Patents Assigned to S & S Worldwide, Inc.
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Patent number: 11654373Abstract: An apparatus for providing lateral movement on a roller coaster includes a main chassis, a passenger chassis, and a hub. The main chassis is configured to ride on a track. The passenger chassis is rotatably supported on the main chassis via the hub. The hub and main chassis are behind the passenger chassis. The hub allows the passenger chassis to perform a full lateral rotation relative to the main chassis.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: S&S WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Merin Jay Swasey, Michael Dean Worley, Jason Ross Parrish, Nyles Todd Snyder, Quin Reeding Checketts, Michael Steven Heare
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Patent number: 10881973Abstract: An apparatus for providing lateral movement on a roller coaster includes a main chassis, a passenger chassis, and a hub. The main chassis is configured to ride on a track. The passenger chassis is rotatably supported on the main chassis via the hub. The hub and main chassis are behind the passenger chassis. The hub allows the passenger chassis to perform a full lateral rotation relative to the main chassis.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: S&S WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Merin Jay Swasey, Michael Dean Worley, Jason Ross Parrish, Nyles Todd Snyder, Quin Reeding Checketts, Michael Steven Heare
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Patent number: 9675893Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic spin control includes a main chassis, a passenger chassis, a circular magnetic array, and a chassis-mounted fin. The main chassis is configured to ride on a track. The passenger chassis is rotatably supported on the main chassis and the passenger chassis is configured to support one or more passengers. The circular magnetic array is coupled to the passenger chassis such that the passenger chassis rotates with the circular magnetic array. The chassis-mounted fin is coupled to the main chassis and extends into a magnetic field of the circular magnetic array. The chassis-mounted fin includes a conductive material and operates as an eddy current brake to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis with respect to the main chassis. The chassis-mounted fin extends into the magnetic field and leaves at least a portion of the magnetic field unobstructed to allow a track-mounted fin to pass into the magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: S&S Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Todd Snyder, Mike Worley, Alan Schilke
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Patent number: 9259655Abstract: An anti-rollback apparatus includes a lock arm, a rod, a pawl, a wheel, and a one-way bearing. The rod member is pivotably coupled to the lock arm and the pawl and one-way bearing are coupled to the rod member. The pawl is shaped to selectively engage teeth on a an anti-rollback plate. The wheel is configured to roll on a surface of the anti-rollback plate. The one-way bearing couples the wheel to the pawl. The one-way bearing allows the wheel to rotate freely in a first direction and locks the wheel in relation to the pawl when the wheel rotates in a second direction to force the pawl to engage the teeth.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: S&S Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Todd Snyder, Mike Worley, Quin Checketts
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Patent number: 9144745Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic spin control includes a main chassis, a passenger chassis, a circular magnetic array, and a chassis-mounted fin. The main chassis is configured to ride on a track. The passenger chassis is rotatably supported on the main chassis and the passenger chassis is configured to support one or more passengers. The circular magnetic array is coupled to the passenger chassis such that the passenger chassis rotates with the circular magnetic array. The chassis-mounted fin is coupled to the main chassis and extends into a magnetic field of the circular magnetic array. The chassis-mounted fin includes a conductive material and operates as an eddy current brake to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis with respect to the main chassis. The chassis-mounted fin extends into the magnetic field and leaves at least a portion of the magnetic field unobstructed to allow a track-mounted fin to pass into the magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2013Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: S&S Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Todd Snyder, Mike Worley, Alan Schilke
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Publication number: 20150128824Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic spin control includes a main chassis, a passenger chassis, a circular magnetic array, and a chassis-mounted fin. The main chassis is configured to ride on a track. The passenger chassis is rotatably supported on the main chassis and the passenger chassis is configured to support one or more passengers. The circular magnetic array is coupled to the passenger chassis such that the passenger chassis rotates with the circular magnetic array. The chassis-mounted fin is coupled to the main chassis and extends into a magnetic field of the circular magnetic array. The chassis-mounted fin includes a conductive material and operates as an eddy current brake to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis with respect to the main chassis. The chassis-mounted fin extends into the magnetic field and leaves at least a portion of the magnetic field unobstructed to allow a track-mounted fin to pass into the magnetic field.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: S&S WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Todd Snyder, Mike Worley, Alan Schilke
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Publication number: 20150122144Abstract: An anti-rollback apparatus includes a lock arm, a rod, a pawl, a wheel, and a one-way bearing. The rod member is pivotably coupled to the lock arm and the pawl and one-way bearing are coupled to the rod member. The pawl is shaped to selectively engage teeth on a an anti-rollback plate. The wheel is configured to roll on a surface of the anti-rollback plate. The one-way bearing couples the wheel to the pawl. The one-way bearing allows the wheel to rotate freely in a first direction and locks the wheel in relation to the pawl when the wheel rotates in a second direction to force the pawl to engage the teeth.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Applicant: S&S Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Todd Snyder, Mike Worley, Quin Checketts
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Patent number: 8926440Abstract: This application provides a multiple or single arm oscillating, optionally rotating amusement ride with reverse pendulum oscillating arm or arms that are angularly mounted to a horizontal tubular frame member of the rotating supporting structure. In one embodiment, there is a moveable adjustable counterbalance weight. The unique principal of the ride is that it that when the ride is rotating and the oscillating arm is moved from the lower position to the upper position the rotational velocity is increased through conservation of angular momentum producing a spinning “Ice dancer” effect. Tie rods or optionally a gimble and cable system is used to maintain stability and upright positioning of the gondola.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: S & S Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Timothy R. Jacobi
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Publication number: 20130123030Abstract: This application provides a multiple or single arm oscillating, optionally rotating amusement ride with reverse pendulum oscillating arm or arms that are angularly mounted to a horizontal tubular frame member of the rotating supporting structure. In one embodiment, there is a moveable adjustable counterbalance weight. The unique principal of the ride is that it that when the ride is rotating and the oscillating arm is moved from the lower position to the upper position the rotational velocity is increased through conservation of angular momentum producing a spinning “Ice dancer” effect. Tie rods or optionally a gimble and cable system is used to maintain stability and upright positioning of the gondola.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2012Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: S&S WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventor: S&S Worldwide, Inc.
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Patent number: 8393275Abstract: A roller coaster or amusement ride providing a unique free-floating sensation by extending the passenger vehicles out on either side of the central frame structure. The passenger vehicles (48, 50) are supported between two cushioned cantilevered vehicle support arms {34, 36) that pivot while being supported between air bags (30, 32} or springs. The air pressure in the air bags or the tension in the springs can be adjusted to provide a soft, free-floating sensation to the ride. Additional passenger vehicle motions are achieved by the omni-directional ball-swivel joints (38, 40) on the ends of the support arms. The off-center location of the passenger vehicles (48, 50) and the weight of the passengers enable the passenger vehicles to remain in the up right position even when the central frame structure rotates around the track system. No additional drive systems or passenger controls are required on this unique roller coaster ride.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2008Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: S & S Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Timothy R. Jacobi, Stanley J. Checketts
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Publication number: 20100326312Abstract: A roller coaster or amusement ride providing a unique free-floating sensation by extending the passenger vehicles out on either side of the central frame structure. The passenger vehicles (48, 50) are supported between two cushioned cantilevered vehicle support arms {34, 36) that pivot while being supported between air bags (30. 32} or springs. The air pressure in the air bags or the tension in the springs can be adjusted to provide a soft, free-floating sensation to the ride. Additional passenger vehicle motions are achieved by the omni-directional ball-swivel joints (38, 40) on the ends of the support arms. The off-center location of the passenger vehicles (48, 50) and the weight of the passengers enable the passenger vehicles to remain in the up right position even when the central frame structure rotates around the track system. No additional drive systems or passenger controls are required on this unique roller coaster ride.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2008Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: S&S WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Timothy R. Jacobi, Stanley J. Checketts
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Patent number: 6875118Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatically actuated swing ride that has rigid swing members rotating about a shaft in a pendulum style of swinging ride. The ride operates with rigid swing members raising one or more riders in a seat platform or gondola up and then accelerates them down through an arc in the pendulum style of swinging movement. The controlled upward movement, a brief delay, and the accelerated downward movement produce weightlessness in the ride that is unmatched in the industry. The weightless effect is incurred at both ends of the arc and every time the cycle is made. By using a pneumatic cylinder, air is used as an air cushion both accelerating and decelerating the ride, giving complete control of the ride.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2004Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: S & S Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Stanley J. Checketts