Patents by Inventor Rick A. Briggs
Rick A. Briggs 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: 20230173397Abstract: A water ride includes ride vehicles and spectator areas for allowing interaction between ride vehicles and/or between a ride vehicle and spectators to the ride. The water ride may include engagement components (e.g., water guns) located on the ride vehicle and/or at spectator areas. Users of the engagement components may therefore interact with other users operating other engagement components. Activators and corresponding reactors may be triggered by users and/or automatically providing additional entertainment and interaction for the water ride. Various charging capabilities may be used for powering one or more components, activators, and/or reactors of the ride, ride vehicle, and/or spectator areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2022Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Kelly Sall, Rick Briggs, Mark Weston
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Patent number: 11640738Abstract: A system and method for sensing or tracking users at a geographic location or destination and collecting data based upon such users and/or the tracking of such users for enhancing the experience of the users, providing increased operational functionality of venues or attractions associated with the destination, and/or managing or influencing behavior associated with users or employees at the geographic location or destination. The system may be accessible via software applications executed upon mobile devices and/or permanent hardware kiosks and/or via a web-based interface. Trackable hardware is carried and/or worn or otherwise associated with the users so that the users' movement and activities may be tracked at the geographic location or destination.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2020Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Aaron Daniel Mendelson, Richard D K Bojahra, David Allan Black, Rick Briggs, Philip R. Edgell
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Publication number: 20230020423Abstract: A waterslide attraction is provided that incorporates at least one waterslide element and at least one storyline element. Riders typically ride in a ride vehicle that may incorporate controls that may provide responses to stimuli presented during the ride. A user's responses to the stimuli are used to alter the storyline presented and may also alter ride characteristics. At the conclusion of the ride, a user is presented with a score.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventor: Rick Briggs
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Publication number: 20220370925Abstract: A play structure having one or more monolith structures for the connection of other surfaces (e.g., deckings, water-based elements, interactive elements, etc.). Each of the monolith structures may be adjustably connected with a ground surface such that a variety of possible angles may be obtained by the monolith whit respect to the ground surface. After the desired orientation of the monolith is obtained to the ground surface via the adjustable connection, the monolith may be secured in such position. Water or fluid may be provided to the monolith structures via piping that interfaces with the monolith structures by a fluid connection that is in communication with piping disposed within the monolith structures. A fluid damping or delivery system (e.g., based upon a tipping element that provides water to a fluid flowing surface and/or other water diversion element) may be provided as part of be play structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Rick A. Briggs, Ryan G. Snyder
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Patent number: 11498008Abstract: A water ride includes ride vehicles and spectator areas for allowing interaction between ride vehicles and/or between a ride vehicle and spectators to the ride. The water ride may include engagement components (e.g., water guns) located on the ride vehicle and/or at spectator areas. Users of the engagement components may therefore interact with other users operating other engagement components. Activators and corresponding reactors may be triggered by users and/or automatically providing additional entertainment and interaction for the water ride. Various charging capabilities may be used for powering one or more components, activators, and/or reactors of the ride, ride vehicle, and/or spectator areas.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Whitewater West Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Kelly Sall, Rick Briggs, Mark Weston
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Patent number: 11487349Abstract: An attraction capable of incorporating user interactivity. The attraction utilizes a slide for supporting a rider, with a ride vehicle or without. The ride vehicle may support one or multiple riders that allows the riders to manipulate its position or other associated elements while on the attraction. Upon manipulating an element, a signal may be transmitted. This signal may aid in determining whether a rider has successfully manipulated the element, for example, at an appropriate time. Sensors along the attraction may also be configured to track the user and/or ride vehicle via determining vicinity of the user and/or ride vehicle at a known location. Various rewards and/or features may be enabled based upon successful manipulation and/or user position. The attraction may include one or more illuminating features. Statistics or other information may be determined, stored, and/or provided (e.g., using mobile applications and/or scoreboards) relating to user performance.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2017Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: WhiteWater West Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Rick Briggs, Aaron Mendelson, Rick Sebulsky, Mohammed Sahill Rafiq, William Walter Andrews, Keith James Campden, Mitchell Keith Fitzgibbon
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Publication number: 20220253127Abstract: An attraction capable of incorporating user interactivity. The attraction utilizes a slide for supporting a rider, with a ride vehicle or without. The ride vehicle may support one or multiple riders that allows the riders to manipulate its position or other associated elements while on the attraction. Upon manipulating an element, a signal may be transmitted. This signal may aid in determining whether a rider has successfully manipulated the element, for example, at an appropriate time. Sensors along the attraction may also be configured to track the user and/or ride vehicle via determining vicinity of the user and/or ride vehicle at a known location. Various rewards and/or features may be enabled based upon successful manipulation and/or user position. The attraction may include one or more illuminating features. Statistics or other information may be determined, stored, and/or provided (e.g., using mobile applications and/or scoreboards) relating to user performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2022Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventors: Rick Briggs, Aaron Mendelson, Rick Sebulsky, Mohammed Rafiq, William Andrews, Keith Campden, Mitchell Fitzgibbon
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Patent number: 11389719Abstract: A waterslide attraction is provided that incorporates at least one waterslide element and at least one storyline element. Riders typically ride in a ride vehicle that may incorporate controls that may provide responses to stimuli presented during the ride. A user's responses to the stimuli are used to alter the storyline presented and may also alter ride characteristics. At the conclusion of the ride, a user is presented with a score.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2018Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Inventor: Rick Briggs
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Patent number: 11273383Abstract: A waterslide attraction provides multiple standing waves interspersed with multiple flume elements. The multiple standing waves may vary in steepness and the flume elements may include turns of vary degree. A first standing wave may be higher than succeeding standing waves and a first turn may be higher than succeeding turns. An exit slide connected to the waterslide attraction may direct a rider to a runout pool.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2018Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES LTD.Inventor: Rick Briggs
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Patent number: 11247137Abstract: A play structure having one or more monolith structures for the connection of other surfaces (e.g., deckings, water-based elements, interactive elements, etc.). Each of the monolith structures may be adjustably connected with a ground surface such that a variety of possible angles may be obtained by the monolith with respect to the ground surface. After the desired orientation of the monolith is obtained to the ground surface via the adjustable connection, the monolith may be secured in such position. Water or other fluid may be provided to the monolith structures via piping that interfaces with the monolith structures by a fluid connection that is in communication with piping disposed within the monolith structures. A fluid dumping or delivery system (e.g., based upon a tipping element that provides water to a fluid flowing surface and/or other water dispersion element) may be provided as part of the play structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Whitewater West Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Rick A. Briggs, Ryan G. Snyder
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Patent number: 11141666Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 8, 2018Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Inventors: Geoff Chutter, Rick Briggs, Claudio Barrera, Andrey Khomovskiy, Bruce Bradley
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Publication number: 20210023461Abstract: An entertainment venue, amusement attraction, or interactive play center configured to provide a variety of activities for users. The play center may include at least one interactive element (such as a button, handle, pull-rope, switch, etc.) that is configured to be interacted with by a user. The play center may also include at least one consequence element (such as a water nozzle, tipping bucket, etc.) that is configured to provide a consequence (such as a spray of water) based upon interaction by a user with the at least one interactive element. In certain embodiments, it may not be apparent, for example via visual, audible, or other indications to a user which consequence element, or how a given consequence element will respond, in response to an interactive element, lending to a sense of surprise and/or need for experimentation on the play center.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Applicant: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES LTD.Inventors: Rick A. Briggs, Mark Vidal, Mark Hewett
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Publication number: 20200371582Abstract: An attraction capable of incorporating user interactivity. The attraction utilizes a slide for supporting a rider, with a ride vehicle or without. The ride vehicle may support one or multiple riders that allows the riders to manipulate its position or other associated elements while on the attraction. Upon manipulating an element, a signal may be transmitted. This signal may aid in determining whether a rider has successfully manipulated the element, for example, at an appropriate time. Sensors along the attraction may also be configured to track the user and/or ride vehicle via determining vicinity of the user and/or ride vehicle at a known location. Various rewards and/or features may be enabled based upon successful manipulation and/or user position. The attraction may include one or more illuminating features. Statistics or other information may be determined, stored, and/or provided (e.g., using mobile applications and/or scoreboards) relating to user performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2017Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Rick Briggs, Aaron Mendelson, Rick Sebulsky, Mohammed Sahill Rafiq, William Walter Andrews, Keith James Campden, Mitchell Keith Fitzgibbon
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Publication number: 20200357211Abstract: A system and method for sensing or tracking users at a geographic location or destination and collecting data based upon such users and/or the tracking of such users for enhancing the experience of the users, providing increased operational functionality of venues or attractions associated with the destination, and/or managing or influencing behavior associated with users or employees at the geographic location or destination. The system may be accessible via software applications executed upon mobile devices and/or permanent hardware kiosks and/or via a web-based interface. Trackable hardware is carried and/or worn or otherwise associated with the users so that the users' movement and activities may be tracked at the geographic location or destination.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventors: Aaron Daniel Mendelson, Richard DK Bojahra, David Allan Black, Rick Briggs, Philip R. Edgell
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Patent number: 10758831Abstract: An entertainment venue, amusement attraction, or interactive play center configured to provide a variety of activities for users. The play center may include at least one interactive element (such as a button, handle, pull-rope, switch, etc.) that is configured to be interacted with by a user. The play center may also include at least one consequence element (such as a water nozzle, tipping bucket, etc.) that is configured to provide a consequence (such as a spray of water) based upon interaction by a user with the at least one interactive element. In certain embodiments, it may not be apparent, for example via visual, audible, or other indications to a user which consequence element, or how a given consequence element will respond, in response to an interactive element, lending to a sense of surprise and/or need for experimentation on the play center.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Whitewater West Industries LTD.Inventors: Rick A. Briggs, Mark Vidal, Mark Hewett
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Publication number: 20200269144Abstract: A play structure having one or more monolith structures for the connection of other surfaces (e.g., deckings, water-based elements, interactive elements, etc.). Each of the monolith structures may be adjustably connected with a ground surface such that a variety of possible angles may be obtained by the monolith with respect to the ground surface. After the desired orientation of the monolith is obtained to the ground surface via the adjustable connection, the monolith may be secured in such position. Water or other fluid may be provided to the monolith structures via piping that interfaces with the monolith structures by a fluid connection that is in communication with piping disposed within the monolith structures. A fluid dumping or delivery system (e.g., based upon a tipping element that provides water to a fluid flowing surface and/or other water dispersion element) may be provided as part of the play structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Applicant: Whitewater West Industries Ltd.Inventors: Rick A. Briggs, Ryan G. Snyder
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Publication number: 20200222818Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2018Publication date: July 16, 2020Applicant: Whitewater West Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Geoff CHUTTER, Rick BRIGGS, Claudio BARRERA, Andrey KHOMOVSKIY, Bruce BRADLEY
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Publication number: 20200188776Abstract: A waterslide attraction is provided that incorporates at least one waterslide element and at least one storyline element. Riders typically ride in a ride vehicle that may incorporate controls that may provide responses to stimuli presented during the ride. A user's responses to the stimuli are used to alter the storyline presented and may also alter ride characteristics. At the conclusion of the ride, a user is presented with a score.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2018Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicant: WHITEWATER WEST INDUSTRIES LTD.Inventor: Rick Briggs
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Patent number: 10576388Abstract: A play structure having one or more monolith structures for the connection of other surfaces (e.g., deckings, water-based elements, interactive elements, etc.). Each of the monolith structures may be adjustably connected with a ground surface such that a variety of possible angles may be obtained by the monolith with respect to the ground surface. After the desired orientation of the monolith is obtained to the ground surface via the adjustable connection, the monolith may be secured in such position. Water or other fluid may be provided to the monolith structures via piping that interfaces with the monolith structures by a fluid connection that is in communication with piping disposed within the monolith structures. A fluid dumping or delivery system (e.g., based upon a tipping element that provides water to a fluid flowing surface and/or other water dispersion element) may be provided as part of the play structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Inventors: Rick A. Briggs, Ryan G. Snyder
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Patent number: 10516969Abstract: A mobile application for execution upon an electronic device for an amusement park or waterpark. The mobile application provides information, entertainment or other convenience data to the user while the user is within the park. The mobile application may be configured to determine a position of the electronic device within the park and display notifications including discounts at nearby vendors or restaurants, menus of nearby eateries, or ride recommendations based upon wait times. The mobile application may allow the user to make reservations at nearby restaurants within the park. The mobile application may generate an efficient ride sequence for the user based upon characteristics of either the user or the user's participation within the park and navigate the user around the park according to the ride sequence. Puzzles, games, or other entertainment or educational activities may be displayed to the user for providing rewards based upon their participation.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2013Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Whitewater West Industries Ltd.Inventors: Edwin Michael Gyde Heaven, Denise Weston, Rick Briggs