SLC's and Inverted

I was wondering, what is the real difference between a suspended looping coaster and an inverted coaster? I know that the inverts seat four accross, but it seems that other than that, both can do the same elements. I also think that maybe the SLC's are more compact than inverts. Anything else different?

Inverted coasters are made by B&M, SLC's are made by Vekoma(does Intamin call their regular non-impulse models SLC as well?). It has to do with brand name. Tissues are tissues, but you have Kleanex, Puffs, etc. But then there are "acceptable" use of a brand for anything similar, such as lots of people just say Kleanex for tissue, or Calvinator(older people) for Refrigerator, etc....

There are, of course, design differences between the two because they are by different desingners and each have different patents, but mostly everything difference is notacible, the different trains, track, and even wheel assemblies.

Even the same thing by different companines are called different things: Veko's flying coater is a Flying Dutchman, B&M I believe calls thiers a Prone Coater. The same applies to inversion names. *** Edited 6/25/2004 6:03:55 PM UTC by TeknoScorpion***

Actually there is a small difference. B&M holds the patent on a fixed, inverted train (as opposed to the swinging train Arrow used with their suspended coasters; Iron Dragon, Big Bad Wolf, etc). Vekoma got around this patent by using trains that do sway ever so slightly. Next time you ride an SLC by Vekoma, look at the trains. You'll actually see shock absorbers to try to hold the train as steady as they can. Intamin actually doesn't have "fixed" trains either. I noticed on WT @ CP that the trains do have a hinge, it's just bolted so it doesn't swing. There's the difference between B&M's inverted, and everyone else's suspended coasters...

Dang Shane...you beat me to it!

Let's add in the wheel assemblies as well. B&M's are spring loaded, meaning they touch the tracks at all times. Vekoma uses fixed-widths, meaning there are gaps between some wheels and the track. Gaps = banging.

mOOSH [t-minus 8 hours to GID]

Well first of all, SLC's are built by Vekoma, inverts are built by B&M. Because of this, the track type is different. SLC's have the sea serpent/sidewinder element, inverts do not. SLC's do not have vertical loops. There are also more elements to compare, but I'm too lazy to look for myself. Yes, SLC's are more compact, but only hold 2 across. Inverts are more intense, smoother and considered to be better by many enthusiasts.

Those are the basic comparisons.

You obviously haven't seen Jubalee Odessey which does have a verticle loop, corkscrew and cobra roll, and that other custom SLC wich a Zero-G roll...

It dosen't really have anything to do with what types of inversions they have, both B&M and Vekoma use like inversions on diff. and similar coatsers.

Its just that Vekoma has less custom SLCs than B&M has custom Inverts.

How long until that B&M patent expires?

Isn't it usually like 17 years?

Aren't patents 17 years? Add 17 to B:TR @ SFGAm ...

Although by that time I highly doubt parks will be rushing to buy Vekoma's new non-headbanging SLC trains.

I was going to make the point that almost all SLCs are virtually the same design/layout, but then again, a high percentage of B&M inverts have the same design/layout also.

But there are what, 4 custom SLCs at the most....I can count 7 right off the bat for B&M custom inverts.

I agree, brett. More than likely most parks will have inverteds by that poit(what is it, 2009 or 2010?)

But I'm sure some will. Of course, Vekoma could just come up with a new rolling stock and sell that to parks that already have SLCs...:)

Patents are indeed 17 years. Which means that, by 2009 or so, I wouldn't put it past the "new" Vekoma to sell a very much improved SLC.

Do the GIB-cars have those "buffer-springs" as well or are they fixed?

Patents *may* be enforced for 17 years (or 20 years, depending on when they were issued), but the reality is that many of them lapse far before they ever get near 17 years.

Finally, the USPTO comes to the rescue....and they say gov't employees are no good....;)

Has anyone ridden the new SLC at Magic Springs with the "redesigned wheel assemblies" that are supposed to provide a "smoother ride"? I'd like to knwo if there really is an improvement.

I heard that it wasn't much/any better at all.

Gauntlet didn't get the new trains with the "improved" chassis system as was first thought.

Instead it has the same standard issue SLC trains that are in use on every other SLC vekoma has ever made so far.

I guess it depends on how determined the holder of the patent is to enforce it. I would imagine that B&M would defend theirs pretty well, as their inverted coasters still seem to be their "bread and butter" product.

Funny you should say that Rob, because even with the stand-ups, the flyers, and their *really good* sit-downs/floorlesses (like Kumba, S:KC, and Wildfire), the REAL big seller in the B&M stable is STILL the inverts....and there's good reason for it, they NEVER seem to age too badly.

AFAIK, Intamin *does* call their "inverting inverts" SLCs as well.

Vekoma *did* build RnRC, why aren't there more Vekomas of THAT quality...ride-wise I mean, I know not many are going to THEME rides like Disney...

P.S. Rob, look for an e-mail later today...

I would imagine RnRC also benefits from actually being maintained once in a while, as opposed to the typical 'rang/SLC stuffed in the middle of a Six Flags park to serve as overflow.