Patent ID: 8490550
Filing Date: 2013-07-23
Classification: A63G

Abstract:
1. A roller coaster, comprising: a track defining a ride path with a load/unload portion and a ride portion; a vehicle with a body supported on the track; a passenger seat positioned in the body and mounted for articulation between a first position and a second position; and a seat positioning mechanism coupled to the passenger seat that first operates while the vehicle is in the load/unload portion of the ride path to articulate the seat into the first position and second operates, prior to the vehicle traveling into the ride portion of the ride path, to articulate the seat into the second position, wherein the passenger seat includes a seat back for supporting a passenger's back, wherein the seat back is substantially vertical relative to horizontal in the first position and is at an obtuse angle relative to horizontal in the second position, and wherein the seat back is positioned with a passenger-receiving side facing a forward portion of the vehicle body, whereby a passenger has a point of view along a direction of travel of the vehicle when the seat back is in the first position.