Universal City Studios, Inc.

Joseph F Casey

Steven C Blum

Michael Roy Kiddoo

Scott R Trowbridge

Frank K Weigand

William F Whitcomb

Bill Whitcomb

Reginald B Lovelace

Jim Seay

Glen Hartung

Cindy Emerick

Ben Lovelace

Jim L Seay

Cindy L Emerick

Glen A Hartung

William Whitcomb

A ride vehicle includes a tactile or physical contact system. The ride vehicle moves along a path or track. The path or track can be outdoors or partially or entirely indoors, i.e., in a dark ride. The system provides a touch effect by causing a physical or solid touch element to make physical contact with a part of a rider's body. Alternatively, the system can operate by projecting or spraying a gas, such as air, a vapor, such as water vapor or steam, or even a liquid, such as water, toward or onto part of a rider's body or the rider's clothing. The system is advantageously substantially self-contained aboard the vehicle, but may receive power or working fluid from off-board sources, either at discrete locations, or continuously along the ride path.

Amusement ride vehicle with sensory stimulation effects

An amusement ride vehicle includes a first vehicle section, a second vehicle section, and an articulation joint connecting, and providing rotational movement between, the first and second vehicle sections. The articulation joint comprises a first shaft for bearing loads during normal operation of the joint, and a second shaft within the first shaft for bearing loads when the first shaft is inoperable. A test element, such as a lever, is attached to the second shaft. The second shaft is rotatable via the test element during normal operation of the joint. When the first shaft is inoperable, the second shaft handles loads acting on the articulation joint, and is not rotatable via the test element, thus indicating a failure of the first shaft.

Amusement ride vehicle including an articulation joint

Growing community of inventors

Orlando, FL, United States of America

Joseph F Casey