Patents Examined by Kien Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9597603
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an amusement ride comprising in one example a linear induction motor (LIM) secondary that is recessed from the sliding surface of a raft. Sections of flume that contain the linear induction motor primaries may be raised up vertically above the lowermost inner surface to come in close contact with the recessed aluminum structure and to protect the LIM primaries from water damage and contact damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Skyturtle Technologies Ltd
    Inventor: Lance C Fisher
  • Patent number: 9586150
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a standup water slide allowing a user to slide lengthwise down the water slide on the user's feet. The standup waterslide may include at least one panel having a pair of flat edge portions and an arched hump positioned between the pair of flat edge portions. The arched hump may include a water shaft extending lengthwise therethrough, such that both the arched hump and the water shaft extend along a length of the panel; and the arched hump may also include a plurality of spray orifices extending from the water shaft to an external surface of the arched hump. In embodiments, as many panels as desired may be interconnected to create a slide of any desired length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Phillip Daniel Pamplin
  • Patent number: 9586152
    Abstract: Provided is a motion simulator with two degrees of freedom of angular motion that is capable of performing pitching rotation and yawing rotation. The motion simulator includes: a first rotation body (100) that a user boards; a second rotation body (200) located under the first rotation body (100); a first driving unit (300) for pitching the first rotation body (100); a second driving unit (400) for yawing the first rotation body (100) and the second rotation body (200) as one body; and a controller for controlling rotation of the first driving unit (300) and rotation of the second driving unit (400).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: MOTION DEVICE INC.
    Inventor: Jong Chan Lee
  • Patent number: 9586151
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a theater ride system includes a processor, a center platform, actuation arms, and maneuverable seating areas. Each maneuverable seating area of at least a first subset of the maneuverable seating areas is coupled to a respective portion of the center platform via a respective actuator arm of the actuation arms. The processor is configured to control the actuator arms to position the maneuverable seating areas in a uniform theater configuration such that each of the maneuverable seating areas is adjacent to at least one other of the maneuverable seating areas and the center platform to resemble stationary seating sections of a theater at a beginning of a show, move the maneuverable seating areas into different configurations during the show, and position the maneuverable seating areas in the uniform theater configuration near an end of the show.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Devin Boyle
  • Patent number: 9579579
    Abstract: A pneumatic driven two-axis motion platform is structurally simple for using two bag-shaped telescopic modules spaced apart and fixed to a foundation base being laid on the ground, and a movable table having a pivotal shaft used for making a pivotal connection with a two-way orthogonal rotator, after completely assembled, the movable table is mounted on the two bag-shaped telescopic modules by such arrangement that the two bag-shaped telescopic modules are symmetrical against the pivotal shaft of the movable table, and the two-way orthogonal rotator is arranged together with the two bag-shaped telescopic modules as an isosceles triangle arrangement; by such structural arrangement, said two-axis motion platform is endowed with two dimensions of rotational freedom when pneumatic inflating or deflating one or both of the two bag-shaped telescopic modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: INJOY MOTION CORP.
    Inventors: Johnson Chiang, Ping-Lin Wu, Song-Kuei Chang
  • Patent number: 9573068
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a virtual reality enhancement device that has a chamber in which a user is located, one or more pumps for pumping a fluid into and/or out of the chamber, and a series of ports for allowing the fluid to flow into and out of the chamber. The fluid circulates into and out of the chamber around the user in coordination with the 3-D visual and auditory experience provided to the user in order to enhance the user's haptic experience. The chamber can be used, for example, to simulate a user swimming or flying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: Kipling Martin
  • Patent number: 9566531
    Abstract: An action character model includes a torso and a plurality of appendages including a head and at least one arm and one leg. A plurality of first magnets are attached to and project out of one of the torso or the plurality of appendages. A plurality of second magnets are disposed within the other of the torso or the plurality of appendages on which the first magnets are not attached. The other of the torso or plurality of appendages each bound a recessed socket extending from an exterior surface of the corresponding torso or appendage toward a corresponding one of the second magnets, each of the first magnets being at least partially received within a corresponding recessed socket so that each appendage is magnetically coupled with the torso and so that each appendage is rotatable on the torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Morphonauts LLC
    Inventor: Beau Jared Hacking
  • Patent number: 9555340
    Abstract: An animation system with adjustable support of posable figures. A rotatable platform retains the posable figures along a circumference of a circle through adjustable supports. An animation mechanism, such as a slotted drum or a faceted, mirrored hub, is supported by the platform. The adjustable supports can comprise plastically deformable elongate posts to permit pivoting and longitudinal turning of the figures, adjustment in supported height of the figures, and lateral movement of the figures along the circumference of the circle and radially inward and outward. The elongate posts and the figures can have plastically deformable cores, such as bendable wires, at least partially encased in flexible bodies of material. Each figure can have a torso and a repositionable head and appendages. The elongate posts can have distal ends received by apertures in the platform along the circumference of the circle, proximal ends fixed to the figures, and bendable body portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Rufus Butler Seder
  • Patent number: 9545581
    Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a support platform and a payload mountable thereon in near neutral equilibrium relative to a base structure. The support platform is spaced from the base structure by a plurality of actuators which provide the support platform with six degrees of freedom relative to the base structure about longitudinal, lateral and vertical axes. A substantially upright strut is mountable between the base structure and support platform for supporting the weight of the support platform and payload. First and second balance assemblies counteract forces imparted on the strut when the payload is moved or pivoted longitudinally and/or laterally. The forces counteracted by the first balance assembly and the second balance assembly reduce the load imparted on the actuators by the payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: SEQUILIBRER PTY LTD.
    Inventors: Kenneth Edward Douglas, Stephen Graham Hoinville
  • Patent number: 9547162
    Abstract: An interactive projection system for outputting illuminated indicia upon a projection surface. A detection system is operable to detect both stationary and movable features. A control system is operable to determine the position of the stationary and movable features. A reflective device reflects light from a light source (natural and/or artificial) upon the projection surface as the illuminated indicia. A drive system moves the reflective device, thereby moving the illuminated indicia across the projection surface in response to control system thereby simulating the stationary feature on the projection surface as a physical boundary to the illuminated indicia and simulating the movable feature contacting the illuminated indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: The Regents Of The University Of Michigan
    Inventors: Roland Graf, Surat Kwanmuang
  • Patent number: 9540832
    Abstract: An entertainment structure and apparatus principally comprising a 360-degree 2D and/or 3D cinematic theater. Seating for audience members is arrangeable on a circular motion base platform. A compound curved screen may lower from above to surround the theater upon a circular motion base platform, providing seamless media. A 2D/3D projection system is oriented within the structure to provide 2D/3D images on the screen through projection overlap for edge blending. A control system is used to rotate, pitch and roll the motion base platform. The control system can be synchronized with the media presentation. The structure includes a number of variations such as a variety of seating orientations, a stationary screen, a variety of screen configurations, and modular tracking seating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Falcon's Treehouse, LLC
    Inventor: Cecil D. Magpuri
  • Patent number: 9539520
    Abstract: A construction toy set includes a number of pieces of different shapes and colors which are configured to allow a user to construct a desired object or model by connecting selected pieces to one another. One of the pieces is a first joint piece constructed to connect two other pieces of the set for relative rotational movement about an axis of the piece. The joint piece has a body formed of two parts that are joined to one another for relative rotation about the joint piece axis, and each part is configured to connect to another piece of the set. The set also includes a second joint piece constructed to connect two other pieces of the set for relative rotational movement about two orthogonal axes of the piece. The bodies of the joint pieces emit a pleasant click sound when the parts of the bodies are turned by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventors: Eric J. Rotbard, Bruce P. Popek, Richard F. Andrus
  • Patent number: 9533237
    Abstract: A harness for receiving a special effects squib charge includes: a substantially planar base bound by opposing first and second surfaces joined at a perimeter; a tubular sidewall extending from the first surface of the base to form a tubular receptacle; an inward extension from the tubular sidewall defining a receiving aperture, the receiving aperture sized to be elastically deformed to allow insertion of the squib charge; and the distance between the base and the inward extension sized to be substantially equal to the axial length of the squib charge. A bullet hit device includes the harness, and a kit is for assembly and/or use of the harness as a bullet hit device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: 8879192 CANADA Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Timothy Testa
  • Patent number: 9536446
    Abstract: A motion simulation system includes actuators having a planetary gearbox engaged with and driven by a servomotor engaged with a crank. A connector rod is engaged with the crank of each actuator, and engaged with a platform configured to attach to a vehicle. A control system is operable with each electric servo motor of each actuator for delivering control for providing a simulated motion to the top plate. Control data is sent to the servomotors using a msec data send and receive rate, with internal processing within the nano-second range. Such update rates coupled with a real time, dynamically responsive motion controller results in a desirably smooth and accurate simulator motion. The control system includes a washout filter for transforming input forces and rotational movements. One to six degrees of freedom systems having smooth performance with high payload capability are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Dynamic Motion Group GMBH
    Inventors: David J. Vatcher, Simon A. James, Andrew J. Cox
  • Patent number: 9533232
    Abstract: Launcher for a slide and method for starting a sliding process in a slide way, in particular a water slide, having a starting ramp, which includes a slide section having a slide surface, which has a loading zone for at least one user, which extends from an entry-side end of the slide section to a blocking device arranged in the slide section, the blocking device blocking the slide surface when in a starting position, and having a pivoting device, by which the starting ramp can be moved from a loading position to a starting position, and having a control device, which actuates the pivoting movement of the starting ramp between the loading position and the starting position and the blocking device between the starting position and a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: AQUARENA HOLDING GMBH
    Inventor: Rainer Braun
  • Patent number: 9533231
    Abstract: A swing seat for increased capacity wherein swing extends along a longitudinal axis and the swing seat comprises a first seat portion and a second seat portion coupled to the first seat portion. The first seat portion is a safety seat having a base portion for seating a child and a support frame for supporting a child in an upright position, and the first seat portion is arranged to swing in a general swinging direction substantially coinciding with the longitudinal axis. The second seat portion is arranged in line with the first seat portion along the longitudinal axis so that the first and second seat portions are both aligned to swing together in the general swinging direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: PLAYPOWER, INC.
    Inventors: Jonas Peres, Marcus Soderstrom
  • Patent number: 9526996
    Abstract: The slide assembly comprises a slide and at least one pushing unit. The slide has a platform and a sliding section. The at least one pushing unit is connected to the slide and has a connecting member, an adjusting member, two pushing blocks, and a securing member. The connecting member is securely mounted in the slide and two ends of the connecting member respectively extend out of the slide. The adjusting member is movably connected to one of the two ends of the connecting member and has multiple fastening portions spaced from each other. The two pushing blocks are respectively connected to the connecting member and the adjusting member. The securing member is selectively fastened with one of the fastening portions. The slide assembly is securely mounted on the stairway and has enhanced stability to reduce risk of playing on the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: T. K. CHIN COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Howard Chin
  • Patent number: 9522340
    Abstract: The toy rocket includes inner and outer sleeve members with the inner sleeve member fitting into the outer sleeve in a slidable airtight relationship. An end assembly extends from a distal end of the inner sleeve member, including a launch tube at the distal end thereof. An external elongated member is supported by the end assembly and has holding elements at opposing ends thereof. A stretchable cord member extends from one holding member to an end piece of the outer sleeve member then to the other holding member, wherein rearward movement and then release of the outer sleeve member pushes air through the launch tube launching the toy rocket into the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Geospace Holding Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis E. Binkley, Jesse Oliver Binkley
  • Patent number: 9522338
    Abstract: Provided is an assembly type block module for water playing, including: a plurality of unit assembly blocks including: a body; an inner passage formed in the interior of the body such that fluid flows through the inner passage; and coupling parts detachably coupled to corresponding coupling parts of other unit assembly blocks such that the inner passages thereof are communicated with each other at any one of opposite ends of the body, wherein the unit assembly blocks have different shapes of the bodies and different forms of inner passages, fluid is supplied from an external fluid supply source while the unit assembly blocks are assembled, and the supplied fluid is discharged to the outside through the inner passage of the unit assembly block located at the extreme end after flowing through the inner passages of the unit assembly blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignees: DPI CO., LTD., DREAMPARK INTERNATIONAL
    Inventor: Jeong Kyun Park
  • Patent number: 9511296
    Abstract: A swing assembly may include a base having a center portion and two side portions on opposite sides of the center portion, two supports attached to the base, each support being attached to a respective side portion so that the base may be hung by the supports. Each support may include two spaced elongated members. Two handles may be movably attached to the supports, each handle including a body and two pairs of openings extending through the body. Each pair of openings may receive one of the elongated members in a spiral configuration so that the respective handle body may be slid up or down the elongated members to a desired height relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Robert R. Bertschy