Patents by Inventor Benjamin Robert Clark

Benjamin Robert Clark 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: 12280320
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin Robert Clark
  • Publication number: 20250059758
    Abstract: A rockwork system includes a support structure comprising a plurality of modular construction blocks. The plurality of modular construction blocks includes at least one terminal modular construction block forming an exterior face of the support structure, and the at least one terminal modular construction block includes a first coupler in a first coupler active configuration. The support structure also includes at least one additional modular construction block coupled to the at least one terminal modular construction block, and the at least one additional modular construction block includes a second coupler in a second coupler inactive configuration. The rockwork system also includes at least one exterior shaped piece comprising a mesh support, and the at least one exterior shaped piece is disposed at least partially around the support structure and is coupled to the first coupler of the at least one terminal modular construction block via a complementary coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventors: Benjamin Robert Clark, Timothy Fitzgerald Garnier, Aaron Chandler Jeromin, Elam Kevin Hertzler
  • Patent number: 12117525
    Abstract: A presence detection system includes a presence detection field of an amusement park attraction, multiple transmitters, multiple receivers, and a controller. The multiple transmitters send multiple light beams of multiple wavelengths and the multiple receivers receive the multiple light beams of the multiple wavelengths. The controller receives input from the multiple transmitters and receivers and determines presence of an object in the presence detection field based on an interruption of the multiple light beams as indicated by the input. The controller also determines reflected light beams of the multiple wavelengths, absorbed light beams of the multiple wavelengths, or both, based on the input. The controller determines the object as a known object or an unknown object based at least in part on the reflected light beams, the absorbed light beams, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin Robert Clark
  • Publication number: 20240157266
    Abstract: A special effect system may include fog generation equipment configured to generate fog, a show element comprising one or more compartments, and a controller communicatively coupled to the fog generation equipment. The fog generation equipment may include one or more positive pressure sources and one or more negative pressure sources. The controller may perform operations comprising applying negative pressure from the one or more negative pressure sources to the one or more compartments for a period of time, permitting the fog to enter the one or more compartments after the period of negative pressure, and applying a positive pressure from the one or more positive pressure sources to cause the fog to exit the one or more compartments to trigger a combustion effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin Robert Clark, Robert J. Cortelyou, Matthew Robert Rossett
  • Publication number: 20230398464
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventor: Benjamin Robert Clark
  • Publication number: 20230236338
    Abstract: A presence detection system includes a presence detection field of an amusement park attraction, multiple transmitters, multiple receivers, and a controller. The multiple transmitters send multiple light beams of multiple wavelengths and the multiple receivers receive the multiple light beams of the multiple wavelengths. The controller receives input from the multiple transmitters and receivers and determines presence of an object in the presence detection field based on an interruption of the multiple light beams as indicated by the input. The controller also determines reflected light beams of the multiple wavelengths, absorbed light beams of the multiple wavelengths, or both, based on the input. The controller determines the object as a known object or an unknown object based at least in part on the reflected light beams, the absorbed light beams, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventor: Benjamin Robert Clark
  • Patent number: 11029023
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to a system and method for generating a flame effect. An embodiment includes a nozzle assembly with an outer nozzle and an inner nozzle. At least a portion of the inner nozzle is nested within at least a portion of the outer nozzle. The system also includes a fuel source with two or more separate types of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Blum, Benjamin Robert Clark
  • Publication number: 20190056103
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to a system and method for generating a flame effect. An embodiment includes a nozzle assembly with an outer nozzle and an inner nozzle. At least a portion of the inner nozzle is nested within at least a portion of the outer nozzle. The system also includes a fuel source with two or more separate types of fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Steven C. Blum, Benjamin Robert Clark
  • Patent number: 10107494
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to a system and method for generating a flame effect. An embodiment includes a nozzle assembly with an outer nozzle and an inner nozzle. At least a portion of the inner nozzle is nested within at least a portion of the outer nozzle. The system also includes a fuel source with two or more separate types of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Blum, Benjamin Robert Clark
  • Publication number: 20150300635
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to a system and method for generating a flame effect. An embodiment includes a nozzle assembly with an outer nozzle and an inner nozzle. At least a portion of the inner nozzle is nested within at least a portion of the outer nozzle. The system also includes a fuel source with two or more separate types of fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Steven C. Blum, Benjamin Robert Clark