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US 12,239,917 B2Granted
Track for rolling vehicle and methods of fabricating and assembling the track
AssigneeThe Gravity Group, LLC
InventorsMichael A. Graham, Chad M. Miller, Korey T. Kiepert, Lawrence R. Bill, Jonathan S. Wocher, Brian M. Kosmac
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A track for a roller coaster is provided. The track includes a plurality of layers that are each constructed from a plurality of layer segments prefabricated with an automated precision cutting device.
Claims22
A method for manufacturing a roller coaster track, the method comprising:
- generating a computer model of a roller coaster track comprising a plurality of segments, the computer model defining parameters of each segment of the plurality of segments of the roller coaster track;
- precutting a first segment from a planar material into a first shape with an automated cutting device based on the parameters defined by the computer model for the first segment;
- precutting a second segment from the planar material into a second shape with the automated cutting device based on the parameters defined by the computer model for the second segment;
- precutting a third segment from the planar material into a third shape with the automated cutting device based on the parameters defined by the computer model for the third segment;
- precutting a fourth segment from the planar material into a fourth shape with the automated cutting device based on the parameters defined by the computer model for the fourth segment;
- constructing a first layer of the roller coaster track with at least the precut first and second segments such that the precut first segment is in a longitudinal contacting relationship with the precut second segment at a first interface location;
- and
- constructing a second layer of the roller coaster track laterally adjacent to the first layer with at least the precut third and fourth segments such that the precut third segment is in a longitudinal contacting relationship with the precut fourth segment at a second interface location, wherein the first interface location is longitudinally offset from the second interface location,
- wherein the first layer and the second layer are arranged horizontally.
6 more elements
A method for manufacturing a roller coaster track, the method comprising:
- precutting a first segment from a planar material into a first shape with an automated cutting device;
- precutting a second segment from the planar material into a second shape with the automated cutting device;
- precutting a third segment from the planar material into a third shape with the automated cutting device;
- precutting a fourth segment from the planar material into a fourth shape with the automated cutting device;
- constructing a first layer of a roller coaster track with at least the precut first and second segments such that the precut first segment is in a longitudinal contacting relationship with the precut second segment at a first interface location;
- and
- constructing a second layer of the roller coaster track laterally adjacent to the first layer with at least the precut third and fourth segments such that the precut third segment is in a longitudinal contacting relationship with the precut fourth segment at a second interface location, wherein the first interface location is longitudinally offset from the second interface location,
- wherein the first layer and the second layer are arranged horizontally.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.