Amusement devices – Occupant support translatable along vertical path
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-10
2002-12-24
Nguyen, Kien T. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices
Occupant support translatable along vertical path
C472S136000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06497623
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to an amusement device of the type in which one or more cables are used to successively propel and retard a rider to cause the rider to undergo a vertically oscillatory motion.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The amusement device according to the invention is particularly, although not solely, suitable for use in bungee jumping operations in which an elastic cord is employed to arrest the fall of a participant, and in reverse bungee jumping operations and so-called “sling-shots” in which participants are propelled upwardly under the influence of elastic cords. One such sling-shot is disclosed in Australian Petty Patent 656110.
The elastic cords which are utilised in the amusement devices of the type referred to above typically comprise a multitude of strands of rubber wound between two spaced-apart end spools and then bound together with elastic binding. While such elastic cords do allow the amusement devices to operate effectively, they also have deficiencies. One such deficiency is a tendency for the rubber strands to deteriorate under the effect of heat generated within the elastic cords as they undergo extension and contraction, and as they rub one against another. The heat generated can cause degradation of the strands, particularly in the region near the spools. Additionally, the heat which is generated cannot readily dissipate from the central region of each elastic cord and so heat accumulates in that region. Consequently, the central region of the elastic cord becomes hotter, causing the inner strands to deteriorate more rapidly than the outer strands. The inner strands are therefore more likely to fail before the outer strands. This can lead to a dangerous situation as the deteriorating inner strands are masked by the outer strands and so may not be visible. The degradation can lead to rupturing of the strands and consequently a reduction in the loading capacity of the elastic cords. In view of this degradation of the elastic cords, it is necessary to replace the cords on such amusement devices at regular intervals, which leads to an increase in operating costs and possible loss of operation time. Further, the elastic cords need to be protected from extensive exposure to sunlight as they can deteriorate under the effect of ultra-violet radiation. A still further deficiency of the elastic cords is that they can be time-consuming and dangerous to construct, the danger arising from the possibility of the stretched rubber strands breaking during the construction process and causing injury to the person carrying out the process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It would be advantageous to provide amusement devices of the type described with an alternative to elastic cords so as to avoid the deficiencies referred to above.
The invention provides an amusement device comprising a cable adapted to support one or more participants, and a mechanical system comprising first and second guide means between which a section of the cable winds back and forth, the first and second guide means being yieldingly movable elastically with respect to each other.
Throughout this specification, the term “cable” shall be taken to include a cable, cord, rope, chain and like elongate flexible elements, and any combination thereof.
The mechanical system may further comprise an elastic structure having opposed ends between which the elastic structure can undergo extension and contraction, one of the first and second guide means being operatively connected to the elastic structure whereby tensioning of said cable is adapted to cause shortening of said winding section and thereby loading of the elastic structure to store strain energy therein, the stored energy or at least part thereof, being returned to the cable upon a reduction in loading on the cable.
Preferably, said first and second guide mans are connected to the ends of the elastic structure. In one arrangement, one end of the elastic structure is connected to a first support means, the first guide means being connected to the other end of the elastic structure and the second guide means being connected to a second support means, said winding section of the cable providing a link between the elastic structure and the second support means, whereby tensioning of the cable is adapted to cause shortening of the link and thereby said loading of the elastic structure.
The invention also provides an amusement device comprising a cable adapted to support one or more riders, an elastic structure having opposed ends between which the elastic structure can undergo extension and contraction, the cable having a section thereof winding back and forth between first and second guide means one of which is operatively connected to the elastic structure whereby tensioning of said cable is adapted to cause shortening of said winding section and thereby loading of the elastic structure to store strain energy therein, the stored energy or at least part thereof being returned to the cable upon a reduction in loading on the cable.
The present invention also provides an amusement device comprising a cable one end of which is adapted to support one or more riders, an elastic structure having opposed ends between which the elastic structure can undergo extension and contraction, one end of the elastic structure being connected to a first support means, the cable having a section thereof winding back and forth between first and second guide means, the first guide means being connected to the other end of the elastic structure and the second guide means being connected to a second support means, said winding section of the cable providing a link between the elastic structure and the second support means, whereby tensioning of said cable upon motion of said one or more riders in one direction is adapted to cause shortening of the link and thereby extension of said elastic structure to store strain energy therein and consequently retard said motion of said one or more riders in said one direction, the stored energy or at least part thereof being returned to the cable upon a reduction in loading on the cable thereby to allow lengthening of the link between the elastic means and the second support and consequently induce motion of said one or more riders in a generally reverse direction.
The present invention also provides an amusement device comprising a launch site, means providing a plurality of support locations elevated above and horizontally offset from the launch site, a support structure for supporting one or more riders, a plurality of cables one end of each of which is connected to the support structure, releasable anchoring means for releasably anchoring the support structure to the launch site, an elastic structure having opposed ends between which the elastic structure can undergo extension and contraction, one end of the elastic structure being connected to a first support means, each cable passing around a respective one of the support locations and having a section thereof winding back and forth between first and second guide means, the first guide means being connected to the other end of the elastic structure and the second guide means being connected to a second support means, said winding section of the cable providing a link between the elastic structure and the second support means, and loading means for loading the elastic structure prior to release of said anchoring means whereby energy stored in the loaded elastic structure is transferred to the cable to cause upward propulsion of the support structure on release of the anchoring means.
The elastic structure may be loaded by tensioning the elastic structure.
The first and second guide means may each comprise a plurality of pulley wheels about which the cable turns as it follows its winding path.
The first and second guide means may be arranged in groups, and the cable may comprise a plurality of cable members operating in tandem, each cable member winding back and forth between the first and second guide means in a respective one of the groups.
The elastic structure may ta
Mirfin Brian
Pondorfer Walter
Handal & Morofsky
Nguyen Kien T.
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