Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63G—MERRY-GO-ROUNDS; SWINGS; ROCKING-HORSES; CHUTES; SWITCHBACKS; SIMILAR DEVICES FOR PUBLIC AMUSEMENT
  • A63G3/00—Water roundabouts, e.g. freely floating
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63G—MERRY-GO-ROUNDS; SWINGS; ROCKING-HORSES; CHUTES; SWITCHBACKS; SIMILAR DEVICES FOR PUBLIC AMUSEMENT
  • A63G3/00—Water roundabouts, e.g. freely floating
  • A63G3/02—Water roundabouts, e.g. freely floating with floating seats
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63G—MERRY-GO-ROUNDS; SWINGS; ROCKING-HORSES; CHUTES; SWITCHBACKS; SIMILAR DEVICES FOR PUBLIC AMUSEMENT
  • A63G31/00—Amusement arrangements
  • A63G31/007—Amusement arrangements involving water
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63G—MERRY-GO-ROUNDS; SWINGS; ROCKING-HORSES; CHUTES; SWITCHBACKS; SIMILAR DEVICES FOR PUBLIC AMUSEMENT
  • A63G7/00—Up-and-down hill tracks; Switchbacks

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a ride with the features of claim 1.
• Amusement rides are known from the prior art in various designs and are provided as stationary or semi-stationary installations or attractions, particularly in amusement parks, for passengers.
• Typical amusement rides can be water rides or roller coasters, which have a track for at least one vehicle moving along it.
• the at least one moving vehicle can accommodate at least one passenger, and for a shared experience, such vehicles can typically accommodate multiple passengers to allow for both individual and group experiences.
• the vehicle should be able to realistically perform natural and expected movements.
• a water ride should ideally convey the feeling of a realistic boat ride, with the vehicle following both the water's movements and the movements caused by the passengers, such as rocking.
• Such water rides are, for example, from the US 2012/291657 A1 , the EP 2 505 241 A1 , the FR 681 822 A , the US 2015/190726 A1 , the WO 2016/014243 A1 and the US 2005/090320 A1 known.
• the present invention is therefore dedicated to the task of providing an improved amusement ride, in particular an improved water ride, which appropriately improves the rides known from the prior art, enables safe operation of an amusement ride, provides customizable experiences and enables throughput-optimized operation.
• the ride according to the invention in particular the water ride according to the invention, with the features of the preamble of claim 1, has a track guide with at least one, preferably at least two, vehicle carrying at least one passenger, which can travel on the track guide in one direction.
• a ride is understood to be a stationary, semi-stationary or mobile amusement device, preferably used in an amusement park for the entertainment of passengers.
• a rail guide is understood to be a guide system with at least one, preferably two, rails, which preferably run parallel and spaced apart from each other.
• the at least one vehicle can be movably supported on the rail guide by means of rollers or wheels, wherein, more preferably, the at least one vehicle engages the at least one rail of the rail guide and is held securely supported thereon.
• Active propulsion requires a motor of any design, which allows the vehicle to be accelerated or decelerated in a controlled manner.
• passive propulsion of the vehicle is achieved through driven by gravity or by a current of air or water.
• an advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the track of the ride runs at least partially within a body of water.
• the ride is therefore designed as a water ride that includes at least a section of a body of water, wherein the body of water can, for example, be a whitewater stream or river with rapids and backwater areas.
• the track is preferably arranged below the water's surface in the body of water and guides the at least one vehicle through the water without the track's course being immediately apparent to the passenger.
• the water can also be colored by additives that obscure the view of the track below the water's surface.
• the track can be traversed by the at least one vehicle in a circular motion in the direction of travel.
• the track can preferably be a closed circular path, wherein, in normal operation and from a global perspective, the closed circular path is traversed unidirectionally in the direction of travel by the at least one vehicle, transporting the at least one passenger from an entrance to an exit.
• the entrance and the exit can be located in a common station.
• vehicles can be timed or several vehicles can be sent onto the track one after the other, thus enabling a continuous throughput of passengers. It can be designed to accommodate passengers and the capacity can be further increased for throughput optimization.
• a further development of the invention provides for a waiting area – preferably interactive – in the station, particularly in the entrance area and thus before the ride on the at least one vehicle of the attraction. Games, quizzes, and other competitions can be held in the interactive waiting area, and their results can be evaluated. Based on the results, both seats and roles, such as those assigned to passengers during the ride, can be allocated. Such roles could include, for example, commander, gunner, helmsman, helmsman, captain, or similar. It has also been shown that a predetermined seating arrangement in the at least one vehicle prevents physical competition for specific seats, such as in the front row, and ensures a smooth boarding process. This also makes the waiting time more pleasant for passengers.
• seats or roles can be assigned via a payment function or a queue division system.
• Devices may be issued for the purpose of conducting the competitions and/or for the journey in the vehicle; these will be collected again later, i.e., before or after the journey.
• the water can flow at least partially in the direction of travel, and the vehicle can be passively propelled or carried along by the current of the water, at least partially.
• the current in the water can be facilitated by a corresponding gradient, so that in sections the at least one vehicle on the route is not driven by an active drive system.
• the at least one vehicle comprises a rail vehicle and a floating boat for carrying at least one passenger.
• the floating boat is coupled to the rail vehicle by means of a connecting device that allows the boat to float above the rail vehicle and to perform limited lateral and/or longitudinal movements of the boat relative to the rail vehicle when floating.
• the floating boat is thus designed as a buoyancy body that generates sufficient buoyancy to allow the boat, including a permissible capacity of at least one passenger plus a safety factor, to float freely.
• the connecting device allows a lifting motion that enables free floating above the rail vehicle and thus enables the lateral and longitudinal movements typical of a boat ride, such as rocking and rolling motions, which largely correspond to natural swimming movements.
• the boat's floating movements are therefore mechanically decoupled from the rail vehicle, thus giving the passenger the sensation of a realistic boat ride when floating.
• the connecting device is designed such that the boat, when floated, is laterally and longitudinally movable within an angle range of ⁇ 50°, preferably ⁇ 30°, relative to the rail vehicle.
• the connecting device thus limits the maximum deflection, tilt, or inclination of the boat, ensuring that the boat is safely guided throughout the entire ride and that capsizing is impossible.
• the connecting device comprises at least one actuator by which the boat can actively perform a transverse, longitudinal, and/or lifting movement relative to the rail vehicle.
• the at least one actuator can preferably be synchronized together with other effects that execute transverse, longitudinal, and/or lifting movements of the boat.
• an animation can be presented to passengers in the at least one vehicle via a playback device, with at least one actuator moving the boat depending on the animation.
• the animation could depict the sudden appearance of a monster in front of the vehicle or boat, with the monster's wake being simulated by the actuator on the boat.
• the at least one active drive – also synchronized with the animation – moves the vehicle in the opposite direction, i.e., backwards, thus simulating not only the monster's wake but also the resulting current and the vehicle's evasive maneuver. Synchronization between the effects and the at least one active drive can be achieved either through a shared control system for the ride or through appropriate communication interfaces between the individual components of the ride.
• the connecting device comprises articulated rods.
• the articulated rods connect the rail vehicle and the boat via suitable joints, ensuring at all times that The rail vehicle is preferably mechanically connected to the boat, thus ensuring permanent control over the boat or its position relative to the rail vehicle.
• lockable coupling elements can be provided by which the position and/or orientation of the boat relative to the rail vehicle can be fixed.
• the coupling elements can, when the boat is lowered onto the rail vehicle, firmly connect the boat to the rail vehicle in a specific position and preferably lock fully automatically.
• the coupling elements can also be configured to suppress longitudinal and/or lateral movement when the boat is floating, for example, to give anxious passengers a sense of security during the ride.
• the lockable coupling elements can also limit the angle range in which the boat is laterally and/or longitudinally movable to larger or smaller angle ranges such as ⁇ 5°, ⁇ 10°, ⁇ 15°, ⁇ 20°, ⁇ 25°, ⁇ 30°, ⁇ 35°, ⁇ 40°, ⁇ 45°, or even up to ⁇ 50°, in order to enable a target group-appropriate movement of the boat in the floated state.
• a further development of the present invention provides for a pivot joint by which the boat can be rotated relative to the rail vehicle about a vertical axis.
• the vertical axis is the yaw axis of the rail vehicle.
• the pivot joint allows the boat to be rotated relative to the rail vehicle, thus enabling the direction of travel of the rail vehicle and the orientation of the boat to diverge.
• the vehicle, through its active drive can be turned in the opposite direction.
• the boat rotates along the route so that passengers face forward.
• the swivel joint can also be used to orient the boat in any direction along the route, giving passengers the best possible view of an animation, performance, or other attraction.
• the alignment of the boat around the vertical axis of the rail vehicle is effected by an actuator, whereby the rotation of the boat relative to the rail vehicle is controlled and possibly synchronized to produce effects.
• a further development of the present invention provides that a first active drive and at least one second active drive are provided, and that the at least one second active drive can drive the at least one vehicle along the route independently of the first active drive.
• the first active drive and the at least one second active drive can be of different designs and, in particular, have different drive power outputs.
• the first active drive can continuously drive the vehicle, while the second active drive is a power-optimized drive that can briefly accelerate the vehicle to a high speed in a section of the route.
• the drive power of the at least one second drive can provide several times, in particular five times, ten times, or fifteen times, the drive power for the respective vehicle.
• Manual propulsion options can also be provided for at least one passenger.
• at least one vehicle can have a pedal drive, allowing passengers to assist the at least one active propulsion system.
• Paddles, boat hooks, or similar equipment can also be provided.
• the at least one vehicle has at least one coupling device by which at least one of the active drives can be coupled or decoupled.
• the coupling device can decouple the first active drive and couple the second active drive.
• the coupling device also fulfills safety requirements. In the event of a technical failure on the vehicle, it must be ensured that at least one passenger on board can complete the ride safely and without getting wet.
• the coupling device can, for example, decouple all active drives, allowing the vehicle to move freely on the track and be towed by another vehicle. This second vehicle can then push the stationary vehicle to the exit or station.
• the coupling device can switch between the drives to continue the ride to the exit or station.
• the first active drive and/or the at least one second active drive can be, or can be according to a further development of the present invention, a rope or conveyor chain drive, a gear drive or a friction wheel drive.
• the coupling device may include one or more clamps through which a coupling between the respective vehicle and the active drive can take place.
• the gear drive or the friction wheel drive can be accomplished by a sword, by a protruding tube or a pipe rail along the rail guide, wherein a driven gear of the vehicle engages in a corresponding counter-toothing of the sword or one or more driven friction wheels of the vehicle are in operative connection with the sword.
• a combination of different drive systems allows the advantages of each to be combined, enabling all scenarios and driving situations depending on the desired operating profile of the ride.
• a rope or conveyor chain drive can be powered by a motor located outside the vehicle, making accessibility, maintenance, and operation simple and efficient.
• no power supply is required for the vehicle itself, eliminating the need for a complex power supply system that could potentially cause other inconveniences.
• a further development of the present invention provides that at least one of the active drives is fixedly arranged on the vehicle.
• at least one of the active drives is fixedly arranged in or on the rail vehicle.
• the at least one active drive in the rail vehicle remains hidden from the passengers' view and It can create the illusion for passengers that the vehicle is traveling freely through the flow along the route.
• the vehicle is supplied with electrical energy inductively, via cable, by means of a battery or capacitors/supercapacitors, and/or by means of a current collector.
• Fuel cells can also be used.
• a cable-based electrical energy supply has proven advantageous.
• the cable can be kept taut in the air above the ride by suitable means, ensuring a continuous supply of electrical energy to the vehicle.
• a current collector or so-called pantograph can also be provided, which contacts at least one electrical conductor arranged in sections adjacent to the travel distance for the transmission of electrical energy.
• the vehicle has a mast at the free end of which means for transmitting electrical energy are provided.
• the pickup shoe or the cable is attached to the free end of the mast.
• the mast can be mounted on the rail vehicle and extend away from it, rather than from the boat.
• the cable could potentially exert an unwanted force on the mast, causing the boat to list.
• the mast can be attached to the boat and extend beyond it.
• the mast may feature dummy nautical instruments or sails, thus concealing its true purpose: to connect the pickup shoe at its free end to at least one electrical conductor.
• At least one electrical conductor is arranged, at least in sections, above the track of the ride and can be contacted by the pickup shoe at the free end of the mast to transmit electrical energy.
• This at least one electrical conductor can be a grid structure arranged above the track, taking into account any potential deflection of the vehicle.
• an electrical conductor is only required where active propulsion of the at least one vehicle is necessary. In sections where the rail vehicle is passively propelled by the current in the water or by gravity, a supply of electrical energy is therefore not necessarily required.
• Such a supply of electrical energy can also be used to charge a battery or capacitor/supercapacitor – also called a cap or supercapacitor – of the vehicle.
• a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the travel path includes at least one section in which the vehicle emerges completely or partially from the water.
• the vehicle emerges completely or partially from the water upon entering the water. and/or emerges from the water at the exit or in the station, and the boat is lowered onto the rail vehicle and firmly connected to the rail vehicle by the coupling elements. This measure ensures that the vehicle experiences no or only limited tilting or rocking when at least one passenger boards and disembarks.
• a further preferred embodiment of the present invention provides that the at least one vehicle has a control device, and that the control device enables the at least one passenger to actively influence the driving behavior of the respective vehicle.
• the control device can have corresponding actuating elements on the vehicle, which, for example, simulate a boat's steering console, thereby allowing the at least one passenger to temporarily or intermittently assume the role of a helmsman or coxswain during the journey and to actively influence the driving behavior of the respective vehicle by making corresponding inputs to the actuating elements.
• a further preferred embodiment of the present invention provides that the control unit has an interface that can be connected to a passenger's personal mobile device, preferably wirelessly, and that the passenger can actively influence the vehicle's driving behavior via their personal mobile device.
• the ride provides a ride-specific app for the passenger's personal mobile device, which the passenger preferably downloads to their device before riding the ride.
• the app can be downloaded and installed on a mobile device.
• the ride-specific app can be downloaded from app stores for various operating system platforms and can be used economically through appropriate pricing.
• the ride-specific app can be run during the ride and transmits passenger control commands from their personal mobile device to the control unit via the interface.
• Passenger control commands can be generated, for example, by movement such as tilting their mobile device, or by manual input.
• the vehicle's handling characteristics can be understood as speed, direction of travel, rotation around the vehicle's vertical axis, longitudinal and/or lateral movement, i.e., rocking or rolling.
• Rotation around the vehicle's vertical axis, as well as longitudinal and/or lateral movement of the boat, can be generated by at least one actuator or control element of the swivel joint of the connecting device.
• the track guide comprises at least one switch.
• the track guide has a dead end adjacent to a switch, thereby enabling novel effects.
• the at least one vehicle can approach the dead end of the track guide at high speed and come to an abrupt stop before reaching it.
• the vehicle can perform a superimposed movement about its transverse axis. This can be accompanied by animations or presentations.
• the switch can be demonstrated using visual aids, and simultaneously, without the at least one passenger noticing, the switch can be operated, preferably discreetly below the water's surface. The vehicle can then continue its journey from the dead end in the opposite direction.
• the track might be bent and visibly end in mid-air.
• a human or fictional figure could also be sitting on the track, performing welding work on the damaged or broken section.
• the at least one passenger pays close attention to the scene and doesn't actually notice the change in the vehicle's direction. As soon as the tension begins to dissipate, the at least one passenger may already be in another unusual riding situation, and the tension is maintained throughout the ride.
• the boat is rotated around the vertical axis of the rail vehicle by means of the swivel joint in the section of the dead end by the actuator in a superimposed manner, so that the passengers are oriented in the direction of travel as intended in the following driving situation.
• a further development of the present invention provides for at least one effect vehicle which can travel on the rail guide.
• the at least one effect vehicle can move independently of the at least one other vehicle.
• the vehicle must be able to autonomously transport at least one passenger and can be used to generate a variety of effects.
• the vehicle can represent a pursuing vehicle, a monster, a sea monster, a pirate ship, or the like. It can also be a launch torpedo or a booster.
• the “Launch Torpedo” or “Booster” is an autonomous rail vehicle with a performance-optimized drive system.
• the “Launch Torpedo” or “Booster” can couple to at least one passenger-carrying vehicle and accelerate it significantly.
• the “Launch Torpedo” or “Booster” can be coupled to the passenger-carrying vehicle and accelerate it accompanied by special effects such as engine sounds, steam, water jets, etc.
• An advantageous embodiment of the present invention provides that the at least one effect vehicle can be guided onto and/or away from the track by means of the at least one switch.
• the at least one effect vehicle can be guided from a starting position onto a section of the track and interact in this section with the at least one vehicle carrying a passenger. Subsequently, the effect vehicle can be guided away from the track and return to the starting position via a "bypass" to wait there for another vehicle.
• the effect vehicle can also be randomly controlled or sent onto the track for interaction every xth passage of the at least one vehicle.
• the effect vehicle can, for example, represent an enemy attack by pirates with a chase in the corresponding section of the track.
• the effect vehicle can act as a "launch torpedo" or “booster” in the corresponding section, accelerating the respective vehicle and then returning to its starting position to wait for a following vehicle.
• the ride is designed as a water ride and includes a body of water
• the special effects vehicle it may be preferable for the special effects vehicle to be configured to be completely submerged. This ensures that the special effects vehicle is not visible to the riders, both in its starting position and along its route, and thus remains hidden.
• the effect vehicle may have at least one actuator for operating objects and/or for animating or generating effects.
• the actuator may raise or lower a monster.
• the effect vehicle is positioned entirely below the water's surface, the object or monster may suddenly emerge from the water, creating a surprise effect that captivates the at least one passenger.
• the at least one actuator may also, for example, operate cannons or water cannons to simulate an enemy attack.
• the vehicle can be equipped with people. These people are preferably employees of the ride operator and can They can portray marauding pirates, a wild mob, monsters, or similar creatures and interact with the passengers. The characters can also operate cannons or water cannons to realistically simulate an enemy attack.
• the at least one effect vehicle has actuating means by which the effect vehicle can actuate the coupling device and/or the lockable coupling elements of the at least one vehicle, i.e., open and/or close them.
• the effect vehicle can actuate the coupling device, thereby decoupling the at least one active drive and allowing the corresponding vehicle to be driven solely by the effect vehicle.
• the locking coupling elements are actuated by the effect vehicle, thereby fixing the position of the boat relative to the rail vehicle and holding the boat in a safe position, for example during strong acceleration.
• the driving track includes a section with a basin, wherein the water level in the basin can be raised and lowered in a controlled manner.
• the water level in the basin can be raised abruptly or rapidly by supplying water, for example, by pumps in the basin floor or by a surge of water (e.g., a waterfall).
• the water can be drained at a timed interval or when a certain water level is exceeded, thus lowering the water level in the basin.
• a sudden draining of the water can be achieved, for example, by a lock gate through which the vehicle can also pass.
• At least one vehicle may first enter the basin, after which the water level is raised in a controlled manner, with the boat simultaneously following the rising water level.
• the journey along the route can be resumed abruptly, giving the passenger the sensation of being swept along by the receding water.
• the rail guide has at least one rocker arm, wherein the rocker arm is pivotable about an axis, preferably transverse to the direction of travel.
• the rocker arm can be pivoted with reference to the DE 10 2014 101 007 A1 , DE 10 2016 109 373 A1 or DE 10 2013 222 910 A1
• the track section comprises a portion of the track, and at least one vehicle can drive onto this section with the rocker. Subsequently, a pivoting motion around the rocker's axis can transfer movement to the vehicle. The vehicle can then move off the rocker, either actively or passively, and follow the track in the direction of travel.
• both a section of the track includes the basin and the at least one seesaw.
• the at least one seesaw is arranged section by section in the basin and forms part of a basin edge.
• Figure 1 shows a highly simplified top view of a ride 1.
• the ride 1 is a water ride featuring a natural or artificial body of water 5.
• the artificial body of water 5 can include one or more lakes, streams, or whitewater courses.
• the ride 1 also has a track 10, which can have at least one (not shown) guide rail, preferably two parallel and spaced-apart (also not shown) guide rails.
• the track 10 defines a travel path 11 for at least one vehicle 20, whereby the at least one vehicle 20, guided on the track 10, can travel along the travel path 11 in one direction.
• the direction of travel is indicated in the Figure 1 represented by arrows in the vehicles 20, the direction of travel being a main direction of travel which typically follows a gradient of the watercourse 5 and describes a direction of movement from a starting point in a station 9 to an endpoint, possibly also in the station 9.
• the track 11 can be a closed circular path, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, and a plurality of vehicles 20 can travel along the track 11 in a circular pattern one after the other, making the present ride 1 suitable for a high throughput of passengers and continuous operation.
• the track 10 or the travel path 11 can have a multitude of sharp curves, whereby the sharp curves can simulate a journey through a canyon or whitewater, and beyond the travel path 11 in the water 5, rocks, debris, islands, or other objects can be arranged.
• the sharp curves allow the vehicle 20 to travel along The route 11 meanders around the objects and simulates dangerous situations by making several abrupt changes of direction, thus building suspense.
• Straight sections of track 11 can be used to perform downhill runs or to accelerate the vehicle 20 - as will be described in detail later.
• the at least one vehicle 20 which is exemplified in the Figures 2 and 3 As detailed, the system is configured to accommodate at least one passenger, preferably several. Passengers can board vehicle 20 at an entrance in station 9, and after the journey has concluded, they can preferably exit vehicle 20 again at station 9 via an exit.
• the passengers take their places in the vehicle as intended, whereby the vehicle may have several rows of seats and each row may have several seats arranged next to each other.
• the vehicle 20 comprises a rail vehicle 30 and a boat 40, the boat 40 being firmly connected to the rail vehicle 30 by means of a connecting device 25.
• the rail vehicle 30 has a chassis 31 with running and support wheels 32, which are only indicated in the drawing and which support the rail vehicle 30 against a guide rail of the rail guide 10.
• the running and support wheels 32 encircle the rail vehicle 30.
• the guide rail is held securely to the rail guide 10 by support wheels 32.
• the rail vehicle 30 can have two or more axles with running and support wheels 32, with each axle being rotatable about a pivot point relative to the rail vehicle 30, thus enabling it to negotiate particularly tight curves.
• the boat 40 has the seat(s) for the passenger(s) and is a buoyant body that can float freely in the body of water 5 even when fully loaded.
• the connecting device 25 is shown in an extremely simplified form in the accompanying figures and comprises several articulated rods 28 that mechanically connect the rail vehicle 30 and the boat 40.
• the connecting device 25 allows the boat 40 to perform typical water movements relative to the rail vehicle 30, enabling it to float above the rail vehicle 30 and also permitting limited transverse and/or longitudinal movements of the boat 40 relative to the rail vehicle 30 when floating.
• the transverse movement occurs about a transverse axis Y
• the longitudinal movement occurs about a longitudinal axis X.
• the resulting movements are indicated by double arrows in the Figures 2 and 3
• This mobility of the boat 40 compared to the rail vehicle 30 allows the boat 40 to perform rolling, tilting, or rocking movements, thus conveying the feeling of a boat ride that is as realistic as possible.
• the connecting device 25 restricts the longitudinal and transverse movements of the boat 40 to a predetermined range. one, to ensure the safe operation of ride 1 at all times and to protect boat 40 from capsizing or severe heeling.
• the connecting device 25 can have one or more actuators 26 by which a longitudinal or transverse movement can be applied to the boat 40.
• the actuator 26 can be controlled in synchronization with animations or performances that can be presented to the passengers along the track of the ride 1, whereby the movement of the boat 40 by the at least one actuator 26 is coordinated with the animation or performance.
• the vehicle 20 has a pivot joint 35 by which the boat 40 can be rotated about a vertical axis Z of the rail vehicle 30. Rotation of the boat 40 about the vertical axis Z of the rail vehicle 30 can be effected by a corresponding actuator 36.
• lockable coupling elements 27 can be provided, by which the position and/or orientation of the boat 40 relative to the rail vehicle 30 can be determined.
• the coupling elements 27 can determine the orientation and/or position of the boat 40 in the station 9 so that passengers can board and disembark the boat 40 without the boat listing or only listing to a limited extent.
• the ride 1 can furthermore have at least one active drive 50, wherein in the illustrated embodiment according to Figure 2
• the ride 1 has a first active drive 50 and a second active drive 60.
• the first active drive 50 is fixedly arranged on the vehicle 20 or on the rail vehicle 30 and comprises a motor 55 of any design.
• the motor 55 is an electric motor 55, which is characterized in that it drives the vehicle 20 essentially silently and the passenger does not consciously perceive the active drive 50 of the vehicle 20.
• the second active drive 60 can be operated independently of the first active drive 50 and, in the illustrated embodiment, is a cable drive 62 configured to pull the vehicle 20 along the travel route 11, at least section by section.
• the vehicle 20 further comprises a coupling device 15, which may include clamps 16 and couplings, enabling the vehicle 20 to switch between the active drives 50 and 60 at any time.
• the coupling device 15 can use the clamp 16 to couple the vehicle 20 to the second active drive 60, i.e., the cable drive 62, which is configured, for instance, to pull the vehicle over a longer distance at a high speed using several pulleys, but also, if necessary, at a constant speed.
• the coupling device 15 can also decouple the first active drive 50.
• Multiple cable drives 62 with different speeds can also be provided, with the coupling device 15 having several clamps for coupling.
• the active drives 50, 60 can also run in different directions, thus enabling the vehicle to travel against the direction of travel, at least in sections, along the track 11.
• the first active drive 50 is rigidly connected to the vehicle 20.
• the drive 50 can be supplied with energy by an energy storage device in the vehicle 20. If electrical energy is required to operate the vehicle 20, this energy can be provided by a battery. It is also conceivable to transmit the electrical energy inductively or via cable to the vehicle 20 along the route 11. Capacitors or supercapacitors, and/or fuel cells can also be used to supply the vehicle 20 with electrical energy, at least temporarily.
• the vehicle 20 or the boat 40 may have decorative elements such as a mast 44 and a sail 45, but also (not shown) nautical instruments.
• the mast extends from the boat 40 and has a contact at its free end 46, which is designed to contact an electrical conductor located above the track 11.
• the vehicle 20 can have a control device 70 that allows the passenger to influence the vehicle's behavior during the ride.
• the vehicle 20 or the boat 40 can be equipped with controls 72 so that the passenger can assume the role of a captain or helmsman and actively influence the vehicle's behavior section by section or for a limited time by making inputs.
• the passenger can accelerate, decelerate, reverse, or drive the vehicle 20 forward, or selectively change the vehicle's position.
• Deflect boat 40 in the longitudinal and/or transverse direction by means of at least one actuator 26.
• An interactive waiting area can be provided in station 9, particularly in the entrance area and thus before the ride on at least one vehicle 20 of ride 1. Games, quizzes, and other competitions can be held in this interactive waiting area, and the results can be evaluated. Based on these results, both the seats and roles of the passengers during the ride on ride 1 can be assigned.
• the control unit 70 can have an interface 75 configured to receive control signals preferably wirelessly.
• the passenger can install software or an app on their personal device 80 that evaluates the passenger's input and sends control signals to the control unit 70 via the interface 75.
• Figure 3 shows a schematic section of the Figure 1 , where vehicle 20 is followed by an effect vehicle 90 in a section of route 11.
• the effect vehicle 90 is preferably an autonomously driving vehicle with a chassis 91 and rotating, mounted running and support wheels 92, which support the effect vehicle 90 on the rail guide 10.
• the effect vehicle 90 preferably travels or predominantly completely below the water surface of the body of water 8 and is thus protected from the passenger's view.
• the effect vehicle 90 can be propelled by a corresponding active drive 50, 60.
• the effect vehicle 90 can be directed from a starting position onto track 11 by means of a switch 13 and, by means of a second switch 13, leave track 11 and return to the starting position via a bypass 14.
• the bypass 14 is in Figure 1 represented by a dashed line.
• the effect vehicle 90 is configured to interact with the vehicle 20 in a section between the two switches and can have an actuator 95 for operating objects and/or animating or generating effects.
• the actuator can raise or lower a monster 99.
• the monster 99 can suddenly emerge from the water 5.
• the actuator 95 can also operate cannons, water cannons, or similar devices, for example, to simulate an attack by a pirate ship.
• An advanced version, not shown, can include an effect vehicle 90 that, for example, accelerates the vehicle 20 to a particularly high speed during a run in a straight section of track.
• the effect vehicle 90 can be guided onto and away from track 11, as previously described in another context.
• the effect vehicle 90 is a high-performance vehicle capable of pushing the vehicle 20.
• the Effect Vehicle 90 can act as a "booster” or “launch torpedo” with appropriate decoration to push Vehicle 20, and then be propelled by it.
• the effect vehicle 90 can be decoupled.
• the effect vehicle 90 can be positioned either behind, in front of, or to the side of the vehicle 20.
• Several effect vehicles 90 can also be used.
• the effect vehicle 90 can have actuating means by which the effect vehicle 90 can actuate the coupling device 15 and/or the lockable coupling elements 27 of the at least one vehicle 20.
• the effect vehicle 90 can actuate the coupling device 15, thereby decouple the active drives 50, 60, so that the boat 40 is fixed in its position relative to the rail vehicle 30 by the lockable coupling elements 27 until the speed is reduced again.
• the braking of vehicle 20 in the body of water 5 can be achieved by a "big splash".
• the track guide 10 initially runs close to the surface of the water in the body of water 5 and then dips down, causing the boat 40 to plunge into the water and resulting in a "splashdown" with a corresponding spray.
• Figure 4 This shows that the track 11 can have a dead end 12. At the dead end 12, animations or performances can be shown to the passenger, while below the water surface of the body of water 5 the switch 13 is thrown and the vehicle 20 can continue its journey along the track in the opposite direction.
• the body of water can have 5 lakes, which can be formed by a basin 8 along the route 11.
• the basin 8 has a surrounding basin edge 8' and furthermore means for the controlled raising and lowering of a water level in the basin 8.
• the track 11 leads to the basin edge 8', where a seesaw 18 with a movable section of the rail guide 10 is arranged.
• the section of the rail guide 10 of the seesaw 18 can be pivoted about at least one axis, preferably transversely to the rail guide 10, by suitable actuators.
• the vehicle 20 In order to drive the vehicle 20 "over" the basin edge 8', the vehicle 20 first drives onto the seesaw 18. Subsequently, the seesaw 18 is pivoted about the axis, and the vehicle 20 can drive off the seesaw 18 and continue its journey normally along the track 11.
• Figure 5 The seesaw 18 and the vehicle 20 are shown with dashed lines after the seesaw 18 has been pivoted. The dashed arrow in Figure 5 symbolizes the path of vehicle 20 over seesaw 18.

Landscapes

• Platform Screen Doors And Railroad Systems (AREA)
• Toys (AREA)
• Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)
• Display Devices Of Pinball Game Machines (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Related Parent Applications (1)

Related Child Applications (2)

Publications (4)

Family

ID=71948560

Family Applications (3)

Family Applications After (2)

Country Status (9)

Families Citing this family (9)

Family Cites Families (24)

• 2019
  • 2019-11-15 DE DE102019130956.5A patent/DE102019130956A1/de active Pending
• 2020
  • 2020-07-30 AU AU2020384235A patent/AU2020384235B2/en active Active
  • 2020-07-30 EP EP24152148.3A patent/EP4344758B1/de active Active
  • 2020-07-30 EP EP20751103.1A patent/EP4058163B1/de active Active
  • 2020-07-30 PL PL20751103.1T patent/PL4058163T3/pl unknown
  • 2020-07-30 JP JP2022527751A patent/JP7449381B2/ja active Active
  • 2020-07-30 ES ES20751103T patent/ES2976015T3/es active Active
  • 2020-07-30 EP EP25178375.9A patent/EP4596067A3/de active Pending
  • 2020-07-30 WO PCT/EP2020/071523 patent/WO2021094005A1/de not_active Ceased
  • 2020-07-30 PL PL24152148.3T patent/PL4344758T3/pl unknown
  • 2020-07-30 CN CN202080078049.2A patent/CN114761098B/zh active Active
• 2025
  • 2025-09-22 US US19/335,464 patent/US20260077271A1/en active Pending

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events