Amusement ride

Abstract

An amusement ride, such as a roller coaster or vertical tower track ride, includes an attachment assembly movably connected to a track system. A vehicle assembly is connected to the attachment assembly and includes a seat assembly having at least one rider seat. The vehicle assembly is coupled to the attachment assembly and configured such that the seat assembly is capable of fully rotating about first and second, and preferably even third axes independent of the track system.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 367,051, filed Mar. 22, 2002.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to amusement rides. More particularly, the present invention relates to amusement rides which allow free or controlled rotation of the rider in multiple planes to enhance and vary the ride experience. [0003] Roller coasters have long been some of the well liked rides in amusement parks. Roller coasters normally have an endless track loop. Riders load and unload at a platform or station, typically at a low elevation. At the beginning of each ride cycle, a roller coaster car or a train of cars is generally towed or moved up a relatively steep incline of an initial track section to the highest point on the entire track. The car is then released from the high point and gains kinetic energy, which allows the car to travel entirely around the track circuit or loop, and return back to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] In yet another embodiment, the vehicle assembly comprises an arm extending from the attachment assembly, such as a semi-circular arm, which is rotationally coupled to a gyroscope assembly that supports the one or more seats of the seat assembly therein. The gyroscope structure or assembly comprises a first generally circular ring coupled to the semi-circular arm by an actuator that imparts rotation to it, and thus the seat assembly, about a first axis. A second generally circular ring is disposed within the first ring and is coupled thereto by an actuator that imparts rotation about a second axis. A third ring may be used which is disposed within the second ring and rotatab

Problems solved by technology

This problem is experienced by most amusement rides, which due to the static nature of the ride provides the same ride sensation and experience every time it is ridden.

Such amusement devices also fail to provide for free fall, retrograde motion or helical motion.

Unfortunately, these known rides are limited in their abilities and functions.

Many of the roller coasters do not have the ability for a user to rotate in a direction or dimension independent from the track.

Further, many rides are not able to rotate or spin in a controlled manner.

Moreover, many such amusement rides only partially rotate in a given axis, or only fully rotate in one or two axes—thus the ride is not truly a full range motion ride.

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