Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a pneumatically actuated swing ride that has rigid swing members rotating about a shaft in a pendulum style of swinging ride. The ride operates with rigid swing members raising one or more riders in a seat platform or gondola up and then accelerates them down through an arc in the pendulum style of swinging movement. The controlled upward movement, a brief delay, and the accelerated downward movement produce weightlessness in the ride that is unmatched in the industry. The weightless effect is incurred at both ends of the arc and every time the cycle is made. By using a pneumatic cylinder, air is used as an air cushion both accelerating and decelerating the ride, giving complete control of the ride.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to the field of amusement rides commonly found at carnivals, fairs and family amusement centers. More specifically this patent deals with a unique pneumatically actuated swing ride that raises the riders in an upward motion then with a delay, accelerates the riders in the downward travel of the swing faster than the natural speed occurred with the gravitational pull on the riders. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Wide varieties of swing rides exist in the field of amusement rides that have many different swinging characteristics. Some of these rides use large hydraulic and electric motors operating through sophisticated gear and cable systems to facilitate an artificial swinging or tumbling action. Others use similar mechanisms to raise the riders to a position to be released, relying upon gravity and the weight of the riders to be transported through a pendulum type of swinging ride. This style of ride relies upon the natural decreasing swinging of the riders to bring them to a position where they can be stopped and removed to start another ride sequence. Still others use cables in combination with bungee or elastic cords to achieve a bouncing element into the swinging of the riders. In general, large amusement thrill rides use large hydraulic and electric motors operating through sophisticated gear and cable systems to produce a variety of articulating movements. 
   This invention describes a new and unique pneumatically actuated swing ride. This inventor, being an expert in the field of extreme amusement thrill rides, has learned through experience that safety of the ride is the most important aspect of any thrill ride. With all the safety requirements of the ride fulfilled, the next important item is to give the riders a new and exciting unique ride. With the pneumatically actuated swing ride the inventor has achieved his goal by creating a swing ride that operates on rigid swing members that raise the riders up and then accelerates them down in the pendulum style of swinging movement through an arc as many times as desired. The controlled upward movement, a brief delay, and the accelerated downward movement produce weightlessness in the ride that is unmatched in the industry. When riders are released to have just the effect of gravity for the swinging action, they do not have the feeling of weightlessness and the ride is progressively slower for each swing cycle. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,989,127 of William Joel Ketchen et al. describes an amusement ride including a tower that pivotably supports an elongated boom that includes an extended end and a pivot. A passenger carriage is pivotably attached to the extended end of the boom. The shorter end of the boom includes a moveable counterweight that is operable for raising the boom. The boom is then locked, the counterweight is moved, and the boom is released to swing freely. The movable counterweight includes first and second storage tanks, a counterweight fluid, and at least one pump for moving the counterweight fluid between the first and second storage tanks. Passengers are loaded into the passenger carriage when the boom is in the down position. The boom is then raised by moving the counterweight fluid into the first storage tank. After the boom is raised, a brake is set to lock the boom in the raised position, and the counterweight fluid is moved into the second storage tank. The operator then lowers the boom by releasing the brake. The boom swings through approximately 270-degrees, and the passenger carriage may make a 360-degree loop at the end of the first swing. 
   This patent describes an amusement ride including a tower that pivotably supports an elongated boom. It has a high degree of sophisticated machinery and apparatus on the elevated levels of the device, which make it extremely difficult to maintain. The ride produces only a variety of swinging movements and does not give the prolonged feeling of weightlessness. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,928 of Henry J. McGinnis describes an amusement ride that provides a very large swing. The ride has a tower with two spaced apart legs connected at the upper ends by a cross-member. A boom extends perpendicular to the cross-member at the upper end of the tower. A swing line is secured to one end of the boom and has a harness at its lower end. A carriage rolls on a track along the lower side of the boom. The carriage has an engagement member, which will engage the swing line and cause it to take up toward the opposite end of the boom, lifting the passenger. Once the passenger is at the desired elevation, the engagement member releases the swing line, allowing the passenger to swing between the legs of the tower. 
   This patent describes an amusement ride that provides a very large swing. There are many varieties of this style of ride, some called sky coasters. They achieve great elevations and are very exciting to ride, but when released from their initial elevated position, the riders go through a progressively decreasing pendulum motion until the ride is over. Again, this device does not give a complete feeling of weightlessness. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,866 of C. Grant Balwanz describes an amusement ride system that includes a chair assembly within which an occupant is seated during the course of a ride and first, second and third upstanding towers fixedly secured to the ground in a spaced and triangular relationship. A first pair of bungee cords are joined to one side of the chair assembly and have ends which extend toward the upper portion of the first tower, and a second pair of bungee cords are joined to the opposite side of the chair assembly and have ends which extend toward the upper portion of the second tower and a windable cable which is joined to each of the extending ends of the first and second pair of bungee cords for tensioning the bungee cords to a stretched condition. A pull cable is releasably joined to the back of the chair assembly for tensioning the pull cable by way of the upper portion of the third tower as the bungee cords are being pulled to the stretched condition so the chair assembly is lifted from the ground by the bungee cords and the pull cable to a position adjacent the upper portion of the third tower. By releasing the cable from the back of the chair assembly when the chair assembly is positioned adjacent the upper portion of the third tower as aforedescribed, the first and second pairs of bungee cords are permitted to throw the chair assembly along a substantially horizontal path extending from the third tower and between the first and second towers. 
   This patent describes another amusement ride that provides a very large swing with the addition of the bungee cords. The ride also can achieve great elevations and some degree of weightlessness as the bungee reaches uppermost position, but again goes through a progressively decreasing motion until the ride is over. The duration of the ride cannot be controlled and there again this device does not give a repeated feeling of weightlessness derived by the pneumatically actuated swing ride. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,566 of Karl Bohme describes The passenger gondola of a looping swing suspended in pendulum fashion on motor-driven outriggers that has parallel rows of passenger seats that are disposed parallel to the axis of rotation of the outriggers and to the axis of swing of the passenger gondola. Here, the head rests of the passenger seats are a short distance from the axis of swing in order to hold the acceleration forces acting on the passengers, which occur with looping over of the passenger gondola. 
   Preferably, the position of the passenger gondola relative to the outriggers is locked at a particular angular position. The ride activity is then operated such that the gondola locks in the tilted, forward direction of rotation, and locking is released at about the top dead center point of outrigger rotation, so that the passenger gondola executes a loop on the outriggers overtaking it. 
   This patent describes a gondola of a looping swing suspended in pendulum fashion on motor-driven outriggers that has parallel rows of passenger seats. This ride, most commonly found in carnivals and fairs, represents the highly sophisticated mechanical rides that can be transported to different locations. These rides handle a large number of people for a controlled time and are not commonly found permanently anchored to the ground. They do not normally reach elevations greater than thirty feet. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,906 of William J. Ketchen et al. describes a ride that is capable of raising a rider to a height of thirty feet or more above the ground, and then releasing the rider to swing. It includes a support structure, a support line secured to the support structure at one end, with an opposed end secured to a rider, preferably to an attachment, which is worn by a rider. A launch structure is spaced from the support structure and carries a launch line which has an end capable of being raised and lowered above the ground, and which is designed to be releasably attached to the rider attachment to lift a rider from the ground. A release device is located between the launch line and the rider attachment. In operation, the rider attachment with the support line attached is secured to the rider, the launch line is releasably secured to the attachment, and the launch line is activated to move the rider laterally and upwardly towards the top of the launch structure. When the launch line is released from the attachment, which carries the rider, the rider swings downwardly at a high speed simulating the sensation of “body flight” in a pendulum like motion until slowing to a speed at which he or she may remove the attachment. In an alternative mode of operation, the rider may be lifted up the launch structure, and the support line secured to the rider, with the rider then swinging off the launch structure. 
   This patent describes a ride that is capable of raising a rider to a height of thirty feet or more above the ground, and then releasing the rider to swing. This is still another swing ride where the riders go through a progressively decreasing pendulum motion until the ride is over, and does not give a complete feeling of weightlessness. 
   None of the foregoing prior art teaches or suggests the particular unique features of the pneumatically actuated swing ride and thus this clarifies the need for further improvements and refinements in the field of thrill rides used in theme parks, fairs and family fun centers. 
   In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The principle object of this invention is to create a safe pneumatically actuated pendulum style swing ride. 
   Another object of this invention is to create a swing ride with rigid swing members that in alternate embodiments may be activated by a variety of electric motors, gas motors and hydraulic drive units for the desired effects. 
   Another object of this invention is to create a pneumatically actuated swing ride that will achieve the effect of prolonged weightlessness from the top until the riders reach the bottom of the arc and begin to move up to the other side. 
   Another object of this invention is to create a pneumatically actuated swing ride that will use the air in one or more pneumatic cylinders at the top or the bottom of the swing support columns or towers as a cushion to control both the acceleration and deceleration of the riders. 
   Another object of this invention is to create a pneumatically actuated swing ride that can be easily adjusted from a high-speed ride to a modest-speed ride during the ride or between rides. 
   Another object of this invention is to create a pneumatically actuated swing ride that can give the same prolonged feeling of weightlessness during each cycle of the ride. 
   Another object of this invention is to create a pneumatically actuated swing ride that can have a controlled deceleration after the ride is over so that the operators may determine the number of cycles in each ride. 
   Another object of this invention is to create a thrill ride that upon any unforeseen failure, the riders will return to the bottom of the arc to the unloading position. 
   Still another object of this invention is to create a pneumatically operated swing ride that can optionally be operated by the means of using the ends of a single cable or the ends of two separate cables attached to two sheaves on the rotational shaft, allowing and maintaining the limited travel required. 
   A further object of this invention is to create a pneumatically actuated swing ride that can range in height from twenty feet to in excess of one hundred and fifty feet high or more. 
   Yet another object of this invention is to create a pneumatically actuated swing ride that can be permanently anchored to the ground or adapted to a portable trailer unit while producing a similar prolonged weightless effect for the riders. 
   A final object of this invention is to add a new and unique pneumatically actuated swing ride to the area of thrill rides used in theme parks, fairs and family fun parks where customers always want new thrill rides. 
   The preferred embodiment of the pneumatically actuated swing ride will be anchored in the ground by conventional concrete footings. Swing support columns, or towers will be held in position by forward guy cables, rear guy cables and side guy cables. The swing support columns or towers may optionally be held in place by rigid piping or any other conventional structural supporting members. At the upper distal ends of the swing support columns or towers are bearing mounting plates on which pillow block bearings are mounted, housing the rotational shaft that is parallel to the ground. Centrally located and spaced apart are two seat platform stabilizing yokes, consisting of a forward yoke arm and a rear yoke arm and a fixture for mounting the upper distal end of the rigid swing members. The seat platform stabilizing yokes are rigidly attached to the rotational shaft where they rotate in unison with the rotational shaft. The rigid swing members are connected at their lower distal end to a seat platform consisting of one or more passenger seats with optional foot rests and conventional shoulder restraints, seat belts or lap bars. A forward stabilizing cable and a rear stabilizing cable maintain the rigidity of the seat platform. On the preferred embodiment of the pneumatically actuated swing ride a lever arm is rigidly attached at the distal end of the rotational shaft so that when the swing is at the maximum rear elevation, the pneumatic cylinder rod of the pneumatic cylinder passes by the distal end of the rotational shaft. Compressed air is supplied to the pneumatic cylinder by the means of air hoses that are connected to the air compressor through a series of conventional valves. A computer controlled control console on top of the air compressor will control the speed and height of the swing ride and the duration of the ride by the means of a variety of conventional air valves. 
   A first alternate embodiment of the pneumatically actuated swing ride will have the rigid swing members spread apart where the seat platform stabilizing yokes are adjacent to the pillow block bearings. A support beam will cross over between two risers allowing clearance for the seat platform stabilizing yokes, and mounted above the pillow block bearings on the swing support columns. 
   A second alternate embodiment of the pneumatically actuated swing ride will replace the lever arm that is rigidly attached at the distal end of the rotational shaft with one or more cable sheaves or a chain sprocket that will be rigidly attached at the distal end of the rotational shaft. When two sheaves are used, two separate cables will be fixably attached to the sheaves by the means of cable clamps allowing only the limited rotation required by the device. A cable or a cable and chain combination will activate the rigid swing members and in turn, the passenger seat platform by the means of the pneumatic cylinder coupled in line with the cable or a cable and chain combination. 
   A third alternate embodiment of the pneumatically actuated swing ride will us two small cylinders and a combination of pulleys to achieve the same unique swinging features. By using two cylinders instead of having the single cylinder, smaller cylinders with a shorter stroke can be used. An additional option of using the combination of pulleys the travel of the sprocket will be the same for the desired oscillating swing motion. The two upper pulleys will be attached to a pulley-mounting platform attached to the swing support column, with the opposing pulleys attached to the pneumatic cylinder rods. 
   It must be clearly understood at this time although the preferred embodiment of the invention consists of the pneumatic actuating means, that many conventional mechanical actuating devices exist, including electric motors, gas powered motors, hydraulic motors and hydraulic cylinders, or combinations thereof, that will achieve the a similar operation and they will also be fully covered within the scope of this patent. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this invention. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of the pneumatically actuated swing ride. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a side elevation of the pneumatically actuated swing ride with the passenger seat platform in the loading position. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a side elevation of the upper portion of the pneumatically actuated swing ride with the rigid swing member in the maximum rear elevation. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a side elevation of the upper portion of the pneumatically actuated swing ride with the rigid swing member in the maximum forward elevation. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a front elevation of the pneumatically actuated swing ride. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a front elevation of the first alternate embodiment of the pneumatically actuated swing ride with the spread rigid swing members and a support beam between the two swing support columns. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of the second alternate embodiment of the pneumatically actuated swing ride with the spread apart rigid swing members, the seat platform equipped with a conventional lap bar and the pneumatic cylinder in line with the actuating cable. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a side view of the third alternate embodiment of the pneumatically actuated swing ride using two small cylinders and a combination of pulleys to achieve the same swinging features. 
       FIG. 9  depicts two sheaves attached to the rotational shaft with the ends of a single cable or the ends of two separate cables attached to the two sheaves allowing the limited travel required for the device. 
   

   For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this invention. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar parts of the invention are identified by like reference numerals. There is seen in  FIG. 1  a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the pneumatically actuated swing ride  10 A illustrating the swing support columns  12 A and  12 B anchored in the ground by conventional concrete footings  14  and perpendicular to the surface of the ground on axes W and X. The swing support columns  12 A and  12 B are held in position by forward guy cables  16 , rear guy cables  18  and side guy cables  20 . At the distal upper ends  22  of the swing support columns,  12 A and  12 B are bearing mounting plates  24 A and  24 B on which pillow block bearings  26  are mounted housing the rotational shaft  28  that is parallel to the ground on Y axis. It must be understood that any form of bearing block or bushing will perform the same function as the pillow block bearings  26  and all will be covered within the scope of this patent. Centrally located and spaced apart are two seat platform stabilizing yokes  30  consisting of a forward yoke arm  32  and a rear yoke arm  34  and a fixture  36  for mounting the upper distal end  38  of the rigid swing members  40 A and  40 B. The seat platform stabilizing yokes  30  are rigidly attached to the rotational shaft  28  where they rotate in unison with rotational shaft  28 . The rigid swing members  40 A and  40 B are connected at their lower distal end  42  to a passenger seat platform  44 A consisting of one or more passenger seats  46  with footrests  48  and conventional shoulder restraints  50 . A forward stabilizing cable  52  and a rear stabilizing cable  54  maintain the rigidity of the passenger seat platform  44 A. Lever arm  56  is rigidly attached at the distal end  58  of the rotational shaft  28  so that when the swing is at the maximum rear elevation, Illustrated in  FIG. 3 , that the pneumatic cylinder rod  60  of the pneumatic cylinder  62  passes by the distal end  58  of the rotational shaft  28 . The weight of the passengers and the passenger seat platform  44 A, cause the delay and reverse action to travel back down the arc. Compressed air is supplied to the pneumatic cylinder  62  by the means of air hoses  64  and  66  that are connected to the air compressor  68  through a series of conventional valves. The pneumatic cylinder  62  is attached to the swing support column  12 A by the means of the pneumatic cylinder support bracket  63 . Again at this time it must be understood that one or more pneumatic cylinders  62  could function in the rotational operation of the pneumatically actuated swing ride  10 A or  10 B and still be covered within the scope of this patent. A computer controlled control console  70  is illustrated on top of the air compressor  68  that will control the speed and height of the swing ride  10 A or  10 B and the duration of the ride by the means of a variety of conventional air valves. 
     FIG. 2  depicts a side elevation of the pneumatically actuated swing ride  10 A with the passenger seat platform  44 A in the loading position indicating the mid location of the lever arm  56 , the pneumatic cylinder  62  and the rigid swing members  40 A and  40 B with the passenger seat platform  44 A.  FIG. 3  depicts a side elevation of the upper portion of the pneumatically actuated swing ride  10 A with the rigid swing members  40 A and  40 B in the maximum rear elevation and the lever arm  56  passing by the distal end  58  of the rotational shaft  28 . The maximum rear elevation of the rigid swing members  40 A and  40 B is 23-degrees above the Z axis, which is parallel with the ground.  FIG. 4  depicts a side elevation of the upper portion of the pneumatically actuated swing ride  10 A with the rigid swing members  40 A and  40 B in the maximum forward elevation. 
     FIG. 5  depicts a front elevation of the pneumatically actuated swing ride  10 A further illustrating the central spaced apart location of the two seat platform stabilizing yokes  30  with the fixtures  36  mounting the upper distal end  38  of the rigid swing members  40 A and  40 B. 
     FIG. 6  depicts a front elevation of the alternate embodiment of the pneumatically actuated swing ride  10 B with the spread apart rigid swing members  40 C and  40 D where the seat platform stabilizing yokes  30  are adjacent to the pillow block bearings  26 . A support beam  74  crosses over between two risers  76 A and  76 B allowing clearance for the seat platform stabilizing yokes  30  and mounted above the pillow block bearings  26  on the swing support columns  12 A and  12 B. The height  78  of the risers  76 A and  76 B allows that the forward yoke arm  32  and the rear yoke arm  34  have adequate clearance. 
     FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of the second alternate embodiment of the pneumatically actuated swing ride  10 C with the spread apart rigid swing members  40 C and  40 D, the seat platform  44 B equipped with a conventional lap bar  80  and the pneumatic cylinder  62 B in line with the actuating cable  82 . The unique features of the pneumatic cylinder  62 B allows that an actuating cable  82  be attached at both sides of the piston within the pneumatic cylinder  62 B and is drawn through seals  84  at either end of the pneumatic cylinder  62 B forming effective air bearings. Actuating cable  82 , illustrated in  FIG. 7 , goes over a sheave  86  attached to a bracket  88  at the lower end of the support column  12 A and is attached to a roller chain  90  to go over a sprocket  92  that is fixably attached to the distal end of the rotational shaft  58 . Also depicted are rigid bracing members  94  replacing the guy cables  16 ,  18  and  20 . It must be understood that the a variety of pneumatic cylinders  62 B can be put in a variety of positions with any number of sheaves  86 , sprockets  92  and cables and still be covered within the scope of this patent. 
     FIG. 8  depicts a side view of the third alternate embodiment of the pneumatically actuated swing ride  10 D using two small cylinders  62 C and  62 D and a combination of pulleys  96  to achieve the same unique swinging features. By using two cylinders  62 C and  62 D instead of having the single cylinder  62 A or  62   b , with the option of shortening the stroke on two cylinders  62 C and  62 D and using the combination of pulleys  96  the travel of the sprocket  92  will be the same for the desired oscillating swing motion. The two upper pulleys  96  will be attached to a pulley mounting platform  98  attached to the swing support column  12 A, with the opposing pulleys  96  attached to the pneumatic cylinder rod  60 B and  60 C. 
     FIG. 9  depicts two sheaves attached to the rotational shaft  28  on the Y-axis with the ends of a single cable  80  or the ends of two separate cables  80 A and  80 B attached to the two sheaves  100 A and  100 B allowing and maintaining the limited rotational travel required for the device. 
   The pneumatically actuated swing ride  10 A and  10 B shown in the drawings and described in detail herein disclose arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present invention. It is to be understood however, that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described may be employed for providing a pneumatically actuated swing ride  10  and  10 B in accordance with the spirit of this invention, and such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims. 
   Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.