U.S. patent application number 10/039903 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-01 for oscillatory amusement ride.
Invention is credited to Checketts, Stanley J..
Application Number | 20030083137 10/039903 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21907957 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030083137 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Checketts, Stanley J. |
May 1, 2003 |
Oscillatory amusement ride
Abstract
An oscillatory amusement ride having a housing containing a
slidably mounted piston. A cable attaches the piston to a holder
for a participant. A first end of the housing is closed except for
an aperture through which the cable passes. Optionally, the side of
the housing contains an aperture or a valve to assist initial
movement of the piston when a participant jumps or falls. The
second end of the housing can either be open or closed. Optionally,
a fluid supply valve can provide compressible fluid between the
piston and the first end of the housing. Also optionally, the
housing can have a continuous cable that is attached to a second
cable which supports the participant. Preferably, two cylinders are
utilized, a movable platform is available from which the
participant can jump or fall, and the holder can be rotated by the
participant.
Inventors: |
Checketts, Stanley J.;
(Providence, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FEHR LAW FIRM
Suite 300
Goldenwest Corporate Center
5025 Adams Avenue
Ogden
UT
84403
US
|
Family ID: |
21907957 |
Appl. No.: |
10/039903 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
472/131 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63G 2031/002 20130101;
A63G 31/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
472/131 |
International
Class: |
A63G 031/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An oscillatory amusement ride, which comprises: a housing having
a bore, a closed first end containing an aperture, a second end,
and a side; a piston slidably mounted within the bore; a holder for
a participant; and a means for transferring force between said
piston and said holder passing through the aperture in the closed
first end of said housing, wherein said housing is capable of
retaining a compressed fluid between the closed first end and the
piston for at least one oscillation of the piston.
2. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 1, wherein:
said housing contains an aperture in the side of said housing
communicating with the atmosphere and with the bore of said
housing.
3. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 2, further
comprising: a fluid supply valve between said piston and the first
end of said housing.
4. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 3, further
comprising: a separate supply valve located between the piston and
the first end of said housing.
5. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 1, further
comprising: a fluid supply valve between said piston and the first
end of said housing.
6. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 5, further
comprising: a separate supply valve located between the piston and
the first end of said housing.
7. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 2, further
comprising: a second housing having a bore, a closed first end
containing an aperture, a second end, and a side; a piston slidably
mounted within the bore of said second housing; and a means for
transferring force between said piston and said holder passing
through the aperture in the closed first end of said second
housing, wherein said second housing is capable of retaining a
compressed fluid between the closed first end of said second
housing and the piston within said second housing for at least one
oscillation of the piston within said second housing and wherein
said second housing contains an aperture in the side of said second
housing communicating with the atmosphere and with the bore of said
second housing.
8. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 7, wherein:
said force transferring means associated with said housing and said
force transferring means associated with said second housing are
rotatably attached to said holder.
9. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 4, further
comprising: a second housing having a bore, a closed first end
having an aperture, a second end, and a side; a piston slidably
mounted within the bore of said second housing; and a means for
transferring force between said piston within said second housing
and said holder passing through the aperture in the closed first
end of said second housing, wherein said second housing is capable
of retaining a compressed fluid between the closed first end of
said second housing and the piston within said second housing for
at least one oscillation of the piston within said second housing
and wherein said second housing contains an aperture in the side of
said second housing communicating with the atmosphere and with the
bore of said second housing; a fluid supply valve between said
piston within the bore of said second housing and the first end of
said second housing; and a separate supply valve located between
the piston within the bore of said second housing and the first end
of said second housing.
10. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 9, further
comprising: a movable platform from which a participant can jump or
fall.
11. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 10, further
comprising: a sensor which indicates a loss of pressure within said
housing or said second housing; a sensor which indicates whether
said movable platform is in the jump position; a source of
compressible fluid; a supply line between said source and said
fluid supply valve associated with said housing; a blocking valve
in said supply line; a second supply line between said source and
said fluid supply valve associated with said second housing; a
blocking valve in said second supply line; a sensor for detecting
whether the movable platform is in the jump position; and a
microprocessor in communication with said sensors and with said
fluid supply valves that will activate the blocking valve in the
appropriate supply line if an unacceptable loss of pressure occurs
within said housing or said second housing and will not allow the
fluid supply valves to supply fluid until the movable platform has
been moved away from the jump position.
12. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 10, wherein:
said force transferring means associated with said housing and said
force transferring means associated with said second housing are
rotatably attached to said holder.
13. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 12, further
comprising: a sensor which indicates a loss of pressure within said
housing or said second housing; a sensor which indicates whether
said movable platform is in the jump position; a source of
compressible fluid; a supply line between said source and said
fluid supply valve associated with said housing; a blocking valve
in said supply line; a second supply line between said source and
said fluid supply valve associated with said second housing; a
blocking valve in said second supply line; a sensor for detecting
whether the movable platform is in the jump position; and a
microprocessor in communication with said sensors and with said
fluid supply valves that will activate the blocking valve in the
appropriate supply line if an unacceptable loss of pressure occurs
within said housing or said second housing and will not allow the
fluid supply valves to supply fluid until the movable platform has
been moved away from the jump position.
14. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 9, wherein:
said force transferring means associated with said housing and said
force transferring means associated with said second housing are
rotatably attached to said holder.
15. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 1, further
comprising: a valve in the side of said housing communicating with
the atmosphere and with the bore of said housing.
16. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 15, further
comprising: a fluid supply valve between said piston and the first
end of said housing.
17. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 16, further
comprising: a separate supply valve located between the piston and
the first end of said housing.
18. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 15, further
comprising: a second housing having a bore, a closed first end
containing an aperture, a second end, and a side; a piston slidably
mounted within the bore of said second housing; a means for
transferring force between said piston within said second housing
and said holder passing through the aperture in the closed first
end of said second housing, wherein said second housing is capable
of retaining a compressed fluid between the closed first end of
said second housing and the piston within said second housing for
at least one oscillation of the piston within said second housing;
and a valve in the side of said second housing communicating with
the atmosphere and with the bore of said second housing.
19. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 18, wherein:
said force transferring means associated with said housing and said
force transferring means associated with said second housing are
rotatably attached to said holder.
20. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 17, further
comprising: a second housing having a bore, a closed first end
containing an aperture, a second end, and a side; a piston slidably
mounted within the bore of said second housing; a means for
transferring force between said piston within said second housing
and said holder passing through the aperture in the closed first
end of said second housing, wherein said second housing is capable
of retaining a compressed fluid between the closed first end of
said second housing and the piston within said second housing for
at least one oscillation of the piston within said second housing;
a valve in the side of said second housing communicating with the
atmosphere and with the bore of said second housing; a fluid supply
valve between said piston within the bore of said second housing
and the first end of said second housing; and a separate supply
valve located between the piston within the bore of said second
housing and the first end of said second housing.
21. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 20, further
comprising: a movable platform from which a participant can jump or
fall.
22. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 21, further
comprising: a sensor which indicates a loss of pressure within said
housing or said second housing; a sensor which indicates whether
said movable platform is in the jump position; a source of
compressible fluid; a supply line between said source and said
fluid supply valve associated with said housing; a blocking valve
in said supply line; a second supply line between said source and
said fluid supply valve associated with said second housing; a
blocking valve in said second supply line; a sensor for detecting
whether the movable platform is in the jump position; and a
microprocessor in communication with said sensors and with said
fluid supply valves that will activate the blocking valve in the
appropriate supply line if an unacceptable loss of pressure occurs
within said housing or said second housing and will not allow the
fluid supply valves to supply fluid until the movable platform has
been moved away from the jump position.
23. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 21, wherein:
said force transferring means associated with said housing and said
force transferring means associated with said second housing are
rotatably attached to said holder.
24. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 23, further
comprising: a sensor which indicates a loss of pressure within said
housing or said second housing; a sensor which indicates whether
said movable platform is in the jump position; a source of
compressible fluid; a supply line between said source and said
fluid supply valve associated with said housing; a blocking valve
in said supply line; a second supply line between said source and
said fluid supply valve associated with said second housing; a
blocking valve in said second supply line; a sensor for detecting
whether the movable platform is in the jump position; and a
microprocessor in communication with said sensors and with said
fluid supply valves that will activate the blocking valve in the
appropriate supply line if an unacceptable loss of pressure occurs
within said housing or said second housing and will not allow the
fluid supply valves to supply fluid until the movable platform has
been moved away from the jump position.
25. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 20, wherein:
said force transferring means associated with said housing and said
force transferring means associated with said second housing are
rotatably attached to said holder.
26. An oscillatory amusement ride, which comprises: a housing
having a bore, a closed first end containing an aperture, a second
end, and a side; a piston slidably mounted within the bore; a
holder for a participant; a cable that exits said housing through
the aperture in the closed first end of said housing and re-enters
said housing through the second end of said housing, said cable
being attached to said piston within said second housing; and a
means for transferring force between said cable associated with
said second housing and said holder passing through the aperture in
the closed first end of said second housing, wherein said housing
is capable of retaining a compressed fluid between the closed first
end and the piston for at least one oscillation of the piston.
27. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 26, wherein:
said housing contains an aperture in the side of said housing
communicating with the atmosphere and with the bore of said
housing.
28. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 27, further
comprising: a fluid supply valve between said piston and the first
end of said housing.
29. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 28, further
comprising: a separate supply valve located between the piston and
the first end of said housing.
30. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 26, further
comprising: a fluid supply valve between said piston and the first
end of said housing.
31. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 30, further
comprising: a separate supply valve located between the piston and
the first end of said housing.
32. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 27, further
comprising: a second housing having a bore, a closed first end
containing an aperture, a second end, and a side; a piston slidably
mounted within the bore of said second housing; a cable that exits
said second housing through the aperture in the closed first end of
said second housing and re-enters said second housing through the
second end of said second housing, said cable being attached to
said piston within said second housing; and a means for
transferring force between said cable associated with said second
housing and said holder passing through the aperture in the closed
first end of said second housing, wherein said second housing is
capable of retaining a compressed fluid between the closed first
end of said second housing and the piston within said second
housing for at least one oscillation of the piston within said
second housing and wherein said second housing contains an aperture
in the side of said second housing communicating with the
atmosphere and with the bore of said second housing.
33. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 32, wherein:
said force transferring means associated with said housing and said
force transferring means associated with said second housing are
rotatably attached to said holder.
34. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 29, further
comprising: a second housing having a bore, a closed first end
containing an aperture, a second end, and a side; a piston slidably
mounted within the bore of said second housing; a cable that exits
said second housing through the aperture in the closed first end of
said second housing and re-enters said second housing through the
second end of said second housing, said cable being attached to
said piston within said second housing; a means for transferring
force between said cable associated with said second housing and
said holder; and a means for transferring force between said piston
within said second housing and said holder passing through the
aperture in the closed first end of said second housing, wherein
said second housing is capable of retaining a compressed fluid
between the closed first end of said second housing and the piston
within said second housing for at least one oscillation of the
piston within said second housing and wherein said second housing
contains an aperture in the side of said second housing
communicating with the atmosphere and with the bore of said second
housing; a fluid supply valve between said piston within the bore
of said second housing and the first end of said second housing;
and a separate supply valve located between the piston within the
bore of said second housing and the first end of said second
housing.
35. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 34, further
comprising: a movable platform from which a participant can jump or
fall.
36. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 35, further
comprising: a sensor which indicates a loss of pressure within said
housing or said second housing; a sensor which indicates whether
said movable platform is in the jump position; a source of
compressible fluid; a supply line between said source and said
fluid supply valve associated with said housing; a blocking valve
in said supply line; a second supply line between said source and
said fluid supply valve associated with said second housing; a
blocking valve in said second supply line; a sensor for detecting
whether the movable platform is in the jump position; and a
microprocessor in communication with said sensors and with said
fluid supply valves that will activate the blocking valve in the
appropriate supply line if an unacceptable loss of pressure occurs
within said housing or said second housing and will not allow the
fluid supply valves to supply fluid until the movable platform has
been moved away from the jump position.
37. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 35, wherein:
said force transferring means associated with said housing and said
force transferring means associated with said second housing are
rotatably attached to said holder.
38. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 37, further
comprising: a sensor which indicates a loss of pressure within said
housing or said second housing; a sensor which indicates whether
said movable platform is in the jump position; a source of
compressible fluid; a supply line between said source and said
fluid supply valve associated with said housing; a blocking valve
in said supply line; a second supply line between said source and
said fluid supply valve associated with said second housing; a
blocking valve in said second supply line; a sensor for detecting
whether the movable platform is in the jump position; and a
microprocessor in communication with said sensors and with said
fluid supply valves that will activate the blocking valve in the
appropriate supply line if an unacceptable loss of pressure occurs
within said housing or said second housing and will not allow the
fluid supply valves to supply fluid until the movable platform has
been moved away from the jump position.
39. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 34, wherein:
said force transferring means associated with said housing and said
force transferring means associated with said second housing are
rotatably attached to said holder.
40. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 26, further
comprising: a valve in the side of said housing communicating with
the atmosphere and with the bore of said housing.
41. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 40, further
comprising: a fluid supply valve between said piston and the first
end of said housing.
42. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 41, further
comprising: a separate supply valve located between the piston and
the first end of said housing.
43. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 40, further
comprising: a second housing having a bore, a closed first end
containing an aperture, a second end, and a side; a piston slidably
mounted within the bore of said second housing; a cable that exits
said second housing through the aperture in the closed first end of
said second housing and re-enters said second housing through the
second end of said second housing, said cable being attached to
said piston within said second housing; a means for transferring
force between said cable associated with said second housing and
said holder passing through the aperture in the closed first end of
said second housing, wherein said second housing is capable of
retaining a compressed fluid between the closed first end of said
second housing and the piston within said second housing for at
least one oscillation of the piston within said second housing; and
a valve in the side of said second housing communicating with the
atmosphere and with the bore of said second housing.
44. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 43, wherein:
said force transferring means associated with said housing and said
force transferring means associated with said second housing are
rotatably attached to said holder.
45. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 42, further
comprising: a second housing having a bore, a closed first end
containing an aperture, a second end, and a side; a piston slidably
mounted within the bore of said second housing; a means for
transferring force between said piston within said second housing
and said holder passing through the aperture in the closed first
end of said second housing, wherein said second housing is capable
of retaining a compressed fluid between the closed first end of
said second housing and the piston within said second housing for
at least one oscillation of the piston within said second housing;
a valve in the side of said second housing communicating with the
atmosphere and with the bore of said second housing; a fluid supply
valve between said piston within the bore of said second housing
and the first end of said second housing; and a separate supply
valve located between the piston within the bore of said second
housing and the first end of said second housing.
46. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 45, further
comprising: a movable platform from which a participant can jump or
fall.
47. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 46, further
comprising: a sensor which indicates a loss of pressure within said
housing or said second housing; a sensor which indicates whether
said movable platform is in the jump position; a source of
compressible fluid; a supply line between said source and said
fluid supply valve associated with said housing; a blocking valve
in said supply line; a second supply line between said source and
said fluid supply valve associated with said second housing; a
blocking valve in said second supply line; a sensor for detecting
whether the movable platform is in the jump position; and a
microprocessor in communication with said sensors and with said
fluid supply valves that will activate the blocking valve in the
appropriate supply line if an unacceptable loss of pressure occurs
within said housing or said second housing and will not allow the
fluid supply valves to supply fluid until the movable platform has
been moved away from the jump position.
48. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 46, wherein:
said force transferring means associated with said housing and said
force transferring means associated with said second housing are
rotatably attached to said holder.
49. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 48, further
comprising: a sensor which indicates a loss of pressure within said
housing or said second housing; a sensor which indicates whether
said movable platform is in the jump position; a source of
compressible fluid; a supply line between said source and said
fluid supply valve associated with said housing; a blocking valve
in said supply line; a second supply line between said source and
said fluid supply valve associated with said second housing; a
blocking valve in said second supply line; a sensor for detecting
whether the movable platform is in the jump position; and a
microprocessor in communication with said sensors and with said
fluid supply valves that will activate the blocking valve in the
appropriate supply line if an unacceptable loss of pressure occurs
within said housing or said second housing and will not allow the
fluid supply valves to supply fluid until the movable platform has
been moved away from the jump position.
50. The oscillatory amusement ride as recited in claim 45, wherein:
said force transferring means associated with said housing and said
force transferring means associated with said second housing are
rotatably attached to said holder.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to an amusement ride for accelerating
and decelerating a participant where the initial force provided for
the ride is generated by downward movement of the participant.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,744 utilizes the force of a downward
moving participant to stretch a resilient band, commonly termed a
bungee cord, to provide the power for oscillating a
participant.
[0004] Additionally, the present inventor created an amusement ride
termed RAPID RISER which used a hydraulic system to stretch a
resilient band attached to a participant while the participant
initially remained on the ground and then lifted the participant
with the resilient band. The lifting force produced by the
hydraulic system generated the requisite power for then
accelerating and decelerating the participant.
[0005] The RAPID RISER patent application was Ser. No. 08/012,358;
was filed on Feb. 1, 1993; and resulted in a Notice of Allowance;
but the inventor chose not to obtain a patent, even though the
RAPID RISER was commercially produced.
[0006] Both U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,686 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,841
introduce compressed gas into a bore of a housing to accelerate a
piston attached to a cable and thereby accelerate and decelerate a
participant. In one mode of operation, the device of U.S. Pat. No.
5,704,841 can raise a participant slowly when gas is slowly
injected into the bore.
[0007] And, in one embodiment, the device of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/923269, which was filed on Aug. 3, 2001,
introduces fluid into a housing to propel a piston connected to a
cable to create the initial force to propel a carrier containing
one or more participants.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,802 is very similar to U.S. Pat. No.
5,632,686, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,022 is highly reminiscent of
U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,841.
[0009] Of the preceding, only U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,744 simply
utilizes the force of a downward moving participant to provide the
initial power to oscillate the participant; and it employs
resilient bands or bungee cords.
[0010] Several patents, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,421,783; 5,649,866;
and 5,810,671 have a passenger carrier that is accelerated upward
by bungee cords and can relatively freely swing about the ends of
such cords. There is, however, no control over any rotation of the
carrier that does occur.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,111 does involve controlled rotation of
a passenger chair (also termed a "support") for an amusement ride.
The degree of rotation is, however, purposefully limited; the
limited rotation that is possible apparently occurs only over a
restricted, fixed portion of a course upon a tower; and only
downward movement occurs when the chair has been rotated from its
initial substantially vertical position.
[0012] And United States patent application Ser. No. 09/922,548,
which was filed on Aug. 3, 2001, covers a machine-powered seat for
an amusement ride that can rotate through a substantial range.
[0013] Finally, the device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,368 suspends two
resilient bands (or bungee cords) from columns and attaches the
free ends of the resilient bands to a participant, preferably near
the participant's center of gravity. The columns are placed around
a trampoline; and as the participant bounces higher, the point of
attachment on the columns is automatically raised. Oscillations are
produced primarily by bouncing on the trampoline. The resilient
bands do, though, permit a participant to rotate through the
participant's own power.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention employs the force of a downward moving
participant to provide the initial power to accelerate and
decelerate the participant in an oscillatory manner without the
need for a resilient band or bungee cord.
[0015] A housing, preferably, but not necessarily, a cylindrical
housing, having a bore has a piston slidably mounted within the
bore. A means, preferably a cable, for transferring force between
the piston and a holder for a participant is connected to the
piston and to the holder.
[0016] In a first embodiment, the force transferring means exits
the housing through an aperture in a closed first end of the
housing. The housing is capable of retaining a compressed fluid
between the closed first end and the piston for at least one
oscillation of the piston. A compressible fluid, preferably--but
not necessarily--a gas and most preferably--but not
necessarily--air, is introduced through a fluid supply valve
between the piston and the closed first end of the housing.
[0017] A second end of the housing may be either open or
closed.
[0018] As a participant jumps or falls and thereby allows his or
her body to be pulled downward by gravity, the piston is pulled
toward the first end of the housing, compressing fluid therein.
Eventually the compression of the fluid will stop the downward
motion of the housing. Momentum, however, causes the piston to
compress the fluid more than is necessary to stop the participant.
Therefore, when this momentum is overcome, the fluid is compressed
to such an extent that it expands with sufficient force to
accelerate the piston away from the first end of the housing and to
accelerate the participant upward.
[0019] If desired, additional fluid can be introduced into the bore
of the housing to cause an even greater acceleration of the
participant. If sufficient fluid is introduced, the participant is
raised beyond the position from which the participant initially
began his or her descent.
[0020] Preferably, but not necessarily, an aperture or, preferably,
but not necessarily, a valve is in a side of the housing. This
aperture or valve communicates with the bore of the housing and
with the atmosphere. As the piston approaches the aperture or the
valve (when it is open), fluid may escape from the bore, permitting
the piston and the participant to accelerate with less resistance.
Once the piston has passed the aperture or valve on its path toward
the first end of the housing, the piston begins to compress the
fluid as described above.
[0021] In an alternate embodiment, the cable is continuous. In this
embodiment, the cable exits the housing through the aperture in the
first end of the housing; re-enters the housing either through the
open second end of the housing or, if the second end is closed,
through an aperture in the second end; and is attached to the
piston. With this embodiment, a first end of a second cable is
attached to the cable outside the housing. A second end of this
second cable is connected to the holder.
[0022] In either embodiment, the housing can either be above or
below the position from which the participant initially begins his
or her descent. Preferably, but not necessarily, the housing is
below this point. In such a case, a means, preferably, but not
necessarily, a pulley, is employed to change the direction of force
exerted by the piston. In the first embodiment, the cable goes
across this pulley; in the second embodiment, the second cable goes
across this pulley.
[0023] Preferably, but not necessarily, the Oscillatory Amusement
Ride utilizes a single holder but two housings, each having all the
components described above with respect to the ride, except, as
stated, for the holder.
[0024] Preferably, but not necessarily, the fluid for each housing
is supplied from a common source. A separate line goes to each
housing and contains a blocking valve.
[0025] In the unlikely event that an uncontrolled leak of fluid
should arise in a housing between the piston and the first end of
the housing, the retarding force of the fluid would be less; so,
the cable would move more rapidly. A sensor is preferably, but not
necessarily, employed to indicate the loss of pressure caused by
the escaping fluid. Preferably, but not necessarily, this is done
by having a sensor that measures the speed of the pulley associated
with each housing.
[0026] When the pressure difference between the two housings
exceeds a predetermined range, a computer or microprocessor in
communication with the sensor and with the blocking valves will
cause the line to the housing leaking fluid to close so that the
non-leaking housing will not lose fluid and will decelerate the
participant.
[0027] Preferably, but not necessarily, the participant jumps or
falls from a movable platform. The platform can be moved by any
means that is well known in the art, such as pneumatics,
hydraulics, or an electrical or gas-powered motor. If desired, it
could be balanced so that it is normally away from the jump
position and must be moved into position.
[0028] Preferably, but not necessarily, a sensor in communication
with the computer or microprocessor detects whether the platform
has been moved from the jump position. The computer or
microprocessor is in communication with the injection valve and
will not allow additional fluid to be injected into a housing until
the platform has been moved away from the jump position. This is
intended to preclude a participant from being accelerated upward
into the platform.
[0029] If desired, fluid can be injected slowly into the bore of
the housing to raise a participant to the platform prior to the
participant's jumping or falling from the platform.
[0030] Preferably, but not necessarily, the cable (the second
cable, in the case of the optional embodiment) is rotatably
attached to the holder.
[0031] The holder may be either a harness or a seat.
[0032] If the holder is a seat, the center of gravity for the seat
is kept a sufficient distance below the point of attachment that
the seat will not rotate unless a participant rocks it but is also
kept sufficiently close to the point of attachment that a
participant can rock the seat and thereby rotate it.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates the housing which has a non-continuous
cable.
[0034] FIG. 2 portrays the housing with a continuous cable.
[0035] FIG. 3 shows the Oscillatory Amusement Ride employing two
housings.
[0036] FIG. 4 exhibits blocking valves in the supply lines for two
housings of an Oscillatory Amusement Ride.
[0037] FIG. 5 depicts a harness.
[0038] FIG. 6 demonstrates a seat used in one embodiment of the
Oscillatory Amusement Ride.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0039] As viewed in FIG. 1, the Oscillatory Amusement Ride, in a
first embodiment, has a housing 1, preferably, but not necessarily,
a cylindrical housing, having a bore 2 with a piston 3 slidably
mounted within the bore 2.
[0040] The housing 1 has a closed first end 4 containing an
aperture 5 through which a cable 6 passes. A first end 7 of the
cable 6 is connected to the piston 3, and a second end 8 if the
cable 6 is attached to a holder 9.
[0041] As mentioned above, the housing 1 is capable of
substantially retaining a compressed fluid between the closed first
end 4 and the piston 3 for at least one oscillation of the piston
3. A compressible fluid, preferably--but not necessarily--a gas and
most preferably--but not necessarily--air, is introduced through a
fluid supply valve 10 between the piston 3 and the closed first end
4 of the housing 1. Of course, if the fluid is air, the fluid
supply valve 10 is not necessary, since, during the interval
between operation of the ride, air would slowly but sufficiently
enter the bore 2 through the aperture 5. The terminology "closed"
with respect to the first end 4 of the housing 1 means, in this
document, that such air can leak into the housing 1 but that fluid
cannot escape rapidly enough from the first end 4 of said housing 1
substantially to impair the braking action of the fluid upon the
piston 3, i.e., as stated earlier in this paragraph, the housing 1
is capable of retaining a compressed fluid between the closed first
end 4 and the piston 3 for at least one oscillation of the piston
3..
[0042] A second end 11 of the housing 1 may be either open or
closed.
[0043] Also as discussed above, preferably, but not necessarily, an
aperture or valve 12 communicating with the atmosphere and with the
bore 2 is in a side 13 of the housing 1.
[0044] In an alternate embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 2, the
cable 6 is continuous. As described above, in this embodiment, the
cable 6 exits the housing 1 through the aperture 5 in the closed
first end 4 of the housing 1; re-enters the housing 1 either
through the open second end 11 of the housing 1 or, if the second
end 11 is closed, through an aperture 14 in the second end 11; and
is attached to the piston 3. With this embodiment, a first end 15
of a second cable 16 is attached to the cable 6 outside the housing
1. A second end 17 of this second cable 16 is connected to the
holder 9. In order to reduce friction, a pulley 18 is located
outside the housing 1 near the first end 4 of the housing 1; and
another pulley 19 is placed outside the housing 1 near the second
end 11 of the housing 1. The cable 6 passes around the pulleys 18,
19.
[0045] In either embodiment, when the housing 1 is below the
position from which the participant initially begins his or her
descent, a pulley 20 is employed to change the direction of force
exerted by the piston 3. In the first embodiment, the cable 6 goes
across this pulley 20; in the second embodiment, the second cable
16 goes across this pulley 20.
[0046] Preferably, but not necessarily, as seen in FIG. 3, the
Oscillatory Amusement Ride utilizes a single holder 9 but two
housings 1, each having all the components described above with
respect to the ride, except, as stated, for the holder 9.
[0047] Preferably, but not necessarily, as depicted in FIG. 4, the
fluid for each housing 1 is supplied from a common source 21 which
can be any source that is well known in the art, such as a tank or
a compressor. A separate line 22 goes to each housing 1 and
contains a blocking valve 23.
[0048] In the unlikely event that an uncontrolled leak of fluid
should arise in a housing 1 between the piston 3 and the first end
4 of the housing 1 the retarding force of the fluid would be less;
so, the cable 6 would move more rapidly. A sensor 24 is preferably,
but not necessarily, employed to indicate the loss of pressure
caused by the escaping fluid. Preferably, but not necessarily, this
is done by having a sensor 24 that measures the speed of the pulley
20 associated with each housing 1, when the housings 1 are located
below the position from which the participant initially begins his
or her descent.
[0049] When the pressure difference between the two housings 1
exceeds a predetermined range, a computer or microprocessor 25 in
communication with the sensor 24 and with the blocking valves 23
will cause the line 22 to the housing 1 leaking fluid to close so
that the non-leaking housing 1 will not lose fluid and will
decelerate the participant.
[0050] As indicated previously, preferably, but not necessarily,
the participant jumps or falls from a movable platform 26. The
platform 26 can be moved by any means that is well known in the
art, such as pneumatics, hydraulics, or an electrical or
gas-powered motor. If desired, it could be balanced so that it is
normally away from the jump position and must be moved into
position.
[0051] Preferably, but not necessarily, a sensor 27 in
communication with the computer or microprocessor 25 detects
whether the platform 26 has been moved from the jump position. The
computer or microprocessor 25 is in communication with the fluid
supply valve 10 and will not allow additional fluid to be injected
into a housing 1 until the platform 26 has been moved away from the
jump position. This is intended to preclude a participant from
being accelerated upward into the platform 26.
[0052] If desired, fluid can be injected by the fluid supply valve
10 or a separate supply valve 28, located between the piston 3 and
the first end 4 of the housing 1, slowly into the bore 2 of the
housing 1 to raise a participant to the platform 26 prior to the
participant's jumping or falling from the platform 26.
Alternatively, the participant could be so raised; and then the
fluid supply valve 10 or separate supply valve 28 could permit the
fluid between the piston 3 and the first end 4 of the housing 1 to
escape so that the participant would fall without ever being on a
platform 26.
[0053] Preferably, but not necessarily, the cable 6 (the second
cable 16, in the case of the optional embodiment) is rotatably
attached to the holder 9.
[0054] The holder 9 may be either a harness, as shown in FIG. 5, or
a seat, as depicted in FIG. 6.
[0055] If the holder 9 is a seat, the center of gravity for the
seat 9 is kept a sufficient distance below the point of attachment
to the cables 6 (or the second cables 16, in the case of the
optional embodiment) that the seat 9 will not rotate unless a
participant rocks it but is also kept sufficiently close to the
point of attachment to the cables 6 (or the second cables 16, in
the case of the optional embodiment) that a participant can rock
the seat and thereby rotate it. And any means well known in the
art, such as a harness or belt, would be used releasably to retain
the participant in the seat 9.
[0056] Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the housings 1 and the
movable platform 26 are attached to a structural tower 29.
[0057] The Oscillatory Amusement Ride could be fastened to the
ground; a permanent structure; or a mobile support, such as a truck
or a trailer.
[0058] When communication with the atmosphere is mentioned herein,
it is sufficient if such communication is with a tank so large that
fluid passing through the element communicating with the tank will
not change the pressure within the tank sufficiently as to have an
appreciable negative impact upon the operation of the ride.
* * * * *