Amusement devices – Having trip-release supporting person against gravity
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-29
2001-04-03
Nguyen, Kien T. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices
Having trip-release supporting person against gravity
C472S133000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210285
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
Application No.: 2,247,547 in Canada
Specification filed: Oct. 1, 1998 in Canada.
Status: Application completion deadline Jan. 1, 2000 (In accordance with the Canadian Patent Law).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Present invention relates to the general class of amusement devices or more specifically to a mechanism for catapulting or ejecting. Its use will be in ejecting projectiles into the air and landing in water, with particular application for water front recreational activities wherein projectile means people.
Prior art, relating to this category of devices for ejecting or launching humans into the air, has a long history. U.S. Pat. No. 562,448 was issued in 1896. The document shows a device for projecting an acrobat like an arrow. The device uses a board for supporting and sliding the person on to be launched. Utility of this device is mostly for acrobats requiring skill and physical strength.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,431,182 also claims a mechanism for launching an occupant by means of a pneumatic actuator. The device is quite elaborate and mechanically complex for easy assembly and transport for waterfront activities.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,695 is another example of a launching device. Like all devices, in this category and utility, have inherent safety problems and challenges. This device is projecting an occupant through a triangular opening that is not a safe passage for a human projectile. Furthermore, an elastic cord tensioned as shown, can easy cause injury to an occupant. The trajectory angle of a triangular structure is quite flat at 30 degrees.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,783 is essentially a huge bungee jumping equipment in which passengers are confined in a seat which is bouncing up and down after launching. This is not a free-flight launching apparatus for waterfront activities.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,724 describes a catapult device. This device which includes a parachute landing is not readily adapted to waterfront activities and uses. The mechanism featuring a parachute for safe landing of the catapulted objects, and elaborate separation of a rider from a pod.
The use of present invention on water fronts has not been documented to date. Most recreational activities offered on public beaches and other waterfront places are instantly disseminated throughout the world. Waterfront rides of a similar nature are presently limited primarily to parasailing. Moreover, more members of the public are exhibiting a desire to experience the sensation of free-flight and diving in water. The present invention of free-flight launching and water landing device, was designed with the consideration for safety. It provides, as it will be apparent from the specification, an unobstructed and safe launching configuration and safe landing in water, with an optional detached capsule.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the objective of the present invention to provide an additional dimension to water diving as a recreational pastime and sport
It is the further objective of the invention to satisfy the appetite of the fun-loving public on many water fronts with an alternative activity and excitement. The present invention is constructed for rapid successive rides and is quite portable and easily assembled.
Additional activities, such as acrobatic free-flight or landing into the inflatable landing cushions, can evolve from the use of the present invention. It also enhances the practice of trampoline-like activities.
The present invention consists of a projectile ejecting equipment relying on manual drawing power and therefore, its outdoor use is not limited by location. In one aspect of the invention the equipment comprising a support frame having a tensing means secured thereto. A propelling means provided by a pair of resilient bows. The bows are secured in a brace on the frame intersected at the middle of an arch, and are disposed diverging outward. The brace is pivotally secured to the frame for changing the angle of trajectory. An ejection seat for receiving an occupant to be elected is centrally suspended by the intersecting arching bows. A fastener, defining a drawstring, connects the seat to the opposing ends of the bows. The seat is essentially a trampoline structure, wherein a flexible mat secured at the center of a ring is used for placement of an occupant. Alternatively, an occupant is placed in an optional detached capsule defining a hollow airtight ball, having a body cavity for accommodating an occupant therein. By engaging the tensing means the seat is drawn toward the bow arches to a ready position—opposite direction of a conventional bow. The tensing means cable is connected to the seat by an interlocking release means. Upon releasing the seat, the tensile bows are capable of recovering original positions and thrusting the seat in an inclined path, whereby an occupant placed therein is ejected into a free-flight.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3066951 (1962-12-01), Gray
patent: 3460828 (1969-08-01), Curlee
patent: 3477713 (1969-11-01), Cudmore
patent: 4580982 (1986-04-01), Ruppert
patent: 5303695 (1994-04-01), Shopsowitz
patent: 5694913 (1997-12-01), Parrott
patent: 5769724 (1998-06-01), Wiegel
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