TRANSPORT APPARATUS

Abstract: A transport apparatus (10) such as an amusement ride comprises a cable or rail member (11) from which in use, a passenger (12) is suspended in a carrier (15), the carrier (15) comprising a first part (16) which is in use, connected to the cable or rail member (11), and a second part (18) connected to the first part (16) by means of a hinge type arrangement, the second part (18) being thus movable relative to the first part (16) between an open condition in which a passenger (12) may mount the carrier (15) and a closed condition in which the passenger (12) may be transported.

Description: Title: Transport Apparatus Description of Invention This invention relates to an transport apparatus comprising a cable or preferably a rail member along which in use a passenger is transported. The invention has been developed particularly but not exclusively as an amusement apparatus or ride, for the amusement of a passenger. However the invention may be used irr-other applications where it is desired to transport a passenger. In our previous patent application published under number W096/22821 there is shown such an amusement apparatus in which in use a passenger rides in a generally prone condition. In that application there is described a carrier in which two carrier parts are separable to allow a passenger to mount or alight the ride. However there are difficulties in ensuring the first and second parts register and lock together when brought together. According to one aspect of the invention we provide a transport apparatus comprising a cable or rail member from which in use, a passenger is suspended in a carrier, the carrier comprising a first part which is connected to the cable or rail member, and a second part connected to the first part by means of a hinge type arrangement, the second part being thus movable relative to the first part between an open condition in which a passenger may mount the carrier and a closed condition in which the passenger may be transported. It has been found that an arrangement in accordance with the present invention provides a more reliable and safe way of enabling a passenger to mount and alight from the carrier. The first part may be connected to the cable or rail member by means of at least one bogie by means of which the carrier may move along the cable or rail member under gravity, and thus the carrier may in use swing about the cable or rail member to add excitement to the ride and to enable carrier speed to be maintained around bends. It will be appreciated that when the first part is in the open condition the passenger may step into the first part and may be supported by a supporting member such as a well formation provided by the first part. As the second part moves towards the first part, the orientation of the passenger in the carrier may change towards a generally prone position in which the passenger is transported. If desired the first carrier part may comprise hand supports by means of which the passenger may support himself as the first part closes. Further the carrier comprises hand support means which the passenger may grip during transport in the generally prone position. Conveniently there is provided. a locking means to retain the first part in its closed condition, the locking means engaging automatically as the first part is moved to its closed condition. There may be provided to close the first part as the carrier moves along the cable or rail member such as a cam surface along which the first carrier part rides as the carrier moves along the cable or rail member. Also means may be provided automatically to release the locking means adjacent a passenger alighting position, the first part being constrained to move in controlled fashion to the open condition by means of a cam surface along which the first part rides. The or each bogie may comprise means to permit the carrier to pivot about a first axis which is perpendicular to the rail and passes through the centre of the rail nominally horizontally. Conveniently, the means to permit the carrier to pivot about the first axis may comprise a cradle which is generally U-shaped and pivotally mounted for rotation about the first axis and from which the carrier is suspended. The or each bogie may comprise means to permit the carrier to pivot about a second axis which is perpendicular to the rail and passes through the centre of the rail nominally vertically. Conveniently, the means to permit the carrier to pivot about the second axis comprises a shaft pivotally mounted on a base portion of the cradle and from which the carrier is suspended. The or each bogie may further comprises means to permit the carrier to pivot about a third axis which is parallel to the rail, and below the rail. Conveniently, the means to permit the carrier to pivot about the third axis may comprise a shaft rigidly fixed perpendicular to the shaft and from which the carrier pivotally suspended by suspension members. The shaft and suspension members may bear frictional material on opposing surfaces to damp the pivotal motion of the carrier about the third axis. The or each bogie further may also comprise limiting means to limit the angle of pivotal motion the carrier can make about the Third axis. The apparatus may preferably comprise two bogies and the suspension members of the two bogies support each end of a carrier support bar from which the carrier is rigidly suspended. According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a transport apparatus comprising a rail member from which in use a passenger is suspended in a carrier by means of at least one bogie which in use moves along the rail; wherein the or each bogie comprising means to permit the carrier to pivot about an axis which is perpendicular to the direction of travel, passes through the centre of the rail member and is nominally horizontal. According to a third aspect of the invention we transport apparatus comprising a rail member from which in use a passenger is suspended in a carrier by means of at least one bogie which in all moves along the rail; wherein the or each bogie comprises means to permit the carrier to pivot about an axis parallel with and below the rail, and means to damp that pivoting to prevent oscillation about that axis, and means to limit the angle to which the carrier can pivot about the axis. According to a fourth aspect of the invention we provide a transport apparatus comprising a rail member from which in use a passenger is suspended in a carrier by means of at least one bogie which in use moves along the rail; wherein the or each bogie comprising outwardly extending braking elements to either side adapted to co-operate with stationary braking elements at a braking station. According to a fifth aspect of the invention we provide a method of transporting a passenger utilising an apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention including the steps of moving the first part to an open condition at a passenger mounting position, permitting a passenger to mount the carrier, moving the second part to a closed condition, transporting the passenger along the cable or rail member to a passenger alighting position, moving the first member to the open condition and permitting the passenger to alight. The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :- FIGURE 1 is a view of part of a transport apparatus in accordance with the invention showing a carrier thereof in a fully open condition; FIGURE 2 is another view of the carrier of Figure 1 as a passenger mounts the carrier; FIGURE 3 is another view of the carrier of Figure 1 showing the passenger in the carrier; FIGURE 4 is a cross section through a bogie parallel to the direction of travel; FIGURE 5 is a cross section through the bogie of Figure 4 perpendicular to the direction of travel, along A-A; FIGURE 6 is a cross section through the bogie of Figure 4, perpendicular to the direction of travel, along B-B; FIGURE 7 is a detail of part of the bogie of Figures 4 to 5; and FIGURE 8 schematically shows the bogie passing through a braking station. Referring to the drawings there is shown part of a transport apparatus comprising in this example an amusement ride 10. The ride 10 comprises a rail member 11 along which a carrier 15, in use, moves, with a passenger 12 in the carrier 15. The rail member 11 shown may be part of a continuous length of rail along which carries the carrier 15 moves up to a higher position so that the carrier 15. may move down along the rail under gravity back to a starting position. Alternatively, carrier 15 may be movable on to the rail member 11 and then the rail member 11 may be moved upwardly with the carrier 15 stationary on the rail member 11 to a height and the carrier 15 then moves onto another rail member along which the carrier may move under gravity back to the starting position. In accordance with the invention, the carrier 15 comprises a first part 16 which is hinged by a. hinge type arrangement 17 to a second part 18. The first carrier paft 16 includes a bogie 19 which enables the carrier 15 to move along and swing about the rail member 11. The bogie 19 preferably has wheels which run along the rail but in another arrangement, may permit the carrier to simply to slide along the rail member 11. The first carrier part 16 comprises a roof-like construction 20 which in use forms a lid for the carrier 15. The second carrier part 18 comprises a well 21 into which a passenger 12 may step as the passenger 12 mounts the carrier 15 when the second part 18 is in an open position as shown in the drawings. The lowest end 22 or the second carrier part 18 rides on a surface 25 which may restrict the extent of opening of the second part 18, and/or the carrier 15 may have some stop means which restricts the extent of opening. The second carrier part 18 also has hand supports 27 by which a passenger 12 may support himself as the passenger 12 mounts the carrier 15. It is envisaged that the carrier 15 will be moving slowly along the rail member 11 as the passenger 12 mounts the carrier 15, in which case some means to move the carrier 15 would need to be provided, such as a drive chain with which the carrier 15 engages. However the carrier 15 may be stationary on the surface 25 if desired. When the passenger is mounted in the carrier 15, the carrier 15 may move along the rail member 11 to a position where the surface 25 beneath provides a cam or ramp 26 up which the lowest end 22 of the second carrier part 18 rides to close the second part 18 relative to the first part 16 until a locking means automatically engages to lock the first 16 and second 18 carrier parts in a closed condition with the passenger trapped between the lid structure 20 of the first carrier part 16 and the well of the second carrier part 18. Thus during the subsequent ride, the passenger 12 is held safely in a generally prone condition. The hinge type arrangement 17 may be a simple pivot arrangement as shown in the drawings, or a more complex arrangement in which the two carrier parts 16,18 move relatively about a plurality of axes between open and closed conditions. ^Instead of the lower edge 22 of the second carrier part 18 riding on the cam surface or ramp 26, the carrier may have a transversely extending cam follower which rides on a bespoke cam to move the second carrier part 18 towards its closed condition. Any suitable locking means may be provided automatically to lock the first and second carrier parts 16, 18 in the closed condition, but preferably there is additionally provided some safety means for ensuring the carrier parts remain closed during the ride, such as a remotely operable secondary safety interlock. As the carrier 15 returns to the start position the locking means may thus only be unlocked when the safety interlock is released. Preferably, at the start position, there is provided a ramp or the like similar to but opposite to ramp 26, to provide for the controlled movement of the second carrier part 18 from the closed to the open position. It will be appreciated that the ride will be exciting for the passenger 12 and thus the carrier 15 is provided with handles 30 which the passenger may grip during the ride, although the passenger's safety is not contingent upon the passenger holding on. Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example although in the preferred embodiment there is provided a rail member 11 along which the carrier 15 moves, a cable may be provided instead. The carrier parts 16,18 need not be exactly as constructed but may be otherwise designed as desired. Although in the preferred embodiment the passenger 12 rides generally prone, in another embodiment, the passenger 12 may ride in a non prone position, but preferably in a body front down position. A particular form of bogie 19 suitable for inclusion in the ride 10 will now be described, with reference to Figures 4 to 8. Bogie 19 is for use with a rail member 11 having an upstanding fin 11a on its upper surface. Bogie 19 permits rotation of the carrier 15 about three orthogonal axes. The first is perpendicular to the rail member 11 and through the centre thereof reference X on the figures, this normally being a "horizontal" axis. The second is also perpendicular to the rail member 11 and through the centre thereof, referenced Y in the figures, and nominally a "vertical" axis. The third is parallel to the rail member 11 and below it, referenced Z in the figures, and is also nominally "horizontal". The bogie 19 comprises a casing 40 which encloses the majority of the moving parts now to be described. Two pairs of main rollers 41 are arranged radially with respect to the rail member 11 and run on upper quadrants thereof to symmetrically either side of the fin 11a. The main rollers 41 may be separated by an angle of 90°, but are preferably separated by an angle of less than 90°, typically 80°. Two pairs of lower rollers ' 42, also arranged radially of the rail member 11 run on lower quadrants of the rail member 11, and are separated by an angle of 90°, although this may be increased or decreased. The main rollers 41 support the carriage 15 during most of the ride 10. However, in portions where negative G is exerted on the carrier 15 the lower rollers 42 take the strain. In addition, two pairs of stabilising rollers 43 are provided which run on either side of the fin 11a upstanding from the rail member 11. The stabilizing rollers 42 prevent rotation of the bogie 19 about rail member 11. The bogie 19 further comprises a cradle 45 which is rotatably mounted on stub axles 46 located either side of the rail member 11. The stub axles 46 are mounted in bearings 47 which permit the stub axle 46 and cradle 45 to pivot about the axis X previously described. The cradle 45 is a generally U-shaped construction having sides_ 45.a and a base 45_b. A bearing 48 is provided in the base portion 45b of the cradle 45, for rotatable mounting of a shaft 49, such that the shaft 49 is pivotable about the axis Y previously described. The shaft 49 supports a further shaft 50 which is perpendicular to it, and keyed to it such that the shaft 50 cannot rotate with respect to the shaft 49. Two suspension members 51 are pivotally mounted on the shaft 50 to either side of the shaft 49. The suspension members 51 support a carrier support bar 52 from which the carrier.15 is suspended. Washers 53 are keyed to the shaft 50 outwardly " of each suspension member 51.. The washers 53 bear friction material 54 on their inward facing surfaces, and the suspension members 51 carry friction material 55 on their outwardly facing surfaces which contact the friction material 54. The suspension members 51 pivot about the shaft 50, and thus about the axis Z previously described. As they do this the friction material 54 and 55 provide a damping effect, preventing the oscillation of the suspension members 51, and thus of the carrier 15, about the axis Z, which oscillation would result in excess dissipation of energy during use of the ride 10. The friction material 54 and 55 is arranged to ensure that the pivoting about the axis Z simply results in a gradual movement to the furthest point reached from the "vertical" and then a gradual return to the "vertical". Also provided on the bogie 19 are stop members 56 which have generally downwardly facing surfaces 57 which are shaped to take the carrier support bar 52, and to limit the rotation about the axis Z. The bogie 19 further comprises outwardly extending braking fins 60 to either side and in a plane which bisects the rail member 11. However it should be noted that the fins 60 may be provided such that the angle between them is less than or more than 180° if desired. The braking fins 60 bear, on their upper and lower surfaces, friction material 61. When the bogie 19 reaches a braking zone 62 of the ride 10 the fins 60 enter calipers 63 which bear on the friction material 61 and slow the bogie 19 and hence the carrier 15. Some forms of carrier may employ a single bogie 19. However for a carrier in which the passenger 12 rides generally prone, as for the carrier 15, then it is preferable for two bogies 19 to be employed, with each supporting an end of the carrier support bar 52 from which the carrier 15 is in turn rigidly suspended. The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A transport apparatus (10) comprising a cable or rail member (ll)from which in use, a passenger (12) is suspended in a carrier (15), the carrier comprising a first part (16) which is connected to the cable or rail member, and a second part (18) connected to the first part by means of a hinge type arrangemeϊit (17), the second part being thus movable relative to the first part between an open condition in which a passenger may mount the carrier and a closed condition in which the passenger may be transported. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first part (16) is connected to the cable or rail member (11) by means of at least one bogie (19) by means of which the carrier (15) may move along the cable or rail member under gravity. 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein when the first part (16) is in the open condition the passenger may step into the first part (16) and be supported by a supporting member. 4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the supporting member comprises a well formation (21). 5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein as the second part (18) moves towards the first part (16), the orientation of the passenger (12) in the carrier changes towards a generally prone position in which the passenger is transported. 6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the first carrier part_(16) comprises hand supports (27) by means of which the passenger may support himself as the first part (16) closes. 7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein in use the passenger is transported in a generally prone position and the carrier (15) comprises hand support means (27) which the passenger may grip during transport. 8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein there are provided a locking means to retain the first part (16) in its closed condition, the locking means engaging automatically as the first part is moved to its closed condition. 9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein means are provided to close the first part (16) as the carrier (15) moves along the cable or rail member (11). 10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the means which close the first part comprise a cam surface (26) along which the first carrier part (16) rides as the carrier (15) moves along the cable or rail member (11). 11. An apparatus according to claim 8 or claim 9 or claim 10 wherein means are provided automatically to release the locking means adjacent a passenger alighting position, the first part (16) being constrained to move in controlled fashion to the open condition by means of a cam surface along which the first part rides. 12. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the or each bogie (19) comprises means to permit the carrier (15) to pivot about a first axis (X) which is perpendicular to the rail (11) and passes through the centre of the rail ..(11) nominally horizontallv. 13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the means to permit the carrier (15) to pivot about the first axis (X) comprise a cradle (45) which is generally U-shaped and pivotally mounted for rotation about the first axis (X) and from which the carrier (15) is suspended. 14. An apparatus according to anyone of claims 2, 12 or 13 wherein the or each bogie (19) comprises means to permit the carrier (15) to pivot about a second axilT (Y) which is perpendicular to the rail (11) and passes through the centre of the rail (11) nominally vertically. 15. An apparatus according to claim 14 as dependant from claim 13 wherein the means to permit the carrier (15) to pivot about the second axis (Y) comprises a shaft (49) pivotally mounted on a base portion (45_b) of the cradle (45) and from which the carrier (15) is suspended. 16. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 or 12 to 15 wherein the or each bogie comprises means to permit the carrier to pivot about a third axis (Z) which is parallel to the rail (11), and below the rail (11). 17 An apparatus according to claim 16 as dependent from claim 15 wherein the means to permit the carrier (15) to pivot about the third axis (Z) comprises a shaft (50) rigidly fixed perpendicular to the shaft (49) and from which the carrier (15) is pivotally suspended by suspension members (51). 18. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the shaft (50) and suspension members (51) bear frictional material (53,54) on opposing surfaces to damp the pivotal motion of the carrier (15) about the third axis (Z). 19. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the or each bogie (19) further comprises limiting means (56) to limit the angle of pivotal motion the carrier (15) can make about the third axis (Z). 20. An apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein it comprises two bogies (19) and the suspension members (51) of the two bogies (19) support each end of a carrier support bar (52) from which the carrier (15) is rigidly suspended. 21. A transport apparatus comprising a rail member from which in use a passenger is suspended in a carrier by means of at least one bogie which in use moves along the rail; wherein the or each bogie comprises means to permit the carrier to pivot about an axis which is perpendicular to the direction of travel, passes through the centre of the rail member and is nominally horizontal. 22. A transport apparatus comprising a rail member from which in use a passenger is suspended in a carrier by means of at least one bogie which in all moves along the rail; wherein the or each bogie comprises means to permit the carrier to pivot about an axis parallel with and below the rail, and means to damp that pivoting to prevent oscillation about that axis, and means to limit the angle to which the carrier can pivot about the axis. 23. A transport apparatus comprising a rail member from which in use a passenger is suspended in a carrier by means of at least one bogie which in use moves along the rail; wherein the or each bogie comprises outwardly extending braking elements to either side adapted to co-operate with stationary braking elements at a braking station. 24. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims which comprises an amusement ride. 25. A method of transporting a passenger utilising an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims including the steps of moving the first part to an open condition at a passenger mounting position, permitting a passenger to mount the carrier, moving the second part to a closed condition, transporting the passenger along the cable or rail member to a passenger alighting position, moving the first member to the open condition and permitting the passenger to alight.

Inventors: GEORGE FRANK ARTHUR, MORGAN DENNIS WILLIAM, GEORGE, FRANK, ARTHUR, MORGAN, DENNIS, WILLIAM
Applicants: GEORGE FRANK ARTHUR, MORGAN DENNIS WILLIAM, SKYTRAK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, GEORGE, FRANK, ARTHUR, MORGAN, DENNIS, WILLIAM
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A63G21
IPC codes: A63G21, B61B11, B61B12