Elevating rotary amusement ride

Abstract

An elevating rotary amusement ride having a rotatable passenger carrying-arm which is initially in a substantially horizontal loading position to facilitate the rapid loading and unloading of persons desiring to utilize the ride. The rotatable passenger-carrying arm is elevated to a position at which the rotatable passenger-carrying arm can, indeed, be rotated. A variety of means are available for elevating the rotatable passenger-carrying arm, including gas-powered cylinders and electric motors. Similarly, many means can be utilized to rotate the rotatable passenger-carrying arm, with an electric motor being preferred. In some embodiments, the rotatable passenger-carrying is elevated beside one or more support structures; in other embodiments, the support structure or structures, themselves, move to achieve the elevation of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an amusement ride that has a passenger-carrying arm elevated from a loading position prior to being rotated in a substantially vertical plane.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] The Inventor is aware of no other rotational amusement ride where, before rotation in a substantially vertical plane begins, the rotatable passenger-carrying arm is elevated from a position where all passenger can board the rotatable arm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention has a rotatable passenger-carrying arm which is initially in a non-vertical, preferably substantially horizontal, loading position.

[0004] In such a position, passengers can rapidly and easily enter seats, one or more of which is attached near a first end of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm and preferably one or more of which is attached near a second end of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

[0005] Each seat is equipped with a restraint to prevent a passenger from leaving the seat even when the seat is inverted.

[0006] The rotatable passenger-carrying arm also has a first side and a second side. A support structure is adjacent to the first side of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and, preferably but not necessarily, a second support structure is adjacent to the second side of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

[0007] Through any means that is well known in the art for elevating substantially heavy passenger carriers, but most preferably with a system employing pneumatic housing, the rotatable passenger-carrying arm is elevated to a position beside the support structure or support structures which position is sufficiently high that the rotatable passenger-carrying arm can be rotated to a desired extent.

[0008] Any means that is well known in the art for rotating a heavy passenger carrier—preferably, but not necessarily, an electric motor-is connected to the passenger-carrying arm and to either the support structure or to an optional trolley; one of the two connections must be fixed while the other must be rotatable. Thus, the means for rotating is either fixedly connected to the support structure and rotatably connected to the passenger-carrying arm, rotatably connected to the support structure and fixedly connected to the passenger-carrying arm, fixedly connected to an optional trolley for bearing the passenger-carrying arm and rotatably connected to the passenger-carrying arm, or rotatably connected to the trolley and fixedly connected to the passenger-carrying arm.

[0009] Of course, when there is no trolley, at least one of the connections of the motor must be a releasable connection. Such connection is made after the rotatable passenger-carrying arm has been elevated to a sufficiently high position beside the support structure or structures and release when it is desired to lower the rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 depicts the preferred embodiment of the Elevating Rotary Amusement Ride with the rotatable passenger-carrying arm in the loading position.

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the Elevating Rotary Amusement Ride with the rotatable passenger-carrying are in the position for rotation.

[0012] FIG. 3 portrays a gas-powered housing utilized for elevating the rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a cutaway of a cylinder showing a counterweight.

[0014] FIG. 5 depicts a sleeve connecting a cylinder rod to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates the gas-powered housing utilized for elevating the rotatable passenger-carrying arm when the gas-powered housing is installed above the rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

[0016] FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of FIG. 5 with a pins slidably attached to the support structure for insertion into a cavity within a structure rotatbley attached to the rotatable lpassenger-carrying arm in order to lock the rotatable passenger-carrying arm at a desired elevation.

[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates both a brake to prevent rotation of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm and the connection of an electric motor to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

[0018] FIG. 9 depicts a sleeve connecting a cable to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

[0019] FIG. 10 portrays a bore within the rotatable passenger-carrying arm containing a slidable piston that is utilized to rotate the rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

[0020] FIG. 11 depicts the support structure mounted upon a piston for raising and lowering the support structure and, consequently, the rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] As portrayed in FIG. 1 and discussed above, the Elevating Rotary Amusement Ride has a rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 which is initially in a non-vertical, preferably substantially horizontal, loading position.

[0022] One or more seats 2 are attached to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 near a first end of such rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1, and one or more seats 2 are preferably also attached to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 near a second end 4. The rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 has a top 5, a bottom 6, a first side 7, and a second side 8. The seats 2 can be connected to the top 5, bottom 6, first side 7, or second side 8 but are preferably connected to the top 5.

[0023] Each seat 2 is equipped with a restraint 9 to prevent a passenger from leaving such seat 2 even when such seat 2 is inverted. These restraints 9 can be any type that is well known in the art but are preferably the restraint system of the present inventor for which a patent application has been filed concurrently with the application for the present invention.

[0024] A support structure 10 is adjacent to the first side 7 of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1; and, as discussed above, preferably but not necessarily, a second support structure 11 is adjacent to the second side 8 of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1.

[0025] Again as discussed above, through any means that is well known in the art for elevating substantially heavy passenger carriers, the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 is elevated to a position 12, as illustrated in FIG. 2, beside the support structure 10 or support structures 10, 11 which position 12 is sufficiently high that the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 can be rotated.

[0026] A non-exclusive list of such well-known means includes an electrical motor and a hydraulic motor, either of which can be connected to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 with force-transferring devices that are well known in the art such as cables and pulleys, large screws, or chain drives, utilizing techniques that are well known in the art. Of course, as is well known in the art, a hydraulic pump can also drive a cylinder rod 102 having one end attached to a piston within a cylinder and having another end extending from the cylinder. The end extending from the cylinder is connected to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1.

[0027] If the cylinder rod or other force-transferring means 102 is directly attached to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1, the connection must be made in one of two ways. The first of these is, as illustrated in FIG. 5, having the structure for such attachment rotatable, hollow, and so located around the axis of rotation 13 for the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 that it has the same axis of rotation 13 as does the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 in order to permit the means for rotating 14 the passenger-carrying arm 1 to be attached to the passenger-carrying arm and to rotate the passenger carrying arm 1 about the desired axis of rotation 13. Such structure could, for example, be a sleeve. The second way (of connecting the the cylinder rod or other force-transferring means to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 without interfering with the rotation of such rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1) is to have the cylinder rod or other force-transferring means releasably attached to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 so that the cylinder rod or other force-transferring means can be disconnected from the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 prior to rotation of the passenger-carrying arm 1.

[0028] Also any lock or brake 15 that is well known in the art for preventing rotation is preferably attached to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 to preclude rotation until it is desired, such as while the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 is being elevated but before such arm 1 has reached the desired height. Examples of such a lock or brake 15 are a pin slidably attached to the elevating means that can be inserted into a cavity or aperture within the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 or a disc brake attached, as shown in FIG. 8, directly or indirectly both to the elevating means and to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1.

[0029] The most preferred elevating means employs one or more housings 16, as portrayed in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, to elevate the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1.

[0030] Each such housing 16 has a first end 17 and a second end 18. The second end 18 can either be open or closed but is preferably open. Slidably mounted within a bore 19 of the housing 16 is a piston 20. Attached to the piston 20 is a first end 21 of a cable or other force-transferring device that is well known in the art 22. Preferably in the first end 17 of the housing 16, but at least closer to the first end than the piston 20 will ever be, is an aperture 23 through which the cable or other force-transferring device 22 passes. Also, nearer the first end than the piston 20 will ever be, and preferably in the first end 17, are an injection valve 24 and an exhaust valve 25, although the injection valve 24 and the exhaust valve 25 can be combined within a single complex valve. Of course, the injection valve 24 and the exhaust valve 25 communicate with the bore 19 of the housing.

[0031] A container for pressurized gas 26 is connected, through the injection valve 24, to the housing 16 near the first end 17 of such housing 16 and communicates there with the bore 19 of the housing 16.

[0032] Preferably, the gas utilized within the housing 16 is air. Therefore, a compressor 27 is attached to and communicates with the container for pressurized gas 26 to take air from the atmosphere, compress such air, and supply such pressurized air to the container 26.

[0033] In this most preferred embodiment of the elevating means, a second end 28 of the cable or other force-transferring device 22 is attached to a trolley 29, rather than being attached directly to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 as is done when there is no trolley 29; and the rotatable passenger-carrying arm is rotatably attached to the trolley 29. (Of course, such a use of a trolley 29 is generally applicable to any embodiment, not just the most preferred embodiment. When a trolley 29 is employed, for the purposes of this patent application, the term “adjacent to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1” means either closely beside such rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 or closely beside the trolley 29 which is, itself, closely beside the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1.) And in the most preferred embodiment there are several housings 16, preferably four, each with the components described above, including the cable or other force-transferring device 22.

[0034] The housing 16 can either be placed above the desired position 12 for rotation of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 with the first end 17 of such housing 16 generally facing toward the desired position 12 for rotation, as illustrated in FIG. 6, or below the desired position 12, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3. When a flexible element such as a cable is actually employed as the cable or other force-transferring device 22 in this latter arrangement, it is necessary to have the flexible force-transferring device 22 pass over a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force 30, preferably a pulley, that is placed above the desired position 12.

[0035] In order to raise the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1, gas from the container 26 is injected through the injection valve 24 into the bore 19 of the housing, thereby pushing the piston 20 toward the second end 18 of the housing 16. In order to lower the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1, gas is released from the bore 19 of the housing 16 through the exhaust valve 25, thereby allowing the piston 20 to move toward the first end 17 of the housing 16.

[0036] Preferably, when the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 has reached the desired position 12, it is locked into place by any means that is well known in the art. Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 7, one or more pins 103 slidably attached to the support structure 10 or to the support structures 10, 11 are inserted into a cavity or aperture 104 within a structure 31 rotatably attached to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 about the axis of rotation 13 without obstructing connection of the means for rotating 14 to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1.

[0037] It should be noted that when a flexible force-transferring device 22 is employed, the term “flexible force-transferring device” is, for the purposes of this patent application, intended to include simply the cable or other flexible device or to include a device for altering mechanical advantage, e.g., a block and tackle, in addition to the cable or other flexible device.

[0038] Each cable or other force-transferring device 22 is connected to the trolley 29 in such a manner as not to obstruct rotation of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1. In its most preferred embodiment, the trolley 29 comprises a first section 32 on the first side 7 of the passenger-carrying arm 1 and a second section 33 on the second side 8 of the passenger-carrying arm 1. The first section 32 and the second section 33 of the trolley 29 are each rotatably attached to a shaft 34 that is fixedly connected to the passenger-carrying arm 1. The axis of rotation 35 of the shaft 34 is aligned with the axis of rotation 13 for the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1.

[0039] Of course, when a trolley 29 is employed, any of the well-known elevating means may be attached to the trolley 29 rather than being directly connected to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1. In any such case, including the most preferred embodiment of the Elevating Rotary Amusement Ride employing the housing 16, the preferred optional lock or brake 15 is attached to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm and to the trolley 29, rather than to the elevating means. For example, a pin is slidably attached to the trolley 29 and can be inserted into a cavity or aperture within the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1; or, in the most preferred embodiment, a disc brake 36 has a disc 37 attached to the shaft 34 and a clamping mechanism 38 for frictionally grasping the disc 37 attached to the trolley 29.

[0040] Also when a trolley 29 is utilized, the trolley 29 functions as the structure 31 for facilitating locking the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 at the desired position 12.

[0041] A variety of techniques exist for rotating the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1. As indicated above, any means that is well known in the art for rotating a heavy passenger carrier—preferably, but not necessarily, an electric motor 39 (a non-exclusive list of other options comprises a pneumatic motor and a hydraulic motor)—is connected to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 and to either the support structure 10 or, in an embodiment having the trolley 29, to the trolley 29, as illustrated in FIG. 8; one of the two connections must be fixed while the other must be rotatable. Thus, the means for rotating 14 is either fixedly connected to the support structure 10 and rotatably connected to the passenger-carrying arm 1, rotatably connected to the support structure 10 and fixedly connected to the passenger-carrying arm 1, fixedly connected to the trolley 29 and rotatably connected to the passenger-carrying arm 1, or rotatably connected to the trolley 29 and fixedly connected to the passenger-carrying arm 1.

[0042] If there is no trolley 29, one of the two connections of the means for rotating 14 must, using any technique that is well known in the art, be made releasable in order to permit substantially linear vertical movement of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm with respect to the support structure 10.

[0043] Optionally there can be two means for rotating 14; this can occur either when there is both a support structure 10 adjacent to the first side 7 of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 and a second support structure 11 adjacent to the second side 8 of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 or when the most preferred embodiment is employed wherein the trolley 29 comprises a first section 32 on the first side 7 of the passenger-carrying arm 1 and a second section 33 on the second side 8 of the passenger-carrying arm 1. In either of such circumstances, a first means for rotating 14 is on the first side 7 of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1; and a second means for rotating 14 is on the second side 8 of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1. Preferably, these means for rotating 14 are substantially identical to one another.

[0044] In the most preferred embodiment, a first electric motor 39 is connected to the shaft 34 on the first side 7 of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1; and a second electric motor 39 is connected to the shaft 34 on the second side 8 of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1. Preferably, these electric motors are synchronized by having one act as a master and the other as a slave. Such motors can be purchased from the Allen-Bradley Company, for example. These motors, moreover, have a variable frequency drive, which, through programmed control of the motors, enables the speed and position of rotation to be profiled.

[0045] The drive shaft 40 of the electric motor 39 can have the same axis of rotation 41 as the axis of rotation 35 of the shaft 34. In order to save space in the most preferred embodiment, however, the drive shaft 40 of the electric motor 39 is placed generally above the shaft 34 and connected to the shaft 34 with a belt 141, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0046] Also, preferably but not necessarily, as shown in FIG. 8, a gear box 42 is placed between the electric motor 39 and the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1. In the most preferred embodiment, between the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 and the belt 141, the shaft 34 is separated; and the gear box 42 is inserted therein. Again, in the most preferred embodiment, the gear box 42 has a ratio of 240 to 1 with the shaft 34 on the side of the gear box 42 toward the electric motor 39 turning faster.

[0047] When the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 is not locked at the desired position as described above and when the means for rotating 14 is not attached to the support structure 10, the support structure 10 comprises two columns 43; and the means for rotating 14 or a structure to which the means for rotating is attached, such as the trolley 29, is placed between such columns 43 to restrict rotation of the means for rotating 14, itself.

[0048] Additionally, in the most preferred embodiment and preferably in each embodiment discussed above, one or more counterweights 44 are used to reduce the load which the elevating means must bear. A counterweight 44 is attached to a first end 45 of a cable or other flexible force-transferring device 46, and a second end 47 of the cable or other flexible force-transferring device 46 is attached to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 or, when a trolley 29 is employed, to the trolley 29. At an intermediate point between the ends 45, 47 of the cable or other flexible force-transferring device 46 it is necessary to have the cable or other flexible force-transferring device 46 pass over a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force, preferably a pulley, 48 that is located at a higher elevation than either the counterweight 44 or the point of attachment of the cable or other flexible force-transferring device 46 to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 or, when a trolley 29 is employed, to the trolley 29. For aesthetic and safety reasons, the counterweight 44 is located within a cylinder 101.

[0049] If the cable or other flexible force-transferring device 46 is directly attached to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1, the connection must have the structure for such attachment rotatable, hollow, and so located around the axis of rotation 13 for the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 that it has the same axis of rotation 13 as does the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 in order to permit the means for rotating 14 the passenger-carrying arm to be attached to the passenger-carrying arm 1 and to rotate the passenger carrying arm 1 about the desired axis of rotation 13. Such structure could, for example, be a sleeve.

[0050] A still further optional means for rotating 14 consists of a mass 49 that moves longitudinally along the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1.

[0051] The mass 49 is preferably initially aligned with the axis of rotation 13 for the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1. When it is desired to have a given end 3 or 4 of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 descend, the mass 49 is moved toward such end 3 or 4. Such movement can produce rotation of the passenger-carrying arm 1 to any desired degree or for any desired number of rotations in a desired direction.

[0052] Preferably when the mass 49 is employed, the passenger-carrying arm 1 has, as illustrated in FIG. 10, a bore 50 containing a slidably mounted piston 51 constituting the mass 49. Nearer the first end 3 of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 than the piston will ever be and communicating with the bore 50 is located a valve 52 for introducing and withdrawing a gas or hydraulic fluid. Similarly, nearer the second end 4 of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 than the piston will ever be and communicating with the bore 50 is located a valve 52 for introducing and withdrawing a gas or hydraulic fluid.

[0053] Of course, the mass 49 could be move by any other method that is well known in the art, such as have the mass rotatably mounted on a motorized screw or having a motor control a cable that is attached to the mass 49 and that is supported by pulleys near the first end 3 and the second end 4 of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1.

[0054] Finally, the most substantial option of the present invention involves having the support structure 10 (or both the support structure 10 and the second support structure 11, if there are two support structures 10, 11) move in order to elevate the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1. In such a case, the means for rotating 14 is connected to the rotatable passenger-carrying arm 1 and to the support structure 10. (Of course, as described above, there can be two means for rotating 14, with one of such means for rotating 14 being connected to the second support structure 11, instead of the first support structure 10.) Although one of the two connections must be fixed while the other must be rotatable as discussed above, neither such connection need be releasable for this embodiment.

[0055] The lower end 53 of the support structure 10 is, in one embodiment, rotatably connected to the ground or any structure upon which the Elevating Rotary Amusement Ride is to be placed, which for the purposes of this patent application shall be termed the “foundation.” Any means that is well known in the art for rotating heavy objects is then used to rotate the support structure. For example, this means may be an electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic motor or a gas or hydraulic cylinder having a first end rotatably connected to the support structure 10 and a second end rotatably connected to the ground or any structure upon which the Elevating Rotary Amusement Ride is to be placed. (If there is a second support structure 11, such second support structure 11 would also have a lower end 54 rotatably connected to the ground and could, but need not necessarily, have another means for rotating connected to it.)

[0056] In another embodiment, the lower end 53 of the support structure 10 is, as illustrated in FIG. 11, connected to a piston 55 slidably mounted within a bore 56 of a housing 57. The housing 57 has a valve 58 located nearer a lower end 59 of the housing 57 than the piston will ever be for introducing and removing gas or hydraulic fluid. (If there is a second support structure 11, the lower end 54 of the second support structure 11 is in another housing 60; and preferably, but not necessarily, such other housing has a piston 61 slidably mounted within a bore 62 of such other housing 60 with such piston 61 being connected to the lower end 54 of the second support structure 11 and also has a valve 63 located nearer a lower end 64 of such other housing 60 than the piston 61 will ever be for introducing and removing gas or hydraulic fluid.

[0057] When the support structure 10 or structures 10, 11 move, it is preferable to use no counterweights 44.

Claims

1. An elevating rotary amusement ride, which comprises: a rotatable passenger-carrying arm having a first end, a first side, and a second side; one or more seats attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at least near a first end of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; a restraint attached to each of said seats; a support structure adjacent to a first side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; a means for elevating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm from a non-vertical loading position to a position which is sufficiently high that said rotatable passenger-carrying arm can be rotated, said means for elevating being attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

2. An elevating rotary amusement ride, which comprises: a rotatable passenger-carrying arm having a first end, a first side, and a second side; one or more seats attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at least near a first end of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; a restraint attached to each of said seats; a support structure adjacent to a first side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; a means for elevating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm from a substantially horizontal loading position to a position which is sufficiently high that said rotatable passenger-carrying arm can be rotated, said means for elevating being attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

3. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 2, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: an electric motor; a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.

4. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 3, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

5. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 3, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

6. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 2, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be; an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

7. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 6, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

8. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 6, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

9. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 2, further comprising: a second support structure, said second support structure being adjacent to a second side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm;

10. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 9, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: an electric motor; a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.

11. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 10, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

12. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 10, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

13. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 9, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be; an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

14. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 13, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

15. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 13, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

16. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 9, further comprising: a means for maintaining said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at a position which is sufficiently high that said rotatable passenger-carrying arm can be rotated, said means for maintaining being connected to said support structure and to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm with at least one of such connections being releasable.

17. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 16, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: an electric motor; a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.

18. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 17, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

19. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 17, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

20. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 16, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be; an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

21. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 20, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

22. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 20, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

23. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 16, further comprising: a counterweight; a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm, over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device.

24. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 23, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: an electric motor; a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.

25. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 24, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

26. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 24, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

27. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 23, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be; an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

28. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 27, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

29. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 27, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

30. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 9, further comprising: a counterweight; a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm, over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device.

31. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 30, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: an electric motor; a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.

32. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 31, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

33. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 31, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

34. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 30, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be; an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

35. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 34, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

36. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 34, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

37. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 2, further comprising: a means for maintaining said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at a position which is sufficiently high that said rotatable passenger-carrying arm can be rotated, said means for maintaining being connected to said support structure and to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm with at least one of such connections being releasable.

38. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 37, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: an electric motor; a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.

39. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 38, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

40. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 38, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

41. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 37, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be; an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

42. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 41, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

43. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 41, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

44. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 37, further comprising: a counterweight; a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm, over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device.

45. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 44, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: an electric motor; a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.

46. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 45, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

47. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 45, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

48. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 44, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be; an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

49. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 48, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

50. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 48, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

51. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 2, further comprising: a counterweight; a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm, over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device.

52. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 51, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: an electric motor; a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.

53. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 52, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

54. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 52, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

55. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 51, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be; an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

56. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 55, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

57. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 55, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

58. An elevating rotary amusement ride, which comprises: a rotatable passenger-carrying arm having a first end, a first side, and a second side; one or more seats attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at least near a first end of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; a restraint attached to each of said seats; a support structure adjacent to a first side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; a trolley rotatably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; a means for elevating said trolley rotatable passenger-carrying arm from a substantially horizontal loading position to a position which is sufficiently high that said rotatable passenger-carrying arm can be rotated, said means for elevating being attached to said trolley; and a means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

59. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 58, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: an electric motor; a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said trolley; and a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.

60. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 59, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

61. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 59, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

62. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 58, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be; an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.

63. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 62, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

64. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 62, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

65. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 58, further comprising: a second support structure, said second support structure being adjacent to a second side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

66. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 65, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: an electric motor; a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said trolley; and a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.

67. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 66, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

68. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 66, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

69. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 65, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be; an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.

70. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 69, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

71. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 69, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

72. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 65, further comprising: a means for maintaining said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at a position which is sufficiently high that said rotatable passenger-carrying arm can be rotated, said means for maintaining being connected to said support structure and to said trolley with at least one of such connections being releasable.

73. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 72, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: an electric motor; a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said trolley; and a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.

74. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 73, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

75. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 73, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

76. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 72, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be; an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.

77. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 76, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

78. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 76, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

79. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 72, further comprising: a counterweight; a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said trolley; and a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said trolley over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device.

80. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 79, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: an electric motor; a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said trolley; and a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.

81. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 80, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

82. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 80, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is, slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

83. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 79, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be; an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.

84. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 83, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

85. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 83, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

86. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 65, further comprising: a counterweight; a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said trolley; and a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said trolley over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device.

87. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 86, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: an electric motor; a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said trolley; and a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.

88. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 87, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

89. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 87, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

90. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 86, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be; an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.

91. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 90, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

92. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 90, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

93. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 58, further comprising: a means for maintaining said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at a position which is sufficiently high that said rotatable passenger-carrying arm can be rotated, said means for maintaining being connected to said support structure and to said trolley with at least one of such connections being releasable.

94. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 93, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: an electric motor; a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said trolley; and a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.

95. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 94, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

96. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 94, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

97. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 93, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be; an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.

98. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 97, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

99. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 97, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

100. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 93, further comprising: a counterweight; a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said trolley; and a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said trolley over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device.

101. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 100, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: an electric motor; a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said trolley; and a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.

102. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 101, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

103. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 101, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

104. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 100, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be; an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.

105. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 104, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

106. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 104, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

107. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 58, further comprising: a counterweight; a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said trolley; and a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said trolley over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device.

108. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 107, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: an electric motor; a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said trolley; and a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.

109. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 108, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

110. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 108, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

111. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 107, wherein: said means for elevating comprises: a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be; an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.

112. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 111, wherein: said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

113. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 111, wherein: said means for rotating comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

114. An elevating rotary amusement ride, which comprises: a rotatable passenger-carrying arm having a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side; one or more seats attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at least near a first end and near a second end of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; a restraint attached to each of said seats; a support structure adjacent to a first side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; a second support structure adjacent to a second side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; a trolley having a first section on a first side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm and a second section on a second side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm rotatably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm and also having a cavity; an electric motor on each section of said trolley attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; a disc brake attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm and to at least one section of said trolley; a pin slidably attached to said support structure for insertion into the cavity of said trolley for maintaining said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at a desired position of elevation; a counterweight; a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said trolley; a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said trolley over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device; a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be; an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.

115. An elevating rotary amusement ride, which comprises: a rotatable passenger-carrying arm having a first end, a first side, and a second side; one or more seats attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at least near a first end of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; a restraint attached to each of said seats; a support structure adjacent to a first side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm, said support structure being rotatably connected to a foundation; a means for rotating said support structure; and a means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

116. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 115, further comprising: a second support structure, said second support structure being adjacent to a second side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm and rotatably connected to a foundation.

117. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 1116, wherein: said means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

118. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 116, wherein: said means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

119. An elevating rotary amusement ride, which comprises: a rotatable passenger-carrying arm having a first end, a first side, and a second side; one or more seats attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at least near a first end of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; a restraint attached to each of said seats; a support structure adjacent to a first side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm, said support structure having a lower end; a means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; a housing having a lower end and a bore; a piston slidably mounted within said bore and connected to a lower end of said support structure; and a valve located nearer the lower end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said valve being for introducing gas or hydraulic fluid into and removing gas or hydraulic fluid from the bore of said housing.

120. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 119, further comprising: a second support structure, said second support structure being adjacent to a second side of said rotatable passenger-carrying; a second housing having a lower end and a bore; a second piston slidably mounted within the bore of said second housing and connected to a lower end of said second support structure; and a second valve located nearer the lower end of said second housing than said second piston will ever be, said second valve being for introducing gas or hydraulic fluid into and removing gas or hydraulic fluid from the bore of said second housing.

121. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 120, wherein: said means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.

122. The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim 120, wherein: said means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm comprises: a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

123. A process for elevating and rotating participants, which comprises: loading participants on a rotatable passenger-carrying arm having a first end, a first side, and a second side, seats having restraints, with the rotatable passenger-carrying arm being adjacent to a support structure in a substantially horizontal loading position; then elevating the rotatable passenger-carrying arm from a substantially horizontal loading position to a position which is sufficiently high that the rotatable passenger-carrying arm can be rotated; and then rotating the rotatable passenger-carrying arm.