Patent Application
20250153059
The present invention relates to an amusement device. In particular, the amusement device according to the invention is an amusement park ride used, for example, in funfairs and theme parks, and includes a plurality of seats that are mounted in a movable manner with respect to a central column, by a plurality of swinging arms.
Amusement park rides provide entertainment, joy and excitement to thousands of riders young and old, every day. Various different types of amusement park rides exist around the world such as Ferris wheels, roller coasters and other track rides, pendulum type rides, swings, water-based rides, bumper cars, rides that are suspended from overhead systems such as overhead tracks, vertical plunge rides and so forth. In most rides, the riders are securely strapped or otherwise secured into place, as the ride travels on a predefined course and has a predetermined motion.
Producers of amusement rides are constantly searching for improved rides capable of arousing new sensations for users by means of new mechanisms and new geometries of the structures of the ride. Rides are known that enable simulation of possible extreme real situations, such as for example piloting an airplane. Producers of amusement rides are constantly trying to enable simulations of extreme simulations. Various innovations continue to be made to provide more thrilling and exciting new amusement rides in the competitive entertainment industry. Thrill seekers anxiously anticipate new and innovative rides.
This is particularly true for family type rides in which a family of riders can experience the amusement park ride together as a family and such family-type rides also stress safety.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide new and innovative types of family-type and other rides that provide safety yet offer a thrilling and exciting new ride experience.
According to various embodiments, the disclosed invention is directed to an amusement device, more particularly an amusement park ride.
The amusement ride (1) includes a central column (2) having a longitudinal axis (A1) and comprising a base structure (2a). The central column (2) may be vertically disposed. At least one arm (3a, 3b) is rotatably coupled to the central column (2) at respective arm rotation axes (A2′, A2″) that each intersect longitudinal axis (A1). A first actuation element (70) is provided for swinging each arm (3a, 3b) through at least a portion of a circular arc (P1). The arms (3a, 3b) may swing up and down along at least a portion of a circular arc (P1). The first actuation element (70) includes at least one hydraulic cylinder (71, 72).
At least one supporting element (6a, 6b) is adapted to support at least one seat(S) for at least one rider, each supporting element (6a, 6b) being rotatably coupled to a respective arm (3a, 3b) at an associated rotation axis (A3′, A3″) that is spaced from and advantageously parallel to at least one arm rotation axis (A2′, A2″). A logic control unit (100) is configured to control the first actuation elements (70) for swinging the associated arms (3a, 3b) at a predetermined frequency value (ωF) such that the swinging of the arm (3a, 3b) generates an oscillatory movement of the corresponding supporting element (6a, 6b) through at least a portion of a circular arc (P2). The oscillatory movement occurs in resonance condition.
According to some embodiments, the resonance condition occurs when the at least one arm (3a, 3b) swings with a frequency value (ωF) which is substantially equal to the natural frequency (ωN) of the at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) oscillating through the at least a portion of a circular arc (P2).
According to some embodiments, each first actuation element (70) comprises two hydraulic cylinders (71, 72). In some embodiments, the amusement ride (1) further comprises second actuation elements (73) configured to cause the at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) to swing about its respective rotation axis (A3′, A3″) and travel along at least a portion of circular arc (P2). The second actuation elements (73) may be disposed on the ends (31, 32) of the respective arms (3a, 3b) and include a motor.
According to various embodiments, the control unit (100) is configured to control the at least one second actuation element (73) for moving the at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) along at least a portion of a circular arc (P2).
According to various embodiments, the central column (2) comprises a rotatable portion (2b) that is rotatable with respect to the base structure (2a) and wherein the at least one arm (3a, 3b) is coupled to the rotatable portion (2b). In some embodiments, each of the arms (3a, 3b) is provided with a supporting element (6a, 6b) arranged at an end (31, 32) of the arm (3a, 3b). In some embodiments, each supporting element (6a, 6b) includes a counter-weight (61).
According to various embodiments, the central column (2) comprises a gear system (7) for rotating the at least one arm (3a, 3b) about a respective arm rotation axis (A2′, A2″).
In some embodiments, the central column (2) comprises one or more movable portions (2b), that are longitudinally movable with respect to the base structure (2a) and in some embodiments, the central column (2) comprises a rotatable portion (2b) that is rotatable with respect to the base structure (2a). The arm or arms (3a, 3b) are coupled to the rotatable portion (2b) in various embodiments.
According to another embodiment, a method of operation of the amusement ride (1) is provided, the method comprising: maintaining the at least one arm (3a, 3b) in a loading/unloading position to enable loading of at least one rider on the at least one seat(S), operating the first actuation element (70) to swing the at least one arm (3a, 3b) through at least a portion of a circular arc (P1), with a predetermined frequency value (ωF) so that the swinging of the at least one arm (3a, 3b) generates an oscillatory movement of the at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) through at least a portion of a circular arc (P2) to produce an oscillatory movement of the at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) in resonance condition; and, operating the first actuation element (70) to swing the at least one arm (3a, 3b) back to the loading/unloading position for unloading the at least one rider.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises, after maintaining the at least one arm (3a, 3b) in a loading/unloading position, operating each first actuation element (70) to rotate the at least one arm (3a, 3b) from the loading/unloading position to a security position, wherein the at least one seat(S) is disposed above the ground. In various embodiments, the method includes the amusement ride (1) further comprising second actuation elements (73) moving the at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) along at least a portion of a circular arc (P2) by rotating the at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) about a respective a rotation axis (A3′, A3″). In some embodiments, the method includes the second actuation elements (73) moving the at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) along at least a portion of the circular arc (P2) before operating the first actuation element (70) to swing said at least one arm (3a, 3b) and in some embodiments, the method further comprises determining a natural frequency value (ωN) of said associated supporting element (6a, 6b) by turning off the at least one second actuation element (73) and allowing the associated supporting element (6a, 6b) to swing freely, wherein said predetermined frequency value (ωF) is based on said determined natural frequency value (ωN).
In various embodiments, the method includes the at least one arm (3a, 3b) swinging through an angle (a) in the range of 10° to 180° along the at least a portion of circular arc (P1), and the at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) oscillating back and forth along at least a portion of the circular arc (P2), through an angle (β) between 20° and 300.°
In another embodiment, a method of operation of an amusement ride (1) is provided. The method comprises: providing an amusement ride with at least one swingable arm (3a, 3b) having an associated supporting element (6a, 6b) disposed on an end thereof, each supporting element (6a, 6b) having at least one seat(S) for accommodating a rider; and operating a first actuation element (70) to swing the at least one arm (3a, 3b) through at least a portion of a circular arc (P1), with a predetermined frequency value (ωF) so that the swinging of the arm (3a, 3b) generates an oscillatory movement of the at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) through at least a portion of a circular arc (P2) to produce an oscillatory movement of said at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) in resonance condition.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises second actuation elements (73) moving the at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) along at least a portion of a circular arc (P2) by rotating about a corresponding rotation axis (A3′, A3″) before operating the first actuation element (70) to swing the at least one arm (3a, 3b) and determining a natural frequency value (ωN) of the associated supporting element (6a, 6b) by turning off the at least one second actuation element (73) to allow the associated supporting element (6a, 6b) to swing freely, and wherein the predetermined frequency value (ωF) is based on said determined natural frequency value (ωN).
One or more embodiments of the present invention are now described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings provided by way of non-limiting example, wherein:
The aspects described herein, and references in the specification to “one aspect,” “an aspect,” “an exemplary aspect,” “an example aspect,” etc., indicate that the aspects described can include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every aspect may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same aspect. The same is true for the use of the term “embodiment,” e.g. “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an aspect or embodiment, it is understood that it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other aspects or embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “on,” “upper” and the like, can be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. In many embodiments, the apparatus can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein can likewise be interpreted accordingly.
Terms such as “about,” “approximately,” and the like, can be used herein to indicate the value of a given quantity that can vary based on a particular technology. Based on the particular technology, the terms “about,” “approximately,” and the like can indicate a value of a given quantity that varies within, for example, 10-30% of the value (e.g., +10%, +20%, or +30% of the value). Terms such as “substantially” when used to state “substantially equal” or “substantially vertical” indicate fundamentally or approximately equal or vertical, for example.
Enumerative adjectives (e.g., “first,” “second,” “third,” or the like) can be used to distinguish like elements without establishing an order, hierarchy, quantity, or permanent numeric assignment (unless otherwise noted). For example, the terms “first vehicle” and “second vehicle” can be used to facilitate the distinguishing of two vehicles without specifying a particular order, hierarchy, quantity, or immutable numeric correspondence.
With reference to figures, the amusement ride 1 comprises a central column 2, including a base structure 2a that, in use, is disposed on the ground or, more generally, disposed on or coupled to an external flat surface.
Central column 2 has a longitudinal axis A1 that is typically vertical during use. Central column 2 may advantageously include one or more portions that are movable with respect to base structure 2a. As an example, the portions may be coupled in a nested tube arrangement, i.e. telescopically, with respect to the base structure 2a. In an embodiment shown in the figures such as
First portion 2b can rotate with respect to base structure 2a and/or it can also translate with respect to base structure 2a. The movable first portion 2b, may be moved by suitable and known movement means. For example, in the embodiment shown in
As discussed, the illustrated embodiments with base structure 2a and first portion 2b, represent one embodiment of a central column 2 provided with a movable portion 2b. In some embodiments, two or more translatable and telescopically arranged portions may be provided in order achieve a longer run along the longitudinal axis A1 of the central column 2.
Some embodiments do not include both translation and rotational movement, i.e. some embodiments comprise only movable portions of the central column that are translatable with respect to the base structure, and other embodiments include movable portions 2b that are only rotatable with respect to the base structure 2a of central column 2.
In some embodiments, the amusement ride of the present invention is provided with a central column having no movable portions, i.e. a stationary central column that does not rotate.
At least one arm, and advantageously two arms 3a, 3b, are coupled to central column 2. As mentioned, central column 2 is advantageously provided with at least one movable portion 2b and arms 3a, 3b may advantageously be coupled to movable portion 2b of central column 2. According to one embodiment, arms 3a, 3b are coupled to first portion 2b that is at least rotatable with respect to base structure 2a, but in other embodiments, arms 3a, 3b may be coupled to a stationary central column.
Each arm 3a, 3b is rotatably coupled to the central column 2 at respective arm rotation axes A2′, A2″ incident with respect to longitudinal axis A1. The two arm rotation axes A2′, A2″ advantageously coincide with one another as seen, for example, in
According to one embodiment, as in
As in
Each cylinder 71, 72 may include regulation valves and sensors, for example position sensors. In some embodiments, the sensors comprise one or more translational encoders to detect the position of the piston.
In an embodiment shown most clearly in
In this way, when the actuation elements 70 are operated, the at least one arm 3a, 3b swings around its respective arm rotation axis A2′, A2″ back and forth through at least a portion of a circular arc P1, due to extension and contraction of hydraulic actuators dictating the arm position.
It should be noted that the at least one arm 3a, 3b swings back and forth through at least a portion of a circular arc P1, which subtends an angle α between 0° and 180° in various embodiments. In some embodiments, arms 3a, 3b may be swingable through an angle α of between 20° and 90°.
The amusement ride 1 includes at least one supporting element 6a, 6b to support at least one seat S for at least one rider, the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b being rotatably coupled to the respective arm 3a, 3b at a respective rotation axes A3′, A3″ which are each parallel to respective arm rotation axes A2′, A2″ of the at least one arm 3a, 3b. Although illustrated as an open air supporting element 6a, 6b, each with 24 seats S, various numbers of seats S may be used in other embodiments and various other arrangements of the supporting elements 6a, 6n may be used. Various carriages or gondolas which may be closed or open may be used as the supporting elements 6a, 6b in other embodiments and may include various numbers of seats S positioned in various arrangements.
Amusement ride 1 further includes logic control unit 100 (see
In various embodiments, each of the arms 3a, 3b is provided with one supporting element 6a, 6b. In various embodiments, each supporting element 6a, 6b is provided with a counter-weight 61. Each supporting element 6a, 6b carries one or more vehicles and/or seats S for the passengers/riders of the amusement ride 1. The supporting elements 6a, 6b are advantageously disposed at the end 31, 32 of the respective arm 3a, 3b. The ends 31, 32 of arms 3a, 3b signify the two areas of the arms disposed at the greatest distance from the relevant arm rotation axis A2′, A2″.
According to one embodiment, supporting elements 6a, 6b are hinged to the arms 3a, 3b so that the seats may be maintained in a substantially vertical manner during the operation of loading/unloading passengers.
In the embodiment shown clearly in
In various embodiments, arms 3a, 3b are rotated at the same angular speed. In other words, at a given time, during operation of the amusement ride 1, the arms 3a, 3b have the same angular speed and may be at the same height with respect to the ground. The angular speed of one arm may be varied over time. In this occurrence, the other arm behaves in a same manner, that is, both arms maintain the same angular speed. In this embodiment, if at a given time arm 3a swings at a first angular speed, the other arm 3b is operated to swing at the same first angular speed. In other embodiments, the two arms 3a, 3b swing at different angular speeds.
As described above, the at least one arm 3a, 3b swings around associated arm rotation axis A2′, A2″ due to extension of hydraulic cylinders 71, 72 of the first actuating element 70, dictating the arm position.
Riders are seated in seats S in the vehicles, supported by the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b, which is rotatably hinged to the respective arm 3a, 3b. The supporting element or elements 6a, 6b start to oscillate about their respective rotation axes A3′, A3″, which are parallel to the arm rotation axis A2′, A2″ as arms 3a, 3b swing. The gentle oscillation of the arms 3a, 3b causes the supporting elements 6a, 6b and consequently the seats S, to oscillate in a rhythmic swinging motion.
In various embodiments, the swinging motion of the arm 3a, 3b gradually creates a resonance in the oscillating movement of the supporting elements 6a, 6b, such that the seats S reach an angular position wherein they are close to parallel with respect to the ground. The extreme angle reached by supporting elements 6a, 6b with respective seats S, combined with the arm swinging motion create an open and thrilling experience for a rider.
According to various embodiments, the amusement ride 1 includes at least second actuation elements 73, which may include, for example, an electric motor, for moving the respective supporting element 6a, 6b along at least a portion of a circular arc P2 by rotating the respective supporting element 6a, 6b about their respective rotation axes A3′, A3″. The second actuation elements 73 can be disposed at the ends 31, 32 of the arms (3a, 3b). Second actuation elements 73 may be used for moving the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b while also operating said first actuation element 70 for swinging the arms 3a, 3b, in some embodiments.
In some embodiments, second actuation elements 73 may be operated during a first operative phase of the amusement ride before the swinging of arms 3a, 3b, to impart an initial oscillating motion to the supporting elements 6a, 6b. According to this embodiment, control unit 100 is configured to control the second actuation elements 73 for moving the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b through at least a portion of a circular arc P2 by rotating the respective supporting element 6a, 6b about their respective rotation axes A3′, A3″.
In some embodiments, the second actuation element 73 is used to initiate the oscillation of one or both of the supporting elements 6a, 6b about their respective rotation axes A3′, A3″ and along at least a portion of a circular arc P2 during a first operative phase which may be controlled by control unit 100. After the supporting elements 6a, 6b begin oscillating about the about the rotation axis A3′, A3,″ the natural frequency ON of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b oscillating through the at least a portion of a circular arc P2, is measured, i.e determined, and later used as the frequency value OF at which the at least one arm 3a, 3b swings to produce supporting element 6a, 6b oscillating at a resonance condition . . .
In other words, the motor of second actuator element 73 is operated to rotate the respective associated supporting means 6a or 6b about their respective rotation axes A3′, A3″, then the action of the motor of second actuation element 73 is removed, for example by using a clutch, and the supporting means 6a, 6b are let go to freely oscillate according to their natural frequency ON that is detected and measured to be used for controlling the arms to reach the required resonance condition. The measured natural frequency ON is specific for the vehicle and supporting elements in use in each ride: in fact, it may change according to the amount (and weight) of passengers, i.e. of riders, that are present on the vehicle and also in view of their distribution on the vehicle, i.e. of where the passengers are seated. The presence of second actuator 73 thus has the advantage that it makes possible measuring the natural frequency of each vehicle for each ride and to use the measured value to control the ride.
In this embodiment, the control unit 100 is configured to turn off the second actuation elements 73 in order to determine the natural frequency value ON of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b. By “turn off” it is meant that the control of the second actuator element 73, namely the motor, on the respective supporting means, is turned off so as not to influence free movement of the supporting elements 6a, 6b along a portion of circular arc P2. Removal of the influence of motor of second actuation elements 73 on supporting means 6a, 6b may be effected using suitable known means such as a clutch or by changing the speed of the motor.
According to various embodiments, amusement ride 1 is provided with a plurality of safety gears. In more detail, an advantageous embodiment includes safety gears for each arm 3a, 3b. The safety gears are configured to control and eventually stop the oscillating motion of the supporting elements 6a, 6b. The safety gears may, for example, be configured with a clutch, which can be disengaged from one another, and they do not touch each other.
According to another embodiment, a method of operation of the disclosed amusement ride, comprises the following steps:
In use, the amusement device, i.e. amusement ride 1 is placed in a loading position, to allow the riders of amusement ride 1 to embark on the vehicles of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b and possibly to allow the riders of the previous ride to disembark the vehicle. In a first step the arms 3a, 3b are lowered, moving the seats S towards the ground, or to or near a relevant external surface/platform. The arms 3a, 3b are rotated until one of the ends 31, 32 of each arm comes close to the ground/platform on which the riders are waiting, allowing the embarking/disembarking of riders onto and off of the associated seat S. Advantageously at least one seat S of each arm 3a, 3b is placed in a position that allows the users to embark on the respective arms 3a, 3b. According to embodiments, the above discussed loading/unloading position can include the arms 3a, 3b being angled with respect to the horizontal (i.e. an angle greater than 0° and less than) 90°, to allow different riders to embark on vehicles placed on different arms. In one advantageous embodiment as shown in
According to various embodiments in which amusement ride 1 includes at least second actuation elements 73 for moving the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b as above, the second actuation elements 73 may be utilized during step b) of the above method. In various embodiments, the second actuation elements 73 may also be used for moving the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b while also operating said first actuation element 70 for swinging the arms 3a, 3b.
According to one embodiment, the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b oscillates along at least a portion of a circular arc P2, and the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b is swingable throughout an angle β in a range between 10° and 360°, and in some embodiments in a range between 20° and 300°.
According to another embodiment, a method of the disclosure provides: providing an amusement ride with at least one swingable arm (3a, 3b) having an associated swingable supporting element (6a, 6b) disposed on an end thereof, each swingable supporting element (6a, 6b) having at least one seat(S) for accommodating a rider; and, operating a first actuation element (70) to swing the at least one arm (3a, 3b) through at least a portion of a circular arc (P1), with a predetermined frequency value (ωF) so that the swinging of the at least one arm (3a, 3b) generates an oscillatory movement of the at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) through at least a portion of a circular arc (P2) to produce an oscillatory movement of the at least one swingable supporting element (6a, 6b) in resonance condition.
The method may further include at least one second actuation element (73) moving the at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) along at least a portion of a circular arc (P2) by rotating about a corresponding rotation axis (A3′, A3″) before operating the first actuation element (70) to swing the at least one arm (3a, 3b).
It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by those skilled in relevant art(s) in light of the teachings herein.
The present disclosure has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof.
The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. The foregoing description of specific aspects will so fully reveal the general nature of the present disclosure that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific aspects, without undue experimentation and without departing from the general concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed aspects, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein.
It is to be understood that the Detailed Description section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections can set forth one or more, but not necessarily all, embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the present disclosure and the appended claims in any way. The breadth and scope of the protected subject matter should not be limited by any of the above-described aspects, but should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/598,215 filed Nov. 13, 2023, entitled Amusement Device, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, as if set forth in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63598215 | Nov 2023 | US |
