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:
Mar. 27, 2012
Filed:
Dec. 22, 2010
Paul E. Baker, Porter Ranch, CA (US);
Mark W. Sumner, Saugus, CA (US);
Derek Howard, Pasadena, CA (US);
David A. Durham, Northridge, CA (US);
Christopher J. Rose, Canyon Country, CA (US);
David W. Crawford, Long Beach, CA (US);
Paul E. Baker, Porter Ranch, CA (US);
Mark W. Sumner, Saugus, CA (US);
Derek Howard, Pasadena, CA (US);
David A. Durham, Northridge, CA (US);
Christopher J. Rose, Canyon Country, CA (US);
David W. Crawford, Long Beach, CA (US);
Disney Enterprises, Inc., Burbank, CA (US);
Abstract
A ride system is provided that allows selective relative positioning of vehicles in an amusement or theme park ride to simulate racing or other effects. The ride system includes a chassis that is adapted to be supported by and to travel on or along a length of track of a particular ride. A support is attached to the chassis and moves with the chassis during operation of the ride. The ride system includes first and second passenger vehicles that are spaced apart on and supported by the support. A drive assembly is linked to the support and configured to rotate the support about its central axis. During support rotation, the first and second vehicles are moved concurrently relative to the track to alter their relative positioning. The vehicles are each rotated about an axis that extends parallel to the rotation axis, and the rotation may be independent or concurrent.