Patent ID: 7666103
Filing Date: 2010-02-23
Classification: A63G

Abstract:
1. An aerial amusement ride comprising: (a) a column, extending from a base portion to a rider carrier support portion, said column comprising: (i) a plurality of elongated members; (ii) a plurality of struts, said elongated members being interconnected by said plurality of struts, said elongated members and said struts forming an open framework structure with open spaces defined by said elongated members and said struts, said elongated members defining at least one support surface, said support surface extending from points proximate said rider carrier support portion of said column to points proximate the base portion of said column, (b) a hub displaceably mounted on said column, said hub riding on said at least one support surface, whereby said hub may be displaced along said column, (c) a pulley mounted on said column above or proximate said rider carrier support portion, (d) a first drive motor, (e) a cable having a first point on said cable and a second point on said cable, said cable extending around said pulley, said cable being coupled at said first point on said cable to said hub and at said second point on said cable to said first drive motor, (f) a support structure mounted for rotation on said hub, (g) a plurality of rider carriers configured to support riders, and (h) a plurality of links secured to said support structure at one link end at a radial distance from the column and to said rider carriers at an other link end, said links allowing, upon rotation of said support structure and resultant movement of said rider carriers around the axis of said column, the rider carriers to move radially outwards from the column as the speed of rotation of said support structure increases.