JPH0324880B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an amusement track traveling vehicle device installed in an amusement park or the like.

[Conventional technology]

A somersault coaster is known as an amusement track running vehicle device installed in an amusement park.This coaster consists of a pair of rails forming a running track, and a vehicle running along these rails is installed between these rails. However, a loop portion is provided in the middle of the track formed by these rails, and a somersault rotation is given to a vehicle passing through this loop portion.

This type of somersault coaster is popular because passengers riding in the vehicle perform somersaults, allowing the passengers to experience somersaults, which is similar to an aerobatic airplane flight, without actually boarding the airplane.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, the above-mentioned coaster only involves somersaults, and you can only experience a type of aerobatic flight.

On the other hand, aerobatic flight is known for steep descents and steep maneuvers. It would be very interesting to experience these steep descents and steep flights in casual clothes without having to board an actual airplane.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a completely new recreational orbiting vehicle device that is unique in the world and allows users to experience steep descents and steep flight.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a lifting part provided on a track formed by a pair of rails so as to pull the vehicle to the top position of the track, and a pulling part that is connected to the pulling part to pull the vehicle approximately perpendicularly to the track. A descending section is provided, and a torsion section is provided in which the vehicle that has descended from this descending section is rotated, and this torsion section is configured such that the turning center of the vehicle when it rotates is set at the midpoint between the pair of rails. In addition, these rails are supported by a large number of ring-shaped beams arranged at intervals in the running direction of the vehicle, and the midpoint between these pair of rails is located approximately at the center of the ring-shaped beams. It is characterized by matching the points.

[Effect]

According to the configuration of the present invention, the vehicle pulled up to the top position of the track by the pulling part descends substantially vertically through the descending part provided continuously with the pulling part, and performs a steep descent in an aerobatic flight. The vehicle is then rotated in a spiral at the torsion section, making a twisting turn similar to the twisting turn in aerobatic flight. Furthermore, in this twisting section, the turning center of the vehicle when it turns is made approximately coincident with the midpoint between the pair of rails, so that no large centrifugal force is applied to the passengers or the vehicle during the turning, making it safe. be. Furthermore, these rails are supported by a large number of ring-shaped beams arranged at intervals in the running direction of the vehicle, and the midpoint between the pair of rails is aligned with the approximate center point of the ring-shaped beams. This makes it easier to construct the rail and maintains high mechanical strength.

[Embodiments of the invention]

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the entire track running vehicle device for amusement according to the present invention, and FIG.
The figure shows the configuration of the trajectory.

The track 1 is constructed by arranging a pair of rails 2, 2 at equal intervals from each other, and has a two-layer structure as shown in FIG. Upper layer 4
is installed directly above the lower tier 5. On the upper tier 4, a vehicle 3 (to be described later) is driven from the left end in the diagram to the right, and in the lower tier 5, the vehicle 3 is driven from the right end in the diagram to the left. It is starting to be driven.

A platform 6 is provided to the left of the center of the lower tier 5, and passengers get on and off the vehicle 3 on this platform 6.

At the left end of the lower layer 5, a lifting portion 7 that stands up substantially vertically is provided, for example, and the upper end of this lifting portion 7 is connected to the upper layer 4.

At the lower end of the pulling part 7, that is, at the left end of the lower layer 5,
An attitude changing device 8 is provided for changing the attitude of the vehicle 3 that has been moved from the platform 6 to an upward attitude.

The pulling section 7 is provided with a means for pulling up the vehicle 3 that has been changed upward by the attitude changing device 8, such as a hoisting chain 9 (see FIG. 2).

The upper end of the pulling portion 7 is provided at the highest position on the entire track 1.

In the upper layer 4, there is a descending part 10 continuous to the pulling part 7.
is provided. This descending section 10 is provided substantially vertically, and the lower end of this descending section 10 is continuous with a transition section 11 for horizontal movement.

The transition section 11 has a clothoid curve that moves from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction, and has a waveform section that continues to the clothoid curve.

The upper layer 4 is provided with an upper layer twisting section 12 following the transition section 11 and giving the vehicle 3 a twisting rotation. The upper layer twisting section 12 extends approximately horizontally, and connects the pair of rails 2, 2 to the rails 2, 2.
It is constructed by torsionally deforming the center point O1 (shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) between them. The vehicle 3 is configured to rotate, for example, once in one direction while traveling on the upper twist section 12. In this twisting portion 12, a cant change rate is adopted so as to avoid rapid twisting at the twisting start and end portions.

On the right side of the upper layer 4, a gradual rising section 13 that reduces the speed of the vehicle 3 is provided following the upper layer twisting section 12, and at the right end of this rising section 13, a switching section 14 that switches the traveling direction of the vehicle is provided. It is provided.

Although not shown in detail, the switching unit 14 of this embodiment is configured such that a pair of rails are pivotally supported by a hinge 15, and these rails can be rotated toward the upper layer 4 side and the lower layer 5 side by a drive device. has been done.
Further, a brake device (not shown) is provided in the middle of these rails.

The lower layer 5 is provided with a sloped portion 16 connected to the switching portion 14, and a lower layer twisting portion 17 is provided between the sloped portion 16 and the platform 6.

The lower torsion section 17 has the same configuration as the upper torsion section 12, and is formed by torsionally deforming a pair of rails 2, 2 with an intermediate point O1 between these rails 2, 2 as a torsion center. While the vehicle 3 travels on this lower torsion section 17,
It is adapted to be rotated, for example, twice in one direction.
Even in this lower layer twisting section 17, the above-mentioned upper layer twisting section 1
Similar to 2, the cant change rate is adopted to avoid sudden twisting at the twisting start and end portions, thereby increasing safety.

The vehicle 3 has a structure shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. That is, 20 is an aggregate extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a ring-shaped front frame 21 is integrally joined to the front end of this aggregate 20, and a rear part extending upward is attached to the rear end of the aggregate 20. A support column 22 is integrally erected. A horizontal frame 23 extending in the left-right direction is attached to the rear support column 22 and supports a support shaft 2.
4 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction (indicated by the arrow).

Front wheels 25, 26, 27, and 28 are pivotally supported on the left and right sides of the ring-shaped front frame 21, respectively, and on the rear horizontal frame 23,
Rear wheels 29, 30, 31, 32 at both ends, respectively
is pivoted.

Among the front wheels, 25, 26, and 27 sandwich the upper and lower surfaces of the rail 2, and 28 hits the inner surface of the rail 2.
5, 26, 27, and 28 are in rolling contact so as to embrace the rail 2. Also on the rear wheels, 29.3
0 and 31 sandwich the upper and lower surfaces of the rail 2, and 32 contacts the inner surface of the rail 2, and the rear wheels 29, 30, 31, and 32 roll into contact with the rail 2 so as to embrace it.

Such a vehicle 3 spirals while traveling through the upper twist section 12 and the lower twist section 17, but at this time, the center O of the spiral motion in the vehicle 3
2 (shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) is set to substantially coincide with the midpoint O1 between the pair of rails 2, 2. In other words, the center line O2 of the spiral rotation when the vehicle 3 moves while rotating approximately coincides with the midpoint O1 between the pair of rails 2, 2, no matter where it is located.

Note that 33 is a seat on which a passenger sits.

A pair of rails 2, 2 for guiding the vehicle 3 are each made of a pipe material, and these rails 2, 2 are supported by ring-shaped beams 35.

A large number of ring-shaped beams 35 are arranged at intervals along the track 1, and are each made of pipe material. These ring-shaped beams 35...
As shown in FIG. 7, the pipe-shaped support beam 36
It is fixed at intervals by... Support beam 3
For example, four of the ring-shaped beams 6 are used at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the ring-shaped beams 35. Therefore, a tunnel-shaped structure is formed along the track 1 by the ring-shaped beams 35 and the support beams 36.

The pair of rails 2, 2 is connected to the ring-shaped beam 3.
5... is installed and supported so as to pass through the inside of it.

In this case, the center point O3 of the ring-shaped beam 35 is
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, it coincides with approximately the midpoint O1 between the pair of rails 2, 2,
In other words, the pair of rails 2, 2 is the ring-shaped beam 3
5. It is laid on the line (diameter) passing through the center of...

From another perspective, the center O2 of the spiral movement of the vehicle 3 is substantially aligned with the center O3 of the ring-shaped beams 35.

Since the tunnel-shaped structures formed by the ring-shaped beams 35 and the support beams 36 are provided along the track 1, they are provided in the upper layer 4 and the lower layer 5, respectively.

Since the upper layer 4 is installed directly above the lower layer 5 to form a two-story structure, the tunnel-shaped structure on the upper layer 4 side and the tunnel-shaped structure on the lower layer 5 side are supported by support pillars 38... Supported by That is, the support pillar 38 supports both the ring-shaped beam 35 on the upper layer 4 side and the ring-shaped beam 35 on the lower layer 5 side, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10.

In addition, 39... is a reinforcing material.

In the track traveling vehicle device having such a configuration, how the vehicle travels will be explained.

On the platform 6, the vehicle 3 advances in a rearward facing position, so passengers board the vehicle 3 in a rearward facing position and take their seats.

After confirming the safety of the passengers, the vehicle 3 is moved toward the left in FIGS. 1 to 4 in a rearward orientation.

When the vehicle 3 reaches the attitude change device 8 at the left end of the lower tier 5, this attitude change device 8 raises the vehicle 3 that has been traveling backwards and turns the vehicle 3 upward, that is, with its face in a seated position. Change the direction of the vehicle 3 so that it is facing upward. The vehicle 3 whose direction has been changed engages with the hoisting chain 9 of the pulling section 7, and is pulled up substantially vertically as the hoisting chain 9 travels.

When the vehicle 3 reaches the uppermost position of the lifting section 7, the vehicle 3 changes to a forward-facing horizontal position and continues to the lowering section 10.
At this time, the hoisting chain 9 is removed from the vehicle.

The vehicle 3 that has been advanced to the descending section 10 descends through the descending section 10 in a forward-facing attitude under the action of gravity. Since the descending section 10 is provided approximately vertically (70° to 90°), the vehicle 3 can steeply descend while maintaining a forward facing position.
A descent similar to the steep descent of an aerobatic flight.

When the vehicle 3 reaches the lower end of the descent section 10, it is shifted to horizontal travel at the transition section 11. The transition section 11 has a clothoid curve that moves from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction, and also has a waveform section that follows the clothoid curve, so it alleviates the effect of gravity due to a sudden descent and does not cause a large shock to the passengers. .

When the vehicle 3 passes through the transition section 11, it moves approximately horizontally due to inertia, and reaches the upper torsion section 12 in a forward running posture. The upper layer twisting section 12 connects the pair of rails 2, 2 to the intermediate point O between these rails 2, 2.
Since the vehicle 3 is configured to be torsionally deformed using the upper twisting portion 1 as the twisting center, the vehicle 3 is spirally rotated, for example, once in one direction while traveling on the upper twisting portion 12. In other words, a rotation similar to the twisting rotation of an aerobatic flight is performed.

After the vehicle 3 is rotated in the upper twisting section 12, it moves to the rising section 13, where its speed is reduced.

Next, the vehicle 3 moves to the switching section 14, and is braked and stopped by a brake device provided in the switching section 14.

The switching unit 14 is configured so that a pair of rails (not shown in detail) are pivotally supported by a hinge 15, and these rails can be rotated toward the upper layer 4 side and the lower layer 5 side by a drive device. When the vehicle 3 travels on the upper layer 4, the switching section 14 is connected to the rising section 13 and guides the vehicle 3.

When the vehicle 3 is guided into the switching section 14 and stopped by being braked by the brake device, the switching section 14 is rotated about the hinge 15.
It is switched and connected to the inclined portion 16 on the lower layer 5 side.

When the braking by the brake device is released in this state, the vehicle 3 is driven downward by its own weight along the rearwardly inclined switching section 14 and the inclined section 16 connected thereto.

The vehicle 3 that has descended the inclined portion 16 moves horizontally due to its downward inertia and enters the lower twisting portion 17 while facing backward.

In the lower twisting portion 17, the vehicle 3 is spirally rotated, for example, two revolutions in one direction while facing backward. Although aerobatic flight does not involve the airplane spinning backwards, spiraling backwards is extremely thrilling.

After passing through the lower torsion section 17, the vehicle 3 reaches the platform 6 in a rearward orientation and is stopped by a brake device (not shown).

This completes one orbital run.

In such an orbital vehicle device, a steep descent, a forward spiral rotation, and a backward spiral rotation are performed during one rotation of the orbit 1, so it is possible to perform aerobatics such as a steep descent and a corner flight without getting on an actual airplane. You can experience it and enjoy a thrilling ride.

Since the pair of rails 2, 2 constituting the track 1 are supported by a large number of ring-shaped beams 35, it becomes easy to set the interval between the rails 2, 2.

That is, this type of rail 2, 2 needs to maintain a constant spacing everywhere, and for that purpose a spacing member such as a sleeper is required. For example, if a U-shaped spacing member is used, the rails 2, 2
Although the ring-shaped beam 35 has low rigidity against the force that attempts to widen the interval, the ring-shaped beam 35 has great strength against the force that attempts to widen the interval.

Moreover, since the U-shaped spacing member has to regulate the spacing between the rails 2, 2 at both ends, it is difficult to set the spacing, but since the ring-shaped beam 35 has the same diameter in all directions, it is difficult to set the spacing between the rails 2, 2. 2,
The distance between the rails 2 and 2 can be regulated with high precision simply by diametrically positioning the rails 2 and fixing them inside the ring-shaped beam 35.

Furthermore, since the torsion parts 12 and 17 are provided in the middle of the track 1, for example, if a U-shaped spacing member is used, this spacing member must also be twisted in accordance with the torsion of the rail. Since the diameter of the ring-shaped beam 35 is the same in all directions, it is only necessary to twist the rails 2, 2, and there is no need to twist the ring-shaped beam 35.

Moreover, since the ring-shaped beam 35 has strong rigidity against forces that attempt to spread it in any direction, the torsion of the rails can be freely set and selected while keeping the interval between the rails constant.

Therefore, it becomes easy to lay the rails 2, 2, and the strength is improved.

In the upper torsion section 12 and the lower torsion section 17, the turning center of the vehicle 3 is set to approximately coincide with the center between the rails 2, 2, so that an excessive centrifugal force is not generated during a sharp turn, and the vehicle Good stability.

In this embodiment, the upper layer 4 and the lower layer 5 constitute the orbit 1 that makes one circuit, and the shield layer 4 is installed directly above the lower layer 5, that is, it has a two-story structure, so this type of track is used in amusement parks etc. When installing orbital vehicle equipment,
The projected area, that is, the site area, is small, and it can be installed even on narrow site areas. Moreover, upper layer 4
Since the lower layer 5 and the lower layer 5 are supported by the common support pillars 38, the number of support pillars 38 can be reduced.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 13 and 14.

In the second embodiment, the structure of the switching section that switches the vehicle 3 from the upper tier 4 to the lower tier 5 is changed, and the other structure may be the same as the first embodiment described above, so a description thereof will be omitted. Omitted. That is,
In the first embodiment, the rail is configured to rotate around the hinge 15 in order to switch the vehicle 3 from the upper layer 4 to the lower layer 5. However, in the second embodiment, the end of the upper layer 4 A bent portion 50 is provided at the end of the lower layer 5 from the lower layer 5 so that the vehicle 3 can turn in half while maintaining a forward posture on a vertical plane.

In the straight ascending section just before entering this bending section 50,
A 1/2 twist portion 51 is provided. Also,
A turntable 52 is provided at the place where the vehicle 3 leaves the platform 6 to change the running direction of the vehicle 3 by half a turn so that the vehicle, which has been traveling forward, is turned backward.

In this way, the vehicle 3 that has reached the end of the upper layer 4 reaches the bending part 50 and descends and reverses as if it were falling head-on, so that the vehicle 3 can still experience a thrill. In this case, since a 1/2 twist portion 51 is provided in the straight ascending portion just before entering the bending portion 50, the passenger receives a centrifugal force that presses against the seat at the bending portion 50, making it safe. be.

Such a structure has the advantage that the track structure is simpler than one constructed of rails pivoted about the hinge 15, and does not require rail switching means or braking means.

In this case, the vehicle 3 is driven forward in the lower layer 5, but since it is changed to a backward direction by the turntable 52, the attitude changing device 8 of the first embodiment can be used.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

That is, the posture changing device 8 in the first embodiment
is not necessarily limited to changing the vehicle 3 that has been traveling backwards upwards; for example, if the lifting section 7 is constructed of an elevator type instead of the hoisting chain 9, the attitude changing device 8
is not necessary.

The pulling section 7 is not limited to pulling up the vehicle 3 substantially vertically, but may be used to pull the vehicle 3 up diagonally.

In addition, there are two twisted parts 12, 1 in the middle of the track 1.
7, and the twisted portion may be provided at one location. Each twisting portion may not only spiral in one direction, but may also rotate in the opposite direction midway through the rotation.

Furthermore, the half twist portion 51 of the second embodiment
is not limited to being provided on the straight ascending part immediately before entering the bending part 50, but the straight part immediately before entering the bending part 50 or a part thereof may hang over the bending part 50.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the vehicle that has been pulled up to the top position of the track by the pulling section descends approximately vertically through the descending section provided continuously with the pulling section, thereby performing a steep descent during aerobatic flight. The vehicle is then rotated spirally in the torsion section, resulting in a twisting motion in aerobatic flight. Therefore, the user can experience a steep descent and a steep flight without getting on an actual airplane, and can enjoy a completely new game that is full of thrills and fun and is unlike any other in the world. and,
The torsion portion allows the turning center of the vehicle to substantially coincide with the midpoint between the pair of rails, so that no large centrifugal force is applied to passengers or the vehicle during the turning, making it safe. Furthermore, these rails are supported by a large number of ring-shaped beams arranged at intervals in the running direction of the vehicle, and the midpoint between the pair of rails is aligned with the approximate center point of the ring-shaped beams. This has the advantage of making rail erection work easier and maintaining high mechanical strength.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 12 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a side view of the entire device, FIG. 2 is a side view showing the entire track constituted by rails,
Figure 3 is a plan view of the upper track, Figure 4 is a plan view of the lower track, Figure 5 is a side view of the vehicle, Figure 6 is a front view of the vehicle, and Figure 7 is the rail and ring beam at the torsion section. and a perspective view showing the joint structure of the support beam, and FIGS. 8 to 10 are respectively the - line and - line in FIG.
Line, - line arrow view, Figures 11 and 12
The figure is a diagram explaining the relationship between the vehicle, the rail, and the ring-shaped beam, and Figures 13 and 14 are the second diagram of the present invention.
Fig. 13 is a side view of the entire device;
FIG. 14 is a side view showing the entire track constituted by rails. 1... Track, 2, 2... Rail, 3... Vehicle,
4... Upper layer, 5... Lower layer, 6... Platform, 7... Lifting section, 10... Descending section, 11...
... Transition part, 12... Upper layer twisting part, 13... Rising part, 14... Switching part, 16... Inclined part, 17...
...Lower twist part, 35...Ring-shaped beam, 36...
Support beam, 38...Support pedestal, 50...Bending portion.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an amusement track traveling vehicle device in which a track is constituted by a pair of rails, and a vehicle running along the track is mounted on these rails, the track formed by the rail is a pulling section provided to pull the vehicle up to the top position of the track; a descending section that descends the vehicle substantially vertically in succession to the pulling section; and a torsion system in which the vehicle that descends on the descending section is rotated. The torsion portion allows the turning center of the vehicle to substantially coincide with the midpoint of the pair of rails, and the rails are arranged at intervals in the traveling direction of the vehicle. 1. A track-running vehicle for amusement, characterized in that the vehicle is supported by a plurality of ring-shaped beams, and the midpoint of the pair of rails is aligned with substantially the center point of the ring-shaped beams. 2. The above-mentioned track has a structure of upper and lower layers that are continuous with each other, with a platform provided on the lower layer side, and the above-mentioned descending part and the above-mentioned twisting part provided on the upper layer side,
The track traveling vehicle device for amusement according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower layer is also provided with another twisting portion.