Patent Description:
In some cases, an amusement ride may include a ride vehicle and a ride track. The ride vehicle may include wheels coupled to the ride track, such as rails of the ride track. During operation, the wheels may move along the ride track, which may cause the wheels to wear and/or to shift relative to other portions of the ride vehicle, such as other portions of a wheel assembly and/or a body of the ride vehicle. To account for the wear and shifting of the wheels, the wheels are typically adjusted while coupled to the ride track. In some cases, the ride vehicle is moved to other track(s), such as an alternate track within a maintenance area, and the wheels are adjusted while coupled to the alternate track. However, it is now recognized that adjusting the wheels while coupled to the ride track and/or to the alternate track may inhibit access to certain portions of the ride vehicle, such as portions of the wheel or portions of a wheel assembly generally. Additionally, it is now recognized that moving the ride vehicle from the ride track to the alternate ride track may be a time-intensive process that may delay maintenance of the ride vehicle.

<CIT> describes system for providing guidance of a ride vehicle on a track of a park ride, e.g., a vehicle or car of a roller coaster, that is adapted to provide side guide wheel suspension with a design that requires significantly less maintenance than the traditional pin and bushing configuration. The system includes a side guide assembly and includes two spring members, which may each take the form of a leaf spring, that are directly mounted to the main support of the bogie assembly (e.g., the load wheel assembly, the up stop assembly, and the support frame of the bogie assembly). The spring members are adapted to provide anchor points for the side guide wheel shafts that each side guide wheel is mounted onto for rotation. When the spring members are leaf springs, the eyes of each leaf spring may form the anchor points or shaft supports for the wheel rotation shafts.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a maintenance assembly for a wheel assembly of an amusement ride vehicle in accordance with appended Claim <NUM>. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of maintaining a wheel assembly of an amusement ride vehicle in accordance with appended Claim <NUM>.

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 which is determined by the appended claims, but rather these embodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of certain disclosed embodiments. Indeed, the present invention may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below but are within the scope of the claims as appended.

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 may include a foundational body, a wheel engagement section extending a first distance from the foundational body, and a datum section extending a second distance from the foundational body, such that the maintenance assembly provides a fixed distance from a surface of the datum section and a surface of the wheel engagement section. The wheel engagement 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 that is coupled to the wheel. The wheel of the wheel assembly may be adjusted relative to the pad, such that the maintenance assembly provides the fixed distance between the surface of the pad and the wheel surface of the wheel assembly.

As such, maintenance personnel may use the maintenance assembly to adjust the wheel assembly and maintain the fixed distance within the wheel assembly. The fixed distance may provide clearance between the pad of the wheel assembly and the ride track while the wheel assembly is coupled to and/or moves along the ride track. In this manner, a maintenance time of the wheel assembly, and the ride vehicle generally, may be reduced relative to traditional embodiments. For example, rather than moving the ride vehicle from one ride track to alternate ride track(s) to perform maintenance, the ride vehicle may be removed from the ride track, such that the wheel assembly is exposed. The maintenance assembly may be disposed within the exposed wheel assembly to allow for adjustment of the wheel and to provide the fixed distance within the wheel assembly. In some embodiments, the maintenance assembly may be a lightweight handheld maintenance assembly (e.g., between one-quarter (<NUM>) kilogram (kg) and twenty (<NUM>) kg) to allow maintenance personnel to easily handle and move the maintenance assembly into and out of the wheel assembly. As such, the maintenance assembly may facilitate maintenance of the wheel assembly and the ride vehicle generally. To achieve this light weight, the maintenance assembly may be fully or partially made of plastic and may include hollow features.

With the foregoing in mind, the present embodiments relating to a maintenance system and/or method for a wheel assembly of an amusement ride vehicle may be utilized in any amusement ride or attraction system. For example, <FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of an amusement ride system <NUM> having a maintenance assembly <NUM>, a ride vehicle <NUM> (e.g., an amusement ride vehicle), and a ride track <NUM>. The ride vehicle <NUM> is coupled to rails <NUM> of the ride track <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the amusement ride system <NUM> may include additional ride vehicles <NUM>, and/or the ride vehicles <NUM> may be connected to form a train or chain of ride vehicles <NUM> along the ride track <NUM>. In some embodiments, each ride vehicle <NUM> may be disconnected and may move independently. The ride vehicle <NUM> may carry guest(s) through the amusement ride system <NUM>. For example, the amusement ride system <NUM> may be a roller coaster that includes the ride vehicle <NUM> traveling at a high speed (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> mph) for the entertainment of the participant guests. In other embodiments, the amusement ride system <NUM> may be a slow-paced ride that includes the ride vehicle <NUM> traveling at a low speed (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM> mph).

The ride vehicle <NUM> includes wheel assemblies <NUM> (e.g., bogie assemblies) and a car <NUM> coupled to the wheel assemblies <NUM>. The car <NUM> may be configured to carry the guests through the amusement ride system <NUM>. As illustrated, the ride vehicle <NUM> includes two wheel assemblies <NUM> engaged with the rails <NUM> of the ride track <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the ride vehicle <NUM> may include more or fewer wheel assemblies <NUM> (e.g., one wheel assembly <NUM>, three wheel assemblies <NUM>, four wheel assemblies <NUM>, six wheel assemblies <NUM>, ten wheel assemblies <NUM>). In some embodiments, the ride track <NUM> may include more or fewer rails <NUM> (e.g., one rail <NUM>, three rails <NUM>, four rails <NUM>, six rails <NUM>). As described in greater detail with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>, the wheel assemblies <NUM> may include wheel(s) that allow the ride vehicle <NUM> to move along the rails <NUM>, such as in a direction <NUM> along the ride track <NUM>, during operation and/or maintenance of the amusement ride system <NUM>. For example, the ride track <NUM> may be disposed within a ride area of the amusement ride system <NUM> (e.g., an area where the ride vehicle <NUM> is configured to carry the guests) and/or in a maintenance area of the amusement ride system <NUM> (e.g., an area where the ride vehicle <NUM>, or portions thereof, may be maintained).

The wheels may be coupled to a pad of the wheel assembly <NUM> and may provide an offset distance (e.g., a clearance) between the pad and the rail <NUM> while the wheel assembly <NUM> is engaged with the rail <NUM>. As the wheel assemblies <NUM> move along the ride track <NUM>, such as during normal operation of the amusement ride system <NUM>, the wheels of the wheel assemblies <NUM> may experience wear and/or may move relative to other portions of the wheel assemblies <NUM>. The wear and/or relative movement of the wheels may cause the offset distance between a wheel and the pad of the wheel assembly <NUM> to change, thereby changing the distance/clearance between the pad and the rail <NUM> while the wheel assembly <NUM> is engaged with the rail <NUM>.

During maintenance of the ride vehicle <NUM> (e.g., routine and/or periodic maintenance), some or all of the wheel assemblies <NUM> may be disengaged and/or removed from the rails <NUM>, thereby exposing the wheels of the wheel assemblies <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be supported by another structure of the amusement ride system <NUM> while disengaged from the rails <NUM>. The maintenance assembly <NUM> is configured to provide a reference/datum structure for adjusting the wheels of the wheel assembly <NUM> and maintaining the offset distance between the wheel and the pad of the exposed wheel assembly <NUM>. For example, the maintenance assembly includes a foundational body <NUM>, wheel engagement sections <NUM> (e.g., rail sections) coupled to and extending from the foundational body <NUM>, and a datum section <NUM> coupled to and extending from the foundational body <NUM>. The datum section <NUM> may extend farther from the foundational body <NUM> than the wheel engagement sections <NUM> to provide a fixed distance (e.g., a fixed lateral distance) between surfaces <NUM> of the wheel engagement sections <NUM> and a surface <NUM> of the datum section <NUM>. The maintenance assembly <NUM> may be disposed against/within the exposed wheel assembly <NUM>, such that one or more wheel engagement sections <NUM> (e.g., the surface(s) <NUM> of the wheel engagement sections <NUM>) engages/contacts respective wheel(s) of the wheel assembly <NUM> and/or the datum section <NUM> (e.g., the surface <NUM> of the datum section <NUM>) engages/contacts the pad of the wheel assembly <NUM>. In certain embodiments, only one or more wheel engagement sections <NUM> may contact respective wheels of the wheel assembly <NUM> or only the datum section <NUM> may contact the pad of the wheel assembly <NUM> (e.g., due to the wear and/or movement of the wheels relative to the pad). The wheels may be adjusted relative to the pad until both the pad and the wheels contact the maintenance assembly <NUM>, thereby establishing/maintaining the fixed distance within the wheel assembly <NUM> (e.g., between the pad and the wheels).

As illustrated, the wheel engagement sections <NUM> are curved to generally mimic a curved shape of the rails <NUM> (e.g., each wheel engagement section <NUM> is a rail-shaped interface). For example, each wheel engagement section <NUM> includes a curved face that may engage a complementary face of the wheel assembly <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the wheel engagement sections <NUM> may be flat or other suitable shapes. For purposes of discussion, reference may be made to a longitudinal axis or direction <NUM>, a vertical axis or direction <NUM>, and a lateral axis or direction <NUM>. For example, the direction of travel <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> may be generally along the longitudinal axis <NUM>. Additionally, the rails <NUM> and/or the maintenance assembly <NUM> (e.g., a length of the maintenance assembly <NUM>) may extend generally along the longitudinal axis <NUM>. The wheel engagement sections <NUM> and the datum section <NUM> extend from the foundational body <NUM> generally along the lateral axis <NUM>. It should be understood that the illustrated axes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (as set forth in the figures) are generally positioned offset from the relevant system components to facilitate viewing and understanding of directional aspects of disclosed features. However, reference to features as being positioned along or traveling along a particular axis will be understood to mean an axis generally aligned with the relevant feature and/or generally parallel to the referenced axis. Moreover, a strictly mathematical interpretation would be overly limiting as these are intended to facilitate understanding of positioning within a range or relative to other components, such as would be understood in view of system tolerances and the like.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of the maintenance assembly <NUM> of <FIG> disposed against/within the wheel assembly <NUM>. As illustrated, the wheel assembly <NUM> includes a body structure <NUM> configured to engage the car <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> and/or other portions of the ride vehicle <NUM> of <FIG>. Additionally, the wheel assembly <NUM> includes load wheels <NUM> coupled to the body structure <NUM> (one load wheel <NUM> is illustrated and another load wheel <NUM> is omitted for clarity), guide wheels <NUM> (e.g., side wheels) coupled to the body structure <NUM> (one guide wheel <NUM> is disposed behind the body structure <NUM> and is not visible), and lower wheels <NUM> coupled to the body structure <NUM>. The load wheels <NUM> are configured to engage/contact the rail <NUM>, bear some or all of a load of the ride vehicle <NUM>, and at least partially restrict movement (e.g., downward movement along the vertical axis <NUM>) of the wheel assembly <NUM> relative to the rail <NUM>. The guide wheels <NUM> are configured to engage/contact the rail <NUM> and at least partially restrict movement (e.g., movement along the lateral axis <NUM>) of the wheel assembly <NUM> relative to the rail <NUM>. The lower wheels <NUM> are configured to engage/contact the rail <NUM> and at least partially restrict movement (e.g., upward movement along the vertical axis <NUM>) of the wheel assembly <NUM> relative to the rail <NUM>.

As illustrated, the maintenance assembly <NUM> is disposed against the wheel assembly <NUM>. The wheel engagement sections <NUM> are engaged with the guide wheels <NUM> (e.g., the surfaces <NUM> of the wheel engagement sections <NUM> are engaged with wheel surfaces <NUM> of the guide wheels <NUM> at first contact locations). Additionally, the datum section <NUM> is engaged with a pad <NUM> (e.g., a bogie pad) of the body structure <NUM> that is coupled (e.g., rotatably coupled and/or adjustably coupled) to the guide wheels <NUM> (e.g., the surface <NUM> of the datum section <NUM> is engaged with the pad <NUM> at a second contact location).

As described above, the surface <NUM> of each wheel engagement section <NUM> is disposed a fixed distance (e.g., a fixed distance along the lateral axis <NUM>) relative to the surface <NUM> of the datum section <NUM>. The guide wheels <NUM> may be adjusted relative to the body structure <NUM>, such that a distance (e.g., a distance along the lateral axis <NUM>) between the wheel surfaces <NUM> and the pad <NUM> generally matches the fixed distance of the maintenance assembly <NUM>. For example, the wear and/or relative movement of the guide wheels <NUM> relative to the body structure <NUM> may cause only the datum section <NUM> to engage the pad <NUM> or may cause only one or both wheel engagement sections <NUM> to engage respective guide wheels <NUM>. As such, the guide wheels <NUM> may be adjusted relative to the body structure <NUM> to compensate for such wear and relative movement.

The wheel assembly <NUM> includes wheel extenders <NUM> coupled to the body structure <NUM> and to respective guide wheels <NUM>. Each wheel extender <NUM> may be adjusted (e.g., retracted or extended) to move the guide wheel <NUM> relative to the body structure <NUM> and maintain the fixed distance (e.g., fixed distance along the lateral axis <NUM>). For example, the wheel extenders <NUM> may include a pressurized hydraulic fluid, spring(s), a ratchet, and other suitable mechanisms configured to adjust a position of each guide wheel <NUM> relative to the body structure <NUM>. Each guide wheel <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the body structure <NUM> or otherwise coupled to the body structure <NUM> to allow for such adjustments.

Additionally, the wheel assembly <NUM> includes a bushing <NUM> coupled to the body structure <NUM> and to an axle of each guide wheel <NUM>. Each bushing <NUM> may be adjusted (e.g., rotated) to move the guide wheel <NUM> relative to the body structure <NUM> and maintain the fixed distance (e.g., fixed distance along the lateral axis <NUM>). For example, the bushings <NUM> may be eccentric bushings coupled to the axles of the guide wheels <NUM>. The bushings <NUM> may be rotated in a first direction <NUM> to increase the offset distance between the guide wheel <NUM> and the pad <NUM> and in a second direction <NUM> to decrease the offset distance between the guide wheel <NUM> and the pad <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the first direction <NUM> and the second direction <NUM> may be reversed, such that bushings <NUM> may be rotated in the second direction <NUM> to increase the offset distance between the guide wheel <NUM> and the pad <NUM> and in the first direction <NUM> to decrease the offset distance between the guide wheel <NUM> and the pad <NUM>. The adjustments to the bushings <NUM> may be performed in addition to or in place of the adjustments to the wheel extenders <NUM> to maintain the fixed distance (e.g., fixed distance along the lateral axis <NUM>). In certain embodiments, the wheel extenders <NUM> or the bushings <NUM> may be omitted from the wheel assembly <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the wheel assembly <NUM> may include other components and/or surfaces coupled to the guide wheels <NUM>, such that the guide wheels <NUM> may be adjusted relative the other components/surfaces to provide the offset distance. For example, the other component may be a bracket of the maintenance assembly <NUM> or another suitable component/surface. The datum section <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> may be used to adjust the guide wheels <NUM> relative to the other component/surface to provide the offset distance between the guide wheels <NUM> and the other component/surface.

While the maintenance assembly <NUM> is described herein as providing a reference/datum structure for maintenance and adjustment of the guide wheels <NUM>, the maintenance assembly <NUM> or another suitable maintenance assembly may be used for adjustments of the load wheels <NUM> and/or the lower wheels <NUM>. The load wheels <NUM> and/or the lower wheels <NUM> may also wear and/or rotate relative to the body structure <NUM>, and the maintenance assembly <NUM> may be used to adjust the load wheels <NUM> and/or the lower wheels <NUM> to compensate for such wear and relative rotation. For example, as described in greater detail below in reference to <FIG>, the maintenance assembly <NUM> may include extender(s) configured to adjust the fixed distance between the surface <NUM> of each wheel engagement section <NUM> and the surface <NUM> of the datum section <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the maintenance assembly <NUM> disposed against the wheel assembly <NUM> of <FIG>. As illustrated, the surface <NUM> of the datum section <NUM> is engaged with the pad <NUM> of the body structure <NUM> of the wheel assembly <NUM>. As described above, the wheel extenders <NUM> and/or the bushings <NUM> of the wheel assembly <NUM> may be adjusted until both the datum section <NUM> is engaged with the pad <NUM> and the wheel engagement sections <NUM> are engaged with the guide wheels <NUM> to provide the fixed lateral distance between the guide wheels <NUM> and the pad <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of the maintenance assembly <NUM> of <FIG>. The maintenance assembly <NUM> includes a grip section <NUM> disposed between each wheel engagement section <NUM> and the datum section <NUM> (e.g., two grip sections <NUM>). In certain embodiments, the maintenance assembly <NUM> may include more or fewer grip sections <NUM> (e.g., one grip section <NUM>, three grip sections <NUM>, four grip sections <NUM>). Each grip section <NUM> is configured to allow a user to hold, move, grip, maneuver, and/or place the maintenance assembly <NUM>. For example, each grip section <NUM> includes a handle <NUM> formed by a hole <NUM> (e.g., a passage) extending through the maintenance assembly <NUM> (e.g., through the foundational body <NUM>) along the lateral axis <NUM>. The user may extend their hand, a portion of their hand, and/or a tool through the hole <NUM> of the handle <NUM> to grip the grip section <NUM> (e.g., to grip one or both grip sections <NUM>). In the illustrated embodiment, each hole <NUM> extends through the maintenance assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or both holes <NUM> may extend only partially into the maintenance assembly <NUM> (e.g., along the lateral axis <NUM>). In certain embodiments, one or both holes <NUM> may be omitted, and the user may grip the grip sections <NUM> by wrapping their hands around the maintenance assembly <NUM> at the grip sections <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or both grip sections <NUM> may include other handles, such as protrusions extending laterally from the foundational body <NUM> on a side of the maintenance assembly <NUM> generally opposite the wheel engagement sections <NUM> and the datum section <NUM> (e.g., a backside of the maintenance assembly <NUM>). In one embodiment, a handle may extend from one side of one or both of the holes <NUM> to a respective other side of the one or both holes <NUM>.

The datum section <NUM> includes two protrusions <NUM> extending from a face <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> (e.g., a face disposed along/within the datum section <NUM>). The surfaces <NUM> (e.g., the surfaces <NUM> configured to engage/contact the pad <NUM> of the wheel assembly <NUM>) are disposed on respective protrusions <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the datum section <NUM> may include more or fewer protrusions <NUM> (e.g., one protrusion <NUM>, three protrusions <NUM>, four protrusions <NUM>). Additionally, each protrusion <NUM> is generally rectangular, and a length of each protrusion <NUM> extends generally along the longitudinal axis <NUM>. In other embodiments, one or more protrusions <NUM> may be shaped differently than the illustrated embodiment.

As described above, the maintenance assembly <NUM> may be lightweight to allow maintenance personnel to easily handle and move the maintenance assembly into and out of the wheel assembly. For example, the maintenance assembly <NUM> may weigh between one-quarter (<NUM>) kg and one hundred (<NUM>) kg, between one-quarter (<NUM>) kg and twenty (<NUM>) kg, between one (<NUM>) kg and fifteen (<NUM>) kg, or other suitable weights. Additionally, the maintenance assembly <NUM> may be integrally formed as a unified structure (e.g., each of the foundational body <NUM>, the wheel engagement sections <NUM>, the datum section <NUM>, and the grip sections <NUM> may be integrally formed as a unified structure). For example, the maintenance assembly <NUM> may be a molded structure (e.g., formed via a molding process) or another suitable structure formed by another suitable process. In certain embodiments, each of the foundational body <NUM>, the wheel engagement sections <NUM>, the datum section <NUM>, and the grip sections <NUM> may be rigidly coupled/connected to one another. For example, the datum section <NUM> may be rigidly disposed between the wheel engagement sections <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view of an embodiment of the maintenance assembly <NUM> of <FIG>. As illustrated, the foundational body <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> extends a distance <NUM> along the lateral axis <NUM>. The distance <NUM> may be fifty (<NUM>) millimeters (mm), between ten (<NUM>) mm and one hundred (<NUM>) mm, or other suitable distances. In addition, each wheel engagement section <NUM> extends a distance <NUM> from the foundational body <NUM> along the lateral axis <NUM> (e.g., transverse to a length of the foundational body <NUM>). The distance <NUM> may be ten (<NUM>) mm, between four (<NUM>) mm and thirty (<NUM>) mm, between six (<NUM>) mm and twenty (<NUM>) mm, or other suitable distances. Further, the datum section <NUM> extend a distance <NUM> from the foundational body <NUM> along the lateral axis <NUM> (e.g., transverse to a length of the foundational body <NUM>). The distance <NUM> may be fifteen (<NUM>) mm, between ten (<NUM>) mm and forty (<NUM>) mm, or other suitable distances. In certain embodiments, the distance <NUM> may be greater than the distance <NUM>, such that the datum section <NUM> extends further from the foundational body <NUM> than the wheel engagement sections <NUM>, and a difference between the distance <NUM> and the distance <NUM> is generally equal to the fixed distance to be implemented between the guide wheels <NUM> and the pad <NUM> of the wheel assembly <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a difference between the distance <NUM> and the distance <NUM> may be generally equal to a distance <NUM> that the protrusions <NUM> extend from the face <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> (e.g., a height/length of the protrusions <NUM>). For example, the face <NUM> may also extend the distance <NUM> from the foundational body <NUM>, such that at least a portion of the surface <NUM> of each wheel engagement section <NUM> and the face <NUM> form a continuous surface along the maintenance assembly <NUM>.

As illustrated, the maintenance assembly includes a receptacle <NUM> extending into the foundational body <NUM> along the lateral axis <NUM> and generally opposite the datum section <NUM>. The receptacle <NUM> may be configured to receive a clamp to secure the maintenance assembly <NUM> to the wheel assembly <NUM>. For example, a first part of the clamp may be disposed in and/or secured to the receptacle <NUM>, and a second part of the clamp may be secured to the body structure <NUM> of the wheel assembly <NUM>. As such, the receptacle <NUM> allows the maintenance assembly <NUM> to be securely attached to the wheel assembly during maintenance operations, such as during adjustments of the guide wheels <NUM>. The receptacle extends a distance <NUM> into the foundational body <NUM>. The distance <NUM> may be twenty-five (<NUM>) mm, between fifteen (<NUM>) mm and forty (<NUM>) mm, or other suitable distances. Additionally, a diameter <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> along the longitudinal axis <NUM> may be forty (<NUM>) mm, between twenty (<NUM>) mm and sixty (<NUM>) mm, or other suitable diameters.

<FIG> is a top view of an embodiment of the maintenance assembly <NUM> of <FIG>. The foundational body <NUM>, and the maintenance assembly <NUM> generally, extends a distance <NUM> (e.g., a length) along the longitudinal axis <NUM>. The distance <NUM> may be fortyeight (<NUM>) centimeters (cm), between twenty (<NUM>) cm and one hundred (<NUM>) cm, or other suitable distances. Additionally, the foundational body <NUM>, and the maintenance assembly <NUM> generally, extends a distance <NUM> (e.g., a width) along the vertical axis <NUM>. The distance <NUM> may be seventy-six (<NUM>) mm, between fifty (<NUM>) mm and one hundred (<NUM>) mm, or other suitable distances. As such, the foundational body <NUM> includes an elongate geometry defined by a length (e.g., the distance <NUM>) that is greater than a width (e.g., the distance <NUM>). In certain embodiments, the distance <NUM> may be greater than the distance <NUM>, such that the distance <NUM> is the width of the maintenance assembly <NUM>, and the distance <NUM> is the length of the maintenance assembly <NUM>.

In addition, each hole <NUM> of each grip section <NUM> includes semi-circles <NUM> that are connected to form the holes <NUM>. A radius <NUM> of each semi-circle <NUM> may be nineteen (<NUM>) mm, between ten (<NUM>) mm and forty (<NUM>) mm, or other suitable radii. Additionally, a distance <NUM> between a center <NUM> of each semi-circle <NUM> may be fifty (<NUM>) mm, between thirty (<NUM>) and seventy (<NUM>) mm, or other suitable distances. Further, the center <NUM> of the semi-circle <NUM> closest to the receptacle <NUM> is offset from a center <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> by a distance <NUM>. The distance <NUM> (e.g., an offset distance) may be seventy-five (<NUM>) mm, between fifty (<NUM>) mm and one hundred (<NUM>) mm, or other suitable distances. The distance <NUM> may facilitate handling of the maintenance assembly <NUM> (e.g., at the grip sections <NUM>) while clamping the maintenance assembly <NUM> to the wheel assembly <NUM> (e.g., at the receptacle <NUM>). For example, the distance <NUM> may allow a user to both hold the maintenance assembly <NUM>, such as against the wheel assembly <NUM>, while clamping the maintenance assembly <NUM> to the wheel assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view of an embodiment of a maintenance assembly <NUM> with extenders <NUM> of a datum section <NUM> in an extended position. As illustrated, the maintenance assembly <NUM> includes the datum section <NUM> configured to engage the pad <NUM> of the wheel assembly <NUM>, wheel engagement sections <NUM> (e.g., rail sections) configured to engage the guide wheels <NUM> of the wheel assembly <NUM>, and grip sections <NUM> disposed between the datum section <NUM> and each wheel engagement section <NUM>. The extenders <NUM> are coupled to a foundational body <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> and to protrusions <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> may be configured to engage/contact the pad <NUM> of the wheel assembly <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the extenders <NUM> may couple the datum section <NUM> to the foundational body <NUM> (e.g., the datum section <NUM> may include the protrusions <NUM>, and the extenders <NUM> may be omitted from the datum section <NUM>). As illustrated, the foundational body extends a distance <NUM> along the lateral axis <NUM>. Additionally, the maintenance assembly <NUM> includes a receptacle <NUM> configured to receive a clamp for securing the maintenance assembly <NUM> to the wheel assembly <NUM>.

Each extender <NUM> may be adjustable (e.g., configured to move) along the lateral axis <NUM> and relative to the foundational body <NUM> to adjust a distance <NUM> (e.g., an offset distance) between a surface <NUM> of the protrusions <NUM> and the foundational body <NUM>. For example, the distance <NUM> may be adjusted based on actuation of the extenders <NUM> within apertures <NUM> formed along/within the datum section <NUM> and/or along/within the foundational body <NUM>. In certain embodiments, each extender <NUM> may be a screw coupled to the foundational body <NUM> and the protrusions <NUM>, such that the extenders <NUM> are configured to rotate (e.g., screw into or out of the foundational body <NUM> or the protrusions <NUM>) to adjust the distance <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the extenders <NUM> may include other mechanisms configured to provide adjustments to the distance <NUM>, such as a pressurized hydraulic fluid, spring pins configured to engage slots disposed laterally along the foundational body <NUM>, and other suitable mechanisms. The extenders <NUM> may be adjustable to adjust the distance <NUM> between ten (<NUM>) mm and ten (<NUM>) cm, between twenty (<NUM>) mm and fifty (<NUM>) mm, or other suitable distances. Further, markings may be provided on visible portions of the extenders <NUM> to indicate extension distances to facilitate configuration at desired extension distances. As illustrated, the maintenance assembly <NUM> includes two extenders <NUM>. In other embodiments, the maintenance assembly <NUM> may include more or fewer extenders <NUM> (e.g., one extender <NUM>, three extenders <NUM>, four extenders <NUM>).

The adjustable distance <NUM> allows the maintenance assembly <NUM> to be used for multiple/different wheels of a wheel assembly. For example, as described above, the wheel assembly <NUM> includes the load wheels <NUM>, the guide wheels <NUM>, and the lower wheels <NUM>. Each of the load wheels <NUM>, the guide wheels <NUM>, and the lower wheels <NUM> may be offset from a respective pad of the body structure <NUM> by a different distance. As such, the extenders <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> may be adjusted to change the distance <NUM>, such that the distance <NUM> matches the offset distance for any of the load wheels <NUM>, the guide wheels <NUM>, the lower wheels <NUM>, and/or other suitable wheels of an amusement ride vehicle, thereby facilitating maintenance adjustments for such wheels.

<FIG> is a flow chart of an embodiment of a process <NUM> for maintaining the ride vehicle <NUM> of <FIG>. The illustrated process <NUM> is merely provided as an example, and in other embodiments, certain illustrated steps of the process <NUM> may be performed in other orders, skipped, or repeated, in accordance with the present disclosure.

As illustrated, in process block <NUM>, a wheel of the ride vehicle <NUM> is exposed by positioning the wheel out of engagement with the rails <NUM> of the amusement ride system <NUM>. For example, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be moved from the rails <NUM> to another support structure that may support the ride vehicle <NUM>. The exposed wheels may include the load wheels <NUM>, the guide wheels <NUM>, and/or the lower wheels <NUM> of the wheel assembly <NUM>. Some of all of the wheel assemblies <NUM> may be exposed (e.g., disengaged from the rails <NUM>).

In process block <NUM>, a datum section of a maintenance assembly extending from a foundational body of the maintenance assembly is adjusted relative to the foundational body until the datum section extends a fixed distance from the foundational body. For example, the extenders <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> may be adjusted until the distance <NUM> (e.g., the lateral distance between the foundational body <NUM> and the surface <NUM> of the protrusions <NUM>) extends a fixed/particular distance. The fixed distance may be based on a type of wheel to be adjusted. For example, the fixed distance may be different for the load wheels <NUM>, the guide wheels <NUM>, and/or the lower wheels <NUM> of the wheel assembly <NUM>.

In process block <NUM>, the datum section of the maintenance assembly is disposed against a pad coupled to the wheel of the wheel assembly, and/or a wheel engagement section of the maintenance assembly is disposed against a wheel surface of the wheel. For example, the datum section <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> may be disposed against the pad <NUM> coupled to the guide wheels <NUM> of the wheel assembly <NUM>, and/or the wheel engagement sections <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> may be disposed against the wheel surfaces <NUM> of the guide wheels <NUM>. Alternatively, the datum section <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> may be disposed against the pad <NUM> coupled to the guide wheels <NUM> of the wheel assembly <NUM>, and/or the wheel engagement sections <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> may be disposed against the wheel surfaces <NUM> of the guide wheels <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the datum section <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> or the datum section <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> may be disposed against a pad of the body structure <NUM> coupled to the load wheels <NUM> or to the lower wheels <NUM>, and/or the datum section <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> or the datum section <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> may be disposed against the load wheels <NUM> or the lower wheels <NUM>.

In process block <NUM>, the maintenance assembly is clamped to the wheel assembly. For example, the clamp may be inserted into the receptacle <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> or the receptacle <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> to secure the maintenance assembly <NUM> or the maintenance assembly <NUM> to the wheel assembly <NUM>.

In process block <NUM>, a wheel extender and/or a bushing coupled to the wheel is adjusted until both the wheel surface of the wheel contacts the wheel engagement section and the datum section contacts the pad to provide the fixed lateral distance between the pad and the wheel surface. For example, the wheel extenders <NUM> coupled to the guide wheels <NUM> may be adjusted until both the pad <NUM> contacts/engages the datum section <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> and the wheel surfaces <NUM> of the guide wheels <NUM> contact/engage the wheel engagement sections <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the wheel extenders <NUM> coupled to the guide wheels <NUM> may be adjusted until both the pad <NUM> contacts/engages the datum section <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> and the wheel surfaces <NUM> of the guide wheels <NUM> contact/engage the wheel engagement sections <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM>. As such, the wheel extenders <NUM> may be adjusted, using the maintenance assembly <NUM> and/or the maintenance assembly <NUM>, to provide the fixed lateral distance between the pad <NUM> and the guide wheels <NUM>.

Additionally or alternatively, the bushings <NUM> coupled to the guide wheels <NUM> may be adjusted (e.g., rotated) until both the pad <NUM> contacts/engages the datum section <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> and the wheel surfaces <NUM> of the guide wheels <NUM> contact/engage the wheel engagement sections <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the bushings <NUM> coupled to the guide wheels <NUM> may be adjusted until both the pad <NUM> contacts/engages the datum section <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM> and the wheel surfaces <NUM> of the guide wheels <NUM> contact/engage the wheel engagement sections <NUM> of the maintenance assembly <NUM>. As such, the bushings <NUM> may be adjusted, using the maintenance assembly <NUM> and/or the maintenance assembly <NUM>, to provide the fixed lateral distance between the pad <NUM> and the guide wheels <NUM>. The process <NUM>, or certain steps thereof, may be repeated for each wheel or set of wheels of the wheel assembly <NUM>.

Accordingly, the maintenance assembly <NUM> and the maintenance assembly <NUM> of the amusement ride system <NUM> of <FIG> facilitate maintenance of the wheel assemblies <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM>. For example, the maintenance assembly <NUM> and the maintenance assembly <NUM> may be disposed against the wheel assembly <NUM>, and the wheel extenders <NUM> and/or the bushings <NUM> of the wheel assembly <NUM> may be adjusted to adjust positions of the guide wheels <NUM>. Such adjustments to the guide wheels <NUM> may compensate for wear and/or rotation of the guide wheels <NUM> that may occur during operation and/or during maintenance of the amusement ride system <NUM>. Additionally, the maintenance assembly <NUM> and the maintenance assembly <NUM> may be lightweight and compact, such that each may be a handheld assembly that is easily maneuverable by a user. As such, the maintenance assembly <NUM> and the maintenance assembly <NUM> may facilitate maintenance of the ride vehicle <NUM> and may reduce a maintenance time of the ride vehicle <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A maintenance assembly (<NUM>) for a wheel assembly (<NUM>) of an amusement ride vehicle (<NUM>), in use, running on a rail (<NUM>), the wheel assembly (<NUM>) including a pad (<NUM>) and at least one adjustable wheel coupled to the pad (<NUM>), the maintenance assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a foundational body (<NUM>);
at least one wheel engagement section (<NUM>) extending a first distance from the foundational body, wherein each wheel engagement section (<NUM>) of the at least one wheel engagement section (<NUM>) is configured, in use, to contact a respective wheel surface (<NUM>) of the wheel assembly (<NUM>); and
a datum section (<NUM>) comprising a protrusion extending a second distance from the foundational body (<NUM>) and configured, in use, to contact the pad of the wheel assembly (<NUM>), wherein the at least one wheel engagement section (<NUM>) is rigidly positioned with respect to the datum section (<NUM>) and the second distance is greater than the first distance, such that the maintenance assembly (<NUM>) provides a fixed distance between the protrusion of the datum section (<NUM>) and the wheel engagement section (<NUM>), such that the wheel engagement section (<NUM>) contacts the surface of the wheel assembly (<NUM>), and the protrusion of the datum section (<NUM>) contacts the pad when the wheel is correctly adjusted.