Nicholas Henry Drobnis

6533670, Mar 18, 2003

Aug 14, 2000

09/638644

Nicholas H Drobnis - West Hills CA

Universal City Studio, Inc. - Universal City CA

A63G 3116

472 60, 472 61, 472130, 434 55

An amusement ride includes a motion base having multiple degrees of freedom. An audience platform is eccentrically pivotable on top of the motion base about a pivot point that is eccentrically offset from a central region of the audience platform. A motor disposed on either the motion base or the audience platform is used to pivot the audience platform via a shaft. A projection screen is located either on board or off board and is used to display images or a motion picture. The amusement ride simulates fishtailing, slide out, and similar movements experienced as a vehicle turns.

62544896, Jul 3, 2001

Mar 24, 1999

9/275640

Nicholas H. Drobnis - Universal City CA
Craig R. Hanna - Universal City CA
Philip D. Hettema - Los Angeles CA
James H. Hightower - Orlando FL
Cecil D. Magpuri - Orlando FL
Edward S. Newquist - Glendale CA

Universal City Studios, Inc. - Universal City CA

A63D 508

472 65

An amusement attraction is housed within a building. The building contains several different settings. Each setting contains a variety of scenic elements. One setting acts as a pre-show and includes an audio-visual presentation. A second setting is designed to resemble a tornado-damaged building. A third setting contains various scenic elements designed to resemble an outdoor scene. In the third setting, a special effects show takes place that includes a man-made tornado. Other special effects are used to simulate the effect of the tornado on the scenic elements in the outdoor scene. Guests can safely view the man-made tornado from a guest viewing area.

57042942, Jan 6, 1998

Sep 27, 1996

8/719712

Ted W. Van Winkle - Universal City CA
Benjamin Sheldon - Universal City CA
Nicholas H. Drobnis - Universal City CA
Barry Upson - Universal City CA

Universal Studios, Inc. - Universal City CA

A63G 2118

104 73

A theme park ride attraction includes a flume path having rafts floating on flowing water. The rafts are elevated and enter into a pipe. First and second pivoting ramps are attached to the pipe and supported by an actuator. As the rafts enter onto the first pivoting ramp, the actuator quickly drops the first ramp down, simulating a waterfall event.

58686282, Feb 9, 1999

Jun 10, 1997

8/872442

Nicholas H. Drobnis - Universal City CA
Norman J. Kahn - Universal City CA
Randall G. Novak - Universal City CA
Scott H. Smith - North Hollywood CA
Thomas A. Garcia - Burbank CA
David MacMurtry - Alhambra CA
Robert A. MacDonald - Moorpark CA
Christopher Brown - Moorpark CA

Universal City Studios, Inc. - Universal City CA

A63J 502

472 81

In a live-action theater, a catapult launches a prop which achieves free flight in the theater. The catapult and prop are concealed until the moment of launch, whereupon the prop suddenly hurtles into an audience's view, and lands in front of the audience. The audience views the launch from a seating area or from a vehicle moved through the theater. The prop is for example, a seaplane or a jetski. The prop is then retrieved from the landing area using a crane or other lifter and returned to the catapult for a subsequent launch. By launching a prop in a theater with a catapult, the audience sees true free flight, rather than an illusion of flight. The audience sees no supports or other devices which can diminish the effect. A catapult allows a prop to be launched directly at the audience at a realistic or full speed, creating a more dramatic effect than if a prop is moved about some distant stage area using cables or a boom.

60608471, May 9, 2000

Jul 8, 1998

9/112258

Philip D. Hettema - Los Angeles CA
Craig Hanna - Universal City CA
John R. Murdy - Universal City CA
Nicholas H. Drobnis - Universal City CA

Universal Studios, Inc. - Universal City CA

H02P 546

318 66

An amusement ride provides an interactive experience to its passengers. The amusement ride includes at least one ride vehicle movable along a track. The amusement ride senses inputs from at least one passenger that affects various elements of the ride. The elements can be the speed of the vehicle, acceleration of the vehicle, direction of travel, orientation of the ride vehicle or the like. The inputs can be audible inputs or optical inputs, water spray, or can be activated manually by the passengers.