Patents Examined by Kien T. Nguyen
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Patent number: 12343649Abstract: A swing hanger has an inner bearing assembly with a centered raceway, in two mirror image mating parts, and an outer bearing assembly adapted rotate in the raceway, with the inner bearing assembly having the mirror image parts keyed to prevent relative movement when secured to a crossbar, and the outer bearing assembly hinged to be opened and closed around the inner bearing assembly in a manner that there is no extension beyond the outer diameter of the outer bearing assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2024Date of Patent: July 1, 2025Assignee: Playground Services Inc.Inventor: Charles Ciraolo
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Patent number: 12343656Abstract: This invention pertains to the field of toy technology and discloses a shoe sole that can press out 3D models, which includes a toy shoe sole main body made of PVC material. The characteristic of the invention are as follows: The upper surface of the said toy sole body is provided with a shoe treading surface, and the interior of the shoe treading surface is provided with a deflector slope and an ink inlet. The ink inlet is located in the center of the deflector slope. The interior of the toy sole body is provided with a color ink storage chamber, which enables the user to press 3D three-dimensional models of various shapes by simple foot movements when walking or playing in the snow, increasing the fun and interactivity of snow activities.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2024Date of Patent: July 1, 2025Inventor: Chunliang Zou
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Patent number: 12330076Abstract: The present invention provides a swing that is operable to promote attunement between a child and caretaker. The swing comprises two seats, one of the two seats being configured to be occupied by a caretaker, such as a parent, and another of the two seats being configured to be occupied by a child. The two seats are arranged so that the caretaker and the child can face one another and comfortably see each other's eyes. The two seats are also configured such that, during operation of the swing, both the caretaker and child share the experience of swinging. Thus, using the swing of at least one embodiment of the present invention, a caretaker and child may share the mutual enjoyment of the swinging action while maintaining eye contact with one another, resulting in attunement.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2023Date of Patent: June 17, 2025Assignee: PLAYCORE WISCONSIN, INC.Inventors: Thomas Robert Norquist, Kim Corvin Blackwood, Charles Lebron Griffith, IV
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Patent number: 12330083Abstract: Toys, building sets, and toy assemblies are provided which include at least one digit or digit toy. Each digit toy includes a first segment and a second segment connected by a joint comprising a living hinge. Interference members of the joint interfere as the joint transitions between a first state (e.g., an extension state) and a second state (e.g., a flexion state). The first segment and the second segment each optionally include a first retention feature disposed on a same first side thereof, wherein the first retention features reversibly stabilize the first segment to the second segment in the second state.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2024Date of Patent: June 17, 2025Assignee: Spin-Balls, LLCInventor: David Silverglate
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Patent number: 12316938Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a playground apparatus that is configured to support a camera, typically a smartphone or similar photo/video device. The apparatus is configured to both (a) position the camera to take a photograph or video of the user during the play activity and (b) to maintain the camera in place during the play activity. Embodiments of the play apparatus include swings, whirls, and spinners.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2024Date of Patent: May 27, 2025Assignee: PLAYCORE WISCONSIN, INC.Inventors: Lindsay E. Richardson Hill, Sam Smith, Steven Dupree, Charles Walcott, Benjamin Thornberry
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Patent number: 12297605Abstract: A playing surface assembly that defines at least a portion of a playing surface. The playing surface assembly has a backing, a plurality of reinforcement elements secured to and extending upwardly from the backing, and an infill material defining a top surface of the playing surface assembly. Each reinforcement element has a top end and a reveal distance corresponding to a vertical spacing between the top surface of the playing surface assembly and the top end of the reinforcement element. The reveal distance of each reinforcement element is less than 0.5 inches. In use, the reinforcement elements restrict lateral and vertical migration of the infill material, and the infill material is the primary source of performance characteristics of the playing surface assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2024Date of Patent: May 13, 2025Assignee: Columbia Insurance CompanyInventors: Philipe Aldahir, Cab Bramlett
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Patent number: 12280320Abstract: A show system includes a rotatable beam assembly having a rotatable beam, a first track, a second track, and one or more motors. The show system also includes a first show element coupled to the first track to enable the first show element to translate along the first track and a second show element coupled to the second track to enable the second show element to translate along the second track. The show system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the rotatable beam assembly and configured to provide control signals to the one or more motors to rotate the rotatable beam to cause the first show element to rotate from a show location to a reset location and to cause the second show element to rotate from the reset location to the show location.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2022Date of Patent: April 22, 2025Assignee: Universal City Studios LLCInventor: Benjamin Robert Clark
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Patent number: 12268973Abstract: The invention relates to a motion generator comprising an end effector which moves relative to a surface, the end effector being moved by at least six actuation mechanisms, in which each actuation mechanism comprises an elongate tensioned member connected at one of its ends to the end effector, whereby the end effector is suspended above the surface by the tensioned members, and at the other of its ends to an associated rocker of the same actuation mechanism, whereby the rocker is mounted to be pivotable about an axis which is fixed relative to the surface, and in which, when a rocker is actuated, the associated tensioned member and the end effector are moved. The invention also relates to motion systems and simulators comprising such motion generators, as well as to methods of operation and production.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2021Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: DYNISMA LTD.Inventor: Ashley William Hawker Warne
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Patent number: 12268974Abstract: A wearable visualization device includes a housing, one or more lenses coupled to the housing and configured to display virtual features for visualization by a user of the wearable visualization device, and a cover coupled to the housing and configured to adjust between an extended configuration in which the cover extends over at least a portion of the one or more lenses and a retracted configuration in which the cover does not extend over at least the portion of the one or more lenses. The wearable visualization device also includes a controller and one or more sensors. The controller is configured to receive sensor data from the one or more sensors and to provide control signals to an actuator to adjust the cover between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration based on the sensor data.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: Universal City Studios LLCInventors: Christopher Wai Yin Chung, Douglas Evan Goodner, Justin Allen Hare, Andrew Raij, Jeffrey Scott Boyles
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Patent number: 12264441Abstract: Disclosed is a textile sliding surface with a functional layer (1) and a base layer (2), which are connected to each other by filament yarns. The functional layer (1) is formed of pile loops, whereby the height of the pile loops in the functional layer (1) has a height (4), depending on the sport, in the range 4-1 4 mm and the functional layer (1) has 400-2400 pile loops per dm2. The yarns are bound into the base layer (2) in the lower part of the pile loops by W-bonds (10).Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2020Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: Mr. Snow GmbHInventors: Jens Reindl, Felix Neubert
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Patent number: 12262820Abstract: A foldable swing frame is provided and includes a seat assembly, a lateral support, a joint assembly and a bottom leg assembly. The lateral support is located beside the seat assembly. The seat assembly is assembled with the lateral support. The joint assembly is installed on the lateral support. The bottom leg assembly is for standing the foldable swing frame. The bottom leg assembly is assembled with the joint assembly. The bottom leg assembly is pivotally connected to the lateral support by the joint assembly, and the bottom leg assembly is switchable between a folded position and an unfolded position relative to the lateral support by the joint assembly. One or more embodiments of the foldable swing frame can be folded compactly to reduce an occupied space of the foldable swing frame without detachment of the seat assembly for easy transportation and easy storage.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2024Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AGInventor: Manqun Cheng
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Patent number: 12257520Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may cause a robotic arm connector, of the robotic arm, to be connected to a first compartment connector of a passenger compartment of an amusement ride. The controller may cause a second compartment connector, of the passenger compartment, to be disconnected from a first structure connector of a first support structure. The controller may transport the passenger compartment from the first support structure to a second support structure after causing the second compartment connector to be disconnected from the first structure connector.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2022Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Michael Kilbert
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Patent number: 12257519Abstract: A multifunctional toy for early childhood education comprises a plurality of basic elements and at least one expansion element, wherein the basic element has a rollable outer surface and an inner cavity for sleeving other basic elements, and a connector is arranged between at least two basic elements, and the connector is installed between the two basic elements in a mutually matched manner; and a plurality of steps are detachably connected on the connector, and the expansion element is detachably connected with the basic elements.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2024Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Inventor: Zhanheng Ye
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Patent number: 12251642Abstract: 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 whit 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 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 damping or delivery system (e.g., based upon a tipping element that provides water to a fluid flowing surface and/or other water diversion element) may be provided as part of the play structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2022Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES LTD.Inventors: Rick A. Briggs, Ryan G. Snyder
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Patent number: 12251619Abstract: A ring for a fighting sport has a circular fighting area defined by a plurality of circular fence rings that are held up by posts. Shock absorbers connect the fence rings to the posts. Position markers are provided to indicate the starting positions of the participating fighters at certain points during the bout.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2022Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Inventor: David Feldman
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Patent number: 12251647Abstract: A cap, a magic kit, and methods for performing a magic trick are described. The cap can include a circular top end having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a side wall extending radially from the circular top end, an open bottom end, a thread on a side wall interior surface, a groove proximal the interior surface of the circular top end and a portion of the side wall, and a marker. The cap may be used to perform a magic trick where the groove retains a coin in the cap when the cap is flipped over.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2024Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: Penguin Magic, Inc.Inventor: Seth Race
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Patent number: 12246447Abstract: An edible soft robot system may be used to display and/or interact with edible inflatable objects. In an embodiment, the edible inflatable object is configured to receive a fluid in an internal compartment. The edible inflatable object may be reversibly coupled to a container, wherein coupling the edible inflatable object to the container comprises aligning a port of the edible inflatable object to a fluid conduit to fluidically couple the internal compartment to the fluid conduit. A control system of the edible soft robot system is configured to receive instructions to adjust inflation of the internal compartment by activating fluid flow into or out of the internal compartment via the fluid conduit, wherein adjusting inflation of the internal compartment causes the edible inflatable object to actuate on or within the container.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2024Date of Patent: March 11, 2025Assignee: Universal City Studios, LLC.Inventors: Akiva Meir Krauthamer, Kimberly Anne Humphreys, Aaron Chandler Jeromin, Elam Kevin Hertzler, Timothy Fitzgerald Garnier
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Patent number: 12248154Abstract: An augmented reality, virtual reality, and/or mixed reality (AR/VR) system includes a wearable visualization assembly configured to be worn by a user and to display virtual features for visualization by the user during a ride stage of an attraction. The wearable visualization assembly includes a sensor configured to provide feedback indicative of an attachment status of the wearable visualization assembly on the user. The AR/VR system also includes a retraction assembly coupled to the wearable visualization assembly via a tether and configured to retrieve the tether. The AR/VR system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the retraction assembly and the sensor. The controller is configured to actuate the retraction assembly to retrieve the tether to transition the wearable visualization assembly to a storage configuration in response to the feedback indicating that the wearable visualization assembly is in a detached configuration during the ride stage.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2023Date of Patent: March 11, 2025Assignee: Universal City Studios LLCInventors: Andrew Brian Raij, David Gerard Majdali
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Patent number: 12239918Abstract: A swinging playground device includes a swing platform. The swinging playground device also includes a skirt coupled to the swinging platform and fills an area below the swinging platform as the swinging platform moves in a swinging motion.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2024Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: Landscape Structures Inc.Inventors: Bryant A. Jones, Darryl T. Wrolson, Matthew A. Tschann, Thomas L. Keller, Kent D. Wuchterl
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Patent number: 12233349Abstract: A ride system includes a track and an overhung ride assembly. The overhung ride assembly includes a transport platform coupled to the track, a ride vehicle, and a heave system extending between the transport platform and the ride vehicle. The heave system is configured to heave the ride vehicle relative to the transport platform. The heave system includes an extendible tube defining a variable volume configured to store a gaseous fluid. The extendible tube is configured to extend in response to a lowering of the ride vehicle away from the transport platform by the heave system such that the gaseous fluid within the variable volume of the extendible tube provides a fluid force that biases the extendible tube toward a contracted configuration to assist the heave system with a lifting of the ride vehicle toward the transport platform.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2022Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: Universal City Studios LLCInventors: Sandor Kernacs, Derek Morris, Trent Bitton, Trent Deem, Raleigh Cornwell, Greg Rude, John Stapleton