• ℹ️ Heads up...

    This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.

Thorpe Park: General Discussion

While it certainly integrates more supports than B&M hypers, it looks about on par with what another manufacturer do with their hypers. You've got to remember than B&M's box track style is patented and can't be replicated by other manufacturers, it can bare stronger forces than the tri-track and tubular track styles from other manufacturers, which removes the need of integrating a lot more supports into their coaster designs.
 
Hyperia Super Stan said:
You've got to remember than B&M's box track style is patented and can't be replicated by other manufacturers
Click to expand...
It's not patented, which is why you see coasters like Shockwave, manufactured by Intamin / Giovanola, with a box track. If the box track were patented at any point, that patent would have expired by now. Patents are generally granted for a period of 20 years maximum.
 
GooseOnTheLoose said:
It's not patented, which is why you see coasters like Shockwave, manufactured by Intamin / Giovanola, with a box track. If the box track were patented at any point, that patent would have expired by now. Patents are generally granted for a period of 20 years maximum.
Click to expand...
Walter and Claude worked for Intamin/Giovanola at the time, the box track design was their own. From what John Wardley explained in an interview a while ago, the box track design can't be replicated by other manufacturers.
 
Patent or not GOTL is almost certainly right though that the patent would have expired by now.
It's the reason that Dysons Vacuum Cleaners were unique for years, but now everyone follows that design.
I expect the difference here is that now the other Manufacturers have refined there own fabrication process there is no benefit in reinventing it to be more like B&Ms. The box shape is probably a lot more expensive to produce as it can't be bent to shape like round spines.
 
Hyperia Super Stan said:
Walter and Claude worked for Intamin/Giovanola at the time, the box track design was their own.
Click to expand...
Poisson said:
Walter and Claude worked for Giovanola before leaving to form B&M
Click to expand...
Assuming that the box track was patented (I can't find a record of it having been so, but it might not be digitised), Walter and Claude would have been listed as the inventors but would not necessarily have owned the patent themselves. If they patented a box track design, whilst working at another manufacturer, it would become that manufacturer's IP. Walter and Claude would either have had to had an agreement when they left, that said that they could take any patents with them (which is unlikely), or B&M could have licensed the box design from Walter & Claude's previous employers. In the latter scenario, B&M still wouldn't hold this hypothetical patent. In much the same way that Sir Jony Ive is listed as the co-inventor / inventor on many of Apple's patents, but doesn't own them himself and can't use them at his current venture without a licensing deal.

Patents also have to be defended thoroughly if there is an infringement. You pretty much have to sue another manufacturer if they're using your patent, without license, otherwise you lose it.

I'm not doubting for one second that Walter and Claude invented the box design track and that it's their signature, but it doesn't seem as though it was ever patented, which is why a company that they worked at could use a box design after the duo had left, and why B&M could manufacture Nemesis in the same year. What B&M did/do patent fiercely, however, were/are the trains and other technical components.
Hyperia Super Stan said:
From what John Wardley explained in an interview a while ago, the box track design can't be replicated by other manufacturers.
Click to expand...
Z-Force, which opened in 1985, is considered to be the first coaster with a box track and designed by Walter & Claude, whilst at Intamin. If we were to assume that a patent was filed and granted for the track design, even allowing for a late filing granted in the year the coaster opened, it still would have expired in 2005.

John Wardley is a genius, but he's also a showman and not exactly immune to a bit of hyperbole. There are likely other reasons why the box track isn't widely replicated by other manufacturers, most likely down to cost (@Tim) and a 'signature' look, but it's unlikely it was down to IP protection and it certainly wouldn't be the case now.

Comparatively, RMC's I-box track is patented. The inventors are listed as Alan Schilke, Fred Grubb and Dody Bachtar, but the assignee (owner) is listed as Rocky Mountain Construction. The patent was granted in 2013, so you won't see a coaster, made by another manufacturer (even if the inventors left to start their own firm), with I-box track until at least 2033; unless, of course, they grant a licensing deal.
 
Not much to report on this week!

As previously mentioned the track for the first turn has been installed and track and supports for the maintenance bay have been installed.
hyperia27thjan2024-30.jpg


The new shop and photos unit has a roof and the back and some sides have been installed.
hyperia27thjan2024-21.jpg


Another section of track for the first drop and quite a few supports for the drop have been installed.
hyperia27thjan2024-52.jpg


Someone from Mack Rides was onsite today testing the track gage for the kicker wheels. Not seen this done before!
hyperia27thjan2024-36.jpg


Lots more photos etc at the normal place. Not sure what to do when this project is done...

Hyperia Maintenance Bay And First Turn Track Installed | Theme Park Guide

The sun is shining and it's time for another look at the progress made at Thorpe Park for Hyperia. More sections of track and supports have been insta
themeparkguide.co.uk themeparkguide.co.uk
 
It's probably been said before but I don't like the colour scheme. Shame because the coaster itself looks very good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top