William D Adamson, 7917180 Sandridge Rd, Oceanside, WA 98631

5282455, Feb 1, 1994

Jun 11, 1992

7/897306

William G. Adamson - Pacoima CA
Donald Updyke - Palmdale CA

The Walt Disney Company - Burbank CA

F41B 1102
F41A 918
F41F 304

124 59

A launcher for holding and successively launching a plurality of projectiles, such as fireworks projectiles, which explode into an aerial pyrotechnic display. The launcher includes a pressure tank containing a compressed gas and a plurality of launching tubes for holding the projectiles. The launching tubes are constructed to form a magazine to enable successive launching of fireworks projectiles by appropriate indexing of the magazine and thus the launching tubes. A control apparatus opens and closes a valve to introduce compressed gas into one of the launching tubes to launch a projectile into the air. Indexing of the launching tubes when the pressure tank is pressurized prior to launch is prevented by a stop mechanism. The stop mechanism also prevents inadvertent or accidental detonation of the projectile in the launching tube. The launcher further includes an aiming apparatus comprising actuators that support the launcher and which are adjustable to change the launching angle of the launcher with respect to the ground each time a new launching tube is indexed to a launching position.

5415152, May 16, 1995

Nov 12, 1993

8/152223

William G. Adamson - Pacoima CA
Donald Updyke - Palmdale CA

F41B 1100
F41B 1102
F41B 1132

124 59

A method of successively launching a plurality of projectiles, such as fireworks projectiles, which explode into an aerial pyrotechnic display. The projectiles are launched from a launcher having a pressure tank containing a compressed gas and a plurality of launching tubes for holding the projectiles. The launching tubes are constructed to form a magazine to enable successive launching of fireworks projectiles by appropriate indexing of the magazine which brings the launching tubes into registration with the output port of a valve. The valve introduces compressed gas into one of the launching tubes to launch a projectile into the air. Indexing of the launching tubes when the pressure tank is pressurized prior to launch is prevented by a stop mechanism. The stop mechanism also prevents inadvertent or accidental detonation of the projectile in the launching tube. The method further includes the step of aiming the projectiles, preferably with an aiming apparatus comprising actuators that support the launcher and which are adjustable to change the launching angle of the launcher with respect to the ground each time a new launching tube is indexed to a launching position.

5368228, Nov 29, 1994

Apr 20, 1993

8/050533

William G. Adamson - Pacoima CA
Lance D. Updyke - Simi Valley CA
John W. Sogge - Orlando FL

The Walt Disney Company - Burbank CA

G03B 2160
B05B 104

239 18

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating a fluid screen for use in entertainment. Provided is a mechanically simple and effective way of creating a fluid screen which facilitates the projection of still and moving pictures upon it. The fluid screen is generated by pumping water, or other comparable fluid, through a fluid screen nozzle having an axial flow director and a nozzle insert. The fluid, at a given pressure and flow rate, is directed through the axial flow director, past the internal end of the nozzle insert and its transition section and then onto and away from its radial stabilizer. The fluid is guided by the radial stabilizer of the nozzle insert to form the fluid screen. Each of the regions mentioned contribute to creating the desired shape of the projection surface. Performance may be further enhanced by having a flow straightening area adjacent to the axial flow director, a reducer prior to the nozzle insert, and texturing the surfaces of the transition section and radial stabilizer.

5708527, Jan 13, 1998

Mar 29, 1996

8/624284

William G. Adamson - Glendora CA
Gordon E. Liljegren - Burbank CA
Michael H. Peterson - Glendale CA
Christopher Brian Smith - Pasadena CA
David W. Spencer - Saugus CA
Donald L. Updyke - Palmdale CA
James S. Wassell - New Smyrna FL

Sony Corporation - Tokyo
Sony Corporation of America - Park Ridge NJ

G03B 2156

359451

Multiple large screens on movable arms form a gateway beneath which viewers may walk. The screens slide up or down, i. e. , toward or away from, the viewers walking below. The screens also pivot in a circular arc to sweep toward, or away from, the viewers. In one embodiment a number of vertical support beams are employed. Elongated arms are attached to the support beams at one end so that the arms can each be rotated about their attached ends. The arms also slide up and down the length of the support beams. Projection screens are attached to the arms so that the screens move as the arms move. In a more specific embodiment each screen is provided with a rear-projection projector for displaying images onto the screens. A computer is used to control the sliding and rotating of the support beams so that preprogrammed patterns can be executed. A computer is also used to control the projectors so that coordinated patterns of images are displayed on the screens.

6168531, Jan 2, 2001

Jun 15, 1999

9/333197

William George Adamson - Glendora CA
Donald Lewis Updyke - Palmdale CA

Sony Corporation - Tokyo
Hyper Entertainment Inc. - Burbank CA

A63J 502

472 61

A simulated soup bowl entertainment attraction, comprising: a bowl-shaped member having a top bounded by a top rim, a bottom permitting light transmission therethrough, and sidewalls connecting the top rim with the bottom; a fog generator producing a fog layer at the top of the bowl-shaped member; and an imaging device producing an image within the bowl-shaped member, the image viewable from a viewing position looking down into the top of the bowl-shaped member. Preferably, the bowl shaped entertainment attraction includes an image controlling apparatus coupled to the imaging device for changing the image viewable from the viewing position. Optionally, apparatus producing sound within the bowl-shaped member may be provided. The bowl shaped entertainment attraction may include a sound controlling apparatus coupled to a sound system for selectively changing the sound heard from within the bowl-shaped member.