U.S. patent application number 10/006826 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-11 for amusement ride without hubs and spokes.
This patent application is currently assigned to Versa Corporation. Invention is credited to Larson, Walter F., Novotny, Jeffrey P..
Application Number | 20020042303 10/006826 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22325187 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020042303 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Larson, Walter F. ; et
al. |
April 11, 2002 |
Amusement ride without hubs and spokes
Abstract
An amusement ride (100) is disclosed which includes first and
second vehicles (128, 130) which are supported in a cantilevered
manner off cantilever beams (124, 126) from the stationary
supporting track (102) to provide the occupants with the impression
of being unsupported. The vehicles (128, 130) are floorless to
enhance the effect for the passengers. A coaster style floorless
amusement ride (150) is provided. A second embodiment of the
amusement ride (200) has a floor style vehicle (202, 204). It can
also be a coaster style amusement ride (220). A hubless and
spokeless Ferris wheel (10) is also provided.
Inventors: |
Larson, Walter F.;
(Plainview, TX) ; Novotny, Jeffrey P.; (Plainview,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William R. Gustavson
Thompson & Gustavson, LLP
12225 Greenville Ave
Suite 995
Dallas
TX
75243
US
|
Assignee: |
Versa Corporation
Plainview
TX
|
Family ID: |
22325187 |
Appl. No.: |
10/006826 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10006826 |
Dec 6, 2001 |
|
|
|
09439772 |
Nov 15, 1999 |
|
|
|
60108984 |
Nov 18, 1998 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
472/44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63G 27/00 20130101;
A63G 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
472/44 |
International
Class: |
A63G 027/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An amusement ride, comprising: a guide structure; a vehicle
structure supporting at least one person; and a cantilever member
having a first end and a second end, the vehicle structure mounted
at the first end of the cantilever member, the second end of the
cantilever member engaging the guide structure for movement along
the guide structure, the vehicle structure spaced from the guide
structure by the cantilever member.
2. The amusement ride of claim 1 wherein the guide structure
includes at least one guide rail extending along a predetermined
direction.
3. The amusement ride of claim 1 wherein the cantilever member is
secured to an undercarriage, the undercarriage engaging the guide
structure for movement along the guide structure.
4. The amusement ride of claim 1 wherein the guide structure forms
a circle.
5. The amusement ride of claim 1 wherein the guide structure forms
a coaster.
6. The amusement ride of claim 1 wherein the vehicle structure is a
first vehicle structure, said cantilever member being a first
cantilever member, said amusement ride further comprising a second
vehicle structure supporting at least one person and a second
cantilever member having a first end and a second end, the second
vehicle structure being mounted at the first end of the second
cantilever, the second end of the second cantilever member engaging
the guide structure for movement along the guide structure, the
second vehicle structure being on a side of the guide structure
opposite the first vehicle structure.
7. The amusement ride of claim 1 wherein the vehicle structure is a
floorless structure.
8. The amusement ride of claim 1 wherein the vehicle structure is a
floored structure.
9. The amusement ride of claim 1 further comprising an inertia ring
mounted for rotation on said guide structure, said cantilever
member engaged to said inertia ring.
10. A Ferris wheel, comprising: a circular guide structure; an
inertia ring mounted on the guide structure for rotation about a
rotational axis; and at least one gondola supported on said inertia
ring for rotational motion with the inertia ring.
11. The Ferris wheel of claim 10 wherein the gondola is on a first
side of the guide ring, a second gondola being supported on the
inertia ring on a second side of the guide ring.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Amusement rides provide entertainment for people around the
world. People are always seeking new amusement and thrills, and
there is a constant need to improve and design new amusement rides
which will satisfy this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an
amusement ride is provided. The amusement ride includes a guide
structure and a vehicle structure supporting at least one person. A
cantilever member having a first end and a second end is provided.
The vehicle structure is mounted at the first end of the cantilever
member. The second end of the cantilever member engages the guide
structure for movement along the guide structure with the vehicle
structure spaced from the guide structure by the cantilever
member.
[0003] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
the guide structure includes a plurality of guide rails extending
along a predetermined direction, the cantilever member engaging the
guide rails for movement along the rails in the predetermined
direction. A second vehicle structure can be supported on a second
cantilever member engaging the guide structure for movement along
the guide structure on the side opposite of the original vehicle
structure.
[0004] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
the guide structure can be circular. An inertia ring is guided on
said circular guide structure for rotation about a predetermined
axis. The cantilever member is mounted for rotation with the
inertia ring.
[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
an amusement ride is provided which does not require hubs and
spokes. The amusement ride includes a track and an inertia ring.
The inertia ring supports a number of cars. The inertia ring is
caused to move in a circular direction, causing the cars to follow
and provide a Ferris wheel type motion. Preferably, the cars are
paired on either side of the inertia ring, allowing the cars to be
supported externally of the track and provide a more thrilling
ride.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] For a more complete understanding of the present invention
and for further advantages thereof, reference is now made to the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an amusement ride forming a
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side view of the amusement ride;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the amusement ride;
[0010] FIG. 4 is an end view of the amusement ride;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a modified
amusement ride in a coaster style;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of portions of the amusement
ride;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the amusement ride;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a side view of an amusement ride forming a second
embodiment of the present invention which has a floor;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the amusement ride of FIG. 8;
[0016] FIG. 10 is an end view of the amusement ride of FIG. 8;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of an amusement
ride forming a first modification of the amusement ride of FIG.
8;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a side view of an amusement ride forming a third
embodiment constructed in accordance with the teachings of the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 13 is an end view of the amusement ride of FIG. 12;
[0020] FIG. 14 is a partial side view of the amusement ride
illustrating the operating mechanism; and
[0021] FIG. 15 is a partial cross sectional view of the ride along
lines 4-4 in FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] With reference now to FIGS. 1-7, an amusement ride 100 will
be described which forms a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] The amusement ride 100 is a floorless coaster which includes
a stationary track 102 which is securely mounted by foundation 104
to the ground so that the stationary track is vertical, with its
center axis of symmetry 106 extending horizontally. Alternatively,
the track 102 could be mounted at any non-vertical angle, such as
45 degrees, or even mounted on foundation 104 for movement between
two angles, for example, vertical to 45 degrees and back to
vertical. As can best be seen in FIG. 2, the track 102 can be
formed of a number of arcuate segments 102a, 102b and the like.
[0024] Within the track 102 is supported an inertia ring 108 which
is capable of rotation about the axis of symmetry 106 while mounted
on rails 110 and 112 mounted on stationary track 102, as best seen
in FIG. 6. The inertia ring 108 is supported on the rails 110 and
112 by a series of undercarriages 114 which are distributed about
the circumference of the inertia ring 108. As can be seen in FIGS.
6 and 7, each undercarriage has four pairs of wheel sets, with each
set including an outer wheel 116 contacting the outer surface of a
rail and an inner wheel 118 contacting the inner surface of a rail.
In addition, a centering wheel 120 is preferably associated with
each wheel set which centers the undercarriages 114 between the
rails and prevents the undercarriages from being skewed relative
thereto. Alternatively, two, three or more than four pairs of wheel
sets can be used. Also, any other suitable mechanism can be used to
support undercarriage 114 on rails 110 and 112 such as guides,
etc.
[0025] Each undercarriage 114 mounts an attaching tube 122. The
attaching tube 122 forms a first cantilever beam 124 on one side of
the ring 102 and a second cantilever beam 126 on the other side of
the ring 102. A first vehicle 128 is mounted at the end of the
first cantilever beam 124 distant from the track 102 while a second
vehicle 130 is mounted at the end of the second cantilever beam
126. Alternatively, an I-Beam, a rod, a square beam, a plate or any
other suitable structure can be substituted for tube 122.
[0026] While the vehicles 128 and 130 can be of virtually any
construction, they are illustrated to define a pair of seats 132
and 134 which are floorless, i.e. have no platform for resting the
feet and are open, enhancing the thrill. Thus, seats 132 and 134
are similar, in this aspect of being floorless, to the common ski
lift which has no structure for resting the feet.
[0027] Naturally, each of the seats 132 and 134 are provided with
seat belts or other securing type structure to firmly secure a
person within the seat, as is well understood in the
technology.
[0028] A drive assembly 136 is used to induce rotation in the
inertia ring 108, and therefore also in the undercarriages 114 and
vehicles 128 and 130. The drive assembly 136 can be simply a
rotating rubber tired wheel contacting the outside surface of the
ring 108, thereby inducing rotation in the inertia ring 108.
[0029] As can be appreciated, as the ring 108, carriages 114 and
vehicles 128 and 130 are rotated about the axis of symmetry 106,
the persons sitting in the vehicles 128 and 130 are provided with
an exciting ride, which includes being upside down at the top of
the track 102. Additionally, because the vehicles 128 and 130,
riders therein, or both are cantilevered outward from the
stationary track 102, the riders therein will have the impression
of being suspended in space without support, enhancing the thrill
of the ride. One definition of cantilevered outward from track 102
is to define a plane at the side of the track 102 closest to the
rider or vehicle and have the rider or vehicle, or both, on the
other side of the plane from the track. Another definition of
cantilevered outward is to define a line which is the shortest
distance between rails 110 and 112, i.e., a line perpendicular to
the length of the rails, and then define a first plane
perpendicular to the line and containing one rail and a second
plane perpendicular to the line and containing the other rail. No
part of either the rider or the vehicle, or both, lies between the
first and second planes. That is, either the vehicle, or the rider,
or both, is cantilevered outward from the plane containing the
nearest rail.
[0030] As can be understood, the vehicles 128 and 130 can be of any
configuration desired. Also, the amusement ride 100 can be made
without second cantilever beam 126 and second vehicles 130,
providing only first vehicles 128 cantilevered off of the first
cantilever beams 124. While this would cause a force imbalance with
the undercarriages 114 engaging the rails 110 and 112, this can be
accommodated if desired.
[0031] As illustrated, five pairs of first and second vehicles 128
and 130 are used in the amusement ride 100. This provides the
ability to load and unload all the occupants from the first and
second vehicles 128 and 130 simultaneously when the inertia ring
108 is halted. However, it will be understood any number of first
and second vehicles can be mounted on amusement ride 100.
[0032] If desired, the inertia ring 108 or undercarriages 114
opposite the vehicles 128 and 130 can have additional weight to
compensate for the added weight of the vehicles 128, 130, beams 124
and 126 and the occupants thereof. However, by maintaining some
weight imbalance due to the beams 124 and 126, and vehicles 128 and
130, the amusement ride 100 will have a fail safe operation should
the drive assembly 136 fail, causing the vehicles 128 and 130 to
oscillate back and forth until they finally achieve a stationary
position, such as seen in FIG. 2, allowing the passengers to be
removed.
[0033] With reference to FIG. 5, a first modification of the
present invention will be shown as amusement ride 150. Amusement
ride 150 is, in contrast to the circular stationary track 102 of
amusement ride 100, a coaster style amusement ride which extends in
a serpentine manner or other configuration. While the coaster can
form a closed loop, it need not do so. Amusement ride 150 is
provided with a track 152 which defines the route of the coaster.
The track 152, in turn, mounts rails 154 and 156 to support the
undercarriages 114 in traveling the loop of the coaster. The
vehicles 128 and 130, riders therein, or both are cantilevered
outward from track 152. The planes defined above in amusement ride
100 would be defined in amusement ride 150 at the side of the track
152 or rails 154 and 156 proximate the position of the vehicles 128
and 130 at any given time.
[0034] As in a conventional coaster, a chain drive, linear
induction motor or other mechanism can be utilized to raise the
vehicles 128 and 130 and associated undercarriages 114 to the
highest point on the coaster. Thereafter, gravity alone will cause
the vehicles 128 and 130 and undercarriages 114 to move around the
coaster.
[0035] Again, because of the cantilevered mounting of the vehicles
128 and 130 off of the beams 124 and 126, the occupants of the
vehicles will have the impression that they are suspended without
support in space, providing a thrilling ride.
[0036] In amusement ride 150, an inertia ring 108 is not utilized.
However, structure should be provided between each of the
undercarriages 114 and associated vehicles 128 and 130 to maintain
proper spacing therebetween. Rigid beams can connect the
undercarriages 114 if there is limited curvature in the rails 154
and 156 and sufficient play in the engagement between the wheels
116, 118 and 120 and the rails to prevent jamming of an
undercarriage during the travel around the loop. Alternatively,
hinge connections can be made between the undercarriages to
accommodate some relative motion.
[0037] The present invention also provides the advantages of
permitting an amusement ride 150 to be constructed using a
conventional preexisting coaster. In such a construction, the
conventional coaster track and rails will be used. The
undercarriages 114 and vehicles 128 and 130 can then be mounted on
the preexisting rails to complete the amusement ride 150.
Undercarriages 114 can be redesigned as needed to mount on the
preexisting rails. As can be appreciated, for an older,
conventional coaster track which is still in satisfactory
condition, this can provide a new life to the coaster track by
presenting a new, thrilling ride in transforming the old coaster
into an amusement ride 150. Alternatively, new rails 154 and 156
can be installed in the conventional coaster track if the
preexisting rails are inadequate.
[0038] As seen in dotted line in FIG. 2, a design 158 can be
mounted on the inertia ring 108 and/or the undercarriages 114 to
provide an attraction to the occupants of the vehicle 128 and 130.
For example, the design may be a viking ship, giving the occupants
of the vehicles the feeling they are at the ends of oars extending
from the sides of the viking ship. Design 158 can be a centipede,
for example, giving the impression the occupants of the vehicles
are at the end of a leg of the centipede. The use of a design 158
has the additional advantage of blocking the view of occupants in
the first vehicles 128 from seeing the second vehicles 130, and
vice versa, adding to the feeling of isolation of the occupants of
the vehicles.
[0039] With reference now to FIGS. 9-11, an amusement ride 200
forming a second embodiment of the present invention will be
described. Many of the structures in the amusement ride 200 are the
same as used in the amusement ride 100 and are illustrated with the
same reference numerals.
[0040] The amusement ride 200 has first vehicles 202 and second
vehicles 204 which are more enclosed than the vehicles 128 and 130,
and in fact, have floors 206 on which occupants can rest their feet
and also to block the view of the occupants between their feet,
providing less of a thrill than the amusement ride 100, but, to
some occupants view, a more comfortable ride. As in amusement ride
100, the occupants of first and second vehicles 202 and 204 will be
inverted at the top of the stationary track 102 during a portion of
the ride, as seen in FIG. 10, in the version illustrated in FIGS.
8-10.
[0041] FIG. 11 illustrates an amusement ride 220 which is a first
modification of amusement ride 200. Again, many structures therein
are the same as found in amusement ride 150. However, first vehicle
202 and second vehicles 204 are more enclosed and are provided with
floors 206. Amusement ride 220 is also a coaster style ride, just
as amusement ride 150. Amusement ride 220 can use a preexisting
conventional coaster track and rails, just as ride 150.
[0042] With reference to FIGS. 12-15, a Ferris wheel 10 forming a
third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The
Ferris wheel 10 differs from prior Ferris wheel designs in being a
hubless and spokeless design. The Ferris wheel 10 includes a
stationary track 12 which is securely supported on the ground
through frame 14. An inertia ring 16 is supported within the track
12 for circular rotational motion about an axis 18 extending
generally horizontally through the center line of the ring 16. The
structure of the track 12 is designed so that the inertia ring 16
is generally not visible from exterior the Ferris wheel 10. A drive
wheel assembly 20 is mounted within the stationary track 12 and has
a pair of drive wheels 22 which rotate and induce circular motion
in the inertia ring 16.
[0043] With reference to FIG. 15, the mounting of the inertia ring
16 to the track 12 will be further described. The stationary track
12 can be seen to have a generally u-shaped cross section that
mounts guide rails 40 and 42 that face each other across the gap
defined by the u-shape of the stationary track 12, the gap facing
inward toward the axis 18. The guide rails 40 and 42 each form a
continuous complete circle about the entire circumference of the
stationary track 12. The inertia ring 16 mounts a series of
carriage assemblies 44 at spaced intervals about its circumference
which, in turn, mount a series of guide wheels 46, 48 and 50 which
engage each of the rails 40 and 42 on three sides thereof. As can
clearly be understood, the guide wheels guide the inertia ring 16
for rotational motion relative track 12 about the axis 18 much in
the same way as the inner race of a ball bearing. While the inertia
ring 16 forms a complete circle, it can clearly be made up of
arcuate sections of proper radius which are welded or otherwise
secured together to form the complete circle.
[0044] Around the circumference of the inertia ring 16 are mounted
a plurality of car assemblies 24. The car assemblies 24 can be
mounted to the carriages 44, or directly to the inertia ring 16, or
to a combination thereof. Each assembly 24 consists of two cars 26
which are cantilevered horizontally in either direction from the
inertia ring 16 so that the cars 26 are physically outside the
confines of the stationary track 12, as illustrated in FIG. 13.
This gives the opportunity to carry twice as many passengers in
Ferris wheel 10 as compared to a conventional Ferris wheel design
of similar diameter, as the conventional Ferris wheel can only
mount one car at a time at a given location on the circumference of
the Ferris wheel. When the inertia ring 16 is moved in a circular
rotational motion about axis 18, the cars 26 will experience the
same motion, creating a Ferris wheel type movement. However, the
present device provides extra exciting features, one of which being
that the cars are supported outside the track 12, providing the
occupant with the feeling of being suspended in air with very
little structure supporting them.
[0045] Ramps 28 can be mounted adjacent the track 12 on the ground,
as shown in FIG. 12, which allow four car assemblies 24 to be
loaded and unloaded simultaneously as the inertia ring 16 is
stopped. For a Ferris wheel 10 having twelve car assemblies 24 as
shown, this means the entire Ferris wheel 10 can be loaded and
unloaded with only three stops. Of course, any number of car
assemblies, or other people carrying devices, can be mounted on
ring 16, as desired.
[0046] As will be apparent from FIGS. 12 and 13, the stationary
track 12 can be formed of a plurality of individual arcuate
segments 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d, which are bolted, welded or
otherwise secured together. The weight supported by the sections
decreases from the sections near the ground to those at the upper
end of the Ferris wheel 10, allowing section 12d to be less
substantial than section 12a, for example, providing a pleasing
tapering effect to the stationary track 12 clearly visible in FIG.
12.
[0047] In a variation, two inertia rings can be mounted side by
side and supported for rotation about the axis 18 within the
stationary track 12. Separate pairs of rails would typically be
required, one pair to support each inertia ring, although a single,
center rail could be designed to support part of each inertia ring
without interference between the inertia rings, with single rails
on either side of the center rail to support the other part of the
inertia rings. The inertia rings can be rotated by separate drive
wheel assemblies 20 so that each inertia ring rotates in an
opposite rotational direction relative the other inertia ring. One
inertia ring would support the cars 26 on one side of the
stationary track 12, for example, the cars 26 on the left side of
stationary track 12 shown in FIG. 13, while the other ring could
support the cars 26 on the other side of the stationary track 12,
such as the cars 26 on the right side of the stationary track 12 as
seen in FIG. 13. This would provide an enhanced ride experience as
the riders in one car 26 would have the impression that the cars on
the other side of the stationary track 12 would be moving at twice
the speed. A similar configuration can be used for amusement rides
100 and 200. The first vehicles 128 and 202 can be moving in one
rotational direction while the second vehicles 130 and 204 are
moving in the opposite direction. Similarly, with regard to the
coaster style amusement rides 150 and 220, the first vehicles 128
and 202 can be separately mounted from the second vehicles 130 and
204. This would allow the vehicles to be staggered so that one
vehicle proceeds the other, or, the vehicles can be started at the
same time and can race each other to the end of the loop.
[0048] In one ride contemplated in accordance with the teachings of
the present invention, 240 passengers could be accommodated on the
ride at the same time.
[0049] Whereas the present invention has been described with
respect to the specific embodiments illustrated, it will be
understood that various changes and modifications will be suggested
to one skilled in the art and it is intended to encompass such
changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *