David Allen Crawford

US Patent:

7784405, Aug 31, 2010

Filed:

Apr 24, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/109195

Inventors:

Christopher J. Rose - Canyon Country CA, US
David W. Crawford - Long Beach CA, US

Assignee:

Disney Enterprises, Inc. - Burbank CA

International Classification:

B61K 1/00

US Classification:

104 20, 104 31, 104 35

Abstract:

An assembly for transferring passenger-carrying vehicles to and from an amusement park ride conveying a train of vehicles without stopping for passenger loading. The assembly includes a transfer vehicle and a vehicle receiver positioned in the vehicle train. The vehicle receiver includes a connection mechanism, such as an electromagnet selectively operable to capture and release the transfer vehicle. A turntable is positioned adjacent to the track and selectively rotates at a rotation rate. The turntable includes an engagement mechanism, such as an electromagnet, on its periphery operable to capture and release the transfer vehicle (e. g. , to capture when the vehicle receiver releases and vice versa). The rotation rate and the ride speed synchronize turntable rotation with travel of the train to mesh placement of the turntable engagement mechanism proximate to the connection mechanism of the vehicle receiver to facilitate hand off of the transfer vehicle without stopping the vehicle train.

US Patent:

7806054, Oct 5, 2010

Filed:

May 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/114894

Inventors:

Paul E. Baker - Porter Ranch CA, US
Mark W. Sumner - Saugus CA, US
Derek Howard - Pasadena CA, US
David A. Durham - Northridge CA, US
Christopher J. Rose - Canyon Country CA, US
David W. Crawford - Long Beach CA, US

Assignee:

Disney Enterprises, Inc. - Burbank CA

International Classification:

A63G 31/02

US Classification:

104 74, 104 53, 104 60

Abstract:

A ride system is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system includes a chassis that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track of a particular ride. A support is attached to the chassis and moves with the chassis during operation of the ride. The ride system includes first and second passenger vehicles that are spaced apart on and supported by the support. A drive assembly is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support about its central axis. During support rotation, the first and second vehicles are moved concurrently relative to the track to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent.

US Patent:

7854660, Dec 21, 2010

Filed:

Feb 19, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/033073

Inventors:

David W. Crawford - Long Beach CA, US
Dana Scot Drake - Pasadena CA, US
Aidan John Bradley - Westlake Village CA, US

Assignee:

Disney Enterprises, Inc. - Burbank CA

International Classification:

A63G 1/28
A63G 1/00

US Classification:

472 39, 472130

Abstract:

A vehicle for simulating flight in a park ride having a rotating drive with supports or radial arms. The vehicle includes a body with seats and passenger restraints. A connection assembly is used to attach the body to a support. The connection assembly includes a linkage assembly allowing the body to radially pivot inward and outward relative to the drive assembly based on the angle of the support arm and rotation rate of the drive assembly. The linkage assembly translates radial movement of the body into rotation of the body about a pitch axis. The pitch axis extends through or proximal to the center of mass of the body, and the pivotal connector that supports the vehicle in a pendular manner is spaced apart and above the center of mass. The linkage assembly may include one or more four-bar linkages to provide two degrees of freedom of the body relative.

US Patent:

7921781, Apr 12, 2011

Filed:

Aug 30, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/871399

Inventors:

Paul E. Baker - Porter Ranch CA, US
Mark W. Sumner - Saugus CA, US
Derek Howard - Pasadena CA, US
David A. Durham - Northridge CA, US
Christopher J. Rose - Canyon Country CA, US
David W. Crawford - Long Beach CA, US

Assignee:

Disney Enterprises, Inc. - Burbank CA

International Classification:

A63G 31/02

US Classification:

104 75, 104 60

Abstract:

A ride system is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system includes a chassis that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track of a particular ride. A support is attached to the chassis and moves with the chassis during operation of the ride. The ride system includes first and second passenger vehicles that are spaced apart on and supported by the support. A drive assembly is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support about its central axis. During support rotation, the first and second vehicles are moved concurrently relative to the track to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent.

US Patent:

7950333, May 31, 2011

Filed:

Mar 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/046182

Inventors:

David W. Crawford - Long Beach CA, US
Jonathan G. Georges - Los Angeles CA, US
Frank William Marquette - Pasadena CA, US
Matthew Aldren Simmons - Christchurch, NZ
Michael Craig Shatford - Christchurch, NZ

Assignee:

Disney Enterprises, Inc. - Burbank CA

International Classification:

B60L 13/04
A63G 21/00

US Classification:

104283, 104286, 104 69, 104 59

Abstract:

A track and vehicle assembly for amusement park ride. The assembly includes a track with an arcuate contact surface and banked corners. A levitation circuit is placed along a length of the track with passive electric coils. The assembly includes a vehicle with a body for receiving passengers. The vehicle body includes a bottom surface that is adjacent to the contact surface of the track when the vehicle is positioned on the track. To utilize passive magnetic levitation, the vehicle includes arrays of permanent magnets positioned proximate to the bottom surface of the body. The magnet arrays are arranged, such as Halbach arrays, to produce a substantially one-sided magnetic flux distribution directed outward from the vehicle body. The vehicle is levitated above the track contact surface and allowed to move side-to-side by interaction of the permanent magnets and the coils when the vehicle travels above a minimum velocity.

US Patent:

8072418, Dec 6, 2011

Filed:

May 31, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/755845

Inventors:

David W. Crawford - Long Beach CA, US
Susan M. Bryan - Los Angeles CA, US
James Stephen Frankenberger - Simi Valley CA, US

Assignee:

Disney Enterprises, Inc. - Burbank CA

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

345156, 345168, 345169, 345184

Abstract:

An apparatus for providing tactile feedback to an operator. The apparatus includes first and second magnetic assemblies having first and second magnets, respectively. The apparatus further includes a user input device, such as a trigger, a knob, a release cord, or a joystick, that is connected to at least one of the two assemblies and positions the first magnet proximate to the second magnet such that interaction occurs between the magnetic fields to generate a force that is exerted on the input device. The force may be an opposing, resisting, or attractive force that creates movement of the user input such as resisting a triggering or releasing action in an interactive video game when the poles are of like polarity. The first magnetic assembly may be stationary, and the second magnetic assembly may be connected to the user input device to be positioned relative to the first magnet assembly.

US Patent:

8083599, Dec 27, 2011

Filed:

Jul 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/168991

Inventors:

David W. Crawford - Long Beach CA, US
Timothy J. Delaney - Calabasas CA, US

Assignee:

Disney Enterprises, Inc. - Burbank CA

International Classification:

A63G 1/08

US Classification:

472 13

Abstract:

A rotating ride for use in water parks and other settings to provide ride passengers or park guests with an interactive water experience. The ride includes a structural system with a drive that rotates a support structure such as a wheel frame about a central axis or hub. The ride includes a plurality of vehicles that each includes a body with seating for passengers and that is connected to the support structure and rotates with it. The vehicle assembly includes a water release mechanism that is passenger operable to release water from the vehicle as it is moved through the ride path. The vehicle body may include a water storage reservoir storing a volume of water that then can be selectively released by the passenger. The stored water may be caught as it pours over the vehicle or the vehicle may pass through a pool to scoop up the water.

US Patent:

8117968, Feb 21, 2012

Filed:

Nov 5, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/934899

Inventors:

Christopher J. Rose - Canyon Country CA, US
David W. Crawford - Long Beach CA, US

Assignee:

Disney Enterprises, Inc. - Burbank CA

International Classification:

A63G 1/00

US Classification:

104 53

Abstract:

A magnetic pacer system and method for adjusting vehicle speed in an amusement park ride. The system includes a controller and memory that stores speed settings such as upper and lower speed limits for the vehicle in a specific portion of a ride. A magnetic thruster is positioned near the portion of the ride, and a signal or signals are sent from position sensors to the controller. The controller determines the actual velocity of the vehicle as it travels along a direction of travel and acts to compare the determined vehicle velocity with the stored and desired speed settings. The controller then determines a magnetic force to apply to the vehicle including selecting whether the force is along the direction of travel or opposite to provide acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle. The magnetic thruster is selectively operated to generate a magnetic force to act on the vehicle.