Patents by Inventor CLAUDIO BARRERA

CLAUDIO BARRERA 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: 12263414
    Abstract: A ride feature is disclosed using conjoined bowl structures formed of multiple bowl structures attached to each other. In a two bowl embodiment, the ride vehicle rides about at least a portion of a periphery of a first bowl structure and then about at least a portion of a periphery of a second bowl structure before exiting the ride feature. The ride vehicle may exit the conjoined bowl structure from either the first bowl structure or the second bowl structure. In alternative embodiments, the conjoined bowl feature may be comprised of more than two conjoined bowls, the bowls may be of different diameter, and/or the bowls may have a constantly decreasing or increasing diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Claudio Barrera, Boxiao Hu, Ben Cornwell-Mott, Ross Flavell, Bruce Bradley
  • Publication number: 20230415049
    Abstract: A ride structure is disclosed using rotating tunnel sections as part of a static water ride with or without variations in the tunnel cross-section and/or embedded three-dimensional features to disturb the water paths which carries vehicles with riders. The riders may exit the rotating large tunnel upstream and downstream and the volume and velocity of the water can be manipulated to change the ride experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Hyuma Frankowski, Kelly Williams, Ross Flavell, Geoff Chutter, Ryan Sinitsin, Bruce Bradley, Ben Cornwall-Mott, Claudio Barrera
  • Publication number: 20230285867
    Abstract: A ride feature is disclosed using conjoined bowl structures formed of multiple bowl structures attached to each other. In a two bowl embodiment, the ride vehicle rides about at least a portion of a periphery of a first bowl structure and then about at least a portion of a periphery of a second bowl structure before exiting the ride feature. The ride vehicle may exit the conjoined bowl structure from either the first bowl structure or the second bowl structure. In alternative embodiments, the conjoined bowl feature may be comprised of more than two conjoined bowls, the bowls may be of different diameter, and/or the bowls may have a constantly decreasing or increasing diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Claudio Barrera, Jason Hu, Ben Cornwall-Mott, Ross Flavell, Bruce Bradley
  • Publication number: 20230113886
    Abstract: Ride features described herein may include a ride surface in which a rider may be maintained on a lateral side wall while traversing the ride feature. The ride feature may be in a spiral to turn the rider about a central axis. The ride feature may include a central opening that provides a perception that the rider may fall off of the ride feature. The properties of the lateral side wall may be manipulated so that the centripetal force is used to control the rider's speed and position on the lateral sidewall so that the rider is kept away from the inside edge of the central opening. The centripetal force can be changed by: varying the pitch of the helix of the lateral side wall, varying the radius of the helix of the lateral side wall, varying the friction between the ride surface and the rider, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Shane Jenson, Brad Weatherbee, Bruce Bradley, Ross Flavell, Claudio Barrera, Mark Vidal, Jeff Baldock
  • Patent number: 11141666
    Abstract: A waterslide feature for providing a looping travel path for a rider traveling thereon and method for making the same. The waterslide feature may be in the shape of a tilted bowl or saucer that provides a 360 degree travel path for a rider around the waterslide feature. The rider may experience a feeling of weightlessness at one or more locations (e.g., art apex) of the travel path. The rider may be provided into the tilted bowl by way of an entrance (e.g., flume) and may be received from the tilted bowl by way of an exit (e.g., flume). The orientation of the entrance and exit may be in any of a variety of configurations, such as side-by-side or over-under. Colored fiberglass, lighting dements, and other features may be included to enhance the visual or other impact of the waterslide feature to riders and/or spectators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventors: Geoff Chutter, Rick Briggs, Claudio Barrera, Andrey Khomovskiy, Bruce Bradley
  • Publication number: 20200222818
    Abstract: A waterslide feature for providing a looping travel path for a rider traveling thereon and method for making the same. The waterslide feature may be in the shape of a tilted bowl or saucer that provides a 360 degree travel path for a rider around the waterslide feature. The rider may experience a feeling of weightlessness at one or more locations (e.g., art apex) of the travel path. The rider may be provided into the tilted bowl by way of an entrance (e.g., flume) and may be received from the tilted bowl by way of an exit (e.g., flume). The orientation of the entrance and exit may be in any of a variety of configurations, such as side-by-side or over-under. Colored fiberglass, lighting dements, and other features may be included to enhance the visual or other impact of the waterslide feature to riders and/or spectators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: Whitewater West Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Geoff CHUTTER, Rick BRIGGS, Claudio BARRERA, Andrey KHOMOVSKIY, Bruce BRADLEY
  • Publication number: 20190143226
    Abstract: A waterslide ride that provides multiple directly connected sub-elements. The sub-elements may be ramps that provide a pendulum action ride as the first sub-element ramp is opposite in direction to second sub-element ramp. The first sub-element may be higher in elevation than second and subsequent sub-elements. In an alternative embodiment, the sub-elements may include arcing, banked turns that alternate in direction as the elevation of the waterslide attraction decreases. Where arcing, banked turns comprise the sub-elements, the rider arcs from side to side changing direction with each arcing banked turn. An exit slide is connected to the final sub-element and directs a rider to a runout pool. The waterslide may include speed-altering components for changing a speed and/or direction of a rider as the rider travels along the waterslide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: RICK BRIGGS, CLAUDIO BARRERA, ANDREY KHOMOVSKIY, BRUCE BRADLEY, CHIHIRO SAKAMOTO
  • Patent number: D855136
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Whitewater West Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Rick Briggs, Geoff Chutter, Claudio Barrera, Andrey Khomovskiy, Bruce Bradley