The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 09, 2007
Filed:
Sep. 28, 2004
Joseph Casey, Orlando, FL (US);
Cindy Emerick, Camden, OH (US);
Ben Lovelace, Orlando, FL (US);
Frank Weigand, La Canada, CA (US);
Bill Whitcomb, Saugus, CA (US);
Jim Seay, Baltimore, MD (US);
Glen Hartung, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
Joseph Casey, Orlando, FL (US);
Cindy Emerick, Camden, OH (US);
Ben Lovelace, Orlando, FL (US);
Frank Weigand, La Canada, CA (US);
Bill Whitcomb, Saugus, CA (US);
Jim Seay, Baltimore, MD (US);
Glen Hartung, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
Universal City Studios LLP, Universal City, CA (US);
Abstract
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.