Maintenance system and method for amusement ride vehicle wheel assemblies

Abstract

A maintenance assembly for a wheel assembly of an amusement ride vehicle includes a base portion, a wheel-engaging section extending a first distance from the base portion, and a datum section including a protrusion extending a second distance from the base portion. The wheel-engaging section is configured to contact a wheel surface of the wheel assembly, and the datum section is configured to contact a pad of the wheel assembly. Additionally, the wheel-engaging section is rigidly positioned relative to the datum section, and the second distance is greater than the first distance so that the maintenance assembly provides a constant distance between a surface of the datum section configured to contact the pad and a surface of the wheel-engaging section configured to contact the wheel surface.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (Related Applications) This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 944,012, entitled "MAINTENANCE SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A WHEEL ASSEMBLY OF AN AMUSEMENT RIDE VEHICLE," filed December 5, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] (Technical field) FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates generally to maintenance systems and methods, and more particularly to maintenance systems and methods for wheel assemblies on amusement ride vehicles. [Background technology]

[0003] In some examples, an amusement park ride may include a ride vehicle and a ride track. The ride vehicle may include wheels coupled to a ride track, such as a rail of the ride track. During operation, the wheels may move along the ride track, which may cause the wheels to wear and / or move relative to other portions of the ride vehicle, such as the wheel assemblies and / or other portions of the body of the ride vehicle. To account for wheel wear and movement, the wheels are typically adjusted while coupled to the ride track. In some cases, the ride vehicle is moved to another track, such as an alternate track in a maintenance area, and the wheels are adjusted while coupled to the alternate track. However, it is currently recognized that adjusting the wheels while coupled to the ride track and / or the alternate track may generally prevent access to certain portions of the ride vehicle, such as portions of the wheels or portions of the wheel assemblies. Additionally, it is currently recognized that moving the ride vehicle from the ride track to the alternate ride track is a very time-consuming task that may delay maintenance of the ride vehicle.

[0004] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects that may be related to the various aspects of the present disclosure that are described below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. As such, it should be understood that this description is to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the disclosed subject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure; rather, these embodiments are intended only to provide a concise summary of certain disclosed embodiments. Indeed, the disclosure may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

[0006] In one embodiment, a maintenance assembly for a wheel assembly of an amusement ride vehicle includes a base portion, a wheel engaging section extending a first distance from the base portion, and a datum section including a protrusion extending a second distance from the base portion. The wheel engaging section is configured to contact a wheel surface of the wheel assembly, and the datum section is configured to contact a pad of the wheel assembly. Additionally, the wheel engaging section is rigidly positioned relative to the datum section, and the second distance is greater than the first distance such that the maintenance assembly provides a constant distance between a surface of the datum section configured to contact the pad and a surface of the wheel engaging section configured to contact the wheel surface.

[0007] In one embodiment, a method of maintaining an amusement ride vehicle includes exposing a wheel of the amusement ride vehicle by positioning the wheel out of engagement with a rail; positioning a datum section extending from a base portion of a hand-held maintenance assembly against a pad coupled to the wheel; and, while the datum section is positioned against the pad, adjusting a bushing coupled to the wheel until a wheel surface of the wheel contacts the rail section extending from the base portion of the hand-held maintenance assembly to provide a fixed distance between the pad and the wheel surface of the wheel.

[0008] In one embodiment, a maintenance template for a wheel assembly of an amusement ride vehicle includes a base portion having an elongated geometric shape defined by a length greater than a width, a wheel-engaging section extending a first distance from an end of the base portion in a direction transverse to the length of the base portion, and a datum section including a protrusion extending a second distance from the base portion. The wheel-engaging section has a geometric shape corresponding to a track that the wheel assembly is configured to traverse such that the wheel-engaging section is configured to contact a wheel of the wheel assembly at a first contact location. Additionally, the datum section is configured to contact a pad of the wheel assembly at a second contact location. The second distance is greater than the first distance such that an offset distance is provided between the first contact location and the second contact location.

[0009] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an amusement park ride system having a ride vehicle and a maintenance assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the wheel assembly and maintenance assembly of FIG. 1 engaged with one another, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a maintenance assembly disposed within the wheel assembly of FIG. 2 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the maintenance assembly of FIG. 1 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the maintenance assembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a top view of one embodiment of the maintenance assembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a maintenance assembly having an extender in an extended position in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 2 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a process for maintaining the ride vehicle of FIG. 1 according to aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. In order to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation may be described herein. As with any industrial design or design project, it should be recognized that the development of any such actual implementation requires numerous implementation-specific decisions to be made to achieve the specific goals of the developers, including compliance with system-related and business-related constraints that may vary between implementations. It should also be recognized that such development efforts may be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine task of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0012] When describing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the element. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. In addition, it should be understood that references to "one embodiment" or "one embodiment" of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

[0013] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a maintenance system and / or method for an amusement ride vehicle. For example, the maintenance system may include a maintenance assembly (e.g., a maintenance template) for a wheel assembly of the amusement ride vehicle. The maintenance assembly includes a base portion, a wheel engaging section extending a first distance from the base portion, and a datum section extending a second distance from the base portion, the maintenance assembly adapted to provide a fixed distance from a surface of the datum section and a surface of the wheel engaging section. The wheel engaging section may be configured to contact a wheel surface of the wheel assembly, and the datum section may be configured to contact a pad of the wheel assembly coupled to the wheel. The wheel of the wheel assembly may be adjusted relative to the pad such that the maintenance assembly provides a fixed distance between a surface of the pad and a wheel surface of the wheel assembly.

[0014] In this manner, maintenance personnel can use the maintenance assembly to adjust the wheel assembly and maintain a constant distance within the wheel assembly. The constant distance can provide clearance between the pads of the wheel assembly and the ride track while the wheel assembly is coupled to the ride track and / or moving along the ride track. In this manner, maintenance time for the wheel assembly, and the ride vehicle in general, can be reduced compared to conventional embodiments. For example, rather than moving the ride vehicle from one ride track to an alternative ride track or tracks to perform maintenance, the ride vehicle can be removed from the ride track to expose the wheel assembly. The maintenance assembly can be positioned within the exposed wheel assembly to allow adjustment of the wheel and provide a constant distance within the wheel assembly. In some embodiments, the maintenance assembly can be a lightweight, handheld maintenance assembly (e.g., between ¼ (0.25) kilograms (kg) and 20 kg) that can be easily manipulated and moved by maintenance personnel. In this manner, the maintenance assembly can facilitate maintenance of the wheel assembly and the ride vehicle in general. To achieve this weight reduction, the maintenance assembly may be made completely or partially from plastic and may include hollow features.

[0015] In view of the above, the present embodiments relating to a maintenance system and / or method for wheel assemblies of an amusement ride vehicle may be utilized in any amusement ride or attraction system. For example, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an amusement ride system 10 having a maintenance assembly 12, ride vehicles 14 (e.g., amusement ride vehicles), and a ride track 16. The ride vehicles 14 are coupled to rails 18 of the ride track 16. In certain embodiments, the amusement ride system 10 may include additional ride vehicles 14 and / or the ride vehicles 14 may be coupled to form a train or row of ride vehicles 14 along the ride track 16. In some embodiments, each ride vehicle 14 may be decoupled and independently movable. The ride vehicles 14 may carry one or more guests through the amusement ride system 10. For example, the amusement park ride system 10 may be a roller coaster that includes ride vehicles 14 that travel at high speeds (e.g., 50-100 mph) for the entertainment of attending guests. In other embodiments, the amusement park ride system 10 may be a low speed ride that includes ride vehicles 14 that travel at low speeds (e.g., 1-30 mph).

[0016] The ride vehicle 14 includes a wheel assembly 20 (e.g., a bogie assembly) and a passenger car 22 coupled to the wheel assembly 20. The passenger car 22 may be configured to transport guests through the amusement park ride system 10. As shown, the ride vehicle 14 includes two wheel assemblies 20 that engage rails 18 of the ride track 16. In certain embodiments, the ride vehicle 14 may include more or fewer wheel assemblies 20 (e.g., one wheel assembly 20, three wheel assemblies 20, four wheel assemblies 20, six wheel assemblies 20, ten wheel assemblies 20). In some embodiments, the ride track 16 may include more or fewer rails 18 (e.g., one rail 18, three rails 18, four rails 18, six rails 18). 2 and 3, the wheel assemblies 20 may include one or more wheels that enable the ride vehicles 14 to move along the rails 18, such as in a direction 24 along the ride track 16, during operation and / or maintenance of the amusement ride system 10. For example, the ride track 16 may be located within a boarding area of ​​the amusement ride system 10 (e.g., an area in which the ride vehicles 14 are configured to transport guests) and / or within a maintenance area of ​​the amusement ride system 10 (e.g., an area in which the ride vehicles 14, or portions thereof, may be maintained).

[0017] The wheels may be coupled to the pads of the wheel assembly 20 to provide an offset distance (e.g., gap) between the pads and the rail 18 while the wheel assembly 20 is engaged with the rail 18. As the wheel assembly 20 moves along the ride track 16, for example during normal operation of the amusement park ride system 10, the wheels of the wheel assembly 20 may experience wear and / or movement relative to other portions of the wheel assembly 20. The wear and / or relative movement of the wheels may change the offset distance between the wheels of the wheel assembly 20 and the pads, thereby changing the distance / gap between the pads and the rail 18 while the wheel assembly 20 is engaged with the rail 18.

[0018] During maintenance (e.g., routine and / or periodic maintenance) of the ride vehicle 14, some or all of the wheel assembly 20 may be dismounted and / or removed from the rail 18, thereby exposing the wheels of the wheel assembly 20. In certain embodiments, the ride vehicle 14 may be supported by another structure of the amusement ride system 10 while removed from the rail 18. The maintenance assembly 12 is configured to provide a reference / datum structure for adjusting the wheels of the wheel assembly 20 and maintaining an offset distance between the wheels of the exposed wheel assembly 20 and the pads. For example, the maintenance assembly includes a base portion 30, a wheel-engaging section 32 (e.g., a rail section) coupled to and extending from the base portion 30, and a datum section 34 coupled to and extending from the base portion 30. The datum section 34 may extend farther from the base portion 30 than the wheel-engaging section 32 to provide a fixed distance (e.g., a fixed lateral distance) between a surface 36 of the wheel-engaging section 32 and a surface 38 of the datum section 34. The maintenance assembly 12 can be positioned against / within the exposed wheel assembly 20 such that one or more wheel engaging sections 32 (e.g., surface 36 of the wheel engaging sections 32) engage / contact the respective wheels of the wheel assembly 20 and / or the datum section 34 (e.g., surface 38 of the datum section 34) engage / contact the pads of the wheel assembly 20. In certain embodiments, only one or more wheel engaging sections 32 may contact the respective wheels of the wheel assembly 20 or only the datum section 34 may contact the pads of the wheel assembly 20 (e.g., due to wear and / or movement of the wheels relative to the pads). The wheels can be adjusted against the pads until both the pads and the wheels are in contact with the maintenance assembly 12, thereby establishing / maintaining a constant distance within the wheel assembly 20 (e.g., between the pads and the wheels).

[0019] As shown, the wheel-engaging sections 32 are curved to generally mimic the curved shape of the rail 18 (e.g., each wheel-engaging section 32 is a rail-shaped contact surface). For example, each wheel-engaging section 32 includes a curved surface that can engage a complementary outer surface of the wheel assembly 20. In certain embodiments, the wheel-engaging sections 32 can be flat or other suitable shapes. For purposes of explanation, reference can be made to a longitudinal axis or direction 40, a vertical axis or direction 42, and a lateral axis or direction 44. For example, the direction of travel 24 of the ride vehicle 14 can be generally along the longitudinal axis 40. Additionally, the rail 18 and / or the maintenance assembly 12 (e.g., the length of the maintenance assembly 12) can extend generally along the longitudinal axis 40. The wheel-engaging sections 32 and the datum section 34 extend from the base portion 30 generally along the lateral axis 44. It should be understood that the illustrated axes 40, 42, and 44 (as depicted in the drawings) are generally offset from associated system components to facilitate viewing and understanding of the directional context of the disclosed features. However, reference to a feature as being positioned or moving along a particular axis can be understood to mean an axis generally aligned with the associated feature and / or an axis generally parallel to the referenced axis. Moreover, these are intended to facilitate understanding of positioning within a given range or relative to other components, as understood in light of system tolerances, etc., and therefore a strict mathematical interpretation would be unduly limiting.

[0020] 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the maintenance assembly 12 of FIG. 1 disposed relative to / within a wheel assembly 20. As shown, the wheel assembly 20 includes a body structure 60 configured to engage with a carriage 22 of the ride vehicle 14 of FIG. 1 and / or other portions of the ride vehicle 14. In addition, the wheel assembly 20 includes load-bearing wheels 62 coupled to the body structure 60 (one load-bearing wheel 62 is shown, another load-bearing wheel 62 is omitted for clarity), guide wheels 64 (e.g., side wheels) coupled to the body structure 60 (one guide wheel 64 is disposed behind the body structure 60 and is not visible), and a lower wheel 66 coupled to the body structure 60. The load-bearing wheels 62 are configured to engage / contact the rail 18 and support some or all of the load of the ride vehicle 14 and at least partially limit movement of the wheel assembly 20 relative to the rail 18 (e.g., downward movement along the vertical axis 42). The guide wheels 64 are configured to engage / contact the rail 18 and at least partially limit the movement of the wheel assembly 20 relative to the rail 18 (e.g., movement along the lateral axis 44). The lower wheels 66 are configured to engage / contact the rail 18 and at least partially limit the movement of the wheel assembly 20 relative to the rail 18 (e.g., upward movement along the vertical axis 42).

[0021] As shown, the maintenance assembly 12 is positioned relative to the wheel assembly 20. The wheel engaging section 32 engages with the guide wheel 64 (e.g., the surface 36 of the wheel engaging section 32 engages with the wheel surface 68 of the guide wheel 64 at a first contact location). In addition, the datum section 34 engages with a pad 70 (e.g., a bogie pad) of the body structure 60 (e.g., the surface 38 of the datum section 34 engages with the pad 70 at a second contact location), and the body structure 60 is coupled (e.g., rotatably coupled and / or adjustably coupled) to the guide wheel 64.

[0022] As discussed above, the surface 36 of each wheel engaging section 32 is disposed at a fixed distance (e.g., a fixed distance along the lateral axis 44) relative to the surface 38 of the datum section 34. The guide wheels 64 may be adjusted relative to the body structure 60 such that the distance between the wheel surface 68 and the pad 70 (e.g., a distance along the lateral axis 44) approximately matches the fixed distance of the maintenance assembly 12. For example, wear and / or relative movement of the guide wheels 64 relative to the body structure 60 may cause only the datum section 34 to engage the pad 70, or may cause only one or both wheel engaging sections 32 to engage their respective guide wheels 64. Thus, the guide wheels 64 may be adjusted relative to the body structure 60 to compensate for such wear and relative movement.

[0023] The wheel assembly 20 includes a wheel extender 72 coupled to the body structure 60 and to each guide wheel 64. Each wheel extender 72 can be adjusted (e.g., retracted or extended) to move the guide wheel 64 relative to the body structure 60 and maintain a fixed distance (e.g., a fixed distance along the lateral axis 44). For example, the wheel extender 72 can include pressurized hydraulic fluid, one or more springs, ratchets, and other suitable mechanisms configured to adjust the position of each guide wheel 64 relative to the body structure 60. Each guide wheel 64 can be rotatably coupled to the body structure 60 or otherwise coupled to the body structure 60 to allow for such adjustment.

[0024] Additionally, the wheel assembly 20 includes a bushing 74 coupled to the body structure 60 and an axle of each guide wheel 64. Each bushing 74 can be adjusted (e.g., rotated) to move the guide wheel 64 relative to the body structure 60 to maintain a fixed distance (e.g., a fixed distance along the transverse axis 44). For example, the bushing 72 can be an eccentric bushing coupled to the axle of the guide wheel 64. The bushing 74 can be rotated in a first direction 76 to increase the offset distance between the guide wheel 64 and the pad 70, and rotated in a second direction 78 to decrease the offset distance between the guide wheel 64 and the pad 70. In certain embodiments, the first direction 76 and second direction 78 can be reversed such that the bushing 74 is rotated in the second direction 78 to increase the offset distance between the guide wheel 64 and the pad 70, and rotated in the first direction 76 to decrease the offset distance between the guide wheel 64 and the pad 70. Adjustments to the bushing 74 may be made in addition to or instead of adjusting the wheel extender 72 to maintain a constant distance (e.g., a constant distance along the lateral axis 44). In certain embodiments, the wheel extender 72 or bushing 74 may be omitted from the wheel assembly 20.

[0025] In certain embodiments, the wheel assembly 20 may include other components and / or surfaces coupled to the guide wheel 64. The guide wheel 64 may be adjusted relative to the other component / surface to provide the offset distance. For example, the other component may be a bracket of the maintenance assembly 12 or other suitable component / surface. The datum section 34 of the maintenance assembly 12 may be used to adjust the guide wheel 64 relative to the other component / surface to provide the offset distance between the guide wheel 64 and the other component / surface.

[0026] Although the maintenance assembly 12 is described herein as providing a reference / datum structure for maintenance and adjustment of the guide wheels 64, the maintenance assembly 12 or another suitable maintenance assembly may be used for adjustment of the load-bearing wheels 62 and / or the lower wheels 66. The load-bearing wheels 62 and / or the lower wheels 66 may also wear and / or rotate relative to the body structure 60, and the maintenance assembly 12 may be used to adjust the load-bearing wheels 62 and / or the lower wheels 66 to compensate for such wear and relative rotation. For example, as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 7, the maintenance assembly 12 may include one or more extenders configured to adjust a fixed distance between the surface 36 of each wheel-engaging section 32 and the surface 38 of the datum section 34.

[0027] Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the maintenance assembly 12 positioned relative to the wheel assembly 20 of Figure 2. As shown, the surface 38 of the datum section 34 engages a pad 70 of the body structure 60 of the wheel assembly 20. As discussed above, the wheel extenders 72 and / or bushings 74 of the wheel assembly 20 can be adjusted until the datum section 34 engages the pad 70 and the wheel engaging section 32 engages the guide wheel 64 to provide a constant lateral distance between the guide wheel 64 and the pad 70.

[0028] 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the maintenance assembly 12 of FIG. 1. The maintenance assembly 12 includes a gripping section 80 disposed between each wheel-engaging section 32 and the datum section 34 (e.g., two gripping sections 80). In certain embodiments, the maintenance assembly 12 can include more or fewer gripping sections 80 (e.g., one gripping section 80, three gripping sections 80, four gripping sections 80). Each gripping section 80 is configured to allow a user to hold, move, grasp, manipulate, and / or position the maintenance assembly 12. For example, each gripping section 80 includes a handle 82 formed by a hole 84 (e.g., a passageway) that extends through the maintenance assembly 12 (e.g., through the base portion 30) along the lateral axis 44. A user can extend their hand, a portion of a hand, and / or a tool through the hole 84 in the handle 82 to grasp the gripping section 80 (e.g., to grasp one or both gripping sections 80). In the illustrated embodiment, each hole 84 extends entirely through the maintenance assembly 12. In some embodiments, one or both holes 84 may extend only partially into the maintenance assembly 12 (e.g., along the lateral axis 44). In certain embodiments, one or both holes 84 may be omitted, and a user may grasp the grip section 80 by wrapping a hand around the maintenance assembly 12 at the grip section 80. In some embodiments, one or both grip sections 80 may include other handles, such as protrusions extending laterally from the base portion 30 on a side of the maintenance assembly 12 generally opposite the wheel-engagement section 32 and the datum section 34 (e.g., the back side of the maintenance assembly 12). In one embodiment, the handles may extend from one side of one or both holes 84 to the other side of one or both holes 84, respectively.

[0029] The datum section 34 includes two protrusions 90 extending from an outer surface 92 of the maintenance assembly 12 (e.g., an outer surface disposed along / inside the datum section 34). A surface 38 (e.g., a surface 38 configured to engage / contact a pad 70 of the wheel assembly 20) is disposed on each protrusion 90. In certain embodiments, the datum section 34 can include more or fewer protrusions 90 (e.g., one protrusion 90, three protrusions 90, four protrusions 90). Additionally, each protrusion 90 is generally rectangular, and the length of each protrusion 90 extends generally along the longitudinal axis 40. In other embodiments, one or more of the protrusions 90 can be shaped differently than in the illustrated embodiment.

[0030] As mentioned above, the maintenance assembly 12 may be lightweight so that maintenance personnel can easily handle the maintenance assembly and move it into and out of the wheel assembly. For example, the maintenance assembly 12 may be between ¼ (0.25) kg and 100 (100.0) kg, between ¼ (0.25) kg and 20 (20.0) kg, between 1 (1.0) kg and 15 (15.0) kg, or other suitable weight. Additionally, the maintenance assembly 12 may be integrally formed as a unitary structure (e.g., each of the base portion 30, the wheel-engaging section 32, the datum section 34, and the gripping portion 80 may be integrally formed as a unitary structure). For example, the maintenance assembly 12 may be a molded structure (e.g., formed using a molding process) or another suitable structure formed by another suitable process. In certain embodiments, each of the base portion 30, the wheel-engaging section 32, the datum section 34, and the grip section 80 can be rigidly coupled / connected to one another. For example, the datum section 34 can be rigidly disposed between each of the wheel-engaging sections 32.

[0031] 5 is a side view of one embodiment of the maintenance assembly 12 of FIG. 1. As shown, the base portion 30 of the maintenance assembly 12 extends a distance 100 along the lateral axis 44. The distance 100 may be fifty (50.0) millimeters (mm), between ten (10.0) mm and one hundred (100.0) mm, or other suitable distance. Additionally, each wheel-engaging section 32 extends a distance 102 from the base portion 30 along the lateral axis 44 (e.g., transverse to the length of the base portion 30). The distance 102 may be ten (10.0) mm, between four (4.0) mm and thirty (30.0) mm, between six (6.0) mm and twenty (20.0) mm, or other suitable distance. Additionally, the datum section 34 extends a distance 104 from the base portion 30 along the lateral axis 44 (e.g., transverse to the length of the base portion 30). Distance 104 may be fifteen (15.0) mm, between ten (10.0) mm and forty (40.0) mm, or other suitable distance. In certain embodiments, distance 102 may be greater than distance 104 such that datum section 34 extends further from base portion 30 than wheel engaging section 32, with the difference between distance 102 and distance 104 approximately equal to the constant distance provided between guide wheel 64 and pad 70 of wheel assembly 20.

[0032] In some embodiments, the difference between distance 102 and distance 104 may be approximately equal to a distance 106 (e.g., the height / length of protrusion 90) that protrusion 90 extends from outer surface 92 of maintenance assembly 12. For example, outer surface 92 may extend distance 102 from base portion 30 such that at least a portion of surface 36 of each wheel engaging section 32 and outer surface 92 form a continuous surface along the maintenance assembly 12.

[0033] As shown, the maintenance assembly includes a receiver 110 extending into the base portion 30 along the transverse axis 44 and generally opposite the datum section 34. The receiver 110 may be configured to receive a clamp for securing the maintenance assembly 12 to the wheel assembly 20. For example, a first portion of the clamp may be disposed and / or secured to the receiver 110 and a second portion of the clamp may be secured to the body structure 60 of the wheel assembly 20. In this manner, the receiver 110 allows the maintenance assembly 12 to be securely attached to the wheel assembly during a maintenance operation, such as during adjustment of the guide wheels 64. The receiver extends a distance 112 into the base portion 30. The distance 112 may be twenty-five (25.0) mm, between fifteen (15.0) mm and forty (40.0) mm, or any other suitable distance. Additionally, the diameter 114 along the longitudinal axis 40 of the receiver 110 may be forty (40.0) mm, between twenty (25.0) mm and sixty (60.0) mm, or any other suitable diameter.

[0034] 6 is a top view of one embodiment of the maintenance assembly 12 of FIG. 1. The base portion 30 and the maintenance assembly 12 extend generally along the vertical axis 40 by a distance 120 (e.g., a length). The distance 120 may be forty-eight (25.0) centimeters (cm), between twenty (20.0) cm and one hundred (100.0) cm, or other suitable distance. In addition, the base portion 30 and the maintenance assembly 12 extend generally along the vertical axis 42 by a distance 122 (e.g., a width). The distance 122 may be seventy-six (76.0) mm, between fifty (50.0) mm and one hundred (100.0) mm, or other suitable distance. Thus, the base portion 30 includes an elongated geometric shape defined by a length (e.g., distance 120) that is greater than the width (e.g., distance 122). In certain embodiments, distance 120 may be greater than distance 122 such that distance 120 is the width of maintenance assembly 12 and distance 122 is the length of maintenance assembly 12 .

[0035] Additionally, each hole 84 of each gripping portion 80 includes semicircles 130 connected to form the hole 84. A radius 132 of each semicircle 130 may be 19 (19.0) mm, between 10 (10.0) mm and 40 (40.0) mm, or other suitable radius. Additionally, a distance 134 between centers 136 of each semicircle 130 may be 50 (50.0) mm, between 30 (30.0) mm and 70 (70.0) mm, or other suitable distance. Further, the center 136 of the semicircle 130 closest to the receiver 110 is offset from the center 138 of the receiver 110 by a distance 140. The distance 140 (e.g., offset distance) may be 75 (75.0) mm, between 50 (50.0) mm and 100 (100.0) mm, or other suitable distance. The distance 140 can facilitate handling of the maintenance assembly 12 (e.g., with the gripping section 80) while clamping the maintenance assembly 12 to the wheel assembly 20 (e.g., with the receiving portion 110). For example, the distance 140 can allow a user to hold the maintenance assembly 12 both ways, for example, relative to the wheel assembly 20 while clamping the maintenance assembly 12 to the wheel assembly 20.

[0036] 7 is a side view of an embodiment of the maintenance assembly 160 with the extender 162 of the datum section 164 in an extended position. As shown, the maintenance assembly 160 includes a datum section 164 configured to engage a pad of the wheel assembly 20, a wheel engagement section 166 (e.g., a rail section) configured to engage a guide wheel 64 of the wheel assembly 20, and a gripper section 168 disposed between the datum section 164 and each wheel engagement section 166. The extender 162 is coupled to a base portion 170 and a protrusion 172 of the maintenance assembly 160. The protrusion 172 can be configured to engage / contact a pad 70 of the wheel assembly 20. In certain embodiments, the extender 162 can couple the datum section 164 to the base portion 170 (e.g., the datum section 164 can include the protrusion 172 and the extender 162 can be omitted from the datum section 164). As shown, the base portion extends a distance 174 along the transverse axis 44. Additionally, the maintenance assembly 160 includes a receiver 176 configured to receive a clamp for securing the maintenance assembly 160 to the wheel assembly 20.

[0037] Each extender 162 can be adjustable (e.g., configured to move) relative to the base portion 170 along the transverse axis 44 to adjust a distance 180 (e.g., an offset distance) between a surface 182 of the protrusion 172 and the base portion 170. For example, the distance 180 can be adjusted based on actuation of the extender 162 along / in an aperture 186 formed within the reference section 164 and / or along / in an aperture 186 formed within the base portion 170. In certain embodiments, each extender 162 can be a screw coupled to the base portion 170 and the protrusion 172, and the extender 162 is configured to rotate (e.g., screw into or unscrew from the base portion 170 or the protrusion 172) to adjust the distance 180. Additionally or alternatively, the extender 162 may include other mechanisms configured to allow adjustment of the distance 180, such as pressurized hydraulic fluid, a spring pin configured to engage a slot disposed laterally along the base portion 170, and other suitable mechanisms. The extender 162 may be adjustable to allow adjustment of the distance 180 to between ten (10.0) mm and ten (10.0) cm, between twenty (20.0) mm and fifty (50.0) mm, or other suitable distances. Additionally, markings may be provided on a visible portion of the extender 162 to indicate the extension distance to facilitate configuration at a desired extension distance. As shown, the maintenance assembly 160 includes two extenders 162. In other embodiments, the maintenance assembly 160 may include more or fewer extenders 162 (e.g., one extender 162, three extenders 162, four extenders 162).

[0038] The adjustable distance 180 allows the maintenance assembly 160 to be used with multiple / different wheels of a wheel assembly. For example, as described above, the wheel assembly 20 includes the load-bearing wheels 62, the guide wheels 64, and the lower wheels 66. Each of the load-bearing wheels 62, the guide wheels 64, and the lower wheels 66 can be offset from their respective pads of the body structure 60 by different distances. In this manner, the extender 162 of the maintenance assembly 160 can be adjusted to change the distance 180 such that it matches the offset distance for any of the load-bearing wheels 62, the guide wheels 64, the lower wheels 66, and / or other suitable wheels of the amusement ride, thereby facilitating maintenance adjustments for that wheel.

[0039] Figure 8 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a process 200 for maintaining the ride vehicle 14 of Figure 1. The illustrated process 200 is presented by way of example only, and in other embodiments, certain illustrated steps of the process 200 may be performed in other orders, skipped, or repeated in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0040] As shown, in process block 202, the wheels of the ride vehicle 14 are exposed by positioning the wheels out of engagement with the rails 18 of the amusement ride system 10. For example, the ride vehicle 14 may be moved from the rails 18 to another support structure capable of supporting the ride vehicle 14. The exposed wheels may include the load-bearing wheels 62, the guide wheels 64, and / or the lower wheels 66 of the wheel assembly 20. A portion of all of the wheel assembly 20 may be exposed (e.g., removed from the rails 18).

[0041] In process block 204, the datum section extending from the base portion of the maintenance assembly is adjusted relative to the base portion until the datum section extends a fixed distance from the base portion. For example, the extender 162 of the maintenance assembly 160 can be adjusted until the distance 180 (e.g., the lateral distance between the base portion 170 and the surface 182 of the protrusion 172) extends a fixed / specific distance. The fixed distance can be based on the type of wheel being adjusted. For example, the fixed distance can be different for the load-bearing wheels 62, the guide wheels 64, and / or the lower wheels 66 of the wheel assembly 20.

[0042] In process block 206, the datum section of the maintenance assembly is positioned relative to a pad coupled to the wheel of the wheel assembly and / or the wheel engaging section of the maintenance assembly is positioned relative to a wheel surface of the wheel. For example, the datum section 34 of the maintenance assembly 12 can be positioned relative to a pad 70 coupled to the guide wheel 64 of the wheel assembly 20 and / or the wheel engaging section 32 of the maintenance assembly 12 can be positioned relative to the wheel surface 68 of the guide wheel 64. Alternatively, the datum section 164 of the maintenance assembly 160 can be positioned relative to the pad 70 coupled to the guide wheel 64 of the wheel assembly 20 and / or the wheel engaging section 166 of the maintenance assembly 16 can be positioned relative to the wheel surface 68 of the guide wheel 64. In certain embodiments, the datum section 34 of the maintenance assembly 12 or the datum section 164 of the maintenance assembly 160 may be positioned relative to a pad of the body structure 60 coupled to the load-bearing wheel 62 or the lower wheel 66, and / or the datum section 34 of the maintenance assembly 12 or the datum section 164 of the maintenance assembly 160 may be positioned relative to a pad of the body structure 60 coupled to the load-bearing wheel 62 or the lower wheel 66.

[0043] In process block 208, the maintenance assembly is clamped to the wheel assembly. For example, a clamp can be inserted into the receptacle 110 of the maintenance assembly 12 or the receptacle 176 of the maintenance assembly 160 to secure the maintenance assembly 12 or the maintenance assembly 160 to the wheel assembly 20.

[0044] In process block 210, the wheel extender and / or bushing coupled to the wheel is adjusted until the wheel surface of the wheel contacts the wheel engaging section and the datum section contacts the pad to provide a constant lateral distance between the pad and the wheel surface. For example, the wheel extender 72 coupled to the guide wheel 64 can be adjusted until the pad 70 contacts / engages the datum section 34 of the maintenance assembly 12 and the wheel surface 68 of the guide wheel 64 contacts / engages the wheel engaging section 32 of the maintenance assembly 12. In a particular embodiment, the wheel extender 72 coupled to the guide wheel 64 can be adjusted until the pad 70 contacts / engages the datum section 164 of the maintenance assembly 160 and the wheel surface 68 of the guide wheel 64 contacts / engages the wheel engaging section 166 of the maintenance assembly 160. In this manner, the wheel extender 72 can be adjusted using the maintenance assembly 12 and / or the maintenance assembly 160 to provide a constant lateral distance between the pad 70 and the guide wheel 64.

[0045] Additionally or alternatively, a bushing 74 coupled to the guide wheel 64 can be adjusted (e.g., rotated) until the pad 70 contacts / engages the datum section 34 of the maintenance assembly 12 and the wheel surface 68 of the guide wheel 64 contacts / engages the wheel engaging section 32 of the maintenance assembly 12. In certain embodiments, the bushing 74 coupled to the guide wheel 64 can be adjusted until the pad 70 contacts / engages the datum section 164 of the maintenance assembly 160 and the wheel surface 68 of the guide wheel 64 contacts / engages the wheel engaging section 166 of the maintenance assembly 160. In this manner, the bushing 74 can be adjusted using the maintenance assembly 12 and / or the maintenance assembly 160 to provide a constant lateral distance between the pad 70 and the guide wheel 64. The process 200, or certain steps thereof, can be repeated for each wheel or set of wheels of the wheel assembly 20.

[0046] Thus, the maintenance assembly 12 and the maintenance assembly 160 of the amusement ride system 10 of FIG. 1 facilitate maintenance of the wheel assembly 20 of the ride vehicle 14. For example, the maintenance assembly 12 and the maintenance assembly 160 can be positioned relative to the wheel assembly 20. The wheel extenders 72 and / or bushings 74 of the wheel assembly 20 can be adjusted to adjust the position of the guide wheels 64. Such adjustment of the guide wheels 64 can compensate for wear and / or rotation of the guide wheels 64 that may occur during operation and / or maintenance of the amusement ride system 10. Additionally, the maintenance assembly 12 and the maintenance assembly 160 can be lightweight and compact such that each is a handheld assembly that can be easily handled by a user. In this manner, the maintenance assembly 12 and the maintenance assembly 160 can facilitate maintenance of the ride vehicle 14 and reduce the maintenance time of the ride vehicle 14.

[0047] While only certain features of the disclosed embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes which fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure.

[0048] The technology presented and claimed herein refers to and applies to tangible objects and specific examples of a practical nature that positively improve the art and are therefore not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. Moreover, if any claim appended at the end of this specification contains one or more elements designated as "means for [performing] ... [function]" or "step for [performing] ... [function]," such elements are to be construed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 112(f). On the other hand, for any claim containing an element designated in any other manner, such elements are not to be construed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 112(f). [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 10 Amusement Park Ride System 12 Maintenance Assembly 14 Vehicles 16 Vehicle Tracks 18 Rail 20 Wheel assembly 22 Passenger car 30 Basic part 32 Wheel Engagement Section 34 Criteria Section 36 Wheel-engaging section surface 38 Surface of the reference section

Claims

1. 1. A maintenance assembly for a wheel assembly of an amusement ride vehicle, said maintenance assembly comprising: a base portion extending in a first direction; at least one wheel engaging section extending a first distance from the base portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each wheel engaging section of the at least one wheel engaging section configured to contact a respective wheel surface of the wheel assembly; a datum section extending a second distance from the base portion in the second direction and including a protrusion configured to contact a pad of the wheel assembly; Equipped with the at least one wheel engaging section is rigidly positioned relative to the datum section, and the second distance is greater than the first distance, such that the maintenance assembly provides a constant distance between a surface of the datum section configured to contact the pad and a surface of the at least one wheel engaging section configured to contact each of the wheel surfaces.

2. 2. The maintenance assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one wheel engaging section comprises a first rail-shaped contact surface configured to contact a first wheel and a second rail-shaped contact surface configured to contact a second wheel, and the datum section is rigidly disposed between the first rail-shaped contact surface and the second rail-shaped contact surface.

3. 2. The maintenance assembly of claim 1, further comprising a gripping section disposed between the datum section and each wheel engaging section of the at least one wheel engaging section, the gripping section comprising a handle configured to enable a user to hold and install the maintenance assembly.

4. The maintenance assembly of claim 3 , wherein the handle includes a hole extending into or through the base portion.

5. 2. The maintenance assembly of claim 1, wherein the datum section includes a receiving portion extending partially into the base portion from a side of the base portion opposite the side of the base portion from which the protrusion extends, the receiving portion configured to receive a clamp for securing the maintenance assembly to the wheel assembly of the amusement ride vehicle.

6. 2. The maintenance assembly of claim 1, wherein said first distance is between six (6.0) millimeters and twenty (20.0) millimeters.

7. 2. The maintenance assembly of claim 1, wherein said second distance is between ten (10.0) millimeters and forty (40.0) millimeters.

8. 10. The maintenance assembly of claim 1, wherein said maintenance assembly weighs between one-quarter (0.25) kilograms and twenty (20.0) kilograms.

9. 1. A method of maintaining an amusement park ride vehicle, comprising: exposing wheels of the amusement ride vehicle by positioning the wheels out of engagement with a rail; positioning a datum section extending from a base portion of a hand-held maintenance assembly in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction in which the base portion extends, the datum section being contactable against a pad coupled to the wheel; While the datum section is contactable against the pad, adjusting a bushing coupled to the wheel until a wheel surface of the wheel contacts a rail section extending in the second direction from the base portion of the handheld maintenance assembly to provide a constant distance between the pad and the wheel surface of the wheel; The method includes:

10. 10. The method of claim 9, comprising clamping the hand-held maintenance assembly to a wheel assembly of the amusement ride vehicle, the wheel assembly comprising the wheel.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising inserting a portion of a clamp into a receptacle located on an opposite side of the base portion of the hand-held maintenance assembly from the datum section.

12. The method of claim 9 , comprising adjusting the datum section relative to the base portion until the datum section extends a fixed distance from the base portion.

13. 1. A maintenance template for a wheel assembly of an amusement ride vehicle, comprising: a base portion having an elongated geometric shape defined by a length greater than a width; a wheel engaging section extending a first distance from at least one end of the base portion in a second direction perpendicular to the direction of the length of the base portion, the wheel engaging section having a geometric shape corresponding to a track that the wheel assembly is configured to traverse such that the wheel engaging section is configured to contact at least one wheel of the wheel assembly at a first contact location; a datum section extending a second distance in the second direction from the base portion and including a protrusion configured to contact a pad of a wheel assembly at a second contact location; Equipped with A maintenance template, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance such that an offset distance is provided between the first contact location and the second contact location.

14. The maintenance template of claim 13 , wherein the wheel engaging section comprises two rail sections rigidly coupled to the datum section, the datum section extending between the two rail sections.

15. 14. The maintenance template of claim 13, wherein a space between the datum section and the wheel engaging section is provided with a passageway extending into or through the maintenance template to facilitate gripping and manipulation of the maintenance template.

16. 14. The maintenance template of claim 13, including a receiving portion in the base portion through a side of the base portion opposite a side along which the datum section extends, the receiving portion configured to receive a clamp for securing the maintenance template to the wheel assembly of the amusement ride vehicle.

17. The maintenance template of claim 13 , wherein the wheel engaging section has a curved surface configured to engage a complementary outer surface of the at least one wheel.

18. The maintenance template of claim 13 , wherein the base portion, the wheel engaging section, and the datum section are integrally formed into a unitary structure.

19. 20. The maintenance template of claim 18, wherein the integral structure is a molded structure.

20. The maintenance template of claim 13, comprising an extender coupling the reference section to the base portion, the offset distance being adjustable based on actuation of the extender.

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