Kenneth Swift Bird

US Patent:

56559097, Aug 12, 1997

Filed:

Mar 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/398754

Inventors:

William J. Kitchen - Longmont CO
Kenneth G. Bird - Casper WY

International Classification:

G09B 900

US Classification:

434 44

Abstract:

A skydiving simulator combines a vertical air chamber with a video projection system on the interior wall. A virtual reality environment is created as the skydiver, while suspended, sees actual film footage of scenarios descending toward earth. A skydiver backpack houses a transmitter which interactively steps the skydiver through emergency procedures.

US Patent:

55734650, Nov 12, 1996

Filed:

Feb 13, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/600902

Inventors:

William J. Kitchen - Longmont CO
Kenneth G. Bird - Casper WY

International Classification:

A63G 900

US Classification:

472118

Abstract:

A passenger car sized pendulum is supported by a moving pivot point. The moving pivot point is forced horizontally by the angular movement of the pendulum. By resisting the horizontal force the angular movement of the pendulum is reduced. The preferred embodiment for resisting the horizontal force is a parallelogram assembly supporting a horizontal support platform. The parallelogram assembly has a damping cylinder resisting the horizontal force.

US Patent:

55272231, Jun 18, 1996

Filed:

Jun 27, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/266200

Inventors:

William J. Kitchen - Longmont CO
Kenneth G. Bird - Casper WY

International Classification:

A63G 900

US Classification:

472118

Abstract:

The ride (10) is capable of raising a rider (22) to a height of ten meters or more above the ground, and then releasing the rider to swing. It includes a support structure (12), a support line (16) secured to the support structure at one end, with an opposed end secured to a rider, preferably to an attachment which is worn by a rider (20). A launch structure (26) is spaced from the support structure (12) and carries a launch line (24) which has an end (48) which is capable of being raised and lowered above the ground, and which is designed to be releasably attached to a rider attachment, so as to lift a rider from the ground. In operation the rider attachment with the support line attached is secured to the rider, the launch line is releasably secured to the attachment, and the launch line is activated to move the rider laterally and upwardly towards the top of the launch structure. When the launch line is released from the attachment which carries the rider, the rider swings downwardly at a high speed simulating the sensation of "body flight" in a pendulum like motion. A skysaucer embodiment features a conveying vehicle which nominally holds sixty riders who simultaneously experience the body flight ride.

US Patent:

52679063, Dec 7, 1993

Filed:

Aug 19, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/937060

Inventors:

William J. Kitchen - Boulder CO
Kenneth G. Bird - Casper WY

Assignee:

Sky Fun 1, Inc. - Boulder CO

International Classification:

A63G 900

US Classification:

472118

Abstract:

The ride is capable of raising a rider to a height of thirty feet or more above the ground, and then releasing the rider to swing. It includes a support structure, a support line secured to the support structure at one end, with an opposed end secured to a rider, preferably to an attachment which is worn by a rider. A launch structure is spaced from the support structure and carries a launch line which has an end which is capable of being raised and lowered above the ground, and which is designed to be releasibly attached to the rider attachment to lift a rider from the ground. A release device is located between the launch line and the rider attachment. In operation, the rider attachment with the support line attached is secured to the rider, the launch line is releasibly secured to the attachment, and the launch line is activated to move the rider laterally and upwardly towards the top of the launch structure. When the launch line is released from the attachment which carries the rider, the rider swings downwardly at a high speed simulating the sensation of "body flight" in a pendulum like motion until slowing to a speed at which he or she may remove the attachment. In an alternative mode of operation, the rider may be lifted up the launch structure, and the support line secured to the rider, with the rider then swinging off of the launch structure.