Patents by Inventor ZACHARY ROYCE KERCHMAN

ZACHARY ROYCE KERCHMAN 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).

  • Patent number: 11465061
    Abstract: A system adapted for stopping and launching boats. The system includes a boat, in moving water, with an interaction member extending outward from its hull. The system includes a boat capture and launch assembly that includes: (a) a body; (b) a drive mechanism rotating the body; (c) a capture arm with a first contact surface on the body; and (d) a launch arm with a second contact surface on the body. When the body is rotated into a first position, the capture arm extends outward into the water to catch the interaction member and stop the boat. When the body is rotated through a range of second positions, the interaction member abuts the second contact surface and a launch force is applied to accelerate the boat in the direction of travel of the boat and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristopher M. Laffin, Zachary Royce Kerchman
  • Publication number: 20200179816
    Abstract: A system adapted for stopping and launching boats. The system includes a boat, in moving water, with an interaction member extending outward from its hull. The system includes a boat capture and launch assembly that includes: (a) a body; (b) a drive mechanism rotating the body; (c) a capture arm with a first contact surface on the body; and (d) a launch arm with a second contact surface on the body. When the body is rotated into a first position, the capture arm extends outward into the water to catch the interaction member and stop the boat. When the body is rotated through a range of second positions, the interaction member abuts the second contact surface and a launch force is applied to accelerate the boat in the direction of travel of the boat and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: KRISTOPHER M. LAFFIN, ZACHARY ROYCE KERCHMAN
  • Patent number: 10625168
    Abstract: A water ride adapted for stopping and launching boats. The ride includes a flume containing flowing water and first and second sidewalls define the flume. The ride includes a boat in the flume with an interaction member extending outward from its hull. The ride includes a boat capture and launch assembly provided on the second wall, and this assembly includes: (a) a body; (b) a drive mechanism rotating the body; (c) a capture arm with a first contact surface on the body; and (d) a launch arm with a second contact surface on the body. When the body is rotated into a first position, the capture arm extends outward into the flume to catch the interaction member and stop the boat. When the body is rotated through a range of second positions, the interaction member abuts the second contact surface and a launch force is applied to accelerate the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristopher M. Laffin, Zachary Royce Kerchman
  • Publication number: 20190262728
    Abstract: A water ride adapted for stopping and launching boats. The ride includes a flume containing flowing water and first and second sidewalls define the flume. The ride includes a boat in the flume with an interaction member extending outward from its hull. The ride includes a boat capture and launch assembly provided on the second wall, and this assembly includes: (a) a body; (b) a drive mechanism rotating the body; (c) a capture arm with a first contact surface on the body; and (d) a launch arm with a second contact surface on the body. When the body is rotated into a first position, the capture arm extends outward into the flume to catch the interaction member and stop the boat. When the body is rotated through a range of second positions, the interaction member abuts the second contact surface and a launch force is applied to accelerate the boat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: KRISTOPHER M. LAFFIN, ZACHARY ROYCE KERCHMAN