Patent Publication Number: US-6699135-B2

Title: Multidirectional amusement device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of my patent application Ser. No. 10/007,599, filed Nov. 13, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,511,381, and entitled A MULTIDIRECTIONAL AMUSEMENT DEVICE, which is related to, and claims priority from, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/247,301, entitled “Multidirectional Ride Vehicle With Release Bar,” filed Nov. 10, 2000, which are both hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. The Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an amusement ride and more particularly, a multidirectional amusement device for raising a passenger vehicle into the air and permitting a limited free fall experience when the vehicle is released into a horizontal and vertical translation through a vector rotation. 
     2. Technical Background 
     Amusement park thrill seekers are no longer satisfied with the rides and roller coasters of the past. Owners of amusement parks and fun centers are increasingly upgrading their attractions to create a higher thrill level and more intense ride experience for their patrons. One way to increase the thrill of a ride is to add a “free fall” element to the ride or attraction. Some have attempted to do this with the use of bungee cords. However, repeated stretching of a bungee cord may break down the cord such that it performs at dangerous levels. Other rides may include parachute drops or other types of drops coupled with complex deceleration devices such as hydraulic brakes or friction breaking systems. These high tech breaking devices are quite complex and costly and require constant and vigilant maintenance to guard against fatal accidents. 
     One attraction that provides the illusion of free fall is the giant swing. Giant swings do not require complex breaking devices, and they can utilize cables that do not stretch and that are more predictable. One such giant swing device is taught in Kitchen U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,740. In the Kitchen patent however, each rider is only permitted to face in one direction during the flight of the swing, which reduces the amount of thrill factor involved in the ride. Further, the release mechanism must be manually operated. Other giant swing attractions are not efficiently raised and lowered and thus, can only accommodate lower numbers of patrons over a fixed period of time. This increases the cost of the ride. Still other giant swing devices have questionable safety systems for protecting ride patrons. 
     Accordingly, it would be an advancement in the art to provide an amusement device that allows the rider to safely rotate while moving in a multitude of directions. It would be a further advancement to provide such a device that maximizes the free fall element of the ride. It would be yet another advancement in the art to provide such an device that can efficiently accommodate larger number of riders. It would be yet another advancement in the art to provide such a device that has improved safety features. Such an amusement device is disclosed and claimed herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The apparatus of the present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available swing devices. Thus, it is an overall objective of the present invention to provide a novel multidirectional amusement pendulum device that is efficiently operated, safe, and yet maximizes the thrill factor of the system. 
     To achieve the foregoing advantages and objectives, and in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein in the preferred embodiment, a novel multidirectional amusement device is provided. The amusement device may include one or more support structures or towers extending above a support surface such as a parking lot, tarmac, or other ground surface. A ride vehicle is attached with support lines or cables to the support towers in such a way as to allow the ride vehicle to move back and forth beneath the support towers in a horizontal and vertical translation through a vector rotation. In one embodiment, multiple support lines are attached at a first end to the support structure and at a second end to the ride vehicle. The support lines may also be attached to each other at spaced intervals which prevents a broken support line from falling to the ground and injuring someone. 
     A retraction tower may reel in a tow line connected to the ride vehicle. As the ride vehicle is pulled up toward the retraction tower, a release mechanism secured to the tow line interacts with a stop attached to the retraction tower. The release mechanism may include a lever positioned such that when the lever engages the stop, the lever pivots, disengaging the ride vehicle from the release mechanism and allowing the ride vehicle to move downward under the force of gravity. The ride vehicle moves through a horizontal and vertical translation by vector rotation until it comes to a stop beneath the support structure. 
     In one embodiment, the tow line may be secured at a first end to the support structure or to a tether positioned between multiple support structures. A second end engages the retraction tower and in one preferred embodiment, a winch in the retraction tower. The release mechanism may be secured to the tow line between the first end and the second end such that when the ride vehicle is at rest beneath the support structure, the release mechanism hangs beneath the support structure adjacent the ride vehicle. The release structure may include a weight to allow the release mechanism to return to a position adjacent the ride vehicle beneath the support structure under the force of gravity. This allows for more efficient loading of the amusement device because the release mechanism is returned to a convenient position. 
     The ride vehicle may include an attachment portion to which the support lines are attached. A rider platform may be rotatably attached to the attachment portion at a connection point. The platform may be attached to a central post at one end, with the opposing end of the central post rotatably attached to the attachment portion. With the platform rotatably connected to the attachment portion, riders in seats attached to the platform are allowed to rotate and travel through a horizontal and vertical translation by a vector rotation. In one embodiment the platform is symmetrical about the control post which allows for smooth rotation of the platform. The ride vehicle may also include a fail-safe member positioned about the connection point. The fail-safe member may include a first end secured to the attachment portion. A second end may be configured to engage the central post below the connection point. Accordingly, the fail-safe member provides a redundant connection which provides safety in the event the pivotal connection between the attachment portion and the rider platform fails. 
     The platform  40  of the ride vehicle may include a handle  41  for anchoring the ride vehicle. The handle  41  is configured to act as a breaking device. A brake cable (not shown) may be automatically or manually affixed to the handle  41 . It will be appreciated that the handle  41  may be positioned at various positions on the ride vehicle  14  to accomplish this braking function. Additionally, the handle may be configured in a variety of ways to allow the ride operator or a mechanical device to latch onto the ride vehicle  14  toward the end of its pendulum motion. One such configuration may include a hook, a latch and the like. 
     In one embodiment, a coupling bar having a first end is pivotally secured to the attachment portion of the ride vehicle. A second end may extend outwardly from the ride vehicle a distance of greater than about one foot. The second end may be configured to releasably engage the release mechanism. In this configuration the coupling bar may be used to position the ride vehicle at an angle just prior to release which facilitates an increased rocking motion and gyro motion. 
     The support structures may include slots or other mechanisms which would allow the first ends of the support wires to movably engage the support structures. This allows the shape of the ride motion to change and can, with proper timing, create an increased free fall sensation. 
     Accordingly, the amusement device of the present invention provides a giant multidirectional amusement device that allows the rider to safely rotate, and rock back and forth while moving through a horizontal and vertical translation by a vector rotation. It also maximizes the free fall element of the ride while efficiently accommodating larger number of riders because the release mechanism returns to the loading area of the amusement device. The ride device also provides improved safety features. 
     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the amusement device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ride vehicle and release mechanism of the amusement device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side plan view of a portion of the ride vehicle showing multiple axis of rotation; 
     FIG. 4A is a side plan view of the release mechanism of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4B is a side plan view of the release mechanism of FIG. 1 engaging a support structure stop; 
     FIG. 4C is a side plan view of the release mechanism of FIG. 1 showing the ride vehicle disengaging the release mechanism in phantom; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the support structure of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the support structure of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the support structure of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the support structure of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of an alternative configuration for support cables in accordance with the invention; 
     FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic representation of the support cables of FIG. 9 before and after failure of one of the support cables; 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a ride vehicle having an alternative embodiment of a fail-safe member in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a fail-safe member in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a fail-safe member in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a retraction tower and assisting mechanism in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of the apparatus of FIG. 24; 
     FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of an assisting mechanism and damper in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of an assisting mechanism and damper in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of an assisting mechanism and damper in accordance with the invention; and 
     FIG. 19 is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of a damper in accordance with the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The presently preferred embodiments of the present invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method of the present invention, as represented in FIGS. 1 through 8, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of presently preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     With particular reference to FIG. 1, a amusement device according to the present invention is generally designated at  10 . The amusement device  10  includes a support structure  12  extending above a support surface. In one embodiment, a pair of support structures  12  extend above a support surface with a ride vehicle  14  attached to each support structure  12  with at least one support line  16 , such that the ride vehicle  14  can move freely beneath and between the support structures  12 . In one presently preferred embodiment, multiple support lines  16  each include a first end  18  attached to the support structures and a second end  20  attached to the ride vehicle  14 . It will be appreciated that in the alternative embodiment where there is just one support tower, an upper portion of the support structure must have an extension portion extending away from the support structure to allow the ride vehicle  14  to travel beneath the extension portion without impacting the support structure  12 . The support lines  16  may be steel cables. In a presently preferred embodiment, the strength of each individual cable or support line  16  can hold up to twenty times the weight of the ride vehicle, passengers, and force due to gravity. 
     The amusement device  10  includes a retraction tower  22  which provides a base to elevate the ride vehicle  14  upward to a suitable starting height for the start of the pendulum motion. A tow line  24  is attached at a first end  28  to the support structure  12  or to a tether  26  positioned between a pair of support structures  12 . The tow line  24  movably engages the retraction tower  22 . The retraction tower  22  may be fitted with a retracting mechanism  32  for receiving a second end  30  of the tow line  24 . In one embodiment, the retracting mechanism  32  is a winch  32  attached to the retraction tower  22 . The retracting mechanism may also be any number of hydraulic or pneumatic rams operating alone or in connection with a cable/pulley system. 
     It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the retracting mechanism can be positioned relative to the support tower, or the angle of retraction can be manipulated to retract the ride vehicle  14  in a non-perpendicular plane relative to the plane defined by the ride vehicle in a non-retracted position, and two spaced points of attachment of the support lines to the support structure  12 . Depending upon how the ride vehicle  14  is secured to the support structure  12 , the ride will have a natural swing or movement through a plane. That plane is most likely perpendicular to the plane determined by three points. The point where the ride vehicle  14  hands freely beneath the support structure  14  under the force of gravity, and the point where support lines  16 , or sets of support lines  16  attached the ride vehicle  14  to the support structure  12 . Once the ride vehicle  14  is released, the forces acting on the device  10  will urge the ride vehicle  14  into this natural pendulum plane. By retracting the ride vehicle  14  in an angle relative to the pendulum plane, or in other words, in a non-perpendicular angle relative to the plane defined by the ride vehicle  14  and its attachment to the support structure, the ride vehicle  14 , upon release, will experience movement in lateral directions. 
     A release mechanism  34  may be secured to the tow line  24  between the first end  28  and the second end  30  of the tow line  24 . The release mechanism  34  is configured to releasably engage the ride vehicle  14 . At a predetermined point, as the tow line  24  is being retracted by the winch  32 , the release mechanism  34  engages a stop  36  attached to the retraction tower  22  which causes the automatic release of the ride vehicle  14 . 
     With the first end  28  of the tow line  24  attached to the support structures  12 , the release mechanism  34  is easily returned to a point adjacent to the ride vehicle  12  after the pendulum motion is completed and the ride vehicle  14  is at rest beneath the support structures  12 . A weight  38  attached to the release mechanism  34  aides in the return process. This configuration allows for more efficient attachment of the ride vehicle  14  to the release mechanism  34 , and allows more riders to use the amusement device  10  during a fixed period of time. This in turn increases profits. 
     Turning now to FIG. 2, the ride vehicle  14  includes a platform  40 . The platform  40  may be fitted with one or more rider seats  42 . The rider seats  42  may face inwardly or outwardly. The platform  40  may also be configured with slates to secure a rider in the prone or standing position, or in an angled position, to the ride vehicle  14 . The seats or other rider supports may be attached in ways known in the art, such at welding, bolting, riveting, and the like. In one embodiment, the rider seats are attached using two separate attachments to increase safety. It will be appreciated that attachment redundancies act as a fail-safe in case the first method of attachment fails. It will further be appreciated that a variety of belts, bars, or harnesses may be used to secure the rider to the ride vehicle  14 . 
     In one embodiment, the platform  40  is attached to a first end  42  of a central post  44 . A second end  46  of the central post  44  is rotatably connected to an attachment portion  48  of the ride vehicle  14  at a connection point  50 . The rider platform  40  is thus rotatably connected to the attachment portion or plate at the connection point. The connection point may be part of a universal joint  51  of a kind known in the art. A rod member  61  may be attached at the first end of the central post and at a second of the central post  44  adjacent the connection point. Preferably, the rod member  61  is positioned within the central post  44  and acts as a redundant safety connection. The rod member may also be attached to the universal joint  51  itself. In one embodiment, the attachment portion  48  is a plate member  48  configured to receive the universal joint  51 . The support central post  44  defines a central axis about which the platform  40  is allowed to rotate. In one embodiment, the platform  40  may be substantially symmetrical about the central post  44 . In this configuration, the platform may rotate more smoothly about the central post  44 . Accordingly, the ride vehicle  14  not only moves through a giant arc, but may simultaneously rotate about the central post  44  while swinging, thus increasing the thrill factor of the amusement device  10 . 
     The ride vehicle  14  further comprises a fail-safe member  52  positioned about the connection point  50 . The fail-safe member  52  is a backup connection device for the connection point  50  which rotatably secures the platform  40  to the plate member  48 . The fail-safe member  52  includes a first end  54  secured to the attachment portion or plate  48 . A second end  56  of the fail-safe member  52  is configured to engage the central post  44  below the connection point  50 . The fail-safe member  52  may include a pair of bars  58  positioned parallel to, and on either side, of the central post  44 . A ring member  60  may be secured to bottom ends  62  of the bars  58 . Upper ends  59  of the bars  58  are secured to the plate member  48 . The ring member  60  defines an opening  64  in which the central post  44  is positioned and allowed to freely rotate. An annular flange  66  is secured to the central post  44  above the ring member  60 . The diameter of the flange  66  is greater than the diameter of the ring member  60  such that if the universal coupling fails, the ring member  60  will capture the central post  44 , and thus the platform  40 , and the attachment portion will stay engaged to the platform  40 . The ride vehicle  14  may also include a solid rod (not shown) which runs through the central post  44  and separately attaches to the plate member  48  and the platform  40  adding an additional level of safety should the central post  44  fail. 
     In one embodiment, a coupling bar  72  is affixed to the plate member  48 . The coupling bar  72  includes a first end  74  which is pivotally secured to the ride vehicle  14  at an eyelet  68  configured within the plate member  48 . A second end  76  of the coupling bar  72  extends outwardly from the ride vehicle  14 . As will be discussed in greater detail below, the second end  76  is configured to releasably engage the release mechanism  34 . In one embodiment, the coupling bar  72  extends outwardly from the ride vehicle  14  at least about one foot. In another embodiment, the coupling bar  72  extends outwardly from the ride vehicle  14  between about two feet and about seven feet. The coupling bar  72  allows the release mechanism  34  to be coupled to the ride vehicle  14  at a position spaced apart from where the support lines  16  attach to the ride vehicle  14 . This significantly decreases the possibility that the release mechanism  34  will interfere with the support wire  16  attachment to the ride vehicle  14 , and vice versa. The release mechanism  34  is positioned between the first and second ends  28 , 30  of the tow line  24  such that the release mechanism  34  rests substantially adjacent the ride vehicle  14  even when unattached. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, the eyelet  68  of the plate member  48  may contain annular ball bearings to facilitate the pivoting (shown in phantom) of the ride vehicle  14  with respect to the support lines  16 . An eyebolt  70  may be coupled to the eyelet  68  to allow for rocking in a lateral direction to the direction of the pendulum movement. Thus, the ride vehicle  14  can pivot, oscillate, and move through several degrees of freedom. This multidirectional rocking movement, added to the rotational and pendulum movement adds to the thrill of the device  10 . This increases the thrill factor of the amusement device  10 . This rocking motion can also be enhanced with the coupling arm  74 . If the coupling arm  74  is limited in its range of pivotal motion, the ride vehicle  14  is forced at an angle under the force of the retracting tow line  24 . At the time of release, the force is removed and the ride vehicle  14  pivots relative to the point of attachment of the support wires  16  to the attachment plate  48 , at the eyelet  68 , starting a rocking motion in conjunction with the pendulum and multidirectional motion. 
     In one presently preferred embodiment, the support lines or cables  16  are protected by ring sheaths  78 . The ring sheaths  78  reduce the stress, wear and tear on the support line or cables  16  and protect each support line or cable  16  from grating against an adjacent support line or cable  16  during operation of the amusement device  10 . The rotating motion of the platform  40  relative to the attachment plate  48  also prevents the cables  16  from twisting around each other and causing shear stress. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the spacing the points of attachment of the support cable  16  to the support structure  12 , or the spacing of a pair of support structures, will also help prevent the support cables  16  from twisting. 
     The multidirectional amusement device may also include a dampener  45  which absorbs a downward jolt to the ride vehicle. In various embodiment, the dampener  45  may include a shock absorber, a compression spring, hydraulic or pneumatic devices alone or in various combinations. The dampener may also be positioned at various places to absorb the initial jolt created by the free fall action after release of the ride vehicle  14  from the release mechanism  34 . For example, in one embodiment, the dampener  45  may be positioned between the support lines  16  and the attachment plate  48 . In other embodiments, the dampener  45  may be part of the attachment of the first end of the support lines  16  to the support structure. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a second dampener  47  is positioned about the central post  44  to serve as a shock absorber for the fail-safe member  52 . The dampener  47  is a compression spring. 
     The coupling bar  72  includes a second connection to the ride vehicle  14 . The second connection  80  includes a cable  82  wrapped twice through an eye bolt  84  connected to the coupling bar  72  and an eye bolt  86  attached to the plate member  48 . The cable  82  is bolted to itself with a plurality of cable bolt clamps  88  to complete the loop. In this configuration, the coupling bar  72  has a separate or second connection to the ride vehicle  14 . This redundancy adds safety and protects against failure of the eyelet  68  which secures the coupling bar  72  to the ride vehicle. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art other ways may be implement to provide a fail-safe second attachment of the coupling bar  72  to the ride vehicle  14 . These may include a second coupling bar or a differently configured tether. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 4A-4C, the automatic release of the release mechanism  34  from the coupling bar  72  of the ride vehicle  14  is illustrated. The release mechanism  34  includes a lever  82  and hook  84 . The hook  84  has a cylindrical bushing  86  rotatably connected at the end  88  of the hook  84 . When the release mechanism  34  is attached to the coupling bar  72 , a post  90  configured within the second end  76  of the coupling bar  72  is captured by the hook  84 . A projection member  92  is integral with the lever  82 . The projection member  92  is positioned adjacent the bolt  90  on the opposite side of a pivot point  94  from an arm  96  of the lever  82 . When the lever  82  and lever arm  96  of the release mechanism  34  engages the stop  36 , the lever  82  pivots about the pivot point  94  forcing the projection member  92  into the post  90  of the coupling arm  72 . The cylindrical bushing  86  rotates and the post  90  is forced off of the hook  84  over the bushing  86  and the ride vehicle  14  is automatically disengaged from the tow line  24  allowing the ride vehicle  14  to start its motion through a horizontal and vertical translation by a vector rotation. 
     The tow line  24  includes a stop plate  100  which protects the winch  32  from engaging the release mechanism  34 . It will be appreciated that the release mechanism  34  can be secured to the tow line  24  in a variety a positions to allow the automatic release of the ride vehicle  14  at a predetermined height, relative to the retraction tower  22 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 5, a plurality of support lines  16  are used to secure the ride vehicle  14  to each support structure  12 . In the embodiment shown, three cable are used. Each support line  16  is secured to the support structure  12  by looping the first end  18  through an orifice  102  in a plate  104  secured to the support structure  12  by bolts  106 . Each looped end is then secured to itself by multiple cable bolt clamps  88 . The support lines may also be fitted with ring sheaths  78  to protect the ends  18  of the support lines or cables  16  against shearing. 
     In one embodiment, the support lines  16  are moored to their respective support structures  12  in orifices  102  that are spaced apart form each other. Using multiple support lines  16  reduces the wear and tear on any one individual support line  16  by dividing the load. As the ride vehicle  14  oscillates in pendulum motion, the weight load is shifted from on support line  16  to the next. Preferably, each support line  16  is of sufficient strength to support the entire load of the ride vehicle  14 . 
     Each support line  16  also has a second connection  108  to the support structure  12 . In one embodiment, a tether cable  110  is threaded through the looped first end  18  of the support line  16  and secured to a separate area of the support structure  12 , distinct from the plate  104 . Accordingly, if the plate  104  fails, the second connection  108  will support and maintain the support lines  16  in connection with the support structure  12 . 
     Each of the support lines  16  attached to a support structure are attached to each other at spaced intervals  112 . The support lines  16  may be secured together with one or more tether cables  114 . The tether cables  114  are bolted at respective ends to the support lines  16  with cable bolt clamps  88 . The tether cables  114  should be long enough to not substantially interfere with the action of any individual support line  16 . The support lines  16  for the amusement device  10  of the present invention are long and could pose a potential danger if the entire length of the support line  16  were to fall to the ground. By tethering the support lines  16  together, the amount that any portion of a broken support line  16  falls can be controlled. In one embodiment, the support lines  16  are secured to each other at equal intervals of about four feet. Additionally, if a support line  16  should break, the load previously support by that support line  16  is transferred to the other two support lines  16  through the tether cable  114 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the first end  18  of the support line  16  movably engages the support tower  12 . By allowing for movement of the attachment point of the support lines  16  to the support structure, the effective length of the support lines can be modify to affect the period of the oscillation of the ride vehicle  14  through the horizontal and vertical translation by a vector rotation. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that by changing the effective lengths of the support lines  16  at particular times during the motion of the ride vehicle  14 , the ride vehicle  14  can be accelerated into a faster motion, or decelerated into slower or dampened motion. This configuration increases the thrill factor of the ride and also provides a breaking or slow down system. 
     In the embodiment in FIG. 6, the plate  104  is pivotally attached to support structure platform  118 . The support structure platform  118  includes an orifice  120  in which a shaft  122  is positioned. The shaft is attached at one end to the plate  104  and at an opposing end to a sphere  124 . A plunger  126  may engage the sphere causing the plate  104  to pivot and the first ends  18  of the support lines  16  to move back and forth in an arc having a horizontal component. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, alternative embodiments are shown which include different methods of slidably attaching the support lines  16  to the support structure  12 . In the embodiment of FIG. 7, vertical slots  130  are configured within the support structure  12  to allow the plate  104  to ride vertically within the slots  130 . A worm drive  136  may be utilized to control movement of the plate  104  and attached first ends  18  of the support lines in a vertical direction. In FIG. 8, the slots  130  are at an angle which allows the support lines  16  to move in a direction that is neither horizontal nor vertical. FIG. 8 also illustrates that the movable engagement of the support lines  16  relative to the support structure  12  may be accomplished using a winch  140  or other motor-driven device. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the first ends  18  of the support lines  16  may be configured to movably engage the support structure  12  in a variety of ways to accomplish the teachings of this invention. 
     Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, in operation, a mounting platform (not shown) may be positioned under the ride vehicle  14  to assist in loading and securing riders in the ride vehicle  14 . The mounting platform may then be moved away. The release mechanism  34  is secured to the coupling bar  72  of the ride vehicle and the tow line  24  draws the ride vehicle  14  toward the retraction tower  22 . The retraction tower is positioned closer to the support structure than the distance between the first end and the second end of the support line. It will be appreciated that this will create some slack in the support wires  16  as the ride vehicle  14  nears the retraction tower  22 . Accordingly, upon release, there is an increased free fall element to the ride motion. When the support lines  16  become taut, the attachment plate  48  accelerates forward tipping the ride vehicle  14 . This action increases the rocking and oscillating action of the ride vehicle  14  in multiple directions, increasing the thrill factor of the device  10 . 
     As the tow line  24  is drawn in, the lever  82  of the release mechanism engages the stop  36  secured to the retraction tower  22  which causes the ride vehicle  14  to disengage the release mechanism  34  and move through a horizontal and vertical translation through a vector rotation until the force of gravity causes the ride vehicle  14  to come to rest beneath the support structures  12 . Handles  41  may be secured to the platform  40  of the ride vehicle  14  to facilitate manually slowing or stopping the motion of the ride vehicle  14  at the end of the pendulum motion. A mounting platform may be used to help riders disembark the sing device  10 . The release mechanism  34  is then lowered, with the help of the weight  38  down to a position adjacent the ride vehicle  14 . 
     Referring to FIG. 9, In certain embodiments cross cables  150  may secure at one end  152  to a cable  16  and at an another end  154  to another cable  16  a distance  156  from the end  152 . The diagonal securement of the cross cables  150  may lessen impact loading of remaining cables  16  should a single cable  16  fail. 
     Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, if the cables arranged as shown were to fail at a point at or above point  152 , the cross cable  150   b  will transfer the load carried by the cable  16   a  to the cable  16   b  as shown in FIG.  10 B. The diagonal orientation of the cross cables  150   a - 150   d  ensures that the arrangement of the cross cables  150   a - 150   b  prior to failure more closely approximate the orientation of the cross cables  150   a - 150   b  will assume when actually loaded due to failure of a cable  16   a - 16   c.    
     For example, the cross cable  150   b  as oriented in FIG. 10A is oriented much as it is in FIG. 10B where loading has caused it to be oriented along a line between the securement point of the cable  16   a  (not shown) and the point  160  on the cable  16   b.  In this manner impact loads are lessened because loads are not given as much room to accelerate before load is transferred to another cable, such as cable  16   b  in this example. The first and second support lines  16   a-c  and the first and additional cross lines or cables  150   a-d  may be metal. 
     Additional cross lines or cables  16  may be secured to the first support line  16  and to the second support line  16  at spaced intervals along the length of the first and second support lines. The additional cross lines  150  may extend substantially diagonally relative to the support lines. In one embodiment, a first and second cross line  150  extend crosswise relative to each other in crisscross fashion. Thus, a plurality of cross lines  150  may be secured between a first support line  16   a  and a second support line  16   b  with the cross lines  150  extending substantially diagonally relative to the support lines  16 . 
     The first support line  16   a  connected between the support  12  and the vehicle  14  may have a first longitudinal and lateral direction. A second support line  16   b  extending between the support  12  and the vehicle  14  may have a second longitudinal and lateral direction. The first cross-line  150  may extend diagonally between the first support line  16   a  and the second support line  16   b  at angles with respect thereto selected to substantially reduce motion of the first support line in the first longitudinal direction in the event of failure of the first support line. 
     In one embodiment, a first cross-line  150   a  is directed at angles substantially less than 90 degrees with respect to the first and second support lines  16   a,    16   b.  In another embodiment, a first cross-line  150   a  is directed at angles less than 75 degrees with respect to the first and second support lines  16   a,    16   b.  In another embodiment, a first cross-line  150   a  is directed at angles less than 50 degrees with respect to the first and second support lines  16   a,    16   b.  In another embodiment, a first cross-line  150   a  is directed at angles less than 30 degrees with respect to the first and second support lines  16   a,    16   b.  In another embodiment, a first cross-line  150   a  is directed at angles less than 10 degrees with respect to the first and second support lines  16   a,    16   b.    
     The first cross-line  150   a  may be directed at angles selected to reduce displacement of the first support line  16   a  in a first longitudinal direction in an amount less than 90 percent of the distance between the first support line and the second support line proximate the first cross-line in the event of failure of the first support line. The first cross-line  150   a  may be directed at angles selected to reduce displacement of the first support line  16   a  in a first longitudinal direction in an amount less than 70 percent of the distance between the first support line and the second support line proximate the first cross-line in the event of failure of the first support line. The first cross-line  150   a  may be directed at angles selected to reduce displacement of the first support line  16   a  in a first longitudinal direction in an amount less than 50 percent of the distance between the first support line and the second support line proximate the first cross-line in the event of failure of the first support line. The first cross-line  150   a  may be directed at angles selected to reduce displacement of the first support line  16   a  in a first longitudinal direction in an amount less than 30 percent of the distance between the first support line and the second support line proximate the first cross-line in the event of failure of the first support line. The first cross-line  150   a  may be directed at angles selected to reduce displacement of the first support line  16   a  in a first longitudinal direction in an amount less than 10 percent of the distance between the first support line and the second support line proximate the first cross-line in the event of failure of the first support line. 
     Referring to FIG. 11, in certain embodiments, a fail-safe member  52  may secure the platform  40  to the cables  16 . In certain embodiments the fail-safe member  52  may also provide for rotation of a portion of the fail-safe member  52  with respect to another portion of the fail-safe member  52 . This may allow for rotation of the platform  40  relative to the cables  16 . In some embodiments a swivel  166  may secure the platform  40  to the cables  16 . A swivel  166  may have various embodiments, for example the swivel  166  may be either double or single pivoting. The swivel  166  may have a stop  168  formed thereon to engage a catch  169  effective to prevent separation of the swivel heads  170   a,    170   b  in the event the swivel  166  should fail. In certain embodiments the stop  168  may be embodied as the swivel heads  170   a,    170   b  themselves. The catch  169  may be embodied as the plate  48 . 
     In certain embodiments, a head  170   a  may be secured to a shaft  172 . A shaft  172  may be a rod, post, or other structure enabling the swivel  166  to be secured to another structure. A head  170   b  may likewise have a shaft  174  secured thereto. The shaft  172  may extend through an aperture  176  in the plate  48  and secure to the cables  16 . The shaft  174  may extend through an aperture  178  in a lower plate  179  and secure to the central post  44 . Alternatively, the central post  44  may secure directly to the head  170   b.  The diameter  180  of the heads  170   a,    170   b  may be larger than the diameter  182  of the apertures  176 ,  178 . The top plate  48  and lower plate  179  therefore act as catches  169  engaging stops  168 , embodied as the heads  170   a,    170   b,  to prevent complete failure of the swivel  166 . 
     In certain embodiments the bars  58  may maintain the plates  48 ,  179  separated from one another by a fixed distance. The bars  58  may extend through apertures  184  formed in the plates  48 ,  179  and be held in place by fasteners  186  such as bolts, welds, snap rings, or the like. In certain embodiments the bars  58  may have shoulders  188  formed therein serving to prevent the plates  48 ,  179  from approaching one another. Any number of bars  48  may be used, for example, in the embodiment of FIG. 11, two bars  58  are used. The number of bars  48  may be chosen to ensure sufficient bearing capacity to withstand static and dynamic loads which may result from failure of the swivel  166 . 
     A fail-safe member  52  may be used to couple other components of the apparatus  10  to one another. For example, the fail-safe member  52  may be used to couple the cables  16  to a tower  12 . The rotation of the swivel  166  may accommodate the twisting or rotation of the cables  16  caused by the swinging of the platform  40 , while providing added security. A fail-safe member  52  may be used in many applications where both swiveling functionality and increased safety are desired. 
     Referring to FIG. 12, A fail-safe member  52  may be disposed in a variety of configurations. For example, the catch  169  may be mounted to a housing  194 . The housing  194  may be embodied as a cylinder  196 , or tube  196  of square or polygonal cross section extending around the swivel  166 . The catch  169  may be embodied as a flange  198  formed on the housing  194 . In certain embodiments the flange  198  may be material forming part of the cylinder  194  that is bent outward from the cylinder  196 . In certain embodiments a portion of the flange  198  may extend substantially parallel to the walls of the housing  194  In certain embodiments the flange  198  may be a separate member fastened to the housing  194  by bolts, welds, or the like. The flange  198  may extend substantially continuously around the housing  194 , or may be embodied as extensions or ears occurring at distinct locations around the housing  194   
     The stop  168  may be formed on a retainer  200  engaging the housing  194 . In certain embodiments the retainer may be embodied as a ring  202 , cylinder  202 , or tube  202  of square or polygonal cross section, extending around the swivel  166 . The catch  169  may be embodied as a flange  204  formed on the retainer  200 . In certain embodiments the flange  204  may be material forming part of the ring  202 , or cylinder  202 , that is bent toward the center of the ring  202 . In certain embodiments a portion of the flange  204  may extend substantially parallel to the walls of the retainer  200 . In certain embodiments the flange  204  may be embodied as a separate member fastened to the retainer  200 . The flange  204  may extend substantially continuously around the retainer  200 , or may be embodied as extensions or ears occurring at distinct locations around the retainer  200 . 
     For embodiments of the flange  198  embodied as periodically placed extensions or ears, the flange  204  may extend substantially continuously around the interior of the retainer  200 . For embodiments of the flange  198  embodied as a continuous flange extending around the housing  194 , the flange  204  may be embodied as either a continuous band of material, or as periodically placed extensions or ears. In some embodiments the flange  198  maybe formed on the interior of the housing  194 . Accordingly, the flange  204  may then extend outwardly from the retainer  200  to engage the flange  198 . 
     The flange  198  may engage the flange  204 , effectively preventing the retainer  200  from moving in a direction  205  relative to the housing  194 . A seal  206  may be interposed between the flanges  198 ,  204  to prevent the exposure of the swivel  166  to debris, water, or other contaminants. The housing  194  and retainer  200  may also surround the swivel  166 , protecting the swivel  166  from entanglement with, or damage from, cables or the like. 
     In certain embodiments the top plate  48  may be embodied as a plate  48  or bar  48  extending across the cylinder housing  194 . In certain embodiments a pair of plates  48  may be used. The bottom plate  179  may likewise be embodied as a bar  179 , plate  179 , or pair of plates  179 , extending across the retainer  200 . The shaft  172  may, accordingly be inserted between the plates  48  and held in place by a weld, pin, bolt, or the like. The plates  48 ,  179  may have apertures  207  formed therein to serve as attachment points for a cable  16 , for example. An aperture  207  may likewise extend through a shaft  172 ,  174 . 
     The plate  48  may entirely cover one end of the housing  194 , helping to limit exposure of the swivel  166  to debris, water, or other contaminants. The bottom plate  179  may also be embodied as a plate  179  extending over the entire opening of the retainer  200  effectively limiting the exposure of the swivel  166  to debris or damaging contact with other components of the apparatus  10 . 
     The shaft  172  may be fixedly attached to the top plate  48 , or plates  48 . Alternatively, the shaft  172  may extend through the top plate  48 , or plates  48 , and be rotatable relative thereto. Likewise, the shaft  174  may be either fixedly or rotatably secured to the bottom plate  179 , or bottom plates  179 . Other structures may, accordingly, secure directly to the shafts  172 ,  174  or to the plates  48 ,  179 . For example, the cables  16  and the center post  44  may secure to the plates  48 ,  179 . In the embodiment shown, the cables  16  are secured to the top plate  48  and the bottom plate  179  may then, for example, secure to a tower  12 . 
     The plates  48 ,  179  may secure to the housing  194  by means of welds, bolts, or any other fastener capable of withstanding the forces due to the weight and inertial forces of the ride vehicle  14 . In certain embodiments, a plate  48 ,  179  may be threaded to screw in to one end of a housing  194 , or retainer  200 . In some embodiments the plates  48 ,  179 , swivel  166 , housing  194 , and retainer  200  may be secured to the fail-safe member  52  separately. For example the swivel  166 , housing  194 , and plate  48  may be assembled first. The retainer  200  may then be brought over the housing  194  into engagement with the flange  198 . The plate  179  may then be secured to the shaft  174  of the swivel  166  and to the retainer  200 . Various other methods and orderings of assembly are possible to manufacture a fail-safe member  52  in accordance with the invention. 
     Referring to FIG. 13, in certain embodiments the housing  194  may have two caps  214   a,    214   b  on either end. The caps  214   a,    214   b  may have rims  216   a,    216   b  either formed thereon, or secured thereto. The rims  216   a,    216   b  may have flanges  218   a,    218   b  either formed thereon or secured thereto. A lip  220   a,    220   b  may also be formed on a flange  218   a,    218   b.  The heads  170   a,    170   b  or shafts  472 ,  474  may have disks  222   a,    222   b  secured thereto. The disks  222   a,    222   b  may serve as stops  168 . The disks  222   a,    222   b  may have flanges  224   a,    224   b  secured thereto or formed thereon. The flanges  224   a,    224   b  may have a lip  226   a,    226   b  formed thereon. The flanges  218   a,    218   b  may serve as catches  169  to engage the flanges  224   a,    224   b.  A lip  220   a,    220   b  may engage a lip  226   a,    226   b  to maintain the flanges  224   a,    224   b  concentric with the flanges  218   a,    218   b.  The lips  226   a,    226   b  may function with the lips  220   a,    220   b  to engage a seal  228   a,    228   b  to prevent the entry of contaminants into the housing  194 . The shafts  172 ,  174  may extend through apertures  230   a,    230   b  in the caps  214   a,    214   b  in order to secure to a plate  48 , plate  179 , cable  16 , tower  12 , or the like. 
     In some embodiments a disk  222   a,    222   b  may be formed without a flange  224   a,    224   b  or lip  226   a,    226   b.  In a like manner the caps  214   a,    214   b  may be formed without a flange  218   a,    218   b  or lip  220   a,    220   b.  In such an embodiment the disks  222   a,    222   b  may simply engage the rims  216   a,    216   b  in order to provide for the possibility of failure of the swivel  166 . 
     In order to manufacture the fail-safe member  52  of FIG. 13, the tops  232   a,    232   b  of the caps  214   a,    214   b  may be secured to the caps  214   a,    214   b  after the other components of the fail-safe member  52  have been assembled. In a like manner the flanges  224   a,    224   b  may be secured to the rims  216   a,    216   b  before the flanges  218   a,    218   b  are secured to the caps  214   a,    214   b.    
     Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a retracting mechanism  32  may make use of an assist mechanism  224 . The assist mechanism may assist the retracting mechanism  32  in pulling the ride vehicle  14  to the top of the retraction tower  22 . In certain embodiments the assist mechanism  224  may also provide added safety in the event that the retracting mechanism  32  were to fail. In certain embodiments the assist mechanism may be a counter weight  226  secured to a cable  24   a.  The other end of the cable  24   a  may secure to the ride vehicle  14 . The cable  24   a  may extend over pulleys  228  and  230  to permit the cable to wrap over the top of the retraction tower  22 . 
     A driver  236  may serve to raise the counter weight  226  so that the cables  24   a,    24   b  may be extended to the ride vehicle  14  before the ride vehicle  14  is raised. The driver  236  may be embodied as a driven wheel  238  and an idler wheel  240 . The idler wheel  240  may press the cable  24   a  against the driven wheel  238  such that enough friction develops for the driven wheel  238  to raise the counter weight  226 . The wheel  238  may be driven by any motor, or the like, such as a hydraulic motor, electric motor, or a pneumatic motor. 
     A cable  24   b  may wrap over a pulley  234  and be drawn by the retracting mechanism  32  effectively raising the ride vehicle  14 . Alternatively, the retracting mechanism  32  may be mounted on top of the tower  22  and the pulley  234  may be unnecessary. The action of gravity on the counterweight  226  may serve to assist the retraction device in raising the ride vehicle  14 . In the event that the retracting mechanism were to fail the counter weight  226  may reduce the acceleration of the ride vehicle  14  to minimize harm to the occupants of the ride vehicle  14 . 
     Referring to FIG. 16, In certain embodiments an assist mechanism  224  maybe used with a damper  241  resisting extension and/or retraction of the cable  24   a.  A damper  241  may be embodied as a counter weight  226  suspended within a tube  242 . A tube  242  may be at least partially filled with fluid  243 . The fluid  243  may enhance resistance to movement of the counter weight  226  within the tube. The fluid  243  may be oil, water, or the like. The fluid  243  may also be air and the clearance between the tube  242  and the counter weight  226  sufficiently small that sufficient resistance is created. The fluid  243  may aid the counter weight  226  in limiting acceleration in the event the retracting mechanism  32  were to fail. 
     Referring to FIG. 17, in certain embodiments an assist mechanism  224  may be a clutch  244 . The clutch  244  may also serve as a damper  241 , resisting the downward acceleration of the ride vehicle  14  in the event the retracting mechanism  32  were to fail. The clutch  244  may resist with a constant force or a force that is proportional to the velocity of the ride vehicle  14 . The clutch  244  may also have rewind capabilities such as a spring, compressed air, or other biasing means tending to wind the cable  24   a  into the clutch  244 . The rewind capabilities may assist the retracting mechanism  32  in raising the ride vehicle  14 . The clutch  244  may be a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric clutch. 
     Referring to FIG. 18, in some embodiments a clutch  244  may be positioned a distance  250  from the ground. The clutch  244  may have rollers  252  engaging the cable  24   a  and resisting movement of the cable  24   a  through the clutch  244 . A counter weight  226  may secure to the cable  24   a  and serve to assist in raising the ride vehicle and providing greater safety. The clutch  244  of the embodiment of FIG. 18 may or may not have rewind capabilities. 
     Referring to FIG. 19, a damper  241  may simply be a piston  248  slidable within a tube  242 . The cable  24  may secure to the piston  248  and the drive mechanism  52 . An aperture  250  may resist the passage of air out of the cylinder  242 . In this manner, if the drive mechanism were to fail, the piston  248  would compress the air in the cylinder  242  in order to absorb energy. The air may be slowly released through the aperture  250  to allow the ride vehicle to lower to the ground. The aperture  250  may be sized to provide sufficient resistence to prevent rapid descent of the ride vehicle  14 , while at the same time not presenting excessive resistence to the drive mechanism  52  when the ride vehicle  14  is being slowly raised. This may be possible due to the proportionality of air resistance to the square of the air velocity. The diameter  252  of the tube  242  may be such that enough air is captured between the piston  248  and the tube  242  to absorb significant amounts of energy if the ride vehicle  14  were to fall. 
     It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the assist mechanism, in addition to being used in conjunction with the retracting mechanism  32 , may also be employed in conjunction with one or more of the support lines  16  to provide added safety. For example, the assist mechanism in the form of a clutch, piston, or any of the forms discussed above, or like mechanisms, may be positioned between the ride vehicle  14  and one or more support towers or structures  12 . In the event that a support line  16  failed, the assist mechanism would slow or prevent the ride vehicle from descending rapidly to the ground. 
     It should be appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention is capable of being incorporated in the form of a variety of embodiments, only a few of which have been illustrated and described above. The invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.