NL2010220C2 - PENDULUM ATTRACTION FOR ENTERTAINMENT DRIVES. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an attraction (1) for amusement rides, such as a fairground attraction or an amusement park attraction. The attraction comprises at least one tower (2) from which a main shaft (3) extends, a pendulum arm (4) rotatably mounted on the main shaft (3), first drive means for moving the pendulum arm in a plane (V) substantially perpendicularly of the main shaft, and at least one passenger gondola (11) mounted on an outer end of the pendulum arm. According to the invention the pendulum arm comprises two parts (4A, 4B) which are pivotally connected to each other. A first part (4A) is mounted rotatably on the main shaft (3) and a second part (4B) is provided with the passenger gondola (11) on the outer end. Second drive means are provided for moving the second part in a direction substantially perpendicularly of the plane of movement.

Description

PENDULUM ATTRACTION FOR ENTERTAINMENT DRIVES

The present invention relates to an amusement ride attraction, such as a fairground attraction or an amusement park attraction, comprising at least one mast from which a main axis extends, a pendulum arm rotatably mounted on the main axis, first drive means for moving the pendulum arm in a plane substantially perpendicular to the main axis and at least one passenger gondola attached to one end of the pendulum arm.

Such an attraction is known in the art and is marketed in several variants. The known attraction causes the pendulum arm with passenger gondola to swing high, whereby the passengers experience high G-forces during the ride and experience a sensational feeling of weightlessness at the highest point.

The present invention has for its object to add an additional sensation to an attraction of the type mentioned in the preamble.

To this end the attraction according to the invention is characterized in that the pendulum arm comprises two parts which are hingedly connected to each other, in which a first part is rotatably attached to the main axis and in which a second part is provided at the end with the passenger gondola, in which second drive means are provided for moving the second part in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement.

The attraction according to the invention offers an additional degree of freedom of movement, which provides a sensational combination of pivotal movements and offers the passengers a wonderful, unforgettable ride.

In a first preferred embodiment, the second drive means are adapted to cause the second part to move in two opposite directions, each of which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement. The attraction according to the first preferred embodiment 25 offers an additional degree of freedom of movement, which provides an even more sensational combination of pivoting movements and gives the passengers an intense experience.

According to a spectacular preferred embodiment, the second drive means are adapted to cause the passenger gondola to move along a defined contour, preferably an eight-shaped contour. The eight form is a smooth movement path with large angular movements near the highest point.

According to a practical preferred embodiment, the second drive means comprise a number of hydraulic cylinders, preferably two hydraulic cylinders, each operating in the opposite direction. According to a further elaboration of the practical preferred embodiment, the second drive means comprise control means for controlling the movement of the hydraulic cylinders.

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The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the figures.

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Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the attraction according to the invention in a first position;

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the attraction according to the invention in a second position; Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of the attraction according to the invention; and

Figure 4 shows a part of the attraction according to the invention in more detail.

In all figures, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

Figures 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of the attraction according to the invention in two different positions. Figure 1 shows attraction 1 in the lowest position. This is also the start position and the end position and therefore the entry and exit position. Figure 2 shows attraction 1 in operation in a higher position.

Attraction 1 comprises four masts 2, which are placed on a surface at some distance from each other. In the preferred embodiment shown, the attraction 1 is of mobile design and the ground is formed by a mobile undercarriage 100. Attraction 1 is collapsible into a transport position mounted on undercarriage 100. Undercarriage 100 also forms a stage for getting in and out of passengers between journeys . The attraction 1 can of course also be mounted at a fixed location, the masts for instance being placed on a stage.

The masts 2 are arranged in pairs. Each pair of masts is arranged slightly inclined in the direction towards the other pair of masts. Masts 2 support a main shaft 3, which is preferably supported in bearings by the end faces 2A of masts 2. In operation, the main shaft 3 will generally extend substantially horizontally. However, this is not necessary. A pendulum arm 4 is rotatably attached to the main shaft 3. First drive means (not shown) are provided for movement of the pendulum arm 4 in a plane V extending substantially perpendicular to the main axis 3 between masts 2.

The pendulum arm 4 comprises two parts 4A and 4B, which are hingedly connected to each other about an axis 5. The first part 4A is rotatably attached to the main axis 3 and the second part 3B is provided at the end with at least one passenger gondola 11 with seats 12. In the preferred embodiment shown, six gondolas 11 are accommodated in one gondola cross 10. Each gondola 11 is provided with two seats 12. In this preferred embodiment, the capacity per ride is twelve seats.

Second drive means are provided for moving the second part 4B

of the pendulum arm 4 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement. The second drive means are adapted to cause the second part 4B to move in two opposite directions Z1, Z2. In the preferred embodiment, directions Z1, Z2 are each substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement V and to axis 5. The directions Z1, Z2 each run substantially parallel to the main axis 3. Preferably, the second drive means are arranged for moving the passenger gondolas 11 along a defined contour or curve C, preferably an eight-shaped contour. Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of the attraction according to the invention, in which the contour C is illustrated. The gondolas move along a path that is generally eight-shaped and is designated as contour C. When traversing the path of movement, the passenger gondolas make repetitive forward and backward pivoting or swinging movements and simultaneous lateral pivoting movements. As a result, the passenger gondolas move around angles of approximately 120 degrees.

A preferred embodiment of the second drive means is shown in Figure 4. In the preferred embodiment the second drive means comprise at least one hydraulic cylinder 15, which is mounted on the pendulum arm 4 near the hinge connection 5. In the shown preferred embodiment there are two hydraulic cylinders 15, each of which is mounted on the pendulum arm 4 on either side of the hinge connection 5. The cylinders 15 provide for the lateral pivoting of arm part 4B relative to arm part 4A in the two opposite directions Z1, Z2. The hydraulic cylinders also limit the lateral movement to a safe maximum value. If necessary, mechanical stops may be mounted to ensure the maximum deflection of the gondola cross 10. As an alternative to the hydraulic cylinders, the second drive means can also be electrically equipped with, for example, a spindle motor.

The second drive means also comprise control means for controlling the movement. Suitable control means for the hydraulic cylinders 15 are position-controlled. In the lowest swing position of the passenger gondola, shown in Figure 1, it preferably holds that the resulting force on the passenger gondola in the lateral direction Z1 and Z2 is zero. In the highest swing position of the passenger gondola in the position shown in Figure 1, the resulting force on the passenger gondola in the lateral direction Z1 or Z2 4 preferably applies. The control means are preferably made electronically. When the spindle motor is used, the control means are arranged correspondingly for proportional control.

The inventive idea is based on the insight to add smaller lateral pivoting movements to a large pivoting movement of the passenger gondola. In the preferred embodiment, the gondola traverses an eight-shaped path of movement. However, the path of movement may also have other shapes, such as an X shape.

It is noted that suitable first drive means are known per se in the relevant field. Some non-limiting examples are: an internal top drive 10 with transmission, which is accommodated in part 4A, or an external top drive with transmission on the masts 2, in which both top drives directly engage on main shaft 3, or a bottom drive that engages the gondola and this accelerates. The bottom drive may, for example, comprise a running wheel that makes contact with the bottom of the gondola. The shape of the gondola must be adjusted accordingly. A suitable form is for example a ship. The bottom drive can be accommodated in the chassis 100 or in a fixed stage.

It will be clear that the capacity of the attraction according to the invention can be adapted to the circumstances. This can be done by adjusting the number of seats per gondola, the number of gondolas per gondola cross and the number of gondola crosses per pendulum arm. All these 20 variants are within the reach of an expert after reading this text.

The invention is therefore not limited to the described and shown preferred embodiment, but extends to any embodiment that falls within the scope of the scope of protection as defined in the claims and viewed in the light of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings.

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Claims (6)

Attraction for amusement rides, such as a fairground attraction or an amusement park attraction, comprising at least one mast from which extends a main axis, a pendulum arm, which is rotatably attached to the main axis, first drive means for movement of the pendulum arm in a plane substantially perpendicular on the main axis and at least one passenger gondola attached to one end of the pendulum arm, characterized in that the pendulum arm comprises two parts pivotally connected to each other, in which a first part is rotatably attached to the main axis and in which a second part the passenger gondola is provided at the end, in which second drive means are provided for moving the second part in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement. 2. Attraction as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second drive means are adapted to cause the second part to move in two opposite directions, each of which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement. 3. Attraction as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the second drive means are adapted to cause the passenger gondola to move along a defined contour, preferably an eight-shaped contour. Attraction as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the second drive means comprise a number of hydraulic cylinders. Attraction according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the second drive means comprise two hydraulic cylinders, each operating in the opposite direction. Attraction as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the second drive means comprise control means for controlling the movement of the hydraulic cylinders.