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 Title: |
US5456184:
Lateral energy absorbing device for slot guided vehicle
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Fritz, Edward B.; Valencia, 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: |
1995-10-10
/ 1993-08-19
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| Application Number: |
US1993000109174
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
A63G 25/00;
B62D 1/26;
Core:
B62D 1/00;
more...
IPC-7:
B61F 13/00;
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| ECLA Code: |
A63G25/00; B62D1/26B;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
104/139;
104/053;
105/171;
180/401;
180/408;
Original:
104/139;
104/053;
105/171;
180/131;
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| Field of Search: |
104/053,139,140
105/72.2,157.1,171
180/131,140
280/091,168
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| Priority Number: |
| 1993-08-19 |
US1993000109174 |
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| Abstract: |
A lateral energy absorbing device for an amusement ride vehicle includes a vehicle chassis with a driver for moving the vehicle along a path, and a vehicle body having an area for holding one or more passengers. Appropriate steering mechanisms are provided to permit lateral motion of the vehicle with respect to the path. The lateral energy absorbing device comprises an actuator having one end pivotally connected to the chassis and another end pivotally connected to a follower apparatus adapted to follow a predetermined route along the path. The actuator includes an energy absorber for limiting the lateral travel of the vehicle and for absorbing lateral kinetic energy of the vehicle when its lateral motion with respect to the path reaches or exceeds a predetermined distance.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Pretty, Schroeder, Brueggemann & Clark ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Oberleitner, Robert J.; Morano, S. Joseph
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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 13 claims |
I claim:
1. A lateral energy absorbing device for a vehicle having a chassis adapted to follow a path, wherein the vehicle is permitted to move freely in a lateral direction with respect to a predetermined route along the path, the device comprising an actuator having one end pivotally connected to a follower apparatus adapted to follow the predetermined route along the path, and having another end connected for movement with the chassis along a second route along the path, wherein the actuator includes an energy absorber that operates in a passive mode when the lateral travel of the vehicle with respect to the path is within a predetermined distance, and wherein the actuator operates in an active mode for limiting the lateral travel of the vehicle and for absorbing lateral kinetic energy of the vehicle when the lateral travel of the vehicle with respect to the path exceeds the predetermined distance.
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| Background / Summary: |
Show 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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