Early Roller Coaster Design for Thrill Rides
This 1885 patent describes an early roller coaster structure designed to provide thrilling rides by using gravity and a specific track layout.
Original patent title: “Roller coasting structure”
This 1885 patent describes an early roller coaster structure designed to provide thrilling rides by using gravity and a specific track layout. Granted to LaMarcus A. Thompson in 1885.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent details a structure for a roller coaster, specifically focusing on the track's design. It outlines a track that descends from a high point, using gravity to propel a car. The design emphasizes a layout that creates a thrilling experience for riders, likely through drops and turns, without specifying the exact mechanisms for propulsion beyond the initial climb and subsequent descent.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Roller coaster designs that require continuous powered propulsion throughout the ride.
- Specific safety features like restraints or harnesses.
- The design of the individual roller coaster cars.
- The method of initially loading passengers onto the ride.
- Indoor amusement park structures.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in the systematic application of gravity-driven descent as the primary means of amusement, captured in a specific track layout, distinguishing it from simpler gravity-powered rides.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
The Switchback Railway at Coney Island (circa 1884, predates patent but similar concept)
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent represents one of the earliest documented attempts to patent a roller coaster structure. It signifies the beginning of formalized intellectual property for amusement rides, laying groundwork for future innovations in the industry.
Granted
January 20, 1885
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
As a foundational patent from the late 19th century, direct building upon this specific patent is unlikely. However, the principles of gravity-driven amusement rides it represents are fundamental to the entire modern theme park industry, including major manufacturers like Intamin, Bolliger & Mabillard, and Rocky Mountain Construction.
Market impact
This patent, along with the actual rides it inspired, helped establish the roller coaster as a distinct form of commercial entertainment. It contributed to the growth of amusement parks as a major industry by providing a blueprint for a popular and exciting attraction.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent details a structure for a roller coaster, specifically focusing on the track's design. It outlines a track that descends from a high point, using gravity to propel a car. The design emphasizes a layout that creates a thrilling experience for riders, likely through drops and turns, without specifying the exact mechanisms for propulsion beyond the initial climb and subsequent descent.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in the systematic application of gravity-driven descent as the primary means of amusement, captured in a specific track layout, distinguishing it from simpler gravity-powered rides.
What it does not cover
- Roller coaster designs that require continuous powered propulsion throughout the ride.
- Specific safety features like restraints or harnesses.
- The design of the individual roller coaster cars.
- The method of initially loading passengers onto the ride.
- Indoor amusement park structures.
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Limited data
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$3K – $11K
Midpoint $7K · expired or expiring · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(1885). Early Roller Coaster Design for Thrill Rides (U.S. Patent No. 310,966). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/310966/roller-coaster-thompson
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Early Roller Coaster Design for Thrill Rides cover?
This 1885 patent describes an early roller coaster structure designed to provide thrilling rides by using gravity and a specific track layout.
Who owns patent US 310966?
LaMarcus A. Thompson owns this patent, granted in 1885.
When does this patent expire?
This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent represents one of the earliest documented attempts to patent a roller coaster structure. It signifies the beginning of formalized intellectual property for amusement rides, laying groundwork for future innovations in the industry.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Roller coaster designs that require continuous powered propulsion throughout the ride.
Patent monitoring