Amusement ride

Abstract

The present invention relates to an amusement ride, in particular of the kind that combines a vertical ride and a pendular motion.

Description

[0001] amusement ride

[0002] The present invention relates to an amusement ride, in particular one that combines a vertical ride and a rocking motion.

[0003] There are rides with a vertical ride, such as an observation tower or a free-fall tower. On the other hand, there are rides that swing. The present invention combines these two ride experiences into a new type of amusement ride.

[0004] The ride features a rigid, elongated base body with a first end and an opposite second end. "Elongated" means that the extension of the base body in one longitudinal direction is significantly greater than in two transverse directions orthogonal to each other and to the longitudinal direction, for example, by a factor of 10, 20, or more. The extension of the base body in the longitudinal direction is also referred to as the length of the base body. The first end and the second end form the two ends of the base body in its longitudinal direction. The length of the base body is, for example, between 1 and 10 meters, more specifically between 3 and 7 meters, and especially 5 meters.

[0005] The term "rigid" is not to be understood as absolute, but rather allows for a certain degree of flexibility inherent in the material. The base body, for example, has the basic shape of a rod, a beam, or an elongated body with a polygonal cross-section and is made of a metal such as steel or another suitable material. The base body can be hollow inside. For example, the base body is considered rigid if, when a force of 1000 N is applied to one of its ends in the longitudinal direction and when clamped at the opposite end, it bends by no more than one thousandth of its length. In particular, the rigid base body is not a rope or a chain.

[0006] The ride further comprises a first guide device and a first chassis at the first end of the base body, wherein the first chassis is guided by the first guide device and rotatably connects the base body to the first guide device. By means of the first chassis, the first end of the base body is thus movable along the first guide device. The rotatable connection allows the base body to swing relative to the first guide device. The rotatable connection allows rotation exclusively around one axis or, optionally, additionally around a second axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the first axis of rotation.

[0007] The ride contains a passenger seat at the second end of the base body. The passenger seat consists, for example, of one or more seats and a suitable restraint system that secures the passengers in the associated seats. Each seat can be assigned its own restraint system, or a restraint system can be assigned to multiple seats. The passenger seat comprises, for example, one, two, three, or four seats, but can also have a different number of seats. Seats are, for example, arranged parallel to one another. The seats are arranged, for example, so that their backrests face the first guide device, i.e. the passengers' line of sight points away from the first guide device.

[0008] The ride also features a second chassis at the second end of the base body and a second guide mechanism that guides the second chassis. If the first end of the base body moves along the first guide mechanism, the second chassis moves along the second guide mechanism due to the coupling via the base body.

[0009] According to the invention, the first guide device has a straight part and an adjoining curved part. Furthermore, the second end of the base body can be decoupled from the second guide device.

[0010] When the first landing gear, and thus the first end of the base body, moves along the curved part of the first guide device, the base body tilts, and thus the passenger seat. If the second end of the base body is then decoupled from the second guide device, a rocking motion of the passenger seat occurs around the rotatable connection of the base body to the first guide device.

[0011] The function of a carriage is to guide the corresponding end of the base body along the associated guide device. In the simplest case, the carriage consists of one or more pivots that slide on one or more sliding surfaces of the guide device. If the first carriage consists of one or more pivots, the base body is rotatably connected to the first guide device, since a pivot can not only slide but also roll on the first guide device, provided it has a curved contact surface with the first guide device.

[0012] Instead of a sliding bearing, however, a rolling bearing of the carriage on the guide device is also possible, for example, using one or more rollers. Optionally, the carriage can have one or more counter-rollers that engage a different surface of the guide device than the rollers and have rotation axes that are offset parallel to the rotation axes of the rollers. This prevents the carriage from becoming detached from the guide device. Furthermore, a carriage can optionally have lateral guidance, for example, using one or more lateral guide rollers or a sliding surface.

[0013] The first carriage preferably has one or more rollers and one or more counter-rollers. The second carriage can be simpler than the first carriage and, for example, have only one or more pins or one or more rollers. The base body is rotatably connected to the first carriage, for example, via a plain bearing or a roller bearing, and is thus rotatably mounted relative to the first guide device.

[0014] The term “end of the base body” means a region at the end of the base body which extends from the absolute end of the base body by, for example, less than 20%, more specifically less than 10%, in particular less than 5% of the length of the base body along the longitudinal axis of the base body.

[0015] In this document, the statement that a guide device has a straight section means that this straight section has a smaller curvature than the curved section of the guide device. The straight section of a guide device can therefore itself be curved, for example, with a maximum curvature that is less than 50%, 25%, 20%, 10%, or 5% of the maximum curvature of the curved section of the guide device. However, the straight section of the guide device is, for example, absolutely straight, within the manufacturing tolerances.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the curved part of the first guide device extends in a direction beyond the passenger seat. In an arrangement in which the seat backrests face the first guide device, a movement of the first chassis along the curved part of the first guide device causes the seats to tilt forward. If the second end of the base body is then decoupled from the second guide device, a rocking motion forward and backward results.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the second end of the base body can be decoupled from the second guide device when the first chassis is located in the curved part of the first guide device. In this case, the center of gravity of the base body is no longer located below the connection to the first chassis, resulting in a rocking motion.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, the second guide device has a straight section that runs parallel to the straight section of the first guide device. If the length of the base body is shorter than the length of the straight section of the first guide device, the passenger support initially performs a straight movement parallel to the straight section of the first guide device.

[0019] In one embodiment, the straight part of the second guide device is shorter at at least one of its ends than the straight part of the first guide device.

[0020] If the straight part of the second guide device is shorter at the end facing away from the transition from the straight to the curved part of the first guide device, the coupling of the second end of the base body to the second guide device at the end of the journey can be easily accomplished. The first chassis moves from the curved part of the first guide device to the straight part of the first guide device, allowing the second end of the base body to be coupled to the second guide device due to gravity.

[0021] If the straight part of the second guide device is shorter at the end facing the transition from the straight to the curved part of the first guide device, the second end of the base body is automatically decoupled from the second guide device at this point. In one embodiment of the invention, the second guide device has a curved part that runs parallel to at least a section of the curved part of the first guide device. Due to the length of the base body, the curved part of the second guide device can be shorter than the curved part of the first guide device. However, it can also extend over the entire length of the curved part of the first guide device.

[0022] Preferably, the entire second guide device runs parallel to the first guide device. This means that the straight part of the second guide device runs parallel to the straight part of the first guide device, and the curved part of the second guide device runs parallel to at least a portion of the curved part of the first guide device.

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, the straight part of the first guide device is aligned along the direction of gravity, and the curved part of the first guide device is located above the straight part of the first guide device. As a result, the passenger seat performs a purely vertical movement as long as the first landing gear is located in the straight part of the first guide device and the second landing gear is located in the straight part of the second guide device. If the first landing gear moves into the curved part of the first guide device, the first landing gear performs a curved movement while the second landing gear still performs a straight movement, causing the passenger seat to tilt.The movement of the first landing gear now has a horizontal component, so that the center of gravity of the rigid base body, including the passenger seat and the passengers, is no longer located below the first landing gear and a decoupling of the second end of the base body from the second guide device causes a rocking movement of the passenger seat.

[0024] Depending on the design of the ride, the decoupling of the second end of the base body from the second guide device can occur when the second chassis is located in the straight part of the second guide device or in the curved part of the second guide device.

[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, the curved part of the first guide device is one-dimensionally curved, in particular exclusively one-dimensionally curved. The straight part and the curved part of the first guide device thus lie in one plane. Optionally, the curved part of the second guide device is also similarly one-dimensionally curved, in particular exclusively one-dimensionally curved. However, the curved part of the first guide device can also be curved in multiple dimensions, either simultaneously or in sections one after the other.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the second end of the base body can be decoupled from the second guide device by decoupled from the second guide device. Thus, the second chassis remains connected to the second end of the base body, and the second chassis detaches from the second guide device.

[0027] The second landing gear can, for example, decouple from the second guide device by terminating the second guide device. Similarly, the second landing gear can be recoupled to the second guide device by making the other end of the second guide device shorter than the first guide device. At this end, the second landing gear can then thread into the second guide device, or the second guide device can thread into the second landing gear.

[0028] In another embodiment of the invention, the second end of the base body can be decoupled from the second guide device by decoupled from the second chassis. In this case, the second chassis remains on the second guide device.

[0029] The connection between the second end of the base body and the second chassis can be mechanical, for example, by means of a hook. Decoupling then occurs, for example, by releasing the hook from a receptacle, for example, using a link. The connection between the second end of the base body and the second chassis can also be magnetic.

[0030] In one embodiment of the invention, the first guide device and the second guide device form a common structure. The common structure can, for example, be a rail. In one embodiment, the first guide device and the second guide device are formed by an I-profile. The second guide device is formed, for example, by one or two flanges of the I-profile. The first guide device is then formed, for example, by one or more of the remaining flanges of the I-profile. The flange(s) forming the second guide device can each have a recess through which the second chassis can be decoupled from the second guide device.

[0031] Instead of a single I-beam, two or more I-beams can be used, for example, parallel to each other. This increases the torsional strength of the connection between the base body and the guide device(s).

[0032] As an alternative to one or more I-beams, other structures are also possible. One example is a round tube serving as the first guide device and one or more longitudinal flanges serving as the second guide device. Here, too, it is possible to provide two or more such structures parallel to each other.

[0033] The first guide device and the second guide device can be identical, as long as it is possible to decouple the second end of the base body from the second guide device. For example, the same rail can guide the first and second bogies. Using a common guide device for both bogies is particularly possible if the second end of the base body can be decoupled from the second bogie. However, designs are also possible in which the second bogie can be decoupled from the common guide device.

[0034] In one embodiment of the invention, the (only) axis of rotation about which the base body is rotatably connected to the first guide device by means of the first chassis is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base body. This allows the passenger seat to rock and prevents rotation about the longitudinal axis of the base body.

[0035] The (only) axis of rotation about which the base body is rotatably connected to the first guide device by means of the first chassis can also be perpendicular to the tangent of the curvature of the curved part of the first guide device. This causes the rocking of the passenger seat to occur in the plane in which the first guide device is located.

[0036] In one embodiment of the invention, the curved part of the first guide device has a straight section that is spaced apart from the straight part of the first guide device. Thus, a curved section of the curved part of the first guide device is located between the straight section of the curved part of the first guide device and the straight part of the first guide device. Once the first carriage has passed the curved section of the curved part of the first guide device, it subsequently moves in a straight line in the straight section of the curved part of the first guide device.

[0037] In one embodiment of the invention, the ride further comprises a drive that moves the first carriage along the first guide device and, for example, acts on the first carriage. In principle, any suitable type of drive can be used.

[0038] The ride features a control unit that controls the drive. Specifically, the control unit stops the drive of the first chassis as soon as the second end of the base body is decoupled from the second guide device.

[0039] The controller can actuate the drive in such a way that the first chassis moves back and forth along the first guide device several times before the second end of the base body is decoupled from the second guide device. In particular, the first chassis can be moved up and down several times along the straight part of the first guide device, resulting in a free-fall effect.

[0040] The control can be interactive, i.e., it can react to inputs from the passenger(s). For example, the input can determine at what point in time the second end of the base body is decoupled from the second guide device. This allows the passenger to influence the maximum inclination of the base body, and thus the amplitude of the rocking motion. The control advantageously ensures that the decoupling only occurs when the first chassis is located far enough into the curved part of the first guide device. The present invention further relates to a system comprising multiple amusement rides arranged on a round or polygonal structure. The multiple rides are arranged, for example, such that the seats of the passenger restraints face outwards.

[0041] The multiple rides can differ in the location of the first chassis when the second end of the main body is decoupled from the second guide device, thus providing a ride experience of varying intensity. This can be achieved by individually controlling the decoupling or by mechanically decoupled at different positions.

[0042] It is within the scope of the present invention to combine entire embodiments or parts of embodiments with one another, provided this is technically possible.

[0043] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures. These show:

[0044] Figure 1 shows an arrangement of several rides,

[0045] Figure 2 an overview of a ride,

[0046] Figure 3 shows a base body with a passenger seat,

[0047] Figure 4 first and second guidance devices and first and second chassis,

[0048] Figure 5a-5g the ride of Figure 2 in several phases of the ride,

[0049] Figure 6 the ride shortly before decoupling, and

[0050] Figure 7a-7c shows the coupling of the base body at the end of the journey.

[0051] Figure 1 shows an arrangement comprising several rides 1. Each of the rides 1 has a first guide device 3, a second guide device 4, and a rigid, elongated base body 2. The base body 2 has a first end and an opposite second end. The exemplary base body 2 has a beam-like basic shape, is made of metal, and is hollow inside. The ride 1 has a passenger seat 5 at the second end of the base body 2. In the present case, the passenger seat 5 consists of two seats with an associated restraint system for passengers. The arrangement comprises six rides 1, which are evenly arranged around a circular structure. In the present example, the rides 1 are each anchored in the ground and connected to one another via a plurality of parallel rings. However, the structure can also be designed in any desired manner.The structure may be anchored to the ground and support non-ground anchored rides 1.

[0052] Figure 2 shows an overview of an amusement ride 1. The first guide device 3 has a straight part 3a and a curved part 3b, wherein the curved part 3b has a curved section 3b1 and a straight section 3b2, and wherein the curved section 3b1 is arranged between the straight part 3a and the straight section 3b2. A first chassis 9 at the first end of the base body 2 is guided by the first guide device 3.

[0053] The second guide device 4 has a straight part 4a and a curved part 4b, wherein the curved part 4b has a curved section 4b1 and a straight section 4b2, and wherein the curved section 4b1 is arranged between the straight part 4a and the straight section 4b2. A second chassis 7 at the second end of the base body 2 is guided by the second guide device 4. The straight part 3a of the first guide device 3 is parallel to the straight part 4a of the second guide device 4, and the curved part 4b of the second guide device 4 is parallel to the curved part 3b of the first guide device 3. The curved section 4b2 of the second guide device is optional but serves to ensure the stability of the ride and is present anyway, for example, when using prefabricated I-profiles.

[0054] The first end of the base body 2 is guided along the first guide device 3 via the first carriage 9. The second end of the base body 2 is guided along the second guide device 4 via the second carriage 7. The length of the rigid base body 2 is here smaller than the length of the straight part 3a of the first guide device 3.

[0055] Figure 3 shows the base body 2 in isolation with the passenger seat 5 and the second landing gear 7. At the first end of the base body 2, the upper end in Figure 3, the axis A is shown, around which the base body 2 can swing or rock around the first guide device 3. The seats of the passenger seat 5 are firmly connected to the base body 2.

[0056] Figure 4 shows two I-profiles 8, also referred to as double-T profiles, which are arranged parallel to each other and form the first guide device 3 and the second guide device 4. In particular, the front, inner flanges 8b and the webs 8c of the I-profiles 8 serve as the first guide device 3, and the front, outer flanges 8a of the I-profiles 8 serve as the second guide device 4.

[0057] The first carriage 9 consists of two rollers 10 that engage the rear sides of the flanges 8b, two counter rollers 11 that engage the front sides of the flanges 8b, and two lateral guide rollers 12 that engage the inner sides of the webs 8c. The second carriage 7 consists of rollers 13 that engage the rear sides of the flanges 8a and counter rollers 14 that engage the front sides of the flanges 8a.

[0058] The dashed line A shows the axis around which the base body 2 can rotate around the first chassis 9, and thus relative to the first guide device 3.

[0059] Figures 5 show various stages of the ride sequence of the amusement ride 1. Figure 5a shows the starting position in which the first chassis 9 is located on the straight part 3a of the first guide device 3 and the second chassis 7 is located on the straight part 4a of the second guide device 4. Figure 5b shows the stage in which the first chassis 9 is at the transition from the straight part 3a to the curved part 3b of the first guide device 3 and the second chassis 7 is still located on the straight part 4a of the second guide device 4. Optionally, the first chassis 9, and thus the base body 2 with the passenger seat 5 and the second chassis 7, can be moved once or several times between the positions shown in Figures 5a and 5b, or a section thereof, in order to create a free-fall effect.

[0060] Figure 5c shows a stage in which the first landing gear 9 is located in the straight section 3b2 of the first guide device 3 and the second landing gear 7 is located in the curved section 4b1 of the second guide direction 4. In the stage shown in Figure 5d, the first landing gear 9 has been moved further along the first guide device 3, so that the second landing gear 7 is now in a position where it is decoupled from the second guide device 4.

[0061] Figure 5e shows a stage shortly after the decoupling of the second landing gear 7 from the second guide device 4. Since the second end of the base body 2 is no longer guided and the center of gravity of the combination of the base body 2 and the passenger support 5 is no longer located below the first landing gear 9, a rocking movement around the axis A begins.

[0062] Figure 5f shows a stage of maximum deflection of the rocking motion. Figure 5g shows a stage in which the rocking motion has stabilized. After this point in the travel sequence, the first carriage 9 is lowered along the first guide device. From a certain position of the first carriage 9, the rollers 13 of the second carriage 7 touch the front sides of the flanges 8a and thus guide the second end of the base support 2 during the further downward movement.

[0063] Figure 6 shows a detail of the ride 1 shortly before the second chassis 7 is decoupled from the second guide device 4. The flange 8a has a recess 15. When the second chassis 7 reaches this point, the rollers 13 disengage from the flange 8a and the free swinging motion begins.

[0064] Figures 7a to 7c show an example of how the second chassis 7 is recoupled to the second guide device 4 at the end of the travel. During the downward movement illustrated in Figure 7a, the rollers 13 initially roll on the front sides of the flanges 8a, because gravity generates a torque of the base body 2 about the axis A, which pushes the second end of the base body 2 toward the flanges 8a.

[0065] At the lower end, the flanges 8a have recesses 16. As soon as the rollers 13 reach the recesses 16, the base body 2 rotates further around the axis A due to the torque, causing the rollers 13 to move to the rear sides of the flanges 8a. This state is shown in Figure 7b.

[0066] If the first bogie 9, and thus also the second bogie 7 via the base body 2, is lifted again, the flanges 8a are threaded between the rollers 13 and the counter rollers 14, whereby the second end of the base body 2 is again coupled to the second guide device 4. This is shown in Figure 7c. The passenger support 5 is now fixed in place so that a passenger change can take place and a new journey can then begin.

Claims

Claims 1. An amusement ride (1) comprising: - a rigid, elongated base body (2) having a first end and an opposite second end, - a first guide device (3), - a first chassis (9) at the first end of the base body (2), wherein the first chassis (9) is guided by the first guide device (3) and rotatably connects the base body (2) to the first guide device (3), - a passenger seat (5) at the second end of the base body (2), - a second chassis (7) at the second end of the base body (2), and - a second guide device (4) which guides the second chassis (7), wherein - the first guide device (3) has a straight part (3a) and an adjoining curved part (3b) and - the second end of the base body (2) can be decoupled from the second guide device (4).

2. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 1, wherein the curved part (3b) of the first guide device (3) extends in the direction beyond the passenger receptacle (5).

3. The amusement ride (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the second end of the base body (2) can be decoupled from the second guide device (4) when the first chassis (9) is located in the curved part (3b) of the first guide device (3).

4. The amusement ride (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second guide device (4) has a straight part (4a) which runs parallel to the straight part (3a) of the first guide device (3).

5. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 4, wherein the straight part (4a) of the second guide device (4) is shorter at at least one of its ends than the straight part (3a) of the first guide device (3).

6. The amusement ride (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second guide device (4) has a curved part (4b) which runs parallel to at least a portion of the curved part (4b) of the first guide device (4).

7. The amusement ride (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the straight part (3a) of the first guide means (3) is aligned along the direction of gravity and the curved part (3b) of the first guide means (3) is located above the straight part (3a) of the first guide means (3).

8. The amusement ride (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the curved part (3b) of the first guide device (3) is one-dimensionally curved.

9. The amusement ride (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second end of the base body (2) can be decoupled from the second guide device (4) by the second chassis (7) being decoupled from the second guide device (4).

10. The amusement ride (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second end of the base body (2) can be decoupled from the second guide device (4) by the second end of the base body (2) being decoupled from the second chassis (7).

11. The amusement ride (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first guide device (3) and the second guide device (4) form a common structure.

12. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 11, wherein the first guide device (3) and the second guide device (4) are formed from an I-profile (8).

13. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 12, wherein the second guide device (4) is formed by one or two flanges (8a) of the I-profile (8).

14. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 13, wherein the flange(s) (8a) each have a recess (15) through which the second chassis (7) can be decoupled from the second guide device (4).

15. The amusement ride (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the axis of rotation (A) about which the base body (2) is rotatably connected to the first guide device (3) by means of the first chassis (9) is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base body (2).

16. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 15, wherein the axis of rotation (A) about which the base body (2) is rotatably connected to the first guide device (3) by means of the first chassis (9) is also perpendicular to the tangent of the curvature of the curved part (4b) of the second guide device (4).

17. The amusement ride (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the curved part (3b) of the first guide means (3) has a straight section (3b2) spaced from the straight part (3a) of the first guide means (3).

18. A system of multiple amusement rides (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the multiple amusement rides (1) are arranged on a circular or polygonal structure.

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