Amusement ride vehicle including an articulation joint

An amusement ride vehicle, comprising:

• a first vehicle section including a first chassis section;
• a second vehicle section including a second chassis section;
• a chassis tube rotatably connected to the first and second chassis sections for providing rotation between the first and second vehicle sections;
• a primary shaft connected to the first and second chassis sections and positioned concentrically within the chassis tube for bearing loads;
• and
• a secondary shaft connected to the first and second chassis sections and positioned concentrically within the primary shaft for bearing loads when the primary shaft is inoperable.

An amusement ride vehicle, comprising:

• a first vehicle section;
• a second vehicle section;
• and
• a joint connecting, and providing rotational movement between, the first and second vehicle sections, with the joint comprising:
• a first shaft;
• and
• a second shaft positioned concentrically with respect to the first shaft, wherein the first and second shafts are rotatable relative to one another;
• and
• a test element connected to the second shaft, wherein the second shaft is rotatable via the test element when the second shaft is not bearing loads.

An amusement ride vehicle, comprising:

• a first vehicle section;
• a second vehicle section;
• and
• articulating means for providing rotational movement between the first and second vehicle sections, wherein the articulating means comprises:
• a first load-bearing means for bearing loads during normal operation of the articulating means;
• and
• a second load-bearing means for bearing loads when the first load-bearing means is inoperable.