Abstract: An entertainment venue can include one or more theaters, including a toroidal or other immersive display screen (which immerses the audience in a contiguous projection surface), a moving stage, and an audience area. Audience seating in the theater faces outwardly in an “inverted-theater-in-the-round” arrangement.

Abstract: An inertia motor for a toy has a housing supporting a rotating flywheel. The flywheel has a disk with generally radially movable elements, movement of which vary the moment of inertia of the disk. Another element is supported by the housing so as to be movable towards and away from the disk and is located so as to be able to engage at least one of the movable elements when the flywheel has slowed sufficiently. Angular momentum and energy in the flywheel at engagement is transferred to the housing. The housing may also include a transmission such as a gear train to connect the flywheel with one of more elements of the toy to be powered by the flywheel.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing customer interest in containers. A set of actuating components are coupled to moveable elements of an active container, the moveable elements respond to operation of an actuating mechanism in a handle portion.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing customer interest in articles of manufacture, including containers and plush toys. A set of actuating components are coupled to moveable elements of the article of manufacture, the moveable elements respond to operation of an user-controlled actuating mechanism.

Abstract: An anti-wrap swing assembly includes a swing hanger having an elongate body that extends longitudinally along an axis and defines a channel. The swing hanger further includes a pair of lugs that extend from the elongate body transverse to the axis and are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, each lug defining a bore. The assembly also includes a swing flexibly coupled to the swing hanger. Additionally, the assembly includes a frame having a top rail with a substantially tubular body that is partially disposed within the channel of the swing hanger and a pair of rivets coupled to the substantially tubular body. The frame also includes at least a pair of legs extending from the top rail transverse to the axis and configured to support the top rail.

Abstract: An amusement ride has a retaining structure and at least one platform that is connected in an articulated manner to retaining elements which hold the at least one platform on the retaining structure. The retaining elements are cables which are under tensile stress during operation of the amusement ride. The cables have an effective length and the effective length of the cables is variable. Cable winches disposed on the retaining structure are provided that wind the cables.

Abstract: A frame structure for stage erection comprises a plurality of support frames and a bridge. The support frames are disposed parallel to each other, and respectively have rail recesses formed in the length direction in facing locations. The bridge connects across the support frames so as to maintain a mutually parallel state, and has a rail-joining part for fastening to and separating from the rail recesses in at least one of the two end locations.

Abstract: A system for electrostatically levitating an object with a body adapted for receiving a static charge. The system includes an array of at least three electrostatic generators, with each of the electrostatic generators including an exposed element that becomes statically charged during operation of the array. The system also includes a controller operating to generate control signals to the array to independently operate each of the electrostatic generators to provide the static charge at first, second, and third voltages. When positioned in a flight space above the array, the object is levitated above the array of the electrostatic generators by an electrostatic lifting force(s). Each of the electrostatic generators is a high voltage Van de Graaff generator. The first, second, and third voltages are in the range of 0 to 300,000 volts and are varied over time to direct the levitated object along a flight path by the controller.

Abstract: A convertible toy includes a body portion and a base selectively coupled to the body portion. The body portion includes a seat portion, a first pair of leg portions extending from the seat portion, and a first axle extending between the first pair of leg portions. The body portion also includes a second pair of leg portions extending from the seat portion and a second axle extending between the second pair of leg portions. The base includes a curved support portion, a first coupling member coupled to the curved support portion, and a second coupling member coupled to the curved support portion. The first axle of the body portion is selectively coupled to the first coupling member in at least one degree of freedom and the second axle of the body portion is selectively coupled to the second coupling member in at least two degrees of freedom.

Abstract: An aerodynamic circular foundation (i.e., disc or annulus) having a perimeter supporting two or more evenly spaced handgrips. The handgrips improve throwing and catching without appreciably altering aerodynamics.

Abstract: A reaction component or plate for a linear induction motor incorporates a flexibility increasing feature and a wear resistant feature.

Abstract: A portable ice skating rink comprising, a flexible rubber sheet having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is connected to the second end thereby forming a sidewall, wherein the sidewall is positioned on a horizontal surface to form the border of a closed geometric shape thereby defining a skating surface area, and a flexible, water-proof slip draped over and connected to the sidewalls, thereby forming a liner of a structure capable of containing a liquid inward of the sidewalls to create a skating surface.

Abstract: A roadside personalized entertainment system will be inside a building that may be positioned on major highways or Interstates, or other areas of high vehicular traffic. The system will provide short audio-visual entertainment for travelers while they remain in their vehicle.

Abstract: A first device may be paired to a second device, with the first and second devices including inductive elements, the devices may be paired by aligning a first magnetic element of a first device and a second magnetic element of a second device. At least one additional magnetic element is used to redirect magnetic fields generated by the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element away from the inductive elements.

Abstract: An image projecting device for producing a physiological illusion in a viewing guest, the device having a housing with a transparent projection surface, a strobe light supported by the housing and configured to illuminate the transparent projection surface, an image located on the transparent projection surface, and a controller configured to activate and set duration of the strobe light at a predetermined time to produce a physiological illusion of the image in the viewing guest.

Abstract: A safety surface for use over a supporting base in a designated area of a playground includes a bottom layer arranged for placement over the supporting base, a plurality of mesh bags, each of the mesh bags filled with a plurality of pieces of a shock absorbent material, and a border arranged for placement along selected edges of the designated area. The mesh bags are sized and shaped to abut adjacent mesh bags, with a portion of the mesh bags arranged to abut the border. And internal divider is positioned in an interior of the mesh bags, with the internal divider arranged to divide the interior of the mesh bags into a plurality of interior compartments. A top layer is arranged to overlie the mesh bags and arranged for securement to the border.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flow divider for a sheet flow water ride having an inclined ride surface capable of dividing it into two or more sections, wherein more than one rider can then safely ride on the water ride at the same time. The water ride preferably comprises an inclined ride surface on which a sheet flow of water is propelled that substantially conforms to the contours of the ride surface. The flow divider is preferably an inflatable tube that can be extended longitudinally over the sheet flow, in substantially the same direction thereof, and float, wherein in the preferred embodiment, it is secured at its front end to the water ride and its back end is relatively free to pivot and shift from side to side, such that the momentum of the sheet flow helps to keep it oriented downstream and in the appropriate position. The air pressure in the tube is preferably adjustable to enable the divider to be inflated to the appropriate stiffness.

Abstract: A child swing has a frame with a base, a support extending up from the base, a hub carried by the support above the base, and a seat assembly having a swing arm with a seat carried at a lower end. The seat assembly moves in a swinging direction. The seat assembly is configured to be selectively removable from and connectable to the hub. The orientation of the seat assembly relative to the swinging direction is also selectively adjustable between a forward facing orientation and a side facing orientation.

Abstract: Provided are a driving motor-placement device to be used in rotating playground equipment that is superior in terms of maintenance, and rotating playground equipment. The disclosed playground equipment driving motor-placement device is characterized in that it is provided with a lower stationary component and an upper rotator; the lower stationary component is provided with a stationary plate that can be removed from the playground equipment and a shaft that stands upright on said stationary plate; the upper rotator is configured to be able to rotate around the shaft of said lower stationary component and is provided with a handle support that supports handles that users can grasp, and a driving motor support that supports the driving motor; said driving motor support is provided above the handle support; and a coupling that transmits the rotation of the driving motor to the shaft of the lower stationary component is fixed to the top of said shaft.

Abstract: A boxing ring simulator/personal boxing ring is portable, lightweight, and interactively responsive to physical contact during use. The boxing ring simulator includes a plurality of springed posts to support horizontal rails that define the ring perimeter and to enable movement of the “ropes”. Such components capture the “Stay Off the Ropes” method, thereby providing an opportunity for the user to become familiar with the perimeter inside a ropes/boxing ring. The boxing ring simulator emphasizes keeping all activity in the center of the ring, to train a boxer/user to traditionally remain “off the ropes” while also beneficially allowing the user to learn, practice and experience how to use the ropes and/or to fight off of the ropes.