U.S. patent application number 10/679780 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-18 for variably curved track-mounted amusement ride.
Invention is credited to Allen, Lawrence E., Bachtar, Dody, Checketts, Quin R., Checketts, Stanley J., Clegg, Benjamin, Hansen, Ned R., Winger, Michael Kent.
Application Number | 20050178283 10/679780 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32030192 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050178283 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Checketts, Stanley J. ; et
al. |
August 18, 2005 |
Variably curved track-mounted amusement ride
Abstract
A variably curved track-mounted amusement ride having, in a
first embodiment, at least one outside curve and at least one
inside curve, each lying substantially within a vertical plane and
each having an axis of symmetry which is substantially horizontal.
The vertical distance occupied by an outside curve is less than
that occupied by an inside curve. The track can retain a cart which
runs on the track no matter what the orientation of the body of the
cart is with respect to the track. Any means that is well known in
the art can be used to raise the cart to the beginning of the
track. No portion of the track, except optionally the lowest level,
lies directly below at least the farthest outside portion of an
outside curve. A second embodiment has only outside curves.
Inventors: |
Checketts, Stanley J.;
(Providence, UT) ; Hansen, Ned R.; (Hyde Park,
UT) ; Checketts, Quin R.; (Providence, UT) ;
Allen, Lawrence E.; (Wellsville, UT) ; Bachtar,
Dody; (Layton, UT) ; Clegg, Benjamin; (Hyde
Park, UT) ; Winger, Michael Kent; (Smithfield,
UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thompson E. Fehr
Suite 300
Goldenwest Corporate Center
5025 Adams Avenue
Ogden
UT
84403
US
|
Family ID: |
32030192 |
Appl. No.: |
10/679780 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10679780 |
Oct 6, 2003 |
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10262327 |
Oct 1, 2002 |
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6857373 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
104/56 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63G 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
104/056 |
International
Class: |
A63G 001/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A variably curved track-mounted amusement ride, which comprises:
a cart having wheels, a body, and a restraint for one or more
passengers; a track having a beginning, at least one inside curve
with such inside curve having a beginning and an end, and at least
one outside curve with such outside curve having a beginning, an
end, and a farthest outside portion with no portion of said track
being directly below at least such farthest outside portion of such
outside curve and wherein each inside and outside curve lies
substantially within a vertical plane and has an axis of symmetry
which is substantially horizontal, said track being capable of
retaining said cart no matter what the orientation of the body of
said cart is with respect to said track and said track having the
beginning and end of each outside curve vertically closer to each
other than are the beginning and end of each inside curve; and a
means for raising said cart to the beginning of said track.
2. A variably curved track-mounted amusement ride, which comprises:
a cart having wheels, a body, and a restraint for one or more
passengers; a track having a lowest level, a beginning, at least
one inside curve with such inside curve having a beginning and an
end, and at least one outside curve with such outside curve having
a beginning, an end, and a farthest outside portion with no portion
of said track except the lowest level being directly below at least
such farthest outside portion of such outside curve and wherein
each inside and outside curve lies substantially within a vertical
plane and has an axis of symmetry which is substantially
horizontal, said track being capable of retaining said cart no
matter what the orientation of the body of said cart is with
respect to said track and said track having the beginning and end
of each outside curve vertically closer to each other than are the
beginning and end of each inside curve; and a means for raising
said cart to the beginning of said track.
3. A variably curved track-mounted amusement ride, which comprises:
a cart having wheels, a body, and a restraint for one or more
passengers; a track having a beginning, at least one inside curve
with such inside curve having a beginning and an end, and at least
one outside curve with such outside curve having a beginning and an
end with no portion of said track being directly below such outside
curve and wherein each inside and outside curve lies substantially
within a vertical plane and has an axis of symmetry which is
substantially horizontal, said track being capable of retaining
said cart no matter what the orientation of the body of said cart
is with respect to said track and said track having the beginning
and end of each outside curve vertically closer to each other than
are the beginning and end of each inside curve; and a means for
raising said cart to the beginning of said track.
4. A variably curved track-mounted amusement ride, which comprises:
a cart having wheels, a body, and a restraint for one or more
passengers; a track having a lowest level, a beginning, at least
one inside curve with such inside curve having a beginning and an
end, and at least one outside curve with such outside curve having
a beginning and an end with no portion of said track except the
lowest level being directly below such outside curve and wherein
each inside and outside curve lies substantially within a vertical
plane and has an axis of symmetry which is substantially
horizontal, said track being capable of retaining said cart no
matter what the orientation of the body of said cart is with
respect to said track and said track having the beginning and end
of each outside curve vertically closer to each other than are the
beginning and end of each inside curve; and a means for raising
said cart to the beginning of said track.
5. A variably curved track-mounted amusement ride, which comprises:
a cart having wheels, a body, and a restraint for one or more
passengers; a track having a beginning, an orientation, and at
least one outside curve with such outside curve having a beginning,
an end, and a farthest outside portion with no portion of said
track being directly below at least such farthest outside portion
of such outside curve and wherein each outside curve lies
substantially within a vertical plane and has an axis of symmetry
which is substantially horizontal, said track being capable of
retaining said cart no matter what the orientation of the body of
said cart is with respect to said track and wherein said track
rolls to invert its orientation after each such outside curve; and
a means for raising said cart to the beginning of said track.
6. A variably curved track-mounted amusement ride, which comprises:
a cart having wheels, a body, and a restraint for one or more
passengers; a track having a lowest level, a beginning, an
orientation, and at least one outside curve with such outside curve
having a beginning, an end, and a farthest outside portion with no
portion of said track except the lowest level being directly below
at least such farthest outside portion of such outside curve and
wherein each outside curve lies substantially within a vertical
plane and has an axis of symmetry which is substantially
horizontal, said track being capable of retaining said cart no
matter what the orientation of the body of said cart is with
respect to said track and wherein said track rolls to invert its
orientation after each such outside curve; and a means for raising
said cart to the beginning of said track.
7. A variably curved track-mounted amusement ride, which comprises:
a cart having wheels, a body, and a restraint for one or more
passengers; a track having a beginning, an orientation, and at
least one outside curve with such outside curve having a beginning
and an end with no portion of said track being directly below such
outside curve and wherein each outside curve lies substantially
within a vertical plane and has an axis of symmetry which is
substantially horizontal, said track being capable of retaining
said cart no matter what the orientation of the body of said cart
is with respect to said track and wherein said track rolls to
invert its orientation after each such outside curve; and a means
for raising said cart to the beginning of said track.
8. A variably curved track-mounted amusement ride, which comprises:
a cart having wheels, a body, and a restraint for one or more
passengers; a track having a lowest level, a beginning, an
orientation, and at least one outside curve with such outside curve
having a beginning and an end with no portion of said track except
the lowest level being directly below such outside curve and
wherein each outside curve lies substantially within a vertical
plane and has an axis of symmetry which is substantially
horizontal, said track being capable of retaining said cart no
matter what the orientation of the body of said cart is with
respect to said track and wherein said track rolls to invert its
orientation after each such outside curve; and a means for raising
said cart to the beginning of said track.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part-of copending U.S. application
Ser. No. 10/262,327, filed on Oct. 1, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to an amusement ride that has both
inside and outside substantially vertical curves shaped to optimize
the number of curves which can be included within a given vertical
space.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,254, deals primarily with a cart which,
according to lines 66 through 67 in column 5 of the patent,
provides participants with the ability to rotate their seating
about one or more axes of the cart. Such patent further provides,
lines 7 through 9 in column 9, "FIG. 13 illustrates a complex
roller coaster having multiple configurations, including . . . a
horizontal `plumber's drain`82 . . . "
[0006] The description of the "complex roller coaster" is extremely
general. No details of the construction are given other than the
basic shape. There is no indication that any brakes exist to
control the speed of the cart through the turns. The segments
between the curves of the "plumber's drain 82" appear to be
equidistant from one another and completely horizontal. And no
discussion occurs about any wheels or how they can be serviced
while the cart remains in the type of track necessary to permit the
body of the cart to be either above or below the track.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Critical to an understanding of the present invention are
the terms "inside curve" and "outside curve."
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a general curve (1) in which lines (2)
have been drawn that are perpendicular to the curve (1).
[0009] On a first side (3) of the curve (1), the lines (2) tend to
diverge from one another as such lines (2) extend farther from the
curve (1). On a second side (4) of the curve (1), the lines (2)
tend initially, i.e., before any of the lines (2) cross one
another, to converge toward one another as such lines (2) extend
farther from the curve (1).
[0010] When the wheels (5) of a cart (6) follow the curve (1), the
curve (1) is termed an outside curve if the body (7) of the cart
(6) is on the first side (3) of the curve (1) and an inside curve
if the body (7) of the cart (6) is on the second side (4) of the
curve (1).
[0011] In a first embodiment, the track has both inside and outside
curves where the curves lie substantially within a vertical plane
and where the axis of symmetry for the curves is substantially
horizontal. Furthermore, the track can retain the cart no matter
what the orientation of the body of the car is with respect to the
track. Brakes, which can be friction brakes or magnetic brakes, are
preferably, but not necessarily, installed in the curves in order
to control the speed of the cart through the curves. Substantially
horizontal track segments preferably, but not necessarily, connect
the curves; such substantially horizontal track segments are spaced
farther apart where the body of the cart is to be between such
segments than are segments which will not have the body of the cart
between them, thereby enabling more curves to be placed within a
given vertical space. Additionally, the substantially horizontal
track segments are preferably, but not necessarily, slanted
downward in the intended direction of travel to facilitate
continued movement of the cart. And, also preferably but not
necessarily, the track can be opened to service or replace wheels
on the cart while the wheels remain in the track.
[0012] A second embodiment is similar to the first with the
exception at least the farthest outside portion, and preferably the
entire curve, of each outside curve has no track directly below it.
Optionally, though, the lowest level of track can be below one or
more of the outside curves. And, preferably with this second
embodiment, all the curves are outside curves since the track rolls
to invert its orientation after every outside curve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a general curve.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a lateral view of a first embodiment for the
Variably Curved Track-mounted Amusement Ride.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment for
the track.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment
for the track.
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of the track which has been
opened.
[0018] FIG. 6 shows a portion of the track which contains an
aperture for servicing or replacing wheels of the cart.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a still further
embodiment for the track.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a lateral view of a second embodiment for the
Variably Curved Track-mounted Amusement Ride.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the second embodiment for the
Variably Curved Track-mounted Amusement Ride.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a lateral view similar of an embodiment that is
the same as that of FIG. 8 with the exception that only outside
curves are present.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Variably Curved Track-mounted Amusement Ride has, as
illustrated in FIG. 2, a track with at least one outside curve (8)
and one inside curve (9) on which rides a cart (6) having wheels
(5), a body (7), and any restraint (10) for one or more passengers
that is well known in the art and that will prevent a passenger
from leaving the cart (6) even when the cart is inverted.
Preferably, the restraint (10) is that which is the subject of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/244491, which was filed on Sep. 16,
2002.
[0024] The curves (8), (9) lie substantially within a vertical
plane; and each curve (8), (9) has an axis of symmetry (11) which
is substantially horizontal.
[0025] Preferably, in a first embodiment, outside curves (8)
alternate with inside curves (9). Also preferably, as portrayed in
FIG. 2, before the first curve (8), (9), between each outside curve
(8) and each inside curve (9), and after the last curve (8), (9) is
a substantially straight segment (12). Of course, since such a
substantially straight segment (12) is preferred, it need not be
present.
[0026] Outside curves (8) have a beginning (13) and an end (14);
similarly inside curves (9) have a beginning (15) and an end (16).
The beginning (13) and end (14) of an outside curve (8) are
vertically closer to each other than are the beginning (15) and end
(16) of an inside curve (9) since, unlike an outside curve (8), an
inside curve (9) must accommodate the body (7) of a cart (6) which
travels upon the track (17). Decreasing the distance between the
beginning (15) and end (16) of an inside curve (9) enables more
curves (8), (9) to be placed within a given vertical distance.
[0027] The curve (8), (9) that is above all other curves (8), (9)
is termed the "first curve" and, in the first embodiment, can be
either an outside curve (8) or an inside curve (9), although it is
preferable, but not necessary in the first embodiment, to have an
outside curve (8) above all other curves (8), (9).
[0028] Preferably, each substantially straight segment (12) slopes
downward from a first end (18) to a second end (19), i.e., in the
intended direction of travel. This facilitates movement of the cart
(6). Of course, since this is merely a preference, any
substantially straight segment (12) may have other variations in
height.
[0029] The track (17) is any type of track (17) that is well known
in the art for being capable of retaining the cart (6) no matter
what the orientation of the body (7) of the cart (6) is with
respect to the track (17). Examples of such a track (17) are
opposing C-channels (20) with the longitudinally open portion (21)
of each such C-channels (20) being oriented toward the
longitudinally open portion (21) of the other such C-channel (20),
as illustrated in FIG. 3, and opposing tubes (22), each tube (22)
having a continuous longitudinal slot (23) oriented toward the
other tube (22). Within the tubes (22) side wheels (24),
preferably, and load wheels (25) are employed, as illustrated in
FIG. 4. Additionally, the track (17) can preferably, but not
necessarily, be opened to service or replace wheels (5) on the cart
(6). This can be accomplished either by having a hinged section
(26) that can be rotated and, preferably, locked with a lock (27),
as shown in FIG. 5 using one of the opposing C-channels (20) as an
example, or by simply having an aperture (28) in a portion of the
track (17) that will never have to support the weight of the cart
(6), as illustrated in FIG. 6 again using one of the opposing
C-channels (20) as an example.
[0030] A further example of an acceptable track (17) is, as
illustrated in FIG. 7, any structure (29) having a top (30), bottom
(31), and interior side (32). In such an example, two structures
(29) are used substantially parallel to each other. With each such
structure (29), the cart (6) employs, attached to the cart (6),
load wheels (25) that run on the top (30) and the bottom (31) of
the track as well as side wheels (24) which run on the interior
side (32).
[0031] The cart (6) can be raised to the beginning (33) of the
track (17) through any means (34) that is well known in the art. A
non-exclusive list of examples for the cart-raising means (34)
includes a chain drive; electrical induction motors; and a
gas-powered cylinder such as those described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,176,788; and an elevator, preferably an elevator having more than
one cart container with each such container following a rotary
path. Of course, track (17) is used either in, and as part of, an
elevator or, as part of the other types of cart-raising means (34),
running from the second end (19) of the straight segment (12) after
the last curve (8), (9) to the beginning (33).
[0032] After having been raised to the beginning (33) of the track
(17), the cart (6) proceeds downward through the curves (8), (9).
After having gone through all the curves (8), (9), the cart is
again ready to be raised to the beginning (33) of the track
(17).
[0033] At least one curve (8), (9) and, preferably, each curve (8),
(9) contains a brake (35), preferably an adjustable brake, for
controlling the speed of the cart (6). Preferably, any sensor (36),
preferably a speed sensor, that is well known in the art for
measuring a factor which is determinative of the speed of a body
being subjected to a decelerative force while descending under the
influence of gravity measures such factor, preferably speed, in
relation to the cart (6) and communicates such factor, preferably
speed, to a computer control system (37) which is capable of being
programmed with the desired speed for the cart (6); which is
capable of being programmed with data indicating the initial force
being applied by the adjustable brake (35) and what electrical
signal from the computer control system (37) will produce what
adjustment to the force generated by the adjustable brake (35);
which is programmed to store in its memory and recall any signals
that have been sent to the adjustable brake (35) to adjust the
force the adjustable brake (35) is applying; and which is also
capable of and programmed to determine, after having been
programmed with a desired speed for the cart (6) and after having
received the measurement from the sensor (36), the force for the
adjustable brake (35) to apply so that the cart (6) will attain the
desired speed. Having been programmed with data indicating the
initial force being applied by the adjustable brake (35) and what
electrical signal from the computer control system (37) will
produce what adjustment to the force produced by the adjustable
brake (35), the computer control system (37) determines the
electrical signal that will cause the adjustable brake (35) to
adjust the force it is applying in order to produce the force that
will achieve the desired speed and communicates the appropriate
electrical signal to the adjustable brake (35). Of course, after
any such signal has been sent by the computer control system (37),
such signal is recalled and utilized in determining any subsequent
adjustment. (Another example of a factor which is determinative of
speed under these circumstance is the weight or mass of the body
being decelerated since the decelerative force must be proportional
to such weight or mass.)
[0034] The brake (35) can be any brake that is well known in the
art, such as a friction brake or a magnetic brake. The friction
brake applies more force by pushing harder-through any means that
is well known in the art, such as a pneumatic cylinder-against a
plate (38) on the cart (6); the magnetic brake applies more force
by having more current run through the brake (35).
[0035] A second embodiment is, as indicated above, the same as the
first embodiment except that, as illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9,
at least the farthest outside portion (39), and preferably the
entire curve, of each outside curve (8) has no portion of track
(17) directly below it, although optionally the lowest level (40)
of track can be below one or more of the outside curves (8).
Moreover, preferably, as depicted in FIG. 10, all the curves of the
second embodiment are outside curves (8) because the track (17)
rolls to invert its orientation after every outside curve (8).
Thus, a participant facing forward in the cart (6) will have an
unobstructed view downward as the cart (6) goes over an outside
curve (8).
[0036] As used herein the term "preferable" or "preferably" means
that a specified element or technique is more acceptable than
another but not that such specified element or technique is a
necessity.
* * * * *