Single Seat Roller Coaster Car

摘要

An apparatus and method for creating enhanced articulation in a roller coaster car. The apparatus and method involve a single seat roller coaster car that has only back track wheel assemblies secured to its chassis. The front end of the chassis has a coupling arm fixedly secured at one arm end. The other arm end includes a rod end that is received within the chassis of a lead car, or another roller coaster car. This lead car, or this other roller “secondary” coaster car, has a receiver to which the rod end from the coupling arm of the roller coaster car is attached. This coupling configuration, in combination with the omission of any front track wheel assemblies on the roller coaster car, allows the roller coaster car to articulate through a solid angle in 360° in an x-y plane. The rod end/receiver coupling is located underneath the seat of either the lead car or another secondary roller coaster car, thereby forming a “coupling compartment”. Removing the seat cushion provides access to this coupling compartment.

主权项

1. A roller coaster car assembly adapted for operation on a roller coaster track and for experiencing enhanced articulation, said roller coaster car assembly comprising:
a lead car comprising:
a first chassis having first and second portions, said first portion articulating with respect to said second portion, said first portion comprising front track wheel assemblies and said second portion comprising first back track wheel assemblies;said second portion having a first aperture and a first receiver at a first back end thereof;a first passenger seat secured to said second portion of said first chassis; and a secondary car comprising:
a second chassis having a second aperture and a second receiver at a second back end thereof;a single pair of track wheel assemblies, said single pair of track wheel assemblies being coupled only at a back portion of said second chassis;a second passenger seat secured to said second chassis; anda coupling arm having a first end fixedly secured to said second chassis and a second end coupled to said first receiver via said first aperture, said secondary car experiencing enhanced articulation when said roller coaster car assembly is in operation.