Patents Examined by Kien T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11904250
    Abstract: A free-fall apparatus comprising a vertical structure that houses and supports a lifting assembly that includes a wearable harness, a support member, anchored pulleys, a lifting cable, and a lifting device. The vertical structure also houses and supports a braking assembly that includes a pair of cylinders, pistons, anchored pulleys, and braking cables. The amusement ride's unique design provides end-users with selective control of their entertainment experience by allowing each end-user the ability to decide when to engage the release mechanism that induces the safe yet exhilarating free-fall experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Jimmy Doyle Mosley
  • Patent number: 11904253
    Abstract: A fidget toy has a set of three gimbals, wherein two of the gimbals may be in a parallel configuration, while an intermediate gimbal is mounted with an orthogonal pivot axis compared to the other gimbals. The fidget toy may have a spherical core, two successive rings, and a hemispherical outer shell wherein the three gimbals are at the interface of these four objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Kahn Creatives LLC
    Inventor: Jason Kahn
  • Patent number: 11903493
    Abstract: A foldable swing frame is provided and includes a seat assembly, a lateral support, a joint assembly and a bottom leg assembly. The lateral support is located beside the seat assembly. The seat assembly is assembled with the lateral support. The joint assembly is installed on the lateral support. The bottom leg assembly is for standing the foldable swing frame. The bottom leg assembly is assembled with the joint assembly. The bottom leg assembly is pivotally connected to the lateral support by the joint assembly, and the bottom leg assembly is switchable between a folded position and an unfolded position relative to the lateral support by the joint assembly. One or more embodiments of the foldable swing frame can be folded compactly to reduce an occupied space of the foldable swing frame without detachment of the seat assembly for easy transportation and easy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventor: Manqun Cheng
  • Patent number: 11896912
    Abstract: A frame for a simulator includes a support for pedals, a support for a manual control unit and a support for a seat, and at least two elongate frame parts extending on either side of the supports and connected thereto. The support for the manual control unit and the seat support are displaceable in longitudinal direction of the frame. The support for the manual control unit and the seat support can here be displaceable in opposite directions in order to form a space therebetween. A simulator comprising such a frame, where a seat is mounted on the seat support, a manual control unit is mounted on the support for the manual control unit, and pedals are mounted on the pedal support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: F. SMIT HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Fernando Smit
  • Patent number: 11891833
    Abstract: A venue includes an exterior structure, a theater area inside the exterior structure, an audience seating area positioned in the theater area and facing the stage, and a mezzanine area positioned inside the exterior structure, outside of the theater area, and at least partially beneath the audience seating area. The theater area includes an interior surface that provides or supports a display. The display is an immersive display that extends along the interior surface such that the display is positioned in front of, to the sides, above, and behind at least a portion of the audience seating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Willowbrook Capital Group, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Fox, Albert Vass
  • Patent number: 11883755
    Abstract: A see-saw apparatus includes a base, a beam, a first and second carrier platform, at least one actuator, and an actuator control device. The beam, with a first and a second end, pivotally attaches to the base at a fulcrum between the first and second end. The first carrier platform couples to the first end and is configured to receive a wheelchair. The second carrier platform couples to the second end and is configured to receive a wheelchair. The at least one actuator is coupled to the beam and the base, and is configured to cause the beam to pivot between a first and a second position. The first position defines a limit of travel in a first pivotal direction, and the second position defines a limit of travel in a second pivotal direction opposite the first pivotal direction. The actuator control device couples to the at least one actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventor: Troy Andrew Bishop
  • Patent number: 11883756
    Abstract: A mechanical advantage device includes a base, a beam pivotably connected to the base at a fulcrum between a first end of the beam and a second end of the beam, a seat at the first end of the beam, and a load at the second end of the beam. In some embodiments, the mechanical advantage device includes structure, such as a linkage, for effecting oscillation of the beam by shifting weight along the beam. The mechanical advantage device may be a single-person seesaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: People Levers LLC
    Inventor: John H. Bevis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11885077
    Abstract: A playing surface assembly that defines at least a portion of a playing surface. The playing surface assembly has a backing, a plurality of reinforcement elements secured to and extending upwardly from the backing, and an infill material defining a top surface of the playing surface assembly. Each reinforcement element has a top end and a reveal distance corresponding to a vertical spacing between the top surface of the playing surface assembly and the top end of the reinforcement element. The reveal distance of each reinforcement element is less than 0.5 inches. In use, the reinforcement elements restrict lateral and vertical migration of the infill material, and the infill material is the primary source of performance characteristics of the playing surface assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company
    Inventors: Philipe Aldahir, Cab Bramlett
  • Patent number: 11865467
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides inflatable attractions, including inflatable attachments for attractions and attraction parks having such inflatable attractions. The inflatable attractions represent a significant advancement in safety, and include a central column, a first arm extending away from the central column, a second arm extending away from the central column, and at least one inflatable air chamber extending through at least one of the first arm or the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventors: Robin Whincup, Michael Robin Whincup
  • Patent number: 11850534
    Abstract: A magic kit and methods of use thereof are described. The magic kit may include a first handheld object and a second handheld object that appear to be identical but have different weights. The magic kit may be used to perform a magic trick where the second handheld object appears to levitate using an elastic band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Penguin Magic, Inc.
    Inventor: Acar Altinsel
  • Patent number: 11850530
    Abstract: A motion simulation apparatus includes a motion platform. A carrier for carrying a user is mounted on the motion platform. The apparatus has a drive arm with a lower end that is pivotally mounted on a substrate to pivot relative to the substrate with two degrees of freedom of movement and an upper end that is pivotally connected to the motion platform to pivot with respect to the motion platform with two degrees of freedom of movement. The apparatus has two guide arms, each guide arm having a lower end that is pivotally mounted on the substrate to pivot relative to the substrate with three degrees of freedom of movement and an upper end that is pivotally connected to the motion platform to pivot relative to the motion platform with three degrees of freedom of movement. The drive arm, the guide arms and the motion platform define a dynamic frame that can pivot with respect to the substrate such that a resultant movement of the motion platform can be imparted to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: KINCHINGTON HOLDINGS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Alan Smith, Justin Kinchington
  • Patent number: 11845015
    Abstract: A system for co-positioning physical and virtual objects during stage performances when the movements of the object (3) on the stage (1) are combined with the projected image. The technical result to be achieved is in the enhancement of functionalities of the system due to the increase in the accuracy of movement of the object (3), the increase in speed and degrees of freedom of the object (3) movement providing simultaneous synchronized co-positioning of physical and virtual objects (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventors: Kostyantyn Ivanovych Tomilchenko, Ievgen Volodymyrovych Gusarov, Iurii Oleksandrovych Kostenko
  • Patent number: 11839829
    Abstract: A wearable visualization device includes a housing, one or more lenses coupled to the housing and configured to display virtual features for visualization by a user of the wearable visualization device, and a cover coupled to the housing and configured to adjust between an extended configuration in which the cover extends over at least a portion of the one or more lenses and a retracted configuration in which the cover does not extend over at least the portion of the one or more lenses. The wearable visualization device also includes a controller and one or more sensors. The controller is configured to receive sensor data from the one or more sensors and to provide control signals to an actuator to adjust the cover between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration based on the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Wai Yin Chung, Douglas Evan Goodner, Justin Allen Hare, Andrew Raij, Jeffrey Scott Boyles
  • Patent number: 11835975
    Abstract: A multi-stage water effect system includes a plurality of water ride vehicles. A water ride vehicle of the plurality of water ride vehicles has one or more water effect devices. The multi-stage water effect system also includes a control system communicatively coupled to the one or more water effect devices of the plurality of water ride vehicles. The control system activates the one or more water effect devices of the water ride vehicle to provide a first fluid flow at a first time. The control system also activates the one or more water effect devices of the water ride vehicle to provide a second fluid flow at a second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Univesal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Sean Michael Lowry, Gregory Shellman Hall
  • Patent number: 11834868
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cabin for transporting passengers, comprising at least one door (P1, P2), an interior floor (C) and a doorsill (S) located on either side of the door, and a locking device comprising a lug (E) which is rigidly connected to the door and projects toward the outside of the cabin, and a catch finger (4) that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The invention also relates to an actuating mechanism comprising a pedal (7) which is located under the interior floor (C) of the cabin and can be accessed via a hatch in the floor of the cabin, and a kinematic connection between the pedal (7) and the finger (4), which connection is located under the interior floor (C) and under the doorsill (S) of the cabin. In the locked position, the finger is an abutment on the path of the lug (E). In the unlocked position, the finger is retracted under the doorsill (S) of the cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: POMA
    Inventors: Xavier Libert, Thierry Vittoz
  • Patent number: 11819770
    Abstract: A recreational water slide device is provided including an upper sheet and a lower sheet, together defining an inflatable chamber. A connecting sheet is disposed under the inflatable chamber and comprises an edge that is connected to the lower sheet. A water storage chamber is formed between the connecting sheet and the lower sheet with an opening, through which water can pass, between the inflatable chamber and the connecting sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: BESTWAY INFLATABLES & MATERIAL CORP.
    Inventor: Shuiyong Huang
  • Patent number: 11819771
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hanging chair that contains a frame (2), suspension (50) that may be secured to the frame (2) and a first canvas (70) determining a seat (72) supported by the frame (2), characterised by that the frame (2) contains three ring-shaped frame elements (10, 20, 30), of which—a first and second frame element (10, 20) are secured to each other along a first axis (125) with a first pair of fasteners (123, 124), —the second and a third frame element (20, 30) are secured to each other along a second axis (235) on a side of the second frame element (20) opposite the first axis (125) with a second pair of fasteners (233, 234), and—the first and third frame elements (10, 30) are secured to each other along a third axis (135) on a side of the first frame element (10) opposite the first axis (125) with a third pair of fasteners (133, 134), and with the frame elements (10, 20, 30) secured to each other and in suspended state, the suspension (50) is located outside of the frame (2), above the first
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventor: János Szabolcs
  • Patent number: 11813542
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a tracking system for a ride vehicle. A tracking system for a ride vehicle includes a contact switch sensor including a plurality of contact closure switches. The contact switch sensor is situated on the ride vehicle. The tracking system for the ride vehicle further includes a plurality of location indicator devices situated on or proximate to a path of the ride vehicle. Each location indicator device of the plurality of location indicator devices is configured to communicate location information to the contact switch sensor via the plurality of contact closure switches when the ride vehicle passes by each location indicator device of the plurality of location indicator devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Michael Herbert
  • Patent number: 11806634
    Abstract: A connector system, ride system and method for connecting and supporting a suspended load. The system includes a suspended carrier having a first connector part and a suspended load support, arranged and disposed to support a suspended load, the suspended load support having a second connector part. A first magnetic coupler is affixed to the suspended carrier and a second magnetic coupler is affixed to the suspended load support. The first magnetic coupler includes a first arrangement of magnets and the second magnetic coupler includes a second arrangement of magnets. The first arrangement of magnets is selectively arranged and disposed to provide alignment and detachable engagement to the magnets of the second arrangement of magnets. The first connector part and the second connector part releasably engage to connect the suspended carrier to the suspended load support and permit transmission of motion, power, signal and at least one utility from the suspended carrier to the suspended load support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Tait Towers Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Steven Bettinger, Nicholas James Bonsell, Andrew Phillips Mudie, Andrew John Penney, James Fowler Shumway, Jr., McLane Walker Snow
  • Patent number: 11803063
    Abstract: An augmented reality, virtual reality, and/or mixed reality (AR/VR) system includes a wearable visualization assembly configured to be worn by a user and to display virtual features for visualization by the user during a ride stage of an attraction. The wearable visualization assembly includes a sensor configured to provide feedback indicative of an attachment status of the wearable visualization assembly on the user. The AR/VR system also includes a retraction assembly coupled to the wearable visualization assembly via a tether and configured to retrieve the tether. The AR/VR system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the retraction assembly and the sensor. The controller is configured to actuate the retraction assembly to retrieve the tether to transition the wearable visualization assembly to a storage configuration in response to the feedback indicating that the wearable visualization assembly is in a detached configuration during the ride stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Brian Raij, David Gerard Majdali