Abstract: An amusement ride enabling at least one rider to change a position of said at least one rider around at least one cylindrical vehicle while said at least one cylindrical vehicle carries said at least one rider along a central axis of said at least one cylindrical vehicle during a riding.

Abstract: A coaster having a rotatable track area capable of rotating, for example, 180° and repositioning a car for further movement along another track different than the one from which it originated. The rotatable track area can have a cross section of any polygonal shape. A corresponding rotation system with computer controls can selectively rotate the rotatable track area in predetermined increments according to the coaster track end positions so as to selectively align the rotatable tracks with the coaster tracks.

Abstract: A carriage assembly for mounting to a track following a curvilinear path, said assembly comprising a trolley mountable to said track through a track engagement assembly, an orientation of the trolley varying with an orientation of the track; a carriage rotationally mounted to the trolley, such that the carriage is free to rotate about two axes relative to the trolley, wherein rotation about the two axes maintains the carriage in a horizontal orientation independent of the orientation of the track.

Abstract: A coaster having a substantially cylindrical rotatable track area capable of rotating, for example, 180° and repositioning a car for further movement along another track different than the one from which it originated. The rotatable track area can be cylindrical or frusto-conical in configuration. A corresponding rotation system with computer controls can selectively rotate the rotatable track area in predetermined increments according to the coaster track end positions so as to selectively align the rotatable tracks with the coaster tracks.

Abstract: An amusement park ride adapted for fully rotating a passenger compartment in response to vehicle motion along a guide track. The ride includes a vehicle chassis that engages the guide track and travels along the ride path during operation of the ride. The ride further includes a cam-based positioning assembly that is supported by the vehicle chassis to move with it along the guide track. The positioning assembly operates in response to being moved along the guide track to rotate the passenger compartment. The positioning assembly rotates the passenger compartment in counterclockwise and clockwise directions to provide 360-degree rotation. The positioning assembly includes a cam shaft with three cam follower pairs offset along the shaft and extending outward from the shaft at angular offsets, and three cam rails are used to selectively position the followers to rotate the cam shaft and set the position of the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A ride in particular for amusement parks, comprising: a drive track, comprising a guide device (3) for guiding at least one vehicle (2) along said guide device (3) in a movement direction (v); at least one vehicle (2), comprising a normal vector (n), fixated relative to the vehicle (2) and oriented perpendicular to the movement direction (v); and a drive pattern (1), comprising at least a first track section (5, 6), comprising an incline/decline, and a second track section (8, 9), comprising an incline/decline, comprising a prefix, which is inverse to the prefix of the incline/decline of the first track section (6, 7), wherein the first track section (6, 7) and the second track section (8, 9) are connected amongst one another, forming at least a partial section of a loop, wherein the guide device (3) is configured, so that the normal vector (n) in the first track section (6, 7) is rotated from an orientation to the outside or to the inside with reference to the loop at the entry into the first track section (

Abstract: An improved roller coaster system having one or more tracks that may exist in differing orientations on one support spine or equivalent supporting structure. Passengers may be rotated independently of the orientation of the tracks an essentially unlimited amount of times in either direction about predetermined axes utilizing inertia as the motive force. If multiple tracks are used, each may run separately from the others in portions of the circuit to provide unique track elements for each set of riders. Furthermore, each track may have its orientation and position relative to the support system exchanged with other tracks in the system.

Abstract: Amusement rides and methods are described. The amusement rides of the present invention include roller coaster vehicles that have a controlled spin or controlled rotation in a direction or dimension independent from the track of the roller coaster. The controlled rotation or spin is provided by using displacement of the track configuration to power a proportional rotation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A roller coaster ride includes a pair of spaced apart parallel tracks and a car assembly. The car assembly includes a superstructure with wheels which engage the track and a passenger compartment which is coupled to the superstructure but force-isolated from it by force controlling devices. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the force controlling devices include springs and pneumatic cylinders. The pneumatic cylinders are preferably controlled by an electrically operated pump/valve in response to signals from the roller coaster operator and/or a computer. The passenger compartment is preferably provided with a plurality of sensors for sensing velocity and acceleration as well as the condition of doors and restraints. According to one embodiment of the invention, the outputs from sensors are transmitted to the roller coaster operator and the operator manually activates pumps/valves to alter the forces acting on the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A roller coaster device which can operate a seat together with a car to perform a perpendicular running motion such as vertical descent, vertical ascent, vertical spiral motion and the like, or in such a manner as to run backwards. The device significantly increases thrill and interest levels by creating the sensation that the endless running rail suddenly disappears from the view of the occupants in the roller coaster device. The device can be configured in a small space and in a compact manner. A car (4) is mounted on the endless running rail (1) having a desired length that is provided in a rolling and bending manner through rollers (6) so as to run freely while being held thereto, and seats (11a, 11b) are suspended on the car 4 by mounting members (12a, 12b) so as to rotate freely.

Abstract: A transport device is provided for transporting a water ride participant from a first elevation to a second, higher elevation. The device includes a spiral transport element extending generally between the first and second elevations. The spiral transport element has first and second end sections, an intermediate section and an inner surface extending along the intermediate and first and second end sections. The inner surface defines a spiral pathway between the first and second elevations. Further provided is a drive mechanism coupled to the spiral transport element for effecting rotation of the transport element such that the first end section of the transport element is capable of receiving a participant at the first elevation and the second end portion is capable of releasing the participant at the second elevation after the participant has traveled along the spiral pathway from the first elevation to the second, higher elevation.

Abstract: A roller coaster has cars with passenger supports to hold the passengers in a substantially horizontal position within the car during the ride in seats which can be rigidly molded for each new individual passenger to conform to the unique body contours of the passenger, wherein the cars have multiple vertically-tiered levels of passenger support and are supported from above and below on the track, to provide an increased speed and thrill capability for the ride.