Patents by Inventor David A. Durham

David A. Durham 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: 8490550
    Abstract: A roller coaster with seats articulated between vertical and reclined positions. The roller coaster includes a track with a load/unload portion and a ride portion. The coaster includes a vehicle with a body supported on the track and a passenger seat positioned in the body mounted for articulation between a first position and a second position. The roller coaster includes a seat positioning mechanism coupled to the passenger seat operating while the vehicle is in the load/unload portion to articulate the seat into the first position and operating, prior to the vehicle traveling into the ride portion of the ride path, to articulate the seat into the second position. The passenger seat includes a seat back that is substantially vertical in the first position and is at an obtuse angle in the second position or horizontal position, such that a passenger has an upward point of view during the ride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Crawford, Thomas Fitzgerald, Derek Howard, David A. Durham, James H. Shull
  • Publication number: 20130025492
    Abstract: A roller coaster with seats articulated between vertical and reclined positions. The roller coaster includes a track with a load/unload portion and a ride portion. The coaster includes a vehicle with a body supported on the track and a passenger seat positioned in the body mounted for articulation between a first position and a second position. The roller coaster includes a seat positioning mechanism coupled to the passenger seat operating while the vehicle is in the load/unload portion to articulate the seat into the first position and operating, prior to the vehicle traveling into the ride portion of the ride path, to articulate the seat into the second position. The passenger seat includes a seat back that is substantially vertical in the first position and is at an obtuse angle in the second position or horizontal position, such that a passenger has an upward point of view during the ride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: DAVID W. CRAWFORD, THOMAS FITZGERALD, DEREK HOWARD, DAVID A. DURHAM, JAMES H. SHULL
  • Patent number: 8179337
    Abstract: One particular implementation of the present invention may take the form of a mobile set configured to include one or more projection devices to display a media presentation to a viewer. The mobile set may be configured to follow a fixed path or may move through autonomous navigation. In one embodiment, the mobile set may be included as part of an amusement park ride to interact with the ride patrons and provide them with a greater entertainment experience. For example, the mobile projected set may be synchronized to move with a carrier vehicle carrying the ride patrons and project a presentation or display to the ride patrons during the ride. Placing the projected scene on a mobile set allows the patrons to interact with the projected scene for a longer period of time then if the projected scene was stationary. Further, the mobile sets may be used to configure and control sightlines through the ride to provide a more dynamic environment for the amusement park ride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises
    Inventors: Gregory A. Wilzbach, Janice L. Mulholland, Thomas J. Fitzgerald, David A. Durham, David W. Crawford
  • Patent number: 8141495
    Abstract: A ride system is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system includes a chassis that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track of a particular ride. A support is attached to the chassis and moves with the chassis during operation of the ride. The ride system includes first and second passenger vehicles that are spaced apart on and supported by the support. A drive assembly is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support about its central axis. During support rotation, the first and second vehicles are moved concurrently relative to the track to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Baker, Mark W. Sumner, Derek Howard, David A. Durham, Christopher J. Rose, David W. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20110088584
    Abstract: A ride system is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system includes a chassis that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track of a particular ride. A support is attached to the chassis and moves with the chassis during operation of the ride. The ride system includes first and second passenger vehicles that are spaced apart on and supported by the support. A drive assembly is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support about its central axis. During support rotation, the first and second vehicles are moved concurrently relative to the track to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul E. Baker, Mark W. Sumner, Derek Howard, David A. Durham, Christopher J. Rose, David W. Crawford
  • Patent number: 7921781
    Abstract: A ride system is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system includes a chassis that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track of a particular ride. A support is attached to the chassis and moves with the chassis during operation of the ride. The ride system includes first and second passenger vehicles that are spaced apart on and supported by the support. A drive assembly is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support about its central axis. During support rotation, the first and second vehicles are moved concurrently relative to the track to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Baker, Mark W. Sumner, Derek Howard, David A. Durham, Christopher J. Rose, David W. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20100326313
    Abstract: A ride system is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system includes a chassis that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track of a particular ride. A support is attached to the chassis and moves with the chassis during operation of the ride. The ride system includes first and second passenger vehicles that are spaced apart on and supported by the support. A drive assembly is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support about its central axis. During support rotation, the first and second vehicles are moved concurrently relative to the track to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: PAUL E. BAKER, MARK W. SUMNER, DEREK HOWARD, DAVID A. DURHAM, CHRISTOPHER J. ROSE, DAVID W. CRAWFORD
  • Patent number: 7806054
    Abstract: A ride system is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system includes a chassis that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track of a particular ride. A support is attached to the chassis and moves with the chassis during operation of the ride. The ride system includes first and second passenger vehicles that are spaced apart on and supported by the support. A drive assembly is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support about its central axis. During support rotation, the first and second vehicles are moved concurrently relative to the track to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Baker, Mark W. Sumner, Derek Howard, David A. Durham, Christopher J. Rose, David W. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20100053029
    Abstract: One particular implementation of the present invention may take the form of a mobile set configured to include one or more projection devices to display a media presentation to a viewer. The mobile set may be configured to follow a fixed path or may move through autonomous navigation. In one embodiment, the mobile set may be included as part of an amusement park ride to interact with the ride patrons and provide them with a greater entertainment experience. For example, the mobile projected set may be synchronized to move with a carrier vehicle carrying the ride patrons and project a presentation or display to the ride patrons during the ride. Placing the projected scene on a mobile set allows the patrons to interact with the projected scene for a longer period of time then if the projected scene was stationary. Further, the mobile sets may be used to configure and control sightlines through the ride to provide a more dynamic environment for the amusement park ride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Wilzbach, Janice L. Mulholland, Thomas J. Fitzgerald, David A. Durham, David W. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20090272289
    Abstract: A ride system is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system includes a chassis that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track of a particular ride. A support is attached to the chassis and moves with the chassis during operation of the ride. The ride system includes first and second passenger vehicles that are spaced apart on and supported by the support. A drive assembly is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support about its central axis. During support rotation, the first and second vehicles are moved concurrently relative to the track to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: PAUL E. BAKER, MARK W. SUMNER, DEREK HOWARD, DAVID A. DURHAM, CHRISTOPHER J. ROSE, DAVID W. CRAWFORD
  • Patent number: 5974388
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing paint product related information to customers and recording customer telephone calls includes work stations (10, 23) having a memory device (18) storing a plurality of paint product information and a plurality of customer information, an input device (12) for generating a customer request for information signal related to a selected one of the paint products, a display device (14) for visually displaying information and graphic displays in response to display signals, a computer (13) responsive to the customer request for information signal for selecting from the customer information caller information related to a customer associated with the customer request and generating a first display signal to the display device (14) to visually display a call log graphic display (43) including the caller information (44), and being responsive to the customer request for information signal for selecting a portion of the paint product information related to advice to be given to the customer
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: American Standox, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Durham