Patents Thread-What's being researched today.

[Chroniq]

For people that were asking about the "Floating Omnimover Ride" patent, here are the first 7 pages. I'm sure with a bit more research, you might be able to figure out the key points that I'm missing..

[netdvn]

Wouldn't turbulence in the reclining position be uncomfortable, comparable to the Vekoma headbanging?

 

Flying Dutchman coasters already kinda do that, just you're facing a different direction. I hear they're really not all that bad in terms of roughness.

[cfc]

Looks like the "Floating Omnimover" system would be a step up from the old "cable boat" rides.

[Aceattack52]

This one is much newer than the one I posted earlier. It is for a form of queuing system.

This is just a close-up of the table on the previous page.

[WFChris]

^I hope I'm not out of line but I think were supposed to be discussing newer items, not old patents. Always cool to read nerd stuff though, I'm loving the idea of this thread.

 

So back on the floating omnimover, after reading the description I think the elevation changes would be more of a 'water to land' transition or vice versa, hense no need for a speed change when going up or down an incline. This makes more sense than what I was originally thinking. It definitely sounds like an upgrade to..say...the IASW system.

[SLUSHIE]

Yup, no drops. The whole ride goes the same speed the whole time just like other omnimovers.

 

It would be perfect for a ride like IASW, or other rides where there aren't really separated or triggered scenes. This wouldn't really work on pirates as we know it (not talking about the drops) because while it is pretty continuous, there are a couple effects that need resetting. While it's kinda nice on those types of boat rides to have space between the boats and feel more secluded, they usually group up at some point anyways.

 

What I thought was interesting was that it says the movement of the boats is done by the movement of the water (which is pretty much the whole idea of the patent) and that if a portion of the ride were to exit the water, those boats would be pushed along by the boats that are still in the water. Would be interesting to know if that is actually more efficient power consumption wise than just submerging a normal omnimover style system underwater.

[jray21]

This wouldn't really work on pirates as we know it (not talking about the drops) because while it is pretty continuous, there are a couple effects that need resetting.

 

What effects need to be reset? I can't think of any.

[Nrthwnd]

I just read a part in the application of this "omni-watermover" system with a possible PoTC to it...

 

The ship in the bubble up at the top of the concept art is supposed to be where the chain of boats

is allowed to "drift here and there" while still being pulled across and into the "exit canal" of

the bubble and go back to the channeled path.

 

So, maybe they "add an extra boat's length", to let this thing happen, there?

That looks very cool to me, no matter how the rest of it is done.

[Wes]

This wouldn't really work on pirates as we know it (not talking about the drops) because while it is pretty continuous, there are a couple effects that need resetting.

 

What effects need to be reset? I can't think of any.

 

I can't think of any either.

[cfc]

^Me neither. Part of the beauty of a ride like POTC (or the Haunted Mansion, for that matter) is that you don't have to be concerned about effects being "reset" for each ride vehicle (unlike something like Dinosaur or Indy).

[Lareson]

While digging around the patent database, I stumbled across a couple by Vekoma, filed a few years ago, but just published last year.

 

http://www.google.com/patents/EP2178610B1?cl=en&dq=vekoma&hl=en&sa=X&ei=RNURUcq1JOa3ywH--YHwCg&ved=0CE0Q6AEwBw

 

Don't understand what's going on here...

 

Track config

 

Suppose to be the wheel system for the track?

 

Also found this one, which looks like it combines 3 of their chassis: a Motobike, SLC, and Flying.

 

http://www.google.com/patents/EP2175951B1?cl=en&dq=vekoma&hl=en&sa=X&ei=RNURUcq1JOa3ywH--YHwCg&ved=0CFMQ6AEwCQ

 

Flying Motorbike?

 

It's pretty much turning their motobike concept inverted.

 

Brake assembly similar to their flying trains, and the inverted attachments similar to the SLC trains.

 

Vekoma certainly has quite a few patents on coasters and rides that have yet to see the light of day. Like this one:

 

http://www.google.com/patents?id=ZJrnAQAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4#v=onepage&q&f=false

[XYZ]

While digging around the patent database, I stumbled across a couple by Vekoma, filed a few years ago, but just published last year.

 

http://www.google.com/patents/EP2178610B1?cl=en&dq=vekoma&hl=en&sa=X&ei=RNURUcq1JOa3ywH--YHwCg&ved=0CE0Q6AEwBw

 

 

 

I figured this one out, instead of a flat piece of track that launches, it is a "curved launch". Interesting concept.

[Lareson]

A curved launch, huh. That's what I kind of got out of it when I read it, but having an arm push the train seems very interesting and solves that problem since all of today's launch systems don't work on curved track. Just seems like a mechanical nightmare, but at least Vekoma has found a way to do a launched coasters in a smaller footprint.

[DenDen]

Patent 2- Is a bit more interesting since I have no idea which ride theme Disney would implement this on..

 

So it's a rollercoaster ride, that once the ride leaves the station, the seats fall backwards. The patents claims the seats could move up and down based upon the ride profile but the "articulation" is done to give a sense of speed.. Here's a photo. Cool stuff it if ever gets built.

 

Do we have a date on this one? Could this have been the original car design for Rocket Rods? (ie, the Rods did lean back, didn't they?)

 

PS. Fascinating thread!

[Chroniq]

^Yes January 31, 2013. It's a new patent.

[vacoaster09]

Vekoma certainly has quite a few patents on coasters and rides that have yet to see the light of day. Like this one:

 

http://www.google.com/patents?id=ZJrnAQAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Looks like a skate board coaster... where you get to stand and bend your legs as if on an actual skateboard.

[Garet]

A curved launch, huh. That's what I kind of got out of it when I read it, but having an arm push the train seems very interesting and solves that problem since all of today's launch systems don't work on curved track. Just seems like a mechanical nightmare, but at least Vekoma has found a way to do a launched coasters in a smaller footprint.

 

Isn't tire launched part of todays launch systems because i'm pretty sure galaxy express 999 has a curved launch using tires and hydraulics.

[Randomman295]

I just now found out about Google Patents today and now know where all of my free time in the forseeable future will go.

Thought you'd be interested in this one, made by Bolliger & Mabillard in 2008:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this looks as though it could be a spinning flying/laydown coaster.

Original search: http://www.google.com/patents/EP1201280B1?cl=en&dq=inassignee:%22Bolliger+%26+Mabillard%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=TmsSUdSWM4z-2QXymICQDg&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBg

[Lareson]

A curved launch, huh. That's what I kind of got out of it when I read it, but having an arm push the train seems very interesting and solves that problem since all of today's launch systems don't work on curved track. Just seems like a mechanical nightmare, but at least Vekoma has found a way to do a launched coasters in a smaller footprint.

 

Isn't tire launched part of todays launch systems because i'm pretty sure galaxy express 999 has a curved launch using tires and hydraulics.

 

Hm... I kind of forgot about tire launch systems. I did though noticed something about those systems. Seems like they have a limited speed threshold that seem to top out at around 50mph. Probably something that has to do with the friction of the rubber on the tires and whatever material that the wheels are against. The new Intamin coaster Juvelen at Djurs Sommerland seems to be the fastest at about 52mph. Yes, even faster than the Incredible Hulk which that launch is about 40mph. The major downside to these systems is that once there's any loss of friction (rain for instance) it basically becomes useless. One of the reasons why many coaters close in the rain cause the drive wheels that push trains forward can't cause of the tire slipping.

 

I can see Vekoma's system being used in any condition, no matter the situation and at whatever speed they want as its pushing the train or car versus pulling it. Now that I think about it, a majority, if not all of the launch systems pull the trains. Whether or not this will see the light of day, will be up to Vekoma.

[hyyyper]

I just now found out about Google Patents today and now know where all of my free time in the forseeable future will go.

Thought you'd be interested in this one, made by Bolliger & Mabillard in 2008:

http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/EP1201280B1/imgf0001.png

http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/EP1201280B1/imgf0002.png

http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/EP1201280B1/imgf0003.png

http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/EP1201280B1/imgf0004.png

http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/EP1201280B1/imgf0005.png

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this looks as though it could be a spinning flying/laydown coaster.

Original search: http://www.google.com/patents/EP1201280B1?cl=en&dq=inassignee:%22Bolliger+%26+Mabillard%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=TmsSUdSWM4z-2QXymICQDg&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBg

 

It's not for a spinning, but it's for loading/unloading. This new system has the hinge of the seats in the middle of the car. This will reduce the amount of power needed to change the position of the seats. The seats can also be built with less material since it's attached to the rest of the car in the middle.

[COASTER FREAK 11]

I just now found out about Google Patents today and now know where all of my free time in the forseeable future will go.

Thought you'd be interested in this one, made by Bolliger & Mabillard in 2008:

http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/EP1201280B1/imgf0001.png

http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/EP1201280B1/imgf0002.png

http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/EP1201280B1/imgf0003.png

http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/EP1201280B1/imgf0004.png

http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/EP1201280B1/imgf0005.png

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this looks as though it could be a spinning flying/laydown coaster.

Original search: http://www.google.com/patents/EP1201280B1?cl=en&dq=inassignee:%22Bolliger+%26+Mabillard%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=TmsSUdSWM4z-2QXymICQDg&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBg

 

It's not for a spinning, but it's for loading/unloading. This new system has the hinge of the seats in the middle of the car. This will reduce the amount of power needed to change the position of the seats. The seats can also be built with less material since it's attached to the rest of the car in the middle.

 

That is rather cool, haha.

[SoCalCoasters]

A curved launch, huh. That's what I kind of got out of it when I read it, but having an arm push the train seems very interesting and solves that problem since all of today's launch systems don't work on curved track. Just seems like a mechanical nightmare, but at least Vekoma has found a way to do a launched coasters in a smaller footprint.

 

Isn't tire launched part of todays launch systems because i'm pretty sure galaxy express 999 has a curved launch using tires and hydraulics.

 

Hm... I kind of forgot about tire launch systems. I did though noticed something about those systems. Seems like they have a limited speed threshold that seem to top out at around 50mph. Probably something that has to do with the friction of the rubber on the tires and whatever material that the wheels are against. The new Intamin coaster Juvelen at Djurs Sommerland seems to be the fastest at about 52mph. Yes, even faster than the Incredible Hulk which that launch is about 40mph. The major downside to these systems is that once there's any loss of friction (rain for instance) it basically becomes useless. One of the reasons why many coaters close in the rain cause the drive wheels that push trains forward can't cause of the tire slipping.

 

I can see Vekoma's system being used in any condition, no matter the situation and at whatever speed they want as its pushing the train or car versus pulling it. Now that I think about it, a majority, if not all of the launch systems pull the trains. Whether or not this will see the light of day, will be up to Vekoma.

 

 

Isn't that why the launches on most tire launched coasters are under some kind of cover?

[Lareson]

 

Isn't that why the launches on most tire launched coasters are under some kind of cover?

 

Yep. I actually think the 6 that RCDB lists as "tire propelled launch" have some sort of cover, whether its themed in or just a simple canopy. Once those tires get wet, that train isn't going anywhere.

 

That B&M loading style that they patented I think has 1 flaw: clearance. Notice how close the riders are in fig 4 and if they rotate to the ride position, if a person sticks their hand out while its doing that, they're going to be able to touch it. I see that its tilted outward in the overhead view, but I don't know if that's enough. It could be why we haven't ever seen it, even if it was filed back in 2001 and published in 2008.

 

As I'm looking at the trains we have today and the patent, it's almost like they wanted to do this, as there are very similar features between the two, but well, ended up resorting to the folding seats and reconfiguring the restraints. This patented train design would of resulted in a lot less hardware though on train. I almost wished they went with this design.

 

Side note: you'll see me a lot in this thread as dissecting the way coasters work and run is a little hobby of mine.

[RoCo]

Vekoma certainly has quite a few patents on coasters and rides that have yet to see the light of day. Like this one:

 

http://www.google.com/patents?id=ZJrnAQAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Looks like a skate board coaster... where you get to stand and bend your legs as if on an actual skateboard.

 

That is one pretty crazy notion... could make for an interesting X-Games themed coaster.

[scbt]

I managed to find two pretty interesting old patents and a relatively new one from Disney.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

I think these are the patents for the seats that can be found on the revamped SLC trains.

 

Link

 

 

 

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

I also stumbled across B&M's Patent for their splashdown brakes (like the ones on Griffon or ShieKra)

 

Link

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

And one last one - Disney's patents on swinging trains that will be used on the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train as well as some sort of racing coaster themed as a bobsled.

 

Link

 

 

 

 

 

Edit: Fixed, thanks chroniq

Edited February 7, 2013 by scbt