CN1228031A - Swing-style amusement ride with pendulum damper - Google Patents

Abstract

The ride is capable of raising a rider to a height of ten meters or more above the ground, and then release the rider to swing. It includes a support structure (412), a support line (416b) secured to the support structure and to a rider. A launch structure (426) is spaced from the support structure (412) and carries a launch line (424a, 424b) designed to be releasably attached to a rider attachment (524b), so as to lift a rider from the ground. When the launch line (424a) is released from the attachment which carries the rider, the rider swings downwardly. A skysaucer embodiment (524a, 542b) features a conveying vehicle which holds multiple riders and is stopped by wheels (330) on a raised loading platform. In a pendulum damper embodiment, a passenger car is supported by a moving pivot point, the horizontal force is resisted by a parallelogram assembly supporting a horizontal support platform.

Description

Swing-style amusement ride with pendulum damper

The invention relates to a swing type amusement ride toy, comprising a support, a starting frame and a device capable of raising the rider to a position at least ten meters above the ground, from which the rider can swing away from the starting frame And swing along a curved track below the support. An empty dish embodiment can load dozens of passengers at the same time. The empty disc pendulum is suspended from a pendulum shaft. An empty disk pendulum can be damped or accelerated by moving the pendulum shaft synchronously or asynchronously with the pendulum.

To date, there exist various different types of recreational rides and devices for the rider to simulate weightlessness. Some of these devices are disclosed in US Patent 857,358 to Fikch, US Patent 2,779,596 to Ridhnay, US Patent 3,701,528 to Ryan, and US Patent 4,978,120 to Greenwood.

In addition, there are various playground and backyard swings and swing sets for kids and adults alike. The height of these swings can vary from a small swing position about three meters high to a large swing position about five meters high. The rider of such a swing typically sits in the seated position on the swing seat and begins swinging from the vertical position of the swing, unless with the aid of a dynamic start or by someone helping to push and raise the height of the swing arc. While the seated or standing position on the swing seat is acceptable, the occupant has been known to swing face down in a prone position on top of the swing seat without being secured to the swing.

Even a strong and skilled swinger on a larger swing will seldom exceed the two o'clock or ten o'clock position, which is about seven meters high, until gravity exceeds the centrifugal force of the swing and the swing ropes or chains slack. Even if the rider manages to make the swing do a 360-degree turn, his or her height from the ground is rarely more than about ten meters.

US Patent 1,731,352 to Hoppos, US Patent 1,918,559 to Pruessner, and US Patent 3,140,870 to Walker disclose the use of external devices to assist a swing rider to initiate his or her ride from a raised position. These patent documents all disclose the standard casino or backyard type swing system, these systems have the steps that are arranged adjacently, the rider can climb on it and start to swing from a certain position above the ground, so as to obtain a direct swing height and experience Higher and faster initial speed than swinging from the ground. However, even in these systems, the initial height from the ground experienced by the occupant is rarely higher than one to four meters.

In some swing systems, especially those for children, and some amusement rides, bungee jumping equipment, parachute equipment, hang gliding system and Similar means of securing the occupant to the apparatus. However, none of these systems provide a swing ride that releases the swing at a height above ten meters from the ground. To the best of our knowledge, no existing swing technology has been used to allow the rider to reach a height of about seven to ten meters above the ground in order to swing from a "start" frame to a "support" frame, except in high swing systems. . It should be noted that in a high swing system, the swing is intentionally "higher than the center circle" and never near the ground.

Thereby it can be seen that there is no swing type amusement ride-on toy in the prior art, and this ride-on toy includes in combination: a support with an upper part ten meters away from the ground (and can be as high as hundreds of meters or higher). ; a support rope, the upper end of which is connected to the upper part of the bracket, and its lower end is connected to a device for fastening a passenger to the support rope; a starting frame is also included, which has a distance of ten meters from the ground (and can be as high as hundreds of meters or higher) or higher, the starting frame is spaced apart from the upper part of the bracket, and has a starting rope, the starting rope includes a starting mechanism releasably connected to the occupant's hitch mechanism; a mechanism for use in association with the starting frame , which is not manipulated by the occupant, is used to raise the occupant who has been safely on the equipment to a height of at least ten meters (and can be as high as hundreds of meters or more) above the ground, from which the occupant begins to swing away from the ground. Start the frame and swing towards the ground along a curved track to simulate the feeling of flying.

The empty disc car embodiment that can carry dozens of passengers at the same time embodies another novelty. Four parallel support cables approximately 100 meters long connect the empty dish to the stand. The empty dish is hoisted to the launch stand with approximately 100 meters of launch rope and then released in much the same manner as the single occupant embodiment. In preferred embodiments, a second set of four parallel cords is used for stabilization.

The whole disk embodiment is also called empty disk. Some empty-dish programs call for dishes that hold more than sixty passengers. It takes many swings to stop such a heavy disc using only rubber tires and brakes that work on the limited braking section of the passenger loading platform. Additionally, tires and brakes wear out constantly. Finally, the smell from brakes and tires can be annoying. The present invention dampens the swing of the large empty dish through the pivot point of the pendulum. The known prior art has never dealt with problems of this nature.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide the occupant of the amusement ride of the present invention with a physical sensation of flying and an overall sensation similar to skimming the ground in a hang glider or skydiving.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the tension and excitement similar to elastic rope jumping, but without the dangers associated with the use of rubber or elastic ropes, it is not possible to unattach the harness to the rope or support rope, without making the ride difficult. The body of the jumper is subjected to the kind of stress conditions experienced by bungee cord jumpers, without the inherent fear of "free fall" that accompanies bungee cord jumping.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an amusement ride that can be enjoyed by multiple riders who enjoy the tension of riding together while being secured to the tandem harness.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an amusement ride that provides smooth and rapid acceleration, excitement and tension as a ride that degrades only in the event of failure of individual components, yet is safe and reliable. Create the tension and trauma of mustering the courage to free fall from a high platform that accompanies bungee jumps and skydiving.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a higher height amusement ride that is less likely to injure the operator by keeping the operator of the ride on the ground, as opposed to elastic cord jumps and skydiving It is completely different when the manipulator takes risks at a higher altitude during operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a swing type amusement ride in which the rider swings back and forth in a pendulum motion about twenty times or more before finishing the ride.

Another object of the empty plate embodiment is to provide a means for many riders to safely enjoy the ride together, thereby providing each rider with a greater sense of security than the single rider embodiment.

Another object of the empty saucer ride is to provide a ride that is faster and taller than the single occupant embodiment.

Yet another object of the empty saucer ride is to allow more rides to be enjoyed at a given time, thereby allowing more revenue generation for the operator, than the single-rider embodiment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pendulum damping device using a synchronized pendulum pivot arrangement, particularly suitable for stopping large swing-style amusement rides in parks.

Another object of the present invention is to maintain a level platform at the pendulum pivot for the multiple support cables of the ride-on toy, even during the damping process.

The present invention provides a swing-style amusement ride for raising one or more riders from a position at or near a base surface to a height of ten meters or more and then releasing the riders to follow a curved line The track oscillates to feel tension and excitement, but puts little or no force on the occupant's body. Amusement rides include a stand extending at least eleven meters (and up to hundreds of meters or more) upward from the ground. The support can be a fixed tower, a fixed derrick, a fixed arch, a bridge, other fixed man-made structures, a crane, naturally occurring geological formations, and the like.

One end of the occupant's support rope is fixed at a certain position on the upper part of the bracket, which is at least eleven meters above the ground, and the second end of the occupant's support rope is fixedly connected to the occupant's fastening device, and the occupant can be fastened during the ride. on the tethering device and then release it.

An upright starting frame is disposed adjacent to the bracket, and the starting bracket has an upper portion spaced from the upper portion of the bracket. The starting frame can be a fixed tower, a fixed boom, a fixed arch, a bridge, other fixed man-made structures, a lifting frame, naturally formed geological structures, artificial geological structures, etc., which have an upper part, the upper part The height from the ground reaches or exceeds at least eleven meters (and can be as high as hundreds of meters or more). The upper part of the bracket carries a starting rope which has a free end which can be lowered and raised to a height of at least eleven meters or more from the ground.

In a preferred embodiment, multiple occupants can be secured to the unitary dish assembly. Four parallel support cables about 100 meters long connect the dish to the stand. The dish is hoisted to the launch stand with a start rope approximately 100 meters long and then released in much the same manner as the single occupant embodiment. In the preferred embodiment, a second set of four parallel support cables is used for stabilization. The individual stabilizing cords are arranged in a crossing pattern to prevent twisting and swaying.

Additionally, two support ropes or a single support rope may be used. Preferably, the number of stabilizing cords used is at least equal to the number of supporting cords, since the stabilizing cords also serve as safety backup cords in the unlikely event of a supporting cord failure.

In a preferred embodiment, for safety reasons, the support ropes are made of high-quality stainless steel aviation wire ropes, so that the ride can be independent of the use of rubber and elastic bungees. As used herein, "ground" may be actual ground, or a man-made surface such as pavement, tarmac, concrete deck, or the like. The height of each frame or occupants from the ground can be calculated according to the actual "ground" or depressions such as riverbeds, valleys, and depressions located below each frame. As used herein, the support cord connections of the stand and the starting cord connections of the starting frame will always be considered the "upper" portion of the frame.

The preferred embodiment supports the empty dish cable via a horizontal platform. The horizontal platform is supported by the uppermost I-beam of the ride toy support tower by means of at least one pair of parallelogram pivoting support arms. Preferably, two pairs of parallelogram pivoting support arms are used to support the horizontal platform.

In order to stop the empty dish, at least one hydraulic cylinder is used to move the horizontal platform in the same direction as the empty dish swings. This causes the inertial motion of the empty dish to decrease proportionally to the distance of the horizontal platform from the pivot point at the center of the pendulum. Since the horizontal platform is supported in a parallelogram structure, it then rises a small distance when the horizontal platform is pushed to either side. This raising action helps maintain a smooth ride. In addition, the parallelogram structure is self-centering, which facilitates the centering of the empty dish on the passenger loading platform.

For those skilled in the art, these and other objects of the present invention will be demonstrated by the following description as described herein, especially by the novel design structures, combinations and components defined by the appended claims. obviously. It should be understood that variations of the specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein fall within the scope of the claims unless they are excluded by the prior art.

The accompanying drawings show several complete preferred embodiments of the invention corresponding to the best mode currently devised in accordance with the principles of the invention, wherein

Figure 1 is a scale representation of the invention using a fixed tower as a support, with a self-supporting and stabilizing cable suspended from an empty dish connected to an actuating cable;

Figure 2 is an isometric view showing the invention using a fixed tower as a support, with an empty dish suspended from self-supporting and stabilizing cables and connected to an actuating cable;

Fig. 3 is a side view of an empty disc, showing the orientation of the empty disc at various positions in the path;

Figure 4 is a side view of the raised empty dish loading platform showing the lifting means and stop means;

Figure 5 is a top view of another embodiment with a quick access aisle;

Figure 6 is a top perspective view of a portion of the right side of the empty dish of Figure 5;

Fig. 7 is the right side view of the empty dish in Fig. 6 after the door is removed;

Figure 8 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the damping mechanism installed on the existing empty dish of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the mechanism of Figure 8;

Fig. 10 is the front view of the Fig. 8 mechanism installed on the existing empty dish of Fig. 1;

Figure 11 is a side view of another embodiment;

Figure 12 is a side view of yet another embodiment, with a car of the type to accelerate or decelerate an empty disc;

Figure 13 is a side view of yet another embodiment using a damping piston.

Referring to Figure 1, the preferred embodiment allows a number of riders to enjoy the amusement ride together. This perspective view of the invention shows two independently suspended large vehicles (hereinafter referred to as empty dishes). The two empty discs 524a, 524b operate independently, but may also operate synchronously. In this embodiment, each empty dish 524a, 524b holds about twenty people. Empty discs 524a, 524b are equipped with seat belts similar to those used on roller coaster amusement rides and padded stopper bars as stoppers.

The empty dish gives the rider a sense of security by including a solid carrier. The higher speed and increased height add to the fun even for riders who have ridden similar toys intended for one person. The ability of amusement rides to accommodate multiple people is attractive to amusement park owners and operators. It can be seen that all the embodiments disclosed so far form a series of entertainment devices, all of which can provide passengers with the feeling of flying freely.

Empty dishes 524a, 524b are made of fiberglass with a steel structure. The empty discs 524a, 524b in this embodiment are circular, with a diameter of about 11 meters, and are provided with two rows of seats forming concentric circles. The rider faces the outer edge of the empty disc. The inner ring seats are higher than the outer row of seats so that the occupant's field of view is not obstructed. Empty dishes are available in different sizes and shapes.

Each empty dish is supported by a vertical support 412 . In the embodiment shown, the stand 412 is arcuate and includes a viewing platform 8 accessible by a lift 538 running along one side of the stand 2 .

The supports are again about 400 feet high from the ground to the vault. The arch at ground level is approximately 255 feet wide. The ride platform 526 is about 20 feet high and includes steps. Observation deck 8 is approximately 300 feet from the ride platform. Empty dishes 524a and 524b are approximately 34 feet apart, and each empty dish is approximately 25 feet in diameter. Starter tower 426 is approximately 320 feet high and is located approximately 300 feet from support 412 . The starting tower 426 includes two starting ropes 424a and 424b. Each respective starting rope 424a and 424b is detachably secured at one end to a hollow disc 524a and 524b and is secured at the other end to a winch (not shown) in the starting tower 426 .

Empty dish 524a is supported by support 2 by a group of four support ropes 416a, and other four ropes 418a that play a stabilizing effect are used to prevent empty dish 524a from swinging and twisting, and are also supported by a support rope 416a that is unlikely to occur. Used as a backup safety rope in case of failure. Each support line 416a and stabilizing line 418a is made of approximately 300 feet of high quality stainless steel aerospace wire rope. Another alternative design is to use two ropes instead of four, or use only one support rope similar to the embodiment for one person. Preferably, the number of stabilizing cords is at least equal to the number of supporting cords, since the stabilizing cords also serve as safety backup cords in the unlikely event of a supporting cord failure. Similarly, empty dish 524b is supported by support cord 416b and stabilizing cord 418b.

When using the space-time dish 524a, the rider boards the empty dish from the loading platform 526, and connects the starting rope 424a to the empty dish 524a. The operation of the ride-on toy is remotely controlled by the operator of the toy. Once all the occupants are safely seated, the toy operator activates the ride, causing the starter cord 424a to pull up the empty saucer 524a near the top of the starter tower 426. A winch (not shown) installed in the starting tower 426 performs the lifting operation of the empty dish 524a. When the empty dish 524a reaches a position near the top of the activation tower 426, the toy operator stops the empty dish 524a so that it remains in the raised position. Then, the operator of the toy activates the empty disc 524a by separating the empty disc 524a from the starter cord 424a by means of an electric solenoid release (not shown). Empty disk 524a then begins to swing like a giant pendulum along the swing arc shown by dotted line 452 at speeds up to 100 miles per hour. The ride lasts several minutes as the empty disc 524a rocks back and forth. The swing cycle height is gradually reduced due to air friction and braking of the braking platform operated by the ride-on toy operator. The swing cycle can also be stopped using the pendulum damping mechanism shown in FIGS. 8 to 13 .

Empty dish 524b operates similarly to empty dish 524a, utilizing start rope 424b and a separate winch (not shown). Further operational details are described below.

Referring next to Fig. 2, it shows another embodiment of the double empty dish ride-on toy in Fig. 1 . The difference between this view and Fig. 1 is that it only shows a single empty plate, and adopts a different scale, so some mechanisms are refined. The occupant sits in an empty dish 3 which is the same as that shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 .

Upright racks 212 support empty dishes. The height of the stand is higher than 100 meters to guarantee a maximum speed of about 150 kilometers per hour. The height of the starting frame 226 is approximately the same as that of the bracket 212 . Most mobile cranes are not designed for loads on a system of this size, so a permanent structure is best.

Empty dish 3 comprises four supporting ropes 216 and four stabilizing ropes 218, and they are all made of high-quality stainless steel aviation wire ropes about one hundred meters long. Another alternative design is to use two support ropes or a single support rope with at least one stabilizing rope.

Each of the four empty dish support cables 216 are substantially parallel. The distance d10 at the support wire arrangement 252 is about 15 meters. The distance d11 at the empty disc 3 is about 8 meters. Oscillation is additionally caused by wind or unbalanced loads, which is undesirable.

Empty dish stabilizing rope 218 adopts the structure that intersects each other. Stabilizing cords 218 prevent the empty dish from rotating axially about an axis parallel to the support cords. The stabilizing cord 218 also helps to eliminate yaw and deflection, keeping the path of the empty dish in a plane directly below the support cord arrangement 232 . Otherwise, wind or uneven passenger weight distribution during start-up may cause path deviation and axial rotation. Without the stabilizing cords 218, the support cords would have to be spread far apart to maintain a consistent path of motion throughout. The stabilizing line 218 also serves as a safety back-up line in the unlikely event that one of the support lines fails.

Referring next to Fig. 3, it shows a side view of the empty dish 3 in Fig. 2 when it is working. Due to the enormous height of bracket 212, the figure is not drawn to scale.

The distance d12 at the support wire arrangement 232 is about 5 meters. The distance d13 at the empty disc 3 is about 8 meters. This configuration allows the empty disc 3 to be tilted by approximately 45 degrees in the starting position shown. A configuration distance d12 equal to distance d13 would result in negligible inclination of the empty disc 3 in the start position and over the entire path of motion, whereas a configuration distance d12 smaller than distance d13 would result in a larger inclination angle in the start position.

Referring next to Figure 4, there is shown a side view of the raised empty disc ride platform 326, in addition showing the braking platform 327 controlled by the operator. The loading platform 326 and surrounding bed area are raised approximately 7 meters. Usually, empty disc amusement rides are installed in amusement parks, and the ground space of the parks is extremely precious. Elevating the loading area allows other facilities to be positioned safely below the empty disk 3 flight path. Without raising the flight path, much of the precious ground space would be taken up by the empty saucer flight path, preventing the use of rides such as hot dog vending machines.

The braking platform 327 is lifted into place by means of a hydraulic lift 328 . During loading, the brake platform 327 keeps the empty disc 3 immobilized. The cart loading ladder 340 moves into place for passengers to get on and off. Once the occupants are on the empty disc and safely in place, the loading ladder 340 is released and the braking platform 327 is lowered. The brake platform 327 descends about 3 to 5 meters, so that the empty disc is not hindered.

A deceleration device is also housed in the braking platform 327 to make the empty disc 3 decelerate and stop. The deceleration device comprises a rotatable tire 330 with a brake, elastically loaded by a spring 332 so as to gently but firmly contact the empty disc 3 as it successively passes over the braking platform 327 . The bottom of the empty disc 3 has a smooth curvature so that tire contact occurs gradually rather than abruptly. Gradual contact and smooth deceleration at high speeds of 150 kilometers per hour were an important design criterion. The tire contact area of the empty disc 3 has a rough surface in order to increase the traction of the tire. In use, after the empty disc 3 passes freely above the seating platform several times, the braking platform 327 slowly rises to a height, so that the elastically loaded tire 330 with brakes is placed on the empty disc 3 above the braking platform 327 Make contact with it as you pass. The height of the braking platform and the braking force are controlled by the operator.

A tire in the tire 330 is also driven by an electric motor, so that the empty disc 3 is aligned again for riding after the empty disc 3 stops. The realignment is detected using a small switch or selected optical sensor which cuts power to the motor after the empty disc 324 is aligned.

This mechanism is used in another embodiment because the latter requires multiple swings to stop the ride-on, the rubber tires wear out frequently and produce a nasty smell. The pendulum damper described in Figures 8 to 13 is used in this embodiment.

A starter weight 223 and a starter weight rope 217 are used which are used to return the detachable end of the starter rope 224 to the starting point to reconnect with the empty dish 3 . The empty disc activation release 306 is remotely actuated by the ride-on operator and employs an electrically actuated solenoid. After the empty disc starts, the starting weight 223 is mechanically separated from the empty disc 3 . The solenoid release remains connected to the starter block 223 .

Referring next to FIGS. 5 , 6 and 7 , a quick up/down embodiment of an empty dish carrier is indicated at 3240 . Empty dish 3240 has symmetrical front and rear, ends 3243, 3244, and left and right sides 3245, 3246.

The Empty Disc 3240 is designed to get 60 occupants on and off quickly. There are rows of parallel aisles 3247 for each row of 10 seats 3248, all of which are identical. Door 3242 allows occupants to quickly enter and exit the aisle 3247. After being seated, the occupant 3250 is surrounded by body guard bars 3249, which have a seated position (above, Figure 17) and a locked position (7, Figure 17). The door has an internal locking mechanism (not shown) which is operated in a known manner prior to lifting.

Not shown in the figure includes a ride-on toy operator's console which includes various controls for raising the empty disc (either by lowering the braking platform and winching the attached starter rope or activating the pendulum damping mechanism) , start the empty disc (by activating the empty disc start release), lower the starting weight (via the winch, possibly attached to the empty disc) and stop the empty disc (by raising the brake platform and applying brake force, then positioning the empty disc or activate the pendulum damping mechanism). The safety control also prevents an empty disc from starting under unsafe conditions, such as when an occupant is on top of the empty disc.

Thereby it can be seen that, different from the prior art, the present invention provides a kind of swing type amusement ride toy, which generally includes: a support with an upper part, the upper part is at least eleven meters away from the ground (and can be as high as several hundred meters or higher); at least one support rope, the upper end of which is connected to the upper part of the frame, the lower end of which is connected to a device for fastening at least one occupant bracket to the support rope; and a starting frame with an upper part, the The upper part is at least eleven meters above the ground (and can be as high as hundreds of meters or more), and is spaced from the upper part of the frame. The starting frame has a starting rope including a starting device releasably connected to the occupant's tie-down device , a device used in connection with a launch stand, not manipulated by the occupant, capable of raising the occupant, already safely seated on the apparatus, to a height of at least ten meters (and may be as high as several hundred meters or more) above the ground , at this height, the occupant can swing from the starting frame towards the ground along a curved trajectory to simulate the feeling of flying.

Referring next to FIG. 8 , it shows a side perspective view of a prior art empty dish 1 . The following description will use the same reference numerals as for the parts of the prior art, since in the following description only the parts of the damping mechanism are different.

Referring next to Figures 9 and 10, there are shown front plan views of a preferred embodiment of a damping mechanism 10 for stopping the swing of an amusement ride toy. The damping mechanism 10 is fixed at the longitudinal and transverse centers of the support frame 8 of the prior art stand 2 of FIG. 1 .

The damping mechanism 10 comprises a horizontal platform 11 attached to the support frame 8 by means of two pairs of parallel arms 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 . Each parallel arm 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 is hinged to each corner of the support frame 8 and the horizontal platform 11 .

A power piston 21 is secured diagonally from the support frame 8 to the horizontal platform 1 . Correspondingly, behind the piston 21 , a second power piston 20 is fixed diagonally from the support frame 8 to the horizontal platform 11 . The pistons 20 , 21 are connected to a power source 24 through hydraulic lines 25 .

The power pistons 20 , 21 are used to move the horizontal platform 11 along the front-to-back arc shown by arrow 27 .

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, the supporting ropes 22 and the stabilizing ropes 23 are fixed to the corners of the horizontal platform 11 at their top ends. The supporting ropes 22 and the stabilizing ropes 23 are affixed to the whole empty dish 3 at their bottom ends, as shown in FIG. 8 .

Referring next to FIG. 8, a side plan view of a preferred embodiment of the damping mechanism 10 mounted on the empty dish of FIG. 1 is shown. The amusement ride can still be started by releasing the integral empty disc 3 carrying the passengers after it has risen to about 100 meters as in the prior art. The whole empty dish 3 is equivalent to the giant pendulum in the resonant system together with the supporting and stabilizing ropes 4,5. The empty disc 3 then swings back and forth along the swing arc shown by the arrow 31 .

Furthermore, the amusement ride can now be started by activating the power pistons 20,21. The hydraulic pistons 20, 21 will first move the horizontal platform 1 in one direction. The power pistons 20, 21 together then move the platform in opposite directions. The pistons will continue this forward and backward motion until the desired predetermined arc is reached while the overall empty disc 3 rises to about 100 meters. Once the empty dish has reached its desired height, the pistons 20, 21 will stop. The whole empty dish 3 of the amusement ride toy 100 will swing along the swing arc 31 behind it.

Once the amusement ride has started, it will stop naturally unless force is applied to the system. The amusement ride 1 will stop due to energy loss due to friction in the system. However, for an amusement ride toy, the stop time must be faster than the natural stop time and within the control of the ride-on operator.

The amusement ride 1 can be stopped by restarting the pistons 20,21. Once the empty disc 3 has risen to about 100 meters by means of the starting rope or the power piston, it will move along the swing arc shown by the arrow 31 . By actuating the pistons 20, 21, the horizontal platform 11 will move to the position 30 shown in dashed lines. Moving the horizontal platform 1 to position 30 causes the entire empty dish 3 to descend a short distance. As a result, the empty disk 3 as a whole moves along the downward swing arc shown by the arrow 32 . The lower swing arc 32 is not synchronized with its original swing arc 31, which greatly increases the energy loss of the resonance system, and the amusement ride toy 1 will stop soon.

The amusement ride can be stopped by using the brakes 28, 29 shown in FIG. The brakes 28, 29 increase the energy loss of the resonant system through friction. The amusement ride is stopped more quickly through the combined use of pistons 20,21 and brakes 28,29.

Referring next to FIG. 12 , it shows another trolley-type embodiment of the damping mechanism 50 . This alternative dolly damper mechanism 50 includes a mounting track 51 on the support frame 8 of the amusement ride toy 1 . A trolley 52 with a motor 53 rests on rails 51 of the support frame 8 . Each wheel is equipped with a brake 55 .

The amusement ride can be actuated like the prior art empty dish shown in Figure 1 by lifting the integral empty dish 1 with an actuating cord (shown). During start-up of the ride-on, the dolly 52 must be braked to remain stationary. Then, the whole empty disc 3 will swing along the swing arc shown by the arrow 56 .

The amusement ride can also be activated by driving the dolly 52 so that it moves back and forth along the track 51 of the support frame 8 . Once the overall empty dish has risen to a height of about 100 meters, the trolley 52 will stop. The forward and backward movement of the trolley 52 will make the whole empty dish 3 run along the swing arc shown by the arrow 57 .

In order to make the amusement ride toy 1 stop, the brake 55 can be released, and the trolley 52 will be pulled along the running direction of the empty disc 3 as a whole. The movement of trolley 52 makes whole empty dish 3 highly descend, and whole empty dish 3 will move along the lower swing arc shown by arrow 57 . The lower swing arc 57 is not synchronized with the original swing arc 56, and as a result, the energy loss in the resonant system increases, causing the amusement ride to stop more quickly.

Another mode of damping the swing amplitude is to accelerate the trolley 52 in the swing direction of the pendulum. The swing of the pendulum will dampen according to the same operating principle described in FIG. 8 . Also, the dolly brakes 55 can be used to increase frictional energy losses and bring the amusement ride 1 to a quicker stop.

Referring next to FIG. 11, another alternative embodiment of the damping mechanism 40 is shown. The damping mechanism 40 comprises a trolley 41 with wheels 44 , 43 rolling along guide rails 47 mounted on the support frame 8 . At each end of the guide rail 47, a movement stop 45, 46 is provided. The stops 45, 46 are made of rubber or any other compressible elastic material. The amusement ride is driven in the manner described in FIG. 1 .

The rail car 41 is pulled along the running direction of the whole empty disc (not shown). This will cause the resulting swing arc to be out of synch with the original swing arc and stop the empty disc (not shown) faster as described in FIG. 12 . The rail car 41 will also collide with the moving stops 45, 46, which will stop the swing of the empty dish more quickly than if the moving stops were not used. A brake (not shown) may also be added to this embodiment.

Referring next to Figure 13, a side plan view of yet another alternative embodiment 90 utilizing damping pistons 92,93 is shown. Again, the railcar 96 rests on rails 91 mounted on the support frame 8 of the amusement ride toy 1 . Damping pistons 92 , 93 are attached to each end of railcar 96 . Thus, damper piston 92 is attached at one end to rail car 96 and at its opposite end to power source 95 . The damping piston is also attached to the railcar 96 at one end and to the power source 94 at its opposite end.

The amusement ride 1 can be driven in the manner described in FIG. 1, or the pistons can be driven to move the rail car 96 back and forth. After the amusement ride toy 1 starts, the effects of the power pistons 92, 93 are removed. The trolley 96 will be pulled along the guide rail 91 in the direction of overall empty dish (not shown) travel. Movement of the rail car 96 will lower the overall empty dish position. The wobble arc of the whole empty dish will be out of sync, consuming the energy of the system as described in Figure 12. In addition, the inactive pistons 92, 93 will further dampen the swing of the amusement ride 1 .

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments, various modifications and changes can be made without falling within the scope of the present invention. The invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims amended under Section 19

1. An amusement ride toy for raising a vehicle accommodating an occupant from a resting position at or near the ground to a height of at least ten meters and releasing the vehicle to swing along a curved trajectory, said amusement ride Seat toys include:

an upright support extending at least eleven meters from the ground;

a vehicle support tether assembly having a given length and first and second ends, the first end of the vehicle support tether assembly being attached to the upper portion of the frame and the second end of the vehicle support tether assembly being attached to the a vehicle with the vehicle support tether assembly suspended from the support at a rest position; and

an upright launch stand extending upwardly from the ground and positioned no greater than the length of the support cord assembly from the stand; and

a starting rope having a first end and a second end, the first end of the starting rope is connected to the device for raising and lowering the starting rope on the starting frame, and the second end is releasably connected to the said vehicle;

A mobile loading device having means for raising and lowering the mobile loading device, for moving the mobile loading device up to a raised position for occupants to get on and off the vehicle, and for moving the mobile loading device said moveable loading device moves downward to swing the vehicle along said curved trajectory; and

Braking means for stopping the vehicle.

2. The amusement ride-on toy of claim 1, wherein said braking means further comprises a pendulum damper for controlling the speed of the swing of the ride-on toy.

3. An amusement ride as claimed in claim 2, wherein

The dynamic vehicle also includes an angular momentum and a horizontal motion vector; and

The pendulum damper means also includes a motion pivot means for counteracting a vector of horizontal motion of the vehicle, thereby reducing angular motion of the vehicle.

4. An amusement ride as claimed in claim 1, wherein said braking means is provided in said movable loading device for use in said movable loading device when said movable loading device is in The raised position brings the braking device into contact with the vehicle.

5. A pendulum damping device, comprising:

a pendulum with pendulum blocks and a pendulum arc;

a pendulum support rope connected to the pendulum and defining the radius of the pendulum arc;

a horizontal platform for supporting the pendulum support rope;

a pendulum support frame having first and second horizontal ends;

A pair of mutually parallel pivoting support arms hanging from the pendulum support frame, the first and second horizontal ends of the pendulum support frame are each pivotally connected to a member of the pair of support arms, so that, in the pendulum support frame, the pair of parallel a parallelogram mechanism is formed between the pivoting support arm and the horizontal support platform; and

A power piston attached to a horizontal end of the horizontal support platform is used to move the horizontal support platform, thereby lowering the pendulum block out of synchronization with the swing arc of the pendulum, thereby damping the swing arc of the pendulum.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pendulum block further comprises an amusement ride passenger compartment and the pendulum support frame further comprises a toy amusement ride tower.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said pair of parallel pivoting support arms further comprises a detent at the pivot point.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the power piston assembly further includes a power unit for moving the horizontal support platform to move the pendulum mass synchronously with the arc of the pendulum, thereby increasing the amplitude of the arc of the pendulum .

9. A pendulum damping device, comprising:

a pendulum with angular motion;

a pendulum support rope;

a horizontal pendulum support frame having a first end and a second end;

a damped vehicle having a wheel running on a horizontal pendulum support frame and having a support rope support means; and

The damper car also includes a damper for reducing angular motion of the pendulum;

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the damping means further comprises a brake, said wheel.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the damping means further includes an end stop at the first and second horizontal ends.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein each end stop further includes a damper piston connected to the damper carriage.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the damper car further includes a power device for accelerating the damper car.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the damping means further comprises a wheel brake.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein:

The damping device also includes a railcar having wheels adapted to the guide rails;

The horizontal pendulum support frame also includes guide rails.

16. A pendulum damping device, comprising:

a pendulum having a support cable secured to a kinematic pivot device;

said motion pivot means also includes a horizontal motion vector; and

A damping device for counteracting the horizontal motion vector, thereby reducing the angular motion of the pendulum.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the horizontal motion vector is caused by angular motion of a pendulum.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said damping means further comprises a damping piston attached to said movement pivot.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said movement pivot means further comprises a wheel and said damping means further comprises a wheel brake.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:

The pendulum also includes a pendulum support frame;

said kinematic pivot assembly is supported by said pendulum support frame and also includes a cart; and

The damping device also includes a power unit for accelerating the vehicle in the direction of angular motion of the pendulum, thereby reducing the angular motion of the pendulum.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said damping means further includes a power piston, and said horizontal motion vector is induced by said power piston.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:

The motion pivot device also includes a motor vehicle; and

The horizontal motion vector is induced by starting the motor vehicle.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said damping means further comprises a brake for said vehicle.

24. An amusement ride toy for raising a vehicle accommodating a plurality of occupants from a rest position at or near the ground to a height of at least ten meters and releasing the vehicle to swing along a curved trajectory, the Said amusement rides include:

an upright support extending at least eleven meters from the ground;

a vehicle support tether assembly having a given length and first and second ends, the first end of the vehicle support tether assembly being attached to the upper portion of the frame, and the second end of the vehicle support tether assembly being attached to the a vehicle, said vehicle support tether assembly being suspended from said support at a rest position;

an upright starting frame extending upwardly from the ground and positioned no greater than the length of the supporting rope assembly from the frame;

a starting rope having a first end and a second end, the first end of the starting rope is connected to the means for raising and lowering the starting rope on the starting frame, and the second end is releasably connected to the the means of delivery;

The vehicle also includes multiple rows of aisles for multiple seats, thereby allowing occupants to get on and off quickly;

a loading device for loading and unloading multiple occupants; and

Braking means for stopping the vehicle from swinging.

25. The amusement ride of claim 24, further comprising lockable doors for each row of passageways.

26. The amusement ride as claimed in claim 24, further comprising a releasable locking device for protecting the occupant during the flight of the vehicle.

27. The amusement ride of claim 24, wherein the braking means further comprises wheels on the loading means that rub against the vehicle.

28. The amusement ride of claim 24, wherein said braking means further comprises a pendulum damper for controlling the speed of the vehicle's swing.

Claims (32)

1, a kind of amusement ride is used at least one occupant being risen at least ten meters height from ground and the occupant being discharged to swing along curvilinear path, and described amusement ride comprises:

One support, described support extend upwardly to apart from ground at least ten one meters height;

One has occupant's support cable of first end and second end, and first end of described support cable is connected in support, described support cable usually hanging pivotly on described support;

Second end of described support cable is connected in the occupant's who carries by described support cable second end device;

One starting frame, described starting frame extends upwardly to apart from ground at least ten one meters height, and described starting frame and described spacer support frame are opened, and

The occupant is risen to apart from ground at least ten meters device from the track minimum point, and the described device that is used for the lifting occupant is associated with described starting frame, thereby after the occupant leaves described lifting device, the occupant will freely swing by means of described support cable.

2, amusement ride as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the described device that is used for the lifting occupant comprises that also one has first end and second end starting rope, first end of described starting rope is connected in described starting frame, and is provided with the device that second end of described starting rope is connected in the occupant.

3, a kind of amusement ride is used for extending upward about ten meters or higher upright starting frame from ground by one and swings one or more occupants from a raised position, and a described toy of taking advantage of comprises:

One up-right support extends upward about ten meters or higher and close described starting frame setting from ground;

One has occupant's support cable of first end and second end, first end of described support cable is connected in described support top, second end of described support cable is connected in and toggles in the occupant, thereby the occupant swings below described support along curvilinear path after discharging from the starting frame.

4, a kind of amusement ride, the delivery vehicle that is used for holding the occupant rises at least ten meters height from the resting position that is located on or near ground, and delivery vehicle is discharged to swing along a curvilinear path, and described amusement ride comprises:

One up-right support, described support extends at least ten one meters from ground;

One has the delivery vehicle support cable assembly of given length and first end and second end, first end of described delivery vehicle support cable assembly is connected in the top of described support, second end of described delivery vehicle support cable assembly is connected in delivery vehicle, a certain resting position of described delivery vehicle support cable assembly hanging on described support; And

Erect moving frame always, extend upward from ground and it is provided with the position is not more than described support cable assembly apart from the distance of described support length.

5, amusement ride as claimed in claim 4, wherein, comprise that also one has the starting rope of first end and second end, first end of described starting rope is connected in the device that is used for the described starting rope of lifting on the described starting frame, and described second end is connected in described delivery vehicle releasedly.

6, amusement ride as claimed in claim 4 wherein, also comprises a movable loading attachment, is used to make occupant/following delivery vehicle.

7, amusement ride as claimed in claim 6, wherein, described movable loading attachment also includes brake apparatus, during taking, move down and can on move with the braking delivery vehicle motion.

8, amusement ride as claimed in claim 7, wherein, the starting rope comprises that also one has the starting pouring weight rope of first end and second end, and be used for leaving the starting pouring weight that second end that makes the starting rope after taking advantage of a toy returns ground the occupant, described starting pouring weight is fixed in second end of described starting rope, first end of described starting pouring weight rope is connected in the described top of described support, and second end of described starting pouring weight rope is connected in second end of described starting rope.

9, amusement ride as claimed in claim 5, wherein, described delivery vehicle comprises that also many row's passages are used for a plurality of seats, thereby can make the occupant fast about.

10, amusement ride as claimed in claim 9, wherein, described a plurality of seats respectively have a releasable locking device, in order to guarantee occupant's safety in the process of circling in the air.

11, amusement ride as claimed in claim 9 wherein, also includes and is used for respectively arranging the lockable door of respectively fanning of passage.

12, amusement ride as claimed in claim 11 wherein, also comprises a pendulum damper, is used to control the swing speed when taking.

13, amusement ride as claimed in claim 12, wherein,

Described delivery vehicle also comprises a horizontal motion vector; And

Described pendulum damper also comprises a motion pivot device, is used to offset the horizontal motion vector of delivery vehicle, thereby reduces the angular movement of described delivery vehicle.

14, a kind of pendulum damper comprises:

One has the pendulum and a swinging arc of a centering block;

One links to each other, limits the pendulum support cable of swinging arc radius with pendulum;

One in order to support the levelling bench of pendulum support cable;

One has the pendulum support frame of first and second horizontal ends;

The a pair of pivotal support arm that hangs on the pendulum support frame that is parallel to each other, first and second horizontal ends of pendulum support frame respectively articulate described to a member in the support arm, thereby at the pendulum support frame, describedly form a parallel-crank mechanism between to parallel pivotal support arm and horizontal support platform; And

One is secured to the power piston of horizontal support platform one horizontal ends, is used for the mobile and horizontal support platform, makes it not synchronous with the swinging arc of pendulum thereby reduce centering block, thereby the swinging arc of damped pendulum.

15, device as claimed in claim 14, wherein, centering block also comprises between an amusement ride passenger, and the pendulum support frame also comprises an amusement ride pylon.

16, device as claimed in claim 14 wherein, describedly also comprises a brake apparatus to parallel pivotal support arm at pivotal point.

17, device as claimed in claim 14, wherein, power piston also comprises the power set in order to the mobile and horizontal support platform, thereby with the synchronously mobile centering block of swinging arc of pendulum, thereby increase the amplitude of the swinging arc of pendulum.

18, a kind of pendulum damper comprises:

One has the pendulum of angular movement;

A pendulum support cable;

One has the pendulum support frame of the level of first end and second end;

One damping car has a wheel that travels on the horizontal pendulum support frame, and has a pendulum support cable bracing or strutting arrangement; And described damping car also comprises a damping unit, is used to reduce the angular movement of pendulum.

19, device as claimed in claim 18, wherein, damping unit also comprises a brake or wheel.

20, device as claimed in claim 18, wherein, damping unit also comprises an end stone in first and second horizontal ends.

21, device as claimed in claim 19, wherein, each end stone comprises that also one is connected in the damping piston of damping car.

22, device as claimed in claim 18, wherein, the damping car also comprises the power set that the damping car is quickened.

23, device as claimed in claim 22, wherein, damping unit also comprises a wheel brake.

24, device as claimed in claim 23, wherein,

The damping car comprises that also one has the railcar of the wheel that adapts with track; And

The horizontal pendulum support frame also includes guide rail.

25, a kind of pendulum damper comprises:

One has a pendulum that is connected in the support cable of a motion pivot device;

Described motion pivot device also comprises a horizontal motion vector; And

Thereby one is used to offset the damping unit that the sports level vector reduces the angular movement of pendulum.

26, device as claimed in claim 25, wherein, the horizontal vector of described motion is to be caused by the angular movement of putting.

27, device as claimed in claim 26, wherein, described damping unit comprises that also one is secured to the damping piston of described motion pivot.

28, device as claimed in claim 26, wherein, described motion pivot device also comprises a wheel, and described damping unit also comprises a wheel brake.

29, device as claimed in claim 26, wherein,

Described pendulum also comprises a pendulum support frame;

Described motion pivot device also comprises a car by described pendulum support frame supports; And described damping unit also comprises power set, is used to make car to quicken along the angular movement direction of pendulum, thereby reduces the angular movement of pendulum.

30, device as claimed in claim 25, wherein, described damping unit also comprises a power piston, and described horizontal motion vector is caused by described power piston.

31, device as claimed in claim 25, wherein,

Described motion pivot device also comprises a motor vehicle; And

Described horizontal motion vector causes by starting described motor vehicle.

32, device as claimed in claim 31, wherein, described damping unit comprises that also one is used for the brake of described motor vehicle.

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