Patents Assigned to Whitewater West Industries, Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20240135399
    Abstract: A system for tracking guests and collecting feedback for an entertainment attraction. The system may determine a guest's position and may interact with the guest via user interface provided for example via application on mobile device or kiosk, in order to assess guest satisfaction before, during and after attendance at an entertainment attraction or amusement park. The system may allow for storing the guest feedback and may determine whether to issue a reward to the guest based upon the feedback provided. The system may be positioned proximate to a queue line for an entertainment attraction, and may capture an image of a guest to determine the perceived mood of the guest and thereby determine whether to issue a reward to the guest based upon the perceived mood of the guest. Guest interfaces may allow communication or other data presented between or to guests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventor: Aaron Mendelson
  • Patent number: 11891834
    Abstract: A pool wave generator having a pool area and a plurality of chambers for generating a wave in the pool area. Exemplary embodiments described herein may be used to control the fluid flow within the pool area. For example, exemplary embodiments may include a control system for selecting the position of one or more valves of the chamber in order to control the ingress and egress of water from the chamber. Exemplary embodiments may be used to control the wave generated from the chambers, reduced unwanted turbulence, and/or generated a designed wave based on the individual control of the respective chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Clement Ginestet, Alexander Wynne-Edwards, Nicholas Dortmans, Axel Terradillos
  • Patent number: 11869022
    Abstract: A mobile application for execution upon an electronic device, system, or method for an amusement park or waterpark for tracking guests and collecting feedback. The application provides information, entertainment or other data to the user within the park. The application may determine a position within the park and display notifications (discounts, menus, etc.) at nearby vendors or provide recommendations based upon wait times. The application may allow for reservations at vendors. The application may determine ride sequence(s) based upon various characteristics and navigate according to such sequence(s). Puzzles, games, or other entertainment or educational activities may be displayed to the user for providing rewards based upon their participation. Guests may be tracked using a variety of technologies and information determined (dispatch rates, queues, etc.) by such tracking. Feedback (customer satisfaction) may be collected at guest interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventor: Aaron Mendelson
  • Patent number: 11640738
    Abstract: A system and method for sensing or tracking users at a geographic location or destination and collecting data based upon such users and/or the tracking of such users for enhancing the experience of the users, providing increased operational functionality of venues or attractions associated with the destination, and/or managing or influencing behavior associated with users or employees at the geographic location or destination. The system may be accessible via software applications executed upon mobile devices and/or permanent hardware kiosks and/or via a web-based interface. Trackable hardware is carried and/or worn or otherwise associated with the users so that the users' movement and activities may be tracked at the geographic location or destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Aaron Daniel Mendelson, Richard D K Bojahra, David Allan Black, Rick Briggs, Philip R. Edgell
  • Patent number: 11529565
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for constructing or providing a ride surface for an amusement attraction, such as an inflatable surfing attraction. The ride surface may be formed via the connection of a plurality of ride surface portions or segments. A mechanism may be incorporated to smooth the ride surface and define a more continuous ride surface between the plurality of ride surface portions or segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Whitewater West Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Brad Koide, Marshall Corey Myrman
  • Patent number: 11498008
    Abstract: A water ride includes ride vehicles and spectator areas for allowing interaction between ride vehicles and/or between a ride vehicle and spectators to the ride. The water ride may include engagement components (e.g., water guns) located on the ride vehicle and/or at spectator areas. Users of the engagement components may therefore interact with other users operating other engagement components. Activators and corresponding reactors may be triggered by users and/or automatically providing additional entertainment and interaction for the water ride. Various charging capabilities may be used for powering one or more components, activators, and/or reactors of the ride, ride vehicle, and/or spectator areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Whitewater West Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kelly Sall, Rick Briggs, Mark Weston
  • Patent number: 11498010
    Abstract: A water attraction having one or more inflatable areas and/or features for reducing turbulence of water flow over a ride surface is disclosed. The water attraction includes a ride surface, a water delivery section, and a recovery section. The water delivery section provides water flow on the ride surface. The ride surface may include the assembly of multiple segments and may be fully or partially inflatable. The water delivery section may include one or more water delivery mechanisms, for example, nozzles. A water delivery mechanism may deliver a water flow different from the water flows from other water delivery mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Brad Jiro Koide, Danny Philp
  • Patent number: 11487349
    Abstract: An attraction capable of incorporating user interactivity. The attraction utilizes a slide for supporting a rider, with a ride vehicle or without. The ride vehicle may support one or multiple riders that allows the riders to manipulate its position or other associated elements while on the attraction. Upon manipulating an element, a signal may be transmitted. This signal may aid in determining whether a rider has successfully manipulated the element, for example, at an appropriate time. Sensors along the attraction may also be configured to track the user and/or ride vehicle via determining vicinity of the user and/or ride vehicle at a known location. Various rewards and/or features may be enabled based upon successful manipulation and/or user position. The attraction may include one or more illuminating features. Statistics or other information may be determined, stored, and/or provided (e.g., using mobile applications and/or scoreboards) relating to user performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: WhiteWater West Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rick Briggs, Aaron Mendelson, Rick Sebulsky, Mohammed Sahill Rafiq, William Walter Andrews, Keith James Campden, Mitchell Keith Fitzgibbon
  • Patent number: 11400384
    Abstract: A water or other amusement attraction that includes an inflatable portion or material. A cavity of the attraction is located underneath an upper surface, the upper surface configured to support a flow of water and at least one rider thereon. A volume of water is configured to be disposed within the cavity, the upper surface floating upon the volume of water while connected to at least one side wall, floor, and/or nozzle structure. A pump and nozzle assembly, positioned outside of the cavity, communicates with the water within the cavity for flowing a portion of the water over the upper surface. A drainage portion, adjacent to the upper surface, drains the flowing water back into the cavity for recirculation. Support components, such as a plurality of beams or an inflatable grid structure help maintain stability for the attraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Whitewater West Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Oriol Vicente
  • Patent number: 11358068
    Abstract: A waterslide feature for providing a looping or arcuate travel path for a rider traveling thereon and method for making the same. The waterslide feature may have an entrance, an exit, and a surface (e.g., a ride surface, such as a bottom surface and/or a wall surface) therebetween comprising a transparent and/or semi-transparent surface configured to permit the rider to see through the surface and experience an exterior environment. Spectators or bystanders to the waterslide feature may be able to see through the surface and to witness riders riding upon the waterslide feature. The waterslide feature may be oriented at an angle to horizontal (e.g., tilted) and/or may be positioned within a defined exterior environment contained within an exterior wall. The exterior wall may be configured to retain water such that at least a portion of the waterslide feature is below the height of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Whitewater West Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul Chutter
  • Patent number: 11273383
    Abstract: A waterslide attraction provides multiple standing waves interspersed with multiple flume elements. The multiple standing waves may vary in steepness and the flume elements may include turns of vary degree. A first standing wave may be higher than succeeding standing waves and a first turn may be higher than succeeding turns. An exit slide connected to the waterslide attraction may direct a rider to a runout pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventor: Rick Briggs
  • Patent number: 11247137
    Abstract: A play structure having one or more monolith structures for the connection of other surfaces (e.g., deckings, water-based elements, interactive elements, etc.). Each of the monolith structures may be adjustably connected with a ground surface such that a variety of possible angles may be obtained by the monolith with respect to the ground surface. After the desired orientation of the monolith is obtained to the ground surface via the adjustable connection, the monolith may be secured in such position. Water or other fluid may be provided to the monolith structures via piping that interfaces with the monolith structures by a fluid connection that is in communication with piping disposed within the monolith structures. A fluid dumping or delivery system (e.g., based upon a tipping element that provides water to a fluid flowing surface and/or other water dispersion element) may be provided as part of the play structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Whitewater West Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rick A. Briggs, Ryan G. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11090573
    Abstract: A water or other amusement attraction that includes an inflatable portion or material. A cavity of the attraction is located underneath an upper surface, the upper surface configured to support a flow of water and at least one rider thereon. A volume of water is configured to be disposed within the cavity, the upper surface floating upon the volume of water while connected to at least one side wall, floor, and/or nozzle structure. A pump and nozzle assembly, positioned outside of the cavity, communicates with the water within the cavity for flowing a portion of the water over the upper surface. A drainage portion, adjacent to the upper surface, drains the flowing water back into the cavity for recirculation. Support components, such as a plurality of beams or an inflatable grid structure help maintain stability for the attraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Marshall Corey Myrman, Brad Jiro Koide, Danny Philp
  • Publication number: 20210236946
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for constructing or providing a ride surface for an amusement attraction, such as an inflatable surfing attraction. The ride surface may be formed via the connection of a plurality of ride surface portions or segments. A mechanism may be incorporated to smooth the ride surface and define a more continuous ride surface between the plurality of ride surface portions or segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Whitewater West Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Brad Koide, Marshall Corey Myrman
  • Patent number: 11040289
    Abstract: A padded grating system comprising sheets of multiple composite members secured together with multiple support bars or battens, wherein each composite member preferably consists of an elongated rigid bar with a foam layer adhered thereto which are encapsulated by a PVC or plastic water impervious tube or sleeve that has been heated and shrunk thereon. The sheets are specifically designed to be used in connection with water rides such as the FlowRider® and can be modularly installed on site to cover certain drainage areas. The composite members are preferably made by gluing the rigid bars onto a sheet of foam and cutting the foam sheet to form the composite members, and after the tube or sleeve has been heat shrunk around each one, the ends of the composite members are then cut and sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: WhiteWater West Industries, LTD.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Lochtefeld
  • Patent number: 10918960
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for constructing or providing a ride surface for an amusement attraction, such as an inflatable surfing attraction. The ride surface may be formed via the connection of a plurality of ride surface portions or segments. A mechanism may be incorporated to smooth the ride surface and define a more continuous ride surface between the plurality of ride surface portions or segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Whitewater West Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Brad Koide, Marshall Corey Myrman
  • Publication number: 20210023462
    Abstract: A water or other amusement attraction that includes an inflatable portion or material. A cavity of the attraction is located underneath an upper surface, the upper surface configured to support a flow of water and at least one rider thereon. A volume of water is configured to be disposed within the cavity, the upper surface floating upon the volume of water while connected to at least one side wall, floor, and/or nozzle structure. A pump and nozzle assembly, positioned outside of the cavity, communicates with the water within the cavity for flowing a portion of the water over the upper surface. A drainage portion, adjacent to the upper surface, drains the flowing water back into the cavity for recirculation. Support components, such as a plurality of beams or an inflatable grid structure help maintain stability for the attraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Whitewater West Industries, LTD.
    Inventors: Marshall Corey Myrman, Brad Koide, Danny Philp
  • Publication number: 20210023461
    Abstract: An entertainment venue, amusement attraction, or interactive play center configured to provide a variety of activities for users. The play center may include at least one interactive element (such as a button, handle, pull-rope, switch, etc.) that is configured to be interacted with by a user. The play center may also include at least one consequence element (such as a water nozzle, tipping bucket, etc.) that is configured to provide a consequence (such as a spray of water) based upon interaction by a user with the at least one interactive element. In certain embodiments, it may not be apparent, for example via visual, audible, or other indications to a user which consequence element, or how a given consequence element will respond, in response to an interactive element, lending to a sense of surprise and/or need for experimentation on the play center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Rick A. Briggs, Mark Vidal, Mark Hewett
  • Patent number: 10758831
    Abstract: An entertainment venue, amusement attraction, or interactive play center configured to provide a variety of activities for users. The play center may include at least one interactive element (such as a button, handle, pull-rope, switch, etc.) that is configured to be interacted with by a user. The play center may also include at least one consequence element (such as a water nozzle, tipping bucket, etc.) that is configured to provide a consequence (such as a spray of water) based upon interaction by a user with the at least one interactive element. In certain embodiments, it may not be apparent, for example via visual, audible, or other indications to a user which consequence element, or how a given consequence element will respond, in response to an interactive element, lending to a sense of surprise and/or need for experimentation on the play center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Whitewater West Industries LTD.
    Inventors: Rick A. Briggs, Mark Vidal, Mark Hewett
  • Publication number: 20200269144
    Abstract: A play structure having one or more monolith structures for the connection of other surfaces (e.g., deckings, water-based elements, interactive elements, etc.). Each of the monolith structures may be adjustably connected with a ground surface such that a variety of possible angles may be obtained by the monolith with respect to the ground surface. After the desired orientation of the monolith is obtained to the ground surface via the adjustable connection, the monolith may be secured in such position. Water or other fluid may be provided to the monolith structures via piping that interfaces with the monolith structures by a fluid connection that is in communication with piping disposed within the monolith structures. A fluid dumping or delivery system (e.g., based upon a tipping element that provides water to a fluid flowing surface and/or other water dispersion element) may be provided as part of the play structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Applicant: Whitewater West Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Rick A. Briggs, Ryan G. Snyder