EP0656222B1 - Mobile business device with least one gondola for passengers suspended pendulously - Google Patents

Abstract

The weight (37) for altering the radial distance from the pivot axle (22) is freely movable by gravity. When the passenger-gondola is stationary, the weight is beneath the pivot axle. The weight moves along a line connecting (31) the pivot axle and a line running parallel to the pivot axle through the centre of gravity of the gondola. The weight is in the form of a fluid mass, esp. oil or water contained in a tank (30) attached to the gondola. A wider part (30b) of the tank is limited by a wall running in a circle segment shape around the pivot axle.

Description

The invention relates to a ride for amusement markets or parks, with at least one passenger gondola, which is inclined around a in particular, essentially pivotally pivotable horizontal axis and with a weight influencing the swiveling movement that changes its radial distance from the pivot axis is movable.

Such a ride is known from US-A-4,240,623, which is a powered one Rollover swing is formed, in which the setting of the radial Distance of the weight to the swivel axis by a specifically operated hydraulic drive takes place when loading the passenger nacelle to the weight of the passenger gondola together with the passengers sitting in it accordingly to compensate and thus avoid imbalances during operation. On the other hand, the weight in the rest position of the passenger gondola should be moved down towards the swivel axis to ensure safe entry and exit To allow getting out.

A ride is also known from US-A-1 987 004, which is also known as Circular ride is trained and a tower has, at the upper end of a motor-driven rotating body is rotatably mounted with two arms. The two outriggers extend in opposite radial directions and are fixed to the rotating body, so that they share a double arm form. At the free end of one boom is a passenger gondola mounted while at the free end of the other boom Counterweight is provided. This counterweight ensures you weight compensation of the passenger gondola hanging on the other boom and essentially balances during the Operation in the rotating double arm safely by the center of gravity of the Double arm at least approximately with the axis of rotation of the rotating body coincides. This way, not only will the warehouse of the Rotating body quickly avoided unbalance, but it energy-saving operation of the rollover swing is also possible. Since the weight of the passenger gondola depends on the loading condition, so depending on the number of passengers, the status of the Technique proposed to adjust the counterweight accordingly. For this purpose, the counterweight is used in the known rollover swing Water tank designed, the water filling depending on Loading condition of the passenger gondola is changeable.

In addition to the circular rides described above, there are also other types of rides where the passenger gondolas are not are motor-driven on their axis of rotation, but freely are swinging and due to a certain movement be encouraged to commute. To make a special one To convey driving impression, it is often desirable that To strengthen pendulum movements so that the passenger gondolas roll over. For such a movement there is also an additional one Weight needed. In contrast to the known one described above However, the weight of the circular ride is not used to achieve this a weight balance against the vehicle nacelle weight, but is arranged so that the influence of gravity on the Pendulum movement of the passenger gondola is amplified, namely such that there is a rollover as soon as possible.

In practice, it has now been found that after reaching the highest point or zenith of the orbit the passenger gondola during their downward movement - especially due to the additional Weight - experiences such a high acceleration that the Passengers may find such a rollover uncomfortable. A reduction or even complete omission of the weight would mitigate or even eliminate the above bring listed problems with it, but this will also cause Pendulum weakened to an undesirable degree.

The object of the invention is therefore a ride at the beginning mentioned type in such a way that the passengers through Pendulum movement generated a rollover of the passenger gondola as pleasant feel.

This task is carried out in a ride of the type mentioned at the beginning solved in that the weight to influence the rollover the passenger gondola is freely movable due to the influence of gravity is arranged.

Due to the free moving arrangement, the weight during the Circulation of the passenger gondola essentially always strives, due to the influence of gravity at the latest when the zenith of a position up at that moment back into one to reach the lower position. Surprisingly it is found been that in this way the weight firstly the acceleration the passenger gondola dampens as it moves down and on the other generated enough additional momentum to allow the passenger gondola can continue their next upward movement to the zenith. Due to the weight arranged according to the invention, the free is movable and under the influence of gravity its radial distance varies to the pivot axis, so there is a shift in the center of gravity instead, the one with the downward movement of the passenger gondola exerts a dampening influence and on the upward movement again an acceleration causes, but at least then a substantial Braking prevented. This will change the angular velocity of the Passenger gondola so evened that with the help of the invention for the first time a gentle rollover of a freely swinging one Passenger gondola is feasible in a ride, which the passenger has a pleasant and at the same time interesting driving experience is conveyed. In addition, a gentle rollover does not bring Finally, there are also advantages in terms of safety.

The previously described influence of the achieved according to the invention variably arranged weight that the weight along a through the pivot axis or along this path and thus on both sides of the swivel axis is mobile. To be an effective initial To get the pendulum movement as quickly as possible to the desired one Rollover should, in the resting position of the passenger gondola Weight at a rest position below the axis of rotation, preferably this rest position in the area of the center of gravity the passenger gondola lies. Preferably the distance should be the rest position of the swivel axis is greater than the distance of the opposite end position of the weight in the event of a rollover from the swivel axis.

The above measures will be particularly effective Way achieved that the weight by gravity accelerating effect on the passenger gondola in the lower section their orbit, hence its pendulum motion maintains supporting function so that sufficient kinetic Energy is available for the rollover, however, on the other hand during the rollover, i.e. during and after going through the Zeniths has no significant accelerating effect.

The influence of the invention described above is also variably arranged weight is particularly noticeable when that Weight along a line connecting the swivel axis and one parallel to the swivel axis through the center of gravity of the passenger nacelle running line is movable.

The weight can consist, for example, of a solid body slidable along a pendulum arm carrying the passenger gondola is stored.

A currently particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the weight is a fluid mass, in particular oil or water mass, which is in one with the passenger nacelle essentially firmly connected or part of the Passenger gondola forming liquid tank is filled, the one has a larger volume than the fluid mass and is shaped in such a way that the fluid mass between its radial distance from the pivot axis different pivot positions of the passenger gondola Influence of gravity changed. Such an execution results in a particularly simple but effective construction.

In a further development of the previously described embodiment the liquid tank in the rest position of the fluids Mass below the swivel axis. The flared section of the Liquid tanks can have an essentially circular arc shape the pivot axis extending or rectilinear wall may be limited and the adjoining the expanded section and in other substantially extending in the direction of the pivot axis Section of the liquid tank a substantially constant Cross section. These developments have the advantage that the fluid mass forming the weight during the initial Pendulum and the subsequent circular rollover movement in the essential - at least in the expanded part - proportionately remains in its rest position for a long time and only when approaching the Zenith of the circular orbit its radial distance from Swivel axis reduced and / or on the opposite side the swivel axis flows.

The pendulum arm on which the passenger gondola sits can essentially be formed by the liquid tank. So that the liquid tank take over the function of the pendulum arm, so that a separate There is no pendulum arm, which leads to a design simplification. But it is also conceivable to attach the liquid tank to the pendulum arm.

The passenger gondola is preferably suspended and constructed in such a way that that the pivot axis is essentially through the head of the in the Passenger gondola of placed passenger runs. That way high centrifugal forces in the head of the passenger during the rollover avoided, which is certainly an advantage for medical reasons.

The arrangement of the weight according to the invention is preferably found in a ride that has a rotatable and drivable Central building, with a plurality of star-shaped on its circumference radially outwardly extending cantilever arms where the passenger gondolas are suspended and an eccentric device has that in operation the boom arms in changing Raised and tilted positions, causing the passenger gondolas be set in pendulum and rollover movements. The passenger gondolas can preferably with passenger seats facing radially outwards be provided, making the passengers particularly attractive Driving impressions are conveyed. Crucial for such driving impressions is that of the - especially counter-rotating - rotations on the one hand the central building and on the other hand the eccentric device forces transmitted to the cantilever arms are varied in many ways Rocking and pendulum movements of the passenger gondolas cause that ultimately to the desired rollover to lead.

Figur 1

einen vertikalen Mittel schnitt durch ein bevorzugt verwendetes Fahrgeschäft (unter Weglassung unwesentlicher Randaufbauten);

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht eines an einer Fahrgastgondel befestigten Flüssigkeitstanks; und

Figur 3

eine gegenüber der Ansicht von Figur 2 um 90° gedrehte Seitenansicht eines Teils der Fahrgastgondel und der Stirnseite des Flüssigkeitstanks.

A particularly preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Figure 1

a vertical mean section through a preferred ride (leaving out marginal superstructures);

Figure 2

a side view of a liquid tank attached to a passenger nacelle; and

Figure 3

a side view rotated by 90 ° compared to the view of Figure 2 of a portion of the passenger nacelle and the front of the liquid tank.

In Figure 1, a preferred tour shop is shown in the the invention is realized. Nevertheless, the use of the Invention also conceivable in other types of rides, provided the passenger gondolas are pivoted and, in particular, oscillating are.

Above a base frame 1 of the circular ride shown in Figure 1 with an inclined base plate 2 is a central building 3 arranged by an electric motor 4 via a belt drive 5 and a countershaft 6 in the area of an external toothing Ball slewing ring 7 is drivable.

The central building 3 is surrounded by an eccentric device 8 which independent of the central building 3 on a machine base frame 1a is mounted by means of a ball slewing ring 9 and by one Electric motor 10 via a belt drive 11 and a countershaft 12 in - with respect to the rotation of the central building 3, preferably counter-rotating - Rotational movements can be offset.

Above the eccentric device 8 are correspondingly high Central building 3 star-shaped several bearing blocks 13 attached. On radial outer ends of the bearing blocks 13 belonging to the central building boom arms 15 are pivotally mounted about axes 16, which run tangential to the central axis 3a.

To the eccentric 8 associated tie rods 17, each with one end of it on a driver ring 18 of the eccentric device 8 are hinged, with their other ends at the associated Cantilever arms 15 mounted, namely about axes 19, each of which the axes 16 run parallel, but arranged at a distance from them are. In this way lead to a relative rotation Eccentric device 8 with respect to the central building 3, the cantilever arms 15 Swivel movements. Figure 1 shows the full eccentricity Eccentric device 8 adjustable by means of a lifting device 20 a cantilever arm 15 in its lowest position (right) and one Extension arm 15 in its highest position (left).

At the radially outer free ends 15a of the extension arms 15 is a pendulum arm 21 by means of - not shown in detail - Swivel ball joints articulated, namely around Pivot axes 22, which in turn are tangential to the central axis 3a run. At the other ends of the pendulum arms 21 are passenger gondolas 23 rigidly attached, which usually several side by side have arranged passenger seats. Of course, the Passenger gondolas 23 pivotable shoulder strap 25 provided by which the passengers are secured in the passenger gondola 23; also the arrangement of further such safety restraint devices, which are not shown in the figures can on the Passenger gondola 23 are provided. As can be seen in FIG the passenger seats in the present embodiment radially outward directed so that the passengers in the pivoting direction of the pendulum arms 21 sit.

The pendulum arms 21 and cantilever arms 15 are designed so that the Pendulum arms 21 with the attached passenger gondolas 23 triggered due to the pivoting movements of the extension arms 15, not only pendulum movements, but also a circular movement with rollover around can execute the pivot axis 22, whereby the passenger more charming driving impressions are offered. To be gentle Realizing rollover, not only in terms of safety Advantages over a hard rollover, but also convey a more pleasant driving experience, they are The measures according to the invention described below are provided.

For this purpose, a liquid tank 30 is provided, which in the Figures 2 and 3 is shown. This liquid tank 30 is with the passenger gondola 23 is firmly connected, which is dashed in Figure 2 is indicated. On the front side of the liquid tank 30 is a carrier 28 attached for the benches. The liquid tank 30 can be part the passenger gondola 23 formed or additionally separately on this or be attached to the pendulum arm 21. Is also one Execution conceivable, as indicated in particular in Figure 3, in which the liquid tank 30 itself the pendulum arm for the Passenger gondola 23 forms, therefore instead of that in Figure 1 Pendulum arm 21 shown provided and at the free end 15a of the associated cantilever arm 15 pivotable about the pivot axis 22 is articulated and carries the passenger gondola 23 itself.

According to FIGS. 2 and 3, the passenger gondola 23 is designed in such a way that that the pivot axis 22 essentially through or adjacent to the head 26a of the passenger sitting in the passenger nacelle 23 26 runs, which is only sketched in dashed lines in FIG is.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the liquid tank 30 is one Center axis 31 formed symmetrically. This central axis 31 runs through the pivot axis 22 and preferably forms a connecting line between the axis of rotation 22, which is perpendicular to the image plane of the Figure 2 runs, and one parallel to the pivot axis 22 through the Center of gravity of the passenger line running in the figures is not shown; in such a case the central axis can then 31 can be defined as a pendulum axis.

The liquid tank 30 has an elongated section 30a, which extends on both sides of the central axis 31 and a rectangular Cross section with a distance from each other Has side walls 32a and 32b, which according to Figure 2 above the Pivot axis 22 connected by a semicircularly curved wall 32c are. At this point it should be noted that the Longitude of section 30a according to Figure 2 above the Pivot axis 22 can be greater than that shown in Figure 2, which is also indicated by corresponding break lines.

According to Figure 2 below the elongated portion 30a and thus The liquid tank 30 widens below the pivot axis 22 a section 30b, the cross section of which increases with increasing Distance from the pivot axis 22 increased. This widened Section 30b is delimited by two diverging from each other extending and attached to the side walls 32a and 32b of the elongated Section 30a connecting straight side walls 34a and 34b and through one connecting these two side walls 34a and 34b further side wall 36, which is approximately in a quarter circle extends about the pivot axis 22. Alternatively, the side wall 36 also run in a straight line, whereby the widened section a trapezoidal cross section. The flared section 30b the liquid tank 30 is arranged so that it is approximately in Area of the center of gravity of the passenger gondola 23 or in the area of parallel to the pivot axis 22 through the center of gravity of the passenger nacelle 23 running line is located.

The liquid tank 30 described above is with a liquid 37, preferably oil or water, filled the function of a Pendulum weight takes over, changing its radial Distance to the pivot axis 22 between different rotational positions the passenger nacelle 23 connected to the liquid tank 30 by gravity within the liquid tank 30 free is mobile. To the aforementioned weight shifting effect too achieve, therefore, the liquid tank 30 is only in part filled, preferably so much liquid in the liquid tank 30 37 may include the expanded portion 30b at the position shown in Figure 2 preferably up to half two thirds, at most, however, completely filled.

The position of the passenger nacelle 23 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the liquid tank 30 connected to it forms the Rest position in which the passenger sitting in the passenger gondola 23 26 is in the normal upright sitting position. In this rest position the liquid 37 is essentially in the liquid tank 30 or entirely in its expanded section 30b below the pivot axis 22.

Now the passenger gondola 23 by swiveling the associated cantilever arm 15 (see FIG. 1) stimulated to oscillate, the liquid 37 remains - essentially due to the compared to the elongated section 30a larger cross section and not least because of the effects of gravity and centrifugal forces - First in the expanded section 30b of the liquid tank 30th

Only when the passenger gondola 23 with increasing pendulum movements starts with the rollover or looping, some flows first the liquid 37 from the expanded portion 30b into the elongated Section 30a of the liquid tank 30. At this time is the passenger nacelle 23 together with the liquid tank 30 µm pivoted more than 90 ° with respect to the rest position shown in FIG. 2, so that at least a larger part of the expanded Section 30b of the liquid tank 30 above one of the Swivel axis 22 spanned horizontal plane 38 (see FIG. 2) located. The more the passenger gondola 23 the zenith of the case of the rollover approaching circular path, the more liquid flows into the elongated portion 30a to the opposite thereof End, which is now below level 38, so that the liquid now functions as a counterweight the weight of the passenger gondola with the passengers inside takes over. In this way, a shift of the resulting takes place Center of gravity in the direction of the pivot axis 22 instead, whereby the acceleration of the passenger gondola 23 after passing through the Zeniths essentially during their subsequent downward movement is damped and there is a gentle rollover.

Upon further downward movement of the passenger gondola 23 in the direction of the rest position shown in Figure 2 then flows the liquid again from section 30a into the expanded section 30b of the liquid tank, at the latest when the expanded Section 30b with a major portion located below level 38. In this way, the resulting center of gravity is again from the pivot axis 22 in the direction of the carrier 38 so that the original pendulum state is restored and the Passenger gondola 23 due to gravity and inertia sufficient Get momentum for the next rollover.

The previously described displacement of the liquid within the However, liquid tanks 30 can only be achieved if the Centrifugal forces do not fully compensate for the influence of gravity, what with appropriate control of the pivoting movement the cantilever arms 15 can be easily implemented, apart that the movement and the mechanics of the ride set limits anyway.

In conclusion, it should be noted that instead of the previously described Liquid also uses a solid as a weight can be, which is mounted accordingly movable, namely for example on the pendulum arm 21 shown in FIG. 1, and itself preferably in the rest position of the passenger gondola shown in FIG 23 in a rest position below the pivot axis 22 or that of your spanned plane 38 is located and along a through the Swivel axis 22 through or past this path free is mobile.

Claims (14)

1. Ride for funfairs or amusement parks, having at least one passenger gondola (23) which is mounted to be pivotable about a pivot axis (22) inclined with respect to the ground vertical and in particular substantially horizontal, and having a weight (37) which influences the pivoting movement and is movable with variation of its radial distance from the pivot axis (22), characterised in that the weight (37) for influencing the turning-over of the passenger gondola (32) is arranged to be freely movable through the influence of gravity.
2. Ride according to Claim 1, characterised in that the weight (37) is movable along a path leading through the pivot axis (22) or past it and is thus movable on both sides of the pivot axis (22).
3. Ride according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, in the rest position of the passenger gondola (23), the weight (37) is in a rest position substantially below the pivot axis (22).
4. Ride according to Claims 2 and 3, characterised in that the distance of the rest position from the pivot axis (22) is greater than the distance of the opposite end position of the weight, on turning over, from the pivot axis (22).
5. Ride according to Claim 3 or 4, characterised in that this rest position lies in the region of the pendulum centre of gravity of the passenger gondola (23).
6. Ride according to at least one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the weight (37) is movable along a connecting line (31) of pivot axis (22) and a line running parallel to the pivot axis (22) through the centre of gravity of the passenger gondola (23).
7. Ride according to at least one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the weight is a fluid mass (37), in particular an oil or water mass, which is filled into a liquid tank (30) substantially fixedly connected to the passenger gondola (23) or forming a part of the passenger gondola (23), the liquid tank having a greater volume than the fluid mass (37) and being shaped in such a way that the fluid mass (37) varies its radial distance from the pivot axis (22) between different rotary positions of the passenger gondola (23) through the influence of gravity.
8. Ride according to Claims 3 and 7, characterised in that the liquid tank (30) widens in the region of the rest position of the fluid mass (37).
9. Ride according to Claim 8, characterised in that the widened portion (30b) of the liquid tank (30) is bounded by a wall (36) running substantially in the shape of an arc of a circle about the pivot axis (22).
10. Ride according to Claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the remaining portion (30a), which adjoins the widened portion (30b) and extends substantially in the direction of the pivot axis (22), of the liquid tank (30) has a substantially constant cross-section.
11. Ride according to at least one of Claims 7 to 10, in which the passenger gondola (23) is seated on at least one pendulum arm, characterised in that the pendulum arm is formed substantially by the liquid tank (30) (Fig. 3).
12. Ride according to at least one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the passenger gondola (23) is constructed in such a way that the pivot axis (22) runs substantially through the head (26a) of the passenger (26) situated in the passenger gondola (23).
13. Ride according to at least one of Claims 1 to 12, characterised by a rotatable and drivable central structure (3) which pivotably supports at its periphery a plurality of jibs (15) which extend radially outwards in the shape of a star and from which the passenger gondolas (23) are suspended in pendulum fashion, and by an eccentric device (8) which, in operation, pivots the jibs (15) into alternating high and oblique positions.
14. Ride according to Claim 13, characterised in that the passenger gondolas (23) are fitted with passenger seats directed radially outwards.

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