Cool Patents

I was searching Google and as some of you may know, Google released a patent database. I typed in Bolliger and Mabillard and found some interesting documents and illustrations of roller coaster train construction and track assembly. I found two, the first is based on the Inverted coaster. http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT5272984&id=URQpAAAAEBAJ&dq=Bolliger+and+Mabillard

The second is based on the "clamshell" lap bars for B&M hypercoasters.
http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT6287211&id=LlwHAAAAEBAJ&dq=Bolliger+and+Mabillard

Some people might have already seen this, but I found the descriptions, illustrations, and submissions to the United States Patent Office very interesting.

http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT759053&id=7P9kAAAAEBAJ&pg=PP1&dq=roller+coasters

I think this is a good topic look at this thing

http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT5218910&id=pM4ZAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&dq=roller+coasters#PPA3,M1

*** Edited 1/8/2007 12:55:31 AM UTC by Audioslaved***

1904! Based on a tumbling wheel hub? From the description, the hub acts as the wheel on the track and the seats balance themselves while the giant wheel rolls like a ferris wheel.

(begin sarcasm)Yeah, because searching through patents is *exactly* how I want to spend my free time...(/end sarcasm)

Those paying attention will get that one. ;)

In the offseason, some people need SOMETHING to do since they can't ride coasters (cue bill to say "well some of us can ;) )
:)

Well, I can't really use that as an excuse because I live in Tampa with a major park less than a mile away. I am just busy with school and such and can't go to theme parks whenever the fancy strikes.

Well there is even a patent on a wooden inverted coaster lol

^link to it?

Hold on I have to look through the patent website.

Lol the patent even mentions the wooden supports creating a tunnel effect for the wooden inverted coaster lol.

here you go long link though

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PG01&s1=%22Wooden+coaster%22&OS="Wooden+coaster"&RS="Wooden+coaster"

An amusement ride has a wooden running track realized by two wooden track structures and a support beam that is disposed above the two wooden track structures and that bridges the two wooden track structures. A passenger carrier (e.g., coaster car or train) has a frame structure with a first set of wheels mounted thereto that are adapted to run along the first and second wooden track structures during positive-g motion in addition to at least one seat that is suspended below the first set of wheels. This suspended wooden-coaster design provides a distinctive rough, noisy out of control feeling in addition to a distinctive feeling of freedom (and risk/danger), which are enjoyed by many roller coaster enthusiasts. "

*** Edited 1/9/2007 12:36:43 PM UTC by majortom1981*** *** Edited 1/9/2007 12:37:14 PM UTC by majortom1981***

In theory it sounds good, but in reality, it might be a maintaince disaster.

I couldn't get the media to work under "Images", so I don't know what any prelim drawings look like, but an inverted wooden is about as far fetched as a floorless stand-up... at least in terms of succession.

Floorless stand-up...nice.
It is very interesting looking at how much the industry has progressed. Designers continue to create exciting and safe rides, but still never fail to be creative and keep the roller coaster a form of art.
I remember before S:UE at SFOG and AIR B&M wanted riders' arms to lay straight out much like Superman flew in movies. They wanted some sort of clam restraint like the ankle restraints. Sounds uncomfortable actually.

I can't help but notice. One of the pictures of the inverted coaster, one guy is wearing a hat and another has his shoes untied. Interesting detail.