Abstract: An interactive arena play structure is provided incorporating a plurality of water and non-water play elements for creating various desired water effects. The interactive arena play structure incorporates a centrally disposed target tower which controls various water effects located within or around the play structure. Play participants are encouraged to compete against one another to actuate various water effects such that they stay dry while their opponents get wet. In addition, play participants are encouraged to cooperate to actuate a special progressive water effect located in a centrally disposed region of the play arena.

Abstract: A self-contained interactive play structure is provided having an outer housing and a plurality of towers disposed within the housing. A plurality of play media including impact-safe projectile accelerators are disposed throughout the structure. A central targeting area is provided having targets which, when contacted by a projectile, activate desired play effects. A projectile conveyor system supplies projectiles to be shot from the projectile accelerators.

Abstract: A simulated time ship dining and entertainment arrangement includes a building structure shaped like a dome and having outer side walls hingedly connected to a roof, inner side walls spaced from the outer side walls and forming display chambers therebetween, a ceiling supported by a simulated engine which is a transparent column resting upon a floor and supporting a dining table; multiple seating members disposed about upon the floor; multiple overhead display modules suspended from the ceiling and floor display modules both of which having image/sound producing equipment, lighting members and memorabilia disposed therein for simulating travel through various time periods; feet members and wheels for supporting and moving the building structure; and communications system for operating the image/sound producing equipment and for communicating to the host and for selecting the time period desired for a unique dining and entertainment arrangement.

Abstract: A mechanism for linearizing an open, vertically directed, high-speed air flow, generated by a propeller rotating about a vertical axis, includes a vertical cylindrical element mounted above and coaxially with the rotating propeller and a plurality of radially oriented vertically planar guide vanes supported at their radially outside ends in such a manner that ambient air can flow radially inward below and above the propeller. For large cross-section air-flows and improved elimination of swirl components from the flow, a second set of shorter radial guide vanes is provided in alternation with the vanes that are connected to the cylindrical element. A net structure is disposed above the guide vane structure for use of the invention in a system for producing a relatively large cross-section linearized flow to enable free-fall simulation exercises by one or more participants, to enable trainers to stand close to the free-falling participants.

Abstract: An architectural structure capable of generating a virtual polyhedral space includes a plurality of walls, each having a first side edge, a second side edge, and a reflective surface. The walls are disposed adjacent one another, with the first side edge of each wall adjacent the second side edge of an adjacent wall, each wall lying in an associated one of a plurality of planes intersecting at a common apex, thus forming a pyramid shaped structure. So disposed, the walls define an interior space of the architectural structure, with the reflective surfaces of the walls facing the interior space. Each wall further includes a base edge. Together, the base edges of the reflective walls form a support base for supporting the architectural structure on a floor surface. The images of the floor surface in the reflective surfaces of the walls forms a coherent image of a virtual polyhedron. Three-sided, four-sided, and five-sided embodiments are described.

Abstract: A fully integrated building complex comprising a body of water, a first housing structured to resemble the Titanic and a generally domed-shaped second housing structured to resemble an iceberg. The first and second housings are each situated within the body of water so that a first portion is disposed within the body of water, resting on the bottom thereof, and a second portion is disposed above the body of water. The interior of the first and second housings are divided into a plurality of levels and may include an entranceway/lobby, guest quarters, restaurants and entertainment facilities, a casino and other hotel amenities, such as health clubs swimming pools, beauty salons, retail shops, etc. Access between the first housing and the shore is provided by a generally tubular-shaped enclosed gangway having at least one conveyor belt-like people mover.

Abstract: An integrated entertainment and resort complex, which includes at least a first transportation hub; at least one shopping mall communicating with the transportation hub; and at least one riverwalk communicating with the transportation hub. The complex may include at least a second transportation hub communicating with at least one of the riverwalk and the shopping mall, and at least one of the transportation hubs includes an airport. At least one of the transportation hubs includes a railroad station, a bus station, or airport facilities. The shopping mall connects at least partway the first and second transportation hub, and the riverwalk may connect at least partway the first and second transportation hub. The above complex may include a waterway arranged at least partway in parallel with the riverwalk, and at least part of the waterway may form a closed loop.

Abstract: A multi-layer and multi-chamber play structure developed with solid, rigid quadrilateral panels arranged vertically and including wall angle brackets therebetween located in the included angles of the panels. Double wall thickness platforms are arranged on platform angle brackets which span across vertically adjacent panels lying in a common plane. Certain of the platforms are triangular in plan while others are rectilinear in plan. The panels come in various designs with holes extending through the panels and displaced form the edges thereof. The wall angle brackets may be rigid, elongate angle brackets and both the wall angle brackets and the platform angle brackets are affixed with fasteners to the panels and platforms. An adjustable anchor support is associated with the elongate angle brackets and includes a threaded bore receiving a threaded rod for purposes of adjustment.

Abstract: The invention provides improved climbing devices and structures for use in mobile and fixed climbing installations. The mobile climbing installation has a modular climbing tower pivotally mounted to a trailer to pivot between a road orientation and a climbing orientation. Modular climbing towers are generally assembled from panels having lateral curves by fastening upper and lower flanges of the panels together. The panels and flanges are integrally molded from fiberglass, and act as a monocoque structure. The climbing surface is on the radially outward portion of the partially or fully enclosed tower, thereby increasing the number of climbers that can safely be accommodated on a climbing surface of a given width. The invention also provides belaying devices for safely supporting a climber at the end of a flexible member such as a cable, rope, or the like. These belaying devices generally draw in the flexible member as the climber climbs.

Abstract: The present invention is a vertical wind tunnel amusement device. The device comprises a flight chamber wherein a user may experience a freefall through the atmosphere from the safety of an enclosed flight chamber. Airflow sufficient to fully support a user within the flight chamber is induced by a plurality of fans connected above the flight chamber through a duct. A staging area having openings to the flight chamber is adjacent to the flight chamber. A user may enter or retreat from the flight chamber at will through the staging area openings without significantly adjusting the airflow velocity in the flight chamber. A control room is adjacent to the fight chamber whereby an operator may observe a user or users within the flight chamber and thereby safely control the operation of the fans. A projection room is also adjacent to the flight chamber whereby a video of a skydiving experience may be displayed to a user within the flight chamber.

Abstract: An entertainment system includes a viewing chamber of sufficient size to accommodate a relatively large number of viewers, and a large kaleidoscope having a viewing end opening to the chamber. The kaleidoscope is sufficiently large to enable everyone in the viewing chamber to have an unobstructed view of the kaleidoscope display. The system includes a sound system which is coordinated with the optical display. In one embodiment, the viewing chamber and the kaleidoscope are located in a conventional silo, with the kaleidoscope extending vertically above the chamber.

Abstract: A sports installation is in the form of a rectangular-box-shaped court with at least one transparent wall and a goal structure at each end, the goals occupying the entire length of the end walls and projecting from the rectangular-box-shape.

Abstract: A modular play structure for children's games includes a plurality of corner components and a plurality of side components in which the assembly thereof are integrated. The corner components are formed by oblique extensions of material having an alternate slope with the free edges thereof curved inwards in opposite directions to form longitudinal guideways in said corner components for sliding and retaining edges of the side components which extend along the vertical sides of the side components, with which they are connected by thinner portions (20). The structure is applicable to the assembly and dismantling of constructions for children's games, without the need of auxiliary tooling or independent connecting means for the components integrating the structure.

Abstract: A bungy jumping tower (10) is disclosed having an elongated boom (11) arranged at an inclined angle relative to the ground, The boom (11) has at least one guide (45). A carriage (29) provides a platform from which a jumper may launch himself. The carriage is driven along the guide for movement between a raised and a lowered position.

Abstract: A play enclosure is disclosed including an elongated conduit having a plurality of light admitting pinpoint apertures. The conduit is curved and has a diameter large enough to allow children to crawl through. A strobe light is suspended above the conduit. The pinhole apertures admit beams of light from the strobe light, which cast visually stimulating patterns on the internal wall of the conduit.

Abstract: A plastic building element is described which permits a variety of play structures to be assembled. The main building element is a dish-shaped molded plastic part, having a bottom, integral lower side walls projecting generally upwardly from the outer periphery of the bottom to define a lower portion of one nominal diameter, integral generally horizontal portions projecting outwardly from the top of the lower side walls, and integral upper side walls projecting generally upwardly from the outer periphery of the horizontal portion to define an upper portion having a substantially larger nominal diameter. Preferably, the side walls are defined by a number of generally rectangular panels defining a polygonal shape for the building element as viewed in horizontal section. In the preferred embodiment, the structure is hexagonal.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for moving passengers in and out of an amusement ride of the type having a passenger cabin capable of movement in multiple degrees of freedom within an enclosure. The cabin includes ingress doors on one side of the cabin and egress doors on the other side to admit and discharge passengers from seats within the cabin. Another set of ingress and egress doors are provided on opposite sides of the enclosure in respective alignment with the ingress and egress doors of the cabin when the cabin is at rest in a loading position. A plurality of ingress and egress platforms, located outside the operating envelope of the cabin when the cabin is in motion, are adapted to be moved to a deployed position when the cabin is in the loading position to connect the ingress and egress doors of the enclosure with the ingress and egress doors of the cabin. In this way, movement of passengers in and out of the cabin, which is spaced from the enclosure, is provided in a rapid and orderly fashion.

Abstract: A freefall simulator for producing a controlled airstream in an upward direction, and at a control ed velocity to accommodate all of the human sizes, shapes, forms, and weights, and allow them to practice freefalling, or, freeflight, in an ultra safe environment, and to provide an instructional environment for purposes of teaching freefalling, or, freeflight. The freefall simulator is housed in a building specifically designed for this purpose, having a hydraulic drive train consisting of two separate hydraulic motors, one to provide from 0% to 50% of the power needs of the freefall simulator, and the other to provide the remaining 51% to 100% of the power needs on a controlled increase, on demand, of power to fit the size, shape, and weight of the participant. The entire building is designed for noise abatement, and also has an earth "Berm" surrounding the building to redirect any noise escaping the building into an upward direction.

Abstract: An architectural structure is made of one or more walls, each wall consisting of a lattice of rigid cells hingedly interconnected and supported by frame members. The cells may have holes sized and constructed to make the walls suitable for playground equipment.

Abstract: A tower is located within a tube and is arranged to displace a liquid, which preferably is water. The tower may be arranged to float in the water and its buoyancy is controlled to cause movement of the tower relative to the tube. An observation gallery may be is carried at the top of the tower for carrying passengers, being arranged to rotate relative to the tower. As the tower floats in water, and the volume of tower structure which moves out of the water is minimal, the amount of energy required to move it from the bottom of the tube to its highest position may be made relatively small.