Amusement ride and method for operating an amusement ride

Abstract

The present invention relates to an amusement ride (1) having at least one track (10), wherein the at least one track (10) has at least one end section (11, 12), which adjoins a docking region (20), having at least one vehicle (30) with at least one passenger receptacle for a passenger, it being possible for the vehicle to travel along the at least one track (10), and having at least one transport vehicle (40), on which the at least one vehicle (30) can be arranged for transportation, wherein, in the docking region (20), the at least one vehicle (30) can change between being positioned on the at least one end section (11, 12) and on the at least one transport vehicle (40). The present invention also relates to a method for operating an amusement ride (1).

Description

[0001] Amusement 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 19.

[0003] Rides are known from the state of the art in various designs and are provided for passengers as stationary or semi-stationary facilities or attractions, particularly in amusement parks. Generic rides can have different ride layouts, such as water rides (e.g., rocking boats), roller coasters, the Big Dipper, the Wild Mouse, water coasters, wing coasters, floorless coasters, flying coasters, spinning coasters, or similar. Such rides comprise a track for at least one vehicle moving along the track. The at least one moving vehicle comprises at least one passenger seat that can accommodate at least one passenger. For a communal experience of the attraction, such vehicles typically have multiple passenger seats for multiple passengers, enabling group experiences as well as individual experiences.

[0004] In state-of-the-art rides, at least one passenger boards the ride at a so-called station and can board the at least one vehicle for the ride in a boarding and / or alighting area at the station and, after the at least one vehicle has traveled the route, disembark from the vehicle at the station. Various station concepts are known from the state of the art which are intended to optimize the boarding and / or alighting process. One example here is a stop-and-go station, where the vehicle stops at the station after the end of the ride and first passengers disembark to leave the ride and then other passengers board the vehicle. The cycle time is determined by the speed of the passengers during the boarding and / or alighting process.One way to increase the cycle time at stop-and-go stations is to have multi-track stations, which can have multiple platforms where passengers can board and / or disembark simultaneously. Such stations are technically complex, require a lot of space, have an increased potential for damage, and require more extensive security measures. Throughput optimization can be achieved through faster boarding and / or disembarking, but at the expense of safety. Furthermore, fast boarding and / or disembarking processes lead to unwanted stress for passengers and staff.

[0005] Another disadvantage of these state-of-the-art rides has proven to be that their cycle times are heavily dependent on the availability of the vehicles. In particular, cycle times depend on personal luggage management, differences in passenger mobility, safety and comfort, cultural influences and / or inclusion issues among passengers, as well as maintenance intervals and other factors. In many cases, families or groups must be separated for extended periods due to different needs or restrictions imposed by the ride itself, which can have a detrimental impact on the group experience. Furthermore, it has been shown that slow cycle times lead to longer waiting times, which reduces passenger satisfaction.

[0006] This is where the present invention comes in.

[0007] The present invention is dedicated to the task of proposing a suitably improved amusement ride and a suitably improved method for operating an amusement ride. In particular, the present invention is intended to enable the optimization of ride cycle times along the route, thereby increasing passenger throughput, for example. The proposed ride is also intended to enable stress-free and safe boarding and disembarkation and to meet the needs of different passenger mobility, inclusion issues, etc.

[0008] These objects are achieved by a ride having the features of patent claim 1 and a method for operating a ride having the features of patent claim 19.

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

[0010] The amusement ride according to the invention with the features of patent claim 1 comprises at least one ride, wherein the at least one ride has at least one end section adjacent to a docking area. Furthermore, the ride comprises at least one vehicle with at least one passenger seat for a passenger, which can travel the at least one ride. The at least one passenger can get in and out of the at least one vehicle as intended and take a seat on / in the at least one passenger seat for the ride on the ride. Typically, the at least one vehicle has several passenger seats, wherein preferably each passenger seat can accommodate one passenger.Furthermore, the respective passenger restraint device can have a restraint device that securely holds the at least one passenger in the at least one passenger restraint, particularly during the ride. Such a restraint device can be, for example, a bar or a belt.

[0011] Furthermore, the ride can comprise at least one transport vehicle, wherein the at least one transport vehicle can transport the at least one vehicle. For this purpose, the at least one vehicle can comprise at least one receptacle, which can be designed, for example, as a drivable platform or in the manner of a garage. Preferably, the at least one vehicle can drive onto the at least one transport vehicle. In other words, the at least one vehicle can be transported arranged on the transport vehicle.

[0012] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the at least one vehicle in the docking area can switch between a positioning on the at least one end section and on the at least one transport vehicle. In other words, it can be advantageous if the at least one vehicle in the docking area can drive from the at least one end section onto the at least one transport vehicle or onto the receptacle of the at least one transport vehicle and / or if the at least one vehicle in the docking area can drive from the at least one transport vehicle or from the receptacle of the at least one transport vehicle to the at least one end section of the route. In other words, the at least one transport vehicle is a RoRo transport vehicle (roll-on roll-off).

[0013] The present invention is based on the idea that the at least one vehicle is transported by the at least one transport vehicle before the journey along the route and is transferred to the route in the docking area so that the journey along the route can begin. After the journey along the route with the at least one vehicle, the at least one vehicle can be transferred to the at least one transport vehicle and then transported away. The at least one vehicle can, for example, be transported before and / or after the journey to or from a boarding and / or alighting area, a vehicle storage area, another route, a staging area and / or a maintenance area, or an animation area.Thus, regardless of the length of stay of at least one vehicle, other vehicles can travel the at least one route, whereby the other vehicles can travel at an optimal timing, thereby optimizing the throughput of a proposed ride.

[0014] In particular, the proposed ride allows at least one vehicle to be removed from at least one route for an indefinite period of time. This allows for a throughput-optimized timing of the ride's other vehicles to be maintained, regardless of, for example, the duration of maintenance in a workshop, the boarding and / or disembarkation of passengers, or the time spent in a vehicle depot. This provides a variety of design options that allow for the individualization of the experience without the timing being dependent on personal luggage management, differences in passenger mobility, safety and comfort, cultural influences, and / or inclusion issues.Families or groups with different needs or limitations due to the ride itself don't have to be separated, but can move around the ride in peace, increasing safety and ensuring the ride experience is perceived as an all-around positive one. The ride's vehicles can run at optimal intervals, reducing waiting times.

[0015] The route is preferably an open-ended route and thus does not have a self-contained, endlessly travelable route, but rather has at least one open end beyond which further travel is not possible. Preferably, the at least one route has at least two end sections, wherein the at least two end sections are arranged at opposite ends. One of the two end sections can also be referred to as the "start" and the other of the two end sections as the "destination."

[0016] The at least one end section, in particular the end section referred to as the start, can comprise, for example, a leek section or a lift hill.

[0017] A further development of the present invention provides that the at least one transport vehicle is a driverless transport vehicle. Such driverless transport vehicles have their own drive and can also be referred to as automated guided vehicles, or AGVs for short. The at least one transport vehicle can be trackless or a rail-guided transport vehicle, which can preferably move freely beyond the ride route and can transport at least one vehicle.

[0018] The at least one transport vehicle is a self-propelled conveying device that can be automatically controlled and operated without human contact. The transport vehicle serves to transport the at least one vehicle and includes a support onto which the at least one vehicle can drive.

[0019] Furthermore, it has also proven advantageous if at least one load-handling device is provided, by means of which the at least one vehicle on the at least one transport vehicle can be moved relative to the at least one transport vehicle. The at least one load-handling device can, for example, transport the at least one vehicle in the docking area from the travel route to the receptacle or transport the at least one vehicle from the receptacle to the travel route or the end section of the travel route. It is therefore not absolutely necessary for the at least one vehicle to have its own drive. The at least one load-handling device can expediently form the at least one holding means.

[0020] The at least one load-handling device can be active and / or passive and can, for example, transfer the at least one vehicle in the docking area from the travel route to the at least one vehicle or vice versa by pulling, pushing and / or lifting.

[0021] In the simplest case, the at least one load-handling device can comprise a carrier by means of which the at least one vehicle can be pulled / pushed onto the support, can be fixed onto the support and / or can be pulled / pushed from the support onto the travel route.

[0022] A further development of the present invention provides that the at least one track comprises guidance means by which the at least one vehicle is guided along the track. In particular, it is preferred if the guidance means are or comprise a rail guide. The at least one vehicle is preferably a rail vehicle, which moreover, more preferably, engages around the rail guide. Rail vehicles can have a variety of shapes and sizes and can offer different types of ride. For example, the at least one vehicle can be a vehicle of a roller coaster, a carousel, a water roller coaster, a water ride, etc.

[0023] The at least one transport vehicle may further comprise a route section onto which the at least one vehicle can travel. The route section is preferably modeled after a type of the at least one route.

[0024] The route section can, for example, comprise a guide means corresponding to the guide means. If the route includes a rail guide, it is preferred if the route section has a corresponding rail guide.

[0025] According to a further development of the present invention, at least one holding means is provided, by means of which the at least one vehicle can be held on the at least one transport vehicle, in particular during transport with the transport vehicle. Preferably, the at least one holding means is formed on the at least one vehicle and / or on the at least one transport vehicle. The at least one holding means fixes the at least one vehicle to the at least one transport vehicle, preferably in a form-fitting, magnetic, and / or frictional or force-fitting manner.

[0026] A further development of the present invention provides that at least one coupling means is provided, by which the at least one transport vehicle, in particular the route section, can be connected to the at least one end section of the at least one route. The at least one coupling means can preferably establish a mechanical connection between the at least one end section. The at least one coupling means is intended to serve safety purposes and ensure the safe transfer of the at least one vehicle to the at least one transport vehicle.

[0027] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous to provide at least one centering device. The at least one centering device is intended to ensure that the at least one vehicle is properly brought onto the at least one route or that the at least one vehicle is properly integrated onto the at least one route.

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for at least one boarding and / or alighting area. The at least one boarding and / or alighting area can be located in a station. In the at least one boarding and / or alighting area, the at least one passenger can board and / or alight the at least one vehicle. The at least one transport vehicle can travel from the at least one boarding and / or alighting area to the docking area of ​​the at least one end section of the at least one route.

[0029] Furthermore, it may be preferred if at least two, even more preferably at least three or more boarding and / or alighting areas are provided - preferably in a common station.

[0030] The at least one station with the at least one boarding and / or alighting area is preferably arranged spatially between the at least two end sections. The at least one transport vehicle can pick up the at least one vehicle at the docking area at a first of the at least two end sections and transport the at least one vehicle to the at least one boarding and / or alighting area. In the at least one boarding and / or alighting area, the at least one passenger can board and / or alight from the at least one vehicle standing on the at least one transport vehicle. The at least one transport vehicle can transport the at least one vehicle from the at least one boarding and / or alighting area to the docking area of ​​a second of the at least two end sections and the at least one vehicle can be transferred to the route.

[0031] A further development of the present invention provides for at least one transfer area. The at least one transfer area connects the at least one entry and / or exit area, a maintenance area, a vehicle storage area, and / or an animation area with the docking area adjacent to the at least one end section. The at least one transport vehicle can move freely in the at least one transfer area, for example, to transport the at least one vehicle between the docking area of ​​the at least one end section, the entry and / or exit area, the maintenance area, a staging area, the animation area, and / or the storage area.

[0032] At least one effects device can be arranged in the animation area, designed to stimulate at least one passenger, for example, visually or visually and acoustically. The transfer area can become part of the experience. Show and / or multimedia elements can be integrated. For example, a combined experience can be created that includes both a ride on a dark ride and a roller coaster ride.

[0033] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if at least two transport vehicles, more preferably at least three or a plurality of transport vehicles, are provided. The transport vehicles can, for example, accumulate or line up in the staging area. This allows sufficient transport vehicles to be kept adjacent to at least one end area at all times so that an arriving vehicle can leave the route and be transported away without delay after traveling along the route.

[0034] Furthermore, it is preferred that at least one of the at least two transport vehicles in the transfer area is connected to the other of the at least two transport vehicles in the at least one entry and / or exit area, maintenance area and / or

[0035] Storage area can pass by. Additional vehicles can pass by the at least one transport vehicle in the at least one entry and / or exit area in the transfer area without hindrance. This allows other vehicles that are ready to ride the ride to pass by the at least one vehicle and be brought onto the ride at an optimal cycle time.

[0036] A further development of the present invention provides that the ride comprises at least two rides. Each ride preferably has two end sections located at opposite ends of the ride. The at least one transport vehicle can bring the at least one vehicle from the at least one boarding and / or alighting area to both the first of the two rides and the second of the two rides, and can also pick it up again after the ride. Thus, two rides on the ride can start simultaneously, thereby expanding the offering and increasing the ride's capacity.

[0037] The at least two rides can either have the same ride layout or different ride layouts. For example, the two rides can each be a roller coaster, with the rides corresponding in such a way that they have a parallel route at least in sections, allowing passengers to interact with each other on the different rides. One such ride layout is a so-called race coaster or dueling roller coaster. It is also possible for one ride to be a conventional roller coaster and the other to be a water roller coaster or the like.

[0038] To implement different ride layouts, it can also be advantageous to have at least a second vehicle. It is also advantageous if one vehicle is configured to travel one route and the second vehicle the other. The different ride layouts are implemented here by the type of vehicle. The following ride layouts are listed as non-exhaustive examples: Wing Coaster, Floorless Coaster, Inverted Coaster, Suspended Coaster, Stand-Up Coaster, Flying Coaster, Spinning Coaster, Hyper Coaster, Dive Coaster, etc.

[0039] Furthermore, it may be advantageous if both the first vehicle and the second vehicle can be transported by at least one transport vehicle. However, it is also conceivable to use different transport vehicles to transport each type of vehicle on the ride.

[0040] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a method for operating an amusement ride, in particular a method for operating the amusement ride described above. The amusement ride comprises at least one ride with at least one end section adjacent to a docking area, at least one vehicle with at least one passenger seat for a passenger, and at least one transport vehicle for transporting the at least one vehicle. Before the ride along the ride of the at least one vehicle, the at least one vehicle is transported by the transport vehicle to the docking area and changes from the transport vehicle to the at least one end section, and / or after the ride along the ride of the at least one vehicle, the at least one vehicle changes from the at least one end section to the transport vehicle and is transported away.

[0041] A further development of the present invention provides that the transporting and / or removal of the at least one vehicle is carried out by the at least one transport vehicle from or to an entry and / or exit area, a maintenance area, and / or a storage area. The at least one transport vehicle can move the at least one vehicle as desired between the docking area, the entry and / or exit area, the maintenance area, the staging area, the animation area, and / or the storage area, without the need for complex switches or the like.

[0042] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the at least one transport vehicle is a driverless transport vehicle that can move freely, preferably beyond the route in the ride, and can transport the at least one vehicle.

[0043] Three exemplary embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. They show:

[0044] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a schematically illustrated amusement ride with a route, several vehicles and several transport vehicles, wherein the respective vehicle can travel the at least one route and can drive from an end section of the route onto one of the transport vehicles in order to transport the at least one vehicle to a station to one of several star-shaped boarding and / or alighting areas,

[0045] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the part of the ride according to Figure 1,

[0046] Figure 3 shows a second embodiment, wherein the station has several centrally arranged boarding and / or alighting areas,

[0047] Figure 4 shows a second embodiment, wherein the station has several star-shaped boarding and / or alighting areas,

[0048] Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of the ride with three routes, and

[0049] Figure 6 is an enlarged schematic representation of the station of the third embodiment.

[0050] Identical or functionally equivalent parts or features are identified by the same reference numerals in the following detailed description of the figures. Likewise, not all identical or functionally equivalent parts or features are provided with a reference numeral in the figures.

[0051] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a ride 1 according to the present invention. The ride 1 comprises at least one track 10 and at least one vehicle 30. It should be noted at this point that it is advantageous for the ride 1 to have a plurality of vehicles 30 that can travel along the track 10.

[0052] The vehicle 30 comprises a passenger seat (not shown) for carrying at least one passenger (not shown), in or on which the at least one passenger can sit.

[0053] The at least one passenger seat can have a safety device, such as a safety bar. The respective vehicle 30 expediently has multiple passenger seats so that several passengers can experience the ride together.

[0054] Furthermore, the ride 1 can have one or more boarding and / or alighting areas 62, wherein the boarding and / or alighting areas 62 are typically arranged in a station 60 referred to as a whole.

[0055] In the boarding and / or alighting area 62, the passengers can board the at least one vehicle 30 for the ride on the amusement ride 1 and, after the at least one vehicle 30 has traveled the route 10, can get out of the vehicle 30 in the boarding and / or alighting area 62 in the station 60.

[0056] In addition to the entry and / or exit area 62, a maintenance area 66, an animation area 70, a staging area 76, and / or a storage area 68 may be provided. The entry and / or exit area 62, the maintenance area 66, the animation area 70, and / or the storage area 68 are connected to one another via a transfer area 64. The entry and / or exit area 62, the maintenance area 66, the animation area 70, and / or the storage area 68 may have loading means by which the at least one transport vehicle 40, which is preferably battery-operated, can be loaded.

[0057] The route 10, which is only indicated in Figures 1-5, has an end section 11, 12 at each of the opposite ends, wherein the first end section 11 can also be referred to as the "start" and the second end section 12 as the "destination", or vice versa.

[0058] The at least one vehicle 30 can travel along the route 10. The at least one vehicle 30 can also move along the route 10 in any manner or be moved along the route 10 and can be actively and / or passively driven.

[0059] Route 10 is a route with open ends. Accordingly, the route is not a self-contained route, but rather has open ends beyond which further travel is not possible.

[0060] The at least one route 10 can be a track, a watercourse, a rail line, or the like, and can further comprise guide means 15 by which the at least one vehicle 30 is guided along the route 10. In the illustrated embodiments according to Figures 1-6, the at least one route 10 has a guide means 15 designed as a rail guide 16, and the at least one vehicle 30 is a rail vehicle.

[0061] In addition, the ride 1 comprises several transport vehicles 40. Each transport vehicle 40 is configured to transport at least one vehicle 30. The at least one vehicle 30 can preferably be transported on the transport vehicle 40.

[0062] The at least one transport vehicle 40 is a driverless transport vehicle, also called AGV.

[0063] Such transport vehicles 40 can also be referred to as automated guided vehicles and can be trackless or track-guided. The respective transport vehicle 40 can preferably move freely beyond the track 10 in the ride 1, with the at least one vehicle 30 preferably being transported on the transport vehicle 40.

[0064] The respective transport vehicle 40 can in particular travel via the transfer area 64 into the at least one entry and / or exit area 62, the maintenance area 66, the storage area 68 and / or the animation area 70.

[0065] The at least one transport vehicle 40 is a self-propelled conveying means that can be automatically controlled and operated without human contact. The transport vehicle 40 serves to transport the at least one vehicle 30 and, for this purpose, comprises a receptacle 41 onto which the at least one vehicle 30 can preferably drive. The receptacle 41 of the transport vehicle 40 can be arranged on an upper side of the transport vehicle 40 and further preferably comprises a route section 42, which is preferably modeled on the route 10.

[0066] The route section 42 can, for example, comprise a guide means 43 corresponding to the guide means 15 of the route 10, which, according to the illustrated embodiment, comprises a short section of a rail guide 44 corresponding to the rail guide 16.

[0067] Adjacent to the respective end section 11, 12, a docking area 20 is arranged, wherein the route 10 leads to the docking area 20.

[0068] The respective docking area 20 is connected to the boarding and / or disembarkation area 62, but also to the maintenance area 66, storage area 68 and the animation area 70 (see Figures 3-5) via the transfer area 64.

[0069] The at least one transport vehicle 40 can drive into the docking area 20 and dock at the respective end section 11 or 12.

[0070] In order to move the at least one vehicle 30 relative to the transport vehicle 40 on the transport vehicle 40, at least one load-handling device (not shown) is provided. The load-handling device can, for example, transport the at least one vehicle 30 in the docking area 20 from the travel route 10 to the receptacle 41 or transport the at least one vehicle 30 from the receptacle 41 to the travel route 10 or the end section 11 or 12 of the travel route 10. The at least one load-handling device can be active and / or passive and can, for example, transfer the at least one vehicle 30 in the docking area 20 from the travel route 10 to the at least one transport vehicle 40 by pulling, pushing and / or lifting, or vice versa.

[0071] The at least one load-handling device can be arranged on the transport vehicle 40 and / or on the travel route 10 or at the respective end sections 11, 12 and can comprise a driver and / or a friction wheel drive or the like, by means of which the at least one vehicle can be pulled / pushed from the corresponding end section 11, 12 onto the receptacle 41, can be fixed on the receptacle 41 and / or can be pulled / pushed from the receptacle 41 onto the travel route 10 or the corresponding end section 11, 12.

[0072] When docking onto the track 10 in the docking area 20 at the corresponding end section, centering means (not shown) can help to precisely position the transport vehicle 40 relative to the track 10. For example, the centering means can include mechanical guides and / or electrical, optical, or magnetic navigation aids for the transport vehicle 40.

[0073] Furthermore, the transport vehicle 40 and / or the vehicle 30 can have holding means (not shown) that secure or fix the vehicle 30 on the transport vehicle 40, in particular during transport. The holding means are intended to prevent the vehicle 30 from becoming detached from the transport vehicle 40 in an undesired manner. The first and / or the second end region 11, 12 can also have holding means that are suitable for fixing, holding, and / or braking the at least one vehicle. As a result, the at least one vehicle 30 can be held securely on the travel path 30 until a transport vehicle 40 is ready in the docking area 20 to transport the at least one vehicle 30 away.

[0074] For example, to transport the at least one vehicle 30, the transport vehicle 40 can load the at least one vehicle 30 and drive it into the docking area 20. Once it has arrived in the docking area 20, the at least one vehicle 30 can then drive from the transport vehicle 40 onto the route 10, or more precisely, onto the first end section 11 of the route. As already noted above, the first end section 11 can also be referred to as the "start," and the vehicle 30 can begin its journey along the route 10 and travel along the route 10.

[0075] For transport, a transport vehicle 40 can first drive into the docking area 20 adjacent to the second end section 12 and a vehicle 30 can drive from the second end section 12, for example after completion of the journey along the route 10, onto the transport vehicle 40 and be transported away by it.

[0076] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, four boarding and / or alighting areas 62 are provided, arranged in a star pattern within a station. The transfer area 64 can be loop-shaped and leads past the adjacent boarding and / or alighting areas 62—for example, designed as niches. Other transport vehicles 40 can drive past the other transport vehicles 40 in the transfer area 64, but also in the storage area 68 or maintenance area 66.

[0077] Between the two end sections 11, 12, the transport vehicle 40 can be guided past the station 60 or the boarding and / or disembarkation areas 62 by means of a bypass or a staging area 74. As indicated in Figures 1 and 2, the transport vehicles 40 can wait in the staging area 74 or standby until the docking area 20 at the second end area 12 is free in order to transport the next vehicle 30 there.

[0078] The embodiment according to Figures 3 and 4 differs from the previously described embodiment, among other things, in the arrangement of the entry and / or exit areas 62 and the number of travel routes 10.

[0079] The boarding and / or disembarkation area 62 can, as shown, be formed centrally surrounded by the transfer area 64 in the manner of an island or peninsula.

[0080] As can be seen in particular from Figure 3, the ride 1 has two routes 10, each route 10 having a first end section 11 and a second end section 12. To clarify the different routes 10 in the figures, the route 10 is designated by the reference symbol "10" and the second route 10' by the reference symbol "10". Similarly, in Figures 3 and 4, the corresponding end sections 11, 12 of the second route 10' are marked with an apostrophe for easier differentiation. The at least one boarding and / or alighting area 62 can be arranged in a common station 60, wherein from the common station 60 the at least one passenger can travel either one route 10 or the other route 10' depending on the choice of vehicle waiting there.

[0081] For example, groups can queue together at the ride 1 and (provided the capacity of at least one vehicle 30 allows this) start the ride together in one vehicle 30 or divide themselves into different vehicles 30 in the station 60 in order to travel either in different vehicles 30 along one route 10 and / or another route 10'.

[0082] The two rides 10, 10' can have a different layout to cater to different target groups and / or experiences. For example, one of the rides 10 can be less challenging than the other ride 10'. The two rides 10, 10' can also be adapted to each other, forming a so-called race coaster or dueling roller coaster. In such a case, the vehicles 30 and / or the transport vehicles 40 can be identical.

[0083] It is also conceivable that two different types of vehicles 30 and / or transport vehicles 40 are provided, wherein a first type of vehicle 30 is configured to travel the route 10 and a second type of vehicle 30 is configured to travel the second route 10'. Furthermore, it can be seen from Figures 3 and 4 that an animation area 70 is arranged between the at least one entry and / or exit area 62.

[0084] The animation area can also be referred to as a dark ride area or themed ride area. At least one effects device 71 can be arranged in the animation area 70, which is configured to stimulate the at least one passenger visually or visually and acoustically. The animation area 70 can become part of the experience. Show and / or multimedia elements can be integrated. In such an exemplary ride 1, a combined experience can be created that includes both a ride on a dark ride and a ride along one of the rides 10, 10'.

[0085] For example, a ride on the amusement ride can include a dark ride and a roller coaster ride. The dark ride can occur when the transport vehicle 40 transports at least one first vehicle 30 through an animation area 70. The roller coaster ride can occur immediately after the dark ride and / or vice versa. For this purpose, the at least one first vehicle 30 switches from the transport vehicle 40 to the track 10 and then travels the track 10 without the transport vehicle 40.

[0086] Also, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, one or more effects devices 72 can be arranged in the transfer area 64 to provide multimedia accompaniment to the transport of the at least one vehicle 30 by the transport vehicle 40 to the corresponding docking area 20. It is also entirely conceivable that, after completion of a first journey along the route 10, the vehicle 30 is transported to the second route 10' so that the passengers can travel the second route 10' without an intermediate stop in the boarding and / or alighting area 62.

[0087] It is also quite conceivable that the vehicles 30 could change their direction of travel. For this purpose, the respective vehicle 30 is rotated by the transport vehicle 40, and the vehicle 30 can travel the respective route 10 again in a different direction.

[0088] A third embodiment can be seen in Figures 5 and 6. The third embodiment is a combination of the first two embodiments, with three routes 10, 10', 10" now being present. Similarly, the corresponding end sections 11, 12 are marked with apostrophes in the figures for better differentiation.

[0089] For the three routes 10, 10', 10", a common station 60 with several boarding and / or alighting areas 62 is provided, wherein the boarding and / or alighting areas 62 are arranged in a star shape here, for example. However, it is also possible to realize a central arrangement of the boarding and / or alighting areas 62 (see Figures 3 and 4) or any other arrangement, such as a linear arrangement.

[0090] It is also quite conceivable that at least one vehicle 30 does not travel along any of the routes 10, but is used solely to transport passengers through a "dark ride," wherein several adventure areas 70 and several effect devices 71, 72 may be provided. List of reference symbols

[0091] 1 ride

[0092] 10 driving distance

[0093] 11 first EncL section

[0094] 12 second EncL section

[0095] 15 leadership tools

[0096] 16 rail guide

[0097] 20 AncLock area

[0098] 40 transport vehicles

[0099] 41 recording

[0100] 42 route section

[0101] 43 Management tools

[0102] 44 Rail!Guide

[0103] 60 train station

[0104] 62 exit areas

[0105] 64 Transfer area

[0106] 66 Maintenance area

[0107] 68 Storage area

[0108] 70 animation area

[0109] 71 Effects device

[0110] 72 Effects setup

Claims

Patent claims 1. Amusement ride (1), comprising — at least one route (10), wherein the at least one route (10) has at least one end section (11, 12) adjacent to a docking area (20), — at least one vehicle (30) with at least one passenger accommodation for one passenger, which can travel the at least one route (10), — at least one transport vehicle (40) on which the at least one vehicle (30) can be arranged for transport, — wherein the at least one vehicle (30) in the docking area (20) can switch between a positioning on the at least one end section (11, 12) and on the at least one transport vehicle (40).

2. Amusement ride (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one transport vehicle (40) is a driverless transport vehicle (40).

3. Ride (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one load-carrying means is provided, by means of which the at least one vehicle (30) on the at least one transport vehicle (40) can be moved relative to the at least one transport vehicle (40).

4. Amusement ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one route (10) comprises guide means by which the at least one vehicle (30) is guided along the at least one route (10) during the ride.

5. Amusement ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one track (10) comprises a rail guide (16), and that the at least one vehicle (30) is a rail-guided vehicle.

6. Amusement ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one transport vehicle (40) has a track section (42) on which the at least one vehicle (30) can travel.

7. Ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one holding means is provided by which the at least one vehicle (30) can be held on the at least one transport vehicle (40).

8. Ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one coupling means is provided, by means of which the at least one transport vehicle (40), in particular the track section (42), can be connected to the at least one end section (11, 12) of the at least one track (10).

9. Ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one centering means is provided, by means of which the at least one transport vehicle (40) can be centered or aligned relative to the at least one end section (11, 12).

10. Ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a station (60) is provided which comprises at least one boarding and / or alighting area (62) in which the at least one passenger can board and / or alight the at least one vehicle (30) and that the at least one transport vehicle (40) can travel back and forth between the at least one boarding and / or alighting area (62) and the docking area (20).

11. Ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the station (60) comprises a transfer area (64).

12. Ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer area (64) connects the entry and / or exit area (62) with the at least one docking area, a maintenance area (66) and / or a vehicle storage area (68).

13. Ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two transport vehicles (40) are provided and that at least one of the at least two transport vehicles (40) in the transfer area (64) at the other of the at least two transport vehicles (40) can drive past in the at least one entry and / or exit area (62).

14. Ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one ride (10) has an end section (11, 12) at each of the opposite ends.

15. Ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two tracks (10, 10') are provided, the respective end sections (11, 12) of which lead into the, preferably common, station (60).

16. Ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two rides (10, 10') realize different ride layouts.

17. Amusement ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one second vehicle (30) is provided and that the vehicle (30) is configured to drive the first of the at least two routes (10) and that the second vehicle (30') is configured to drive the second of the at least two routes (10').

18. Ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the at least two rides (10) comprises a roller coaster and that the other of the at least two Rides (10) include a water ride.

19. A method for operating an amusement ride (1), in particular an amusement ride (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the amusement ride (1) comprises at least one ride route (10) with at least one end section (11, 12) adjacent to a docking area (20), at least one first vehicle (30) with at least one passenger receptacle for a passenger, and at least one transport vehicle (40) for transporting the at least one vehicle (30), wherein before and / or after a journey of the at least one first vehicle (30) along the ride route (10), the at least one first vehicle (30) can switch between a positioning on the at least one end section (11, 12) and on the at least one transport vehicle (40) in order to transport the at least one vehicle (30) for the journey along the ride route (10) or to transport it away from the ride route (10) after the journey.

20. Method for operating a ride (1) according to claim 19, characterized in that the transporting and / or the transporting away is carried out by the at least one transport vehicle (40) from or to an entry and / or exit area (62), a storage area (68), a maintenance area (66) and / or an animation area (70).

21. Method for operating a ride (1), in particular according to one of claims 19 or 20, characterized in that wherein the ride on the amusement ride comprises a dark ride and a roller coaster ride, wherein the ride on a dark ride takes place in that a transport vehicle (40) transports at least one first vehicle (30) through an animation area (70) and the roller coaster ride takes place in that at least one first vehicle (30) changes from the transport vehicle (40) to the track (10) and travels the track (10), in particular independently of the transport vehicle (40).

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