Patent Publication Number: US-8979660-B2

Title: Helicopter amusement apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Phase Application of PCT International Application No. PCT/IL2011/000800, International Filing Date Oct. 9, 2011, entitled “Helicopter Amusement Apparatus”, published on May 3, 2012 as International Patent Application Publication Number WO 2012/056444 claiming priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/406,902, filed Oct. 26, 2010, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to amusement apparatus, more particularly, to a helicopter amusement apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many playgrounds are equipped with a large variety of apparatus, such as swings, carousels, and slides. Playground designers have long been aware of the advantage to using apparatus that resemble vehicles in shape or other features. One such apparatus, which can provide much amusement, as well as help to develop motor skills of children playing with it, is a helicopter play apparatus. 
     For the development of skills, it can be advantageous to have such a helicopter play apparatus in which the user can effectively feel like a pilot, in control of hovering, ascending and descending, and even steering of the helicopter by means of one&#39;s arms and legs, while the lift force of the helicopter is, at least in part, achieved by rotation of the helicopter rotor, which is moved by force of the pilot&#39;s muscles. 
     In 1946, West William filed a patent application titled “Helicopter Roundabout”. 
     A helicopter roundabout is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,451,006 of West William, which is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. 
       FIG. 1  of the prior art illustrates the helicopter roundabout. The object of West William was to provide a roundabout having a toy helicopter mounted on one end of a support and having a driving motor mounted on the other end. 
     A later patent application was filed in 2001 by Choe Young-Min, titled “Helicopter-Like Exercising Device”. 
     A helicopter-like exercising device is described in PCT application No. KR2001/000516, of Choe Young-Min, which is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. 
       FIG. 2  of the prior art illustrates the helicopter-like exercising apparatus. 
     The helicopter-like exercising apparatus comprises a rotating portion which is rotated by a control signal input from an outside. A lifting portion which is connected to an end of a rope is lifted by rotating force. The helicopter is lifted up and lowered down according to the motion of a rider, thereby providing interest, pleasure and exercise effect at the same time. 
     In spite of all the inventions proposed, playgrounds still lack an apparatus resembling a helicopter, which enables hovering, ascending and descending, and flying back and forth in a play helicopter by force of muscles with excellent steering performance. 
     None of the prior art apparatus comprises all of the above characteristics and functions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The background art does not teach or suggest a helicopter amusement apparatus, which enables hovering, ascending and descending, and flying back and forth in a play helicopter by force of muscles with excellent steering performance. 
     The present invention overcomes these deficiencies of the background art by providing a helicopter amusement apparatus, which enables hovering, ascending and descending, and flying back and forth in a play helicopter by force of muscles with excellent steering performance, based on a balancing weight that is moved and disposed in a specific location on a lever arm, which provides balance to the cockpit, in which the pilot sits, according to one&#39;s individual weight, thus enabling a need for only small lift force relative to the weight of the pilot, a force that the pilot can generate by force of legs activating the helicopter rotor. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a helicopter amusement apparatus for a pilot, the helicopter amusement apparatus including: (a) a main pole, wherein the main pole positioned vertically, wherein at least part of the main pole has a horizontal rotational movement capability; (b) a main beam mechanically connected to the main pole, wherein the main beam has a limited vertical rotational movement capability; (c) a cockpit, wherein the cockpit is mechanically connected to the main beam ( 20 ), and wherein the cockpit is suspended below the main beam; (d) a rotor for producing lift and trust forces, mechanically connected to the cockpit; and (e) a balancing weight having limited linear movement capability along the main beam, wherein rotation of the rotor is by means of mechanical power produced by the legs of the pilot and transmitted to the rotor by a mechanical transmission system, and wherein linear movement of the balancing weight is generated by a hydraulic system, wherein the hydraulic system transmits power produced by a hand of the pilot. 
     According to further features in the described embodiment the helicopter amusement apparatus further includes: (f) a main beam shaft mechanically connected on the main beam enabling the vertical rotational movement of the main beam; (g) a cockpit carrying beam for carrying the cockpit the cockpit carrying beam is mechanically connected to the main beam by an axis; (h) a parallelogram beam for keeping the cockpit carrying beam vertically, the parallelogram beam being mechanically connected to the cockpit carrying beam by an axis; and (i) a main pole ring mechanically connected to the main pole the main pole ring having shaft carriers wherein the main beam shaft is mounted on the shaft carriers, and wherein the parallelogram beam is mechanically connected to the main pole ring by an axis. 
     According to still further features in the described embodiment the balancing weight has a balancing weight center of gravity, wherein the main beam shaft has a main beam shaft section center, and wherein when the main beam is in a horizontal position, the main beam shaft section center being higher than the balancing weight center of gravity by a balancing weight center of gravity height. 
     According to still further features in the described embodiment the balancing weight center of gravity height is at least one centimeter. 
     According to still further features in the described embodiment the helicopter amusement apparatus further includes: (j) a piston cylinder mechanically connected to the main beam; (k) a balancing weight piston having a front end a rear end located inside the piston cylinder; and (l) a piston connecting rod mechanically connected to the balancing weight piston and mechanically connected to the balancing weight. 
     According to still further features in the described embodiment the cockpit includes: (i) a cockpit floor; (ii) a pilot seat mechanically connected to the cockpit floor; (iii) a steering stick mechanically connected to the floor by an axis wherein the steering stick has a rotational movement capability with relation to the floor; (iv) a climbing handle mechanically connected to the floor, wherein the climbing handle has a rotational movement capability with relation to the floor; (v) a pedal shaft mechanically connected to the floor wherein the pedal shaft has a rotational movement capability with relation to the floor; (v) a pedal mechanically connected to the pedal shaft; and (vi) an immobilizer handle mechanically connected to the steering stick by an axis. 
     According to still further features in the described embodiment the helicopter amusement apparatus further includes: (m) a pitch bars assembly mechanically connected to and between the cockpit carrying beam and the cockpit in such a way that changing a steering stick angle of the steering stick causes a change of a pitch angle of the cockpit. 
     According to still further features in the described embodiment the pitch bars assembly includes: (i) a first bar mechanically connected to and between the cockpit carrying beam and the cockpit having a rotational movement capability in relation to the cockpit carrying beam; (ii) a second bar mechanically connected to the first bar; (iii) a third bar mechanically connected to the second bar having a rotational movement capability in relation to the second bar; and (iv) a fourth bar mechanically connected to and between the third bar and the steering stick having a rotational movement capability in relation to the third bar and the steering stick. 
     According to still further features in the described embodiment the cockpit further includes: (vii) a dynamo mechanically connected to the cockpit floor in such a way that a rotating of the pedal causes the dynamo to generate and provide electrical power. 
     According to still further features in the described embodiment the mechanical transmission system includes: (i) a first cog wheel mechanically connected to the pedal shaft; (ii) a second cog wheel; (iii) a first chain wound on the first cog wheel and on the second cog wheel; (iv) a third cog wheel mechanically connected to the second cog wheel; (v) a fourth cog wheel; (vi) a second chain wound on the third cog wheel and on the fourth cog wheel; (v) a gear box mechanically connected to the cockpit and to the fourth cog wheel; and (vi) a rotor pole mechanically connected to the gear box. 
     According to still further features in the described embodiment the rotor is mechanically connected to the rotor pole and wherein the rotor includes: (i) at least two rotor wings wherein each one of the rotor wings has a wing aerodynamic profile. 
     According to still further features in the described embodiment the hydraulic system includes: (i) an accumulator pneumatically connected to the balancing piston cylinder; (iii) an oil tank hydraulically connected to the balancing piston cylinder; and (iv) an oil pump hydraulically connected to and between the balancing piston cylinder and the oil tank and mechanically connected to the climbing handle. 
     According to still further features in the described embodiment the hydraulic system further includes: (v) an immobilizer hydraulically connected to and between the oil pump and the balancing piston cylinder and hydraulically connected to the oil tank and mechanically connected to the immobilizer handle; and (vi) a height limiter valve hydraulically connected to and between the immobilizer and balancing piston cylinder. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for operation of a hydraulic system of a helicopter amusement apparatus the method including the stages of: (a) checking if a immobilizer handle of the amusement apparatus is pressed; (b) if the immobilizer handle is not pressed, returning a balancing weight of the amusement apparatus to an initial state; (c) if the immobilizer handle is not pressed, returning a cockpit of the amusement apparatus to an initial state; (d) checking if the cockpit is above a limiter height; (e) if the cockpit is above the limiter height, disabling an oil pump; (f) if the cockpit ( 30 ) is above the limiter height, enabling a production of lift force; (g) if the cockpit is not above the limiter height, operating the oil; and (h) if the cockpit is not above the limiter height moving the balancing weight outward. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method for activation of a helicopter amusement apparatus, the method including the stages of: (a) taking a seat in pilot seat of the helicopter amusement apparatus by a user and placing the user&#39;s feet upon pedals of the helicopter amusement apparatus; (b) pressing on an immobilizer handle of the helicopter amusement apparatus and performing pumping motions with a climbing handle of the helicopter amusement apparatus by the user, wherein the pumping motions activates an oil pump of the helicopter amusement apparatus forming hydraulic pressure and causing oil of the helicopter amusement apparatus to flow to a rear side of a balancing weight piston of the helicopter amusement apparatus; (c) pushing a balancing weight of the helicopter amusement apparatus until a cockpit of the helicopter amusement apparatus starts to ascend wherein beginning of the ascent depends upon an exact location of the balancing weight, which depends on a weight of the user; (d) if the cockpit is above a certain given height, pressing a height limiter valve, and preventing any increase of hydraulic pressure; (e) rotating the pedals with the user legs causing a rotor of the helicopter amusement apparatus to turn and to generate lift force causing the cockpit to ascend higher; (f) tilting forward, by the user, a steering stick of the helicopter amusement apparatus causing the rotor to tilt forward and to provide a thrust force causing the cockpit to move by a rotational movement around a main pole of the helicopter amusement apparatus; and (g) relieving the pressing from the immobilizer handle causing the hydraulic pressure to cease acting upon the balancing weight piston, and a pneumatic pressure from an accumulator acting on the balancing weight piston and returning the balancing weight to an initial state. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view schematic illustration a prior art helicopter roundabout. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view illustration of prior art helicopter-like exercising apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view, schematic illustration of an embodiment of a helicopter amusement apparatus, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a right side view, schematic illustration of an embodiment of a helicopter amusement apparatus, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a left side isometric view, schematic illustration of an embodiment of a helicopter amusement apparatus, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view schematic illustration of a pilot holding a climbing handle and steering stick by hand, with legs on a pedal, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a right side isometric view, schematic illustration of a main beam, a balancing weight within, as well as additional components, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a right side isometric view, schematic illustration of a main pole, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a right side isometric view, schematic illustration of a segment of the main beam, and a segment of the main pole, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a front view, schematic illustration of segment of the main beam, and a segment of the main pole, and the balancing weight, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 11   a  is a left side view, schematic illustration of a cockpit, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 11   b  is a left side isometric view, schematic illustration of a mechanical transmission system, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a left side view, schematic illustration of a cockpit, in two pitch states, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 13   a  is a rear view, in stable state, schematic illustration of an embodiment of a helicopter amusement apparatus, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 13   b  is a rear view, in equilibrium state, schematic illustration of an embodiment of a helicopter amusement apparatus, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 13   c  is a rear view, in non-stable state, schematic illustration of an embodiment of a helicopter amusement apparatus, according to the present invention, upon which a section plane a-a is marked. 
         FIG. 13   d  is cross sectional view a-a illustration of a rotor wing according to some embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is block diagram schematically illustrating a hydraulic systems of the helicopter amusement apparatus, according to some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart of a method for operation of the hydraulic systems of the helicopter amusement apparatus, according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     In order to remove any doubt, the elements shown in the illustrations of the present patent application in a manner that enables understanding them clearly, and the scales, size relations, and shapes are not in any way limiting them. Likewise, it is noted that reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     To remove any doubt, note that the manner in which the elements of the present invention are described in the illustrations can be highly detailed, however is not in any way limiting the present illustration, however is for the purpose of clarification and furthering understanding. The present invention can be implemented in embodiments that differ from the specification given with regard to the illustration. 
     The present invention is of a helicopter amusement apparatus. The principles and operation of a helicopter amusement apparatus according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. 
     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 the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, dimensions, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting. 
     The following list is a legend of the numbering of the application illustrations:
           1  helicopter amusement apparatus     2  pilot     2   h  hand     2   l  leg     10  main pole     12  main pole ring     13  shaft carrier     15  axis     20  main beam     21  parallelogram beam     22  cockpit carrying beam     23  vertical angular movement     24  horizontal angular movement     25  main beam shaft     25   a  main beam shaft section center     27  confinement device     30  cockpit     31  pilot seat     32  steering stick     32   a  steering stick angle     32   b  pitch angle     33  pedal     33   a  pedal shaft     35  immobilizer handle     34  climbing handle     36  dynamo     37  pitch bars assembly     37   a  first bar     37   b  second bar     37   c  third bar     37   d  fourth bar     38  cockpit floor     39  tail     40  mechanical transmission system     40  rotor pole     42   a  first chain     42   b  second chain     43   a  first cog wheel     43   b  second cog wheel     43   c  third cog wheel     43   d  fourth cog wheel     44  gear box     50  rotor     51  rotor wing     52  wing aerodynamic profile     53  wing angle of attack     70  hydraulic systems     71  oil tank     72  oil     73  oil pump     75  oil pipe     76  immobilizer     77  balancing weight piston     77   a  piston connecting rod     77   b  piston cylinder     77   f  front end (of the balancing weight piston)     77   r  rear end (of the balancing weight piston)     78  height limiter valve     79  accumulator     80  balancing weight     81  balancing weight center of gravity     82  linear movement     100  swing center of gravity   H. L. horizon line   L lift force   T thrust force   d 1  initial distance   d 2  equilibrium distance   h 1  balancing weight center of gravity height   h 2  minimal cockpit height   h 3  cockpit limiter height   teta alignment angle       

     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail by referring to the drawings. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view, schematic illustration of an embodiment of a helicopter amusement apparatus  1 , according to the present invention. 
     The helicopter amusement apparatus  1  includes five main assemblies, a main pole  10 , a main beam  20 , a cockpit  30 , a rotor  50 , rotor pole  41  and a balancing weight  80 . 
     The main pole  10  is perpendicular to the horizon and bears the axial and radial loads of the apparatus. 
     The main beam  20  is connected to the main pole  10  with limited movement ability, as a lever, similarly to a see-saw with vertical angular movement  23 . 
     Under one of its ends, the cockpit  30  is suspended and is connected to the rotor  50  by means of the rotor pole  41 . 
     The balancing weight  80  is mounted upon the main beam  20  and has limited linear movement  82  (market on  FIG. 10 ), ability along the length of the main beam  20 . 
     At an initial state, upon starting use of the helicopter amusement apparatus  1  the rotor pole  41  is also perpendicular to the horizon. 
       FIG. 4  is a right side view, schematic illustration of an embodiment of a helicopter amusement apparatus  1 , according to the present invention. 
     In order to maximize the enjoyment and attraction of the helicopter amusement apparatus  1 , it can be aesthetically designed so as to please the eye; for example, with the addition of a tail  39  thus the main beam  20  can be shaped conically and constructed with several bars and other parts. 
       FIG. 5  is a left side isometric view, schematic illustration of an embodiment of a helicopter amusement apparatus  1 , according to the present invention. 
     The main beam  20  has a horizontal angular movement  24 , which can be made with part of or the entire main pole  10 . 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view schematic illustration of a pilot  2  holding a climbing handle  34  and steering stick  32  by hand, with legs on a pedal  33 , according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a right side isometric view, schematic illustration of a main beam  20 , a balancing weight  80  within, as well as additional components, according to the present invention. 
     The illustration marks detail B in a circle, which is magnified in the circle on the upper side of the illustration, which also shows the main beam shaft  25 , which serves for connection enabling angular movement such as that of a see-saw, on the vertical plane. 
     A cockpit carrying beam  22  stays perpendicular to the horizon and thus also parallel to the main pole, at all times by means of a parallelogram beam  21 . 
     The cockpit carrying beam  22  and the main beam  20  are both connected by means of a common axis  15 . 
     Note: The helicopter amusement apparatus ( 1 ) includes several axes all of which are marked in the illustrations as  15 , however this is in no way to establish that all axes are identical, and the axes can be of different sizes and other different features. 
     The cockpit carrying beam  22  can be made of a single beam, or two or more beams, and it bears the cockpit  30  (not shown in the present illustration, shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and more), suspended underneath. 
     For the purpose of confining the vertical angular movement  23 , it is connected to a confinement device  27 , which can also be a brake piston. Likewise, the present illustration also shows a balancing piston cylinder  77   b , mechanically connected to main beam  20 , which serves as a support point. The location of connection between them can be chosen according to the convenience of production, assembly, and operation. Its piston connecting rod  77   a  is mechanically connected to balancing weight  80  for the purpose of moving it in linear movement of a limited length along the main beam  20 . 
       FIG. 8  is a right side isometric view, schematic illustration of a main pole  10 , according to the present invention. 
     The top end of the main pole  10  is connected to a main pole ring  12 , which is meant to carry the main beam  20 , and which is also connected to the parallelogram beam  21  (both not shown in the present illustration, shown in  FIG. 7 ). 
     The shape of the main pole ring  12  is shown here as a mostly circular ring, however other shapes are possible, such as elliptical, rectangular, etc. 
       FIG. 9  is a right side isometric view, schematic illustration of segment of the main beam  20 , and a segment of the main pole  10 , according to the present invention. 
     The illustration shows the area of connection of the main beam  20  to the main pole  10 . A segment of the main pole ring  12  is missing from the present illustration for the purpose of showing details in the connection area. 
     The main pole ring  12  includes a shaft carrier  13 , which is connected to the main beam  20  by means of the main beam shaft  25 . 
       FIG. 10  is a front view, schematic illustration of segment of the main beam  20 , and a segment of the main pole  10 , and the balancing weight  80 , according to the present invention. 
     The illustration shows the area of connection between the main beam  20 , to the main pole  10 . 
     The illustration also shows a horizon line H. L., at a height of the balancing weight center of gravity  81  when the main beam  20  is disposed horizontally. 
     The illustration marks detail C in a circle, which is magnified in the circle on the upper side of the illustration. The present illustration shows the main beam  20  in a horizontal position. The illustration shows the balancing weight center of gravity height h 1 , which is the vertical gap between the balancing weight center of gravity  81   a  and the main beam shaft section center  25   a , and is greatly significant in the present invention with regarding to states of equilibrium, as will be specified below. This gap can be rather small relative to the dimensions of the helicopter amusement apparatus  1 , even one centimeter can suffice. The illustration shows the point of connection of the parallelogram beam  21  to the main pole ring  12  by an axis  15 . 
     The balancing weight  80  has limited linear movement  82  ability along the length of the main beam  20 . 
       FIG. 11   a  is a left side view, schematic illustration of a cockpit  30 , according to the present invention. 
     The illustration marks detail A in a circle, which is magnified in the circle on the upper left side of the illustration. 
     Cockpit  30  also includes a pilot seat  31  mechanically connected to cockpit floor  38  and a steering stick  32 , at the head of which is a immobilizer handle  35 , mechanically connected to said steering stick  32  by an axis  15 . 
     The cockpit floor  38  is connected to a dynamo  36 , which is driven by a pedal shaft  33   a , which receives drive power from both pedals  33 , by rotating them. 
     Dynamo  36  generates and provides electrical power to electric components, if there are any such in the helicopter amusement apparatus  1 , such as light bulbs, or LEDs, which can be installed at the tips of the rotor wings  51 , (not shown in the present illustration, shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and more). 
     If there is no need for electricity, dynamo  36  can be replaced with a bearing. Likewise, cockpit  30  also includes a climbing handle  34 . 
     As shown in the present illustration, there is use of axis  15  between some of the components which have rotational movement. 
       FIG. 11   b  is a left side isometric view, schematic illustration of a mechanical transmission system  40 , according to the present invention. 
     The mechanical transmission system  40  transmits rotational movement from the pedal shaft  33   a  to the rotor pole  41 . 
     The mechanical transmission system  40  shown in the present illustration is one of several possible options for transmitting rotational movement and is in no way limiting the present invention. It includes a first cog wheel  43   a , which is connected to the pedal shaft  33   a , which is wound with a first chain  42   a , which is also wound on a second cog wheel  43   b . The second cog wheel  43   b  is connected by means of a common shaft to a third cog wheel  43   c , which is wound with a second chain  42   b , which is also wound on a fourth cog wheel  43   d . The fourth cog wheel  43   d  has a common shaft with a gear box  44 . Gear box  44  transmits rotational movement to the rotor pole  41 . 
       FIG. 12  is a left side view, schematic illustration of a cockpit  30 , in two pitch states, according to the present invention. 
     In the pitch states shown on the left side of the illustration, the rotor pole  40  is vertical and all of the force generated by the rotor wings  51  is lift force L. 
     The pitch state shown on the right side of the illustration is achieved by moving the steering stick  32  forward by steering stick angle  32   a.    
     Every change of the steering stick angle  32   a  results in a change of the pitch angle  32   b.    
     By means of the pitch bars assembly  37  the cockpit  30  is tilted, along with the rotor pole  40 . In this state, the force generated by the rotor wings  51  includes two components, a lift force L and a thrust force T. 
     The pitch bars assembly  37  can include, for example, a first bar  37   a  having rotational movement ability on the vertical plane, on an axis relative to cockpit  30 , a second bar  37   b  rigidly connected to the first bar  37   a , a third bar  37   c , and a fourth bar  37   d , all of which are connected as shown in the illustration, by means of shafts, with the fourth bar  37   d  being connected by means of a shaft to the steering stick  32 . 
       FIG. 13   a  is a rear view, in stable state, schematic illustration of an embodiment of a helicopter amusement apparatus  1 , according to the present invention. 
     In this initial state, the cockpit  30  is at minimal cockpit height h 2  above the ground, this height being sufficiently low as to enable convenient access of the cockpit  30 , while being sufficiently high as to enable activation of the pedal  33 . 
     The balancing weight  80  is disposed along the main beam  20  with an initial distance d 1  between the main beam shaft section centre  25   a  to the balancing weight center of gravity  81  so that the swing center of gravity  100  is between the main pole  10  and the rotor pole  40 . This state is stable to the extent that addition of weight in the area of the cockpit  30  will not cause its descent, while causing its ascent would require a significant lift force, of the order of magnitude of the pilot&#39;s weight. 
     The swing center of gravity  100  is the center of gravity of the main beam  20  for the sum of its parts and any load it is bearing, namely it is the center of gravity of the helicopter amusement apparatus  1 , not including the weight of the main pole  10 . 
       FIG. 13   b  is a rear view, in equilibrium state, schematic illustration of an embodiment of a helicopter amusement apparatus  1 , according to the present invention. 
     In this state the balancing weight  80  is at a distance from the main beam shaft section center  25   a  along the length of the main beam  20  as far as equilibrium distance d 2  between the main beam shaft section center  25   a  to the balancing weight center of gravity  81 , so that the swing center of gravity  100  is upon the main pole  10 . This is a state of equilibrium, which resembles that of a see-saw as illustrated on the right side of the illustration. Any vibration on either side moves the balancing weight center of gravity  81  from the vertical line under the point of suspension on the main beam shaft section centre  25   a , and the force of gravity, which acts on it drives to return it to its original state. The value of the equilibrium distance d 2  depends on the weight of the pilot and varies for pilots of different weights. Ascent of the cockpit  30  is achieved by means of a hydraulic system  70 , (not shown in the present illustration, shown in  FIG. 14 ). 
     The hydraulic system  70  cannot lift the cockpit  30  any higher than a specific given height. 
       FIG. 13   c  is a rear view, in non-stable state, schematic illustration of an embodiment of a helicopter amusement apparatus  1 , according to the present invention, upon which a section plane a-a is marked. 
     When the rotor wings  51  create lift force L, the main beam  20  ascends on the side from which the cockpit  30  is suspended, thus causing the swing center of gravity  100  to move slightly toward the area between the main beam shaft section center  25   a  to the balancing weight center of gravity  81 . The size of this movement depends on the power of lift force L. If the lift force L ceases, the stable state of equilibrium will be regained. The power of the lift force L necessary to shift from the state of equilibrium and lift the cockpit  30  upwards is now relatively small, and a force equal, for the purpose of demonstration, to 2 kilograms, for example, would suffice. 
       FIG. 13   d  is cross sectional view a-a illustration of a rotor wing  51 , according to some embodiment of the present invention. The section of rotor wing  51  has a wing aerodynamic profile  52  and is disposed at angle of attack alfa relative to the direction of air flow on it when it is rotating. 
     The shape of the wing aerodynamic profile  52  can be chosen from a variety of shapes known to aeronautic engineers and can be fixed or can change along the length of the rotor wing  51 , and likewise with regard to the alignment angle teta relative to rotor pole  41 , all for the purpose of high aerodynamic efficiency from the rotor wing  51 . 
       FIG. 14  is a block diagram schematically illustrating a hydraulic system  70  of the helicopter amusement apparatus  1 , according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     The hydraulic system  70  controls the state of the balancing weight piston  77 . 
     The balancing weight piston  77  is within a piston cylinder  77   b  and can move along its length with the movement being dependent on the pressures being applied to it from both sides. 
     The balancing weight piston  77  receives, on its front end  77   f  pneumatic pressure originating from an accumulator  79 , and on its rear end  77   r  hydraulic pressure. Initially, the hydraulic pressure in the system is zero, or lower than the pneumatic pressure and therefore the balancing weight piston  77  is at an initial state for the entire movement to the left shown in the present illustration, which corresponds with the state shown in  FIG. 13   a.    
     When pumping is performed by means of the climbing handle  34 , the oil pump  73  pumps oil  72  from the oil tank  71 . The oil  72  flows under pressure through the oil pipe  75 , through immobilizer  76 , if the immobilizer handle  35  is pressed. 
     When the cockpit  30  (not shown in the present illustration, shown in  FIGS. 13   a - 13   c , and more) reaches, or any height higher than that, cockpit limiter height h 3 , (not shown in the present illustration, shown in  FIG. 13   b ) a height limiter valve  78  prevents any increase in hydraulic pressure. The cockpit limiter height h 3  is at a height very slightly above minimal cockpit height h 2 , (not shown in the present illustration, shown in  FIG. 13   a ). 
       FIG. 15  is a flowchart of a method for operation of the hydraulic systems  70  of the helicopter amusement apparatus  1 , according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     The method includes the stages of 
     checking if the immobilizer handle is pressed (stage  91 ), 
     if not: 
     returning the balancing weight to the initial state (stage  92 ); and 
     returning the cockpit to the initial state (stage  93 ), if so: 
     checking if the cockpit is above the limiter height (stage  94 ), 
     if so: 
     disabling the oil pump (stage  95 ), and 
     enabling the production of lift force (stage  96 ), 
     if not: 
     operating the oil pump (stage  97 ), and 
     moving the balancing weight outward (stage  98 ). 
     According to  FIGS. 3-15  and their accompanying description, the method of activation of the helicopter amusement apparatus  1  can now be understood. 
     At the beginning of activation, a user, referred to as a pilot  2 , takes a seat in pilot seat  31 , and places his or her feet upon the pedals  33 . The pilot  2  can be a child or an adult, however there may be an upper weight limit established for the pilot  2  (stage  61 ). 
     With one hand, for example the right hand as shown in the illustrations, the pilot  2  presses on the immobilizer handle  35  near the head of the steering stick  32 , while using the other hand to perform pumping motions with the climbing handle  34 , which activates the oil pump  73 . In this state, hydraulic pressure is formed, and oil  72  flows to the rear side  77   r  of the balancing weight piston  77  (stage  62 ) causing it to push the balancing weight  80  until the cockpit  30  starts to ascend. The beginning of ascent depends upon the exact location of the balancing weight  80 , which depends on the weight of the pilot  2  (stage  63 ). 
     Above a certain given height of the cockpit  30 , the height limiter valve  78  is pressing, and hydraulic pressure cannot be increased any further (stage  64 ). 
     At this point, if the pilot  2  rotates the pedals  33  with his or her legs, the rotor  50  will also turn and generate lift force L. 
     If the rotation of the pedals  33  is sufficiently fast, the lift force L will cause the cockpit  30  to ascend higher (stage  65 ). The faster this rotation is, the higher the ascent will be. 
     Seeing as according to the present invention, the balancing weight  80  has been placed in a suitable position the lift force L necessary to start the ascent is small relative to the weight of the pilot  2 , and can be achieved by means of a rather small force, such as two kilograms, for example, so as to be suitable for activation by a child without need for excessive force. 
     At this point, if the pilot  2  pushes and tilts the steering stick  32  forward, the rotor pole  40  and the rotor  50  will also tilt forward and provide a thrust force T to move the cockpit  30  forward, by tangential movement, creating rotational movement around the main pole  10  (stage  66 ). 
     At any time the pilot  2  chooses to relieve the pressure, or in other words the pressing, from the immobilizer handle  35 , the hydraulic pressure will cease to act upon the balancing weight piston  77 , and the pneumatic pressure from the accumulator  79  will return it along with the balancing weight  80  to the initial state (stage  67 ). 
     In order to prevent excessively fast fluctuations and to limit the extent of possible fluctuation from top to bottom of the main beam  20 , the helicopter amusement apparatus  1  is equipped with a confinement device  27 , which works with a similar principle to that of viscous friction, namely, the faster the fluctuation, the larger the resistance to the fluctuation. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.