Multi-track multi-vehicle roller coaster

• US 20070089630A1
• Filed: 02/10/2006
• Published: 04/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jonathan Gordon
• Original Assignee: Jonathan Gordon
• Inventors: Gordon, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 8,893,623 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 104/53
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 7/00 Up-and-down hill tracks; Switchbacks

Abstract

A multi-track multi-vehicle coaster simulates a popular theme of a competition, struggle or conflict taken from history or fiction. The vehicles interact with each other and with the ride scenery in many different ways and vehicle velocity is altered at different points in the ride using multiple motors and brakes. An interactive queue is provided and allows people in the queue to interact with people on the ride. Energy recycling and computer ride control are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A multi-track multi-vehicle coaster ride, comprising:

at least three tracks; and

at least one vehicle mounted on each track, wherein

said at least three tracks and said vehicles mounted on said tracks are integrated into a single coaster ride.

2. A roller coaster ride according to claim 1, further comprising:

scenery surrounding at least a portion of said tracks, wherein

said vehicles and/or said scenery visually simulate a theme of competition, struggle or conflict.

3. A roller coaster ride according to claim 1, wherein:

said theme involves flying vehicles.

4. A roller coaster ride according to claim 3, wherein:

said tracks are arranged to simulate the trajectory of the flying vehicles.

5. A roller coaster ride according to claim 1, wherein:

all vehicles are accelerated at the start of the ride and braked at the end of the ride, and

at least one vehicle is accelerated and braked at some point after the start of the ride and before the end of the ride.

6. A roller coaster ride according to claim 1, wherein:

at least one vehicle has a rider-operable laser, and

at least one other vehicle has a photo sensor which can be activated by said laser.

7. A roller coaster ride according to claim 1, wherein:

said tracks are arranged such that two vehicles pass in close proximity to a third vehicle, the third vehicle travelling in an opposite direction of the two vehicles.

8. A roller coaster ride according to claim 1, wherein:

at least one vehicle has a heads up display.

9. A roller coaster ride according to claim 1, wherein:

said theme is a known theme taken from history, mythology, literature, or cinema.

10. A roller coaster ride according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of segregated loading stations.

11. A roller coaster ride according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of segregated unloading stations.

12. A roller coaster ride according to claim 1, further comprising:

scenery related to a theme of said ride, said tracks being arranged to run through said scenery.

13. A roller coaster ride according to claim 12, further comprising:

an interactive queue arranged beneath said scenery,

said scenery having at least one window,

said queue and said scenery being arranged so that a person in said queue can see through the window.

14. A roller coaster ride according to claim 12, further comprising:

a laser mounted in said scenery and visible through said window,

said queue having control means for aiming and firing said laser, said control means being operable by a person in said queue by said window; and

at least one vehicle having a photo sensor which is activated by said laser.

15. A roller coaster ride, comprising:

a first plurality of tracks;

a second plurality of tracks;

a first plurality of vehicles, one mounted on each of said first plurality of tracks; and

a second plurality of vehicles, one mounted on each of said second plurality of tracks;

wherein said tracks are arranged to simulate a competition, conflict or struggle between said first and second plurality of vehicles.

16. A roller coaster ride according to claim 15, wherein:

said first plurality of vehicles are visually distinguishable from said second plurality of vehicles.

17. A roller coaster ride according to claim 15, wherein:

said tracks are arranged such that at some point in the ride at least two vehicles from said first plurality approach at least one vehicle from said second plurality travelling in an opposite direction.

18. A roller coaster ride according to claim 15, wherein:

said tracks are arranged such that at some point in the ride at least two vehicles from said first plurality chase at least one vehicle from said second plurality.

19. A roller coaster ride according to claim 15, wherein:

at least one vehicle in said first plurality is equipped with a rider operable laser,

at least one vehicle in said second plurality is equipped with a photo sensor, and

said tracks are arranged such that at some point in the ride a rider in the laser equipped vehicle can take aim at the photo sensor equipped vehicle and activate the photo sensor with the laser.

20. A roller coaster ride according to claim 18, further comprising:

scenery related to said competition, conflict or struggle, said tracks being arranged to run through said scenery, at least one location in said scenery having a second photo sensor, wherein

said tracks are arranged such that at some point in the ride a rider in the laser equipped vehicle can take aim at the second photo sensor and activate the second photo sensor with the laser.

21. A roller coaster ride according to claim 20, wherein:

said photo sensors are coupled to special effects generators, effects being selected from the group consisting of audio effects, visual effects and vibratory effects.

22. A roller coaster ride according to claim 20, wherein:

said visual effects include smoke, pyrotechnics and lights.

23. A roller coaster ride, comprising:

a plurality of vehicles on a plurality of tracks, at least one of said plurality of vehicles competing against another of said plurality of vehicles by using equipment controlled by riders.