Patent ID: 7927223

Claim:
An amusement ride, comprising: a support structure generally having the shape of a vertical standing arch that spans from a first ground base on one side of the support structure to a second ground base on another side of the support structure; at least one vehicle movably supported on the support structure for carrying one or more passengers at least partially along a length of the support structure from an initial loading position at one of the first and second ground bases; a cable affixed to the vehicle and arranged as a closed cable-loop that runs along the length of the support structure and returns via a link between the first ground base and the second ground base; and a motor acting upon the cable as it runs along the link to operate as a lifting device for lifting the vehicle from the initial loading position upwards along the support structure, and to operate as a braking mechanism for braking the vehicle when it travels from an elevated position in a downward direction along the support structure.