Amusement ride, in particular roller coaster, and method for operating such an amusement ride

Abstract

The invention relates to an amusement ride (1), in particular a roller coaster, a water amusement ride, a dark ride, a carousel, or a circular amusement ride, having at least one vehicle (2) and an entry and / or exit region (8). The at least one vehicle has at least one occupant receiving area for at least one occupant, and a transfer unit (10) is arranged in the entry and / or exit region (8), wherein the transfer unit (10) can lift the at least one occupant (7) from the entry and / or exit region (8) to the at least one occupant receiving area (4) on a seat support (20). The invention additionally relates to a method for operating an amusement ride (1).

Description

[0001] Amusement ride, in particular roller coaster or water ride, and method for operating an amusement ride

[0002] The present invention relates to a ride having the features of patent claim 1 and to a method for operating a ride having the features of patent claim 12.

[0003] Rides are known from the prior art in various designs and are provided as stationary or semi-stationary facilities or attractions, particularly in amusement parks, for the leisure entertainment of passengers. Examples of rides of this type can be water rides, roller coasters, dark rides, carousels, or circular rides, which have at least one vehicle that can travel along a route. The at least one vehicle can have at least one passenger receptacle for accommodating at least one passenger, with a plurality of passenger receptacles typically being provided, each of which can accommodate one passenger.

[0004] In the current state of the art, passenger restraints are typically designed as seats and commonly feature restraint systems to keep the passenger safely in the passenger restraint during the ride. For roller coasters, bar-type safety devices have proven particularly effective. These are attached, for example, to the back of the passenger restraint and can be pivoted from an open position to a closed position, in which the passenger is held securely in the seat or passenger restraint.

[0005] The at least one passenger can board and alight from the at least one vehicle in a boarding and / or alighting area, as intended. In the context of this invention, the boarding and / or alighting area can also be referred to as the boarding platform of a train station or a station. The at least one vehicle interrupts its journey at the boarding and / or alighting area, and the at least one passenger can preferably move barrier-free from the boarding area into the at least one vehicle or from the at least one vehicle into the alighting area.

[0006] Rides are meant to be attractive to a wide audience, but making this equally accessible to people with physical limitations is a challenge. Complex, special equipment on the rides is often necessary to allow people with physical limitations to board or transfer. Significant delays also occur in the boarding and / or disembarking areas, disrupting the ride's throughput-optimized operation.

[0007] This is where the present invention comes in.

[0008] The present invention is therefore dedicated to the task of providing an improved amusement ride, in particular an improved water ride, an improved roller coaster, an improved dark ride, an improved carousel and / or an improved circular ride, which expediently improves the amusement rides known from the prior art. The proposed amusement ride should enable people with physical disabilities to use it in the most barrier-free manner possible, without the respective vehicle having to have separate passenger accommodations. Furthermore, throughput-optimized operation should be possible. These tasks are solved by an amusement ride having the features of patent claim 1 and by a method for operating an amusement ride having the features of patent claim 12.

[0009] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0010] The ride according to the invention, in particular a roller coaster or a water ride, with the features of patent claim 1 has at least one passenger receptacle for at least one passenger and an entry and / or exit area. The at least one passenger can take a seat on the at least one passenger receptacle during the ride on the ride, preferably sitting down, and travel a route. The passenger receptacle is preferably designed as a seat or seat shell. Furthermore, the ride according to the present invention has a transfer unit in the entry and / or exit area, wherein the transfer unit can lift the at least one passenger on a seat support from the entry and / or exit area into the at least one passenger receptacle and preferably also vice versa.

[0011] The present invention is based on the idea of ​​making access to the amusement ride easier, particularly for people with physical disabilities, by using the transfer unit to lift at least one passenger from the boarding and / or alighting area into the passenger receptacle provided for them or the passenger receptacle they desire, or into any passenger receptacle. The transfer unit lifts the at least one passenger with a seat support. The passenger can travel with their means of transport or their walking aid, in particular their wheelchair, into the boarding and / or alighting area and is lifted out of the walking aid together with the seat support and into the passenger receptacle. The transfer unit creates an amusement ride in which the passive passenger can be lifted both into and out of a passenger receptacle.

[0012] The transfer unit eliminates the need for personnel-intensive and physically strenuous "transfer" of at least one passenger in what is, moreover, extremely limited space. Often, it is not even permitted for staff to transfer at least one passenger. In such cases, the at least one passenger must be transferred independently or with the help of an attendant.

[0013] During the ride, the seat cushion remains between at least one passenger and the passenger seat.

[0014] After the journey has ended, at least one passenger can be lifted out of the passenger compartment in the same way using the transfer unit and placed back in the boarding and / or alighting area, for example in his or her walking aid.

[0015] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the amusement ride comprises at least one vehicle that can travel along a route. The at least one vehicle comprises at least one passenger seat. The at least one passenger can board the at least one vehicle at the boarding and / or alighting area as intended and take a seat on the at least one seat as intended. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transfer unit can carry out at least one lifting and lowering movement and one translational movement. The lifting and lowering movement serves to lift and / or lower or to lift the at least one passenger into or out of the at least one passenger seat and / or the aid and / or a means of transporting people, such as a wheelchair.The translational movement serves to transport the at least one passenger from the boarding and / or alighting area into or onto the at least one passenger receptacle, in particular the passenger receptacle of a vehicle. In this case, the at least one passenger arranged on the seat support is preferably lifted over a platform edge from the boarding platform - for example into the vehicle - and vice versa. The translational movement can typically take place transversely to the orientation of the boarding platform or a direction of travel - in particular of the at least one vehicle. The movement of the transfer unit can also comprise a rotational movement of the passenger. The lifting and lowering movement, the translational movement and / or the rotational movement can take place in a superimposed manner.

[0016] A preferred development of the present invention provides that the seat cushion is flexible. The seat cushion is preferably made of a material that adapts to the shape of the body and can be designed, for example, as a seat mat, seat belt, bean bag, sling, seat shell, or similar. The at least one passenger does not necessarily have to sit on the seat cushion only during the ride on the amusement ride, but can also, in an exemplary embodiment, for the entire duration of the ride or in the

[0017] Amusement parks. Therefore, the seat cushion should ideally meet the requirements of an ergonomic seat cushion and be breathable. The seat cushion should also be easy to clean, wash, and / or disinfect.

[0018] According to a further development of the present invention, first connecting means are arranged which make it possible to establish a detachable connection between the transfer unit and the seat cover. The first connecting means make it possible to connect the seat cover to the transfer unit quickly and easily, as well as to release the connection quickly and easily. Typically, the first connecting means comprise a first and a second connecting means part which interact with one another. The first connecting means part can be fixedly arranged on the transfer unit, and the second connecting means part can be arranged on the seat cover.

[0019] For example, the at least one seat cover can be connected to the transfer unit using quick connectors, such as a plug-in connector, a carabiner, or a safety carabiner, which are known from climbing. This can significantly simplify handling and reduce the time the at least one vehicle spends at the entry and / or exit area. The transfer unit can also include one or more hooks, for example, into which loops or fabric loops of the seat cover can be hooked.

[0020] A further development of the present invention provides for the provision of second connecting means that enable the seat cushion to be attached to the passenger support. The second connecting means ensure that the seat cushion can be properly and correctly attached to the ride during the ride and that the seat cushion does not pose a potential danger to other passengers.

[0021] Typically, the second connecting means comprise a first and a second connecting means part that interact with one another. The first connecting means part can be fixedly arranged on the passenger support, and the second connecting means part can be arranged on the seat support. The second connecting means part of the first connecting means can be the second connecting means part of the second connecting means.

[0022] For example, the second connecting means can comprise at least one carabiner, at least one eyelet, and / or at least one hook, into which, for example, the at least one loop or fabric loop mentioned above can be hooked. In such an exemplary embodiment, the loop also forms the second connecting means part of the first connecting means.

[0023] A further development of the present invention provides that the transfer unit comprises at least one retaining bracket, to whose free end regions the seat cushion can be fastened, preferably by means of the first connecting means. The at least one retaining bracket stretches the seat cushion in the manner of a hammock, seat mat, beanbag, or similar, and can provide at least one passenger with a means of holding on.

[0024] A further development of the present invention provides that the at least one passenger receptacle comprises a restraint system which can hold the at least one passenger secured in the passenger receptacle. The restraint system of the at least one passenger receptacle can be designed, for example, as a bar lock. The restraint system can be moved - preferably by a pivoting movement - between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the at least one passenger can take a seat on the passenger receptacle or the seat surface of the passenger receptacle. In the closed position the at least one passenger is held in the passenger receptacle preferably in a form-fitting manner.

[0025] According to a preferred development of the present invention, the at least one retaining bracket is C- or U-shaped. The C- or U-shaped at least one retaining bracket can encompass a clear area, wherein the clear area corresponds to an area within which the bracket lock can be arranged in and between the open and closed positions.

[0026] The C- or U-shaped design of the retaining bar makes it possible, for example, for the seat cushion or the passenger to be positioned on the seat cushion when the passenger safety device is in the open position, and for the passenger safety device to be positioned on the passenger support. This design also makes it possible to first establish a connection between the seat cushion and the transfer unit after a ride on the ride, before the passenger safety device is moved from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, the transfer unit can also be used in emergency situations to evacuate at least one passenger.

[0027] An advantageous embodiment according to the present invention provides that the at least one retaining bracket is held on the transfer unit in an approximately horizontal orientation. In the context of this invention, approximately horizontal orientation can be understood as an orientation of the retaining bracket of ± 45 ° to the horizontal. This can ensure that, on the one hand, the retaining bracket can position the seat support above the at least one passenger receptacle or the seat surface of the at least one passenger receptacle when used as intended and, on the other hand, provides the passenger with the option of holding on. Described differently, the retaining bracket is arranged on the transfer unit in such a way that the at least one retaining bracket encompasses the clear area in a transverse plane of the seat receptacle.

[0028] Furthermore, an advantageous embodiment according to the present invention provides that the at least one retaining bracket is held approximately vertically on the transfer unit. The at least one retaining bracket engages - vertically oriented - around the clear area and can preferably be designed like a fork in order to span the seat cover that can be fastened to the free end areas in the manner of a hammock, seat mat, beanbag or similar. In the context of this invention, approximately vertical can be understood as an orientation of ± 30 ° to the vertical. Described differently, the retaining bracket is arranged on the transfer unit such that the at least one retaining bracket engages around the clear area in a sagittal plane or a frontal plane of the seat holder.

[0029] A preferred development of the present invention provides that the transfer unit comprises a lifting device which can be positioned above the entry and exit area and the at least one passenger receptacle. The lifting device can be designed either in the manner of a crane with a boom or in the manner of a gantry crane. The at least one vehicle can drive under the lifting device at the entry and exit area, wherein the boom or the runner can be positioned above the passenger receptacle of the at least one vehicle. Furthermore, at least one holding means can be provided which connects the lifting device to the at least one holding bracket. The holding means is preferably rope-shaped, whereby a simple rotational movement between the lifting device and the at least one holding bracket is possible.

[0030] Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if the transfer unit has a drive by which at least the raising and / or lowering of the seat travel can take place.

[0031] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for operating a previously described amusement ride. The method comprises the following steps:

[0032] - Connecting the seat cover to the transfer unit,

[0033] - Lifting and then transporting the at least one passenger arranged on the seat support from the entry and exit area via the at least one passenger receptacle, in particular of the at least one vehicle, and setting them down on the at least one passenger receptacle or

[0034] Lifting at least one passenger arranged on the seat support from the passenger receptacle and then transporting them to the entry and exit area and lowering and setting down at least one passenger, and releasing the connection between the seat support and the transfer unit.

[0035] A preferred development of the method described above provides that after the connection between the seat cover and the transfer unit has been released, the seat cover is connected to the at least one vehicle, in particular to the passenger accommodation.

[0036] Several scenes of an exemplary embodiment of a ride according to the invention, in particular a roller coaster, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0037] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ride with a vehicle having several passenger seats, which is movable along a track, wherein an entry and exit area is arranged along the track, in which at least one passenger can be lifted from the entry and exit area into the passenger seat by means of a transfer unit and a seat cushion that can be attached to the transfer unit,

[0038] Figure 2 is a side view of the ride according to Figure 1,

[0039] Figure 3 is a front view of the ride according to Figure 1,

[0040] Figure 4 is a perspective view of another scene during the implementation of the method for operating the ride,

[0041] Figure 5 is a side view of the scene in Figure 4 Figure 6 is a front view of the scene in Figures 4 and 5,

[0042] Figure 7 is a perspective view of another scene during the implementation of the method for operating the ride according to the preceding figures,

[0043] Figure 8 is a side view of the scene according to Figure 7,

[0044] Figure 9 is a front view of the scene according to Figures 7 and 8,

[0045] Figure 10 is a perspective view of another scene during the implementation of the method for operating the ride according to the preceding figures,

[0046] Figure 11 is a side view of the scene according to Figure 10, and

[0047] Figure 12 is a front view of the scene according to Figures 10 and 11.

[0048] In the following, identical or functionally equivalent components are identified by the same reference symbols. For the sake of clarity, not all identical or functionally equivalent parts are provided with a reference number in the individual figures.

[0049] Figures 1 to 12 show different scenes in a ride 1, which may be, for example, a roller coaster, a water ride, a dark ride, a carousel, or a circular ride. The ride 1 comprises at least one passenger receptacle 4, which can be moved along a track 3 (not shown in detail) for the entertainment of at least one passenger 7. The at least one passenger receptacle 4 can preferably be arranged on or at a vehicle 2.

[0050] The ride 1 further comprises a boarding and alighting area 8 located next to the ride 3. At the boarding and alighting area 8, the at least one vehicle 2 can stop before and / or after a ride so that passengers 7 can board and / or disembark.

[0051] The at least one vehicle 2 comprises at least one, in the present case several passenger receptacles 4, wherein the respective passenger receptacle 4 can comprise a seat 40 on which the at least one passenger 7 can be arranged while sitting during the ride on the amusement ride 1.

[0052] In addition, the at least one vehicle 2 comprises one or more passenger restraints 5, wherein in the illustrated embodiment the passenger restraint 5 is designed as a safety bar 50 which is configured to hold the at least one passenger 7 preferably in a form-fitting manner in the passenger seat 4.

[0053] The safety bar 50 can be pivoted from an open position according to Figures 1-12 into a closed position (not shown), wherein in the open position the passenger 7 can be arranged in the passenger receptacle 4. In the closed position the passenger 7 can preferably be held in the passenger receptacle 4 in a form-fitting manner. The area in which the safety bar 50 moves between the open and closed positions is referred to in the context of this invention as the clear area.

[0054] The boarding and alighting area 8 can, for example, be part of a train station (not fully illustrated). The at least one passenger 7 can board the at least one vehicle 2 from the boarding and alighting area 8, preferably at ground level and even more preferably barrier-free, or disembark after completing the ride on the amusement ride 1.

[0055] In order to enable throughput-optimized operation, the boarding and alighting area 8 in the station - as shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 12 - can be designed on both sides of the route 3.

[0056] Figures 1-12 show different scenes, in particular how a passenger 7, who due to physical limitations cannot independently board the at least one vehicle 2 from the entry and exit area 8, is lifted by means of a transfer unit 10 from the entry and exit area 8 into one of the passenger receptacles 4 of the at least one vehicle 2.

[0057] The transfer unit 10 comprises at least one support bracket 12, on which a seat cushion 20 can be held or releasably suspended in the manner of a hammock. In the illustrated embodiment, the transfer unit 10 comprises two support brackets 12.

[0058] The seat cushion 20 can be detachably connected to the transfer unit 10 via first connecting means 18 (not shown in detail), wherein the first connecting means 18 comprise, for example, a first connecting means part arranged on the retaining bracket 12. The first connecting means 18 can further comprise a second connecting means part arranged on the seat cushion 20.

[0059] The first connecting means part can, for example, comprise an eyelet or a hook on the retaining bracket, and the second connecting means part can comprise a loop, a shackle, a carabiner or the like, which can cooperate with the first connecting means part to form the detachable connection.

[0060] The seat cover 20 can be designed as a seat mat, seat belt, bean bag, seat cloth or similar and can be provided to at least one passenger 7 when entering the ride 1 or already when entering the amusement park - also together with a walking aid or a means of transport 6, e.g. a wheelchair.

[0061] Passenger 7 can be positioned on the seat support 20 and enter the boarding and alighting area 8 of the ride 1 with the passenger transport vehicle. It is also possible to position passenger 7 on the seat support 20 only in the boarding and alighting area 8.

[0062] The retaining bracket 12 according to the embodiment in Figures 1 to 4 is C- or U-shaped and has two free end regions to which the seat support 20 can be fastened.

[0063] The two holding brackets 12 encompass the at least one passenger 7 in their transverse plane, wherein the two holding brackets 12 are preferably dimensioned such that they can also encompass the safety bar 50 or the passenger receptacle 4 or the clear area of ​​the safety bar 50 in a transverse plane of the passenger receptacle 4. The holding brackets 12 can be connected to a (not shown) lifting device of the transfer unit 10 via a holding means 14 shown in a greatly simplified manner and lift the at least one passenger 7 from the boarding and alighting area 8 into or onto one of the passenger receptacles 4 of the at least one vehicle 2. For this purpose, the transfer unit 10 can in particular carry out a lifting and lowering movement and a translation movement. The lifting device can, for example, be designed as a crane with a boom and can also comprise a rotor or boom.

[0064] The lifting and lowering movement, which is carried out, for example, in the scenes from Figures 8 to 12, serves to lift the at least one passenger 7 into or out of the at least one passenger receptacle 4 and / or the passenger transport means 6 and / or assistant. The translational movement, which is carried out, for example, in the scenes from Figures 1 to 7, serves to transport the at least one passenger 7 from the boarding and / or alighting area 8 into or onto the at least one vehicle 2. A rotational movement enables pivoting in and out, for example, onto a seat surface of the passenger transport means 6 and / or the seat surface 40 of the passenger receptacle 4.

[0065] First, as already mentioned, a corresponding seat cushion 20 can be provided to the passenger 7.

[0066] The passenger 7 can enter the ride 1 or the boarding and alighting area 8 of the ride 1, and the seat cushion 20 can be connected to the transfer unit 10. Either the passenger 7 can already be sitting on the seat cushion 20, for example in their passenger transport means 6, or the passenger 7 can be arranged in the seat cushion 20 suspended in the transfer unit 10.

[0067] As soon as at least one vehicle 2 is ready at the boarding and alighting area 8 for the ride on the amusement ride 1, the passenger 7 (see Figures 1 or 2) can be lifted and lowered from the boarding and alighting area 8 into the designated passenger receptacle 4 (see Figures 4 to 12). For this purpose, the safety bar 50 is in the open position.

[0068] As soon as the passenger 7 has been lowered into the passenger receptacle 4 or onto the seat surface 40 of the passenger receptacle 4, the first connecting means 18 can be opened and the seat support 20 can be separated from the transfer unit 10.

[0069] The seat cover 20 can then be connected to the vehicle 2 by second connecting means 19 (not fully shown) so that the seat cover 20 is properly and correctly fastened to the vehicle 2 during the ride on the amusement ride 1 and so that the seat cover does not pose a potential danger to other passengers 7.

[0070] The transfer unit 10 or the holding bracket 12 can then be moved away from the vehicle 2 so that the vehicle 2 can drive off for the ride on the amusement ride 1.

[0071] After the ride on the amusement ride 1, the vehicle 2 stops again at the boarding and alighting area 8. The transfer unit 10 can be repositioned at the corresponding passenger receptacle 4, and after releasing the second connecting means 19, a connection can be established between the seat cushion 20 and the transfer unit 10 by means of the first connecting means 18 in order to lift the passenger 7 out of the passenger receptacle 4 and transport the passenger 7 back to the boarding and alighting area 8 and set them down there. Here, the passenger 7 can, for example, be set down again on their passenger transport means 6 using the seat cushion 20, and the connection between the seat cushion 20 and the transfer unit 10 can be severed.

[0072] The two retaining brackets 12 encompass the clear area in a sagittal plane of the passenger compartment 4. The retaining brackets 12 can be described as being arranged in a forked manner, with the first connecting element of the first connecting element 18 being arranged at the two free end regions. The two retaining brackets 12 can be formed, as shown, from two individual brackets that diverge in a V-shape from a connecting section to form the fork shape to the free end regions. It should be noted at this point that the two retaining brackets 12 can also be formed as a single piece.

[0073] List of reference symbols

[0074] 1 ride

[0075] 2 vehicles

[0076] 3 Driving route

[0077] 4 Passenger accommodation

[0078] 5 Passenger safety

[0079] 6 Wheelchair

[0080] 7 passengers

[0081] 8 Entry and exit area

[0082] 10 Transfer unit

[0083] 12 support brackets

[0084] 14 holding devices

[0085] 18 first connecting means

[0086] 19 second connecting means

[0087] 20 seat cushions

[0088] 40 seats

[0089] 50 bracket lock

Claims

Patent claims 1. Ride (1), in particular roller coaster, comprising - at least one passenger accommodation for at least one passenger (7) , - and an entry and / or exit area (8) , - wherein a transfer unit (10) is arranged in the entry and / or exit area (8), and - wherein the transfer unit (10) can lift the at least one passenger (7) on a seat support (20) from the entry and / or exit area (8) onto the at least one passenger receptacle (4).

2. Ride (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer unit (10) can perform a lifting and lowering movement and a translation.

3. Ride (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the seat cover (20) is flexible, in particular that the seat cover (20) comprises a seat mat, a carrying sling, a seat shell or a beanbag.

4. Ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that first connecting means (18) are provided for forming a detachable connection between the transfer unit (10) and the seat support (20).

5. Ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that second connecting means (19) are provided for fastening the seat support (20) to the at least one vehicle (2).

6. Ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer unit (10) comprises at least one retaining bracket (12) to which the seat support (20) can be fastened.

7. Ride (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the holding bracket (12) is U-shaped or C-shaped.

8. Ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one passenger receptacle (4) comprises a passenger safety device (5) which can hold the at least one passenger (7) in the passenger receptacle (4), preferably in a form-fitting manner.

9. Ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining bracket (12) encompasses a clear area in which the passenger safety device (5) is movable between an open and a closed position.

10. Ride according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer unit (10) comprises a lifting device which can be positioned above the entry and / or exit area (8) and the at least one passenger receptacle (4). is .

11. Ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer unit (10) has a drive by which the raising and lowering can be carried out at least in a drive-assisted manner.

12. Method for operating a ride (1), in particular a ride (1) according to one of the aforementioned claims, comprising the following method steps: - connecting a seat cover (20) with a transfer unit (10), - Lifting and then transporting a passenger (7) arranged on the seat support (20) from an entry and exit area (8) via a passenger receptacle (4) and lowering and depositing the seat support (20) on the passenger receptacle (4) or Lifting a passenger (7) arranged on a seat support (20) from a passenger receptacle (4) and then transporting him to an entry and exit area (8) and lowering and setting down the seat support (20), - Loosen the connection between the seat cover (20) and the transfer unit (10).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that after lowering and setting down a connection between the seat support (20) and the transfer unit (10) or a means of transporting persons (6), in particular a wheelchair.

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