JP2002143569A - Sightseeing gondola - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide gondolas for viewing in which a moving process is rich in changes and provides no wearisomeness to the last and occupants are able to view an exeedingly wide range and step down from the gondola even from a part of the way of moving. SOLUTION: The gondolas 1 for viewing comprise a tower 11, a track 17 arranged on the tower, gondola devices 19 movable along the track and a gondola moving device 25 for moving the gondola devices along the track, wherein the tower has a steel-frame structure and the track has a spiral section.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ferris wheel which is one of amusement machines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional ferris wheel, both ends of a horizontally disposed central shaft are supported by bearings at a high position, and spokes provided radially from the central shaft are commonly seen in amusement parks and the like. A large-diameter ring-shaped rotating frame is supported by this, and a large number of gondolaes are suspended by a hanging frame at regular intervals outside the ring-shaped rotating frame, and the ring-shaped rotating frame is slowly driven by the rotation driving device. It has an orbiting structure. Then, the gondola moves along an orbit that is substantially equal to the shape of the ring-shaped rotating frame, and in the process, the passenger of the gondola can view the surrounding scenery.

[0003]

In the conventional ferris wheel described above, the gondola can reach a considerably high place from the ground level and can see the surrounding scenery. However, the gondola is shaped like a ring-shaped rotating frame. Movement is monotonous and easy to get tired to follow approximately equal orbital tracks, the range of view that can be seen is limited, you have to get on the gondola until you can not get off the gondola and make one revolution There are issues. Also, amusement machines like the above Ferris wheel,
There is a constant need for something new and extraordinary that can be experienced.

[0004] The present invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances, and the traveling process is varied, so that the user does not get tired until the end, and can view a much wider view of the landscape. The purpose is to provide a ferris wheel that allows passengers to get off the gondola during the course of the event.

[0005]

As means for achieving the above object, a moving ferris wheel having the following configuration is employed. That is, a ferris wheel according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a tower, a track installed on the tower, a gondola device movable along the track, and a gondola moving the gondola device along the track. And a moving device.

In the ferris wheel of the present invention, the gondola device moves along the track installed on the tower, so that if the track is varied in advance, the traveling process will be varied. It gives the gondola passengers a thrilling feeling and never gets tired until the end.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ferris wheel according to the first aspect, wherein the track has a spirally disposed section.

[0008] In the ferris wheel of the present invention, by providing a spiral section in the track, the traveling process is varied, and the passenger of the gondola does not get bored to the end. Passengers can also view the landscape 360 meters around the tower.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ferris wheel according to the second aspect, wherein the track has a linear section disposed substantially vertically.

In the ferris wheel of the present invention, by providing the track with a linear section which descends / rises in the substantially vertical direction in combination with the spiral section, the traveling process becomes more varied. Never get tired of the gondola passengers.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ferris wheel according to any one of the first to third aspects, the tower is formed of a steel structure.

In the ferris wheel of the present invention, by adopting a steel structure (for example, a truss structure) for the tower, the wind load acting on the tower can be reduced. In addition, passengers can view effects and events in the space inside the tower from outside the tower.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ferris wheel according to the first to third aspects, wherein the tower has a building structure.

In the ferris wheel of the present invention, by employing a building structure (for example, a building or the like) for the tower, various events to be held on each floor of the tower and shopping facilities provided on each floor can be displayed. The passengers can be seen through the tower windows from different heights.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the ferris wheel according to the fifth aspect, wherein a permeable member is disposed on the tower having the building structure.

In the ferris wheel according to the present invention, a permeable member (eg, glass, resin, or the like) is disposed on the tower having the building structure so that the passenger can see the state of the event or shopping facility on each floor of the building. It can be seen from various heights through the sex member in a timely manner.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the ferris wheel according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the tower has a shape obtained by combining a plurality of different shapes.

In the ferris wheel of the present invention, the tower is not formed into a single shape such as a column, a cylinder, or the like, but a plurality of different shapes (for example, a column, a sphere, a cylinder, an ellipse, a cone, or the like).
The shape of the tower is changed when the shape of the column is combined. The surrounding landscape seen from the gondola also changes.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the ferris wheel according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the place where the gondola device gets on and off is provided at an arbitrary position on the track. I do.

In the ferris wheel of the present invention, the place for getting on and off the gondola device is provided at an arbitrary place on the track (for example, the top of a tower, each floor, etc.), so that the passenger can get off from the gondola device halfway. You can enjoy the timely view.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the ferris wheel according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the gondola device includes a gondola on which a rider is mounted, a frame holding the gondola, and the frame. A first guide roller for holding the track from above and below, and a second guide roller for holding the track from the side so as to be movable along the track.

In the ferris wheel of the present invention, the bearing load condition of the suspension frame holding the gondola changes on the track,
Even if a lateral load is applied, the suspension frame is stably held on the track by the first and second guide rollers.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ferris wheel according to the ninth aspect, the gondola is suspended from the frame via a universal joint.

In the ferris wheel according to the present invention, the gondola is suspended from the frame via the universal joint so that the gondola does not change its posture even if the traveling direction or the inclination of the frame changes. The behavior makes it possible for the passenger to always maintain a stable posture inside the gondola.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the ferris wheel according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the gondola moving device is supported so as to be movable along the track and is connected to the gondola device. It is characterized by comprising a chain and a driving device for driving the moving chain.

In the ferris wheel of the present invention, by connecting the gondola device to the moving chain, safety can be enhanced in that the gondola device is held. Also, the structure to move the gondola device by driving the moving chain,
It is rational to simultaneously move a plurality of gondola devices having individually different load conditions at low speed, and it is possible to reduce the power required for ascending movement like a cable car by the traction force associated with descending movement.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a ferris wheel according to the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the ferris wheel 1 includes a cylindrical tower 11 mounted on a foundation, a spiral support shelf 13 provided spirally from a base 11A to a top 11B of the tower 11, and a spiral support A linear support 1 supported by columns 14 from the top 13A to the base 13B of the shelf 13
5, a track 17 provided endlessly between the spiral support shelf 13 and the linear support 15, a large number of gondola devices 19 movably provided along the track 17, and And a gondola moving device 25 for moving along the gondola 17,
It is composed of

The tower 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape by a truss structure. The track 17 has a spiral section 17A installed on the spiral support shelf 13 and a linear section 17B installed on the linear support 15. Spiral section 17A
Is installed spirally along the spiral support shelf 13, and the linear section 17 </ b> B is installed substantially linearly in the vertical direction along the linear support 15. The landing places 3 and 5 for the gondola device 19 are provided at the base 11A and the top 11B of the tower 11.

The gondola device 19 moves up the spiral section 17A of the track 17 and moves down the linear section 17B. Of course, the reverse movement is also possible.

The gondola device 19 includes a gondola 20 for carrying a passenger, a suspension frame 21 for holding the gondola 20,
The vehicle includes a front and rear carriage 23 that enables the suspension frame body 21 to move along the track 17. Gondola 20 is a universal joint 2
2 and is suspended by the suspension frame 21.

As shown in FIG. 3, the front and rear bogies 23 open outward in a C-shape according to the curvature on the spiral support shelf 13, so that the front and rear bogies 23A always follow the lower bogie 23A. The bogie is composed of an upper carriage 23B supporting the suspension frame body 21 and a connecting portion 23C of the upper and lower carriages 23A, 23B. The track 17 is supported by the spiral support shelf 13 and the linear support 15 on the side surface thereof. These also support the gondola moving device 25 and trolley wires (not shown). The trolley wire is for supplying electric power for lighting and cooling / heating inside the gondola 20. It is also possible to directly support the track 17 from the tower 11 with a support arm. In this case, the support arm is included in the spiral support shelf 13 or a part of the support 15.

As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of guide rollers (first guide rollers) 24A, 24A for holding the track 17 from both upper and lower sides, and the track 1
And a guide roller (second guide roller) 24B, 24B arranged side by side to hold 7 from the side.

The gondola moving device 25 includes the spiral support shelf 1
The moving chain 26 moves along the track 17 on the linear support 3 and the linear support 15 and is connected to the suspension frame 21 of the gondola device 19, and a driving device 27 for driving the moving chain 26 is provided. The gondola device 19 is connected to the moving chain 26 at a fixed interval.

In the ferris wheel constructed as described above, the gondola device 19 is connected to the spiral section 17 A of the track 17.
Then, the ship moves upward while turning around the tower 11, and the orbit 17
In the straight section 17B, the moving path of the gondola device 19 is richly varied, so that the occupant is given a thrill and does not get tired until the end. Passengers can also view the landscape over 360 ° around the tower 11. Thereby, the amusement as a game machine can be remarkably improved.

In the above-mentioned ferris wheel, the wind load acting on the tower 11 can be reduced by adopting a truss structure for the tower 11. In addition, passengers can view effects and events in the space inside the tower 11 from outside the tower 11. For example, if a water curtain is formed in the interior space to display using laser beams, an air dome is used as a planetarium, or an event such as a circus is held, passengers will be able to perform such effects and events in various ways. You can see it from a great height in a timely manner.

Further, the tower 11 is illuminated and the ferris wheel 1
It can itself be a regional and urban symbol with a scenic appeal at night. Furthermore, it is possible to use it as an advertising tower by applying illuminations, etc.
By turning on / off the light inside the tower 11 and transmitting a message from the light and dark reflected on the window, it is possible to further widen the range of utilization as an advertising tower.

In the above ferris wheel, the base 11 of the tower 11
A new passenger is picked up at the boarding place 3 provided at A, and the top 11
At the boarding place 5 provided in B, the passenger
You can enjoy the view from time to time. Further, it is possible to move on a vacant seat of the subsequent gondola device 19 or to walk down a separately provided sidewalk stair or the like.

In the above-described ferris wheel, even if the bearing load condition of the suspension frame 21 changes on the track 17 or a lateral load is applied, the suspension frames 21A and 23B can be used.
Is stably held on the track 17, so that the gondola device 19 can be safely moved. Further, since the gondola 20 is suspended from the suspension frame 21 via the universal joint 22, even if the traveling direction and the inclination of the suspension frame 21 change, the gondola 20 does not change its posture. Since the vehicle behaves, the passenger can maintain a stable posture inside the gondola 20 at all times.

In the above ferris wheel, the gondola device 19
Of the gondola device 1 by connecting the
9 can be improved in safety. Also,
The structure in which the gondola device 19 is moved by driving the moving chain 26 is rational in moving a plurality of gondola devices 19 having individually different load conditions simultaneously at a low speed. Can be saved by the traction force associated with the downward movement.

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the tower 11 is constructed in a cylindrical shape. However, the tower according to the present invention may have other shapes such as a column, a sphere, a cylinder, an ellipse, a cone, and a truncated cone. Or a combination of these. By combining various shapes, the appearance of the tower is changed, and the surrounding scenery seen from the gondola is also changed, so that the entertainment can be further enhanced.

Another embodiment of the ferris wheel according to the present invention will be described. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the linear support 15 is provided vertically inside the tower 11, and is configured to descend in the space inside the tower 11. According to this, for example, if an event imitating a jungle or the like is held in the space inside the tower 11, the passenger can experience as if moving in the jungle.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a truss structure having a conical or frusto-conical shape is employed for the tower 11, and a linear support 15 and a linear section 1 of a track 17 supported by the support are provided.
7B is provided along the outer inclined surface of the tower 11 from the top 11B of the tower 11 to the base 11A. In addition, since the wall of the tower 11 is made of a transparent material such as glass or resin, the passenger can view the events and effects in the tower 11,
In addition, the scene of the tower 11 can be changed.

In each of the above embodiments, an example is shown in which the tower 11 is constructed in a cylindrical shape, a conical shape or a truncated cone shape. However, the tower according to the present invention may have a columnar, spherical, or elliptical shape. Any shape or any other shape may be used, or these may be combined and constructed. By combining various shapes, the appearance of the tower is changed, and the surrounding scenery seen from the gondola is also changed, so that the entertainment can be further enhanced.

Further, by forming the wall surface of the tower 11 with a transparent material such as glass or resin, the passenger can view the events and performances inside the tower 11 and change the scenery of the tower 11. it can.

The tower 11 can be constructed not only by a truss structure but also by a building structure such as a building.
In the building structure, it is also possible to hold events on each floor and to set up shopping facilities. Passengers can view the interior of the building through windows while looking at the scenery around the tower 11, and at the same time have a wide variety of changes. You can get a panoramic view.

[0046]

According to the ferris wheel according to the first aspect of the present invention, the gondola device moves along the track installed on the tower. The journey will be more varied, giving the gondola passengers a thrill and never get tired. Therefore, the amusement for the passenger can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the track,
By providing the sections arranged in a spiral, the traveling process becomes rich and varied, and the gondola passengers are not bored to the end, and the entertainment can be further enhanced. Passengers can also view the landscape 360 meters around the tower.

According to the ferris wheel according to the third aspect, the track
By providing a substantially linear section in combination with the spiral section, the traveling process becomes more varied, and the passenger of the gondola does not get tired to the end and can further enhance entertainment. .

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the wind load acting on the tower can be reduced by adopting the steel structure for the tower. In addition, passengers can view effects and events in the space inside the tower from outside the tower.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by adopting a building structure for the tower, various events to be held on each floor of the tower and shopping facilities provided on each floor can be boarded. Can be seen through the windows of the tower from different heights.

According to the ferris wheel according to the sixth aspect, by arranging the permeable member on the tower of the building structure, the passenger can see through the permeable member about events and shopping facilities on each floor of the building. And you can see it from various heights.

According to the ferris wheel according to the seventh aspect, the appearance of the tower is changed by forming the tower into a shape formed by combining a plurality of different shapes, instead of a single shape such as a column or a cylinder. As it is given, the surrounding scenery seen from the gondola is also changed, so that the entertainment can be further enhanced.

According to the ferris wheel of the present invention, by providing the place for getting on and off the gondola device at an arbitrary position on the track, the passenger can get off the way from the gondola device and enjoy the timely view.

According to the present invention, the first and second guide rollers can be mounted even if the bearing load condition of the suspension frame holding the gondola changes on the track or a lateral load is applied. As a result, the suspension frame is stably held on the track, so that safe operation is possible.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, the gondola changes its position even if the traveling direction or the inclination of the frame changes by hanging the gondola from the frame via the universal joint. Since it behaves so as not to cause the passenger, the passenger can always maintain a stable posture inside the gondola.

According to the ferris wheel according to the eleventh aspect, by connecting the gondola device to the moving chain, the safety can be enhanced in that the gondola device is held. In addition, the structure in which the gondola device is moved by driving the moving chain is reasonable for simultaneously moving a plurality of gondola devices with individually different load conditions at low speed, and the power required for upward movement like a cable car is reasonable. Savings can be achieved by the traction force associated with the downward movement.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a ferris wheel according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a gondola device of the ferris wheel.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view of a bogie.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of each cart.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the ferris wheel according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the ferris wheel according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ferris wheel 3,5 Getting on and off place 11 Tower 17 Track 19 Gondola device 20 Gondola 21 Suspension frame 22 Universal joint 24A Guide roller (first guide roller) 24B Guide roller (second guide roller) 25 Gondola moving device 26 Moving chain

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A tower, a track installed on the tower, a gondola device movable along the track, and a gondola moving device moving the gondola device along the track. Ferris wheel. 2. The ferris wheel according to claim 1, wherein the track has a spirally disposed section. 3. The ferris wheel according to claim 2, wherein said track has a straight section disposed substantially vertically. 4. The ferris wheel according to claim 1, wherein the tower is formed of a steel structure. 5. The ferris wheel according to claim 1, wherein the tower has a building structure. 6. The ferris wheel according to claim 5, wherein a permeable member is arranged on the tower having the building structure. 7. The ferris wheel according to claim 1, wherein the tower has a shape obtained by combining a plurality of different shapes. 8. The ferris wheel according to claim 1, wherein a place for getting on and off the gondola device is provided at an arbitrary place on the track. 9. A gondola device comprising: a gondola on which a rider is mounted; a frame holding the gondola; and a first holding the track from above and below so that the frame can be moved along the track. 9. The ferris wheel according to claim 1, further comprising a guide roller and a second guide roller that holds the track from a side. 10. The ferris wheel according to claim 9, wherein the gondola is suspended from the frame via a universal joint. 11. The gondola moving device includes a moving chain movably supported along the track and connected to the gondola device, and a driving device for driving the moving chain. The ferris wheel according to any one of 1 to 10.