Patents Assigned to Universal City Studios LLLP
  • Patent number: 7850533
    Abstract: An apparatus for entertaining multiple guests includes a device that selectively generates a flame and a barrier interposed between each guest and the flame. The barrier is configured to remain transparent throughout multiple repetitions of use of the device for generating a flame. A method of entertaining guests is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLLP
    Inventors: Ross Osterman, Steven C. Blum, Justin Michael Schwartz
  • Patent number: 7706904
    Abstract: A multi-language attraction communication device is provided wherein a guest selects a particular language file corresponding to an audio file coordinated with at least one entertainment activity. The communication device includes a memory for storing multiple language files for at least one entertainment activity and a processor. The processor is configured to access the memory, in response to a selected language file for the at least one entertainment activity, and to communicate the language file for review by a guest in real time coordination with the at least one entertainment activity. A method of providing audio to guests at an entertainment activity is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLLP
    Inventors: Matthew Preston Jones, Steven C. Blum, Justin Michael Schwartz, Brian McQuillian
  • Patent number: 7694640
    Abstract: A guest lap bar locking assembly for releasably positioning a lap bar within a water ride at an entertainment park includes a lap bar locking assembly that is dimensioned and configured to provide continuously variable position locking of the lap bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLLP
    Inventors: Steven C. Blum, David Winslow, Tim Kelley, Robert Scott Blucher
  • Patent number: 7691002
    Abstract: A ride vehicle includes a tactile or physical contact system. The ride vehicle moves along a path or track. The path or track can be outdoors or partially or entirely indoors, i.e., in a dark ride. The system provides a touch effect by causing a physical or solid touch element to make physical contact with a part of a rider's body. Alternatively, the system can operate by projecting or spraying a gas, such as air, a vapor, such as water vapor or steam, or even a liquid, such as water, toward or onto part of a rider's body or the rider's clothing. The system is advantageously substantially self-contained aboard the vehicle, but may receive power or working fluid from off-board sources, either at discrete locations, or continuously along the ride path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLLP
    Inventors: Joseph F. Casey, Michael R. Kiddoo, Steven C. Blum, William F. Whitcomb, Scott R. Trowbridge
  • Patent number: 7572166
    Abstract: Transformable scenery includes a shell wherein at least one discrete portion of the shell is configured to be transformable between one outward appearance and one or more other outward appearances wherein the one outward appearance and the one or more other outward appearances are three-dimensional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLLP
    Inventors: Steven C. Blum, Justin Michael Schwartz, Scott R. Trowbridge
  • Patent number: 7506602
    Abstract: At least one actuator for actuating a guest lap bar locking assembly for releasably positioning a lap bar includes a rotatable actuator hub, a telegraph rod interconnected with the rotatable actuator hub, an operator arm also extending from the actuator hub and a toggle latching assembly interconnected with the actuator hub. The toggle latching assembly provides for rotation of the telegraph rod to actuate the lap bar locking assembly to prevent movement of the lap bar in at least one particular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLLP
    Inventors: Steven C. Blum, David Winslow, Tim Kelley, Robert Scott Blucher
  • Patent number: 7484460
    Abstract: An amusement ride has a track defining a ride vehicle path with a section of the track that can be decoupled from the main track and is subsequently movable on or about up to three axes with between one and six independent degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLLP
    Inventors: Steven C. Blum, Michael R. Kiddoo, Scott R. Trowbridge
  • Patent number: 7354351
    Abstract: A pair of opposed inflatable bladders form a false floor, ceiling or wall having a seam through which an object support is propelled, deforming the inflatable bladders around the support, thereby giving the appearance that an object mounted on the support above the bladders is self-propelled above the false floor, ceiling or wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLLP
    Inventor: Ross Edwards