Visitor attractions designer Extreme Engineering has secured a US patent for a coaster design which operates as a "cross between a roller coaster and a zip line".

The company received the patent for its Cloud Coaster from the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the patent includes many claims on the family coaster’s design.

Designed as a family-friendly ride, the suspended roller coaster offers riders the opportunity to experience fast, controlled and safe speeds which give them the "sensation of flying and rocketing down a roller coaster with smooth turns, uphill racing and launching around structures".

The abstract of the Cloud Coaster's patent states: “A rail coaster operates as a cross between a roller coaster and a zip line.

"A rail may be suspended under a frame by flexible cables or solid brackets.

"The rail may turn, incline, decline, or twist, but need not twist to still provide a ‘rolling’ degree of freedom for a rider.

"An eddy current brake provides proportional braking as a function of speed.”

Phil Wilson, Executive Vice President with Extreme Engineering, said: “I’m thrilled about our latest patent.

“This further enhances Extreme Engineering’s IP portfolio.

“This really sets us far from the competition, always inventing forward and protecting our ideas."