Patent Publication Number: US-6210284-B1

Title: Rides conveying park-goers in their own motor vehicles

Description:
This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/149,030 filed Sep. 8, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to amusement park rides which use passenger vehicles as a means for carrying persons on amusement rides. 
     B. Description of the Related Art 
     Traditionally, amusement parks have a variety of rides. In particular, rides such as Ferris wheels and roller coasters typically have carriages or carts permanently mounted on supports in the ride, including seats to accommodate thrill seekers. For instance, on a Ferris wheel, a series of pivoting carriages with seats are mounted about the outer periphery of the Ferris wheel. Thrill seekers are seated in the seats and the Ferris wheel rotates lifting the thrill seekers up to view local scenery and the like. Roller coasters typically have a car mounted on tracks. The car includes several seats and restraining devices, such as seat belts, or harnesses, which restrain the thrill seeker as the car rides on the tracks. 
     Amusement parks are very popular. One of many problems most people experience while visiting an amusement park is the enormous amount of walking between rides and attractions. Another big problem with amusement parks is that the more popular rides have long lines of people waiting to enjoy the ride. People must stand and wait for extended periods of time, with little in the way of comforts or leisurely pleasures. Standing and waiting detracts from the enjoyment of the amusement park. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the present invention is to make amusement parks more attractive by providing thrill seekers with a more comfortable way to travel between rides and wait in line for those rides. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a cable driven ride includes at least one supporting tower, at least one terminal spaced apart from the supporting tower and a cable extending between the tower and the terminal. The cable is supported by the tower such that the cable is continuously moveable between the tower and the terminal. A means for moving the cable between the tower and the terminal is provided in the terminal. At least one carriage is engagable with the cable such that the carriage is moveable with the cable between the tower and the terminal The carriage is configured to support and carry a motorized passenger vehicle. 
     Preferably, the carriage includes a front gate which secures the motorized passenger vehicle thus preventing movement of the motorized passenger vehicle with respect to the carriage. 
     Preferably, the carriage includes a platform and front and rear gates supported on the platform, the front and rear gates being configured to secure the motorized passenger vehicle to the platform thus preventing movement of the motorized passenger vehicle with respect to the carriage, and the platform being further provided with a plurality of rollers which may be selectively braked against rolling movement. 
     Preferably, the carriage includes a generally flat platform upon which an automobile is positionable and at least two generally upright sides extending from the platform. At least one inflatable bag is fixed to at least one of the upright sides and upon inflation the inflatable bag engages and secures the motorized passenger vehicle on the platform. 
     Preferably, a gate mounted to the platform, the gate including a second inflatable bag. 
     These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings where like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a first section of an amusement park having a variety of rides in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a second section of the amusement park having further rides in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a saucer tea cup ride having car supporting mechanisms; 
     FIG. 4 is an adventure theater having car supporting mechanisms; 
     FIG. 5 a car support mechanism used in the rides in the amusement park; 
     FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side view of the car support mechanism depicted in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is another car support mechanism; 
     FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side view of the car support mechanism depicted in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is another car support mechanism; 
     FIG. 10 is another car support mechanism; 
     FIG. 11 is yet another support mechanism for use in the amusement park; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of yet another support mechanism for use in the amusement park, where the support mechanism includes inflatable support bags; 
     FIG. 13 is a control system for controlling the inflatable support bags depicted in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is a top view of the support mechanism depicted in FIG. 12, with an automotive vehicle being restrained therein; 
     FIG. 15 is a top view of an alternate configuration of the support mechanism depicted in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the support mechanism depicted in FIG. 12 having track support on an underside thereof; 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the support mechanism depicted in FIG. 12 having support on an upperside thereof; 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective view of still another support mechanism in accordance with the present invention, where the support mechanism includes inflatable bags; 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the support mechanism depicted in FIG. 18, with the inflatable bags in an inflated state; 
     FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a support mechanism similar to that depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19 where the support mechanism further includes an upper support mechanism; 
     FIG. 21A is a side view of a cable driven ride in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 21B is a perspective view of the cable driven ride that moves carriages, each carriage carrying a motorized passenger vehicle; 
     FIG. 22 is perspective view of a carriage supported on a cable of the cable driven ride depicted in FIG. 21; 
     FIG. 23 is a side view of portions of a terminal of the cable driven ride depicted in FIGS. 21 and 22, the terminal for loading and unloading motorized passenger vehicles from a carriage; 
     FIG. 24 is a top view of a portion of the terminal depicted in FIG. 23; 
     FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the portion of the terminal depicted in FIG. 24; 
     FIG. 26 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the carriage of the cable driven ride depicted in FIGS. 21-25; 
     FIG. 27 is a fragmentary top view of the carriage depicted in FIG. 26; 
     FIG. 28 is a fragmentary top view similar to FIG. 27 showing an alternate embodiment of the carriage depicted in FIG. 27; 
     FIG. 29 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of the carriage of the cable driven ride; and 
     FIG. 30 is a fragmentary side view of a portion of the carriage depicted in FIG.  29 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a first section of an amusement park having a variety of rides in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The rides include a pirate boat ride  2 , a looping boat ride  4 , a saucer tea cup ride  5 , a roller coaster ride  8  and a Ferris wheel ride. In FIG. 2, a second section of the amusement park is shown having swing ride  12 , a water flume ride  15  and an adventure theater  20 . 
     Each of the rides includes an entrance and an exit and corresponding loading and unloading areas. For instance, the roller coaster ride  8  includes a loading zone  8   a  and an unloading zone  8   b . Likewise, the swing ride  12  has a loading zone  12   a  and an unloading zone  12   b , and the water flume ride  15  has a loading zone  15   a  and an unloading zone  15   b.    
     Each of the above mentioned rides is configured to receive and secure automotive vehicles such as the vehicle V shown in FIG.  5 . Each ride is therefore provided with a plurality of car supporting mechanisms  25 , such as the car supporting mechanisms  25  shown in FIG. 3 on the saucer tea cup ride  5 . The saucer tea cup ride  5  includes a large saucer  5   a  which is connected to a large motor (not shown) such that the large saucer  5   a  may be rotated about a central axis thereof. Within the structure of the large saucer  5   a  are four intermediate saucers  5   b  which are each provided with power to rotate about a central axis thereof while the large saucer  5   a  is rotated. Further, each intermediate saucer  5   b  has four small saucers  5   c  which rotate about a central axis thereof while the saucers  5   a  and  5   b  are rotated. Each small saucer  5   c  includes four car supporting mechanisms  25 , which are described in greater detail below. 
     In FIG. 4, an adventure theater  20  is depicted. The adventure theater  20  includes a platform supported by a plurality of pressure controlled cylinders such that the platform may be moved in accordance with images projected on a screen. The theater  20  includes an on ramp  20   a  and an off ramp  20   b . The theater  20  is also provided with a plurality of car supporting mechanisms  25 . 
     FIGS. 5 through 11 depict various types of car support mechanisms  25  used in the rides in the amusement park. Each ride in the amusement park has its own dynamics, each with different requirements for securing automotive vehicles safely during the ride. 
     In FIGS. 5 and 6, the car support mechanism includes a platform  30  that includes a support bar  31  which may be made of a strong metal material coated with soft foam material to protect against contact with the car V. A swinging rear gate  32  is moveable up and down as indicated by the Arrow A and powered by a pressure cylinder (not shown). 
     In the front portion of the platform  30  there are two parallel sliding bars  35  (although only one bar  35  is visible). The sliding bar  35  is secured to the platform  30  but may slide along the pins  36 . The sliding movement of the bar  35  is limited by the length of an elongated groove  35   a . Movement of the bar  35  is controlled by a pressure cylinder  40  that is secured at one end to the platform  30  and secured to the bar  35  at the other end. A front gate  42  is pivotally mounted to the bar  35 . Movement of the front gate  42  is controlled by a cylinder  43 . 
     The platform  30  is further provided with a plurality of rollers  45 . The rollers  45  are all generally parallel within the platform  30  and are freely rotatable. A braking mechanism (not shown) is mounted within the platform  30  for selectively restricting the rolling movement of the rollers  45 . 
     The car supporting mechanism depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 operates as follows. When a car is to be loaded on the car supporting mechanism, the rear gate  32  is lowered and the bar  35  is moved to a forward most position. The brake mechanism (not shown) is engaged such that the rollers  45  may not rotate within the platform  30 . A car V is then driven onto the platform  30  and the rollers  45 . Once the car V is in position, the rear gate  32  is raised and the front gate  42  is moved toward the front of the car V by positioning the sliding bar  35 . It should be noted that the front and rear gates  42  and  32  are lined with a soft material such as foam in order to protect the car V from damage in the event of contact therebetween. 
     Next, the brake mechanism (not shown) is disengaged such that the rollers  45  may rotate freely within the platform  30 . In this situation, the car V is secured within the car support mechanism  25  but may not move due to the front and rear gates  42  and  32 . Further, in the event that the motor of the car V is running and the driver accidently presses on the accelerator, there is no risk of damage to the car V since the rollers  45  may rotate freely. Since the tires of the car V are engaged with the rollers  45 , there is no danger of the car V leaving the car supporting mechanism  25  depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6. 
     The car support mechanism  25  depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 is suitable for most of the rides in the amusement park but is particularly suitable for the boat rides  2  and  4  and for the roller coaster ride  8 . A car can be driven easily onto the car supporting mechanism  25  and the car supporting mechanism moves in the amusement ride with the passengers of the car V in relative safety. 
     Another car support mechanism is depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this mechanism, a car V is driven onto a platform  60  until the car V is approximately positioned adjacent to openings  60   a . Once positioned, arms  61  are moved upward on either side of each tire of the car V. Next, the arms  61  can be moved toward one another until engaged with the tire. The movement of the arms  61  is controlled by the cylinders  62  and  63 . Once engaged with the tires, the arms  61  securely hold the car V in position on the platform  60 . Such a configuration of the car support mechanism may be used on, for instance, the saucer tea cup ride  5 . 
     A further car support mechanism is depicted in FIG. 9 where an arm  65  is extendable upward out of a platform  66 . 
     The car support mechanisms  25  are supported in the rides in various ways. For instance, in both the roller coaster ride  8  and the water flume ride  15 , the car support mechanism  25  is supported on rails R by support structures fixed to a lower portion of the car support mechanism  25 , where the support structures include a plurality of wheels which engage the rails R. As shown in FIG. 10, the rails may be submerged under water. 
     Rides such as the Ferris wheel  10  and the swing  12  require a car support mechanism  25  such as that depicted in FIG.  11 . The car support mechanism  25  depicted in FIG. 11 includes the rollers  45 , the front and rear gates  42  and  32  and a support structures  70  and  75  which allow for the car V to be lifted up. For instance, in the swing ride  12 , the cars would be driven onto the platforms of the car support mechanism  25  depicted in FIG. 11, then the central support of the swing ride  12  moves upward, the car support mechanisms are lifted off the ground and swung slowly around. The Ferris wheel  10 , on the other hand, lifts the car support mechanisms off the ground as the Ferris wheel rotates. 
     Another embodiment of a car support mechanism is depicted in FIGS. 12,  13  and  14 . The car support mechanism includes a platform  130 . The platform  130  includes upright sides  135  on three sides thereof. The sides  135  are formed with a plurality of recesses  136 . Within each recess  136  is an inflatable bag, such as the bags B 1 , B 2 , B 3 , B 4  and B 5 . There are additional bags, not shown in FIG. 12, as is explained in greater detail below with regard to FIG.  14 . The bags B 1 , B 2 , B 3 , B 4  and B 5  are sealed bags made of a durable air tight material and may include various plies in order to provide an air tight seal. The outer ply of the bags B 1 , B 2 , B 3 , B 4  and B 5  is soft so that it is unlikely that the outer surface of the bags B 1 , B 2 , B 3 , B 4  and B 5  can harm painted surfaces, such as the surfaces of an automobile. 
     Although not shown in FIG. 12, the bags B 1 , B 2 , B 3 , B 4  and B 5  are connected to an inflation control system  150 , as is depicted in FIG.  13 . The inflation control system  150  includes a controller  155  that is connected to a valve/sensor control  156 . The valve/sensor control  156  is in turn connected to a compressed air tank  157  that is supplied with compressed air from a compressor  158 . 
     The valve/sensor control  156  includes a plurality of valves, each valve for selectively supplying compressed air to the bags B 1 , B 2 , B 3  through B N . The bag B N  is not depicted but is rather a representation of all the inflatable bags that may be included in the present invention. Each valve is controlled by the controller  155 . Each valve includes a sensor (not shown) for sensing the air pressure in each bags B 1 , B 2 , B 3  through B N . 
     As is shown in FIG. 14, the car support mechanism depicted in FIG. 12 includes a total of eight ( 8 ) inflatable bags, including bags B 1 , B 2 , B 3  and B 5 . Each bag is inflatable to a predetermined pressure for securing an automobile on the platform  130 . 
     The platform  130  includes a gate  140  on which the bag B 5  is secured. With the gate  140  in a lowered position, as is depicted in FIG. 12, an automobile may be driven onto the platform  130 , as is shown in FIG.  14 . Once the automobile is in position on the platform  130 , the gate  140  is raised and an operator may manipulate controls on the controller  155  causing the bags, including bags B 1 , B 2 , B 3  and B 5  to inflate. In an inflated condition, the bags engage the sides, front and rear of the automobile securely retaining the automobile on the platform  130 . 
     The sensors (not shown) associated with the valves in the valve/sensor control  156  may be used to monitor the pressure within the bags B 1 , B 2 , B 3  and B N . The pressure within the bags provides an indication of engagement with the automobile. Therefore, if the bags are inflated to a predetermined air pressure, it can be determined that the automobile is secured on the platform  130 . The amusement ride utilizing the platform  130  can safely commence with the automobile safely in position on the platform  130 . After completion of the ride, the operator may manipulate controls (not shown) on the controller  155  to release the pressure from the inflatable bags out an exhaust  159  so that the bags may retract into the recesses  136 , the gate  140  may drop down and the automobile drive out to the next ride. 
     As should be apparent from FIG. 14, the doors of the automobile are secured against opening by the inflatable bags in contact with the sides of the automobile, further adding to the safety of the car support mechanism depicted in FIGS. 12,  13  and  14 . 
     It should be understood that the platform  130  may be provided with any of a variety bag configurations. For instance, as is shown in FIG. 15, there may only four (4) bags, bags B 1a , B 2a , B 3a  and B 5a  on the platform  130 . Other combinations of inflatable bags and sizes of inflatable bags are of course possible. 
     The platform  130  may be configured in a variety of ways for use on a variety of amusement rides. For instance, as shown in FIG. 16, the platform  130  may be configured for a ride which supports the platform  130  on rails R 1  and R 2 . Or, alternatively, the platform  130  may be supported from above, as depicted in FIG. 17, for use on the swing  12  or the Ferris Wheel  10 . 
     Yet another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19. A support mechanism having a platform  230  is formed with a plurality of recesses  235 . In each recess  235  there is disposed an inflatable bag  240 . The inflatable bags  240  are similar to the bags B 1 , B 2 , B 3  through B N  described above. Although not shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, a control system, such as the control system depicted in FIG. 13 is used to control the inflation condition of the bags  240 . 
     As is shown in FIG. 19, the bags  240  are inflatable for securing an automotive vehicle V to the platform  230 . It should be appreciated that the platform  230  depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19 is provided with at least four bags  240 , although only three bags  240  are visible. One bag  240  is positioned on each side of the platform  230  corresponding to sides of the automotive vehicle V. One bag  240  is positioned forward from front wheels of the automotive vehicle V and one bag  240  is positioned rearward from rear wheels of the automotive vehicle V. 
     The positioning of the bags  240  on the platform  230  is such that the wheels of the automotive vehicle V are blocked against rotation with the bags  240  in an inflated state. Further, the bags  240  on either side of the automotive vehicle V are positioned to engage doors of the automotive vehicle V thus preventing the doors from opening with the bags  240  in an inflated state, as shown in FIG.  19 . 
     Thus, the support mechanism depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19 provides a reliable and safe way to restrain a vehicle on the platform  230  in a simple manner. 
     It should be appreciated that with the bags  240  in an uninflated state, the bags  240  retract into the recesses  235 . The bags  240  are may be made of any of a variety of materials making in possible for the car to roll over the bags  240  when entering the platform  230  and leaving the platform  230 . 
     In order to retract into the recesses  235 , the bags  240  may be elastic or may have an elastic element or elements formed on an outside surface or within the bags  240 . 
     For some amusement park rides, such as the roller coaster, it may be necessary to secure an automotive vehicle from above. In other words, upward movement of the vehicle relative to the platform must be avoided for safety reasons. In such a circumstance, it may be desirable to include a means for holding the vehicle against the surface of the platform of the support mechanism. Such a means is included in the support mechanism depicted in FIG.  20 . The support mechanism depicted in FIG. 20 is generally the same as the support mechanism depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19, except that the upper support mechanism  260  is fixed to the platform  230 . 
     The upper support mechanism  260  includes an upright support  261  fixed to the platform  230 , a telescoping member  262  that extends upward from the upright support  261  and a support structure  263  which is fixed to the telescoping member  262 . On a lower surface of the support structure  263  is a cushion  265 . However, the cushion  265  could alternatively be an inflatable bag. The telescoping member  262  may be moved up and down by control means (not shown) such as a crank lever, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or other such device. By moving the telescoping member  262 , the cushion  265  may be brought into engagement with the roof of the automotive vehicle V, thus securing the automotive vehicle V against movement up and down relative to the platform  230 . 
     The upper support mechanism  260  is not limited to the structure as shown. For instance, the upper support mechanism  260  could be used with any of the embodiments of the present invention. Further, the upper support mechanism  260  is not limited to a single upright support member. In some applications it may be desirable to utilize several support members in the upper support mechanism  260 . Further, the telescoping member  262  need not be used. Rather the support structure  263  may be directly fixed to the upright support  261  and an inflatable bag may be used instead of a cushion. As well, a sensor may be employed with a control system for automatically sensing the height of the automotive vehicle V and positioning the cushion  265  against the roof of the automotive vehicle V. 
     Cable Driven Ride 
     In another embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIGS. 21A-30, a cable driven ride is configured to support and move a plurality of carriages, each carriage able to support a motorized passenger vehicle. The cable driven ride may be used in, for instance, environmentally sensitive areas where the building of roads would intrude upon the local environment. Since people love to view nature from the comfort of their own car, the cable driven ride in accordance with the present invention provides a means for people to enjoy a ride through a valley or about a mountain side paradise without a road intruding upon the natural beauty of the scene. 
     As shown in FIG. 21A, the cable driven ride includes two terminals T and at least one tower  301 , although a plurality of towers  301  may be utilized. Each tower includes rollers that may be protected by a cover  302 , as shown in FIG. 21B, the rollers supporting a cable C and allowing the cable C to move with respect to the tower  301  as the cable is pulled between the terminals T. The cable C extends between a plurality of the towers  301  over natural terrain. For instance the towers  301  may be spaced apart by a distance of hundreds of meters with the cable extending therebetween. The cable is moved between adjacent towers  301  such that the passenger vehicle moves above a scenic view. 
     The cable C supports a plurality of carriages  325 , each carriage  325  able to support an automotive vehicle in much the same way as the support mechanisms discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-20. Each carriage  325 , as shown in FIGS. 21B,  22  and  23 , includes at least one cable hook  330  that engages the cable C, thereby causing the carriages  325  to move along with the cable C. The cable hook  330  is part of a support assembly that also includes rollers  332 . Tn the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 21B and 22, the support assembly includes four rollers  332  and two cable hooks  330 . 
     Each of the carriages  325 , as shown in FIGS. 21,  22  and  23 , includes a frame structure that includes upright support beams  340 , angled support beams  341  and a support plate  342 , all rigidly fixed to one another. The lower portion of the frame structure includes three side panels  343  and one gate  345 , described further below. 
     The cable driven ride includes at least one terminal T, depicted in FIGS. 23,  24  and  25 . Each of the two terminals T supports the cable as is rotates in an endless belt manner between the two terminals T. As shown in FIG. 23, each of the terminals includes a motor  350  and a pulley  351  that engages the cable C. As the motor  350  rotates, the cable C is moved along the rollers of the towers  301  thereby moving the carriages  325 . 
     The terminal is also provided with a pair of tracks  360  and  361  that have a U-shape, as shown in a top view in FIG.  24 . As is shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the tracks  360  and  361  are supported from above by supports  368 . Portions  360   a  and  361   a  of the tracks  360  and  361  are positioned adjacent to the cable C at points along the cable C just before the cable C engages the pulley  351  and just after the cable C leaves the pulley  351 . As can be seen in FIG. 23, the portions  360   a  (and  361   a ) are bent such that they are slightly higher than the cable C. 
     As each of the carriages  325  enter the terminal T, the cable hooks  330  engaged with cable C. Movement of the cable C causes the rollers  332  to eventually contact the tracks  360  and  361 . As the carriage  325  continues to move toward the pulley  351  with the cable C, the rollers  330  begin to roll over the portions  360   a  and  361   a  of the tracks  360  and  361 . Therefore, the carriage is lifted up such that the cable hooks  330  are lifted away from contact with the cable C. Momentum keeps the carriages  325  rolling on the tracks  360  and  361  until the tracks engage the portions  360   b  and  361   b , which are bent away from the pulley, thereby causing the cable hooks  330  to be moved away from the cable C. The carriage  325  is then able to roll to the arcuate portion of the tracks  360  and  361  above a platform  370 . 
     The platform  370  is supported by a plurality of cylinders  372  that allow upward and downward movement of the platform  370 . The cylinders  372  may be either hydraulic, pneumatic or electric devices which provide controllable movement of the platform  370 . 
     Once the carriage  325  has moved under the platform  370 , the platform is raised to support the carriage  325  to prevent it from moving as a motorized passenger vehicle is moved in and out of the carriage  325 . With the platform  370  supporting the carriage  325 , the gate  345  may then be lowered and a ramp  375  shown in FIG. 25 may be moved to a position adjacent to the platform  370  and gate  345  to allow a motorized passenger vehicle to move in or out of the carriage  325 . After a motorized passenger vehicle has been loaded on to the carriage  325 , the gate  345  may be closed, the ramp  375  moved out of the way, and the platform  370  lowered out of the way. Due to the presence of the rollers  332  being engaged with the tracks  360  and  361 , the carriage  325  is easily pushed either by manual operators along the tracks  360  and  361  to the portions  360   b  and  361   b  of the tracks, and subsequently to the portions  360   a  and  360   b . Once the cable hooks  330  contact the cable C, the carriage  325  then moves with the cable C and the roller  332  become disengaged from the tracks  360  and  361 . 
     It should be understood that FIG. 25 does not show the motor  350  or the supports  368  in order to provide greater clarity of the various features of the present invention. 
     It should also be understood that the carriage  325  described above is basically a cage which supports a motorized vehicle in the cable driven ride. There are many different sizes, shapes and configurations of motorized passenger vehicles and therefore, ideally, the carriages  325  should be able to accommodate as many different types of vehicles as possible. For that reason, several embodiments of the carriages  325  are contemplated. 
     One such carriage  380  is shown in FIGS. 26 and 27. The carriage  380  includes an open structure similar to the carriage  325 . For instance the carriage  380  includes the supports beams  340  and  341 , as well as the gate  345  and side panels  343 . However, -the carriage  380  also includes a plurality of inflatable bags B 1 , B 2 , B 3  through B N , similar to the bags described above with respect to FIGS. 12,  13  and  14 . The bags B 1 , B 2 , B 3  through B N  surround a motorized passenger vehicle, as shown in FIG. 27, thereby securing the motorized passenger vehicle within the carriage  380 . 
     The bags B 1 , B 2 , B 3  through B N  may be inflated by any of a variety of means. For instance, a single air inlet/outlet I/O may be provided on the carriage  380  and connected to each of the bags B 1 , B 2 , B 3  and B N  via pressure tubes (not shown). An operator may inflate the bags using pressurized air before launching the carriage  380  on the cable C via the tracks  360  and  361 . An air compressor (not shown) and air supply hose (not shown) are provided in the terminal adjacent -to the platform  370  for inflating the bags B 1 , B 2 , B 3  through B N . The bags B 1 , B 2 , B 3  through B N  are deflated by releasing the air pressure via the inlet/outlet I/O. 
     Alternatively, the platform  380  may be provided with fewer bags, each bag being larger than the bags shown in FIG.  27 . For instance, bags B 1a , B 2a , B 3a  , and B 4a  may be provided on the side panels of the platform  380  as shown in FIG.  28 . The bags B 1a , B 2a , B 3a  and B 5a  may be inflated and deflated via an inlet/outlet I/O that is connected via pressure tubes (not shown) to each of the bags B 1a , B 2a , B 3a  and B 5a    
     A carriage  400  is also contemplated. The carriage  400  is depicted in FIGS. 29 and 20 and includes a gate  42  the car support mechanism includes a platform and support structure that includes a support bar  31  which may be made of a strong metal material coated with soft foam material to protect against contact with the motorized passenger vehicle. A swinging rear gate  32  is moveable up and down. 
     In the front portion of the platform there are two parallel sliding bars  35  (although only one bar  35  is visible). The sliding bar  35  is secured to the platform but may slide along the pins  36 . The sliding movement of the bar  35  is limited by the length of an elongated groove  35   a . Movement of the bar  35  is controlled by a pressure cylinder  40  that is secured at one end to the platform and secured to the bar  35  at the other end. A front gate  42  is pivotally mounted to the bar  35 . Movement of the front gate  42  is controlled by a cylinder  43 . 
     The cylinders  40  and  43  include a locking mechanism (not shown) such that after being put into position, if air pressure is reduced, the cylinders  40  and  43  are locked into position until air pressure within the cylinders is restored. In this manner, the cylinders  40  and  43  may only be moved when air pressure is supplied by an operator in the terminal. Therefore, while moving with the cable in the cable driven ride, the carriage  400  safely retains the motorized vehicle. 
     The platform  30  is further provided with a plurality of rollers  45 . The rollers  45  are all generally parallel within the platform  30  and are freely rotatable. A braking mechanism (not shown) is mounted within the platform  30  for selectively restricting the rolling movement of the rollers  45 . Specifically, the rollers  45  may only be locked and unlocked by an operator at the terminal to allow the motorized vehicle to enter and leave the carriage  400 . 
     The carriage depicted in FIGS. 29 and 30 operates as follows. When a car is to be loaded on the carriage  400 , the rear gate  32  is lowered and the bar  35  is moved to a forward most position by an operator at the terminal, The brake mechanism (not shown) is engaged such that the rollers  45  may not rotate within the platform  30 . A motorized passenger vehicle is then driven onto the carriage  400  and the rollers  45 . Once the motorized passenger vehicle is in position, the rear gate  32  is raised and the front gate  42  is moved toward the front of the motorized passenger vehicle by an operator who uses air pressure from an air hose (not shown) to position the sliding bar  35  and front gate  42 . It should be noted that the front and rear gates  42  and  32  are lined with a soft material such as foam in order -to protect the motorized passenger vehicle from damage in the event of contact therebetween. 
     Next, the brake mechanism (not shown) is disengaged such that the rollers  45  may rotate freely within the platform  30 . In this situation, the motorized passenger vehicle is secured within the car support mechanism  25  but may not move due to the front and rear gates  42  and  32 . Further, in the event that the motor of the motorized passenger vehicle is running and the driver accidently presses on the accelerator, there is no risk of damage to the motorized passenger vehicle since the rollers  45  may rotate freely. Since the tires of the motorized passenger vehicle are engaged with the rollers  45 , there is no danger of the motorized passenger vehicle leaving the platform  400 . 
     The cable driven ride described above is ideal for areas that have difficult terrain to drive over or that are protected against development. For instance, the cable driven ride may be used in mountainous areas or wilderness areas where roads are either intrusive or difficult and costly to build. Since the cable driven ride may pass above such areas, there is little if any intrusion by the motorized passenger vehicle on the environment because the motorized passenger vehicles do not need a road and do not necessarily have their motors running while on the cable driven ride. 
     The cable driven ride may alternatively be what is often referred to as a cable car ride where there are only two carriages employed. The carriages are fixed to the cable such that when the first carriage is in a first terminal, the second carriage is located in the second terminal. The two carriages move toward one another as the cable rotates between the terminals. The two carriages pass one another and continue moving toward the opposite terminal. In such a configuration, the ramp  375  and tracks  360  and  361  would not be necessary since the cable must stop moving as the cars approach the terminals. The carriages are unloaded simultaneously. In other words, when the first carriage moves toward the second carriage, the second carriage moves in the opposite direction towards the first carriage. The two carriages trade places going back and forth between the two terminal. The present invention is intended to apply to such a cable car ride. 
     Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its spirit nor its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the embodiments according to the present invention is provided for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.