Rollercoaster switch back for a reverse ride on trajectory segment track

Abstract

A rollercoaster includes a reverse track switch device including a dead-end track section which is movable between at least three switch positions. The three switch positions include an entrance position and at least two exit positions. The exit positions are in alignment with a first and second trajectory segment. On one trajectory segment, passengers enjoy a backwards ride, whilst on the other trajectory segment a forward ride is made. The separate two exit positions are beneficial in that a single reverse track switch device may suffice to obtain a spectacular rollercoaster trajectory including a reverse riding trajectory segment.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A reverse track switch device for reversing an initial riding direction of a ride vehicle on a trajectory, wherein the reverse track switch device comprises:
 a movable dead-end track section for receiving the ride vehicle, wherein the dead-end track section has an entrance at a proximal end;   a framework for supporting the dead-end track section;   a drive for moving the dead-end track section to and fro at least three switch positions including at least one access position and at least a first and second exit position to allow a ride vehicle to leave the dead-end track section in a reverse riding direction to a first trajectory segment at the first exit position, to allow the ride vehicle to return thereafter onto the dead-end track section via the at least one access position and subsequently to allow the ride vehicle to leave the dead-end track section in the initial riding direction to a second trajectory segment at the second exit position.   
     
     
         17 . The reverse track switch device according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one access position is positioned between the first and second exit position. 
     
     
         18 . The reverse track switch device according to  claim 16 , wherein the dead-end track section is movable between a single access position and the at least two exit positions. 
     
     
         19 . The reverse track switch device according to  claim 16 , wherein the dead-end track section is rotatable about a pivot axis. 
     
     
         20 . The reverse track switch device according to  claim 19 , wherein the pivot axis is positioned at the distal end of the dead-end track section. 
     
     
         21 . The reverse track switch device according to  claim 19 , wherein the dead-end track section is rotatable about a swing angle of at most 30° in between neighbouring switch positions. 
     
     
         22 . The reverse track switch device according to  claim 16 , wherein the dead-end track section is slidably supported at the proximal end by a guidance rail mounted to the framework, wherein a switch lock is provided at each switch position to lock the dead-end track section in position. 
     
     
         23 . The reverse track switch device according to  claim 16 , wherein the dead-end track section is sloped about a slope angle of at least 5°. 
     
     
         24 . The reverse track switch device according to  claim 16 , wherein the dead-end track section comprises at least one of the following features:
 a launch unit for launching a ride vehicle;   a brake unit for stopping a ride vehicle at the dead-end track section; and   a stopper at a distal end.   
     
     
         25 . The reverse track switch device according  claim 16 , wherein the dead-end track section comprises a locker for locking the ride vehicle to the dead-end track section. 
     
     
         26 . The reverse track switch according to  claim 25 , wherein one of the ride vehicle and the dead-end track section includes a locking member to engage with the respective other of the ride vehicle and dead-end track section. 
     
     
         27 . The reverse track switch according to  claim 26 , wherein the locking member is a locking pen or locking hook. 
     
     
         28 . A rollercoaster to provide a passenger ride along a trajectory comprising a reverse track switch device comprising:
 a movable dead-end track section for receiving the ride vehicle, wherein the dead-end track section has an entrance at a proximal end, the dead-end track section being operable between at least three switch positions including at least one entrance position and at least two exit positions;   a framework for supporting the dead-end track section; and   a drive for moving the dead-end track section to and fro at least three switch positions including at least one access position and at least a first and second exit position to allow a ride vehicle to leave the dead-end track section in a reverse riding direction to a first trajectory segment at the first exit position, to allow the ride vehicle to return thereafter onto the dead-end track section via the at least one access position and subsequently to allow the ride vehicle to leave the dead-end track section in the initial riding direction to a second trajectory segment at the second exit position,   wherein the rollercoaster further comprises:   a first trajectory segment and a second trajectory segment having each respectively a segment start in alignment with respectively the first and second exit positions of the reverse track switch device; and   an entry trajectory segment having a segment end in alignment with the at least one entrance position of the reverse track switch device.   
     
     
         29 . The rollercoaster according to  claim 28 , wherein the reverse track switch device comprises a single entrance position, wherein the first and second trajectory segments are coupled to each other by a track switch to guide a ride vehicle from the first or second trajectory segment onto a common track being in alignment with the single entrance position to enter the dead-end track section of the reverse track switch device. 
     
     
         30 . The rollercoaster according to  claim 29 , wherein the track switch is a high speed track switch. 
     
     
         31 . The rollercoaster according to  claim 28 , wherein the rollercoaster comprises in its trajectory a passenger station to allow passengers to enter or exit a ride vehicle, wherein the passenger station is located at a final trajectory segment of the trajectory being in alignment with an exit position of the reverse track switch device. 
     
     
         32 . The rollercoaster according to  claim 28 , wherein the first trajectory segment being in alignment with the first exit position and being arranged for a reverse riding direction differs in length from the second trajectory segment being in alignment with the second exit position which is arranged for an initial riding direction. 
     
     
         33 . A method for operating a rollercoaster comprising the steps of:
 providing a rollercoaster to provide a passenger ride along a trajectory comprising a reverse track switch device comprising:
 a movable dead-end track section for receiving the ride vehicle, wherein the dead-end track section has an entrance at a proximal end, the dead-end track section being operable between at least three switch positions including at least one entrance position and at least two exit positions; 
 a framework for supporting the dead-end track section; and 
 a drive for moving the dead-end track section to and fro at least three switch positions including at least one access position and at least a first and second exit position to allow a ride vehicle to leave the dead-end track section in a reverse riding direction to a first trajectory segment at the first exit position, to allow the ride vehicle to return thereafter onto the dead-end track section via the at least one access position and subsequently to allow the ride vehicle to leave the dead-end track section in the initial riding direction to a second trajectory segment at the second exit position, 
 wherein the rollercoaster further comprises: 
 a first trajectory segment and a second trajectory segment having each respectively a segment start in alignment with respectively the first and second exit position of the reverse track switch device; and 
 an entry trajectory segment having a segment end in alignment with the at least one entrance position of the reverse track switch device; 
   moving the dead-end track section to the entrance position for receiving a ride vehicle in an initial riding direction on the dead-end track section;   moving the dead-end track section from the entrance position to a first exit position to launch the ride vehicle onto a first trajectory segment in a reverse riding direction;   moving the dead-end track section from the exit position to an entrance position for receiving the ride vehicle from the first trajectory segment again on the dead-end track section; and   moving the dead-end track section supporting the ride vehicle from the entrance position to a second exit position to launch the ride vehicle onto a second trajectory segment in the initial riding direction.   
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein the dead-end track section is moved from the exit position to the same previous entrance position. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein the dead-end track section is moved to a single entrance position of the reverse track switch device after a launch of a ride vehicle from the dead-end track section.