A rail-guided ride mounted on the loading platform of a vehicle.

Abstract

A rail-guided ride mounted on the loading platform of a vehicle intended for transport, for the operation of at least one rail vehicle, characterized in that several of the interconnectable rail elements located on the loading platform in the transport state are arranged in such a way that they can be coupled to other rail elements by simply folding them over and thereby brought into the operating state.

Description

Background of the invention 1. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a rail-guided amusement ride mounted on the loading area of ​​a vehicle intended for transport for operating at least one rail vehicle. 2. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Rail-guided rides, such as roller coasters, where one or more cars or trains travel on rails along a track of this type, allowing passengers to safely experience high acceleration forces, have long been known. These are among the classic and most popular attractions at fairs and amusement parks.

[0003] Besides a few wooden roller coasters, steel roller coasters are the most common. Roller coasters in amusement parks are permanently installed, whereas roller coasters at fairs are portable and must be assembled and dismantled at the respective fair. This process is usually very time-consuming, with the components, which are housed in several vehicles or containers, having to be assembled by trained specialists on a specially constructed platform with the help of cranes, taking several hours (see Weserkurier, Freimarkt 2017: Achterbahn-Aufbau im Zeitraffer, https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=PCE7sC1TNk8).

[0004] The object of the present invention was to provide a rail-guided amusement ride that can be transported on a single vehicle and can be put into operation by just one person within a very short time. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This object was achieved according to the invention by providing a rail-guided amusement ride, which is fastened to a loading area of ​​a vehicle intended for transport, for operating at least one rail vehicle, wherein several of the rail elements which are located on the loading area in the transport state and can be coupled to one another are arranged in such a way that they can be coupled to other rail elements by simply folding them over and can thereby be transferred into the operating state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of the top view of an embodiment of the rail-guided amusement ride according to the invention in the operating state. The Fig. 2 to 4 each show different perspective views of an embodiment of a rotary joint of the rail-guided amusement ride according to the invention. Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a two-way joint of the rail-guided amusement ride according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The ride according to the invention comprises in the transport state • a vehicle intended for transport, • several interconnectable rail elements located on its loading area, which are arranged in such a way that they can be coupled with other rail elements by simply folding them over and thus transferred into the operating state, as well as • one or more rail vehicles.

[0007] The term "rail-guided ride," as used above or below, refers to an amusement attraction for fairs, corporate events, public or private events. The most common rides are carousels, roller coasters, ghost trains, theme rides, and children's railways, especially roller coasters.

[0008] The term “transport vehicle” as used above or below includes a motorized transport vehicle, such as a lorry (truck) or a tractor, as well as a trailer or semi-trailer for a lorry or tractor.

[0009] The term “connectable track elements” as used above or below refers to track sections made of a suitable material such as wood, metal or a metal alloy, the respective ends of which can be connected to one another to form the track of an amusement ride. The individual track elements can be straight or curved. The curved track elements can be bent in the plane so that they form left or right bends. They can also be bent upwards or downwards in the plane so that they form an upward rise (gradient) or a downward rise (gradient). Furthermore, curved track elements can also be laterally canted, with the outer rail tube being higher than the inner one, forming banked curves that counteract the centrifugal forces generated during the ride.

[0010] The term "rail vehicle" as used above or below encompasses single-seat or multi-seat vehicles with two or more axles, each equipped with wheels on the right and left. In a preferred embodiment, the rail vehicles also have additional rollers mounted to the sides or underneath the rails. The axle width corresponds to the width of the rail elements. Depending on the type and size of the ride, several rail vehicles can be coupled in series. The rail vehicles can be motorized or self-propelled, moving from the highest point of the track under their own weight.

[0011] The following embodiments of the ride according to the invention are preferred: (a) wherein the rail elements connected to one another in the operating state form a closed track, the circumference of which projects beyond the loading area of ​​the transport vehicle and has at least one elevation. (b) which has at least one optionally foldable support element for supporting the at least one elevation. (c) wherein the closed path has at least one overpass. (d) the ends of the rail elements which are folded over in the transport state are each located near the ends of the rail elements to which they are connected in the operating state. (e) wherein between the respective ends of two rail elements connected to one another in the operating state there are one or two joints or hinges which enable one of the two rail elements to be folded over so that both rail elements lie next to or on top of one another. (f) wherein a two-way joint is located between the respective ends of two rail elements connected to one another in the operating state, which two-way joint enables one of the two rail elements to be folded over so that it is arranged next to the other rail element and substantially perpendicular thereto. (g) wherein it has a mechanical drive, in particular a mechanical chain drive, which in the operating state enables the rail vehicle located on the track to move to the highest of the existing elevations, from where it moves along the remaining track due to its inherent kinetic energy.

[0012] The tracked vehicle is pulled to the first elevation, the lift hill, by the chain drive. From there, it continues its journey independently. The energy the tracked vehicle has simply due to its height above the ground is sufficient for the entire journey. On the lift hill, the energy is still low, but this changes dramatically when the tracked vehicle reaches the first descent. As it travels toward the ground, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy—the tracked vehicle loses altitude. (h) wherein the rail elements each comprise two parallel tubes which are connected to one another by struts running substantially perpendicular thereto. (i) wherein the rail elements consist essentially of a metal or a metal alloy. (j) the majority of the rail elements in the operating condition being located outside the perimeter of the loading area of ​​the vehicle intended for transport.

[0013] The rail-guided amusement ride according to the invention is described below with reference to the figures of Fig. 1 to 5, without limiting the invention to these specific embodiments.

[0014] The Fig. The plan view shown in Figure 1 of an embodiment of the rail-guided amusement ride (1) according to the invention in the operating state has straight rail elements (2) and curved rail elements (3), some of which are located within the circumference of the loading area (4) and another part outside thereof. They form a closed track which has a first elevation (lift hill) (5), a second elevation (6) and two underpasses (7). The rail vehicle (not shown) is mechanically pulled in the direction of travel (9) onto the lift hill (5), from where it automatically follows the course of the remaining track due to gravity.

[0015] To convert the ride from operating mode to transport mode, the track elements located outside the perimeter of the loading area (4) are detached from one another at one point and pivoted using the pivot joints (20) so that the pivoted track elements lie on the loading area (4). The longest track element located outside the loading area can be folded over itself using the hinge (8) in a first step, placed upright using the two-way joint (50), and then folded onto the loading area.

[0016] The Fig. 2 to 4 each show different perspective views of an embodiment of a rotary joint (20) of the rail-guided amusement ride according to the invention.

[0017] In Fig. 2, the swivel joint (20) is shown in the transport state from the front in the direction of the two unfolded, parallel track elements (2), wherein the two joint wings (22) have been rotated about the rotation axis (21) along the direction of rotation (28). The rail struts (24) are each firmly connected to the joint wings (22) via several rail supports (25). The rail supports (25) of the lower joint wing (22) are longer than those of the upper joint wing, so that the two rail struts (24) are at the same height. The ends of the now separated rail tubes (23) have tube openings (27, 28). When the ride is transferred to the operating state (cf. Fig. 4) The two hinge wings (22) are rotated in opposite directions around the rotation axis (21) until the tapered tube opening (28) engages with the normal tube opening (27). The thus connected ends of the rail tubes (23) are then locked.

[0018] In Fig. Figure 3 shows the swivel joint (20) in its operating state, viewed from below in the direction of the rotation axis (21). The two hinged wings (22) are slightly angled, so that their respective inner wing ends (31) form an acute angle to each other, and their respective outer wing ends (32) are parallel and spaced apart such that the tube ends (not shown here) of the connected rail elements interlock with their tube openings.

[0019] In Fig. 4 shows the swivel joint (20) being transferred from the transport state to the operating state, viewed obliquely from above onto the rail elements (2) to be connected, with the two joint wings (22) being rotated about the axis of rotation (21) along the direction of rotation (28). The front rail struts (24) are each firmly connected to the joint wings (22) via several rail supports (24). The rail supports (25) of the lower joint wing (22) are longer than those of the upper joint wing, so that the two rail struts (24) are at the same height. The ends of the now separated rail tubes (23) have tube openings (27).

[0020] Fig.Figure 5 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a two-way joint (50) of the rail-guided amusement ride according to the invention in the transport state. Two swivel joints (51, 52) are combined in such a way that, with the aid of the first swivel joint (51), the two connected ends of two rail elements (2) are separated from each other by an axial rotation, and with the aid of the second swivel joint (52), the rail element, which was previously located outside the loading area in the operating state, is arranged perpendicular to the other rail element by a vertical rotation. The terminal rail strut (24) is connected to the two-way joint (50) via the rail support (25) attached to it.

[0021] While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, it is the object of the following claims to cover all such changes and modifications of the inventive concept. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited non-patent literature

[0000] cf. Weserkurier, Freimarkt 2017: Roller coaster construction in time-lapse, https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=PCE7sC1TNk8

[0003]

Claims

[1] A rail-guided amusement ride mounted on a loading area of ​​a vehicle intended for transport, for the operation of at least one rail vehicle, characterized by that several of the rail elements which can be coupled to one another and are located on the loading area in the transport state are arranged in such a way that they can be coupled to other rail elements by simply folding them over and thus transferred into the operating state. [2] Rail-guided amusement ride according to claim 1, characterized by that the rail elements connected to one another in the operating state form a closed track, the circumference of which projects beyond the loading area of ​​the transport vehicle and has at least one elevation. [3] Rail-guided amusement ride according to claim 2, characterized by that it has at least one support element, which can be folded in if necessary, to support the at least one elevation. [4] Rail-guided amusement ride according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by , the closed track has at least one overpass. [5] Rail-guided ride according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the ends of the rail elements which are folded over in the transport state are located near the ends of the rail elements to which they are connected in the operating state. [6] Rail-guided amusement ride according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that between the respective ends of two rail elements connected to one another in the operating state there are one or two joints or hinges which make it possible to fold one of the two rail elements so that both rail elements lie next to or on top of one another. [7] Rail-guided ride according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat between the respective ends of two rail elements connected to one another in the operating state there is a two-way joint which enables one of the two rail elements to be folded over so that it is arranged next to the other rail element and substantially perpendicular to it. [8] Rail-guided ride according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it has a mechanical drive which, in operation, enables a rail vehicle on the track to be moved to the highest of the available elevations, from where it moves along the remaining track due to its inherent kinetic energy. [9] Rail-guided amusement ride according to claim 8, characterized by that the drive is a mechanical chain drive. [10] Rail-guided ride according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the rail elements each comprise two parallel tubes which are connected to one another by struts running essentially perpendicular to them. [11] Rail-guided amusement ride according to claim 10, characterized by that the rail elements consist essentially of a metal or a metal alloy. [12] Rail-guided ride according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in the operating state the majority of the rail elements are located outside the perimeter of the loading area of ​​the vehicle intended for transport.

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