Patents by Inventor Walter Pondorfer
Walter Pondorfer 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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Patent number: 10576387Abstract: A gondola 40 is mounted to move freely along an endless, sinuous track 20. With the track 20 rotating about a horizontal axis, the gondola 40 is raised and, as the track 20 presents a downhill section, the gondola 40 rolls down it under the influence of gravity. The steeper the downhill section, the greater the speed until the gondola 40 reaches its lowermost position (FIG. 1B). Its momentum cause the gondola 40 to carry on travelling along a momentarily uphill section of the track 20. Travel from then on depends on a number of variables, including the rotational speed, direction and acceleration of the track 20, the weight of the gondola 40 and its passengers, the natural damping effect of friction in the mounting of the gondola 40 on the track 20, and any additional braking and/or driving effect that may be applied to the gondola 40. As compared to a conventional rollercoaster, the ride 1 may occupy a very much smaller footprint, incur a much lower capital cost and be readily adaptable to mobile use.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2016Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Inventor: Walter Pondorfer
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Publication number: 20180133605Abstract: A gondola 40 is mounted to move freely along an endless, sinuous track 20. With the track 20 rotating about a horizontal axis, the gondola 40 is raised and, as the track 20 presents a downhill section, the gondola 40 rolls down it under the influence of gravity. The steeper the downhill section, the greater the speed until the gondola 40 reaches its lowermost position (FIG. 1B). Its momentum cause the gondola 40 to carry on travelling along a momentarily uphill section of the track 20. Travel from then on depends on a number of variables, including the rotational speed, direction and acceleration of the track 20, the weight of the gondola 40 and its passengers, the natural damping effect of friction in the mounting of the gondola 40 on the track 20, and any additional braking and/or driving effect that may be applied to the gondola 40. As compared to a conventional rollercoaster, the ride 1 may occupy a very much smaller footprint, incur a much lower capital cost and be readily adaptable to mobile use.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2016Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventor: Walter Pondorfer
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Patent number: 9702163Abstract: A tower is constructed by erecting an upright former 6; assembling a first section 31 of the tower around the former 6; raising the first tower section 31; assembling a second tower section 32 around the former 6; connecting the first and second tower sections 31, 32, and repeating the steps to add further tower sections. Disassembly is the reverse process. The method of assembly is particularly suitable to mobile towers that are transported on road trailers and may be used with advantage with amusement rides.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2013Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Inventor: Walter Pondorfer
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Publication number: 20160194896Abstract: A tower is constructed by erecting an upright former 6; assembling a first section 31 of the tower around the former 6; raising the first tower section 31; assembling a second tower section 32 around the former 6; connecting the first and second tower sections 31, 32, and repeating the steps to add further tower sections. Disassembly is the reverse process. The method of assembly is particularly suitable to mobile towers that are transported on road trailers and may be used with advantage with amusement rides.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2013Publication date: July 7, 2016Inventor: Walter PONDORFER
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Patent number: 7666103Abstract: An amusement ride (10) involving riders (17) being conveyed through the air. The amusement ride (10) comprises a tower (11) having a column (23), typically of a height of at least 30 meters. A hub structure (33) is supported on the column (23) for rotation with respect thereto and for displacement therealong. A first drive means (51) is provided for rotating the hub structure (33) with respect to the column (23). A second drive means (61) is provided for displacing the hub structure (33) along the column (23). Rider carriers (81) are suspended from the hub structure (33) to undergo motion in response to movement of the hub structure (33) with respect to the column (23), involving the riders (17) being conveyed along a path around the column (23), with the elevation of the riders changing during the ride through displacement of the hub structure (33) along the column (23). The amusement ride (10) is of a design which is conducive to construction on a large scale.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2004Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Cottingham Agencies Ltd.Inventors: Walter Pondorfer, Laurence Ross Petrie
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Publication number: 20050239563Abstract: An amusement ride (10) involving riders (17) being conveyed through the air. The amusement ride (10) comprises a tower (11) having a column (23), typically of a height of at least 30 metres. A hub structure (33) is supported on the column (23) for rotation with respect thereto and for displacement therealong. A first drive means (51) is provided for rotating the hub structure (33) with respect to the column (23). A second drive means (61) is provided for displacing the hub structure (33) along the column (23). Rider carriers (81) are suspended from the hub structure (33) to undergo motion in response to movement of the hub structure (33) with respect to the column (23), involving the riders (17) being conveyed along a path around the column (23), with the elevation of the riders changing during the ride through displacement of the hub structure (33) along the column (23). The amusement ride (10) is of a design which is conducive to construction on a large scale.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2004Publication date: October 27, 2005Inventors: Walter Pondorfer, Laurence Petrie
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Patent number: 6497623Abstract: An amusement device, such as a sling-shot machine, for successively propelling and retarding a rider to cause the rider to undergo a vertically oscillatory motion. The amusement device comprises cables (31, 32) one end of each of which is connected to a carrier (19) for supporting one or more riders. A releasable anchoring means is provided for releasably anchoring the carrier (19) at a launch site (17). An elastic structure (71) has opposed ends between which the elastic structure can undergo extension and contraction. One end of the elastic structure (71) is connected to a first support means (57). Each cable (31, 32) passes around a support tower (11) and has a section thereof winding back and forth between first and second guide means (83, 85). The first guide means (83) is connected to the other end of the elastic structure (71) and the second guide means (85) is connected to a second support means (47).Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2001Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Inventors: Brian Mirfin, Walter Pondorfer
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Publication number: 20020061784Abstract: An amusement device, such as a sling-shot machine, for successively propelling and retarding a rider to cause the rider to undergo a vertically oscillatory motion. The amusement device comprises cables (31, 32) one end of each of which is connected to a carrier (19) for supporting one or more riders. A releasable anchoring means is provided for releasably anchoring the carrier (19) at a launch site (17). An elastic structure (71) has opposed ends between which the elastic structure can undergo extension and contraction. One end of the elastic structure (71) is connected to a first support means (57). Each cable (31, 32) passes around a support tower (11) and has a section thereof winding back and forth between first and second guide means (83, 85). The first guide means (83) is connected to the other end of the elastic structure (71) and the second guide means (85) is connected to a second support means (47).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2001Publication date: May 23, 2002Inventors: Brian Mirfin, Walter Pondorfer
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Patent number: 6319140Abstract: An amusement device, such as a sling-shot machine, for successively propelling and retarding a rider to cause the rider to undergo a vertically oscillatory motion. The amusement device comprises cables (31, 32) one end of each of which is connected to a carrier (19) for supporting one or more riders. A releasable anchoring means is provided for releasably anchoring the carrier (19) at a launch site (17). An elastic structure (71) has opposed ends between which the elastic structure can undergo extension and contraction. One end of the elastic structure (71) is connected to a first support means (57). Each cable (31, 32) passes around a support tower (11) and has a section thereof winding back and forth between first and second guide means (83, 85). The first guide means (83) is connected to the other end of the elastic structure (71) and the second guide means (85) is connected to a second support means (47).Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1999Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Inventors: Brian Mirfin, Walter Pondorfer
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Patent number: 4623036Abstract: A self-propelled carriage for climbing a rope suspended from a high structure to which access is desired, the carriage being equipped with a seat, a motor and a motor driven shaft for engaging the rope. The rope may be wrapped around the shaft to clutch the rope in the manner of a windlass. The shaft may have a frictional surface and/or a spiral track to receive the rope.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1985Date of Patent: November 18, 1986Inventor: Walter Pondorfer