Patents by Inventor Greg MacDougall

Greg MacDougall 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).

  • Publication number: 20190143156
    Abstract: A safety system is disclosed to provide safety to a user while traversing an amusement attraction. The safety system may include one or more safety mechanisms for attachment to a user and a track system. The one or more safety mechanisms may removably couple together. The one or more safety mechanisms may include additional features such as speed controllers, track engagement systems, among others to assist in the traversal of the safety mechanism through and across the track system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: MARK WESTON, ANTHONY MARINAKIS, RICK BRIGGS, HYUMA FRANKOWSKI, GREG MACDOUGALL
  • Publication number: 20190134437
    Abstract: A bifurcation method and system for a passive continuous belay system that allows for a user to select multiple pathways using intermediate tracks. A main track and the intermediate tracks provide a linear passive continuous belay using an anchor mechanism that is configured to grasp the outside of the structural member track, using rolling elements and/or low-friction sliding. The user may select multiple pathways using intermediate lateral tracks to provide Cartesian movement at designated (e.g., perpendicular) transition or junction points. Desired tracks may be selected by a user via sliding along a support plate or track in a junction box and/or by rotating a portion of the junction box. Amusement attraction activities that include non-harnessed play may be intertwined or located adjacent to activities utilizing harnessed play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Mark Weston, Anthony Marinakis, Rick Briggs, Hyuma Frankowski, Greg MacDougall
  • Patent number: 10207137
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a safety system for coupling a rider to an amusement attraction with a track assembly including a junction box, and a plurality of control surfaces. The plurality of control surfaces includes slideable and rollable control surfaces. The safety system includes a carriage system for coupling the rider to the track assembly including a main support assembly, and a rolling safety mechanism including a rotatable element. The rotatable element includes a track engagement surface including rolling and sliding surfaces. In some embodiments, the rolling safety mechanism includes a plurality of pucks. Some embodiments include a rolling safety mechanism with a partially truncated ellipsoidal member rotatably mounted to a control support. In other embodiments, the rolling safety mechanism includes two partially truncated ellipsoidal members each positioned at substantially opposite ends of a support frame that includes at least one lanyard support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Rick Briggs, Mark Weston, Hyuma Frankowski, Greg MacDougall, Daniel Brassard, Peter Petkov
  • Patent number: 10016634
    Abstract: A bifurcation method and system for a passive continuous belay system that allows for a user to select multiple pathways using intermediate tracks. A main track and the intermediate tracks provide a linear passive continuous belay using an anchor mechanism that is configured to grasp the outside of the structural member track, using rolling elements and/or low-friction sliding. The user may select multiple pathways using intermediate lateral tracks to provide Cartesian movement at designated (e.g., perpendicular) transition or junction points. Desired tracks may be selected by a user via sliding along a support plate or track in a junction box and/or by rotating a portion of the junction box. Amusement attraction activities that include non-harnessed play may be intertwined or located adjacent to activities utilizing harnessed play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Whitewater West Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Weston, Anthony Marinakis, Rick Briggs, Hyuma Franskowski, Greg MacDougall
  • Publication number: 20170043268
    Abstract: A bifurcation method and system for a passive continuous belay system that allows for a user to select multiple pathways using intermediate tracks. A main track and the intermediate tracks provide a linear passive continuous belay using an anchor mechanism that is configured to grasp the outside of the structural member track, using rolling elements and/or low-friction sliding. The user may select multiple pathways using intermediate lateral tracks to provide Cartesian movement at designated (e.g., perpendicular) transition or junction. points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Rick Briggs, Mark Weston, Hyuma Frankowski, Greg MacDougall, Daniel Brassard, Peter Petkov
  • Publication number: 20170043791
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a safety system for coupling a rider to an amusement attraction with a track assembly including a junction box, and a plurality of control surfaces. The plurality of control surfaces includes slideable and rollable control surfaces. The safety system includes a carriage system for coupling the rider to the track assembly including a main support assembly, and a rolling safety mechanism including a rotatable element. The rotatable element includes a track engagement surface including rolling and sliding surfaces. In some embodiments, the rolling safety mechanism includes a plurality of pucks. Some embodiments include a rolling safety mechanism with a partially truncated ellipsoidal member rotatably mounted to a control support. In other embodiments, the rolling safety mechanism includes two partially truncated ellipsoidal members each positioned at substantially opposite ends of a support frame that includes at least one lanyard support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Rick Briggs, Mark Weston, Hyuma Frankowski, Greg MacDougall, Daniel Brassard, Peter Petkov
  • Publication number: 20160114815
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a braking safety system for controlling the velocity of a vehicle on an amusement attraction. The braking system includes a track assembly including a plurality of control surfaces configured to support and guide the vehicle on the amusement attraction, a carriage system for coupling the vehicle to the track assembly, and at least one adaptive braking system configured to adaptively control the velocity of the vehicle on the track assembly. In some embodiments, the at least one adaptive braking system is configured to engage at least one of the following: a passive element or an active element to reduce the velocity of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the at least one adaptive braking system is configured to enable speed reduction of the vehicle using either one or a combination of magnetic field interaction, aerodynamic drag, and friction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Rick Briggs, Mark Weston, Hyuma Frankowski, Greg MacDougall, Daniel Brassard, Peter Petkov
  • Publication number: 20150090148
    Abstract: A bifurcation method and system for a passive continuous belay system that allows for a user to select multiple pathways using intermediate tracks. A main track and the intermediate tracks provide a linear passive continuous belay using an anchor mechanism that is configured to grasp the outside of the structural member track, using rolling elements and/or low-friction sliding. The user may select multiple pathways using intermediate lateral tracks to provide Cartesian movement at designated (e.g., perpendicular) transition or junction points. Desired tracks may be selected by a user via sliding along a support plate or track in a junction box and/or by rotating a portion of the junction box. Amusement attraction activities that include non-harnessed play may be intertwined or located adjacent to activities utilizing harnessed play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Mark Weston, Anthony Marinakis, Rick Briggs, Hyuma Franskowski, Greg MacDougall