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 Title: |
US5421267:
Articulated pinch drive
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Mesko, Mark S.; Valenica, CA
Frederick, Ted W.; Saugus, CA
Bahrman, Gregory L.; Simi Valley, CA
Bradley, Aidan J.; Camarillo, CA
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| Assignee: |
The Walt Disney Company, Burbank, CA
other patents from WALT DISNEY COMPANY (617665) (approx. 101)
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| Published / Filed: |
1995-06-06
/ 1994-07-28
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| Application Number: |
US1994000281747
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
B61B 13/12;
IPC-7:
B61B 13/00;
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| ECLA Code: |
B61B13/12D;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
104/168;
Original:
104/168;
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| Field of Search: |
104/168,165
105/030,32,33,82
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| Priority Number: |
| 1994-07-28 |
US1994000281747 |
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| Abstract: |
The present invention provides a drive system for a suspended or ground based roller coaster. Each vehicle has an attached drive fin. A plurality of pairs of drive wheels (pinch rollers) are disposed about the track and sequentially engage the drive fin to provide driving force. The drive wheels have a special linkage arrangement that permits the wheels to operate on curves or in a straight path. The linkage also provides self adjusting of the tension applied by the drive wheels to the drive fin to reduce wear and prevent slippage. The present invention uses pivots and tie bars to allow the system to articulate to accommodate the chording effects of the driven vehicle in a curve or helix. The self adjusting drive wheels operates during contact with the drive fin. The turning of the drive wheels in contact with the drive fin causes the drive wheels to generate a pinch force in a direction perpendicular to the vehicle drive fin. The applied force and drive wheel gap are self adjusting, providing more reliable operation, longer wear, and reducing or eliminating maintenance.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Hecker & Harriman ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Le, Mark T.;
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| Maintenance Status: |
R2 Reinstated
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
Show legal status actions
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 8 claims |
We claim:
1. A pinch drive system comprising:
- a first pinch wheel rotating in a first direction, said first pinch wheel coupled to a first pivotally mounted pinch wheel arm;
- a second pinch wheel rotating in a second direction, said second pinch wheel coupled to a second pivotally mounted pinch wheel arm;
- a cross bar member fixedly coupled to first and second fixed pivot joints;
- a first pivot arm having first and second ends, said first pivot arm coupled to said cross bar member at said first end at said first fixed pivot joint;
- a second pivot arm having first and second ends, said second pivot arm coupled to said cross bar member at said first end at said second fixed pivot joint;
- a tie bar having first and second ends, said tie bar coupled at a first floating pivot joint to said second end of said first pivot arm, said tie bar coupled at a second floating pivot joint to said second end of said second pivot arm;
- spring means coupled to said pivot arm to urge said tie bar to a desired position.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 4 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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