EP0928625B1 - Amusement device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an amusement device the features in the preamble of the process and Device main claim.

Such an amusement device is from US-A-5,704,841. It has a standing one Structure on which one or more passenger carriers are guided longitudinally and above all several times swinging up and down movements with one can perform so-called bungee effect, the Passenger carrier swings up and down like rubber ropes. The Amusement device has a permanent one Drive with a lockable at both ends Rope cylinder that is operated via compressed air. The Compressed air is fed through controllable inlets and outlets and acts upon the one that can move back and forth in the cylinder Pistons on both sides. The piston is with that Passenger carrier on both sides by a flexible rope connected. The fluid can be controlled by two lateral Valves in the cylinder jacket are drained in a controlled manner, which is in the area between the upper and lower Dead center of the piston. The top valve is as Brake control valve designed which the Upward movement of the piston in the cylinder or the opposite downward movement of the passenger carrier controlled brakes and the passenger carrier also in the stops lower end position. The brake control valve is so far from the upper end of the cylinder that a safety air cushion can be formed which even if the valve fails for a damped one gentle stop of the passenger carrier ensures.

EP 0 707 875 A1 shows another similar one Amusement device in which the cylinder on the Bottom is open, with the piston only on one Pressurized side and one side over the rope is connected to the passenger carrier. The Downward movements of the passenger carrier are only about its own weight or its inertia causes. In addition, the compressed air outlet is on upper end of the cylinder next to the inlet. The compressed air outlet is designed as a controllable valve. The valve has because of the large volume of air, a correspondingly large one Diameter.

From WO 96/32172 is a constructive and completely different in terms of drive technology Amusement device in the form of a fall frame known. In this fall scaffold, the passenger carriers are over a Winch pulled up, at the top of the tower released and dropped freely. At the foot of the The scaffold will be carried by a passenger Service brake, especially an eddy current brake gently and braked emphatically. This is the case a simple fall effect, which is only possible through the Eddy current brake is intercepted. A bugee effect with an oscillating multiple up and down movement of the Passenger carrier is here because of the temporary effect Drive not possible.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a better one Show amusement device with bungee effect.

The invention solves this problem with the features in Main procedural and device claim.

The amusement device has one in the foot area Braking device for the passenger carrier, which as Emergency brake, but can also act as a service brake. An eddy current brake is preferably used here Use such as is described in WO 96/32172. As an emergency brake, the eddy current brake has the advantage that it needs no control and no powered Must have parts. This makes it special reliable. On the other hand, the eddy current brake also act as a service brake by the Passenger carrier some resistance when pulling up opposed and thus in the manner of insulation for an improved and more effective pressure build-up in the Cylinder arrangement ensures. The required volumes and Flow rates of the compressible fluid are therefore less than in the prior art. This simplifies and reduces the construction effort and does that Plant much cheaper to operate. At the top A rope brake can also be arranged at the cylinder end be to the passenger carrier at the zenith and before the free Case to reinforce the fall effect briefly to stop.

The side air outlets have the advantage that a elaborate valve control as in the prior art is unnecessary. In the simplest case, slots in the Cylinder jacket. In addition, by laying the Air outlets in the middle area of the cylinder a larger one between the two piston dead centers Operational safety achievable. In addition to the higher security The invention benefits from the lower construction and Tax expense and the lower cost. The Profitability is significantly increased.

The lockable cylinder arrangement has at both ends the advantage that the piston from both sides with a compressible fluid, preferably with compressed air, can be applied. This allows everyone Control movements of the passenger carrier in a defined manner. This is especially with regard to a free fall effect of Advantage. The piston can be compressed by compressed air from the opposite side from its bottom dead center position be accelerated and the passenger carrier at the Descent beyond Earth's gravitational pull accelerate. The passenger carrier always remains exactly guided and is in its movements by the Pistons and compressed air in a controllable manner Controlled way.

The cylinder arrangement preferably has two of them axially spaced side fluid outlets. About their Arrangement and size can be combined with the Fluid metering precisely control the desired driving effects. With a corresponding pressure reduction when reached The fluid outlets can also make a pop be avoided.

The spacing of the lateral fluid outlets from the adjacent dead centers of the piston path ensures that there is always a fluid column between the outlet and the dead center, which can be compressed by the plunging piston and acts as a compressed air cushion. This has security aspects on the one hand and supports the desired bungee effect on the other. For its fine control controllable small drain valves can be provided at the end of the cylinder arrangement. For the best possible controllability of the movements of the passenger carrier, it is advantageous to connect the passenger carrier and the piston on both sides via a circumferential flexible tension element. This is preferably a rope arrangement consisting of one or more ropes or cables.
Further advantageous refinements of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The invention is in the drawing for example and shown schematically.

It shows an amusement device (1) with a Structure (14), a passenger carrier (2) and one Cylinder arrangement (3), which acts as a drive.

The embodiment shown is a Drop tower, upright at its columnar or tower-like standing structure (14) one or more passenger carriers (2) are guided up and down. You are going through a cylinder arrangement (3) described in more detail below a compressible fluid, preferably compressed air, driven. The amusement device shown (1) generates one when the passenger carrier (2) falls Bungee effect, the passenger carrier (2) on a compressed air column in the cylinder arrangement (3) swings up and down several times and gently closes at the end Soil sinks. In addition, the shown allows Amusement device (1) achieving a Free fall effect, in which the passenger carrier (2) over the Earth's gravity can be accelerated.

In the amusement device (1) shown, the Structure (14) consist of one or more towers. The Passenger carriers (2) are in any suitable manner Structure (14) arranged and guided longitudinally. The Cylinder arrangement (3) can have one or more cylinders own, preferably also essentially stand vertically. The cylinder arrangement (3) can be inside or be arranged outside the structure (14).

A piston (5) is in each case in the cylinder (s) (3) flexibly guided. The piston (5) with or Passenger carrier (s) (2) via a flexible and all-round Tension element (6) connected on both sides. This is what it is about preferably a rope arrangement consisting of one or several ropes or cables. It can be e.g. act about an upper rope, one end of which is over a cable connection (8) on the top of the piston (5) is attached and the other end at the top of the Passenger carrier (2) is connected. A second lower one Rope is then connected to the via a second rope connection (8) Bottom of the piston (5) and with the other end on the Bottom of the passenger carrier (2) connected.

The cylinder or cylinders (3) are at both ends closable. The tension element (6) passes over here a rope outlet (19) and is then over an upper and lower deflection roller (7) outwards to the edge of the structure (14) and guided for the passenger carrier (2). The cable outlets (19) can also act as silencers be trained.

The cylinder or cylinders (3) have at the top and bottom Fluid inlets (9) for the compressible fluid from a high pressure storage tank (not shown) is fed. The storage tank, the pressure generators and any other pressure accumulators can be any be trained and e.g. that in EP 0 707 875 A1 have shown embodiment. The fluid inlets (9) are designed as controllable valves that open and can be closed. The fluid inlets (9) are located between top and bottom dead center (16,17) of the piston (5) and the cylinder end. Preferably they are arranged on the side of the cylinder jacket (4).

At the top and bottom of the cylinder can be next to the Fluid inlets (9) one or more small controllable Drain valves (18) are located. They are preferably located on the cylinder base or in its immediate vicinity on Cylinder jacket (4). About the drain valves (18) can drained relatively small amounts of the compressible fluid be what is also done in the short term can. This can influence the bungee effect and control. The drain valves (18) do not form Fall protection for the passenger carrier (2). For this is a separate braking device (13) is provided.

The cylinder or cylinders (3) have one or more lateral ones Fluid outlets (10,11), which are in the area between the top and bottom dead center (16, 17) in the cylinder jacket (4) are located. In the embodiment shown, the Cylinder (3) two one above the other and one from the other spaced fluid outlets (10, 11). The cylinder (3) has here apart from the fluid outlets (10, 11) continuous coat (4). Alternatively, the Cylinder arrangement (3) can also be divided and from two spaced cylinder halves consist. The piston (5) must then be in the space between the two cylinder halves can be guided in a suitable manner.

The fluid outlets (10, 11) are preferably free Openings, in particular as elongated slots (12) in the Cylinder jacket (4) formed. Between the slots (12) remain axial cylinder webs, which are in the jacket acting forces can transmit. In the simple In the embodiment, the slots (12) are open. In a further and not shown embodiment can the slots (12) also controllable closures have, e.g. rotatable or axially adjustable slide. In a further modification, the fluid outlets (10, 11) also as valves, doors or any other be appropriately trained.

The fluid outlets (10, 11) are from the neighboring ones Dead centers (16, 17) of the piston (5) vary in distance spaced. The upper fluid outlet (10) has one greater distance from top dead center (16) than the bottom Fluid outlet (11) from bottom dead center (17). For example the distance of the upper fluid outlet (10) from his Dead center (16) is about 2/3 of the total piston travel. The distance of the lower fluid outlet (11) from it Dead center is smaller and is e.g. approx. 2 to 10 m.

The distance of the upper fluid outlet (10) from it Dead center (16) and the filling quantity as well as the pressure of the compressed drive fluids can be coordinated be in such a way that the internal pressure in the Cylinder arrangement (3) when the piston is descending (5) from the dead center position to about the size of the Ambient pressure has dropped when the piston (5) reached the upper fluid outlet (10). You can also adjust the height and width of the fluid outlets (10, 11) accordingly be coordinated. With such training it will The occurrence of popping noises largely avoided because there is no fluid column above the piston (5) has significantly more pressure than the environment.

The amusement device (1) has at the lower end Foot area of the structure (14) a braking device (13), as an emergency brake or as a fall protection and if necessary also as a service brake for the Passenger carrier (2) can act. The braking device (13) is preferably designed as an eddy current brake. In its constructive design it corresponds to that of the eddy current brake known from WO 96/32172. It is as Linear brake trained and has in this case preferably stationary exciter part and a contrast movable and arranged on the passenger carrier (2) Louver. The excitation part has several in series Magnet elements arranged one above the other with alternating Polarity and is attached to the structure (14). The main part is rail-like design and on the passenger carrier (2) attached. It has a topping with or several electrically conductive covering elements. Latter can have a different thickness over the braking distance and / or have different materials. The Kinematic assignment of excitation part and control part can but also analogous to the known eddy current brake be upside down. The eddy current brake (13) is shown in FIG. 1 only shown schematically.

The amusement device (1) can also at the upper end have a rope brake (15). This can be the tension element (6) hold on briefly when the Passenger carriers (2) are in the upper zenith of theirs Trajectory. This will become the passenger carrier (2) held briefly before falling down.

Figure 1 shows the amusement device (1) in two Operating positions. Is in the starting position the passenger or passengers (2) on the ground during the Piston (5) its top dead center position (16) at the top Occupies the end of the cylinder. Are in this position Passenger carrier (2) and piston (5) with solid Lines drawn.

The or the is in the second operating position Passenger carrier (2) in the raised position at the upper zenith their trajectory, while the piston (5) its lower Dead center position (17) assumes. This operating position is indicated by dashed lines.

From the first operating position or rest position the passenger (s) (2) after boarding the Passengers up through the cylinder arrangement (3) shot. To do this, use the upper inlet valves (9) the compressible fluid in the cylinder or cylinders (3) pressed, the piston (5) is pressed down and over the upper half of the tension element (6) Passenger carrier (2) pulls up. It works Eddy current brake (13) insulating the pressure development in the cylinders (3). It slows down the upward movement of the or the passenger carrier (2) and brakes accordingly the downward movement of the piston (5). Through this The internal pressure in the Cylinder arrangement (3) slower and more continuously build up. As soon as the passenger carrier (s) (2) Have left eddy current brake (13) with a strong impulse because of the pent-up internal pressure in the cylinder arrangement (3) Piston (5) can now drive down freely.

In the preferred embodiment, the Pressure feed via the inlet valves (9) controlled in such a way that the cylinder pressure is approximately the size of the Ambient pressure has dropped when the piston (5) reached the upper fluid outlet (10). The cylinder drive then loses its effect and the one or the other Passenger carriers (2) fly away due to their inertia above. The downward piston (5) pushes during its First move the fluid volume below through the upper air outlet (10) and then after it Exceed through the lower fluid outlet (11). As soon as the piston (5) has the lower fluid outlet (11) has exceeded, it compresses the one at the bottom again Fluid column located at the cylinder end. This acts as Pressure pad and also slows the upward movement of the or the passenger carrier (2). At the end of this movement in The turning point is taken by the piston (5) and passenger carrier (2) second operating position shown in dashed lines. In this position can also the rope brake (15) Hold the arrangement briefly. If necessary, the lower drain valves (18) are briefly vented to to avoid excessive pressure build-up and braking effect.

Then the passenger carrier (2) falls down, the piston (5) being driven upwards in the opposite direction becomes. This downward movement can be supported by additional feed of a compressible fluid on lower fluid inlet (9). The passenger carrier (s) (2) are then circulating through the lower half of the Pulling element (6) pulled down. Through this Additional acceleration creates a free fall effect. The Downward acceleration can e.g. be absolutely 1.5 g.

As soon as the piston (5) has the lower fluid outlet (11) overrun, the internal cylinder pressure is reduced again. Here, too, a vote of the introduced Fluid volume and fluid pressure take place so that Internal pressure when reaching the lower fluid outlet (11) essentially corresponds to the ambient pressure. Accordingly, the distance of the lower one Adjusted fluid outlet (11) from bottom dead center (17) his.

After sweeping the lower fluid outlet (11) falls the passenger carrier (2) only by weight until Reach the upper fluid outlet (10). From here on compresses the upward piston (5) again in the fluid column located in the upper cylinder area. there the passenger (s) (2) in their Downhill braked until the forces at the bottom Reversal point are balanced. The compressed fluid column then drives the piston (5) down again and pulls it or the passenger carrier (2) upwards. Here can about added pressure to the upper fluid inlet (9) become, which does not have to be. As soon as the piston (5) has reached the upper fluid outlet (10) again, the flies or the passenger carrier (2) only ballistic upwards and then come back. Depending on the pressure build-up in upper cylinder part, the piston (5) swings with the or the passenger carriers (2) on the upper fluid column and from. This creates the aforementioned for the passengers Bungee effect.

There is one in the upper and lower rope outlets (19) certain leakage through which the internal pressure in the upper and lower cylinder (3) is removed by itself. In addition the drain valves (18) can be opened and controlled getting closed. Furthermore, control takes place via a possible pressurization via the upper ones Fluid inlets (9) instead. Through this pressurization the bungee effect can be increased and extended. They dampen without external pressure Swinging movements gradually decrease until the or the At the end, the passenger carrier (2) slowly sinks to the ground.

The eddy current brake (13) can have the bungee effect be included. It is preferably relatively short held to act as an emergency brake and as Service brake when pulling up a relatively small To have influence. For the first case from the top one However, it can be included in the passenger carrier position. The one on the bottom of the cylinder over the lower one Fluid inlets (9) fed pressure is then so high that the passenger carrier (2) down into the eddy current brake (13) is thrown and there is a rapid deceleration experiences. The braking acceleration can be at the lower end this falling movement is then about 2.5 g. Both following bungee vibrations comes the passenger carrier (2) no longer in the eddy current brake (13) and less acceleration and deceleration.

The amusement device (1) also allows one Adaptation to the number and weight of passengers. This is e.g. by appropriate control of the fluid inlets (9) possible. Previously, the weight was appropriately of the occupied passenger carrier (2) is determined. According to the weight there will be more or less energy generated in the cylinder assembly (3). Over the top Air intakes (9) is also the zenith of the upward movement the or the passenger carrier (2) adjustable and controllable.

To achieve maximum accelerations on the passenger carrier (2) it is recommended to check the weight of the piston (5) to keep as low as possible. It is much lower than the weight of the passenger carrier (s) (2).

Variations of the embodiment shown are in FIG possible in different ways. For one thing, the design the cylinder arrangement (3) in the aforementioned manner vary. Form, training and are also variable Arrangement of the piston (5). Instead of a standing structure (14) can also be an inclined position or a lying position to be available. Accordingly, the one or the Passenger carrier (2) guided differently. The cylinder arrangement (3) can alternatively only one side air outlet (10) have. However, more than two fluid outlets can also be used (10,11). The training and is also variable Arrangement of the fluid inlets (9), the cable outlets (19) and the drain valves (18). On the latter, if necessary also be dispensed with. Arbitrary come as drive fluid suitable gases or liquids in question. Out For reasons of cost, compressed air is preferably used. It can also be another fluid, the optionally at the fluid outlets (10, 11) and also on the other outlet points (18,19) and is returned.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Amusement device, drop frame

2

passenger carrier

3

cylinder arrangement

4

coat

5

piston

6

Tension element, rope

7

idler pulley

8th

cable connection

9

fluid inlet

10

fluid outlet

11

fluid outlet

12

slot

13

Brake device, eddy current brake

14

Structure, tower

15

cable brake

16

dead

17

dead

18

drain valve

19

Seilauslaß

Claims (22)

1. Method for the upwards and downwards movement of people using one or more passenger carriers (2) which are guided in a manner such that they can be moved longitudinally on a structure (14) and are moved by a drive which has at least one fluid-operated cylinder arrangement (3) with inlets and outlets (9, 10, 11) for the fluid and with a piston (5), the piston being connected to the passenger carrier (2) by a flexible traction element (6), the fluid being let out through at least one lateral fluid outlet (10, 11) in the cylinder casing (4), the said fluid outlet being situated on the cylinder arrangement (3), which can be closed at both ends, in the region between the upper and lower dead centres (16, 17) of the piston (5), and the passenger carrier (2) being braked at the ends of the cylinder by compressed fluid columns, characterized in that the passenger carrier (2) is braked at the end of the downwards movement by an additional braking device (13).
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the passenger carriers (2) are braked at the end of the downwards movement by an eddy current brake.
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the passenger carriers (2), which are connected on both sides to the piston (5) via a revolving traction element (6), are accelerated once or a number of times when falling and in the upwards movement by a controlled supply of hydraulic fluid.
4. Method according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the passenger carriers (2) are caused to swing with a bungee-type effect, if appropriate with additional acceleration at the reversing points.
5. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the passenger carriers (2) are temporarily braked by a braking device (13) at least during the first upwards movement.
6. Method according to Claim 5, characterized in that the passenger carriers (2) are temporarily braked by an eddy current brake at least during the first upwards movement.
7. Amusement apparatus having a structure (14) on which one or more passenger carriers (2) are guided in a manner such that they can be moved longitudinally, and having a drive which has at least one fluid-operated cylinder arrangement (3) with inlets and outlets (9, 10, 11) for the fluid and with a piston (5), the piston (5) being connected to the passenger carrier (2) by a flexible traction element (6), the cylinder arrangement (3) being closable at both ends and having, in the region between the upper and lower dead centres (16, 17) of the piston (5), at least one lateral fluid outlet (10, 11) in the cylinder casing (4), and the passenger carrier (2) being braked at the ends of the cylinder by compressed fluid columns, characterized in that the amusement apparatus (1) has, at the lower end, an additional braking device (13) for the passenger carrier (2).
8. Amusement apparatus according to Claim 7, characterized in. that the additional braking device (13) is designed as an eddy current brake.
9. Amusement apparatus according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the fluid outlets (10, 11) are designed as free openings, preferably as slots (12) in the cylinder casing (4).
10. Amusement apparatus according to Claim 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that the fluid outlets (10, 11) have controllable closures.
11. Amusement apparatus according to one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that two fluid outlets (10, 11) are arranged at a distance one above the other.
12. Amusement apparatus according to Claim 11, characterized in that the upper fluid outlet (10) is at a greater distance from the upper dead centre (16) than the lower fluid outlet (11) is from the lower dead centre (17).
13. Amusement apparatus according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the distance of the upper fluid outlet (10) from the upper dead centre (16) is approximately 2/3 of the entire piston travel.
14. Amusement apparatus according to Claim 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that the distance of the upper fluid outlet (10) from the upper dead centre (16) and the filling quantity of the compressed driving fluid are coordinated with each other in such a manner that the internal pressure in the cylinder arrangement (3) has dropped to approximately the magnitude of the ambient pressure when the piston (5) reaches the upper fluid outlet (10) during downwards travel.
15. Amusement apparatus according to one of Claims 7 to 14, characterized in that the distance of the lower fluid outlet (11) from the lower dead centre (17) is approximately 2 to 10 m.
16. Amusement apparatus according to one of Claims 7 to 15, characterized in that the cylinder arrangement (3) has controllable fluid inlets (9) at both ends outside the dead centres (16, 17).
17. Amusement apparatus according to one of Claims 7 to 16, characterized in that the cylinder arrangement (3) has controllable, small drain valves (18) at one or both ends outside the dead centres (16, 17).
18. Amusement apparatus according to one of Claims 7 to 17, characterized in that the piston (5) and the passenger carrier (2) are connected on both sides to each other by a revolving traction element arrangement (6).
19. Amusement apparatus according to one of Claims 7 to 18, characterized in that the amusement apparatus (1) has a controllable cable brake (15) at the upper end.
20. Amusement apparatus according to one of Claims 7 to 19, characterized in that the traction element (6) is designed as a cable arrangement which emerges at both ends of the cylinder via cable outlets (19) and is guided over a deflection pulley (7).
21. Amusement apparatus according to Claim 20, characterized in that the cable outlet (19) is designed as a sound absorber.
22. Amusement apparatus according to one of Claims 7 to 21, characterized in that the structure (14) is designed as a tower-like, upright framework.

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