Full range of motion roller coaster

• US 5,791,254 A
• Filed: 11/01/1996
• Issued: 08/11/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Meteoro Amusement
• Original Assignee: Meteoro Amusement
• Inventors: Mares, John F., Gorman, Robert H.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, MARK T
• Application Number:
  US08/742,465
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 104/53, 104/55, 104/56, 104/57, 104/58, 104/62, 104/63, 104/64, 104/65, 104/66, 104/74, 104/75, 104/76, 104/77, 104/78, 105/149.1, 105/149.2
• US Class Current: 104/53
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 7/00 Up-and-down hill tracks; Switchbacks

Abstract

A roller coaster or amusement park ride. The roller coaster comprises a track system capable of any directional travel, including horizontal, vertical, angled, curved, curvilinear, and retrograde directions. A carriage in which passengers reside is rotatable about the track system, either by programming or by passenger activation, providing for additional freedom of movement. The roller coaster may have a track through a clear tube (e.g., surrounded by water) and multiple, independent rides supported by the same support structure, providing increased excitement for the passengers.

Claims

1. An amusement device comprising:

a seating means for seating at least one passenger riding said amusement device;

a frame for supporting said seating means;

an axle attached to a carriage, said frame attached to and fully rotatable about said axle;

track means comprising a configuration allowing said carriage to travel in any direction of horizontal, vertical, angled, retrograde, curved, curvilinear, and combinations thereof; and

carriage contact means for disposing said carriage on said track means;

said frame fully rotatable about said axle and at substantially a center of gravity of said frame and said seating means; and

a passenger control means for selectively allowing or preventing free rotation of said frame about said axle.

2. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said seating means comprises a restraint for restraining the passenger through motions in all three planes in said seating means.

3. The amusement device of claim 2 wherein said restraint comprises at least one rigid bar.

4. The amusement device of claim 2 wherein said restraint comprises at least one strap.

5. The amusement device of claim 2 wherein said seating means comprises seats for multiple passengers.

6. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said carriage contact means comprises at least one set of wheels and said track means comprises a rail disposed between said wheels of said at least one set of wheels.

7. The amusement device of claim 6 wherein said wheels are concave-shaped and said rail is tubular.

8. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said passenger control means comprises a brake system for braking rotation of said seating means about said axle.

9. The amusement device of claim 8 wherein said brake system is activated by at least one passenger.

10. The amusement device of claim 9 wherein said brake system is activated only by more than one passenger.

11. The amusement device of claim 10 wherein said brake system is activated only by a mojority of passengers.

12. The amusement device of claim 9 wherein said brake system comprises a passenger pull lever, a disk brake, and calipers which engage with said disk brake when the passenger pulls on said lever.

13. The amusement device of claim 8 wherein said brake system is automatically activated by motor means.

14. The amusement device of claim 12 wherein said motor means is programmable.

15. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said seating means comprises at least one seat contoured to the shape of the passenger.

16. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said carriage connects to other carriages by rotatable couplers.

17. The amusement device of claim 16 wherein said rotatable couplers allow for three degrees of rotational freedom.

18. The amusement device of claim 16 wherein said rotatable couplers comprise linked u-joints.

19. The amusement device of claim 1 further comprising a clear tube in which at least a portion of said track means is disposed.

20. The amusement device of claim 19 wherein said clear tube is surrounded by a fluid.

21. The amusement device of claim 19 wherein said clear tube is surrounded by a solid.

22. The amusement device of claim 1 comprising at least two track systems, each of said track systems supporting an independent ride.

23. The amusement device of claim 22 wherein at least one track system comprises a spiral rail system and at least one other said track system comprises a rail system vertically disposed within said spiral rail system.

24. An amusement device comprising:

seating means for seating at least one passenger riding said amusement device;

a frame for supporting said seating means;

an axle about which said frame is freely rotatable, said axle being attached to a carriage;

a brake system connected to at least one of said frame and carriage, said brake system including a plurality of passenger pull levers, disk brakes, and calipers which engage said disk brakes when passengers pull on respective ones of said pull levers;

track means comprising a configuration allowing a carriage supporting said frame and seating means to travel in any direction of horizontal, vertical, angled, retrograde, curved, curvilinear, corkscrewed, looped, and combinations thereof; and

carriage contact means for disposing said carriage on said track means; and

wherein said frame is fully rotatable about said axle and at substantially a center of gravity of said frame and said seating means.