GB2290484A

GB2290484A - Mobile skydiving simulator

Info

Publication number: GB2290484A
Application number: GB9411869A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clive Felix Ure
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-06-14
Filing date: 1994-06-14
Publication date: 1996-01-03
Also published as: GB9411869D0

Abstract

A mobile skydiving simulator consisting of a wheeled transportable trailer or vehicle of open box design containing; power unit, propeller, air correction vanes, air permeable trampoline walk net and with platform decking sections that unfold to form a horizontal floor immediately surrounding the vertical air column produced by the machine. <IMAGE>

Description

MOBILE SKYDIVING SIMULATOR BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION It is commonly known that free-fall parachuting can be simulated, and individuals can be suspended or 'flown' in a quickly moving vertical column of air produced within a cement building that is a permanent structure, or a prefabricated building structure that is open to the elements and which would require dismantling in order to relocate it.

Indoor enclosed systems are known as "Vertical wind Tunnels" and open air systems are known as "Airodiums" or "Outdoor skydiving simulators". Neither the enclosed nor the open buildings have been very popular due to their immobility either as permanent fixed structures or prefabricated bolt-together structures that require considerable erection assembly on site.

Their immobility makes them unattractive to owners or investors as their fixed location forces the operator to be stuck with a particular demographic area. The operator of a permanent cement building system has no choice over a new location and must stay where the wind tunnel was originally built. The operator of the open air prefabricated building system wishing to move is faced with ali the planning department and building code problems associated with the re-location of a fixed building.

Along with the associated inconvenience of the movement across country of the building, the prefabricated building owner knows that the relocation of such a fixed structure involves dismantling, pacing, loading and transportation of dismantled parts, and eventual reassembly at the new location. It is a very time consuming, daunting, expensive and extremely inconvenient task.

All previous inventions in this field have been inventions, or improvements to inventions, for various types of building or fixed structure in which to conduct this free-fall simulation activity.

The prior art does not provide for a simulator to be specifically designed to be a completely mobile machine and not a building.

This invention that I have built has many advantages over a building or fixed structure and is a considerable improvement on existing structures and buildings. The mobility of the machine allows the simulator to be a much more financially lucrative proposition to an owner or investor and a much more attractive addition to a fair, exposition or competition due to the ease of relocation, the minimal expense involved and the ability of the operator to easily follow a circuit encompassing large population demographic areas in the same manner as a Circus or travelling Fair.

Additionally, the owner of the mobile simulator machine does not have to worry about, or to comply with, existing County or State building regulations and conditions, as the machine is classified as a vehicle or towed trailer only requiring a road registration and a tag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a device or machine system that produces a vertical column of air in an outdoor environment for causing people to float in the air column so produced1 which is designed as an open box, on a wheeled sub-frame to make it completely mobile and with an extendable floor deck on which spectators and participants may stand when the machine is operational.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a completely mobile device of the type described above, surrounding a vertically moving air column, which is totally open and exposed to the outside environment and can be produced and operated at much less cost, reduced expenditure in terms of material, space requirements, and with the complete elimination of dismantling and re-assembly. In addition the present invention permits the omission of a supporting skeleton or wall surrounding the outside edge of the spectator deck of the machine structure.

The machine trailer or vehicle device according to the present invention can be driven onto site and once positioned and levelled, the wing sections would be opened or extended to form the floor. Accessstairs would be unstowed or unfolded into position. The railings and/or sun shade awning would be opened up in position around the deck and stairs.

Cushions or air bags would then be placed around the vertical column of air produced by the m S!ne. This whole activity is completed in about an hour. The machine can then be used by members of the public at a Fair or Exposition, at a Parachute Drop Zone, or on a movie set to simulate skydiving, or in a stadium to allow athletes to preform aerial gymnastics.

DRAWING DESCRIPTION Two sheets of drawings are furnished. Sheet I contains Figures 1,2 and 3. Sheet 2 contains Figure 4.

Figure I shows an open side view of the trailer embodiment of the simulator with the wing deck sections removed.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the vehicle embodiment of the simulator with the wing deck sections closed for transportation.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the rear view of the simulator trailer or vehicle, illustrating two different types of deck construction and attachment.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the rear view of the simulator trailer or vehicle, with the deck fully open and illustrating two alternative types of deck support.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

The object is accomplished in the present invention with the mounting of the power unit (A), (Gasoline, Diesel or Electric), the air generation source (B) the Propeller, the linear air correction vanes (C), the air permeable trampoline walk net (D) and if necessary the fuel cell or cells (E), upon and within a wheeled trailer (F) or vehicle of open box design (G). Upon which on both sides of the vehicle or trailer are mounted inner floor metal (wing) sections (H) and if necessary outer floor metal (wing) sections (I) which unfold on hinges 0) and if necessary (K), or telescope out (L), to form a deck (M). Once open, the deck is supported by fold out or positioned posts (N) and if necessary posts (0) or alternatively diagonal support posts (P). The open deck then has soft foam cushions or air bags (Q) for the cushioning of falling flyers placed around the upwardly rising air column. Around the outer edge of the deck is opened a railing (R) for the containment of spectators and if desired a sunshade (S). Stairs for access to the deck (T) are stowed during transportation in a suitable position within the vehicle or trailer.

Claims

What is claimed is:

I . A free-fall skydiving simulator consisting: a wheeled transportable trailer of open box type construction, containing and mounting; a power unit, a propeller, linear air correction vanes, and an air-permeable trampoline walk net. Attached or separately mounted on the trailer are wing deck extensions which extend, telescope or unfold to form a horizontal floor surrounded by a containment railing.
2. A free-fall skydiving simulator consisting: a wheeled transportable vehicle of open box type construction, containing and mounting; a power unit, a propeller, linear air correction vanes, and an air-permeable trampoline walk net. Attached or separately mounted on the vehicle are wing deck extensions which extend, telescope or unfold to form a horizontal floor surrounded by a containment railing.