Patents by Inventor Barton L. Merrell

Barton L. Merrell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5853331
    Abstract: An amusement ride comprises a wheeled, multiple-seat cart or vehicle that is adapted to descend an inclined track having an upwardly curved launching portion, in a manner to launch the vehicle temporarily airborne in a trajectory similar to that of a ski jumper. The descent angle and upwardly curved launching portion of the track are very similar to a ski jump track. The vehicle is rollingly tethered to a pair of guy wires positioned on either side of the track and at a level relative to the track launch area to permit the vehicle to be launched temporarily airborne and fall freely without interference or restriction by the tethers. As gravity causes the vehicle to free fall, the tethers become taut with the guy wires, catch the vehicle in free-fall, and glide the vehicle along a pre-determined descent down the guy wires toward twin laterally spaced poles or towers at the end of the ride, each pole or tower connected to a respective guy wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Bungee Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Masami Ishikawa, Barton L. Merrell