Alan J Robinson

US Patent:

6367713, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Feb 14, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/799252

Inventors:

Alan Robinson - El Monte CA
William Knapp - Carmel Valley CA

Assignee:

WET Enterprises, Inc. - Universal City CA

International Classification:

B05B 1708

US Classification:

239170, 239 22

Abstract:

A water display which contains a plurality of drip tubes that are suspended from a structure, and periodically drip droplets of fluid in a manner that simulates ârain fallâ. The tubes are attached to a tank that contains a ballast and a volume of fluid. When the water display is off, the ballast is located in an upper position so that the level of fluid is below the openings of the tubes. The display further contains a control mechanism that lowers the ballast into the fluid. Lowering the ballast, displaces the fluid to a level above the opening of the tubes, wherein the fluid flows out of the tank and through the tubes. The control mechanism then raises the ballast to the first position to again lower the fluid to a level below the opening of the tube. The cycle of lowering and raising the ballast is repeated in a periodic manner.

US Patent:

49461648, Aug 7, 1990

Filed:

Feb 5, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/152746

Inventors:

Mark W. Fuller - Studio City CA
Alan S. Robinson - El Monte CA
John Werner - Sunland CA

Assignee:

Wet Enterprises, Inc. - Universal City CA

International Classification:

A63B 6900

US Classification:

273 26R

Abstract:

The present invention comprises a base coupled to a water source, the base outputting a stream of water for supporting a toy ball in mid air. The base includes filtering device for substantially eliminating turbulence from the water stream so that it is substantially laminar. The flowing stream contacts a toy ball and lifts it into a position of equilibrium where the upward force of the stream balances the downward force of gravity acting on the ball so that the ball is suspended in mid air. The flowing water clings to the surface of the ball and generates a force tending to center the ball in this supporting stream. If the ball becomes off center, an unequal force on the side of the ball furthest from the center of the stream will force the ball back to the stream center.

US Patent:

46627308, May 5, 1987

Filed:

Oct 18, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/663469

Inventors:

Chris Outwater - Los Angeles CA
Alan Robinson - El Monte CA

Assignee:

Kerascan, Inc. - Santa Ana CA

International Classification:

A61B 310

US Classification:

351212

Abstract:

A scanning keratometer for the rapid and accurate measurement and mapping of the corneal curvature is disclosed. The keratometer has a monochromatic light source directing light to a scanner, preferably controlled by a microcomputer. The scanner directs the light to a holographic element functioning as a lens which in turn focuses the light to a fixed focal point forward of the holographic element independent of the area of the holographic element being illuminated. The subject's eye is position with respect to the fixed focal point so that a part of the light incident to the eye is reflected from the surface thereof again passing through the holographic element, to be deflected from the main optical axis of the system to a suitable area sensor. Assuming the subject's eye is properly positioned and the cornea surface matches the shape of an ideal cornea, the light incident to the cornea will be reflected in the same direction as the incident light, ultimately impinging on the center of the sensor. If, on the other hand, the local area of the cornea being illuminated is not matching, the light reflected from the cornea will be at an angle with respect to the incident light, ultimately impinging on the sensor at a position dependent upon the shape of the local area of the cornea then being illuminated.

US Patent:

50783203, Jan 7, 1992

Filed:

Jul 20, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/555311

Inventors:

Mark W. Fuller - Studio City CA
Alan S. Robinson - El Monte CA

Assignee:

Wet Design - Universal City CA

International Classification:

B05B 1708

US Classification:

239 20

Abstract:

Water displays utilizing laminar flow streams to create dynamic arch-like displays are disclosed. The laminar flow nozzle is mounted on an assembly for changing the angle and repositioning the laminar flow nozzle so that the laminar flow stream appears to eminate from a fixed location at different angles, which allows varying the characteristics of the display in a dynamic manner. Simultaneous control of the nozzle position and angle with control of the pressure of water supplied thereto allows the stream to be varied to create a dynamic display with the stream returning to a sink region at a fixed position independent of the height of the water stream. Illuminating the laminar flow stream internally causes the same to glow like a fluorescent tube with the color being supplied thereto, changeable as desired. Intersecting laminar flow streams provide interesting water formations, with the intersection of two streams of different colors causing still a third color at the flared region of the intersection. Features of the invention are useable independently, all in the same apparatus, or in various combinations as desired.

US Patent:

52193152, Jun 15, 1993

Filed:

Jun 28, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/723224

Inventors:

Mark Fuller - Studio City CA
Alan S. Robinson - El Monte CA

International Classification:

A63G 3116

US Classification:

472 59

Abstract:

A simulator for water rides, that has a raft which is moved about such that it approximates the movement of a raft floating along a body of water. The simulator has a theater projection system constructed to display visual images onto a screen located inside a simulator room. The visual images typically being scenes of a rapidly flowing river as seen from the front of a raft floating down the body of water. Within the room is a raft constructed to support an audience while they view the visual images. The raft is surrounded by a pool of water that can have valves or actuators incorporated to create waves and water mist to simulate a river. The raft can be moved within the pool, by displacing the water beneath the raft such that the raft moves in conjunction with the scene depicted on the screen. Water displacement may be induced by a wave created in the pool, or by pushing the water under the raft with actuators or a flexible plate located at the bottom of the pool directly under the raft. In the alternative the raft can be attached to a flexible plate, wherein the flexible plate can be bent and moved about a staff that elevates the raft above the pool floor.

US Patent:

49555405, Sep 11, 1990

Filed:

Feb 26, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/160720

Inventors:

Mark W. Fuller - Studio City CA
Alan S. Robinson - El Monte CA

Assignee:

WET Enterprises, Inc. - Universal City CA

International Classification:

B05B 1708

US Classification:

239 20

Abstract:

Water displays utilizing laminar flow streams to create dynamic arch-like displays are disclosed. The laminar flow nozzle is mounted on an assembly for changing the angle and repositioning the laminar flow nozzle so that the laminar flow stream appears to eminate from a fixed location at different angles, which allows varying the characteristics of the display in a dynamic manner. Simultaneous control of the nozzle position and angle with control of the pressure of water supplied thereto allows the stream to be varied to create a dynamic display with the stream returning to a sink region at a fixed position independent of the height of the water stream. Illuminating the laminar flow stream internally causes the same to glow like a fluorescent tube with the color being supplied thereto, changeable as desired. Intersecting laminar flow streams provide interesting water formations, with the intersection of two streams of different colors causing still a third color at the flared region of the intersection. Features of the invention are useable independently, all in the same apparatus, or in various combinations as desired.

US Patent:

D3126650, Dec 4, 1990

Filed:

Apr 8, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/179116

Inventors:

Mark W. Fuller - Studio City CA
Alan S. Robinson - El Monte CA
John Werner - Sunland CA

Assignee:

WET Enterprises, Inc. - Universal City CA

US Classification:

D21 1

US Patent:

48726117, Oct 10, 1989

Filed:

Oct 11, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/256121

Inventors:

Alan S. Robinson - El Monte CA
Mark W. Fuller - Studio City CA

Assignee:

Wet Enterprises, Inc. - Universal City CA

International Classification:

F21P 700
B05B 114

US Classification:

239 18

Abstract:

The present invention comprises a venturi- and snorkel-less water fountain nozzle that creates low mounds of flowing water for water fountain displays. Instead of incorporating a venturi and snorkel like prior art nozzles, the present invention features an inverted cone dispersion element mounted partially within the nozzle that accelerates water flowing through the nozzle and directs it radially outwards to produce the appearance of a mound. The nozzle is typically submerged under 1/2 to 3/4 inches of water. The appearance of the mound can be varied by varying the depth of submergence of, or the flow rate of water through the nozzle.