Patent Publication Number: US-6342017-B1

Title: Amusement ride with enhanced ride control

Description:
This application claims benefit to Provisional Application No. 60/164053 filed Nov. 8, 1999. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to amusement rides and, more particularly, to an amusement ride allowing for enhanced control of the rider&#39;s experience. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Myriad amusement rides are known in the art for propelling riders vertically and/or horizontally. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,783 discloses a human slingshot amusement ride, wherein elastic cords propel a carrier between two elongated towers. Another prior art amusement ride designed to approximate the feeling of free fall includes a carrier movably mounted in vertical tower. When the carrier reaches the top, it is released in a free fall guided by the track. In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,906 discloses a swing-type amusement ride wherein a rider swings from a cord connected to a tower. To initiate the ride, the rider is lifted in the air and released to swing like a pendulum. While the prior art rides fulfill their respective objectives, once the carrier is released, they do not allow for precise, real-time control over the action of the ride and, therefore, the rider&#39;s experience. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an amusement ride that allows for enhanced control of the ride path and, thus, the riders&#39; experience. In one embodiment, the present invention allows for manual control of the acceleration, speed and direction of the carrier into which at least one rider is secured. The amusement ride of the present invention comprises a track, a carrier engaging the track and moveable along the track, a control system, and a propulsion mechanism operably connected to the control system. According to the invention, the propulsion mechanism is also operably connected to the carrier to displace the carrier along the track in response to control signals from the control system. 
     In one embodiment, riders sit in and are strapped into specially designed chairs attached to the carrier. In one embodiment, the present invention allows a pair of riders to move up or down a track that can either be vertical, horizontal, or inclined at some angle. In one embodiment, a control device (such as a joystick similar to that used for a video game) is positioned between each pair of riders. In this embodiment, the joystick can be pushed or pulled by one of the pair of riders to control movement of the carrier. 
     In one embodiment, the ride&#39;s motion is controlled by one of the two riders. In another embodiment, the ride operator controls the ride&#39;s motion. In one embodiment, the control system includes a joystick. Other suitable controls include buttons, dials and the like. In one embodiment, the joystick that controls the ride&#39;s motion sends signals to the control system on the ground via a cable that is attached to the chair and runs down to the ground. At the ground is a cable reel that takes up the slack or pays out the amount of cable that is needed. In another embodiment, the joystick or control interface communicates wirelessly with the control system. 
     According to one embodiment, the carrier housing the rider(s) is lifted into the air or pulled back down by wires or cables that are pulled in and released by a propulsion mechanism. In one embodiment, the propulsion mechanism comprises a hydraulic ram and a propulsion magnification system including a block and tackle system. In one embodiment, the wires wind around numerous sheaves in such a way so that if the hydraulic ram extends by 10 feet then the chair is pulled 120 feet into the air. This system is classified as a 12:1 block and tackle system. The speed of the chair then is also 12 times the speed of the ram. In one embodiment, a pneumatic ram is substituted for the hydraulic ram. In another embodiment, the propulsion mechanism comprises a high-speed electric winch operably connected to a control system, instead of a ram and propulsion magnification system. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the amusement ride according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a section plan view a propulsion mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 show one embodiment of the amusement ride constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As FIG. 1 shows, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a tower  1  including a track  2  thereon, a carrier  4  having a slider  3  engaging track  2  and at least one chair dimensioned to seat and support a rider, a propulsion mechanism, and a control system. Although not shown, tower  1 , in one embodiment, is mounted in a base, such as a large concrete slab or steel frame. In one embodiment, tower  1  comprises a large-diameter (e.g., 30 inches) steel tube obviating the need for guy wires or other support members. Slider  3  engages track  2  and allows carrier  4  to slide therein. In one embodiment, slider  3 , includes bogeys (i.e., the wheel assemblies commonly found in roller coaster cars) that guide and constrain movement of carrier  4  in track  2 . 
     The control system controls the ride path of carrier  4  by operating the propulsion mechanism. In one embodiment, the control system allows the rider(s) or ride operator to manually control the ride path. In another embodiment, the control system allows the rider(s) or ride operator to select from a plurality of pre-programmed ride paths. In another embodiment, the control system allows the rider(s) or ride operator the option of manual control or selection of a pre-programmed ride path. In one embodiment, the control system includes a microcomputer or programmable logic controller operably connected to a user interface device, such as a joystick  8  or a control panel. In the embodiment shown, the control system receives control signals via control cable  16 , generated during manipulation of joystick  8 , and transmits corresponding signals to the propulsion mechanism. In one embodiment, pulling harder on the joystick results in faster upwards motion in the vertical direction, while pushing quickly on the joystick results in faster downward motion. In one embodiment, pushing quickly on the joystick when the carrier is moving rapidly upward result in negative G&#39;s (a rider being lifted off his seat) as the carrier is propelled back toward the ground. 
     As discussed above, in one embodiment, the control system allows the ride operator or the rider(s) to select pre-programmed ride paths. In one embodiment, the control system includes a user interface (such as a panel with buttons corresponding to different pre-programmed ride paths) operably connected to a computing device storing the pre-programmed ride paths. In one embodiment, the microcomputer or programmable logic circuit stores pre-programmed ride paths. Once the ride path has been selected, the microcomputer or programmable logic circuit, in one embodiment, loads the selected ride path into memory and transmits corresponding control signals to the propulsion mechanism to effect movement of the carrier according to the pre-programmed path. 
     The propulsion mechanism of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes hydraulic powerplant assembly  20  and propulsion magnification system  5 . In one embodiment, after a ride operator initiates the start of a ride, one of the riders in carrier  4  manipulates joystick  8  sending signals through control cable  16  to the remainder of the control system that operates hydraulic powerplant assembly  20 . In one embodiment, control cable  16  connects to a microcomputer or programmable logic circuit that operates hydraulic power plant assembly  20 . In one embodiment, the riders can control the direction, acceleration, and speed of carrier  4  with joystick  8 . In one embodiment, control cable  16  is stored on cable reel  9 . Cable reel  9  is responsible for keeping control cable  16  in constant tension so slack does not form in control cable  16  as carrier  4  moves along track  2 . In another embodiment, communication of control signals between joystick  8  and the remainder of the control system operating on hydraulic powerplant  20  is wireless, thereby obviating the need for cable  16  and cable reel  9 . 
     The hydraulic powerplant assembly  20  supplies hydraulic oil under pressure to effect displacement of hydraulic ram  12  of propulsion magnification system  5 . In one embodiment, propulsion magnification system  5  consists of a rigid frame  10  to which hydraulic ram  12  is attached. The rod end  12 B of hydraulic ram  12  is attached to main block  11 , which is constrained to move back and forth within rigid frame  10 . Main block  11  is guided within the rigid frame  10  by guide wheels  15 . 
     Hydraulic powerplant assembly  20  provides fluid under pressure to extend and retract hydraulic ram  12  in a conventional manner. Hydraulic powerplant assembly  20  and ram  12  include the proper valves (not shown) to effect extension and retraction of the ram  12 . When hydraulic oil under pressure is directed from the hydraulic powerplant assembly to the piston end  12 A of hydraulic ram  12 , hydraulic ram  12  is forced to extend, pushing the main block  11  away from ram  12 . In the embodiment shown, lifting cable  13  and lowering cable  14  attach to slider  3  of carrier  4 . Lifting cable  13  is routed from slider  3  up to top sheave  7 A and back down to propulsion magnification system  5  where it weaves back an forth between main block  11  and the top of rigid frame  10 . As FIG. 2 illustrates, a series of sheaves or pulleys  17  attached to both main block  11  and rigid frame  10  guide, support, and redirect lifting cable  13 . In one embodiment, the other end of lifting cable  13  is attached to the top of the rigid frame  10  via an extension spring  18 . In another embodiment, the other end of lifting cable  13  is directly attached to the top of rigid frame  10 . 
     Lowering cable  14  is reeved similarly to that of lifting cable  13 . In the embodiment shown, lowering cable  14  attaches to slider  3  of carrier  4 , extends through bottom sheaves or pulleys  7 B and terminates at the propulsion mechanism. In one embodiment, lowering cable  14 , as with lifting cable  13 , is supported and redirected, within rigid frame  10  by sheaves or pulleys  17  between main block  11  and rigid frame  10 . 
     When hydraulic fluid under pressure is directed from the hydraulic powerplant assembly  20  to the rod end  12 B of the hydraulic ram  12 , the hydraulic ram  12  is forced to retract pulling the main block  11  up. This action raises the end of lowering cable  14  attached to main block  11  and ultimately routed through the bottom sheave  7 , to pull slider  3  and carrier  4  down. Lowering of carrier  4  tensions lifting cable  13  and takes up the slack caused by upward displacement of main block  11 . Conversely, when hydraulic power plant assembly  20  direct fluid under pressure to the piston end  12 A of hydraulic ram  12 , main block  11  moves downwardly, thereby causing lifting cable  13  to pull carrier  4  up track  2 . As above, lifting of carrier  4  tensions lowering cable  14  and takes up the slack caused by downward displacement of main block  11 . In the embodiment shown, slider  3  will be displaced a distance approximately 6 times the distance main block  11  moves. This distance depends upon how many times the lifting cable  13  and/or lowering cable  14  is/are reeved back and forth between main block  11  and rigid frame  10  (in FIG. 2 it is reeved 6 times). If lifting cable  13  is reeved 12 times, then slider  3  will move about 12 feet for every 1 foot of movement in main block  11 . Of course, the block and tackle ratios employed in the embodiments described herein are not required by any constraint and depend on the dimensions and desired characteristics of the ride. In another embodiment, the propulsion mechanism comprises a high speed winch that pulls in and pays out lifting cable  13  or lowering cable  14  to effect movement of carrier  4 . In one such embodiment, lifting cable  13  and lowering cable  14  are joined and operably connected to the high speed winch. 
     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of certain embodiments and the principles of the present invention. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Therefore, it is intended that all suitable modifications and equivalents which may be resorted to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.