Patent Grant
10058788
This patent application claims priority International Patent Application PCT/EP2014/070541, filed on Sep. 25, 2014, and thereby to German Patent Application 10 2013 220 067.6, filed on Oct. 2, 2013.
No federal government funds were used in researching or developing this invention.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The invention relates to a track system for an amusement ride, in particular for a roller coaster or suspension railway.
The invention relates to a track system for amusement rides with truss-like track elements in accordance with the preamble of patent claim 1 and to an amusement ride, preferably a roller coaster or a suspension railway with a track system according to the invention.
Such a track system for a roller coaster ride with truss-like track elements is known from the European patent EP 2 156 870 B1, where a section of this track system is depicted in
Each track element 1 consists of a three girder system with tubular tracks 2 and 3, running parallel to each other, as the first and second girder elements, and a third girder element, which is arranged in a triangle configuration relative to these tracks and is designed as a tension or compression element 4, where in this case these tracks 2 and 3 as well as this tension element 4 are connected in sections in such a way that they form the track sections 1.1 to 1.7 by means of the cross beams 5 and 5.1 and the transverse struts 6 and 6.1. The cross beams 5 and 5.1 connect, as the spacers, the two tracks 2 and 3 and form with these two tracks a first stiffening plane A1, while two transverse struts 6 and 6.1 connect the tracks 2 and 3 with the tension element 4 to form a second and third stiffening plane A2 and A3. The ends of the cross beams 5 and 5.1 form together with the tracks 2 and 3 and with the ends of the transverse struts 6 and 6.1 two vertices of a triangle, with the third vertex being formed by the ends, which are connected to the tension element 4 and which belong to the transverse struts 6 and 6.1.
The cross beams 5.1 differ from the cross beams 5 in that the cross beams 5.1 with the associated traverse struts 6.1 are provided with a column joint 9 having a column head 9.1. The track elements 1 are connected by means of such a column head 9.1 to vertical columns that are anchored underground, so that the whole track system is supported by such columns. Such columns may be designed not only vertically and in a supporting manner, but may also be used for any type of support arrangement.
Such a column joint 9 is designed as a two dimensional element having a triangular contour, so that this two dimensional element can be connected on the contour side to a cross beam 5.1 and to the associated transverse struts 6.1.
In order to increase the stability and rigidity of the track system 10, each track section 1.1 to 1.7 is provided with three diagonal struts 7.0, 7.1 and 7.2, which lie in the first, second and third stiffening plane A1, A2 and A3, and in each case diagonally bridge said stiffening plane between the track sections 1.1 to 1.7. Thus, for example, in the case of the track section 1.1 the two diagonal struts 7.1 and 7.2, which are located in the second and third stiffening planes A2 and A3, connect the ends of the cross beam 5.1, said ends being connected to the tracks 2 and 3 respectively, to the ends of the adjacent transverse struts 6, said ends being connected to the tension element 4, while the diagonal strut 7.0, located in the first stiffening plane A1, connects the end of the cross beam 5.1, said end being connected to the track 3, to the diagonally opposite end of the cross beam 5, which forms a vertex with the track 2.
The individual track elements 1 are connected to each other by means of not only the flanges 4.11 and 4.12, which are disposed on the ends of the tension elements 4, by means of a screw connection but also by means of welded joints of the tracks 2 and 3.
The object of the present invention is to further develop a track system of the type described in the introductory part in such a way that a higher fatigue strength with an increased number of load cycles is achieved; or, more specifically, that longer distances from the tension element are possible with the same or modified cross section of the tracks.
This engineering object is achieved by means of a track system exhibiting the features disclosed in patent claim 1.
In a preferred embodiment, a track system (10) for amusement rides with truss-like track elements (1), which consist of at least one three girder system and comprise, as the first and second girder elements, tracks (2, 3), extending alongside each other, and at least one other girder element (4.1), wherein a first stiffening plane (A1) is formed by means of the tracks (2, 3) and the cross beams (5, 5.1), connecting these tracks (2, 3); and a second and a third stiffening plane (A2, A3) are formed by means of one track (2, 3) and the transverse struts (6, 6.1), connecting said track to the at least third girder element (4.1); and, in order to form the track sections (1.1, . . . , 1.7), the cross beams (5, 5.1) and the transverse struts (6) are arranged spaced apart, characterized in that at least one track section (1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7), formed by the adjacent cross beams (5, 5.1) with the associated transverse struts (6, 6.1), is designed with a stiffening element (7.3), which spans the track section (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7) in such a way that the stiffening element (7.3) together with the other girder element (4.1) of the track section (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7) forms a fourth stiffening plane (A4).
In another preferred embodiment, the track system (10), as disclosed herein, characterized in that the stiffening element (7.3) diagonally spans the track section (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7).
In another preferred embodiment, the track system (10), as disclosed herein, characterized in that the stiffening element (7.3) is connected at one end to the one cross beam (5, 5.1) of the track section (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7) and at the other end is connected in that connecting region that connects the transverse struts (6, 6.1), associated with the other cross beam (5, 5.1), to the other girder element (4.1).
In another preferred embodiment, the track system (10), as disclosed herein, characterized in that the stiffening element (7.3), forming the fourth stiffening plane (A4), is connected to the other girder element (4.1).
In another preferred embodiment, the track system (10), as disclosed herein, characterized in that the stiffening element (7.3), forming the fourth stiffening plane (A4), is connected to the traverse strut (6, 6.1).
In another preferred embodiment, the track system (10), as disclosed herein, characterized in that at least one cross beam (5.1) with the associated transverse struts (6.1) is connected to a column joint (9), comprising a column head (9.1); and that the stiffening element (7.3), forming the fourth stiffening plane (A4), is connected to the column joint (9).
In another preferred embodiment, the track system (10), as disclosed herein, characterized in that the stiffening element (7.3), forming the fourth stiffening plane (A4), is connected preferably centrally to the cross beam (5, 5.1).
In another preferred embodiment, the track system (10), as disclosed herein, in that the at least one track section (1.1, 1.2, 1.6, 1.7) has a first and second stiffening strut (8.1, 8.2), which at one end is centrally connected to a cross beam (5, 5.1) of the track section (1.1, 1.2, 1.6, 1.7) and at the other end, spanning the track section (1.1, 1.2, 1.6, 1.7), is connected in each instance at the opposite cross beam (5, 5.1) of the track section (1.1, 1.2, 1.6, 1.7) on the end side to this cross beam (5, 5.1) or to the transverse struts (6, 6.1), connected to this cross beam (5, 5.1).
In another preferred embodiment, the track system (10), as disclosed herein, characterized in that the at least one track section (1.1, 1.2, 1.6, 1.7) has a third stiffening strut (8.3), which connects the two cross beams (5, 5.1) of the track section (1.1, 1.2, 1.6, 1.7) in the middle.
In another preferred embodiment, the track system (10), as disclosed herein, characterized in that at least one track section (1.1, . . . , 1.7) in the first and/or second and/or third stiffening plane (A1, A2, A3) is constructed with each diagonal strut (7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.4), spanning the track section (1.1, . . . , 1.7).
In another preferred embodiment, the track system (10), as disclosed herein, characterized in that the track elements (1) consist of a four girder system and comprise, as a first and second girder element, tracks (2, 3), running almost parallel to each other, and two other girder elements (4.1, 4.2), wherein the fourth stiffening plane (A4) is formed by means of a (7.3), which spans the track section (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7) in such a way that the stiffening element (7.3) forms together with one of the other girder elements (4.1, 4.2) of the track section (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7) a fourth stiffening plane (A4).
In another preferred embodiment, the track system (10), as disclosed herein, characterized in that the stiffening element is designed as a diagonal strut (7.3).
In another preferred embodiment, the track system (10), as disclosed herein, characterized in that the column joint (9) is designed as a two dimensional element, which has a triangular contorectangular contour and which is connected to the cross beam (5.1) and the two transverse struts (6.1) in a force fitting manner on the contour side.
In another preferred embodiment, the track system (10), as disclosed herein, characterized in that the column head (9.1) is disposed on the least one girder element (4.1, 4.2) and, for connecting to a column of the track system (10), is designed preferably for a roller coaster or suspension railway.
In another preferred embodiment, an amusement ride, preferably roller coaster or suspension railway with a track system (10), as disclosed herein.
I disclose a track system for amusement rides with truss-like track elements, which consist of at least one three girder system and comprise, as the first and second girder elements, tracks, extending alongside each other, and at least one other girder element, wherein a first stiffening plane is formed by means of the tracks and the cross beams, connecting these tracks; and a second and a third stiffening plane are formed in each case by means of one track and the transverse struts, connecting said track to the at least third girder element; and, in order to form the track sections, the cross beams and the transverse struts are arranged spaced apart, characterized, according to the invention, in that at least one track section, formed by the adjacent cross beams with the associated transverse struts, is designed with a stiffening element, which spans the track section in such a way that the stiffening element together with the other girder element of the track section forms a fourth stiffening plane.
With such a stiffening element, forming such a fourth stiffening plane, it is possible to achieve a higher fatigue strength, so that a higher number of load cycles is also possible.
In order to form the fourth stiffening plane, this stiffening element can span the track section in such a way that this fourth stiffening plane does not have to run in the direction of the second and third stiffening plane inside a track section, but rather can also be connected, as required, to the cross beams, which form the track section, with the associated transverse struts as well as to the other girder element.
It is particularly advantageous according to a further development of the invention for the stiffening element to be arranged in such a way that the track section is spanned diagonally.
According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that the stiffening element is connected at one end to the one cross beam of the track section and at the other end in that connecting region that connects the transverse struts, associated with the other cross beam, with the other girder element.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the stiffening element, which forms the fourth stiffening plane, is connected with its end, opposite the cross beam, to the other girder element of the three girder system or, when using a four girder system, to one of the two other girder elements. As an alternative, it is also possible, according to a further development, to connect the end of the stiffening element to one of the traverse struts, associated with the other cross beam.
Furthermore, it is provided, according to an advantageous embodiment, that at least one cross beam with the associated transverse struts is connected to a column joint, comprising a column head, and that the stiffening element, which forms the fourth stiffening plane, is connected to the column joint.
It is particularly preferred that the stiffening element, forming the fourth stiffening plane, be connected to the cross beam in the middle.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the at least one track section has a first and second stiffening strut, which at the one end is connected in the middle of a cross beam of the track section, and at the other end, spanning the track section, is connected in each instance at the opposite cross beam of the track section on the end side to this cross beam or to the transverse struts, connected to this cross beam. This arrangement achieves the objective of reinforcing the track element. In this embodiment of the invention the at least one track section has preferably a third stiffening strut, which connects the two cross beams of the track section in the middle.
Furthermore, an additional advantageous embodiment provides that at least one track section in the first and/or second and/or third stiffening plane is constructed with a diagonal strut, which in each instance spans the track section.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the track elements consist of a four girder system and comprise, as the first and second girder elements, tracks, which run parallel to each other, and two other girder elements, wherein in this case said fourth stiffening plane is formed by means of a stiffening element, which at the one end is connected to a cross beam and at the other end spans the track section in such a way that the stiffening element together with one of the other girder elements of the track section forms a fourth stiffening plane. It is also possible to form a fifth stiffening plane as a mirror image of said fourth stiffening plane.
A simple structural design is provided by a further development of the invention when the stiffening element is designed as a diagonal strut.
Furthermore, another embodiment of the invention provides that the column joint is designed as a two dimensional element with a triangular contour when using a three girder system or with a rectangular contour when using a four girder system, where in this case the two dimensional element is connected to the cross beam and the two transverse struts on the contour side with almost no break in the surface.
At the same time a further development of the invention provides that the column joint is constructed as a two dimensional element, which has a triangular contour and which is connected to the cross beam and the two transverse struts on the contour side with almost no break in the surface. Preferably the column head is disposed on at least one girder element and is designed to connect to a support of the track system, preferably for a roller coaster or a suspension railway.
The inventive track system with the truss-like track elements lends itself for use for amusement rides, in particular, roller coasters or suspension railways and can also be retrofitted in vehicle-bound rail systems that are already in service.
All of the triangular and rectangular constructions described herein relate to theoretical, static vertices. The theoretical/static nodal points are moved/rerouted due to the clearances, which are required for the vehicle chassis, or due to the production-dependent free spaces (for example, the tracks 2 and 3, which act as girders, are offset from the nodal points of A2 and A3 to A1.). As an alternative, all of the struts may also be two dimensional elements.
The truss-like track element 1, depicted in
The representation of a track element 1, which is shown in schematic form in
According to the invention, a fourth stiffening plane A4 is formed by means of a stiffening element 7.3, which is designed as a diagonal strut and which diagonally spans in each instance a track section (see
This stiffening element 7.3 can be designed as any type of element and can be connected to any type of connecting point that is made available to the girder element 4.1 by and with the assistance of the two cross beams 5, forming a track section 1.1 to 1.4, with the associated transverse struts 6 and the other girder element 4.1 in the connecting area of these transverse struts 6.
In its basic structure, the track element 1, according
In an analogous manner this track element 1, according to
In each case one cross beam 5 or 5.1 and two transverse struts 6 or 6.1 are arranged in a plane, which extends transversely to the tracks 2 and 3 or the other girder element 4.1, so that the track sections 1.1 to 1.7 are produced in this way.
The cross beams 5.1 differ from the cross beams 5 in that the cross beams 5.1 with the associated transverse struts 6.1 are provided with a column joint 9, which has a column head 9.1. Such a column head 9.1 allows the track elements 1 to be connected to the vertical columns, which are anchored underground, so that the entire track system is supported by such columns. Any type of support arrangement is also possible, for example, for a suspension railway.
Such a column joint 9 is designed as a two dimensional element with a triangular contour, so that this two dimensional element can be connected on the contour side to a cross beam 5.1 as well as to the associated transverse struts 6.1.
Furthermore, all of the track sections 1.1 to 1.7 are provided with diagonal struts 7.1 and 7.2, each of which is connected with one end to the cross beams 5 or 5.1 and with its other end, diagonally bridging the respective track section, to the other girder element 4.1, where they form with the ends of the opposite transverse struts 6 a vertex.
As a result, starting from the cross beam 5.1 of the adjacent track sections 1.1 and 1.2, two diagonal struts 7.1 and 7.2 are provided on both sides; in each case these opposite diagonal struts are connected to the other girder element 4.1 at the ends of the opposite transverse struts 6 of the track sections 1.1 and 1.2. A corresponding structure can also be seen at the cross beam 5.1 of the track sections 1.6 and 1.7. Two diagonal struts 7.1 and 7.2 are also connected to the cross beams 5 of the adjacent track sections 1.3 and 1.4, the adjacent track sections 1.4 and 1.5 as well as the adjacent track sections 1.5 and 1.6 and extend diagonally across each track section up to the vertex, which is formed in each case by the opposite transverse struts 6 with the other girder element 4.1.
Furthermore, a diagonal strut 7.0, which diagonally bridges the track sections 1.1 to 1.5 and 1.7, is also provided in the plane of the tracks 2 and 3. This diagonal strut 7.0 connects the vertex, formed by a cross beam 5 or 5.1 with the track 2, to the diagonally opposite end of the cross beam 5 or 5.1, which forms a vertex with the track 3.
Referring to the detail A according to
Such a structure with a diagonal strut 7.3 as a stiffening element of the fourth stiffening plane A4 is shown in
Finally, the track section 1.5, according to
According to
As a result, the cross beam 5.1, which connects the two track sections 1.6 and 1.7, as well as the associated transverse struts 6.1 are designed with a column joint 9, which exhibits a column head 9.1. Two diagonal struts 7.1 and 7.2 and one each diagonal strut 7.3 are connected to said cross beam 5.1 as the stiffening element of the fourth stiffening plane A4 and extend diagonally across the track section 1.6 and 1.7 to the nodal point, which is formed by the ends of the respective opposite transverse struts 6 with the other girder element 4.1. The track sections 1.1 and 1.2 of the other track section 1 are also constructed in a similar way with a cross beam 5.1, which connects said track sections and has a column foot 9 with a column head 9.1; therefore, these track sections correspond to those track sections 1.1 and 1.2 of the track element 1 according to
The last two track sections 1.6 and 1.7 of the other track element 1 according to
Starting from this cross beam 5, which connects the two track sections 1.6 and 1.7, a first and a second stiffening strut 8.1 and 8.2 are connected, on the one hand, to the end of this cross beam 5, in the direction of the track section 1.6; and, on the other hand, a first and a second stiffening strut 8.1 and 8.2 are connected in each instance to the end of this cross beam 5 in the direction of the track section 1.6. At the same time these two stiffening struts 8.1 and 8.2 converge in the shape of a V towards the middle of the opposite cross beam 5 in each of the two track sections 1.6 and 1.7.
The track section 1.7 has a third stiffening strut 8.3, which connects the two cross beams 5 in the middle.
In order to form a fourth stiffening plane A4, a diagonal strut 7.3 is arranged in the track section 1.1 as the stiffening element and spans diagonally this track section 1.1. To this end this diagonal strut 7.3 is connected at one end in the middle of a cross beam 5, which forms the track section 1.1, and with the other end in the opposite connecting region of the transverse struts 6 and 6.2 to the other girder element 4.2. Furthermore, it is also possible to connect the second end of this diagonal strut 7.3 to the connecting region of the transverse struts 6 and 6.2 with the other girder element 4.1. At the same time this diagonal strut 7.3 can be connected directly to the other girder element 4.1 or 4.2 or also to a transverse strut 6 or 6.2. An eccentric connection between the diagonal strut 7.3 and the cross beam 5 is also possible. Furthermore, such a fourth stiffening plane A4 can also be achieved by means of a stiffening element 7.3 in the other track sections 1.2 to 1.6.
Finally, in this track element 1, which is designed as a four girder system, the track sections 1.1 to 1.6 may be reinforced with the stiffening struts 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3, which are arranged in the first stiffening plane A1, in accordance with the track sections 1.1 and 1.2 or 1.6 and 1.7 of the track elements 1 according to
In particular, these diagonal struts 7.0, 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 may be arranged in such a way that they do not have to extend from a cross beam 5 or 5.1 directly to the other girder element 4.1, but rather,
for example, directly to a column head 9 or to a transverse strut 6 or 6.1 in the area of their connecting points on the other girder element 4.1. Furthermore, it is also possible that these diagonal struts 7.0, 7.1 and 7.2 do not have to be connected to a cross beam 5 or 5.1 in the middle, but rather may also be connected to a transverse strut 6 or 6.1 in the middle.
The references recited herein are incorporated herein in their entirety, particularly as they relate to teaching the level of ordinary skill in this art and for any disclosure necessary for the commoner understanding of the subject matter of the claimed invention. It will be clear to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the above embodiments may be altered or that insubstantial changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is determined by the scope of the following claims and their equitable equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2013 220 067 | Oct 2013 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2014/070541 | 9/25/2014 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2015/049162 | 4/9/2015 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 629273 | Rieppel | Jul 1899 | A |
| 3949680 | Doughty | Apr 1976 | A |
| 4489659 | Kamohara et al. | Dec 1984 | A |
| 6047645 | Cornwell | Apr 2000 | A |
| 20020017754 | Kang | Feb 2002 | A1 |
| 20040083922 | Gnezdilov | May 2004 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 20 2009 008256 | Jan 2010 | DE |
| 2 156 870 | Jul 2009 | EP |
| Entry |
|---|
| International search report for related application PCT/EP2014/070541 dated Jan. 15, 2015. |
| Office Action dated Mar. 12, 2014 by German Patent and Trademark Office for related application 10 2013 220 067.6. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20160250560 A1 | Sep 2016 | US |
