Patent ID: 6695291
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: A63G,B66D,F03G,F16F,Y02E

Abstract:
A rapid-winding winch for an amusement ride having a passenger carriage connected to one or more cables, the winch comprising:a) an energy storage mechanism having one or more elastic members; b) one or more tethers coupled to the elastic members; c) an axle having a winding surface with a diameter, wherein the tethers are windable and unwindable about the surface of the axle; and d) one or more drums coupled directly or indirectly to the axle and having a winding surface with a diameter, wherein the cables are windable and unwindable about the surface of the drums, the drum surfaces diameter being greater than the axle surface diameter to provide a mechanical advantage when winding and unwinding the cables to move the carriage.