Patent Application
20150133227
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to amusement structures and, more particularly, to an apparatus configured to convert into a plurality of amusement pack style rides.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The designs and uses of conventional amusement park rides or carnival rides are well established. Rides such as a boat ride, a tilt and spin ride, and a spinning booth are employed in countless locations and provide enjoyment to children and adults of all ages and backgrounds. One commonality between these rides is that they can utilize rotational motion to provide such enjoyment. In such configurations, riders are spun or otherwise move in a structure about a central axis while the ride is in use. In accordance with the same, it is well known that such a boat ride often rocks back and forth about a centralized point, a tilt and spin rocks and spins about a centralized point, and a spin booth spins around a centralized point.
A problem which still exists, however, is that these amusement rides are rarely availed to users who would like to deploy them in their homes. Adding to this is the fact such devices often take up a significant amount of space; making it impractical for a home user to be able to deploy all three rides. Thus, there remains a need for a convertible backyard carnival which would allow a user to selectively deploy an amusement park style ride in a home environment which is operated on movement about a centralized axis. It would be helpful if such a convertible backyard carnival could be selectively converted into different rides, with different movement patterns. It would be additionally desirable for such a convertible backyard carnival to be motorized and able to operate from electric cords or battery power.
The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a backyard carnival device for availing a plurality of amusement park style rides to a user in a home environment. The primary components of Applicant's convertible backyard carnival are a base member, and at least one seating structure. When in operation, the convertible backyard carnival allows a user to deploy one of a plurality of different types of amusement park rides which is operated on movement about a centralized axis. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by prior art home deployable rides are removed.
A convertible backyard carnival for allowing an amusement device providing rotational and/or reciprocal movement to be configured into one of a plurality of seating arrangements. The convertible backyard carnival comprises a base member having a weighted base platform and a swivel post adapted to fit any one of a plurality of distinct seating structures. Inside the swivel post is a movement member which is adapted to engage a receiving member in each distinct seating structure. The movement member provides the movement aspect of the convertible backyard carnival, and can move a seating structure to which it is connected through the receiving element in a rotational and/or reciprocating manner
In a preferred embodiment, three discrete seating structures are provided: a boat structure, tilt and spin structure, and a spin booth. The convertible backyard carnival is configured in accordance with the same to provided distinct motion to each of the seating structures. In this manner, three distinct amusement part style rides can be simulated by the convertible backyard carnival.
It is an object of this invention to provide a convertible backyard carnival which would allow a user to selectively deploy an amusement park style ride in a home environment which is operated on movement about a centralized axis.
It is another object of this invention to provide a convertible backyard carnival which could be selectively converted into different rides, with different movement patterns.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a convertible backyard carnival which is motorized and able to operate from electric cords or battery power.
These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art.
a is a side elevational view of the base member of a convertible backyard carnival built in accordance with the present invention.
b is a top plan view of the base member of a convertible backyard carnival built in accordance with the present invention
Referring now to the drawings and in particular
Referring now to
Underneath the vessel 31 is an arcuate joint 34 adapted to receive the upper portion of a swivel post 12 from a base member 10 built in accordance with the present invention. Inside the arcuate joint 34 is a boat receiving element 35. The boat receiving element 35 is configured to receive a movement member of the base member 10, engage it, and allow boating seating structure 30 to move in a manner which corresponds with the movement of such a movement member. When the boat receiving element 35 is engaged with a movement member and the swivel post 10 is disposed in the arcuate joint 34, the boat seating structure 30 is essentially locked onto the base member 10. It is contemplated that when the boat seating structure 30 is disposed on the base member 10, the movement member is preferably set to move in a reciprocating manner as described in above in movement option (3). In an alternate embodiment, the movement member may be set to move in an alternating reciprocating and rotational manner as described in above in movement option (4).
Referring now to
As with the boat seating structure, underneath the vessel 41 is an arcuate joint 44 adapted to receive the upper portion of a swivel post 12 from a base member 10 built in accordance with the present invention. Inside the arcuate joint 44 is a tilt and spin receiving element 45. The tilt and spin receiving element 45 is configured to receive a movement member of the base member 10, engage it, and allow tilt and spin seating structure 40 to move in a manner which corresponds with the movement of such a movement member. When the tilt and spin receiving element 45 is engaged with a movement member and the swivel post 10 is disposed in the arcuate joint 44, the tilt and spin seating structure 40 is essentially locked onto the base member 10. It is contemplated that when the tilt and spin seating structure 40 is disposed on the base member 10, the movement member is preferably set to move in a spinning and reciprocating manner as described in above in movement option (2).
Referring now to
As with the boat seating structure and the tilt and spin seating structure, underneath the vessel 61 is an arcuate joint 64 adapted to receive the upper portion of a swivel post 12 from a base member 10 built in accordance with the present invention. Inside the arcuate joint 64 is a spinning booth receiving element 65. The spinning booth receiving element 65 is configured to receive a movement member of the base member 10, engage it, and allow spin booth seating structure 60 to move in a manner which corresponds with the movement of such a movement member. When the spinning booth receiving element 65 is engaged with a movement member and the swivel post 10 is disposed in the arcuate joint 64, the spin booth seating structure 60 is essentially locked onto the base member 10. It is contemplated that when the spin booth seating structure 60 is disposed on the base member 10, the movement member is preferably set to move in a spinning manner as described in above in movement option (1).
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the steering wheel allows the seating structure to be moved manually.
In another alternate embodiment of the present invention, the base member and the seating structures are provided in different sizes to be more suitable for indoor or outdoor use.
The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
