Patents by Inventor Douglas John Heke

Douglas John Heke 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: 5716282
    Abstract: A water ride includes a flume (10) defining a ride path. Patrons of the ride travel in rafts (24) along the flume (10) with the rafts riding on a thin layer of water introduced into the flume. To induce the rafts (24) to spin at desired locations in a controlled fashion, the rafts each include raft features (30) located on a bottom surface (32) of the raft. Flume features (34) are positioned at desired locations along the ride path in position to make contact with the raft features (30). This contact between the raft features (30) and the flume features (34) induces a controlled spin to the raft (24). The raft features (30) preferably include projections (36) extending downwardly from the bottom surface (32) of the raft at locations offset from a raft center of rotation. The flume features (34) preferably comprise alternating depressions (38) and ridges (40) extending transversely to the ride path along one side of the flume (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignees: Bay Boats, Inc., White Water West Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Oliver Alan Ring, Douglas John Heke