Patents by Inventor Hendrik Ficus ROODENBURG

Hendrik Ficus ROODENBURG has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10766502
    Abstract: An amusement ride such as a roller coaster, more in particular to booster drives mounted on a track of such a ride, are disclosed. The booster drives each include at least one booster drive motor for driving booster wheels, and for engaging a drive fin of a passenger vehicle to propel that vehicle along the track. The booster drive further includes a base mounted to the track structure, a frame that supports the at least one booster drive motor and the two booster wheels, and a mobile carrier that connects the frame to the base via a left and a right carrier arm. These carrier arms are non-flexible arms pivotably connected to the base and the frame or they are flexible arms, such that in use they enable movement of the frame relative to the base. A biasing device resiliently forces the frame towards a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: VEKOMA RIDES ENGINEERING B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Ficus Roodenburg, Mattheus Hendrik Louis Thissen, Koen Janssen, Petrus Henricus Josephus Van Oosterhout
  • Publication number: 20200086221
    Abstract: An amusement device includes a substructure with a passenger seat, which is rotatable relative to a main structure by a bearing and a coupling. The coupling has a coupling ring and a coupling actuator for driving the substructure about a coupling axis C-C. The coupling ring has an end face which is toothed to engage with a toothed end face of a lock element of a lockage for rotationally locking the coupling ring with respect to the main structure. The lock element is axially movable and rotationally constrained with respect to an lockage actuator. A spring and electromagnet respectively serve for axially moving the lock element. During a normal ride, the lockage is open and all kind of rotations are possible, but in case of an interference the lockage engages for safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: VEKOMA RIDES ENGINEERING B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Ficus ROODENBURG, Arno Johannes Petronella VAN HEIJSTER
  • Patent number: 10556511
    Abstract: The invention relates to an amusement ride, such as a roller coaster, comprising a vehicle track and a speed trim system for reducing the speed of the passenger vehicle traveling along the vehicle track. The speed trim system comprises a magnet arrangement located on the passenger vehicle, at least one trim brake located along the track, one or more sensors for measuring the speed of the passenger vehicle approaching and/or passing the trim brake, and a control system. According to the invention, the trim brake comprises a pivotable supported induction blade, that can be pivoted about an induction blade pivot axis between an active position, for trimming the speed of the passenger vehicle while it passes the trim brake, and an inactive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: VEKOMA RIDES ENGINEERING B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Ficus Roodenburg, Eloy Jacobus Antonius Gerardus Caelen
  • Publication number: 20180162227
    Abstract: The invention relates to an amusement ride, such as a roller coaster, comprising a vehicle track and a speed trim system for reducing the speed of the passenger vehicle traveling along the vehicle track. The speed trim system comprises a magnet arrangement located on the passenger vehicle, at least one trim brake located along the track, one or more sensors for measuring the speed of the passenger vehicle approaching and/or passing the trim brake, and a control system. According to the invention, the trim brake comprises a pivotable supported induction blade, that can be pivoted about an induction blade pivot axis between an active position, for trimming the speed of the passenger vehicle while it passes the trim brake, and an inactive position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: VEKOMA RIDES ENGINEERING B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Ficus ROODENBURG, Eloy Jacobus Antonius Gerardus CAELEN
  • Publication number: 20180072328
    Abstract: An amusement ride such as a roller coaster, more in particular to booster drives mounted on a track of such a ride, are disclosed. The booster drives each include at least one booster drive motor for driving booster wheels, and for engaging a drive fin of a passenger vehicle to propel that vehicle along the track. The booster drive further includes a base mounted to the track structure, a frame that supports the at least one booster drive motor and the two booster wheels, and a mobile carrier that connects the frame to the base via a left and a right carrier arm. These carrier arms are non-flexible arms pivotably connected to the base and the frame or they are flexible arms, such that in use they enable movement of the frame relative to the base. A biasing device resiliently forces the frame towards a predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: VEKOMA RIDES ENGINEERING B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Ficus ROODENBURG, Mattheus Hendrik Louis THISSEN, Koen JANSSEN, Petrus Henricus Josephus VAN OOSTERHOUT
  • Patent number: 9669320
    Abstract: An observation wheel type ride includes a wheel, multiple passenger cabins supported by the wheel, a drive mechanism for rotating the wheel about its rotational axis, and a support structure that supports the wheel. The wheel furthermore includes two first bearings, provided with a first bearing locking mechanism, and two second bearings, provided with a second bearing locking mechanism. Each bearing locking mechanism can selectively be converted between a locking condition, in which it prevents rotational movement of a bearing inner ring relative to a bearing outer ring, and an unlocking condition, in which it allows for rotational movement of the first bearing inner ring relative to the first bearing outer ring. Providing the second bearings allows for rotational movement of the wheel about the rotational axis of its support axle when the first bearing locking mechanisms are in their locking condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: VEKOMA RIDES ENGINEERING B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Ficus Roodenburg, Johan Willem Philippen
  • Publication number: 20160256787
    Abstract: An observation wheel type ride includes a wheel, multiple passenger cabins supported by the wheel, a drive mechanism for rotating the wheel about its rotational axis, and a support structure that supports the wheel. The wheel furthermore includes two first bearings, provided with a first bearing locking mechanism, and two second bearings, provided with a second bearing locking mechanism. Each bearing locking mechanism can selectively be converted between a locking condition, in which it prevents rotational movement of a bearing inner ring relative to a bearing outer ring, and an unlocking condition, in which it allows for rotational movement of the first bearing inner ring relative to the first bearing outer ring. Providing the second bearings allows for rotational movement of the wheel about the rotational axis of its support axle when the first bearing locking mechanisms are in their locking condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: VEKOMA RIDES ENGINEERING B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Ficus ROODENBURG, Johan Willem PHILIPPEN