Patents by Inventor Francis K. Weigand

Francis K. Weigand 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).

  • Carousel ride systems and methods
    Patent number: 11161049
    Abstract: A carousel ride system includes a rotatable platform, a plurality of figures that are configured to rotate with the rotatable platform, and a lift system. The lift system is configured to raise and to lower the plurality of figures relative to the rotatable platform along a vertical axis during ride operations and to position each of the plurality of figures at a same vertical height relative the rotatable platform along the vertical axis during loading and unloading operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Jerrell Andrew Loudon, David Wayne Komives, Elizabeth Teresa Colon, Francis K. Weigand, Michael Gordon, Arthur Derby Ahlstone, Daniel Coats, Brad Borgman, Dave Clare
  • CAROUSEL RIDE SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20200298132
    Abstract: A carousel ride system includes a rotatable platform, a plurality of figures that are configured to rotate with the rotatable platform, and a lift system. The lift system is configured to raise and to lower the plurality of figures relative to the rotatable platform along a vertical axis during ride operations and to position each of the plurality of figures at a same vertical height relative the rotatable platform along the vertical axis during loading and unloading operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Jerrell Andrew Loudon, David Wayne Komives, Elizabeth Teresa Colon, Francis K. Weigand, Michael Gordon, Arthur Derby Ahlstone, Daniel Coats, Brad Borgman, Dave Clare
  • Amusement ride having spinning passenger cars
    Patent number: 5453053
    Abstract: An improved amusement ride and ride vehicle that permit a passenger to control the rotation of a passenger car as the vehicle travels along a ride course. The ride vehicle includes a support tube upon which the passenger car is rotatably mounted and a passenger operable steering mechanism. The ride vehicle also includes a spin shaft that extends down through the support tube. The spin shaft permits the use of safety systems that are mounted to the chassis of the ride vehicle. Control logic may be used to turn the passenger cars to a preferred orientation at the end of the ride. The ride vehicle itself may be barbell shaped to permit it to turn sharp corners along the ride course. The passenger car also includes a readily adjustable lap bar that is self-releasing. A slot cover, a plow assembly for displacing the slot cover and a slot cover switch are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: The Walt Disney Company
    Inventors: Randall C. Danta, Michael G. Kilbert, Jody D. Gerstner, Francis K. Weigand, Ted W. Fredrick
  • Method of operating an emergency power unit
    Patent number: 4934136
    Abstract: An aircraft emergency power unit having a high pressure air storage tank, an aviation fuel storage tank, and a combustor which combusts pressurized air and aviation fuel in a stoichiometrically fuel rich ratio to produce a motive combustion gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Francis K. Weigand, Ronald J. Ness, Michael S. Koerner
  • Emergency power unit
    Patent number: 4898000
    Abstract: An aircraft emergency power unit having a high pressure air storage tank, an aviation fuel storage tank, and a combustor which combusts pressurized air and aviation fuel in a stoichiometrically fuel rich ratio to produce a motive combustion gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Francis K. Weigand, Ronald J. Ness, Michael S. Koerner
  • Emergency power unit
    Patent number: 4777793
    Abstract: An aircraft emergency power unit having a high pressure air storage tank, an aviation fuel storage tank, and a combustor which combusts pressurized air and aviation fuel in a stochiometrically fuel rich ratio to produce a motive combustion gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Francis K. Weigand, Ronald J. Ness, Michael S. Koerner
  • Emergency power unit and method
    Patent number: 4554784
    Abstract: An emergency power unit method and apparatus with means for inhibiting vibration of the catalyst bed while permitting spring loading thereof, and for automatically compensating for movement of the catalyst bed caused by the spring loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Francis K. Weigand, William H. Nickel