Recreational vehicles, especially roller coasters, and methods for operating such recreational vehicles.

Abstract

The present invention relates to an amusement ride (1) having at least one vehicle (2) and an entrance and / or exit area (8), particularly a roller coaster, a water amusement ride, an indoor ride, a carousel or a circular amusement ride. The at least one vehicle has at least one passenger receiving area for at least one passenger, a transfer unit (10) is positioned in the entrance and / or exit area (8), and the transfer unit (10) is capable of raising and lowering at least one passenger (7) on a seat support (20) from the entrance and / or exit area (8) to at least one passenger receiving area (4). The present invention further relates to a method for operating the amusement ride (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an amusement ride having the features of claim 1 and a method of operating an amusement ride having the features of claim 12.

Background Art

[0002] Amusement rides are known in various configurations from the prior art and are provided, particularly in amusement parks, as fixed or semi-fixed installations or attractions for the leisure entertainment of passengers. Common amusement rides can be, for example, water rides, roller coasters, indoor rides, carousel rides or rotating play equipment, and have at least one vehicle that is movable along a route. The at least one vehicle can have at least one receiving area for accommodating at least one passenger, and generally a plurality of receiving areas are provided, each of which can accommodate one passenger.

[0003] In the prior art, the receiving area is generally designed as a seat and has a widespread restraint system for safely holding the passenger within the receiving area during the ride. In the case of a roller coaster, for example, a safety bar held at the rear of the receiving area and pivotable from an open position to a closed position, in which the passenger is held by a seat switch or in a form-lock manner in the receiving area, has been found to be particularly effective.

[0004] At least one passenger can enter and exit the at least one vehicle in the entrance and / or exit area as intended, and in the context of the present invention, the entrance and / or exit area may in some cases be referred to as the boarding platform of a railway station or a departure and arrival point. The at least one vehicle interrupts the ride in the entrance and / or exit area, and at least one passenger can preferably move barrier-free from the entrance area into the at least one vehicle or from the at least one vehicle into the exit area. [[ID=2,22]]

[0005] While recreational vehicles should offer an attractive experience for a wide audience, ensuring their equal accessibility for people with disabilities remains a challenge. Vehicles often require complex, specialized equipment to facilitate the transport or transfer of people with disabilities. Significant delays at the entrance and / or exit areas also occur, disrupting the optimized throughput of recreational vehicles. [Overview of the project]

[0006] In view of this, the present invention is made.

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention is directed toward providing improved recreational rides, particularly improved water rides, improved roller coasters, improved indoor rides, improved carousels and / or improved spinning playground rides, which appropriately improve upon recreational rides known by prior art. The proposed recreational rides should enable people with physical disabilities to use the rides in the most barrier-free manner possible without the need for each vehicle to transport separate reception areas. Furthermore, they should allow for operation with optimized throughput.

[0008] These objectives are achieved by an amusement vehicle having the features of claim 1, and by a method of driving an amusement vehicle having the features of claim 12.

[0009] Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are given in the dependent claims.

[0010] An amusement ride, particularly a roller coaster or water ride, having the features of claim 1 according to the present invention, has at least one receptacle area for at least one passenger and an entrance and / or exit area. At least one passenger can be seated, preferably in a seated position, in at least one receptacle area when riding the amusement ride and can move along the route. The receptacle area is preferably designed as a seat or seat shell. Furthermore, the amusement ride according to the present invention has a transfer unit in the entrance and / or exit area that can move at least one passenger on a seat support up and down from the entrance and / or exit area into at least one receptacle area, and preferably the other way around.

[0011] The present invention is based on the concept of facilitating access to an amusement ride, particularly for persons with physical disabilities, by enabling at least one passenger to be raised and lowered by a transfer unit from an entrance and / or exit area into a designated receiving area, a receiving area desired by them, or any receiving area. Here, the transfer unit raises and lowers at least one passenger along with a seat support. The passenger can enter the entrance and / or exit area with their transport means or walking aid, in particular their wheelchair, and is raised and lowered from the walking aid along with a seat cover into the receiving area. The transfer unit forms an amusement ride from which a passive passenger can be raised and lowered both in and out of the receiving area.

[0012] Transfer units eliminate the need for the labor-intensive and physically demanding "transfer" of at least one passenger in an extremely limited space. Often, staff are not even permitted to transfer at least one passenger. In such cases, at least one passenger must be transferred independently or with the assistance of a caregiver.

[0013] When riding in an amusement ride, seat support should remain between at least one passenger and the occupancy area.

[0014] At the end of the ride, at least one passenger can be lifted out of the receiving area by a transfer unit and can be lowered back into the entrance and / or exit area, for example, with their walking aids.

[0015] Furthermore, it has been found to be advantageous for the amusement ride to have at least one vehicle capable of moving along a route. The at least one vehicle shall have at least one reception area. At least one passenger shall be able to board the at least one vehicle within the entrance and / or exit area as intended and be seated in at least one seat support as intended.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transfer unit may perform at least upward and downward movements and translational movements. The upward and downward movements act to raise and / or lower at least one passenger into and out of at least one receiving area, a walking aid and / or passenger transport means such as a wheelchair, i.e., to raise and lower. The translational movements act to transport at least one passenger from an entrance and / or exit area into or onto at least one receiving area, particularly a vehicle receiving area. Preferably, at least one passenger positioned on a seat support is raised and lowered from the boarding platform, for example, into a vehicle, via the edge of the platform, and vice versa. The translational movements may typically be transverse to the orientation of the boarding platform or, in particular, the direction of movement of at least one vehicle. The operation of the transfer unit may also include rotational movements of the passenger. The upward and downward movements, translational movements and / or rotational movements may be superimposed.

[0017] A further preferred embodiment of the present invention specifies that the seat support is flexible. The seat support is preferably made from a material that conforms to the shape of the body and may be designed, for example, as a seat mat, seat belt, beanbag, sling, seat shell, or similar. At least one passenger does not necessarily have to sit on the seat support only when riding the amusement ride, and in exemplary embodiments, they may sit on the seat support for the entire duration of their stay on the amusement ride or in the amusement park. Therefore, the seat support should, in a preferred design, also meet the requirements of an ergonomic seat support and be breathable. The seat support should also be easy to clean, wash and / or disinfect.

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting means is arranged to provide a detachable connection between the transfer unit and the seat support. The first connecting means allows the seat support to be securely and quickly connected to the transfer unit and the connection to be quickly and easily released. Typically, the first connecting means comprises first and second connecting means portions that interact with each other. The first connecting means portion can be firmly positioned on the transfer unit, and the second connecting means portion can be positioned on the seat support.

[0019] For example, at least one seat support may be connected to the transfer unit using a quick connector such as a plug connector, carabiner, or safety carabiner, which are well known in climbing sports. This greatly simplifies handling and reduces the time at least one vehicle spends in the entrance and / or exit area. The transfer unit may also be equipped with one or more hooks, to which, for example, the loop or fabric loop of the seat support may be attached.

[0020] Further embodiments of the present invention specify that a second connecting means is arranged to allow the seat support to be attached to a receiving area. The second connecting means ensure that the seat support can be properly and regulatedly attached to the vehicle when boarding an amusement ride, and that the seat support does not pose a potential danger to other passengers.

[0021] Typically, the second connection means comprises interacting first and second connection means portions. The first connection means portion can be rigidly positioned in a receiving area, and the second connection means portion can be positioned in a seat support. The second connection means portion of the first connection means may be the second connection means portion of the second connection means.

[0022] For example, the second connecting means may include, for instance, at least one carabiner, at least one eyelet, and / or at least one hook, to which at least one loop or fabric loop already described above can be hooked. In such exemplary embodiments, the loop also forms the second connecting means portion of the first connecting means.

[0023] Further embodiments of the present invention specify that the transfer unit comprises at least one retaining bracket in a free-end region to which a seat support can be attached, preferably by a first connecting means. The at least one retaining bracket may extend the seat support in the manner of a hammock, seat mat, beanbag or similar, providing a gripping means for at least one passenger.

[0024] Further embodiments of the present invention specify that at least one seating area comprises a retention system capable of securely holding at least one passenger in the seating area. The retention system of at least one seating area may be designed, for example, as a safety bar. The retention system is preferably movable between an open position and a closed position by a rotational motion, in the open position, in which at least one passenger can be seated in the seating area or on the seat of the seating area. In the closed position, at least one passenger is preferably held in the seating area in a form-lock manner.

[0025] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one retaining bracket is C-shaped or U-shaped. The at least one C-shaped or U-shaped retaining bracket can surround a clear area, the clear area corresponding to an area in which the safety bar can be positioned in the open and closed positions and in between.

[0026] By means of the C- or U-shaped design of the retaining bracket, it is possible, for example, to position the seat support or the passenger and the passenger restraint on the seat support in the receiving area in the open position of the passenger restraint. This design can also make it possible to first establish a connection between the seat support and the transfer unit after boarding by the recreational vehicle and before the passenger restraint is moved from the closed position to the open position. Thus, the transfer unit can also be used to evacuate at least one passenger in an emergency situation.

[0027] An advantageous embodiment according to the invention stipulates that at least one retaining bracket is held by the transfer unit in a substantially horizontal orientation. In the context of the present invention, a substantially horizontal orientation can be understood to mean an orientation of the retaining bracket of ±45° relative to the horizontal. This ensures, on the one hand, that the retaining bracket can be positioned across at least one receiving area or the seating surface of at least one receiving area of the seat support when used as intended, and on the other hand, provides gripping means for the passenger. In other words, the retaining bracket is arranged on the transfer unit in such a way that at least one retaining bracket surrounds a clearance area within the transverse plane of the seat support.

[0028] Furthermore, an advantageous embodiment according to the invention stipulates that at least one retaining bracket is held by the transfer unit in a substantially vertical orientation. At least one vertically oriented retaining bracket surrounds a clearance area and can preferably be fork-shaped for extending a seat support that can be attached to the free end region in the form of a hammock, seat mat, bean bag or the like. In the context of the present invention, a substantially vertical state can be understood to mean an orientation of ±30° relative to the vertical. In other words, the retaining bracket is arranged on the transfer unit in such a way that at least one retaining bracket surrounds a clearance area within the sagittal plane or the coronal plane of the seat support.

[0029] A further preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the transfer unit comprises a lifting device which can be positioned above the entrance and exit areas and at least one receiving area. The lifting device can be designed like a crane with a jib or like a gantry crane. At least one vehicle can travel below the lifting device in the entrance and exit areas, and a boom or runner can be positioned above the receiving area of at least one vehicle. Furthermore, at least one holding means for connecting the lifting device to at least one holding bracket may be provided. Preferably, the holding means is in the form of a rope enabling a simple rotational movement between the lifting device and at least one holding bracket.

[0030] Furthermore, it has been found advantageous for the transfer unit to have a drive unit by means of which at least the seat support can be raised and / or lowered.

[0031] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of operating the amusement vehicle described above. The method comprises the following method steps: connecting the seat support to the transfer unit, raising at least one passenger located on the seat support from the entrance and exit areas, in particular via at least one receiving area of at least one vehicle, subsequently transporting and landing at least one receiving area, or raising at least one passenger located on the seat support from the receiving area, subsequently transporting to the entrance and exit areas and lowering and landing at least one passenger, releasing the connection between the seat support and the transfer unit, and

[0032] A further preferred embodiment of the method described above provides that after the connection between the seat support and the transfer unit has been released, the seat support is connected to at least one vehicle, in particular to the receiving area.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033] [Figure 1]This is a perspective view of an amusement vehicle having a vehicle that is movable along a route and has multiple receiving areas for passengers, with entrance and exit areas positioned along the route, where at least one passenger can move up and down from the entrance and exit areas into the receiving area via a transfer unit and a seat support that can be attached to the transfer unit. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a side view of the recreational vehicle shown. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a front view of the recreational vehicle shown. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of another scene in which a recreational vehicle is driven. [Figure 5] This is a side view of the scene shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figures 4 and 5 are front views of the scenes shown. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of a further scene in which the method of driving the recreational vehicle shown in the preceding drawings is put into practice. [Figure 8] This is a side view of the scene shown in Figure 7. [Figure 9] These are front views of the scenes shown in Figures 7 and 8. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view of a further scene in which the method of driving the recreational vehicle shown in the preceding drawings is put into practice. [Figure 11] This is a side view of the scene shown in Figure 10. [Figure 12] These are front views of the scenes shown in Figures 10 and 11. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] In the following, with reference to the attached drawings, several scenes of embodiments of the entertainment vehicle, particularly a roller coaster, according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[0035] In the following, identical or functionally identical components are identified by the same reference numeral. For clarity, not all identical or functionally identical parts are reference numerald in individual drawings.

[0036] Figures 1-12 show various scenes in recreational rides 1, such as roller coasters, water rides, indoor rides, carousels, or rotating play equipment.

[0037] The recreation vehicle 1 includes, for the entertainment of at least one passenger 7, at least one reception area 4 that is movable along a route 3, though not shown in detail. The at least one reception area 4 may preferably be located in the vehicle 2.

[0038] The recreational vehicle 1 further comprises entrance and exit areas 8 located adjacent to the route 3. At least one vehicle 2 may stop in the entrance and exit areas 8 before and / or after the journey so that passengers 7 can disembark and / or board.

[0039] At least one vehicle 2 is provided with at least one, in this case multiple, reception areas 4, each reception area 4 may be provided with a seat surface 40 on which at least one passenger 7 can be positioned when riding in the amusement vehicle 1.

[0040] Furthermore, at least one vehicle 2 is equipped with one or more passenger restraints 5, and in the illustrated embodiment, the passenger restraint 5 is designed as a safety bar 50 and is configured to hold at least one passenger 7 within a receiving area 4, preferably in a form-lock manner.

[0041] The safety bar 50 is rotatable from an open position to a closed position (not shown), as shown in Figures 1-12, and the passenger 7 can be positioned within the receiving area 4 in the open position. In the closed position, the passenger 7 can be held within the receiving area 4, preferably in a form-lock manner. In the context of the present invention, the region in which the safety bar 50 moves between the open and closed positions is referred to as the clear region.

[0042] The entrance and exit area 8 may, for example, be part of a boarding / unboarding area (not fully illustrated). At least one passenger 7 may enter at least one vehicle 2 from the entrance and exit area 8, preferably at ground level and more preferably in a barrier-free manner, or exit the vehicle after completing a ride on the amusement ride 1.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 12, entrance and exit areas 8 at the departure / arrival station may be formed on both sides of the route 3 to enable operation with optimized throughput.

[0044] Referring to Figures 1 to 12, various scenarios are shown, particularly how passengers 7 who are unable to board at least one vehicle 2 independently from the entrance and exit areas 8 due to physical limitations are raised and lowered by the transfer unit 10 into one of the receiving areas 4 of at least one vehicle 2.

[0045] The transfer unit 10 includes at least one retaining bracket 12 on which the seat support 20 can be held or detachably suspended in a hammock-like manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the transfer unit 10 includes two retaining brackets 12.

[0046] The seat support 20 is detachably connected to the transfer unit 10 via a first connecting means 18 (not shown in detail), the first connecting means 18 comprising, for example, a first connecting means portion located on the retaining bracket 12. The first connecting means 18 may further comprise a second connecting means portion located on the seat support 20.

[0047] For example, the first connecting means portion may be provided with an eyelet or hook in the retaining bracket, and the second connecting means portion may be provided with a loop, shackle, carabiner or similar that can cooperate with the first connecting means portion to form a detachable connection.

[0048] The seat support 20 may be designed as a seat mat, seat belt, beanbag, seat cloth or similar, and may be provided to at least one passenger 7 when entering the amusement ride 1 or upon entering the amusement park, along with a walking aid or passenger transport means 6, such as a wheelchair.

[0049] Passenger 7 is positioned on the seat support 20 and can enter the entrance and exit areas 8 of the amusement vehicle 1 together with the passenger transport means. It is also possible to position passenger 7 on the seat support 20 only in the entrance and exit areas 8.

[0050] The retaining bracket 12 in the embodiment shown in Figures 1-4 is C-shaped or U-shaped and has two free end regions to which the seat support 20 can be attached.

[0051] The two retaining brackets 12 surround at least one passenger 7 in their transverse plane, and the two retaining brackets 12 are preferably sized such that they can surround the safety bar 50, the passenger receiving area 4, or the clear area of ​​the safety bar 50 within the transverse plane of the passenger receiving area 4.

[0052] The retaining bracket 12 can be connected to a lifting device (not shown) of the transfer unit 10 via a retaining means 14 shown in a very simplified manner, and can lift at least one passenger 7 from the entrance and exit areas 8 into or on one of the receiving areas 4 of at least one vehicle 2. In particular, the transfer unit 10 can perform upward and downward movements and translational movements. The lifting device can be designed, for example, as a crane with a jib, and may also be equipped with a runner or jib.

[0053] For example, the upward and downward movements performed in the scenes shown in Figures 8-12 serve to move at least one passenger 7 into or from at least one receiving area 4, passenger transport means 6 and / or walking aid. For example, the translational movements performed in the scenes shown in Figures 1-7 serve to transport at least one passenger 7 from the entrance and / or exit area 8 into or onto at least one vehicle 2. Rotational movements allow the passenger 7 to move in and out, for example, onto the seat surface of the passenger transport means 6 and / or the seat surface 40 of the receiving area 4.

[0054] First, as previously mentioned, passenger 7 may be provided with a corresponding seat support 20.

[0055] Passenger 7 enters the amusement ride 1 or the entrance and exit area 8 of the amusement ride 1, and the seat support 20 may be connected to the transfer unit 10. Passenger 7 may already be seated on the seat support 20, for example, on their own passenger transport means 6, or passenger 7 may be positioned on the seat support 20 suspended from the transfer unit 10.

[0056] As soon as at least one vehicle 2 is provided to the entrance and exit area 8 for travel by the recreational vehicle 1, passengers 7 can ascend from the entrance and exit area 8 (see Figure 1 or 2) and descend into the intended reception area 4 (see Figures 4-12). For this reason, the safety bar 50 is in the open position.

[0057] As soon as the passenger 7 is lowered into or onto the seat surface 40 of the receiving area 4, the first connecting means 18 becomes detachable and the seat support 20 becomes detachable from the transfer unit 10.

[0058] Subsequently, the seat support 20 can be connected to the vehicle 2 by a second connecting means 19 (not fully shown) so that the seat support 20 can be properly and accurately attached to the vehicle 2 when riding in the entertainment vehicle 1, and so that the seat support does not pose a potential danger to other passengers 7.

[0059] Then, the transfer unit 10 or the holding bracket 12 becomes movable away from the vehicle 2 so that the vehicle 2 can depart for the amusement ride 1.

[0060] After boarding the recreation vehicle 1, the vehicle 2 stops again in the entrance and exit area 8. The transfer unit 10 may be repositioned in the corresponding receiving area 4, and after the second connecting means 19 is released, a connection may be established between the seat support 20 and the transfer unit 10 by the first connecting means 18 in order to raise and lower the passenger 7 from the receiving area 4, transport the passenger 7 back to the entrance and exit area 8, and land there. Here, for example, the passenger 7 can land again on their own passenger transport means 6 together with the seat support 20, and the connection between the seat support 20 and the transfer unit 10 can be disconnected.

[0061] The two retaining brackets 12 surround the clear area in the sagittal plane of the receiving area 4. The retaining brackets 12 may also be described as being arranged in a fork shape, with the first connecting means portion of the first connecting means 18 positioned in the two free end regions. As shown in the figure, the two retaining brackets 12 may be formed from two individual brackets branching in a V shape from the connecting portion to form a fork shape to the free end regions. In this regard, it should be noted that the two retaining brackets 12 can also be integrally formed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1. Recreational vehicle 2 vehicles 3 routes 4. Receptive Area 5. Passenger restraints 6. Wheelchair (walking aid or means of transporting passengers) 7 passengers 8. Entrance and exit areas 10 Transfer Units 12 Retaining brackets 14 Retention means 18. First connection means 19. Second connection means 20-seat support 40 seat 50 Safety Bars

Claims

1. Amusement rides, especially roller coasters, At least one reception area for at least one passenger (7), Entrance and / or exit area (8), It has, The transfer unit (10) is positioned in the entrance and / or exit area (8), The transfer unit (10) is capable of raising and lowering the at least one passenger (7) on a seat support (20) from the entrance and / or exit area (8) onto the at least one receiving area (4) of the amusement vehicle (1).

2. The amusement vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the transfer unit (10) is capable of upward and downward movements and translation.

3. The seat support (20) is flexible, and in particular comprises a seat mat, a support cloth, a seat shell, or a beanbag, as described in claim 1 or 2 of the recreation vehicle (1).

4. The recreation vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a first connecting means (18) is provided to form a detachable connection between the transfer unit (10) and the seat support (20).

5. The recreation vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a second connecting means (19) is provided for fastening the seat support (20) to at least one vehicle (2).

6. The amusement vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transfer unit (10) comprises at least one retaining bracket (12) to which the seat support (20) can be attached.

7. The retaining bracket (12) is U-shaped or C-shaped, according to claim 6, for the recreational vehicle (1).

8. The amusement vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one receiving area (4) is equipped with a passenger restraint (5) capable of holding the at least one passenger (7) within the receiving area (4), preferably in a form-locking manner.

9. The amusement vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the retaining bracket (12) surrounds a clear area in which the passenger restraint (5) is movable between an open position and a closed position.

10. The amusement ride (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the transfer unit (10) is equipped with a lifting device that can be positioned above the entrance and / or exit area (8) and the at least one receiving area (4).

11. The amusement vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the transfer unit (10) has a drive unit that enables upward and downward movements to be performed at least by drive assistance.

12. A method for driving an amusement vehicle (1), particularly an amusement vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the method comprising the following steps: The steps include connecting the seat support (20) to the transfer unit (10), The steps include raising and lowering the passenger (7) positioned on the seat support (20) from the entrance and exit area (8) through the receiving area (4), and then transporting the passenger (7), and lowering and placing the seat support (20) into the receiving area (4), or The steps include raising and lowering the passenger (7) positioned on the seat support (20) from the receiving area (4), then transporting them to the entrance and exit area (8), and lowering and placing the seat support (20), The steps include releasing the connection between the seat support (20) and the transfer unit (10), A method of having.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein after lowering and landing, a connection is established between the seat support (20) and the transfer unit (10) or passenger transport means (6), particularly a wheelchair.

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