Patent Application
20240009580
The present invention generally relates to an amusement park activity. More particularly, the present invention relates to amusement activity station by way of which user participants may operate machinery to pick up and reposition select objects by way of a crane apparatus.
Amusement parks and theme parks continuously face challenges attracting return visitors and new visitors. Past visitors may elect to not return, and potential new visitors may elect to not travel to a park that, in their opinion, does not regularly offer guest experience components that are new, innovative or different relative to those of other parks. To be successful, amusement or theme park owners perceive a need to regularly introduce new, innovative and fun guest experiences. A primary objective according to the present invention is to provide an amusement activity station that is new, innovative, fun and different relative to prior art attractions.
A first exemplary amusement attraction is referenced in U.S. Pat. No. 10,166,485 ('485 Patent) authored by Girlya et al. and owned by Diggerland USA, LLC in West Berlin, New Jersey. The '485 Patent describes an amusement ride, attraction or device comprising a modified vehicle, machine, vessel, container, load-carrying platform or similar device, or any combination thereof, or anything having the appearance thereof, which is used, useful or operated for mining, transportation, military or construction or other commercial or industrial uses, purposes or applications. Illustrative embodiments of the invention include a modified dump trailer, dump truck or load-carrying platform. Such a modified dump trailer includes a dump trailer modified so as to permit a horizontally-pivoting telescoping hydraulic cylinder to raise and lower the front of the modified dump trailer, which is modified with a passenger support system and a passenger restraint system. Associated processes, systems and methods include a power pack or other dedicated source of energy and an adjacent entrance/exit ramp and boarding/de-boarding platform and operator control platform.
A second exemplary amusement attraction is referenced in U.S. Pat. No. 10,946,296 ('296 Patent) also authored by Girlya et al. The '296 Patent describes an amusement ride that provides user participants with the sensation of riding scissor lift construction equipment. The amusement ride has a scissor lift mechanism supported by a construction equipment frame with wheels thereon. A stationary support structure supports the equipment frame and suspends the wheels in midair to hold the equipment stationary. A cargo lift platform connected on top of the scissor lift mechanism has amusement ride seats mounted thereon. The ride seats have passenger restraints which provides amusement-ride-level safety. An electric motor drivingly connected to the scissor lift mechanism is operated by a ride operator to raise and lower the cargo lift platform. A passenger access platform situated adjacent the cargo lift platform allows ride passengers to easily and safely enter and exit the scissor lift.
From a consideration of the foregoing prior art examples, it will be noted that the prior art perceives a need for an amusement attraction that, instead of being passively ridden by a park guest, offers an opportunity to enable user participants to individually operate machinery in a safe, amusing manner. More particularly, the prior art perceives a need for an amusement activity station for enabling a user to operate machinery to pick up and reposition relatively heavy machine-moveable objects and thereby promote machinery operation skills as summarized in more detail hereinafter.
As prefaced above, a primary objective of this invention is the provision of an amusement activity station for enabling an operator or passenger user to operate machinery to pick up and reposition certain machine-movable objects for promoting machinery operation skills. The basic invention may be said to essentially teach or disclose an amusement activity station comprising, in combination a crane apparatus and an operator gondola. The crane apparatus according to the present invention essentially comprises a lower fixed portion or assembly support pedestal and an upper movable portion or boom assembly. The lower fixed portion or pedestal is anchored to a support surface.
The upper movable portion or boom apparatus comprises a pedestal interface and an upper machine portion. The pedestal interface is anchored to the lower fixed portion or pedestal. The upper machine portion is rotatable or pivotal relative to the pedestal interface about a station axis of rotation and comprises a bridge arm and an operable boom assembly. The operable boom assembly comprises a distal boom end and an object-to-boom linkage mechanism.
The operator gondola is attached or anchored to the bridge arm and comprises a user-to-machine interface and certain roller means for movement. The operator gondola is pivotal or rotatable in unison with the movable machine portion by way of the bridge arm. The roller means for movement enable movement of the operator gondola atop the support surface. The object-to-boom linkage mechanism links at least one machine-movable object to the distal boom end. The operable boom assembly is maneuverable for lifting the machine-movable object(s) from the support surface by way of the user-to-machine interface as manually operated by the user. The movable portion or boom apparatus moves the machine-movable object to a target location.
The crane apparatus may further preferably comprise a winch apparatus. The winch apparatus preferably comprises a winch motor and a winch line. Together, the winch motor and winch line enable the user to selectively vary the distance of the object-to-boom linkage mechanism relative to the distal boom end. The operable boom assembly may further preferably comprise a primary boom arm and a telescopic boom arm. The telescopic boom arm is extendable and retractable relative to the primary boom arm for adjusting an effective length of the operable boom assembly. Together the winch assembly and the boom assembly aid the user in particularly directing the object-to-boom linkage mechanism for picking up and repositioning the machine-movable objects.
The upper movable machine portion may further preferably comprise a rotational movement limit mechanism for limiting rotational or pivotal movement of the upper machine portion relative to the fixed portion or pedestal interface. The rotational movement limit mechanism is preferably characterized by at least one limit switch assembly. The limit switch assembly may be said to comprise a switch mechanism and at least one switch stop. The switch mechanism comprises a switch lever that is directable into the at least one switch stop for switching off power directed to the upper machine portion and limiting rotational movement of the upper machine portion relative to the pedestal interface. The switch stops are fixedly attached to the pedestal interface and the switch mechanism is mounted on the upper machine portion for limiting rotational movement within a select arc range, the select arc range being between 45 and 90 rotational degrees in a preferred embodiment.
The roller means for movement are preferably characterized by a wheel assembly attached to a floor or undercarriage of the operator gondola. Together, the bridge arm and the wheel assembly support the operator gondola atop the support surface with the wheel assembly enabling roller movement of the operator gondola atop the support surface. The operator gondola may further preferably comprise a shield feature for providing a user-protective barrier between the user and the crane apparatus. The shield feature may further preferably comprise a grating for preventing physical access to the crane apparatus while permitting visual perception of the crane apparatus.
Other secondary objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated or become apparent from, the following brief descriptions of the drawings and the accompanying drawing figures.
Other features and objectives of the invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following brief descriptions of patent drawings.
Referring now to the drawings with more specificity, the following specifications generally describe an amusement activity station 10 for enabling an operator or passenger user to pick up and reposition relatively heavy, machine-movable objects to promote machinery operation skills in an amusing manner. The amusement activity station 10 according to the present invention preferably comprises a modified or simplified crane apparatus as at 11 and an attached operator compartment or operator gondola as at 12. The crane apparatus 11 and the operator compartment or operator gondola 12 are attached to one another at a rigid (steel) bridge arm 13 integrally formed as part of the crane apparatus 11, which bridge arm 13 is preferably sandwiched intermediate an upper gondola flange 14 and a lower gondola flange 15 with a series of fasteners or bolts 16 attaching the gondola flanges 14/15 to the bridge arm 13 in a preferred embodiment.
The crane apparatus 11 according to the present invention preferably further comprises a lower apparatus-anchoring boom assembly support pedestal as at 17 and an upper operable, movable boom apparatus or boom assembly as at 18. A lower pedestal end 22 of the lower apparatus-anchoring boom assembly support pedestal 17 is fixedly attached or anchored to a support surface as at 110 preferably exemplified by a concrete slab to which the boom assembly support pedestal 17 is anchored as at bolts 19. The upper operable, movable boom apparatus 18 preferably comprises a pedestal interface as at 20 and an upper machine portion as at 21. The pedestal interface 20 is anchored or fixedly attached to an upper pedestal end 23 of the boom assembly support pedestal 17. The upper machine portion 21 is rotatable relative to the pedestal interface 20 about a station axis of rotation 100 and comprises the bridge arm 13 and an operable primary boom assembly as at 24. The primary boom assembly 24 preferably comprises a distal boom end 25, an object-to-boom linkage mechanism exemplified by a sheave-hook assembly 26, and a primary boom arm as at 34. In a preferred embodiment, the distal boom end 25 may be further outfitted with an end-mounted sheave 27.
The crane apparatus 11 may further preferably comprise a winch assembly to add functionality to the amusement activity station 10. The winch assembly preferably comprises a winch motor as at 28 and a winch line as at 29. The winch motor 28 and winch line 29 enable the operator or passenger user to selectively vary the distance of the object-to-boom linkage mechanism relative to the distal boom end 25, and are sufficiently rated to support lifting movements of relatively heavy, machine-movable objects 30 exemplified by cylinders or cribbing blocks outfitted with a linkage feature matable with the object-to-boom linkage mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, the machine-movable objects 30 are each outfitted with a loop member 31 that may engage or mate with the hook member 32 of the sheave-hook assembly 26.
The primary boom assembly 24 preferably further comprises a telescopic boom arm as at 33 for varying the distance of the distal boom end 25 relative to the operator gondola 12. Two hydraulic cylinders, driven by a peripheral hydraulic support system, operate to (1) raise and lower the primary boom arm 34 and (2) extend and retract the telescopic boom arm 33 relative to the primary boom arm 34. A first of the hydraulic cylinders is depicted and referenced at 35. Hydraulic cylinder 35 is operable to raise and lower the primary boom arm 34, and a second of the hydraulic cylinders is positioned within the primary boom arm 34 and concealed from view. The second hydraulic cylinder operates to extend and retract the telescopic boom arm 33 relative to the primary boom arm 34. Hydraulic lines 36 are generically shown attaching to the boom apparatus 18 and are connected to an external electrically powered hydraulic power pack 37 preferably via an overhead delivery structure 38 supported by upright posts 39 as depicted and referenced in
As prefaced above, the operator gondola 12 or passenger/user compartment is anchored or attached to the bridge arm 13 and preferably comprises a user-to-machine interface and roller means for movement. The user-to-machine interface is preferably exemplified by a pair of hand controls or joysticks as at 40 positioned adjacent armrests 41 and a seat 42 on the operator gondola 12. The hand controls 40 are maneuverable to control various functions of the amusement activity station 10 through a programmable logic control center 43 mounted to the rear portion of the upper machine portion 21. The programmable logic control center 43 is in electric communication as at 45 with a power inverter 44 in electrical communication as at 46 with an external power source 47 to drive the controls 40 and safety features, inclusive of an emergency stop switch as at 57.
The hand controls 40 are operable to raise and lower the primary boom arm 34; extend and retract the telescopic boom arm 33 relative to the primary boom arm 34; extend and retract the winch line 29 via the winch motor 28; and pivot the upper machine portion 21 and operator gondola 12 about the station axis of rotation 100. The operator gondola 12 rotates in unison with the upper machine portion 21 by way of the bridge arm 13. The roller means for movement, mounted to the undercarriage or floor 50 of the operator gondola 12, enable rolling movement of the operator gondola 12 atop the support surface 110. The roller means for movement are preferably exemplified by a single caster or wheel assembly as at 48 mounted at a lateral portion 49 of the operator gondola 12 opposite the boom assembly support pedestal 17 and is dimensioned for supporting the floor 50 of the operator gondola 12 in parallel relation to the support surface 110.
The object-to-boom linkage mechanism is directable by way of the controls 40, including extension and retraction of the winch line 29; extension and retraction of the telescopic boom arm 33; and raising and lowering of the primary boom arm 34. The object-to-boom linkage mechanism, preferably comprising a hook member 32, may link, couple, or mate with a series of machine-movable objects 30, for lifting the object(s) 30 and repositioning the objects 30 by moving the objects 30 through a select arc length 103 as generally depicted in
Comparatively referencing
Referencing
The stop members 53 and 54 may be mounted in different locations for altering the effective select arclength 103. However, in a preferred embodiment, it is contemplated that an arclength 103 coinciding with an arc range between 45 and 90 rotational degrees is optimal. The reader will thus understand the upper machine portion 21 preferably comprises a rotational movement limit mechanism for limiting rotational movement of the upper machine portion 21 relative to the pedestal interface 20, which rotational movement limit mechanism is preferably exemplified or characterized by the cooperative functionality of the limit switch mechanism 51 and the stop members 53/54.
The operator gondola 12 may further preferably comprise a shield member or feature as at 55. The shield feature 55 provides a user-protective or operator-protective barrier between the operator or passenger user and the crane apparatus 11. In a preferred embodiment, the shield feature 55 comprises or provides a grating as generally comparatively depicted and referenced in
While the above descriptions contain much specificity, this specificity should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the invention. The basic invention may be said to essentially teach or disclose an amusement activity station for enabling a user to pick up and reposition machine-movable objects to promote machinery operation skills. The amusement activity station according to the present invention may be said to essentially comprise a crane apparatus and an operator gondola.
The crane apparatus according to the present invention essentially comprises a lower fixed portion or assembly support pedestal and an upper movable portion or boom assembly. The lower fixed portion or pedestal is anchored to a support surface. The upper movable portion or boom apparatus comprises a pedestal interface and an upper machine portion. The pedestal interface is anchored to the lower fixed portion or pedestal. The upper machine portion is rotatable relative to the pedestal interface about a station axis of rotation and comprises a bridge arm and an operable boom assembly. The operable boom assembly comprises a distal boom end and an object-to-boom linkage mechanism.
The operator gondola is attached or anchored to the bridge arm and comprises a user-to-machine interface and certain roller means for movement. The operator gondola is pivotal or rotatable in unison with the movable machine portion by way of the bridge arm. The roller means for movement enable movement of the operator gondola atop the support surface. The object-to-boom linkage mechanism links at least one machine-movable object to the distal boom end. The operable boom assembly is maneuverable for lifting the machine-movable object(s) from the support surface by way of the user-to-machine interface as manually operated by the user. The movable portion or boom apparatus moves the machine-movable object to a target location.
The crane apparatus may further preferably comprise a winch apparatus. The winch apparatus preferably comprises a winch motor and a winch line. Together, the winch motor and winch line enable the user to selectively vary the distance of the object-to-boom linkage mechanism relative to the distal boom end. The operable boom assembly may further preferably comprise a primary boom arm and a telescopic boom arm. The telescopic boom arm is extendable and retractable relative to the primary boom arm for adjusting an effective length of the operable boom assembly. Together the winch assembly and the boom assembly aid the user in particularly directing the object-to-boom linkage mechanism for picking up and repositioning the machine-movable objects.
The upper movable machine portion may further preferably comprise a rotational movement limit mechanism for limiting rotational or pivotal movement of the upper machine portion relative to the fixed portion or pedestal interface. The rotational movement limit mechanism is preferably characterized by at least one limit switch assembly. The limit switch assembly may be said to comprise a switch mechanism and at least one switch stop. The switch mechanism comprises a switch lever that is directable into the at least one switch stop for switching off power directed to the upper machine portion and limiting rotational movement of the upper machine portion relative to the pedestal interface. The switch stops are fixedly attached to the pedestal interface and the switch mechanism is mounted on the upper machine portion for limiting rotational movement within a select arc range, the select arc range being between 45 and 90 rotational degrees in a preferred embodiment.
The roller means for movement are preferably characterized by a wheel assembly attached to a floor or undercarriage of the operator gondola. Together, the bridge arm and the wheel assembly support the operator gondola atop the support surface with the wheel assembly enabling roller movement of the operator gondola atop the support surface. The operator gondola may further preferably comprise a shield feature for providing a user-protective barrier between the user and the crane apparatus. The shield feature may further preferably comprise a grating for preventing physical access to the crane apparatus while permitting visual perception of the crane apparatus.
The foregoing embodiments illustrate the principles, preferred or example embodiments, and modes of assembly and operation, of the invention. It is noted, however, the invention is not, and shall not be construed as being exclusive or limited to the specific or particular embodiments herein. Moreover, certain specific or particular embodiments herein have been expressly designated optional, and thus the invention includes the invention with, or without, any or all embodiments herein expressly designated as optional.
Accordingly, all embodiments herein should be regarded as illustrative rather than exclusive or limiting, and variations to embodiments herein may be made without departing from the invention scope. In other words, although the amusement game station according to the present invention have been described by reference to a number of different embodiments, it is not intended that the novel combinations or assemblies be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure, the appended drawings, and perhaps most importantly, the following claims.
