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).
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Publication number: 20190143156Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Applicant: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES LTD.Inventors: MARK WESTON, ANTHONY MARINAKIS, RICK BRIGGS, HYUMA FRANKOWSKI, GREG MACDOUGALL
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Publication number: 20190134437Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Mark Weston, Anthony Marinakis, Rick Briggs, Hyuma Frankowski, Greg MacDougall
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Patent number: 10207137Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 22, 2015Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES LTD.Inventors: Rick Briggs, Mark Weston, Hyuma Frankowski, Greg MacDougall, Daniel Brassard, Peter Petkov
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Patent number: 10016634Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Whitewater West Industries Ltd.Inventors: Mark Weston, Anthony Marinakis, Rick Briggs, Hyuma Franskowski, Greg MacDougall
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Publication number: 20170043268Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2015Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Rick Briggs, Mark Weston, Hyuma Frankowski, Greg MacDougall, Daniel Brassard, Peter Petkov
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Publication number: 20170043791Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2015Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Rick Briggs, Mark Weston, Hyuma Frankowski, Greg MacDougall, Daniel Brassard, Peter Petkov
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Publication number: 20160114815Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Rick Briggs, Mark Weston, Hyuma Frankowski, Greg MacDougall, Daniel Brassard, Peter Petkov
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Publication number: 20150090148Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Mark Weston, Anthony Marinakis, Rick Briggs, Hyuma Franskowski, Greg MacDougall