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 Title: |
US5545092:
Special effects spark generating system
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Johnson, Steven A.; Valencia, CA
Bodden, Christian P.; Glendale, CA
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| Assignee: |
The Walt Disney Company, Burbank, CA
other patents from WALT DISNEY COMPANY (617665) (approx. 101)
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| Published / Filed: |
1996-08-13
/ 1994-06-16
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| Application Number: |
US1994000260541
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
A63H 33/36;
Core:
A63H 33/00;
IPC-7:
A63G 31/00;
A63J 23/00;
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| ECLA Code: |
A63H33/36;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
472/066;
431/276;
446/022;
472/065;
Original:
472/066;
472/065;
446/022;
431/276;
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| Field of Search: |
472/057,66,65
431/276,273
362/159
446/022
040/427,430,442
219/78.02,85.16,76.13,76.1
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| Priority Number: |
| 1994-06-16 |
US1994000260541 |
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| Abstract: |
A system and method for generating special effects showers of sparks for use in theme park shows and rides. A flint rod is biased with fluid pressure against a cutting wheel of this system. When a clutch is actuated for a brief predetermined time period, a constant high speed motor is operatively connected to the cutting wheel, rapidly rotating it. The rotating wheel cuts, ignites and discharges small portions of the flint rod biased thereagainst away therefrom in a stream of sparks. An air stream directs the stream of sparks out as a special effects shower of sparks. One embodiment of this system propels the spark stream out through a venturi nozzle. By changing the gas stream fluid pressure and/or the clutch connect time and/or the flint rod biasing pressure and/or the clutch connect/disconnect interval timing, the size and characteristics of the shower of sparks can be accurately controlled and altered as desired. It can be made to simulate showers of sparks produced in electrical shortings or those from metal-to-metal impacts. The position of the impact end of the flint rod relative to the cutting wheel can be easily adjusted to prolong the operating life of the wheel.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Poms, Smith, Lande & Rose, P.C. ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Nguyen, Kien T.;
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| Maintenance Status: |
E3 Expired Check current status
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 26 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. A special effects spark generating system, comprising:
- a cutting wheel;
- a constant motor;
- clutch means for drivingly engaging, for a brief predetermined time period, said motor to said cutting wheel, to thereby rotate said cutting wheel for the time period;
- a flint rod axially biased against said cutting wheel such that when said cutting wheel is rotated, for the time period by said motor, said cutting wheel cuts, ignites and discharges portions of said flint rod away therefrom in a stream of sparks; and
- pneumatics means for directing the stream of sparks out as a special effects shower of sparks.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 1 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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