Abstract: The present invention provides a novel form of entertainment in which participants compete in a “tug of war” against opponents who are remotely located, stored in electronic form in memory, or are virtual opponents graphically generated in real-time by a computer. One embodiment implements “tug of war” in a manner compatible with international standards for Tug competitions. The invention consists of a rope attached to a motor to supply a counterforce to the pulling team. A tensiometer is attached to the rope to determine the force being applied to the rope by the pulling team. In one embodiment, there is a corresponding assembly being used by an opposing team and in data communication with the first assembly. The motor applies a counterforce to the rope being pulled by one team based on the force being applied by the other team to their own rope. In this manner, the system works as if the teams were each pulling on the same rope.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic device includes a launcher for launching and igniting a plurality of pyrotechnic stars for creating an aerial fireworks display. The launcher comprises a launching tube having an igniter that ignites the pyrotechnic stars as they are being expelled from the launching tube under the force of pressurized air. The igniter may comprise a section of the launching tube having a locally reduced diameter so that the pyrotechnic star frictionally engages it during launch, causing a striker composition on the interior of the launching tube to ignite a prime composition on the exterior surface of the pyrotechnic star. Alternatively, the igniter may comprise a flame within the launching tube to ignite the prime composition on the star. Various feeding mechanisms are provided to rapidly feed a large number of pyrotechnic stars for launching from the launching tube. The launcher utilizes pressurized air to launch the pyrotechnic stars and, thus, minimizes adverse environmental impact.

Abstract: The present invention provides an amusement ride having a self-propelled electric powered ride vehicle capable of maximum acceleration of about 0.3 to as much as about 1.1 G's in either direction using a unique pinch wheel drive system, and including an on board vehicle controller and peripheral equipment for controlling the vehicle. The pinch wheel drive system, which compresses driven wheel motor packages against a tractive surface, generates compression using a system which is independent of the vehicle's weight and motion. A master controller is provided for ride systems having multiple self-propelled vehicles on the same track for communicating with and coordinating the movement of the ride vehicles. This allows precise control of multiple ride vehicles to allow faster dispatch and shorter intervehicular spacings by implementing a floating zone control.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating a fluid screen for use in entertainment. Provided is a mechanically simple and effective way of creating a fluid screen which facilitates the projection of still and moving pictures upon it. The fluid screen is generated by pumping water, or other comparable fluid, through a fluid screen nozzle having an axial flow director and a nozzle insert. The fluid, at a given pressure and flow rate, is directed through the axial flow director, past the internal end of the nozzle insert and its transition section and then onto and away from its radial stabilizer. The fluid is guided by the radial stabilizer of the nozzle insert to form the fluid screen. Each of the regions mentioned contribute to creating the desired shape of the projection surface.

Abstract: A system and method for launching projectiles, such as fireworks projectiles, which explode in the air into a pyrotechnic display. The projectile includes a shell constructed from a binding agent and an explosive additive which explodes the shell into small particles. The explosive additive, which may be nitrocellulose, causes the exploded particles to be rapidly burned and consumed to form lightweight, inert flakes that fall harmlessly to the ground. The projectile is aimed and launched by a launcher using a compressed gas to rapidly expel the projectile from a launching tube. Once in the air at a predetermined location in the sky, an electronic fuse inside the projectile operates to detonate the projectile into its intended pyrotechnic display. The fuse is extremely accurate and enables detonation of the projectile at precise altitudes. An electronic control system controls launching and detonation of the projectiles in a precise and repeatable manner.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for controlling the movement of flat bottomed articles in a plurality of different directions relative to a supporting platform. The article is supported on a plurality of clusters of helical, freely rotatable rollers mounted on a plurality of shafts. Selected ones of the shafts, or groups of shafts, each lying in one of a plurality of zones, are selectively driven in a clockwise direction, a counterclockwise direction or are held in stationary. Selective control of the shafts enable the apparatus to move the article parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platform in two selected directions, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in two selected directions; diagonally of the longitudinal axis in four selected directions, and either clock or counterclockwise about an axis normal to the flat bottom of the article.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for controlling the movement of flat bottomed articles in a plurality of different directions relative to a supporting platform. The article is supported on a plurality of clusters of helical, freely rotatable rollers mounted on a plurality of shafts. Selected ones of the shafts, or groups of shafts, each lying in one of a plurality of zones, are selectively driven in a clockwise direction, a counterclockwise direction or are held stationary. Selective control of the shafts enable the apparatus to move the article parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platform in two selected directions, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in two selected directions; diagonally of the longitudinal axis in four selected directions, and either clock or counterclockwise about an axis normal to the flat bottom of the article.

Abstract: A wheel of a driven track of a track-type vehicle has a plurality of teeth connected to a hub. A plurality of annular springs is positioned in the openings of the teeth and actuated in response to associated plungers on the springs contacting a portion of the track. The springs controllably resist the impact forces of the track that are directed onto the wheel.

Abstract: A wheel of a driven track of a track-type vehicle has a rim connected to a hub with an annular chamber formed between the rim and the hub. A plurality of annular springs are positioned in the chamber and actuated by plungers in response to contacting a portion of the track. The springs controllably resist the impact forces of the track that are directed onto the wheel.

Abstract: Drive or driven wheels of a track-type vehicle have a hub and a plurality of teeth around the outer periphery each of which are spaced one from the other by an intervening root having an opening. A biasing hoop assembly having a multiplicity of generally concentric biasing hoops encompass the hub and are positioned between the hub and teeth. Actuating apparatus extends from the root into contact with the biasing hoop assembly and is generaly movable for deflecting the biasing hoops and resisting entry into the root for dampening impact, loads, and noise of elements entering the root.

Abstract: Wheels of a crawler-type vehicle have rims that are laterally movable relative to the axis in response to a force subjected on the rim. The rim is biased by resilient material to return to its normal position in response to removal of the force on the rim.

Abstract: A wheel of a driven track of a track-type vehicle has a rim connected to a hub with an annular chamber formed between the rim and the hub. An annular spring is positioned in the chamber and actuated by plungers in response to contacting a portion of the track. The spring controllably resists the impact forces of the track that are directed onto the wheel.

Abstract: A biasing element has a force transmitting material positioned within a chamber of a housing having deflectable walls. A piston contacts and moves the force transmitting material into forcible contact with the housing walls in response to movement of the piston. Further movement of the piston deflects the housing walls in response to forces from the force transmitting material in the housing.