Patents Examined by Kien T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11607620
    Abstract: A ride system includes ride vehicles. Each ride vehicle includes a rider support configured to carry a rider, a support actuator coupled to the rider support and a base of the ride vehicle and configured to move the rider support relative to the base, and a ride vehicle movement system integrated with the base and configured to move the ride vehicle relative to a ride area. The ride system also includes a controller configured to control the support actuator and the ride vehicle movement system of each ride vehicle individually based on a choreographed routine and an input received from a selected ride vehicle. The input is indicative of an adjustment to the support actuator, the ride vehicle movement system, or both, of each ride vehicle. The input is based on a correlative adjustment to the support actuator, the ride vehicle movement system, or both, of the selected ride vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Evan Bloomfield, Kevin B. Primm
  • Patent number: 11603061
    Abstract: A secondary bar securing device (3) of a safety bar (4) of an amusement ride has a primary securing device that keeps the safety bar (4) in an angular position adapted to the anatomy of the passenger during travel of the amusement ride, and first and second blocking elements (21, 22) arranged at a distance (25) to each other. In the event of a malfunction of the primary securing device, the safety bar (4) can be moved in a tolerance opening angle, which correlates to the distance (25) between the blocking elements (21, 22). If the tolerance opening angle is exceeded, one of the blocking elements (21, 22) block the safety bar (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: MACK RIDES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Michael Kraus, Guenter Burger
  • Patent number: 11592592
    Abstract: A system comprises active magnetic emitters positioned within an area, passive magnetic emitters configured to be moved within the area, a magnetic field detector configured to measure a strength and direction of a magnetic field within the area, and a processor in communication with the magnetic field detector. The passive magnetic emitters are configured to be integrated in, coupled to, or secured to at least one tracked object or tracked subject within the area. The processor is configured to evaluate at least one change in the measured strength and direction of the magnetic field end send a signal to a visual effect actuator or visual effects display to initiate a visual effect based on the at least one change. A method and computer program product relating to the system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Chapman, Joseph Hager
  • Patent number: 11583780
    Abstract: A carousel ride system includes a first rotatable platform and multiple second rotatable platforms. Each second rotatable platform of the multiple second rotatable platforms is positioned within a respective opening in the first rotatable platform. A first drive system is configured to drive rotation of the first rotatable platform and multiple second drive assemblies are configured to drive rotation of the multiple second rotatable platforms. Multiple figures extend over the multiple second rotatable platforms and multiple figure drive assemblies are configured to independently lift and rotate the multiple figures relative to the multiple second rotatable platforms. One or more processors are configured to coordinate operation of the first drive system, the multiple second drive assemblies, and the multiple figure drive assemblies to maintain the multiple figures in a forward-facing orientation relative to a direction of travel of the first rotatable platform during operation of the carousel ride system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Jerrell Andrew Loudon, Rick A. Dias, David Wayne Komives, William Dale Mason
  • Patent number: 11577177
    Abstract: A motorized, rotatable treadmill and a system for creating the illusion of user movement while the user is stationary with respect to an environment as the user walks or otherwise moves on an endless track of the treadmill. The user can then travel an unlimited distance in unlimited directions while remaining stationary in physical location. The speed of the treadmill is precisely controlled and/or precisely matched with movement of a camera and a real-world speed of movement of the user and the distance the user travels on the belt to create the illusion of movement of the person being filmed. When the treadmill is provided within an LED virtual film set or green screen set, background imagery is added to further supplement the movement in a selected environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: INFINISET, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew Guertin
  • Patent number: 11565189
    Abstract: A device may include a vertical pole, and a horizontal pole suspended at a top end of the vertical pole. The device may also include a mechanical pivot point between the vertical pole and the horizontal pole, and a handgrip suspended at a distal end of the horizontal pole. The device may also include a first chain suspended from the horizontal pole between the handgrip and the mechanical pivot point. The device may additionally include a mechanical device to removably couple the first chain to the handgrip such that when the first chain is coupled to the handgrip, a heavier user is able to use the device compared to when the first chain is not coupled to the handgrip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventor: John Manninen
  • Patent number: 11565644
    Abstract: A passenger restraint system of a vehicle includes a passenger restraint article with an interface, and a locking device that secures the interface. In some embodiments, the vehicle includes a vertical channel that enables the locking device to travel up and down. The locking device may include a camera that enables the locking device to align with the interface, and once aligned, the locking device secures the interface. In additional or alternative embodiments, the locking device includes two C-bars and a biasing element that urges the locking device into an open position. When the passenger sits or leans against the opened C-bars, the force caused by the interface on the C-bars overcomes the force applied by the biasing element, urging the C-bars into a closed position. The locking device is then secured by engaging a locking bar that pushes against a surface of the C-bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Matthew Freedman, Ji Hyun Han, William Travis Faircloth, Michael Joseph Troise, Julia Ann Javorsky, Hannah Amelia Brush, Morgan Elizabeth Dickinson, Robert Henry Cybulski, III
  • Patent number: 11559750
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an amusement show system. The amusement show system includes guest seating, a background display, a conveyor, and a set piece disposed on the conveyor. The conveyor moves the set piece with respect to the guest seating between the guest seating and the background display. The amusement show system also includes a projection mapping system that includes one or more projectors configured to project images onto the set piece such that a first image is projected onto the set piece at a first point in time and a second image is projected onto the set piece at a second point in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventor: Anthony Melo
  • Patent number: 11559748
    Abstract: A system for providing an actuated-wall visual effect in an amusement park environment, the system comprising a panel mounting frame and a panel coupled to the panel mounting frame via a damper. The system also comprises a transducer mounting frame and a transducer configured to convert an audio signal into mechanical energy. The transducer comprises a first portion coupled to the transducer frame and a second portion coupled to the panel such that the transducer is configured to oscillate the panel relative to the transducer mounting frame in response to receiving the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Christopher Koers, Gary Andrew Brown, Phillip Ben Burgos
  • Patent number: 11559749
    Abstract: An amusement park attraction effects system includes a dynamic display for viewing by a user traveling through an attraction, a display monitor to provide status data indicative of a status of the dynamic display, a location identification system to determine a location of the user, a thrust-vectoring flow effect generator to generate and direct a fluid flow toward any particular target location of a range of target locations, and an automation controller communicatively coupled to the display monitor, the location identification system, and the thrust-vectoring flow effect generator. The automation controller is configured to receive the status data, receive the location of the user, set a target location based on the location of the user, instruct the thrust-vectoring flow effect generator to direct the fluid flow based on the target location, and instruct the thrust-vectoring flow effect generator to control the fluid flow based on the status data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Raij, Geovanny Treminio, Justin Hare, David Gerard Majdali
  • Patent number: 11554326
    Abstract: It is disclosed an amusement device (1) comprising a vehicle (2) riding on a track (3), said vehicle comprising a support frame (4) and a compartment (5) having one or more seats (52) for housing one or more passengers, the compartment being moveably connected to said support frame by a shaft (7), to rotate about an axis (Y) with respect to said support frame, from a first position (P1) to at least one second position (P2) in a rotation angular interval, at least when a centrifugal force acts on the passenger compartment (5). The vehicle comprises at least one restoring element (6) configured to rotate back said compartment (5) towards said first position (P1) for at least part of the angular interval between said at least one second position (P2) and said at least one first position (P1). The restoring element (6) is directly or indirectly constrained to said shaft (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: ANTONIO ZAMPERLA S.p.A.
    Inventor: Alberto Zamperla
  • Patent number: 11555319
    Abstract: A theatre construction comprises a seating area 120 for an audience, a circular support structure 134 surrounding the seating area and mounted above the seating area and a plurality of arcuate screens 135 suspended from the circular support structure. The screens 135 are mounted to the circular support structure 134 on rails for allowing movement of the screens about the seating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: IMAGINE NATION B.V.
    Inventor: Evert Lykle Hemminga
  • Patent number: 11541324
    Abstract: A smoke generator includes an oil tank receiving an oil to be pumped by an oil pump to a vaporization tube where the oil vaporized into smoke after heating by a heater. A pre-pressurization oil supply device is disposed between the vaporization tube and the oil pump. When the pre-pressurization oil supply device is in a non-supply state not intercommunicating with the vaporization tube, the pre-pressurization oil supply device maintains its internal pressure, and the oil in the pre-pressurization oil supply device is not delivered to the vaporization tube. When the pre-pressurization oil supply device is in an oil supply state, the pre-pressurization oil supply device intercommunicates with the vaporization tube, and the oil in the pre-pressurization oil supply device is rapidly delivered to the vaporization tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: NOVACORP INC.
    Inventor: Ming-Cheng Chang
  • Patent number: 11535192
    Abstract: A ride vehicle system includes a ride vehicle including a seat configured to accommodate a passenger, a restraint system of the ride vehicle, where the restraint system includes a restraint configured to secure the passenger within the seat, and a forced air system of the ride vehicle, where the force air system is configured to generate an air flow, direct the air flow internally through the restraint, and discharge the air flow toward the passenger via a discharge port of the restraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Garrett Malatek, Rachel Sarah Wilcox, Luis Carlos Alarcon
  • Patent number: 11534696
    Abstract: A swimming pool slide comprising a pool slide shell and a slide flume formed in the shell to direct downhill sliding motion of a human rider. An interior water conduit transports water from a water source, through the slide shell to a top end of the flume. A slide shell base may be configured to allow for re-positioning of the slide to a proper/desired position relative to a pool edge after having connected the interior water conduit to a water source fixture in a pool deck. The slide may include a water stream shaper comprising a manifold that receives water from the conduit and re-shapes it into a sheet and redirects it onto the slide flume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Global Pool Products
    Inventor: Joshua Donald Steinman
  • 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: 11529566
    Abstract: A resistance control system of an amusement attraction includes a support assembly having a base, a pivot joint, and a support beam extending between the base and the pivot joint. The resistance control system includes a spring plate coupled to the pivot joint of the support assembly, and includes at least one spring engaged with the spring plate. Additionally, the resistance control system includes an actuator plate positioned between the spring plate and the base of the support assembly, as well as at least one actuator coupled between the actuator plate and the base. The at least one actuator is configured to move and secure the actuator plate relative to the pivot joint to adjust a resistance to movement about the pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Blum, Mark Allan Stepanian, Jordan Dillon Barner, Tyler James Blankenship
  • Patent number: 11524710
    Abstract: An attraction loading system is provided that includes a loading platform. The loading platform includes a rotational portion configured to rotate about a central vertical axis of the loading platform and a stationary portion extending between a first edge and a second edge of the loading platform. The first edge and the second edge of the stationary portion include respective interfaces of the stationary portion with the rotational portion. The rotational portion rotates from the first edge to the second edge. The attraction loading system further includes a loading path disposed about a circumference of the loading platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventor: Robbie Lewis Towns, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11517828
    Abstract: A ride vehicle includes a riding assembly configured to carry a rider, a base configured to couple to the riding assembly, and a control system configured to control the coordination of movements of the ride vehicle with movements of separate ride vehicles. The base includes a surface movement system configured to move the ride vehicle along a surface, a vertical movement system configured to move the riding assembly vertically relative to the base, and a roll system configured to move the riding assembly angularly relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Lara Larberg MacLean, William Dale Mason, Eric Alan Vance
  • Patent number: 11511204
    Abstract: An amusement device (1) with a central shaft (2) which includes a base structure (2a); and a plurality of arms (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d), coupled to the central shaft (2), each of the arms (3a-3d) being rotatable around a relevant arm axis (A2), provided with one or more vehicles (6) having seats for users of the amusement device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: ANTONIO ZAMPERLA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Timothy Robert Jacobi, Alberto Zamperla