U.S. Patents for Other Rides

This page contains miscellaneous ride patents in several categories, including alpine slides and some other gravity rides, vertical drop rides, bumper cars, powered rides, and rides propelled by moving floors or tracks. The patents are grouped by types. Most gravity rides are on the Roller Coaster Patent page. Water rides are on the water ride page. Lists of carousels and related rides are on the carousel page, ferris wheels are on the ferris wheel page, and other swinging or rotating rides are on the other rotating rides page. Funhouses, cable swings, and simulators are found on the other amusement devices page.

The following table contains gravity rides that are not quite roller coasters, such as alpine slides and other slides. Some water slides are listed elsewhere.

on this page

slides and slideways... applications
powered rail rides ... applications
passenger-powered rail rides
vertical drop rides ... applications
observation towers ... applications
moving track rides
moving floor rides
bumper cars (etc.) ... applications
misc. rides ... applications

Slides and Slideways

patent number issue date inventor/ assignee patent title [comment]
365535 6/1887 Peeling Toboggan slide [roller track]
387733 8/1888 Pusey Artifical toboggan or coasting hill [with rollers on trackway]
471510 3/1892 Grantland Toboggan slide
485495 11/1892 Fralinger Roundabout
525882 9/1894 Witschold Gravity railway [helical downtrack]
552692 1/1896 Moore Pleasure railway [aquatic slide]
738581 9/1903 Terry & Kirten Amusement device [helical descent]
803119 10/1905 Logan/ Kirker-Bender Fire Escape Amusement device [spiral slide]
811315 1/1906 McCabe Amusement apparatus [slides]
820805 5/1906 Mangels Amusement device [Tickler, early version with posts]
830853 9/1906 F. W. Thompson Amusement apparatus [slide]
831012 9/1906 Lanier Amusement device
833921 10/1906 de Mantz Apparatus for public amusement
836556 11/1906 Boeck & Müller Amusement device [slide]
854185 5/1907 Traver Trolley amusement
861919 7/1907 F. W. Thompson Amusement device [plural slide]
925764 6/1909 Feiler Aerial flight chute
940664 11/1909 Becker Amusement device
987029 3/1911 Young Apparatus for amusement of the public [roller sleds]
997071 7/1911 Mangels Mechanical toboggan slide
1008518 11/1911 Bailey Amusement device [ski slide]
1123676 1/1915 Bule Wheeled attachment for sleds
1124629 1/1915 Lilienfeld Amusement apparatus [slide]
1302642 5/1919 Doughty Amusement apparatus [stair-like slideway and vehicle]
1339502 5/1920 Doughty Amusement apparatus [stair slide]
1371887 3/1921 Gass Amusement device [wheeled sled]
1417594 5/1922 Coe Toboggan and slide
1447522 3/1923 Sellner Toboggan slide
1467293 9/1923 Matheson Toboggan slide [rollers on track]
1511139 10/1924 Roziger Amusement device [slide]
1578893 3/1926 Johnson et al Toboggan slide
1594444 8/1926 Bernardy Toboggan slide
1698093 1/1929 Hargrave Slide mat
1702091 2/1929 Sellner Toboggan slide and toboggan
1847250 3/1932 Maynes Amusement ride
2705144 3/1955 Ridgway Amusement slide
2742288 4/1956 Brunel Chute for skiing or tobogganing
2779596 1/1957 Ridgway Amusement slide [with parachute]
3362755 1/1968 Macks Conveying device utilizing pressurized fluid flow [embodied as amusement slide]
D210298 2/1968 Moulton/ Super Slide Amusement slide [multi-lane]
3490765 1/1970 Moulton/ Super Slide Amusement slide
3858517 1/1975 Luck et al/ Demag Recreational facility [alpine slide]
3908556 9/1975 Stuhmer Sledding system
3970300 7/1976 von Wendt et al/ Demag Recreational facility slide
3973785 8/1976 Becker et al/ Demag Sled [wheeled]
4109904 8/1978 Becker et al/ Demag Passenger slide
4145042 3/1979 Becker et al/ Demag Slide
4192499 3/1980 Groves Looped slide
4196900 4/1980 Becker et al/ Demag Slide
4201137 5/1980 Lagsdin/ American Zephyr Sled and slide construction
4220326 9/1980 Becker et al Adjustable support apparatus for segments of an amusement slide
4221170 9/1980 Koudelka Monorail mountain slide
4236454 12/1980 Erickson et al Mountain monorail slide
4246846 1/1981 Betschart Downhill sledding system
4335658 6/1982 VanderKelen/ Snow Machines Downhill slide system
4339122 7/1982 Croul Surfing slide
4394173 7/1983 Aste Sporting and recreational facility slide
4417740 11/1983 Wechsler Vehicle for coasting down in a channel-shaped roller slide
4805898 2/1989 Jacobs et al Recreational slide system and components thereof
4821647 4/1989 Powell et al Downhill tubular guideway having an air suspension system for passenger car
6413165 7/2002 Crandall & Groover Intermittenly [sic] wetted sliding amusement ride

Slide Patent Applications

application number publication date inventor/ assignee document title [comment]
2007/0072689 3/2007 Osler-Weppenaar Human free-fall slide
2013/0167748 7/2013 Wilbert Riding board and an actuating system

Dark Rides, Powered Rail Rides, Tracked Cars, etc.

patent number issue date inventor/ assignee patent title [comment]
348798 9/1886 Thompson Pleasure cable railway
422466 3/1890 Thompson Pleasure railway [endless train: Serpentine Railway]
461102 10/1891 Gerber Hippodrome aerial railway [externally or occupant powered]
468792 2/1892 Critchlow Tower [with helical track]
472211 4/1892 Fralinger Cable roundabout
511910 1/1894 Schaphirt Roundabout [tracked horse race ride]
525596 9/1894 Gordon & Gordon Riding, amusement, and instructing device
579147 3/1897 Harman Suspension railway [utility or amusement]
639692 12/1899 Woods Amusement apparatus [racing ride with blind speed controller]
639787 12/1899 Stenning Railway for recreation
652872 7/1900 Wishart Elevated pleasure railway [suspended, powered]
655255 8/1900 Lyouns Elevated Exhibition structure [incorporating powered scenic railway]
663006 12/1900 Breed Track supported sailing device [wind propelled]
690215 12/1901 Wilson Recreation submarine boat or boat vehicle [cable driven]
693581 2/1902 Biddle Amusing apparatus
710044 9/1902 Davidson System of submarine transportation [cable driven]
720838 2/1903 Needham Aerial device [wind-propelled]
737190 8/1903 Wright Amusement device
737257 8/1903 Manjo Electric field game [powered steeplechase]
743816 11/1903 Brady/ Electric Boat Recreation submarine boat device [tracked]
772570 10/1904 Martin/ Globe Amusement Moving spiral cyclorama
775234 11/1904 Carr Elevator [archimedes screw lift for passenger vehicle]
778325 12/1904 McKay Amusement device [dark ride]
786117 3/1905 Hagen Observation train
789973 5/1905 Hartung Pleasure railway [motorized racing]
795347 7/1905 Fitch & Graham Cyclorama
798615 8/1905 Mayhew Pleasure railway [racing, third rail]
798979 9/1905 Reckweg Pleasure railway [cable drive]
811284 1/1906 Gaynor/ Electric Amusement Electric race track
822302 6/1906 Rice Amusement vehicle
824305 6/1906 Maguire Amusement apparatus
825130 7/1906 Jurgens Amusement apparatus
834016 10/1906 May/ Internationa Amusement & Racing Association Amusement apparatus
852184 4/1907 Hunt Pleasure railway
853898 5/1907 Rice Amusement device
867180 9/1907 Woods Vehicle controlling apparatus
868369 10/1907 Stewart & Greer Amusement device [illusion/ride]
868564 10/1907 Hübsch Mechanical animal [for railed ride]
881637 3/1908 Van Sant Amusement device [cable-driven dark ride]
886627 5/1908 Neebe Amusement device
896944 8/1908 Skinner Amusement railroad device [twisting tunnel illusion for tracked ride]
898674 9/1908 O'Donnell Amusement device
900749 10/1908 Leonard Amusement device [cableway]
901435 10/1908 Fuller Amusement device
903208 11/1908 Leonard Amusement device [powered ride with slide portion]
909500 1/1909 Woerth Amusement apparatus
910702 1/1909 Marshall et al Railway and vehicular device for purposes of amusement [motorized, racing]
912004 2/1909 Lehman et al Racing amusement apparatus
912005 2/1909 Lehman et al Racing amusement apparatus
921750 5/1909 Strauss Observation railway for parks, &c.
935780 10/1909 Dahlin & Carlson Aerial railway
943007 12/1909 Dahlin & Carlson Car [for amusement railway]
946200 1/1910 Bragg Amusement apparatus [dark ride]
952242 3/1910 Foans Merry-go-round [convoluted path on rotating platform]
952886 3/1910 Dressler Amusement flying machine
965768 7/1910 Van Sant Amusement apparatus
972750 10/1910 Budge/ Aerial Amusement Amusement apparatus [airplane-simulating]
982269 1/1911 Grunwald Amusement device [tracked airplane ride]
995175 6/1911 Pongo Amusement apparatus [powered horse race ride]
1000742 8/1911 McKay Pleasure railway
1007445 10/1911 Hutson Aerodrome [for training or amusement]
1018315 2/1912 Harling Mechanical amusement apparatus [racing railed roundabout]
1030024 6/1912 Smith Cable or rack controlled hydroaeroplane
1037973 9/1912 Pages Aeroplane suspension railway [utility or amusement]
1041299 10/1912 Kiralfy Amusement device
1042066 10/1912 Zsinko Single track railway
1058466 4/1913 Ray Aerial amusement apparatus [cable car airplane ride]
1062314 5/1913 Wittich Amusement device
1064681 6/1913 Cawthon & Thornton Racing amusement apparatus
1083308 1/1914 Thurston Amusement apparatus [Waltz Ride]
1086349 2/1914 Carter Amusement apparatus [rotating car]
1092740 4/1914 Muller Amusement railway
1093506 4/1914 Wade Aerial amusement apparatus [captive airplane]
1096119 5/1914 Myers/ Anglo-California Miniature Panama Canal [passenger conveying system for display]
1099951 6/1914 Thurston Amusement apparatus [improvement to 1083308]
1099952 6/1914 Thurston Amusement apparatus
1107115 8/1914 Ryan Carousel [portable; chain-driven; oval path]
1133623 3/1915 Dreifuss Amusement apparatus [rotating car]
1141431 6/1915 Steinmann Flying machine [utility or amusement]
1188116 6/1916 Tittle Scenic railway and carousel
1195707 8/1916 Miller Amusement device [racing boat ride]
1306706 6/1919 W. E. Miller/ Gliding Waltz Amusement device
1329856 2/1920 Roman Amusement device [suspended cable ride]
1336082 4/1920 Klein Amusement device
1350873 8/1920 Lombardo Amusement device [cable-driven]
1351658 8/1920 Johnson Pleasure railway [powered]
1365984 1/1921 Guild Amusement device
1367417 2/1921 Moore Amusement apparatus
1372542 3/1921 Peterson Amusement device [powered]
1379185 5/1921 Healy Amusement apparatus
1395657 11/1921 Schmidt Pleasure railway [third rail]
1397009 11/1921 Maynes Amusement apparatus [tracked ride with canopy; Rainbow Tunnel (?)]
1398514 11/1921 Healy Amusement apparatus [oval roundabout with endless chain of cars]
1413891 4/1922 Beech Traction device [with separate rail to guide elevation of suspended car]
1433135 10/1922 Hoch Amusement device
1447895 3/1923 Schafer Amusement device [powered monorail]
1455390 5/1923 Davino & Schoberle Aerial railway for amusement purposes
1462560 7/1923 Langlume et al Mechanical racing course
1474335 11/1923 Lalle & Fowler Amusement apparatus [horse racing ride]
1479753 1/1924 Stafford Amusement apparatus [racing]
1485839 3/1924 Dye Scenic railway
1487274 3/1924 Schafer Amusement device [endless train]
1491238 4/1924 Johnson Monorail amusement apparatus
1507723 9/1924 Avery Speedway
1508905 9/1924 Vaszin Amusement device [Rumpus dark ride]
1527893 2/1925 Mangels Pleasure railway
1535237 4/1925 Maynes Amusement apparatus
1546031 7/1925 Schofield Aquatic amusement device
1555028 9/1925 Roth Amusement device [third rail]
1558133 10/1925 Whiteley/ Maynes Amusement device [enclosed by dragon structure]
1571434 2/1926 Ray Amusement trackway [for standard automobile]
1590934 6/1926 Feltner Vehicle for amusement parks
1603170 10/1926 Vaszin Electric locomotive and train
1603254 10/1926 Mangels Amusement device [umbilicus for powered rail rides: Brownie Coaster]
1628827 5/1927 Custer Aerial cable transportation means
1636481 7/1927 Newsbaum & Lonn/ International Amusement Racing amusement device
1670992 5/1928 Schafer Mountain ride [powered horse ride]
1675165 6/1928 Custer Automatic starting and stopping device for motor propelled vehicles
1702136 2/1929 Sawers et al Amusement apparatus [endless train]
1712353 5/1929 Meling Amusement apparatus
1740496
=RE18544
12/1929
7/1932
Cassidy & Rempfer Amusement railway [pretzel dark ride]
1741245 12/1929 Maynes Amusement ride
1745241 1/1930 Bartlett Amusement device
1748210 2/1930 Custer Amusement apparatus [powered]
1758123 5/1930 McFalls & Brown Miniature interurban train
1762507 6/1930 Custer Aerial amusement device [Zoomer: suspended monorail in form of airplane]
1773636 8/1930 Spillman Driving mechanism for amusement devices
1775988 9/1930 Custer Safety retaining means
1781464 11/1930 Johnson Amusement ride apparatus
1783268 12/1930 Traver Amusement ride and car therefor [powered]
1785989 12/1930 Traver Car for amusement rides
1789140 1/1931 Kahl Amusement car
1815860 7/1931 Mayberry Amusement ride
1833540 11/1931 Scott & Stoneback/ Humphrey Amusement device [dark ride]
1838227 12/1931 Kahn Truck for amusement cars [powered]
1840988 1/1932 Traver Amusement ride and vehicle therefor [motorized]
1844141 2/1932 Atwater Amusement device
1885206 11/1932 Kahl Passenger car for amusement parks
1890137 12/1932 Traver Amusement railway [powered dark ride]
1906763 5/1933 Maynes Amusement ride
1916999 7/1933 Traver Amusement ride and vehicle [Auto Race]
1940233 12/1933 Traver Amusement ride
1952273 3/1934 Mecchi Amusement apparatus
1960395 5/1934 Phillips Amusement device
2081261 5/1937 Bartlett Amusement device
2090409 8/1937 Vaszin Amusement device [Rumpus dark ride]
2093795 9/1937 Bartlett Amusement device [device for stopping powered vehicle]
2095413 10/1937 Harrison Means for arresting amusement cars
2137839 11/1938 Hanna Amusement devices
2149823 3/1939 Weeks Junior speedway
2196093 4/1940 Bartlett Amusement ride [dark ride]
2217548 10/1940 Hemmingsen Apparatus of amusement
2429768 10/1947 Pace Amusement ride [bucking horse ride]
2499470 3/1950 Duncan Amusement device [spherical vehicle]
2573589 10/1951 Mosca & Mosca Amusement ride device [truck mounted train]
2585789 2/1952 Keller & Keller Railway and rolling stock therefor
D167589 8/1952 Ruth Miniature train
2685003 7/1954 Barnes & Bloss Electrical pickup and guide for amusement apparatus
D184522 3/1959 Gurr/ Disney Miniature passenger-carrying train
D187036 1/1960 Coats/ Disney Amusement ride car
D188475 7/1960 Gurr/ Disney Monorail train
3006286 10/1961 Bacon & Morgan/ Disney Amusement vehicle apparatus [guide rail system for dark ride]
D194613 2/1963 Cirami Robot amusement ride device
3082699 3/1963 Schmitz Miniature vehicle and control system therefor [rail-guided car ride]
3085516 4/1963 Cirami Walking roundabout
3120197 2/1964 Cirami Trackway and yoke arrangment
D207854 6/1967 Churchman & Gibson Multiple-car unit for an amusement monorail or the like
3355580 11/1967 Wachs/ Coney Island Inc. Sky ride [decorative lighting for cars]
3377959 4/1968 Hawes Aerial cable roundabout [improvement in tensioning method]
3403633 10/1968 Schwarzkopf Amusement ride [Bayern Kurve]
D212485 10/1968 Goforth & Goforth Passenger car for amusement ride [space-capsule themed suspended car]
3412690 11/1968 Broggie & Gurr/ Disney Passenger moving apparatus
3467026 9/1969 Broggie et al/ Disney Passenger carrying apparatus
3484104 12/1969 Goforth & Goforth/ Goforth Brothers Amusement ride device [Flight Thru Space, suspended (chair lift) dark ride]
D217268 4/1970 Goforth & Goforth/ Goforth Brothers Amusement ride building [suspended dark ride]
3507222 4/1970 Cirami Robot ride
3530800 9/1970 Watkins/ Disney Self-energizing propulsion unit for driving a vehicle
3554130 1/1971 Broggie & Brundage/ Disney Amusement ride system [Omnimover]
3596612 8/1971 Sowder Suspended spheroidal car
3680487 8/1972 Cirami Walking robot amusement ride
D225754 1/1973 Goforth & Goforth Passenger car for amusement ride [suspended, in form of hot-air balloon]
3782293 1/1974 Donohue et al/ Mini-Motor Speedways Vehicle-to-track linkage
3793962 2/1974 Sights Amusement ride
3831526 8/1974 Howells et al Viaduct for small, powered, passenger vehicles
3847084 11/1974 Fouche Device for automatically coupling and uncoupling the gondolas of a fun fair ride [for loading]
3873085 3/1975 Nakamura Spectator-stand with central display section and individually rotatable capsules movable relative to display section
3947741 3/1976 Ball & Cole/ Disney Boat guidance system
3949679 4/1976 Barber/ Venture Amusement ride [portable suspended dark ride with battery-powered ride vehicles]
3973746 8/1976 Ball/ Disney Collision avoidance system
3974778 8/1976 Black et al/ Disney Speed control system
4029019 6/1977 Watkins/ Disney Track for vehicles
4050385 9/1977 Gurr & Broggie/ Disney High capacity passenger transport apparatus [cable]
4304187 12/1981 Becker et al/ Mannesman DeMag Monorail system
4312276 1/1982 Cory et al/ Disney Turntable joining tracks with linear induction motor control
4512257 4/1985 Loisel Carousel and train for amusement parks
4561514 12/1985 Yamada/ Togo Amusement vehicle
4794865 1/1989 Lindberg/ Disney Amusement ride vehicle
4920890 5/1990 Barber Amusement ride
4991514 2/1991 Powell & Trani Electromagnetically powered drag ride attraction
5016540 5/1991 Barber Amusement ride
5114154 5/1992 Sellner Scorable shooting gallery amusement ride with simulated laser weapons at multiple stations
5115744 5/1992 Barber Extreme "G" accelerator amusement ride
5119734 6/1992 Schwarzkopf Chassis for rail-bound exhibition vehicles
5121695 6/1992 Feuz Overhead cableway
5146854 9/1992 Poulos Suspended personnel carrier with articulated front and rear portions steerable independently of track curvature and telescopic shock absorbing strut for transferring drive force
5215016 1/1993 Futami/ Koyo Engineering Rail type underwater travel vehicle
5182836 2/1993 Burkat/ Disney Pressure activated seat belt locking mechanism
5305693 4/1994 Johnson & Mesko/ Disney System and method for externally controlled spacing of self propelled vehicles along a rail
5349276 9/1994 Mezzatesta & Young/ Disney Control system for regulating motor speed
5361705 11/1994 Powell Interactive drag strip amusement ride
5382026 1/1995 Harvard & Brooker/ Hughes Aircraft Multiple participant moving vehicle shooting gallery
5398952 3/1995 Wagner & Wagner Liftable amusement ride carrier [portable ride]
5398992 3/1995 Daniels/ Disney Seat having sound system with acoustic waveguide
5421267 6/1995 Mesko/ Disney Articulated pinch drive
5443013 8/1995 Menz & Wiegand Self steering recreational apparatus for trough-shaped railways
5453053 9/1995 Danta et al/ Disney Amusement ride having spinning passenger cars
5456184 10/1995 Fritz/ Disney Lateral energy absorbing device for slot guided vehicle
5473990 12/1995 Anderson & Wolf/ Disney Ride vehicle control system
5522321 6/1996 Mosley & Mosley Dragster amusement ride with elastic cord propulsion
5527221 6/1996 Brown & Feuer/ Ride & Show Engineering Amusement ride car system with multiple axis rotation
5551347
=RE35999
9/1996
12/1998
Gutknecht/ Thrilltime Human amusement ride [Top Eliminator]
5575218
=RE36084
11/1996
2/1999
Gutknecht Track brake apparatus with sliding shoes and wear plates for preventing excessive movement of the shoes in the direction of vehicle movement [Top Eliminator]
5583844 12/1996 Wolf et al/ Disney Programming device and method for controlling ride vehicles in an amusement attraction
5586503 12/1996 Rehorn Passenger restraint system [for aerial chairlift]
5590605 1/1997 Salter et al/ Disney Conveying device with self steering powered caster
5595121 1/1997 Elliott/ Disney Amusement ride and self-propelled vehicle therefor
5623878 4/1997 Baxter et al/ Disney Dynamic ride vehicle
5629595 5/1997 Salter et al/ Disney Method and apparatus for an amusement ride having an interactive guided vehicle
5685778 11/1997 Sheldon et al/ Universal Ride attraction having animated figures
5794533 8/1998 Takai/ Disney Speed control apparatus for waterway traveling vehicle
5884563 3/1999 Sheldon et al/ Universal Ride attraction system for the physically disabled
5964665 10/1999 Uemura/ Sega Vehicle playing apparatus [simulation vehicle]
5967051 10/1999 Ragsdale et al/ Thrilltime Vehicle human amusement ride track with centering arrangement [Top Eliminator]
6024647 2/2000 Bennet et al/ Universal Amusement ride vehicle with motion controlled seating
6058848 5/2000 Futami & Futami/ Koyo Engineering Underwater and land travel system [rail-guided]
6060847 5/2000 Hettema et al/ Universal Interactive amusement ride
6066049 5/2000 Milanian Re-enactment of a deep-sea voyage to the bottom of the sea
6074306 6/2000 Behringer/ Universal Amusement park vehicle for the physically disabled
6095926 8/2000 Hettema et al/ Universal Amusement ride vehicle [ride/simulator]
6105507 8/2000 Jelf et al/ Universal Ride attraction vehicle bumper system
6122571 9/2000 Gerstner et al/ Disney Positive-feedback go/no-go communication system
6145442 11/2000 Lofts/ Underwater Mobile Observatories Submarine amusement ride [tracked]
6149528 11/2000 Volz et al/ Universal Amusement ride vehicle folding seat [for patron in wheelchair]
6155176 12/2000 Checketts Racing amusement ride
6220965 4/2001 Hanna et al/ Universal Amusement system [interactive ride game]
6227120 5/2001 Fritz/ Disney Simulated dragster ride
6364594 4/2002 Kagan et al/ Universal Wheelchair transfer device for use in amusement rides
6463859 10/2002 Ikezawa et al/ Namco Game machine system [target-striking riding game]
6592462 7/2003 Puch Compressed fluid propelled amusement racing vehicle capable of moving human occupant driver/rider [drag race simulator]
[application 2002/0068643]
6796908 9/2004 Weston/ Creative Kingdoms Interactive dark ride
[application 2003/0106455]
6910972 6/2005 Norbury Real-size simulated pneumatic drag strip ride
[application 2003/0140815]
7114451 10/2006 Albrich & Hinteregger/ Innova Apparatus for monitoring the locking of the safety bar of a chair in a cableway system
[application 2004/0003751]
7373888 5/2008 Namanny et al Drag race simulator
7685944 3/2010 Kilbert et al/ Disney Cable tow whip ride with inside curves
[application 2009/0266266]
7685945 3/2010 Norbury Dragstrip amusement ride
[application 2008/0257196]
7691002 4/2010 Casey et al/ Universal Amusement ride vehicle with sensory stimulation effects
[application 2008/0070709]
7784405 8/2010 Rose & Crawford/ Disney Vehicle transfer during operation of an omnimover ride
[application 2009/0269175]
7794330 9/2010 Gordon & Gordon Amusement apparatus [MegaWhirl]
[application 2009/0124401]
7806054 10/2010 Baker et al/ Disney Amusement park ride with vehicles pivoting about a common chassis to provide racing and other effects
[application 2009/0272289]
7837566 11/2010 Smith et al/ Disney Passenger restraint system [seatbelt system]
[application 2007/0082747]
7850533 12/2010 Osterman et al/ Universal Flame barrier, apparatus and method for entertaining guests
[application 2008/0146358]
7854663 12/2010 Burger/ Mack Water amusement ride [cable driven]
[application 2008/0139328]
7905790 3/2011 Schnuckle/ Disney Theme park ride with ride-through screen system
[application 2010/0062866]
7921781 4/2011 Baker et al/ Disney Amusement park ride with vehicles pivoting about a common chassis to provide racing and other effects
[application 2010/0326313]
7971537 7/2011 Verl & De-Gol Amusement ride
[application 2009/0084285]
8021236 9/2011 Bloom & Yeh/ Blammo Amusement ride system and method [ride with shooting game]
[application 2010/0248850]
8025581 9/2011 Bryan et al/ Disney Interactive interface mounting assembly for amusement and theme park rides
[application 2009/0277295]
8065963 11/2011 Groels/ K. I. G. Heerenveen Fairground attraction having people carriers driftingly movable along a track
[application 2009/0013896]
8091483 1/2012 Sumner/ Disney Amusement park ride with underwater-controlled boats
8096890 1/2012 Anderson & Tyndall Amusement ride assembly and method [cableway with free-motion component]
[application 2006/0252562]
8132513 3/2012 Crawford et al/ Disney Amusement park ride with a vehicle drive that decouples upon loss of power
[application 2011/0061558]
8137205 3/2012 Cortelyou et al/ Universal Motion-based attraction
[application 2011/0136581]
8141495 3/2012 Baker et al/ Disney Amusement park ride with vehicles pivoting about a common chassis to provide racing and other effects
[application 2011/0088584]
8147344 4/2012 Crawford & Nemeth/ Disney Amusement park ride with cable-suspended vehicles
[application 2011/0300957]
8166885 5/2012 Kitchen Suspended cable amusement ride
[application 2011/0132224]
8176853 5/2012 Nemeth & Crawford/ Disney Amusement park ride using motion-driven positioning for 360-degree vehicle orientation
[application 2011/0067594]
8179337 5/2012 Wilzbach et al/ Disney Mobile projected sets
[application 2010/0053029]
8282496 10/2012 Gordon & Gordon Amusement apparatus
[application 2011/0111870]
8371227 2/2013 Nemeth & Crawford/ Disney Omnimover ride system with crossing paths
[application 2013/0014669]
8376869 2/2013 Bloom & Yeh/ Blammo Amusement ride system and method
[application 2011/0300958]
8485104 7/2013 Nemeth & Crawford/ Disney Amusement park ride system with crossing paths
[application 2013/0118370]
8512158 8/2013 Bloom & Yeh/ Blammo Amusement ride system and method
[application 2013/0143679]
8523692 9/2013 Osterman et al/ Universal Flame barrier, apparatus and method for entertaining guests
[application 2011/0045302]
8573131 11/2013 Nemeth & Crawford/ Disney Amusement park ride using motion-driven positioning for 360-degree vehicle orientation
[application 2012/0137920]
8578857 11/2013 Crawford et al/ Disney Amusement park ride with passenger loading separated from vehicle insertion into simulators
[application 2013/0145953]
8641540 2/2014 Feuer & Sellers Inverted simulation attraction
[application 2013/0017893]
8858351 10/2014 Crawford/ Disney Operating show or ride elements in response to visual object recognition and tracking
[application 2009/0298603]
8960097 2/2015 Fritsche/ Disney Dynamic loading system for a ride vehicle
[application 2010/0078291]
9014965 4/2015 King & Long/ General Electric Virtual omnimover [ride control system with distributed (on-vehicle) processing]
[application 2009/0063036]

Powered Ride Patent Applications

application number publication date inventor/ assignee document title [comment]
2004/0266540 12/2004 Norbury Real-size simulated pneumatic drag strip ride
2006/0135271 6/2006 Casey et al/ General Electric Amusement ride vehicle with sensory stimulation effects
2006/0293110 12/2006 Mendelsohn/ Disney Amusement ride and video game [interactive ride]
2007/0093305 4/2007 Lauren et al/ General Electric High-speed, punch-through waterfall effect
2009/0234666 9/2009 Crawford et al/ Disney Method and system for providing interactivity based on sensor measurements [mentions both ride and non-ride implementations]
2010/0130296 5/2010 Ackley et al/ Disney System and method for providing an augmented reality experience
2010/0144413 6/2010 Purvis & Ackley/ Disney System and method for providing a real-time interactive surface
2010/0167828 7/2010 Zambelli & Zamperla Seat for amusement apparatus [Disk'O]
2010/0168940 7/2010 King/ Universal Position control system
2014/0277849 9/2014 Grant & Boshears/ Oceaneering International Trackless vehicle and system for synchronous control of trackless vehicle
2015/0190726 7/2015 Frolov Interactive amusement attraction
2015/0210294 7/2015 Nemeth et al/ Disney Method and system for using dynamic boundaries to manage the progression of ride vehicles that have rider control inputs
2015/0210301 7/2015 King & Long/ Universal Virtual Omnimover

Passenger-powered rail rides

patent number issue date inventor/ assignee patent title [comment]
559298 4/1896 Martin Elevated track cycle
566926 9/1896 McKay & McKay Bicycle railway
567486 9/1896 Mangels Bicycle railway
596895 1/1898 Martin Elevated cycle railway [suspended below rail]
720837 2/1903 Needham Aerial device
732430 6/1903 Needham Amusement device
793192 6/1905 Harrison Rocking horse
1062899 5/1913 Eby Amusement device
1068353 7/1913 Mallory Swing
1079933 12/1913 Culp Swing
1112216 9/1914 Kelker Amusement device
1122238 12/1914 Green Traveling hobby horse
1137604 4/1915 Green Traveling hobby horse
1145326 7/1915 Lott Amusement device
1155381 10/1915 Sziklai Rowing craft intended for an amusement device
1693798 12/1928 Schmid Amusement device
1955667 4/1934 Blue Amusement apparatus [Hodges hand car]
D161308 12/1950 Blue & Hodges Amusement car
D162092 2/1951 Sneed Child's vehicle [Hampton Hand Car]
4928601 5/1990 Harder & Spector Bike monorail system

Vertical Drop Rides

patent number issue date inventor/ assignee patent title [comment]
817381 4/1906 Matson Amusement apparatus [Drop the Drops]
857338 6/1907 Fitch Amusement apparatus [parachute jump ride]
897121 8/1908 Matson Amusement apparatus [improvement to 817381]
979681 12/1910 Mauch Fluid jet float
1665981 4/1928 Ridgway Amusement apparatus [Giant Aerial Drop]
2111303 3/1938 Switlik /Strong Parachute device
2121413 6/1938 Strong Automatic releasing device [for parachute canopy]
2132908 10/1938 Strong Parachute training device
2153011 4/1939 Switlik Amusement device [parachute ride]
2158731 5/1939 Schmidt Parachute braking means
2183594 12/1939 Strong Parachute training and amusement device
2221215 11/1940 Eyerly Amusement device [vertical drop]
2229201 1/1941 Williford & Partee Amusement apparatus [elevator drop ride]
2264919 12/1941 Strong Parachute drop amusement device
2264920 12/1941 Strong Parachute drop safety device
2311171 2/1943 Hawthorne Captive parachute device
2357293 9/1944 Strong Suspension means for parachute carriers
2374627 4/1945 Strong Parachute canopy
3701528 10/1972 Ryan Method for simulating the reduction of gravity
3885503 5/1975 Barber Amusement ride [portable freefall]
5046719 9/1991 Comstock & Rodrigue Portable parachute amusement ride [Ripcord]
5417615 5/1995 Beard Air driven amusement ride
5597358 1/1997 Marcu Free fall system
5628690 5/1997 Spieldiener et al Amusement ride with at least one longitudinal guide with a passenger vehicle capable of changes in height
5632686 5/1997 Checketts Pneumatic device for accelerating and decelerating objects [Space Shot]
5704841 1/1998 Checketts Device for accelerating and decelerating objects [Turbo Drop]
5893802 4/1999 Böhme/ Huss Amusement ride system with passenger units being movable up and down
6001022 12/1999 Spieldiener et al Amusement facility
6083111 7/2000 Moser et al Method and apparatus for a tilting free-fall and accelerating amusement ride
6126550 10/2000 Moser et al Method and apparatus for a tilting free-fall amusement ride
6315674 11/2001 Slade et al/ Interactive Rides Amusement ride for vertical movement of passengers
6342017 1/2002 Kockelman/ Gravity Works Amusement ride with enhanced ride control
6592463 7/2003 Gnezdilov Sideshow attraction
8690694 4/2014 Barber Free fall amusement ride
[application 2013/0130817]

Vertical Drop Patent Applications

application number publication date inventor/ assignee document title [comment]
2014/0200087 7/2014 Vatcher et al/ Dynamic Motion Amusement park elevator drop ride system and associated methods
2015/0141161 5/2015 Alfieri & Spieldiener/ Raven Sun Creative Tower ride [synchronized with visuals]

Observation Towers

The following list contains rotating observation towers and towers incorporating railed vehicles. Towers with simple elevators are under-represented.

patent number issue date inventor/ assignee patent title [comment]
483894 10/1892 Brook Elevator [revolves during ascent]
525031 8/1894 Smith Observation tower
548122 10/1895 Guerra Observation tower with rotating car
611682 10/1898 Engel Combined roundabout and elevator
639189 12/1899 van der Cruyssen Telescopic tower
657034 8/1900 Shuart Revolving ascending and descending observatory platform
685620 10/1901 Limbach Observation platform
703146 6/1902 McAnulty Observation tower
750140 1/1904 Welsh Aerial whirling tower
750717
=RE12377
1/1904
8/1905
Snyder Rotary pleasure tower
758834 5/1904 Graydon Tower for recreation or other purposes [with helical powered transport mechanism]
775235 11/1904 Carr Passenger drop
799986 9/1905 Jones Pleasure wheel [observation tower]
802198 10/1905 Corley Open air amusement device [rotating observation tower]
813549 2/1906 Friede/ Revolving Air Ship Tower Revolving air-ship tower
832800 10/1906 Mercer/ Southern Novelty & Amusement Amusement device [observation tower]
840790 1/1907 Mitcheson Merry-go-round
887652 5/1908 Kiralfy Device for conveying or affording amusement [observation towers]
921153 5/1909 Patterson Carousel
950348 2/1910 Ross & Holton Amusement device [revolving elevator]
989821 4/1911 Stoetzel Pneumatic observation tower
1034864 8/1912 Best & Dean Amusement apparatus [observation tower with spiral track]
1128466 2/1915 Levi & Sultzer Amusement device [observation tower]
1207914 12/1916 Hazen/ Kerr Amusement apparatus [rotating elevator]
1470935 10/1923 Rush Observation, amusement and utility tower [with spiral railway]
1533914 4/1925 Hutchins Amusement device [rotating and elevating]
1750857 3/1930 Patterson/ MacMeekin Amusement tower
1800836 4/1931 Keddy Roundabout
2102522 4/1937 Eichelgrün Lattice tower with lift for people in parks exhibitions and the like
2128492 8/1938 Mena Observation tower [with endless chain of cars on helical track]
3125189 3/1964 Graham Restaurant with rotating floor [Space Needle]
3156017 11/1964 Faerber Building with rotatable observation structure
3246431 4/1966 Faerber Building with rotatable observation structure
3633904 1/1972 Masayoshi/ Sanseiyushoki Rotary elevator observation tower
5564983 10/1996 Larson Tower ride
5957778 9/1999 Larson Tower ride
5957779 9/1999 Larson Tower
8696479 4/2014 Marks & Barfield Observation tower
[application 2008/0185224]

Observation Tower Patent Applications

application number publication date inventor/ assignee document title [comment]
2014/0174854 6/2014 Giacomoni & Gobbi/ Aerogroupe Platform assembly mobile within a cylindrical structure

Cars Freely Moving on Non-stationary Trackway

patent number issue date inventor/ assignee patent title [comment]
512326 1/1894 Richards Reversible toboggan slide [see-saw]
643996 2/1900 Anderson Pleasure railway [screw]
736225 8/1903 Dameron Revolving circular track
740685 10/1903 Needham Amusement device [see-saw]
791315 5/1905 Bragg Pleasure railway [see-saw]
803473 10/1905 Dameron Pleasure railway or chute [archimedes screw]
820346 5/1906 Bunnell Amusement apparatus
838594 12/1906 Trust Means for elevating cars, &c. [archimedes screw]
844720 2/1907 Fleming Amusement apparatus [archimedes screw]
870378 11/1907 Maynes Amusement apparatus [train on tilting track]
871777 11/1907 Browne amusement device [archimedes screw]
897710 9/1908 Braen & Braen Amusement apparatus
913243 2/1909 Sonntag Amusement apparatus [Mystic Screw]
992731 5/1911 Barrie Amusement appliance [car on see-saw]
1000306 8/1911 Stott Endless pleasure railway [rotating track]
1085902 2/1914 Glynn Gravity railway
1150246 8/1915 Bramkamp Roundabout
1186966 6/1916 Bramkamp Roundabout [double archimedes screw][Top coaster/Spiral Wheel]
1454273 5/1923 Fisher Amusement device [tilting track]
1517589 12/1924 Scott/ Humphrey Amusement apparatus
1546375 7/1925 Geiser Public amusement device [rocking track: Teeter Coaster]
1564952 12/1925 Fisher Rotary amusement device [rotating track]
1730265 10/1929 Bulmer Amusement device
1751096 3/1930 Morris Coasting apparatus [car on gyrating zig-zag track]
2458150 1/1949 D'Errico Roundabout [rotating track]
3635185 1/1972 Kojima/ Sanselyusoki Rotary driving amusement equipment
6862997 3/2005 Bussink Amusement device and method for using an amusement device
[application 2003/0217667]

Cars Freely Moving on Non-stationary Floor or Arena

patent number issue date inventor/ assignee patent title [comment]
331419 12/1885 Marzari Game apparatus [rotating platform]
694447 3/1902 van Kannel Amusement or illusion apparatus
871744 11/1907 van Kannel Amusement apparatus [improvement to 694447; Witching Waves]
895951 8/1908 Bradwell Amusement device [Scrambler]
923489 6/1909 Chance Amusement apparatus [tilting platform]
929753 8/1909 Collis Amusement apparatus [belt-driven surfaces]
937531 10/1909 Jones Driving mechanism for roundabouts
942759 12/1909 Taylor Apparatus for the amusement of the public [tilting track]
953724 4/1910 van Kannel Amusement apparatus with undulating floor [improved Witching Waves]
999902 8/1911 Storm Floor and car for amusement purposes
1272488 7/1918 Manzer Amusement device [rotating surface]
1279911 9/1918 Ridgway Amusement device [rotating saucer; Whirlpool]
1328166 1/1920 Kohler/ United Mines Amusement device (skating car)
1341219 5/1920 Ridgway Amusement apparatus [improvement to 1279911]
1341220 5/1920 Ridgway Amusement apparatus [improvement to 1279911]
1350176 8/1920 Pinto Amusement device
1353918 9/1920 Lauster/ Maynes Speedway amusement device
1353929 9/1929 Maynes Amusement apparatus [boosting means]
1362885 12/1920 Maynes Amusement apparatus
1362886 12/1920 Maynes Amusement apparatus
1363352 12/1920 Ridgway Amusement device
1409071 3/1922 Veaux & Chakiris Amusement device [tilting bowl]
1417570 5/1922 Ridgway Amusement device
1421960 7/1922 Krahe Amusement apparatus [rotating disks]
1422764 7/1922 Irsch amusement ride
1466963 8/1923 Ridgway Amusement device [rotating dish]
1491307 4/1924 Lane & Hamilton Amusement apparatus
1499672 7/1924 Lezert Amusement device [concentric rotating rings]
1577689 3/1926 Capitelli Apparatus for amusement purposes
1583753 5/1926 Goodfellow Amusement device [multiple rotating turntables]
1672958 6/1928 Spillman Amusement device
1738355 12/1929 Cappabianco Amusement device
2058279 10/1936 Watkins Amusement device
2124939 7/1938 Zebulske Amusement device [car in labyrinth]
2286454 6/1942 Bartlett Automobile amusement apparatus
2806697 9/1957 Huhn et al Free carriage roundabout [rocking bowl]
3451673 6/1969 Matson Floatingly supported undulating platform
4971314 11/1990 Barber Rotating disc amusement ride

Bumper Cars, Bumper Boats, and Other Passenger-Steered Rides

A detailed history of bumper cars by Betsy Woodman, with an emphasis on the Dodgem Corporation, can be found at Lusse Autoscooters site.

patent number issue date inventor/ assignee patent title [comment]
421887 2/1890 Adair Electrically propelled vehicle
978884 12/1910 Hertzberg & Wohl Amusement device
1242865 10/1917 Riehl Amusement apparatus
1339299 5/1920 Stock Amusement device
1373108 3/1921 Stoehrer & Stoehrer/ Stoehrer & Pratt Dodgen [sic] Amusement apparatus
D58115 6/1921 Stock Amusement car [circular]
1404168 1/1922 Stock & Smoot Trolley system
1419775 6/1922 Stock Bumper
1420065 6/1922 Stillman Buffer for amusement cars
1431564 10/1922 Brilstra Amusement ride
1467456 9/1923 Silvius Revoluble buffer
1467959 9/1923 Stoehrer & Stoehrer/ Stoehrer & Pratt Dodgem Amusement device
1478979 12/1923 Stoehrer & Stoehrer/ Stoehrer & Pratt Dodgen [sic] Amusement apparatus
1534285 4/1925 Riehl Amusement apparatus
1534978 4/1925 De Waltoff & McDaniel/ Shimmie Auto Amusement apparatus
1535040 4/1925 Riehl Amusement apparatus
1543462 6/1925 Vaszin Amusement device
D70698 7/1926 Lusse & Lusse Amusement car
1645437 10/1927 Lusse & Lusse/ Lusse Brothers Current collector
1651377 12/1927 Custer Coin controlled lock for electric switches of motor vehicles
1652840 12/1927 Stoehrer/ Stoehrer & Pratt Dodgem Amusement device
1664437 4/1928 Vaszin Vehicle
1665103 4/1928 Lusse/ Lusse Brothers Vehicle controlling apparatus
1668249 5/1928 Rich Automobile riding amusement device
1669104 5/1928 Stock Amusement device
D75802 7/1928 Lusse & Lusse Amusement car
1685577 9/1928 Vaszin/ Dayton Funhouse Amusement device [device to make it difficult for bumper car to enter passageway]
1692095 11/1928 Scott Buffer or bumper for amusement vehicles or cars
1700640 1/1929 Mangels Amusement apparatus [Coney Cars (?)]
1703360 2/1929 Phillips & Phillips Amusement car
1706162 3/1929 Howarth & Goldsmith/ Automotive Standards Amusement motor vehicle
1747122 2/1930 Lusse Motor vehicle
1754112 4/1930 Lusse/ Lusse Brothers Amusement-car construction
1754172 4/1930 Lusse Amusement car
1758799 5/1930 Lusse Amusement vehicle
1770124 7/1930 Beaudette Amusement arena
1772220 8/1930 Markey/ Dodgem Amusement device
D82733 12/1930 Cushner Car for amusement devices [in form of nanny with baby carriage]
1798023 3/1931 Lusse/ Lusse Brothers Amusement car
1804075 5/1931 Andre & Davis Aquatic amusement apparatus
1818899 8/1931 Lusse/ Lusse Brothers Amusement car apparatus
1823617 9/1931 Lusse/ Lusse Brothers Bumper construction
1833844 11/1931 Lusse/ Lusse Brothers Amusement vehicle
1839981 1/1932 Markey/ Dodgem Amusement device
1853738 4/1932 Markey/ Dodgem Steering wheel drive mechanism for amusement cars
1885643 11/1932 Thoerig & Jetilek Mechanical contrivance for popular amusement
1888005 11/1932 Markey & Stanton/ Dodgem Amusement apparatus
1980867 11/1934 Lusse/ Lusse Brothers Amusement car [front-steering bumper car]
1982391 11/1934 Markey/ Dodgem Amusement device
2005400 6/1935 Stoehrer & Markey/ Dodgem Amusement apparatus
2021074 11/1935 Maynes Amusement device [portable pool for amusement boats]
2058383 10/1936 Maynes Aquatic amusement device [bumper boat]
2165743 7/1939 Bland Amusement device
2299760 10/1942 Maynes Amusement apparatus
2343313 3/1944 Maynes Aquatic amusement apparatus
2395678 2/1946 Maynes Amusement apparatus [bumper boat, improvement to 2343313]
2603301 7/1952 Sipior & Sipior Motor propelled amusement device [tilting bumper car]
D192932 5/1962 Gurr Amusement car [Flying Saucer]
3251595 5/1966 Morgan & Bacon/ Disney Air car and supporting apparatus [Flying Saucer]
3410223 11/1968 Miller Race track with cooperating race car retaining means
D219157 11/1970 Barnes & Barnes Intentional-impact rebounding amusement vehicle
3841223 10/1974 Bertin Tracks along which ground-effect machines in particular travel
3885502 5/1975 Sarno et al Entertainment vehicle ride
3978934 9/1976 Schneidinger et al Amusement ride power
D250550 9/1976 Reverchon Amusement bumper car
4193470 3/1980 Logan Fluid propelled vehicular system
4217975 8/1980 Barth Current collector for amusement park bumper cars
4257726 3/1981 Reverchon & Reverchon Apparatus for storing and emplacing floor plates, particularly for amusement rides
4324301 4/1982 Eyerly Bumper car amusement ride
D267185 12/1982 Reverchon Amusement bumper car
4522390 6/1985 Kudler/ Majestic Bumper car ride
4811530 3/1989 Eyerly/ J V Industries Portable platform [as for bumper car arena]
4838592 6/1989 Sobodos & Chalmers/ Agajanian Impact-absorbing amusement vehicle
4843969 7/1989 Chaffee & Morse Multi-plenum air float for load transportation and amusement ride system
4898382 2/1990 Lamanna Amusement vehicle game
4966391 10/1990 Sobodos & Chalmers/ Agajanian Impact-absorbing amusement vehicle
4991835 2/1991 Lamanna/ Bompo Amusement vehicle game
5061211 10/1991 Barber Amphibian air car
5100155 3/1992 Lamanna/ Bompo Amusement vehicle game
5232154 8/1993 Jenkins & Gentry Children's ride-on track
5238265 8/1993 Duce/ Duce International Adjustable restrainer for use with lap bar assemblies of amusement rides
5251910 10/1993 Lamanna/ Bompo Amusement vehicle game
5484030 1/1996 Glenn Independently powdered bumper cart
5516169 5/1996 Falk & Sweringen Bumper attachment means for an amusement ride vehicle
5577736 11/1996 Arabo Entertainment game utilizing electrically powered cars
5775455 7/1998 Cho Steering mechanism for electric vehicles with an off-center mounted drive wheel
5997017 12/1999 Tilley Human-powered bumper car
6581350 6/2003 Dean/ Ride Development Co. Floor construction for an amusement ride [modular, for floor-pickup bumper cars]
[application 2002/0124512]
7607500 10/2009 Sweringen et al Internally electrically powered bumper cars comprising multiple drive wheels and integral hub motors
[application 2007/0209851]
8057316 11/2011 Legary & Legary Bumper boat amusement attractions, methods and systems and water effect device usable in same
[application 2011/0111871]
8210955 7/2012 Yule/ StarFlight Amusement ride system
[application 2010/0173717]
8863872 10/2014 Gorgas et al/ Ride Development Electrically powered bumper cars comprising multiple drive wheels and integral hub motors
[application 2010/0147609]

Patent Applications for Bumper Cars and Related Rides

application number publication date inventor/ assignee document title [comment]
2002/0062605 5/2002 Matthews Portable decking for vehicles
2005/0288111 12/2005 Cowan & Morse Motorized amusement ride apparatus and method

Miscellaneous Ride Patents

The following list includes rides not placed elsewhere. This includes patents that I do not understand well enough to classify; rides that combine elements from more than one category, or to which no category obviously applies; and cars or appliances for rides, which might be applied to rides of diverse classes.

patent number issue date inventor/ assignee patent title [comment]
567580 9/1896 Cronin Cycloidal chariot [traveling ferris wheel]
567581 9/1896 Cronin Cycloidal chariot
597276 1/1898 Evans Cycloidal chariot
599420 2/1898 Gordon Amusement device
618591 1/1899 Vietor Means for locomotion
632597 8/1899 Tilyou & Lacomme Amusement device
634577 10/1899 Hurlburt Revolving elevator or derrick crane
663004 12/1900 Bellamy Aerial recreation apparatus, &c.
663525 12/1900 Welsh/ Crawley Scenic and Pleasure Railway Company Elevated single rail railway
670371 3/1901 Hosea/ Crawley Scenic and Pleasure Railway Company Running gear for single rail railways
679676 7/1901 Hosea/ Crawley Scenic and Pleasure Railway Company Brake for single-track railways
691719 1/1902 Greth Balloon observatory [captive balloon]
708834 9/1902 Schofield Amusement or roundabout apparatus
710447 10/1902 Funk Car for pleasure railroads
717457 12/1902 Schofield Amusement apparatus
717798 1/1903 Beerwald Amusement apparatus [powered horse race ride]
723074 3/1903 Thompson Pleasure vehicle
730956 6/1903 Needham Aerial device
745159 11/1903 Cronin Cycloidal chariot
773613 11/1904 Walsh Pleasure car [eccentric axles]
780871 1/1905 DeFrance & Garrison Swing [traveling along rail]
793114 6/1905 Walsh Pleasure car
794511 7/1905 Knapp Amusement device [rocking car]
799976 9/1905 Debattista Amusement device [rocking car]
810303 1/1906 Ravel & Ravel Somersaulting vehicle
812996 2/1906 Hill Giant swing
815211 3/1906 Pattee & Duenkel Amusement vehicle [sphere on truck]
819317 5/1906 Shrewsbury Submarine observation tower
820453 5/1906 Walsh Pleasure car
821138 5/1906 Tidd Merry-go-round museum
D38171 8/1906 Pattee Body of cars or floats [for Love's Journey]
828921 8/1906 Buchanan Pleasure railway
829256 8/1906 Browne Pleasure railway [cycloidal chariot]
836260 11/1906 Hyde Amusement apparatus
838074 11/1906 Bragg/ Whirlfly Pleasure railway [cycloidal chariot]
860143 7/1907 Mega Pleasure railway
862798 8/1907 Bragg Pleasure railway [cycloidal chariot]
863563 8/1907 Walther Recreation Vehicle
867506 10/1907 Hermann Amusement apparatus [somersaulting car]
871294 11/1907 Potts Vehicle for recreation or amusement
876841 1/1908 Ritch Observation swing [traveling cycloid]
876976 1/1908 Lacomme Mount for amusement race tracks
880673 3/1908 Lacomme Amusement apparatus
887082 5/1908 Fraser Amusement device
889472 6/1908 Malsin Amusement apparatus [wheel lift]
892215 6/1908 Biavati Car release
893135 7/1908 Bragg Pleasure railway [anti-rollback for cycloidal chariot]
902073 10/1908 Gueritey Amusement apparatus [auto race ride]
903211 11/1908 Marrder Amusement apparatus
905391 12/1908 Walsh Pleasure car
908095 12/1908 Hassan Diving bell [with glass sides]
916590 3/1909 Potts Amusement apparatus
944407 12/1909 Beebe Amusement device
975984 11/1910 Nemsey Amusement device
976413 11/1910 Washburne Vehicle [eccentric axles]
978263 12/1910 Anderson & Brockway/ Cleveland Aeroplane Company Amusement apparatus or aviator instructor
985880 3/1911 Badisco Amusement device [car swing; ride or exhibition]
1034922 8/1912 Molinares Amusement device
1039545 9/1912 Knight Observation tower
1043846 11/1912 Kiralfy Amusement or transporting device [swinging transfers]
1054776 3/1913 Hyer Amusement device
1084390 1/1914 Bosworth Amusement device [tracked swing]
1165898 12/1915 Peck Horse ride amusement device
1197085 9/1916 Waters Amusement device [multiple motorized hobby-horses]
1370385 3/1921 Unger Amusement device [racing hobby horse]
1380893 6/1921 Gebert Amusement device [vehicle propelled by teeter-totter]
1409357 3/1922 Benson Amusement device [bucking car]
1422032 7/1922 Chapman Amusement device [gravity, on movable cable, in form of airplane]
1450669 4/1923 Lalle & Fowler Amusement apparatus
1561071 11/1925 Glass Amusement device
1566097 12/1925 Johnson Amusement vehicle
1614051 1/1927 Tottereau Car for roundabouts
1674734 6/1928 Maynes Knockdown support [for portable amusement rides]
D76458 10/1928 Cannon Amusement house [arctic scene]
1709373 4/1929 Pulsifer Amusement device [indoor sailboat course]
1767496 6/1930 Wilson Play airway for amusement purposes
1785363 12/1930 Rocks Auto thriller and amusement apparatus [track for automobile]
1795228 3/1931 Missillier Flexible roadway
1811758 6/1931 Meehan Amusement device [Waltzer]
1927938 6/1933 Huffman Aircraft training device
1991011 2/1935 Carniol Amusement device representing a bucking bronco
2016476 10/1935 Bartlett Amusement ride [airplane banking illusion]
2109041 2/1938 Bartlett Amusement apparatus [rotating bowl track]
2173703 9/1939 Witt/ Atlas Appliance Amusement ride [Boomerang]
2190330 2/1940 Martine Submersible chamber [diving bell ride]
2196274 4/1940 Ridyard Amusement device
2236826 4/1941 Maynes Knockdown support [for portable amusement rides]
2315760 4/1943 Zebulske/ Maynes Connecting means [for portable rides]
2479217 8/1949 Diamond Diving bell [portable]
2576852 11/1951 Nicholson Amusement device
2882089 4/1959 Vaszin Amusement locomotive [trackless train]
D186524 11/1959 Bowers Amusement ride [Satellite Globe??]
D189582 1/1961 Gurr/ Disney Amusement ride car [in form of car]
3134453 5/1964 Cirami Walking-figure amusement land vehicle [trackless]
D200110 1/1965 Bradley Amusement vehicle [locomotive-style]
D207648 5/1967 Winton Passenger vehicle for amusement devices [in form of jet]
3344614 10/1967 Byck Underwater observation bell chamber
D212766 11/1968 Gurr/ Disney Amusement ride car [pod for Omnimover?]
3452681 7/1969 Maroon Amusement ride [railed surfboard simulator]
D215313 9/1969 Gurr/ Disney Amusement ride auto
3477234 11/1969 Aquino Submergible housing device
3641776 2/1972 Diamond Diving bell invention [with transportable counterweight]
3894747 7/1975 Wisdom & Wisdom Method and apparatus for lowering a trailer to the ground
D238888 2/1976 Bradley Amusement ride vehicle [in form of biplane]
4047699 9/1977 Wisdom Apparatus for lowering a trailer to the ground
D255138 5/1980 Sermersheim/ Geronimo Trooper Jump tower for amusement ride
4329809 5/1982 Reece Bucking amusement apparatus
4431182 2/1984 Reynolds Human free-flight amusement devices
D277975 3/1985 Sassak Amusement ride
D278177 3/1985 Thornalley/ Fibrecast Passenger seat for an amusement ride
D278269 4/1985 Thornalley/ Fibrecast Passenger seat for an amusement ride
4535983 8/1985 De La Concha Caceres/ Free Motions Recreational device for producing the thrill of a free fall [using elastic bands]
4545574 10/1985 Sassak Fluid suspended passenger carrying spherical body having universal attitude control
D281617 12/1985 Thornalley/ Fibrecast Passenger seat for an amusement ride
4564208 1/1986 Kudler/ Majestic Rides Trailer stabilizer
D285594 9/1986 Sassak Space amusement ride
D285957 9/1986 Thornalley/ Fibrecast Passenger seat for an amusement ride
D298159 10/1988 Sellner/ Sellner Productions Amusement ride seat
D298344 11/1988 Sellner/ Sellner Productions Gun for an amusement ride
D303279 9/1989 Sellner/ Sellner Productions Player restraint and gun mount for amusement ride
4953849 9/1990 Reed Riding capsule device with control mechanism
4973042 11/1990 Klopf & Klopf Tower amusement ride
5062624 11/1991 Reed Riding capsule device
D327936 7/1992 House & House Amusement ride [Hi Roller]
5149304 9/1992 Purser Arrangement including a moveable tower [buoyant tower ride]
D343822 2/1994 Hurd et al Tourist type submarine
D345396 3/1994 Delaney/ Disney Amusement space vehicle
D346195 3/1994 Delaney/ Disney Amusement ride car
D348085 6/1994 Ballew & Lanzisero/ Disney Amusement car
D348288 6/1994 Ballew & Lanzisero/ Disney Amusement car
D348289 6/1994 Ballew & Lanzisero/ Disney Amusement car
D348299 6/1994 Mirabella et al/ Disney Amusement trolley
D351130 10/1994 Delaney/ Disney Amusement airship
D352085 11/1994 Ballew & Lanzisero/ Disney Amusement car
D352335 11/1994 Vignali & Lanzisero/ Disney Amusement vehicle
D352541 11/1994 Shull & Lanzisero/ Disney Amusement character boat
5391115 2/1995 Bessey Low gravity jumping apparatus
D356619 3/1995 Shull et al/ Disney Amusement ride car
5403238 4/1995 Baxter et al/ Disney Amusement park attraction
5449130 9/1995 Huntington Hot air balloon amusement ride [tethered balloon]
5452774 9/1995 Davis & McGinnis Endless roller chain drive with interlocking traction rail
D378606 3/1997 Tamagnini/ Zamperla Helicopter ride
5658200 8/1997 Ellis Event horizon
5782699 7/1998 Harrap Steerable swinging device [Fly by Wire ride]
D395929 7/1998 Boifava/ Zamperla Amusement ride car
5853331 12/1998 Ishikawa & Merrell/ Bungee Japan Amusement ride [Mad Rider: tethered ski jump vehicle]
D407786 4/1999 Romanaldi/ Zamperla Amusement car ride race track
5927444 7/1999 Checketts Brake for a track-operated vehicle
D432183 10/2000 Hulst/ Disney Amusement car
D432184 10/2000 Hulst/ Disney Amusement car
D432185 10/2000 Hulst/ Disney Amusement car
6128863 10/2000 Millay/ SeaVenture Fish and marine mammal observatory featuring a carousel that moves within a sealed aquatic environment
6162127 12/2000 Ochi/ Oriental Sangyo Amusement park with rides conveying park-goers in their own motor vehicles [various rides]
6210284 4/2001 Ochi/ Oriental Sangyo Rides conveying park-goers in their own motor vehicles [various rides]
6227790 5/2001 Mollick & Hopfner/ Universal Amusement ride vehicle with wheelchair ramp
6340280 1/2002 Mollick & Hopfner/ Universal Amusement ride vehicle with wheelchair ramp
6477961 11/2002 Mares/ Meteoro Amusement ride [seats with passenger-controlled inclination]
[application 2002/0152920]
6499409 12/2002 Niederer & Niederer Pneumatic propulsion track apparatus
D470558 2/2003 Gutknecht/ Thrilltime Tower amusement ride
6776722 8/2004 De-Gol/ Robocoaster; Kuka Roboter Ride apparatus [Robocoaster]
[application 2002/0183123]
6778094 8/2004 Gustason et al/ Disney Motion detection apparatus and method [method for securing test device]
[application 2003/0052793]
6871596 3/2005 De-Gol/ Kuka; Robocoaster Moving means, particularly for amusement parks, fairs and the like [Robocoaster on a track]
[application 2003/0172834]
6910971 6/2005 Alsenz Acceleration simulator [centrifuge-based]
[application 2004/0197742]
6969323 11/2005 von Bose & von Bose Amusement ride
6988951 1/2006 Newman & Fine Floating machine
7166032 1/2007 Smith et al/ Disney Passenger restraint system
[application 2005/0145430]
7177706 2/2007 Schweizer et al/ Disney Automated attraction and ride maintenance verification system
[application 2006/0080158]
7287724 10/2007 Hase/ Aeroballoon USA Tether system for balloon ride
[application 2006/0214053]
7303054 12/2007 Rosner Popular amusement device with switchable eddy-current brake
[application 2004/0262103]
7455592 12/2007 Kroon/ Cobra Beheer Support installation for a fairground attraction [as for ferris wheel or boat swing]
[application 2006/0079338]
7465236 12/2008 Wagels Flying arrangement [in enclosed space]
[application 2006/0058106] ]
7484460 2/2009 Blum et al/ Universal Amusement ride track with motion base
[application 2007/0074638]
7686697 3/2010 Bussink Amusement ride
[application 2007/0270231]
7722470 5/2010 Wagels Flying arrangement
[application 2009/0143153]
7905789 3/2011 Collins et al/ Team IX Specialized restraint systems for amusement rides
[application 2008/0246327]
7927223 4/2011 Bussink Amusement ride
[application 2007/0261589]
7922594 4/2011 Verl et al Amusement ride [multi-railed ride]
[application 2009/0181781]
8057317 11/2011 Roodenburg et al/ Vekoma Amusement park attraction
[application 2007/0265103]
8132514 3/2012 Lubman & Ramirez/ Disney Lap bar assembly with locking mechanism with locking in lap bar and grab bar positions
[application 2010/0307288]
8327769 12/2012 Kim Large rideable bipedal walking robot for use as an amusement park ride and amusement park system using the same
[application 2011/0139030]
8630734 1/2014 Hasenzahl/ Kuka Method and automated manipulator for moving a person with the manipulator
[application 2010/0280660]
8647212 2/2014 Crawford & Nemeth/ Disney Intersecting path ride [oscillating along orthogonal linear paths]
[application 2013/0087066]
8672769 3/2014 Kroon & Hartemink/ Cobra Beheer Supporting system for a mast [for large portable ride]
[application 2012/0052960]
8727896 5/2014 Frolov Underground and underwater amusement attractions
[application 2013/0244801]
8795095 8/2014 Stoker Motion ride method and apparatus for illusion of teleportation
[application 2013/0045811]
8795096 8/2014 Stoker Motion ride method and apparatus for illusion of teleportation
[application 2013/0324271]
8920251 12/2014 Dietz et al Amusement ride
[application 2013/0079169]
8998340 4/2015 Biegun Passenger restraint for amusement park ride
9079109 7/2015 Buhler/ Disney Electronic reach envelope intrusion examiner
[application 2015/0055124]
9084941 7/2015 Fram Combination ride for amusement park

Miscellaneous Ride Patent Applications

application number publication date inventor/ assignee document title [comment]
2002/0185569 12/2002 Henne Airplane training and amusement device for traveling on a fixed track
2004/0032157 2/2004 Trimborn Restraint bar for securing a person in vehicles, especially for amusement rides
2004/0077415 4/2004 Kleimeyer Combination giant swing and rolling carriage amusement ride [cable swing with coaster-like ride on supporting arch]
2004/0192453 9/2004 Esparza & Sharits/ Paramount Parks Enclosed programmably controlled looping swing [Tomb Raider]
2005/0288114 12/2005 Meadows System and apparatus for propelling and carrying a user within a confined interior [with balloon]
2006/0205524 9/2006 Foster Method and apparatus for controlling admission to individual rides at an amusement park
2007/0010339 1/2007 Stone Amusement device with vortex airflow
2012/0111222 5/2012 Zambelli & Viarana/ Zamperla Amusement Device
2013/0233198 9/2013 Roodenburg & Sintenie/ Vekoma Pivotable passenger carrier
2015/0080137 3/2015 Ferrari/ Preston & Barbieri Amusement device for dynamic simulation, in particular for use in amusement parks or the like [ride with water shooting elements]
2015/0210238 7/2015 Biegun Passenger restraint for amusement park ride
2015/0217201 8/2015 Schmidt People mover

Last revised 6-Aug-2015

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