Illusion Vehicles Patents (Class 104/83)
  • Patent number: 8578857
    Abstract: A ride system for efficiently utilizing a simulator(s) or immersive environment assembly. The ride system includes a closed-loop track and a plurality of passenger vehicles each configured for traveling along a ride path defined by the closed-loop track. The ride system includes a simulator positioned adjacent to the closed-loop track. The ride system also includes a vehicle transfer mechanism. This mechanism is typically positioned along the track (or to provide part of the track) near the simulator. In operation, the transfer mechanism receives or captures a first one of the vehicles and transfers the first vehicle a distance away from the ride path and into the simulator and its immersive entertainment environment. The transfer mechanism is configured such that a second one of the vehicles trailing the first vehicle travels along the ride path past the simulator while the first vehicle is positioned within the simulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Crawford, Edward A. Nemeth, Brian E. Crosby, Christopher L. Beatty
  • Publication number: 20130145953
    Abstract: A ride system for efficiently utilizing a simulator(s) or immersive environment assembly. The ride system includes a closed-loop track and a plurality of passenger vehicles each configured for traveling along a ride path defined by the closed-loop track. The ride system includes a simulator positioned adjacent to the closed-loop track. The ride system also includes a vehicle transfer mechanism. This mechanism is typically positioned along the track (or to provide part of the track) near the simulator. In operation, the transfer mechanism receives or captures a first one of the vehicles and transfers the first vehicle a distance away from the ride path and into the simulator and its immersive entertainment environment. The transfer mechanism is configured such that a second one of the vehicles trailing the first vehicle travels along the ride path past the simulator while the first vehicle is positioned within the simulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Crawford, Edward A. Nemeth, Brian E. Crosby, Christopher L. Beatty
  • Patent number: 7971537
    Abstract: The carnival ride has a travel path for cars with seats and at least one screen arranged adjacent to the travel path. In order to design the carnival ride in such a way that the passengers in the car have an optimal gaming experience, the screen follows the car at least along a section of its travel distance. In this way, the passengers in the car have a very long-lasting visual contact with the screen or with the movie shown on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventors: Alexander Verl, Gino De-Gol
  • Patent number: 7685945
    Abstract: A drag strip race amusement ride runs on a straight-line track and is propelled to high rates of acceleration over the 150-foot racetrack. The vehicle cab seats nine. Each racer has an individual acceleration pedal. Located on the front windshield and on each side window is an LCD video screen. Audio sounds are also introduced into the cab during the ride. When the signal is given to begin the race, each racer hits his acceleration pedal. A central computer system synchronizes the video, audio, acceleration and deceleration so that the sensory perceptions of sight, sound and feeling of an actual drag strip race are created. A winner is determined by measuring the reaction time of each racer between the signal and the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Steven Norbury
  • Patent number: 7430966
    Abstract: A roller coaster installation comprising a stretch of water, along which runs a train of vehicles (104) provided laterally with hydrodynamic brakes comprising a fin (102) or a nozzle, becoming immersed in the mass of water (A) and discharging this in the form of rising sprays (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Bolliger & Mabillard Ingenieurs Conseils S.A.
    Inventors: Claude Mabillard, Walter Bolliger
  • Patent number: 6220171
    Abstract: A roller coaster includes a plurality of ride vehicles that ride along a track. Each vehicle provides seating for at least one passenger. The track is elevated off the ground and includes a variety of hills, curves, loops, rolls, drops, inversions and the like. The vehicles are totally enclosed and preferably designed to represent a space capsule. Sight line controls and a yaw mechanism are used at the load platform to prevent passengers from seeing the other ride vehicles. In addition, the track at the load platform is angled upwards to allow for easy access to the ride vehicles. Portals in the cabin are designed to control sight lines to focus the passengers' attention on show elements that are placed along the track. An on-board audio system enhances the realism of the ride experience. Adjustable restraint systems are provided in each vehicle to keep the passengers in their seats and inside the vehicle during the ride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Universal City Studios
    Inventors: Philip D. Hettema, Cecil D. Magpuri, Aidan J. Bradley, Kevin T. Parent, Edward S. Newquist
  • Patent number: 5669821
    Abstract: An easily modifiable ride is provided with a track and a car for carrying at least one passenger along the track. The track creates changes of movement of the car to thereby produce G-forces to the passenger. A plurality of detectors are provided for detecting movements of the car. At least one display device is used for producing a series of images to create a displayed scenario of an amusement ride. There is also provided signal generators responsive to the detectors for synchronizing between the images and the movements of the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventors: James G. Prather, Richard T. Headrick
  • Patent number: 5336132
    Abstract: A ship, in which stereoscopic imagery is displayed, can move, and the ship can swing in various directions and can vibrate. The ship moves along a guide path while the stereoscopic imagery is being viewed by inside viewers. The guide path includes a plurality of diverging guide paths midway along the guide path. The ship can freely select one of the diverging paths in accordance with the contents and running time of imagery. The ship, which has passed the diverging guide path, passes through a confluence portion and returns to the start position. Thereby, multisensation can be created, and an effective sensation atmosphere can be created on the basis of visual and other senses, with a small space for installation and low costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Inventor: Kanji Murakami
  • Patent number: 4920890
    Abstract: A portable amusement ride incorporates a multi-functional trailer which can serve for hauling the amusement ride, when disassembled, and serve as an elevated track portion of the ride, when assembled. Electrically powered vehicles are guided and powered over an electrified track having a main enclosed path, and an alternate loading area for discharge and pick up of passengers. Automatic launch and vehicle exit features between the main path and loading area prevent vehicle collisions, with minimum requisite operator activity. A pick-up assembly carried on the vehicle both guides and electrically powers the vehicle as it moves over the track. The track has an electrified pair of members also forming a guidance channel in which the pick-up assembly from the vehicle is received. The configuration of the pick-up assembly and its interaction with the electrified guidance channel causes proper electrical pick-up substantially regardless of the terrain formed by the track over which the vehicle travels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Inventor: Gerald L. Barber
  • Patent number: 4301740
    Abstract: An improved suspension system for an uncrowned wheel rolling on a flat track characterized by a wheel frame assembly including a wheel frame and at least one uncrowned wheel connected in supporting relation with the frame and adapted to be seated in rolling engagement with a flat track, a load supporting bed, and a plurality of flexural struts interconnecting the bed in supported relation with the frame, each of said struts being disposed in a plane passing through the center of the uncrowned wheel surface along a line substantially bisecting the line of contact established between the wheel surface and the flat surface of the truck and characterized by a modulus of elasticity sufficient for maintaining the axis of rotation for the wheel in substantial parallelism with the line of contact established between the surfaces of the wheel and track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Inventors: Robert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, Houston D. McGinness