Railways – Amusement
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-06
2001-04-24
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Railways
Amusement
C104S063000, C104S075000, C104S083000, C104S085000, C472S059000, C472S060000, C472S130000, C434S034000, C434S036000, C434S055000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220171
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to amusement rides.
Amusement rides, and specifically roller coasters, are very popular at theme and amusement parks around the world. Many amusement rides today have a “theme” which may be related to a motion picture, comic book character, mythical figure, cartoon, etc. A typical roller coaster consists of a number of ride vehicles that are attached to one another and ride along an elevated track. The track usually includes a number of hills, rolls, loops, spirals, inversions, drops and the like. Since most roller coasters are purchased “off the shelf” from a ride vendor, the ride vehicles are mostly standard open-air vehicles with a number of passenger seating positions and safety restraints. The amount of theming applied to roller coasters tends to be minimal, usually limited to the color of the vehicles, the color of the track and some themed elements along the queue line. With a standard, open-air roller coaster vehicle, it is nearly impossible to fully integrate the ride vehicle into the theme of the ride. In addition, when passengers are loading into the ride vehicles, they can generally see other passengers loading into other ride vehicles and they can also see the other ride vehicles during the ride. This detracts from the theme of the ride and diminishes some of the fantasy for the passengers.
Therefore, there is a need for a roller coaster with improved ride vehicles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first aspect of the invention, a roller coaster or similar ride has enclosed vehicles. Sight line controls may be used to focus the attention of the passengers on specific show elements and to prevent the passengers from seeing other vehicles during the loading procedure. The passengers perceive that they are entering an individual vehicle, when they are actually entering a vehicle in a train of vehicles. The excitement of the ride is therefore enhanced.
In a second separate aspect of the invention, the ride vehicles have the ability to turn or yaw at an angle to the direction of travel. Passengers enter through the front of the vehicle which is turned to face the loading platform. This helps to prevent the passengers from seeing other ride vehicles during loading. The yaw capability may also be used to allow the passengers to view different show elements during the ride.
In a third separate aspect of the invention, portals in the cabin control sight lines to focus the passengers' attention on show elements which are located along the track.
In a fourth separate aspect of the invention, the track alongside the loading platform is rolled towards the platform. This positions the vehicles in a temporarily upright position to ease loading and unloading.
In a fifth separate aspect of the invention, a restraint system has a flexible element which supports itself, to allow quick and simple loading and unloading of passengers, while also accommodating varying sizes of passengers.
In a sixth aspect of the invention, two or more of the separate aspects described above may be combined in an amusement ride.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 347674 (1994-06-01), Delaney et al.
patent: 1101630 (1914-06-01), Hopper, Jr.
patent: 1448327 (1923-03-01), Banks
patent: 1462868 (1923-07-01), Newman
patent: 1491238 (1924-04-01), Johnson
patent: 2394523 (1946-02-01), Pancoe
patent: 2661211 (1953-12-01), Campbell
patent: 2912244 (1959-11-01), Carr
patent: 3052432 (1962-09-01), Martin
patent: 3515074 (1970-06-01), Helbig
patent: 3618256 (1971-11-01), Monks
patent: 4303236 (1981-12-01), Czarnecki
patent: 4402548 (1983-09-01), Mason
patent: 4503778 (1985-03-01), Wilson
patent: 4505472 (1985-03-01), Lorenc et al.
patent: 4543886 (1985-10-01), Spieldiener et al.
patent: 4700632 (1987-10-01), Schmutz
patent: 4846498 (1989-07-01), Föhl
patent: 5031962 (1991-07-01), Lee
patent: 5115744 (1992-05-01), Barber
patent: 5137450 (1992-08-01), Thomas
patent: 5161104 (1992-11-01), Fox et al.
patent: 5192247 (1993-03-01), Barr et al.
patent: 5193462 (1993-03-01), Marcu
patent: 5218910 (1993-06-01), Mesmer et al.
patent: 5433153 (1995-07-01), Yamada
patent: 5453053 (1995-09-01), Danta et al.
patent: 5463962 (1995-11-01), Gnezdilov
patent: 5486141 (1996-01-01), Ohga et al.
patent: 5507647 (1996-04-01), Morris
patent: 5524928 (1996-06-01), Monagas
patent: 5531644 (1996-07-01), Marumo
patent: 5580126 (1996-12-01), Sedlack
patent: 5595121 (1997-01-01), Elliot et al.
patent: 5669821 (1997-09-01), Prather et al.
patent: 5711670 (1998-01-01), Barr
patent: 6007338 (1999-12-01), DiNunzio et al.
Bradley Aidan J.
Hettema Philip D.
Magpuri Cecil D.
Newquist Edward S.
Parent Kevin T.
Jules Frantz F.
Lyon & Lyon LLP
Morano S. Joseph
Universal City Studios
LandOfFree
Amusement ride does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Amusement ride, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Amusement ride will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2553484