of the remote units is a push-button switch.

8. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the indicator of each remote unit is a light or a sound-emitting device.

9. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the timer of the base unit is a countdown timer.

10. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein each of the base unit and the remote units further comprises a sound-emitting device, memory for storing a plurality of audio files, and a selector switch for permitting a user to select which of the audio files is reproduced by its sound-emitting device.

11. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 10 , wherein each of the base unit and the remote units further comprises an input for receiving audio signals from an external audio source for reproduction by its sound-emitting device.

12. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the sound emitted by each of the remote units is unique and different from the sounds emitted by other remote units.

13. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the play system is a swing set, obstacle course, or combined swing set and obstacle course.

14. An interactive timing system for use with a play system, the timing system comprising:

a base unit configured for mounting at a base location on or near the play system, the base unit comprising—

a timer;

a switch for activating the timer;

a transmitter for transmitting an activation signal; and

a plurality of remote units each configured for mounting at a location on or near the play system remote from the base unit, each remote unit comprising—

an indicator;

a receiver for receiving the activation signal from the base unit and activating the indicator in response thereto; and

a switch for turning off the indicator.

15. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the indicator of each remote unit is a light or a sound-emitting device.

16. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the timer of the base unit is a countdown timer.

17. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the base unit further comprises a control device configured to instruct the timer to countdown a specified amount of time and to instruct each of the remote units to activate its indicator in a particular sequence when the switch of the base unit is operated.

18. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 17 , wherein each of the remote units further comprises a control device configured to send a confirmation signal to the control device of the base unit when the switch of the remote unit is operated.

19. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 14 , wherein each of the base unit and the remote units further comprises a sound-emitting device, memory for storing a plurality of audio files, and a selector switch for permitting a user to select which of the audio files is reproduced by its sound-emitting device.

20. The interactive timing system as set forth in claim 19 , wherein each of the base unit and the remote units further comprises an input for receiving audio signals from an external audio source for reproduction by its sound-emitting device.

Assignments (10)
RELEASE OF GRANT OF A SECURITY INTEREST -- PATENTS Recorded Dec 23, 2025
From: CERBERUS BUSINESS FINANCE, LLC
To: BACKYARD LEISURE HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 074050/0723 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2020
From: STEP2 DISCOVERY, LLC
To: LEISURE TIME PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 051768/0014 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2020
From: BACKYARD LEISURE HOLDINGS, LLC
To: STEP2 DISCOVERY, LLC
Reel/Frame 051866/0377 →
ENTITY CONVERSION AND NAME CHANGE Recorded Oct 27, 2016
From: BACKYARD LEISURE HOLDINGS, INC.
To: BACKYARD LEISURE HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 040503/0420 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 19, 2016
From: THE STEP2 COMPANY, LLC; BACKYARD LEISURE INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LLC; BACKYARD LEISURE INTERMEDIATE PARENT, LLC; BACKYARD ADVENTURES, LLC; BACKYARD LEISURE HOLDINGS, LLC; CLASSIC MANOR BUILDERS, LLC; HOME BRANDS, LLC; INSTALLATIONS, LLC; LEISURE TIME PRODUCTS, LLC; ST2 BUYER, LLC; STEP2 DIRECT, LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 040421/0802 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 29, 2015
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BACKYARD LEISURE HOLDINGS, INC.; HOME BRANDS, INC.; INSTALLATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 036454/0036 →
GRANT OF A SECURITY INTEREST -- PATENTS Recorded Aug 28, 2015
From: BACKYARD LEISURE HOLDINGS, INC.
To: CERBERUS BUSINESS FINANCE, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 036504/0321 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 16, 2013
From: BMO HARRIS BANK N.A.
To: BACKYARD LEISURE HOLDINGS, INC; HOME BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 030806/0296 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 20, 2013
From: BACKYARD LEISURE HOLDINGS, INC.; HOME BRANDS, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 030663/0516 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 7, 2011
From: BROWN, PATRICK W.; NOTTINGHAM, JOHN R.; SPIRK, JOHN W.; SOREO, ROBERT F.; NOTTINGHAM-SPIRK DESIGN ASSOCIATES, INC.
To: BACKYARD LEISURE HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 026555/0556 →