Powered ride apparatus

Amusement devices – Simulates aircraft or space vehicle or simulates the...

Patent

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Details

472118, 472133, A63G 3116

Patent

active

061265527

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD

The invention comprises a swinging powered ride apparatus.


BACKGROUND

Various forms of swinging and hanging devices have been designed to provide excitement to passengers in the form of "ground rush" and the feel of centrifugal force. A conventional swing generally comprises one or two cables connected to a support structure and which carry a seat for the rider. Another form of amusement is a "bungy jump". A further form of amusement is the steerable swing device disclosed in PCT patent application publication WO 95/22385. Support cables are strung across a gully, canyon, valley or similar natural or man-made cavity from which a swing cable is suspended. The swing cable supports a passenger carrying craft which is winched up to a desired height by a winch cable and then released, such that the craft swings around the gully. The craft includes a rudder which can be operated to provide lateral movement to the craft during the swing.


SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved or at least alternative form of ride apparatus.
In broad terms the invention comprises a powered ride apparatus for swinging a rider attached to a carrier through the air for excitement, comprising: substantially opposite each other at a height above the ground; approximately midway between the at least two anchor points; and of the swing cable and comprising an on-board propulsion system comprising a motor driving a propeller and a steering system operable by the rider during the ride, enabling the rider to steer the craft during the ride as the craft swings on the swing cable.
Preferably the propeller is carried in a pivot mounting enabling the propeller to be pivoted about an axis parallel to the swing cable. The steering system is connected to the propeller so that the pivotal position of the propeller about said axis is controlled by the steering system, and the craft is steered by moving the pivotal position of the propeller.
Preferably the motor speed can be varied by the rider during the ride.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Two preferred form swinging powered ride apparatus of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only and without intending to be limiting, in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of one form of powered ride apparatus;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the powered ride apparatus;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carrier of the powered ride apparatus; and
FIG. 4 is a side view of a second preferred form powered ride apparatus.


DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED FORM

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 the first preferred form apparatus comprises two support cables 3 and 4, four anchor points 5, 6, 7 and 8, a swing cable 2, a swing cable pulley mechanism 9, a bellmouth cable exit 15, a winch drum 11, a swivel joint 10 and a suspended passenger carrying craft 1 comprising an engine 20.
The support cables 3 and 4 are anchored at the sides of a gully or similar natural or man made cavity by anchor points 5, 6, 7 and 8. The support cables 3 and 4 are strung across the gully such that they cross and form a relatively stable anchor at their junction point for securing the swing cable pulley mechanism 9. Alternatively a single or multiple support cable system may be used, and the anchor points may be atop towers instead of at the sides of a gully or similar.
The craft 1 is supported at the swivel joint 10 by the swing cable 2 which runs through the bellmouth cable exit 15 and the pulley mechanism 9 to the winch drum 11. Alternatively, the swing cable 2 may be fixed at the support cables 3 and 4 junction point. The swivel joint 10 allows the craft 1 to rotate freely about the swing cable 2. The bellmouth cable exit 15 is shaped to allow bending of the swing cable 2 in any direction whilst supporting the craft 1. This arrangement allows the craft 1 to swing in arcs about the bellmouth cable exit 15.
In the first preferred form shown the craft 1 comprises a platform 22, securing straps 23, support cables 24, a motor and a propeller surrounded by a shroud 20, a

REFERENCES:
patent: 4790755 (1988-12-01), Leduc et al.
patent: 4898377 (1990-02-01), Roche
patent: 5782699 (1998-07-01), Harrap
patent: 5842928 (1998-12-01), McGinnis

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