Patent Application
20240198244
The present application claims priority to German Utility model application no: DE 20 2022 002 654.4, filed Dec. 15, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The invention relates to an apparatus for the amusement of at least one person. The apparatus here has at least one fixed frame, on which at least one pivoting frame is supported in an articulated manner about an approximately horizontal pivot axis. This pivoting frame can be pivoted between an essentially vertical, closed position and a pivoted, exposed position.
DE 20 2018 004 916 U1 discloses an apparatus of the type in question having the aforementioned features. This apparatus serves to transfer persons into an overhanging tilted position, so that they are then held in an exposed position. The pivoting frame is adjusted by means of hydraulic cylinders which are activated synchronously. This apparatus has proven successful in practice and forms the starting point for the present invention. US 2019/0118102 A1 discloses a further apparatus of this type, which likewise uses hydraulic cylinders in order to pivot the pivoting frame.
The invention is based on the object of creating an apparatus of the type mentioned in the introduction which, while being very safe, can be operated straightforwardly and cost-effectively.
This object is achieved by the following features.
An apparatus according to the invention serves for the amusement of at least one person seeking a thrilling experience. This apparatus has at least one fixed frame, which is fitted in or on a building, a bridge, a tower, a scaffold tower, a crane, a rock face, a cliff or the like. The movable parts are supported on this at least one fixed frame. In this way, the at least one fixed frame also forms an important safety element of the apparatus. At least one pivoting frame is supported in an articulated manner on the at least one fixed frame, it being possible for the at least one pivoting frame to be pivoted about an approximately horizontal pivot axis. This at least one pivoting frame can be pivoted between an essentially vertical, closed position and a pivoted, exposed position. In the closed position, the at least one person can readily step onto the at least one pivoting frame or away from the same. In the exposed position, in contrast, the person is exposed in a kind of overhang situation. In particular when the apparatus is installed on a high building or rock face, the at least one person has the feeling more or less of plummeting, which correspondingly increases the adrenaline levels. In order for this feeling to be as intense as possible, at least one net or mesh is retained in the at least one pivoting frame, and the at least one person lies thereon in the exposed position. In contrast to a solid panel, the at least one net or mesh has the advantage of enhancing the feeling that one is basically contemplating the abyss. Moreover, the at least one net or mesh is also more hygienic because, in contrast to a solid panel, it provides less contact surface area for germs. For the adjustment of the at least one pivoting frame, at least one threaded spindle is provided, and this provides for straightforward and, at the same time, reliable adjustment of the at least one pivoting frame. The at least one threaded spindle can be used to realize considerable step-down transmission ratios, so that even low-torque drives are sufficient in order to adjust the at least one pivoting frame. This also increases the safety of the apparatus. In order to keep the loading on the drive at a low level, the at least one pivoting frame can be coupled to at least one counterweight in order to reduce the loading on the at least one drive. The apparatus can be constructed in a relatively compact manner, so that it is also suitable for mobile use and can therefore be used specifically for events which take place for only a limited period of time. The at least one threaded spindle has a self-locking thread pitch, so that, when the drive torque fails, the at least one pivoting frame remains in its position. The at least one pivoting frame is thereby reliably prevented from pivoting out too far in the event of the energy supply failing, but this can be further improved by additional stops. If such stops are provided, then the self-locking thread pitch prevents the at least one pivoting frame from striking against these stops in an uncontrolled manner, whereby the safety of the apparatus is further improved.
For the straightforward adjustment of the at least one pivoting frame, the at least one threaded spindle is preferably driven to rotate. This gives a very advantageous step-down transmission ratio, and the amount of torque in the drive is thereby reduced.
At least one motor, preferably designed in the form of an electric motor, has proven successful for the purpose of driving the at least one threaded spindle. This nevertheless requires a power source to be present. If the apparatus has been fitted, for example, on a building, this should not generally pose any problem. If the apparatus, in contrast, is set up in the open, a corresponding power supply, for example in the form of a generator, a power bank or the like, should be provided.
In particular for emergencies, for example in the event of a power failure, it is advantageous if the at least one threaded spindle can be actuated by means of at least one crank. This means that, in the event of a power failure, the at least one person can be transferred out of the exposed position into the closed position without any complex rescue measures being necessary. This also ensures that the safety of the apparatus is improved.
As an alternative, or in addition, the at least one pivoting frame can also be prestressed in the direction of the closed position by means of a spring. This generally makes it readily possible for the at least one person to transfer themselves automatically out of the exposed position into the closed position.
In order for the force of the at least one threaded spindle to be transmitted optimally to the at least one pivoting frame, it is advantageous to use at least one lever mechanism. The latter can be utilized for additional force-adaptation purposes and also for optimum application of force to the at least one pivoting frame.
During the pivoting operation of the at least one pivoting frame, the necessary holding force becomes greater as the distance of the at least one pivoting frame from the closed position increases. In order to counteract this effect, it is advantageous if the at least one lever mechanism has a lower step-up transmission ratio in the vicinity of the exposed position than in the vicinity of the closed position. This results in optimized adaptation throughout the pivoting operation, so that a rotary drive is utilized to optimal effect for the at least one threaded spindle. In particular, this allows acceleration of the pivoting operation in the vicinity of the closed position without any overloading of the drive of the at least one threaded spindle in the vicinity of the exposed position.
For the purpose of further increasing the safety for the at least one person, is advantageous if at least one side wall is provided on at least one side member of the at least one pivoting frame. This at least one side wall holds the at least one person within the at least one pivoting frame and thereby prevents falling.
As an alternative, or in addition, it is also possible to provide at least one side frame instead of the at least one side wall, as long as it is ensured that the at least one person cannot slip through within the at least one side frame.
In particular in the case of relatively wide side frames, it is necessary to have an additional slip-through guard, preferably formed by a net or mesh. It is also possible here, if appropriate, for the net or mesh which is present in the at least one side frame to be utilized for this purpose.
In order to prevent the at least one person from sliding in the direction of a free end of the at least one pivoting frame, it is advantageous for at least one shoulder restraint, which restricts the freedom of movement of the at least one person, to be provided on the at least one pivoting frame. This increases the safety for the at least one person to a considerable extent.
In order to prevent accidents in the event of the net or mesh being damaged, it is advantageous if, beneath the at least one net or mesh, a further net and/or mesh is fastened on the pivoting frame to form a fall arrester. This further net and/or mesh is generally not subjected to loading as a result of the apparatus being used, and so neither does the material undergo any fatigue-related problems.
In order for the at least one person's experience to be optimal, it is expedient for the at least one net or mesh to have a cutout in the region of the at least one person's head. This ensures an unobstructed view into the depths.
In order to avoid risky situations, it is advantageous if the apparatus has at least one sensor for sensing the force acting on the at least one pivoting frame. This sensor can basically be a force sensor or a torque sensor. In the simplest case, when an electric motor is used for driving the at least one threaded spindle, it is nevertheless sufficient to monitor the power consumption, which is proportional to the torque applied. Such monitoring can be utilized, for example, to prevent any further adjustment of the at least one pivoting frame in the direction of the exposed position when overloading of the apparatus is a risk. This also increases the safety of the apparatus.
Other advantages and characteristics of this invention will be explained in the detailed description below with reference to the associated FIGURE that contain several embodiments of this invention. It should however be understood, that the FIGURE is just used to illustrate the invention and does not limit the scope of protection of the invention.
The single FIGURE shows a three-dimensional, partially cut-away illustration of an apparatus 1. The latter has a fixed frame 2, which can be integrated for example in a building or in a fall arrester. As an alternative, it is also conceivable for the fixed frame 2 to be provided simply as a free-standing unit.
A pivoting frame 3 is supported in an articulated manner on the fixed frame 2 and can be pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis 4. A net 5, preferably made of polyamide, which can alternatively also be designed in the form of a mesh, is retained in this pivoting frame 3. The upper region of this net 5 has a cutout 6, which ensures that a person has an unobstructed view. Fitted beneath this net 5 is a further net 7, preferably made of steel, which serves merely as a fall arrester. A base panel 3′, on which the person can stand, is also fitted on the pivoting frame 3. This base panel 3′ also serves as a counterweight for partially or fully compensating for the torque exerted by the pivoting frame and/or the person.
A threaded spindle 8, which has a self-locking thread pitch, is supported in the fixed frame 2. This threaded spindle 8 is driven by a motor 9, which is designed in the form of an electric motor. As an alternative, or in addition, a crank 9′ is provided, and the threaded spindle 8 can likewise be driven by this crank. This is envisaged, on the one hand, to provide for emergency operation in the event of a power failure and, on the other hand, in order for the apparatus 1 to be utilized without a power supply. Rotation of the threaded spindle 8 by means of the motor 9 causes a bearing eyelet 10 to be adjusted in the vertical direction. A lever 11 acts on this bearing eyelet 10, the opposite end 12 of the lever being connected in an articulated manner to the pivoting frame 3. This lever 11 thereby forms a lever mechanism 13, which has a higher step-up transmission ratio in the vicinity of a vertical, closed position than in the vicinity of an essentially horizontal, exposed position. This takes account of the fact that the necessary adjusting force increases as the pivoting-out extent of the pivoting frame 3 increases.
The motor 9 is assigned a sensor 14, which senses the flow of current through motor windings. This flow of current is monitored by a comparator 15, which prevents the pivoting frame 3 from pivoting out further in the direction of the exposed position if the flow of current through the motor 9 exceeds a predetermined limit value.
It is also the case that two shoulder restraints 16 are supported on the pivoting frame 3, and these prevent the person from sliding forwards and, as a result, falling. Provided beneath the net 5 is a further net 7, which consists of steel and forms a fall arrester in the event of net rupture.
It is also the case that a shoulder restraint 16 is supported on the pivoting frame 3, and this prevents the person lying on the net 5 from sliding forwards. This is a safety measure, which in no way influences the function of the apparatus 1.
It is also the case that a side wall 17 is provided on the pivoting frame 3, this side wall being supported on a side member 18. This side wall 17 safeguards the person laterally. An alternative embodiment here is illustrated on the right-hand side of the pivoting frame 3. There, a side frame 19, which is filled by a net 20 or mesh, is provided on the side member 18. As an alternative, the net 5 which has already been mentioned above can also be utilized for this purpose.
Since some of the embodiments of this invention are not shown or described, it should be understood that a great number of changes and modifications of these embodiments is conceivable without departing from the rationale and scope of protection of the invention as defined by the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE 202022002654.4 | Dec 2022 | DE | national |
