US 11,654,373 C1 (12,956th)
Pivot coaster systems, apparatuses, and methods
Merin Jay Swasey, North Logan, UT (US); Michael Dean Worley, Wellsville, UT (US); Jason Ross Parrish, Nibley, UT (US); Nyles Todd Snyder, Nibley, UT (US); Quin Reeding Checketts, Sumiyoshihonmachi (JP); and Michael Steven Heare, Logan, UT (US)
Filed by S&S WORLDWIDE, INC., Logan, UT (US)
Assigned to S&S WORLDWIDE, INC., Logan, UT (US)
Reexamination Request No. 90/019,403, Feb. 5, 2024.
Reexamination Certificate for Patent 11,654,373, issued May 23, 2023, Appl. No. 17/081,316, Oct. 27, 2020.
Application 90/019,403 is a continuation of application No. 15/960,124, filed on Apr. 23, 2018, granted, now 10,881,973.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate issued on Jul. 1, 2025.
Int. Cl. A63G 21/08 (2006.01); A63G 7/00 (2006.01); A63G 27/02 (2006.01); A63G 1/28 (2006.01)
CPC A63G 21/08 (2013.01) [A63G 7/00 (2013.01); A63G 27/02 (2013.01); A63G 1/28 (2013.01)]
OG exemplary drawing
AS A RESULT OF REEXAMINATION, IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT:
Claims 2, 6 and 10 are cancelled.
Claims 1, 3-5, 9 and 11-15 are determined to be patentable as amended.
Claims 7 and 8, dependent on an amended claim, are determined to be patentable.
1. An amusement ride vehicle comprising:
[ an amusement ride vehicle comprising a main chassis, a passenger chassis, and a hub;]
a [ the ] main chassis configured to ride on a track, the main chassis comprising a frame projecting away from the track, the frame having a proximal portion [ , opposite lateral portions, ] and a distal portion, [ the proximal portion being a wider portion than the distal portion which is narrower, wherein the opposite lateral portions taper toward the narrower distal portion, ] wherein the distal portion is farther from the track than the proximal portion;
a [ the ] passenger chassis [ provided ] with one or more passenger seats; and
a [ the ] hub rotatably coupling the passenger chassis to the distal portion of the frame at only a single rotatable connection point [ , ] wherein the hub is configured to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis, wherein the hub comprises:
a magnet generating a magnetic field and coupled to the main chassis, and
a fin coupled to the passenger chassis such that the passenger chassis rotates with the fin, the fin extending into the magnetic field of the magnet, the fin configured to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis,
wherein the hub and the frame are entirely behind the one or more passenger seats,
wherein the passenger chassis is mounted to face forward with respect to a direction of travel of the main chassis,
wherein the hub allows the passenger chassis to rotate in a direction approximately orthogonal relative to the direction of travel of the main chassis around a single axis of lateral rotation that is approximately aligned with the direction of travel of the main chassis,
wherein the single axis extends through the one or more passenger seats, and
wherein the passenger chassis rotation is substantially due to centrifugal force as the main chassis travels along the track [ ,
wherein the track comprises a horizontal track element that causes the main chassis to assume a vertical orientation above the track, a vertical track element that causes the main chassis to assume a horizontal orientation to a lateral side of the track, and an inverted track element that causes the main chassis to assume an inverted orientation below the track, and
wherein the passenger chassis is weighted to rotate via the hub to maintain a vertical sitting position as the horizontal, vertical and inverted track elements cause the main chassis to assume the vertical, horizontal and inverted orientations, respectively] .
3. The amusement ride vehicle of claim 1, wherein the hub uses eddy currents to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis.
4. The amusement ride vehicle of claim 1, wherein the hub is configured to allow the passenger chassis to perform a full lateral rotation relative to the main chassis.
5. A system for pivoting passenger seats on an amusement ride, the system comprising:
a track for supporting and guiding track-mounted vehicles; and
a track-mounted vehicle comprising:
a main chassis configured to ride on the track, the main chassis comprising a frame projecting away from the track, the frame having a proximal portion [ , opposite lateral portions, ] and a distal portion, [ the proximal portion being a wider portion than the distal portion which is narrower, wherein the opposite lateral portions taper toward the narrower distal portion, ] wherein the distal portion is farther from the track than the proximal portion;
a passenger chassis with one or more passenger seats; and
a hub rotatably coupling the passenger chassis to the distal portion of the frame at only a single rotatable connection point, wherein the hub is configured to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis, wherein the hub comprises:
a magnet generating a magnetic field and coupled to the main chassis, and a fin coupled to the passenger chassis such that the passenger chassis rotates with the fin, the fin extending into the magnetic field of the magnet, the fin configured to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis,
wherein the hub and the frame are entirely behind the one or more passenger seats,
wherein the passenger chassis is mounted to face forward with respect to a direction of travel of the main chassis,
wherein the hub allows the passenger chassis to rotate in a direction approximately orthogonal relative to the direction of travel of the main chassis around a single axis of lateral rotation that is approximately aligned with the direction of travel of the main chassis,
wherein the single axis extends through the one or more passenger seats, and
wherein the passenger chassis rotation is substantially due to centrifugal force as the main chassis travels along the track [ ,
wherein the track comprises a horizontal track element that causes the main chassis to assume a vertical orientation above the track, a vertical track element that causes the main chassis to assume a horizontal orientation to a lateral side of the track, and an inverted track element that causes the main chassis to assume an inverted orientation below the track, and
wherein the passenger chassis is weighted to rotate via the hub to maintain a vertical sitting position as the horizontal, vertical and inverted track elements cause the main chassis to assume the vertical, horizontal and inverted orientations, respectively] .
9. An amusement ride vehicle comprising:
[ an amusement ride vehicle comprising a main chassis, a passenger chassis, and a hub;]
a [ the ] main chassis configured to ride on a track, the main chassis comprising a frame projecting away from the track, the frame having a proximal portion, [ opposite lateral portions, ] and a distal portion, [ the proximal portion being a wider portion than the distal portion which is narrower, wherein the opposite lateral portions taper toward the narrower distal portion, ] wherein the distal portion is farther from the track than the proximal portion;
a [ the ] passenger chassis [ provided ] with one or more passenger seats; and
a [ the ] hub rotatably coupling the passenger chassis to the distal portion of the frame at only a single rotatable connection point, wherein the hub is configured to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis, wherein the hub comprises:
a magnet generating a magnetic field and coupled to the main chassis; and
a fin coupled to the passenger chassis such that the passenger chassis rotates with the fin, the fin extending into the magnetic field of the magnet, the fin configured to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis,
wherein the hub and the frame are entirely behind the one or more passenger seats,
wherein the passenger chassis is mounted to face forward with respect to a direction of travel of the main chassis,
wherein the hub allows the passenger chassis to rotate in a direction approximately orthogonal relative to the direction of travel of the main chassis around a single axis of lateral rotation that is approximately aligned with the direction of travel of the main chassis,
wherein the single axis extends through the one or more passenger seats,
wherein the passenger chassis rotation is substantially due to centrifugal force as the main chassis travels along the track,
[ wherein the track comprises a horizontal track element that causes the main chassis to assume a vertical orientation above the track, a vertical track element that causes the main chassis to assume a horizontal orientation to a lateral side of the track, and an inverted track element that causes the main chassis to assume an inverted orientation below the track,
wherein the passenger chassis is weighted to rotate via the hub to maintain a vertical sitting position as the horizontal, vertical and inverted track elements cause the main chassis to assume the vertical, horizontal and inverted orientations, respectively, and]
wherein the amusement ride vehicle is configured to rotatably transition to and from a default position for loading passengers, wherein, in the default position, the main chassis is positioned [ in the vertical orientation ] on top of the track, the frame vertically extends from the track, the passenger chassis [ is ] disposed above the track and the main chassis, and the passenger seats are oriented in a [ the ] vertical sitting position.
11. The amusement ride vehicle of claim 9, wherein the hub uses eddy currents to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis.
12. The amusement ride vehicle of claim 9, wherein the hub is configured to allow the passenger chassis to perform a full lateral rotation relative to the main chassis.
13. An amusement ride vehicle comprising:
[ an amusement ride vehicle comprising a main chassis, a passenger chassis, and a hub;]
a [ the ] main chassis configured to ride on a track, the main chassis comprising a frame projecting away from the track, the frame having a proximal portion, [ opposite lateral portions, ] and a distal portion, [ the proximal portion being a wider portion than the distal portion which is narrower, wherein the opposite lateral portions taper toward the narrower distal portion, ] wherein the distal portion is farther from the track than the proximal portion;
a [ the ] passenger chassis [ provided ] with one or more passenger seats; and
a [ the ] hub rotatably coupling the passenger chassis to the distal portion of the frame at only a single rotatable connection point, wherein the hub is configured to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis, wherein the hub comprises:
a magnet generating a magnetic field and coupled to the passenger chassis such that the passenger chassis rotates with the magnet, and
a fin coupled to the main chassis and extending into the magnetic field of a circular magnetic array, the fin configured to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis,
wherein the hub and the frame are entirely behind the one or more passenger seats,
wherein the passenger chassis is mounted to face forward with respect to a direction of travel of the main chassis,
wherein the hub allows the passenger chassis to rotate in a direction approximately orthogonal relative to the direction of travel of the main chassis around a single axis of lateral rotation that is approximately aligned with the direction of travel of the main chassis,
wherein the single axis extends through the one or more passenger seats, and
wherein the passenger chassis rotation is substantially due to centrifugal force as the main chassis travels along the track [ ,
wherein the track comprises a horizontal track element that causes the main chassis to assume a vertical orientation above the track, a vertical track element that causes the main chassis to assume a horizontal orientation to a lateral side of the track, and an inverted track element that causes the main chassis to assume an inverted orientation below the track, and
wherein the passenger chassis is weighted to rotate via the hub to maintain a vertical sitting position as the horizontal, vertical and inverted track elements cause the main chassis to assume the vertical, horizontal and inverted orientations, respectively] .
14. A system for pivoting passenger seats on an amusement ride, the system comprising:
a track for supporting and guiding track-mounted vehicles; and
a track-mounted vehicle comprising:
a main chassis configured to ride on the track, the main chassis comprising a frame projecting away from the track, the frame having a proximal portion, [ opposite lateral portions, ] and a distal portion, [ the proximal portion being a wider portion than the distal portion which is narrower, wherein the opposite lateral portions taper toward the narrower distal portion, ] wherein the distal portion is farther from the track than the proximal portion;
a passenger chassis with one or more passenger seats; and
a hub rotatably coupling the passenger chassis to the distal portion of the frame at only a single rotatable connection point [ ,] wherein the hub is configured to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis, wherein the hub comprises:
a magnet generating a magnetic field and coupled to the passenger chassis such that the passenger chassis rotates with the magnet, and
a fin coupled to the main chassis and extending into the magnetic field of a circular magnetic array, the fin configured to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis,
wherein the hub and the frame are entirely behind the one or more passenger seats,
wherein the passenger chassis is mounted to face forward with respect to a direction of travel of the main chassis,
wherein the hub allows the passenger chassis to rotate in a direction approximately orthogonal relative to the direction of travel of the main chassis around a single axis of lateral rotation that is approximately aligned with the direction of travel of the main chassis,
wherein the single axis extends through the one or more passenger seats, and
wherein the passenger chassis rotation is substantially due to centrifugal force as the main chassis travels along the track [ ,
wherein the track comprises a horizontal track element that causes the main chassis to assume a vertical orientation above the track, a vertical track element that causes the main chassis to assume a horizontal orientation to a lateral side of the track, and an inverted track element that causes the main chassis to assume an inverted orientation below the track, and
wherein the passenger chassis is weighted to rotate via the hub to maintain a vertical sitting position as the horizontal, vertical and inverted track elements cause the main chassis to assume the vertical, horizontal and inverted orientations, respectively] .
15. An amusement ride vehicle comprising:
[ an amusement ride vehicle comprising a main chassis, a passenger chassis, and a hub;]
a [ the ] main chassis configured to ride on a track, the main chassis comprising a frame projecting away from the track, the frame having a proximal portion, [ opposite lateral portions, ] and a distal portion, [ the proximal portion being a wider portion than the distal portion which is narrower, wherein the opposite lateral portions taper toward the narrower distal portion, ] wherein the distal portion is farther from the track than the proximal portion;
a [ the ] passenger chassis [ provided ] with one or more passenger seats; and
a [ the ] hub rotatably coupling the passenger chassis to the distal portion of the frame at only a single rotatable connection point, wherein the hub is configured to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis, wherein the hub comprises:
a magnet generating a magnetic field and coupled to the passenger chassis such that the passenger chassis rotates with the magnet, and
a fin coupled to the main chassis and extending into the magnetic field of a circular magnetic array, the fin configured to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis,
wherein the hub and the frame are entirely behind the one or more passenger seats,
wherein the passenger chassis is mounted to face forward with respect to a direction of travel of the main chassis,
wherein the hub allows the passenger chassis to rotate in a direction approximately orthogonal relative to the direction of travel of the main chassis around a single axis of lateral rotation that is approximately aligned with the direction of travel of the main chassis,
wherein the single axis extends through the one or more passenger seats,
wherein the passenger chassis rotation is substantially due to centrifugal force as the main chassis travels along the track,
[ wherein the track comprises a horizontal track element that causes the main chassis to assume a vertical orientation above the track, a vertical track element that causes the main chassis to assume a horizontal orientation to a lateral side of the track, and an inverted track element that causes the main chassis to assume an inverted orientation below the track,
wherein the passenger chassis is weighted to rotate via the hub to maintain a vertical sitting position as the horizontal, vertical and inverted track elements cause the main chassis to assume the vertical, horizontal and inverted orientations, respectively, and]
wherein the amusement ride vehicle is configured to rotatably transition to and from a default position for loading passengers, wherein, in the default position, the main chassis is positioned [ in the vertical orientation ] on top of the track, the frame vertically extends from the track, the passenger chassis [ is ] disposed above the track and the main chassis, and the passenger seats are oriented in a [ the ] vertical sitting position.