Multi-track multi-vehicle roller coaster with special effects

• US 20070089632A1
• 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 7,802,522 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 roller coaster ride, comprising:

at least one vehicle on a track, said vehicle equipped with a heads up display.

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

said heads up display displays holographic projections.

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

scenery of at least two colors around said ride, wherein

said track includes a first portion of a first color chosen to camouflage said track into said scenery, and a second portion of a second color different than said first color and also chosen to camouflage said track into said scenery.

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

said at least one vehicle on a track is at least two vehicles on two tracks

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

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

said theme involves flying vehicles.

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

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

7. A roller coaster ride, according to claim 4, 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.

8. A roller coaster ride, according to claim 3, 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 and view the scenery.

9. A roller coaster ride, according to claim 8, 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.

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

said track is arranged to cause said vehicle to approximate a trajectory shown for a corresponding vehicle in a movie.

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

a linear induction launch motors powered by a battery; and

eddy current brakes which are arranged to generate power, at least some of said power generated by said eddy current brakes being used to charge said battery.

12. A roller coaster ride, comprising:

a first vehicle on a first track, said first track being arranged to cause said first vehicle to approximate a trajectory shown for a corresponding vehicle in a movie.

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

said first vehicle simulates a flying vehicle.

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

a second vehicle on a second track, said second track being arranged to cause said second vehicle to approximate a trajectory shown for a corresponding vehicle in a movie.

15. A roller coaster ride according to claim 14, wherein:

said first and second vehicles simulate flying vehicles.

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

at least three tracks;

at least one vehicle mounted on each track;

a plurality of passenger loading stations;

a plurality of unloading stations;

a first switching system located between the unloading stations and the loading stations, wherein

said first switching system, at least sometimes, directs a first vehicle to a different track and directs a second vehicle to the track originally occupied by the first vehicle.

17. A multi-track multi-vehicle coaster ride according to claim 16, further comprising:

a second switching system located between said loading stations and said unloading stations, wherein

said second switching system directs the first and second vehicles to the tracks they originally occupied.

18. A multi-track multi-vehicle coaster ride according to claim 17, wherein:

at least one vehicle is visually distinguishable from the others.

19. A multi-track multi-vehicle coaster ride according to claim 18, wherein:

said first switching means is arranged to switch the tracks of only vehicles which are visually distinguishable from each other.