Dump trailer amusement ride

This invention is an amusement ride, attraction or device comprising a modified vehicle, machine, vessel, container, load-carrying platform or similar device, or any combination thereof, or anything having the appearance thereof, which is used, useful or operated for mining, transportation, military or construction or other commercial or industrial uses, purposes or applications. Illustrative embodiments of this invention include a modified dump trailer, dump truck or load-carrying platform. Such a modified dump trailer includes a dump trailer modified so as to permit a horizontally-pivoting telescoping hydraulic cylinder to raise and lower the front of the modified dump trailer, which is modified with a passenger support system and a passenger restraint system. The invention may involve application of other devices, machines, means or forces. Associated processes, systems and methods include a power pack or other dedicated source of energy and an adjacent entrance/exit ramp and boarding/de-boarding platform and operator control platform.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a first-filed invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of amusement rides, attractions and devices. In particular, the present invention is in the field of amusement rides, attractions and devices comprising a modified vehicle, machine, vessel, container or platform.

Amusement parks and theme parks continuously face challenges attracting return visitors and new visitors. Past visitors may not elect to return, and potential new visitors may not elect to travel to a park that, in their opinion, does not regularly offer guest experience components that are new, innovative or different relative to those of other parks. To be successful, parks need to regularly introduce new, innovative and fun guest experiences. An objective of this invention is to provide an amusement ride, attraction or device that is new, innovative and fun and different relative to prior art attractions.

An additional objective of the present invention is to provide an amusement ride, attraction or device that is sufficiently mobile to be transported (including by any truck, tractor or other vehicle, machine, vessel or container, or any combination thereof) such as for use in or by a temporary or traveling carnival or amusement event or location, or at any other temporary location such as a parking area or common area of a commercial (e.g., office, warehouse or mixed-use), retail (e.g., mall or other shopping center) or institutional (e.g., governments, school hospital, heath care, etc.) property, such as for a temporary amusement attraction as part of a gathering, party, fundraiser or other event.

Similar machines may be similarly modified according to the present invention for use as an amusement ride, attraction or device.

Accordingly, embodiments herein illustrate the principles, preferred or example embodiments, and modes of assembly and operation, of the invention; however, the invention is not, and shall not be construed as being exclusive or limited to the specific or particular embodiments herein. Moreover, certain specific or particular embodiments herein have been expressly designated optional, and thus the invention includes the invention with, or without, any or all embodiments herein expressly designated as optional. Accordingly, all embodiments herein should be regarded as illustrative rather than exclusive or limiting, and variations to embodiments herein may be made without departing from the invention scope.

This invention is useful, to an amusement park or a theme park that wishes to offer this invention as an amusement ride, attraction or device or in or by a temporary or traveling use, as noted above, because prior art amusement rides, attractions and devices have not focused on invention of a modified trailer or similar machine operated for amusement. The embodiments of the present invention make reference to several vehicles or machines in the prior art. The features of some representatives of such vehicles or machines are given as following.

Reference to prior art may be made for embodiments in the present invention that constitute a dump trailer or a trailer. Trailers are typically wheeled containers pulled by a truck tractor. A truck tractor is a highway vehicle, capable of being driven with or without a trailer attached, which is typically a two- or three-axle chassis with driver's cab, engine, drivetrain and trailer hitch and other trailer connectors. The trailer is the container structure supported by the trailer frame, which is supported by the axle, wheel and tire assemblies. The trailer container is sometimes referred to as the trailer's “body” or “bed” and is attached to and above the trailer's frame.

Types of trailers include open-top, dry-freight trailers, the design of which may include aluminum sides supported by interior posts made of aluminum, fiberglass-reinforced plywood or other material, and enclosed containers, which may be used in intermodal transportation, e.g., railway or waterway transportation before or after highway transportation. A type of open-top trailer is a dump trailer.

A dump trailer has one end or side that can be raised and lowered, and an opposing end or side with a gate or other device that can be raised, lowered or otherwise opened and closed to permit dumping of the body's load. A dump trailer is capable of dumping the container contents, typically by elevating or pivoting one end or side of the container to allow the container load to flow out of the container through a gate or similar structure or device at the opposing end, by gravity alone or aided by an optional vibrator. A dump trailer may be used to haul bulk materials, commodities or products, such as dirt, sand, gravel, rock, salt, trash, debris, refuse, scrap, by-products and raw, agricultural, mining, transportation, construction, paving or other materials, etc.

Reference to prior art may be made for embodiments that constitute a dump truck. A dump truck is typically a truck with an open-top body used to haul bulk materials, commodities or products, such as dirt, sand, gravel, rock, salt, trash, debris, refuse, scrap, by-products and raw, agricultural, mining, transportation, construction, paving or other materials, etc. Typically, the body is hinged, can be raised or lowered by hydraulic cylinder, is equipped with a tail gate or other device that can be raised, lowered or otherwise opened and closed, typically by hydraulic cylinder, to permit dumping of the load by gravity flow or mechanically-assisted means from the body through the body's open/deployed tail gate opening.

Reference to prior art may be made for embodiments that constitute a load-carrying platform. Load-carrying platforms are typically transportable. Transportable, load-carrying platforms may be a flat rack logistics platform suitable for transportation of non-containerized items or may have mounted on the base at least one support frame that may be adjusted to different positions. Transportable load-carrying platforms may be used to support shipping of heavy or irregularly-shaped cargo that is not containerized, i.e., cargo that is not loaded into a shipping container.

Although the appearance, utility, and modes of operation of above-referenced vehicles or machines may be of interest to many people, especially to children, they are generally not suitable as an amusement, entertainment or educational experience in an amusement park or similar setting, without modification for compliance with applicable regulatory and safety requirements. Thus, one of the objectives of the present invention is to address these limitations of these vehicles and machines in prior art so as to create the opportunity for riders to enjoy and experience these vehicles and machines in a fun, safe and exciting manner, as an amusement, entertainment and educational experience in an amusement park or similar setting.

Reference to prior art may be made for embodiments that constitute a passenger seating system and a passenger restraint system as illustrated herein or for embodiments that constitute alternatives to such embodiments including such embodiments as illustrated herein. For example, alternative passenger seating systems may include alternative seating arrangements, systems or methods or alternative means of passenger seating system fabrication, assembly or installation. Additionally, in lieu of seating, alternative passenger support systems include horizontal, vertical or angled poles, columns or similar devices or structures, with or without fixed or flexible hand grips, wrist straps or similar devices or structures, to enable standing passengers to generally stabilize their balance and their position in the passenger containment or compartment section. Additionally, in lieu of the passenger restraint system as illustrated herein, an alternative passenger restraint system may include an alternative harness to the five-point harness illustrated herein or an alternative type of harness, seatbelt, lap bar, shoulder restraint, torso restraint, or any other type of restraining device or system.

Reference to prior art may be made for embodiments that constitute various hydraulic control systems or components thereof, which include a pump, valve or similar or related devices, to deliver a source of pressurized fluid to a fluid-operable actuating or load-sustaining telescoping hydraulic cylinder or similar or related devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a modified vehicle, machine, vessel, container, load-carrying platform or similar device, or any combination thereof, or anything having the appearance thereof, such as a dump trailer, dump truck or load-carrying platform, which is used, useful or operated for mining, transportation, military or construction or other commercial or industrial uses, purposes or applications but which is instead used, useful or operated as an amusement ride, attraction or device. Illustrative embodiments of this invention include a modified dump trailer, a modified dump truck, and a modified transportable load-carrying platform. One such illustrative embodiment of this invention includes a dump trailer modified so as to permit a horizontally-pivoting telescoping hydraulic cylinder to raise and lower the front of the modified dump trailer, which is modified with passenger seating, columns or other types of support, and with a passenger restraint system, so that the passengers experience the vertical pivoting movement of the passenger containment or compartment section of the modified dump trailer and a view from inside the of the passenger containment or compartment section through the dump trailer body's open/deployed tail gate opening. The invention is not limited or restricted to use of a hydraulic cylinder. The invention may involve application of other devices, machines, means or forces, including gravitational, inertial, mechanical, chemical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, thermal, nuclear, thermonuclear, wind, solar, inversion and other means or forces, presently known, unknown, discovered or undiscovered, to raise, lift, lower, push, pull, move, force, propel or otherwise move or cause movement of it. Associated processes, systems and methods include a power pack or other dedicated source of energy and an adjacent entrance ramp and boarding/de-boarding and operator control platform, which platform includes an area in which the operator control unit or console is located and from which the operator controls boarding/de-boarding and operation. An optional vibrator may be installed on or about the passenger containment or compartment section of the modified dump trailer. Optional exterior lights and theming may also be installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Objects, embodiments and elaborations of the invention and systems and methods for powering, controlling and conducting the invention are summarized, with references to the drawings, as follows:

FIG. 1andFIG. 2show the amusement ride comprises a stationary-location2,3dump trailer4,15with passenger seating8,45and optional canopy5,152. The dump trailer's body81is supported by the trailer frame,15,55, which is supported by the dump trailer's front axle jack12,58,127support structure128-132and rear axle92jack91support structure90on a steel support beam116supported by steel anchors121attached to a concrete foundation62,79,88. From a platform1,38,47adjacent to the ride, an individual operator may generally observe the ride and operate the operator control unit or console46and passenger queue line entrance49gate48and exit51gate50and manage and control the flow of waiting, boarding, de-boarding and disembarking passengers. The front end20,81of the dump trailer's body81is raised7,20and lowered52,67by a horizontally-pivoting6telescoping hydraulic cylinder7connected20to the dump trailer's underside20. An optional electric11(or otherwise powered) vibrator156may be installed on or about155the underside of the dump trailer's body157. The dump trailer body's tail gate4,10,18is opened and closed by two (e.g., left and right) hydraulic cylinders22to afford a view from inside the passenger seating area8,9through the dump trailer body's open/deployed tail gate opening10.

FIG. 2andFIG. 3show the modified dump trailer4,15including its horizontally-pivoting6,7telescoping hydraulic cylinder7, and its support90,91,116,127, seating8,45, power pack11, operator control unit or console46and other components may be fabricated and assembled using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) equipment, components or products; the canopy5,152material may be canvas, vinyl, mesh or other OEM product or material; the canopy frame149,150,154material may be tubular steel or other OEM product or material; the platform1,38,47, entrance49gate48and exit51gate50may be constructed from lumber, engineered wood products or other OEM products or materials; gate48,50hinges may be OEM products; and platform and entrance/exit ramp support structures33-36,40,62,63,79,84,85,88may be constructed from OEM concrete or other products, which OEM equipment, components, products or materials, in each case, may be the same as or similar to those depicted, described or referenced herein as preferred or example objects, embodiments and elaborations of the invention and systems and methods for powering, controlling and conducting the invention.

Other and additional objects, embodiments and elaborations of the invention and systems and methods for powering, controlling and conducting the invention are apparent from the foregoing, and from the following description, which illustrates objects, embodiments and elaborations of the invention and systems and methods for powering, controlling and conducting the invention, with references to the drawings, as follows:

FIG. 3andFIG. 4show the modified dump trailer is a stationary-location2,3dump trailer4,15with passenger seating8,45and optional canopy5,152. The dump trailer's body81is supported by the trailer frame,15,55, which is supported by the dump trailer's front axle jack12,58,127support structure128-132and rear axle92jack91support structure90on a steel support beam116supported by steel anchors121attached to a concrete foundation62,79,88. (Optional exterior chassis, frame, body or elsewhere-attached lights and theming, not shown, may be installed.)

Although in typical commercial or industrial use, a dump trailer has its body raised and lowered by a horizontally-pivoting telescoping hydraulic cylinder for which hydraulic power is provided by a pump powered by the truck/tractor engine, with respect to objects, embodiments and elaborations of the invention and systems and methods for powering, controlling and conducting the invention having no truck/tractor, it is a power pack11or other dedicated source of energy that supplies power to operate (a) a pump, valve or similar device to deliver pressurized fluid to a fluid-operable actuating or load-sustaining horizontally-pivoting6telescoping hydraulic cylinder7that raises7,20and lowers52,67the front end20,81of the dump trailer's body81, (b) each pump22that supplies hydraulic pressure to each hydraulic cylinder22that when actuated opens and closes the dump trailer body's tail gate4,10, (c) the operator control unit or console46to which (i) the control valve to deliver pressurized fluid to a fluid-operable actuating or load-sustaining horizontally-pivoting6telescoping hydraulic cylinder7is connected and from which it is operated, (ii) any optional electric11(or otherwise powered) vibrator156typically installed on the dump trailer body155is connected and from which it is operated, and (iii) any optional lighting or theming or other components that require power to operate are connected and from which they are or would be operated.

The dump trailer body8,81is at the lowered52,67position at the start and end of the rideFIG. 1. (An optional boom level indicator, not shown, may be installed and in the operator's field of view to aid the operator's determination that the dump trailer body is or has been fully leveled/lowered to 0° (zero degrees)FIG. 1.)

From a platform1,38,47adjacent to the rideFIG. 1,FIG. 2, an individual operator may generally observe the ride45and operate the operator control unit or console46and passenger queue line entrance49gate48and exit51gate50and manage and control the flow of waiting, boarding, de-boarding and disembarking passengers. (One platform47may comprise areas for both the operator control platform47area adjacent to the ride and passenger boarding/de-boarding platform47area adjacent to the ride.)

During the ride, the dump trailer body81, and thus the passenger seating area8, is raised7,20from, then lowered52,67to, the startingFIG. 1and endingFIG. 2positon by a horizontally-pivoting6,7telescoping hydraulic cylinder7. Also during the ride, the dump trailer body's tail gate4,10,18is opened and closed by two (e.g., left and right) hydraulic cylinders22(FIG. 5) to afford a view from inside the passenger seating area8,9through the dump trailer body's open/deployed tail gate opening10. Also during the ride, the dump trailer body may be vibrated by an optional electric11(or otherwise powered) vibrator156typically installed on or about155the underside of the dump trailer's body157.

FIG. 6shows the below-grade supporting structure of the dump trailer33-36,40,62,63,79,84,85,88and the adjacent platform38,47(which comprises areas for both the operator control46platform38,47area adjacent to the ride and the passenger boarding/de-boarding platform38,47, entrance49gate48and exit51gate50) is a system of support posts37,39on top of piers40on top of footings40. One preferred embodiment has concrete piers40and footings40and wood platform38,47areas and entrance49gate48and exit51gate50.

FIG. 8,FIG. 9andFIG. 10show the front end20,81of the dump trailer's body81, which the horizontally-pivoting6telescoping hydraulic cylinder7raises7,20and lowers52,67during the ride, is supported by the trailer frame,15,55, which is supported by the dump trailer's front axle jack12,58,127support structure128-132situate on top of a concrete foundation62,79.

The rear end45,65of the dump trailer's body81is supported by the trailer frame,15,55, which is supported by the dump trailer's rear axle92jack91support structure90on a steel support beam116supported by steel anchors121attached to a concrete foundation62,79,88.

The rear end45,65of the dump trailer's body81includes the dump trailer body's tail gate10,18to which is attached each hydraulic cylinder22that when actuated opens10,18and closes4the dump trailer body's tail gate4,10,18. Each hydraulic cylinder22is connected21to the dump trailer's body21,64,65by mounting brackets21and to23,24the power pack11or other dedicated source of energy that supplies power to operate each pump22that supplies hydraulic pressure to each such hydraulic cylinder22.

FIG. 7shows a ramp49,51and platform47adjacent to the ride45include the passenger queue line entrance49gate48and exit51gate50. The passenger queue line entrance ramp49is an incline to a level boarding platform47. After the incline levels, and before the ride boarding area of the platform, is the passenger queue line entrance49gate48. The passenger queue line entrance49gate48is used to assist in the management and control of the flow of waiting and boarding passengers. The platform47is used for boarding/de-boarding passengers. The passenger exit51gate50is used to assist in the management and control of the flow of the disembarking passengers. The operator opens the entrance49gate48to permit no more than the maximum number of passengers into the platform's47ride boarding area. Passengers board the ride (one at a time) through the modified dump trailer's side opening44,80, which remains open13,19during the ride.

After either all passenger seats8,45are occupied or no passengers remain in the passenger queue line49the operator closes the passenger queue line entrance49gate48. One preferred embodiment does not require balancing or distributing passenger weight within the passenger seating area8,45.

FIG. 14andFIG. 15show each passenger seat53,139,140is mounted on and attached to a seat pedestal54,133,142,145. Mounting holes144,146,147for securing the passenger seat to the seat pedestal would typically be pre-drilled during pedestal fabrication.

Each passenger seat139includes a passenger restraint device137. One preferred embodiment includes as the passenger restraint system a five-point seatbelt harness137. Alternative passenger restraint devices for securing a passenger in a seat are known from prior art and may be suitable for securing a passenger in a seat according to the invention. The operator can visually verify that all passengers are properly seated and manually verify that each passenger's restraint is properly adjusted and secured.

The operator operates the ride from the operator control unit or console46located within the operator control platform47adjacent to the ride and therefrom may generally observe the ride and operate the operator control unit or console46and passenger queue line entrance49gate48and exit51gate50and manage and control the flow of waiting, boarding, de-boarding and disembarking passengers.

After the ride has come to a complete stop, and the operator has instructed the passengers to de-board, the exiting passengers de-board (one at a time) through the modified dump trailer's side opening44,80, re-enter the adjacent boarding/de-boarding platform47and continue across the platform to the front of the exit51gate50. The operator opens the exit51gate50to permit egress from that section of the passenger de-boarding platform47through the exit51gate50and then down the decline exit ramp51.

Although the tires and wheels29,78and related systems and components (including the air brake system slack adjusters and air chambers26,73,98,99and leaf springs86,87) are not necessary to or used in operation as a stationary-location dump trailer with passenger seating, they may be used to transport the dump trailer, and are therefore part of the invention because an object of the invention includes embodiments that are sufficiently mobile to be transported (including by any truck, tractor or other vehicle, machine, vessel or container, or any combination thereof) such as for use in or by a temporary or traveling carnival or amusement event or location.

The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred or example embodiments, and modes of assembly and operation, of the invention; however, the invention is not, and shall not be construed as being exclusive or limited to the specific or particular embodiments set forth hereinabove. Moreover, certain specific or particular embodiments set forth hereinabove have been expressly designated optional, and thus the invention includes the invention with, or without, any or all embodiments expressly designated as optional hereinabove. Accordingly, the foregoing should be regarded as illustrative rather than exclusive or limiting, and that variations to the embodiments herein may be made without departing from the invention scope as defined by the following claims.