US2412060A

US2412060A - Novelty amusement air ride apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2412060A
Application number: US502267A
Authority: US
Inventors: Psaila John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1943-09-14
Filing date: 1943-09-14
Publication date: 1946-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 1963-12-03

Description

Dec. 3, 1946. J. PsAlLA NOVELTY AMUSEMENT AIR-RIDE APPARATUS u Filed sept. V14, 1943 2 sheets-sheet v1 v INVENTOR 5757272 Rsaz'Za,

Dec. 3, 1946. J, PSAILA v 2,412,060

v NOVELTY AMUSIEMENT AIR'RIDE APPARATUS Filed Sept. 14, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 ATT/aver Patented Dec. 3, 1946 NOVELTY AMUSEMENT Arlt APPARATUS j RIDE.

John Psaila, New York, N. y Application september 14, 1'943,`s'er'ia'1 Nb'. 502267 This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a novelty amusement air-ride apparatus. f: More specically, the invention proposes the construction of a novelty amusement air-ride apparatus for use at amusement parks, carnivals and thelike which provides pivotally mounted seats in which passengers may seat themselves in a manner to receive a thrill ride as the device circumnavigates an annular track having vertical wave-like portions.

Still further, it is proposed to mount the seats upon a pivotally mounted depending support arm in a manner to cause the arm and seats to swing radially of the annular track as they move about the track.

Another object of the'invention :proposes the provision of a bumper against which the arms are adapted to strike when they swing inwards, in armanner to arrest this inward motion and prevent the seats from striking their supporting structure.

A further object of the invention proposes mounting the arm eccentrically upon a rotativelyv supported disc with provision of means for periodically oscillating the disc in a manner to irnpart a slight twisting motion to the seats as they swing radially and move about the track.

f It is a further object of this invention to construct a novelty amusement air-ride apparatus which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

l'For' further comprehension of this invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of the novelty amusement air-ride apparatus constructed according to this invention but with the front frame broken away,

2 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed View looking in the direction of the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the center portion of Fig. 3. Y

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line S-B of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line I-T of Fig. 6.

6 Claims. (Cl. 272-45) 2 Fig. 8rv is an enlarged view looking in the direc-I tion of the line 8-8 of Fig. 1. Y

Fig. 9 is an'enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is averticalfsectional view on the line Ill-I0 of Fig.' 9. I The novelty amusement air-ride apparatus, according t0 this invention, includes a'stationaryy verticalpost I0. An annular track II is arranged concentric with the post I0 and is provided with verticalwave-like portions. The track II is supported in a slightly elevated position bymeans of supporting brackets I2.

A hub I3 is rotatively` supported upon the vertical post I0. The hub I3 is in the form of a ring which rests upon a projecting flange I4 formed upon an intermediate portion of the lpost IIJ. The top of the hub I3 is engaged by a ring, I5 which slidably engages thepost III. A spring I6 is concentric'ally engaged upon the post I0 and operates between the top face of the ring I5 and a collar I1 xedly mounted upon the topportion of the post I0 The,` spring I6 acts to urge thev hub I3 into position against the flange I L Vertical frames I8 extendradially from the hub I3. n Eacho'f the frames I8 is alike in construction and each includes a horizontal member I9 of structural steel extended radially of the hub I3. The inner end of each horizontal member I3 is pivotally supported upon a lug 2,0 which extends fromlthehub, I3by means of a pin 2 The outerl end of eachhorizontal member I9 has a bracket 22 rotatlvely supporting a roller 23 which is adapted to roll upon the ytrack I I. Each horizontal member I9 carries a vertical member 24 reenforced byan angular brace 25. Each'vertical memberj24 and the brace 25 are formed of the same material as the horizontal member I9. A means is provided for driving the frames I8 along the track as the hub I3 turnson the post I0. This means comprises a speed reduction unit and motor 25 mounted upon the side of one of the framesv I8 at a point above the roller 23. l The reduction unit and motor 26 has an extendedrotative shaft carrying a sprocket wheel 21. A sprocket chain 2% engages the sprocket wheel21 and a sprocket wheelze mounted upon a pin 3l) upon whichtheroller 23 is mounted. Both the roller A23` and ,the sprocketwheel 29 are fixedlv mounted uponjthe pin 3B to turn the roller 23 when the'sprocket wheel 29 is turned. v

A horizontal disc 3| is horizontally turnably mounted in a supporting track 32 mounted upon the .top -end of ,each of the vertical members 24 of each of the frames I8. A support-arm-.33 pivotally depends eccentrically from each of the discs 3|. A pin 34 pivotally attaches the arm 33 to a depending lug 35 so that the arm will be capable of pivoting only radially of the frame I8 when the disc 3| is in its normal. position shown in Figs. 1 and 6.

A bumper 36 is mounted on each of the discs 3| behind the arm 33 to arrest inward pivoting of the arm and prevent itfrom strikingth'e vertical member 24 of its respective frame I8. Each of the bumpers 36 is alike in construction and each comprises a depending bracket 3'I upon the bottom of which a hollow container-38 is mounted. A bumper member 39 slidably extends` from the container 38 and is adapted to be hit by the swinging arm 33. Springs 40 are mounted within the container 38 and urgethebumper member 39 into an extended position.

Seats 44 are indirectly mounted on horizontal pivotal axis on the bottom portion of each of the support arms 33.*The bottom-of each support arm 33 carries a hollow casing 40 from ywhich the ends of a shaft -4'I extend. Theends ofthe shaft 4| continue into'U-shaped support brackets 42. Eachy bracket 42 supportsfaxhollow open-'top container 43 within which a seat 44is mounted. Aperson is adapted to'enter the container 43 and seatihimself upon the seat 44. Straps may-be provided for strapping the person .in lposition upon the seat-44 to prevent Vhim `iromfalling out during the ride, but these strapsare not shown on thedrawing.l

Means are provided for oscillating the con.. tainers 43 about'the horizontal axes of the shafts 4I 'for moving the seats 44 into certain positions as 'the'arms 33 swing radially outwards. This means is alike-foreach ofthe arms 33, and each comprises la link 45 connected Ato -anintermediate portion of theshaft 4I within the hollow casing 40. The Vfree endof the link`45 is connected to one-end of a 'rod .46 by means-of a pin 47.V The other-end'ofrthe-rod 46 extends upwardsxhrough an enlargedcpening-48 v.formed in the'casing 40 and is pivotally connected tothe -depending lug 35 at-a point above the pivot pin 34, by vmeans of -a pinv49. With this construction as the arm 33-movesjradially outwardsthe rod` 46 will exert a pressure-on the link v45'causing the seats to be Aoscillated slightly to maintain substantially .an-upright position. K A means vis provided forsupplying themotor andspeed reduction unit26 with theelectric current for-their.operation. ,A ring.50 of insulation materialds mounted .uponthepost I --below the hub .I.3. 4The Vring supports a .spacedpair of metallic -collector .rings .5 I -to which .the ends of f a pair of .electric leads 52 areconnected. The leads 52- are'connected witha switch controlled source of electric power, not shown-on the drawing. A second ring :53 .of insulation material surrounds therst ring 50. vThe second ring53 .i-s .-much larger than the rstand is supported torotate concentrically about .the .ring 50. .Thisrotative support is.=ac'complished bya bearingil arranged between-the bottom .ofthe ring 5.3 and .ashelfr mounted on-the. .post I'Ilbelow the ring53.

.Leaf springs l'.56 ,have oneof theirends bolted totheinneriaceof ,the ring .53.. The freaend of each of the leaf springs-56 engage ,one of the collector rings I. The outer ends of the bolts 51 which hold lthe vleaf springs 56 are connected with ywires l58 which are extended along the frames .I8 to .themotor-andgear,reduction unit 26. f ,l pin -59extendsfrom the hub [.3 and llably `of the track II.

engages into a complementary opening 60 formed in the ring 53 for causing the ring 53 to turn with the hub I3.

Means is provided for periodically turning the discs 3| during the rotations of the hub I3. This means comprises a projection 6I extended from each of the discs 3| through a slot 62 formed in the side of each discs supporting track 32. The free en'd `ofthe projection v6| isadapted to strike an abutment 63 mounted on an arm Slt-extended from the top end of the post I0. The arms 64 do not rotate, but with the abutments 63 extended into the pathtraversed by the free ends of the projections 6|, cont-act between the projections 6I and abutments 63, as shown in Fig. 6, will lcause the discs 3| to be turned slightly until the projections 6I by-pass the abutments 63.

A pin 65 is mounted upon the disc 3| and is extendedthrough a slot 66 formed in the side of the supporting track 32 of the disc 3|. A second pin 67 is mounted upon the track-32 at a point spaced :from the pin 65. Acontraction spring'68 is mounted between the

pins

65 and 61 for lurging the disc 3| back to its-normal starting .position when the projection hasfby-passed the abutment 63. k

The operation of the'device is as follows:

With the amusement device in the inoperative position shown in Fig. '1, persons-desiring a ride seat themselves upon the seats y44 and power is supplied to the motor and speed reduction unit 26 through the electricleads 52. This will drive the `frames I8 aboutfthe track II causing the outer endsy of the frames 'I8 to-go up and down as the rollers pass over the Wave-likeformati'ons This will cause the seats to swing to and fro'upon the 'ends of the arms 33'as they are oscillated by the links 45 while at the same time being turned eccentrically of the discs 3| as the projections 6I by-pass the abutments 63.

y This device may be used as a'iixed or portable amusement device at amusement places or built in miniature size with a small electric or spring motor andused as a toy.

While I have illustrated anddescribed the preferred embodiments of my invention, lit is to-bc understood that I do not limit myself tothe pre--v oise constructions hereinfdisclosed and the lright is'reserved to all changes and modificationscoming within the scope of ythe invention as defined inthe appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure'by'United State Letters 'Patent is:

l. A Vnovelty amusement 'air-ride apparatus having a stationary vertical post and an annular track arranged concentric with said post and having vertical wave-likeportions and ahub'rotatively mounted on said post with Vvertical frames extending radially from said hub and being Ypivotally connectedat their bottom portions with 'said hub and provided with'rollers riding said annular track and `means for` drawing-said frames along said track, a horizontal disc-hori-y zontally turnably mounted-on the .top-of -each frame, a "support arm .pi-votaly depending "BC- centrcaly from each of .said discs, Va -bumper mountedk on each of said discs behind said Ysupport arms, seats pivotally mounted'on the. bottom 'portions of said support arms, means for oscillating said seats about th'eir-pivotalisupports, and means for periodically `oscillating said vdiscs duringl rotations of said, hub. v

v2. .A novelty amusement aireride apparatus rhaving a stationary vertical post .andanannuiar track arranged concentric with said post and having vertical wave-like portions and a hub rotatively mounted on said post with vertical frames extending radially from said hub and being pivotally connected at their bottom portions with said hub and provided with rollers riding said annular track and means for drawing said frames along said track, a horizontal disc horizontally turnably mounted on the top of each frame, a support arm pivotally depending eccentrically from each of said discs, a bumper mounted on each of said discs behind said support arms, seats pivotally mounted on the bottom portions of said support arms, means for oscillating said seats about their pivotal supports, and means for periodically oscillating said discs during rotations of said hub, said discs being rotatively supported in annular tracks mounted upon the top of said frames.

3. A novelty amusement air-rideV apparatus having a stationary vertical post and an annular track arranged concentric with said post and having vertical wave-like portions and a hub rotatively mounted on said post with vertical frames extending radially from said hub and being pivotally connected at their bottom portions with said hub and provided with rollers riding said annular track and means for drawing said frames along said track, a horizontal disc horizontally turnably mounted on the top of each frame, a support arm pivotally depending eccentrically from each of said discs, a bumper mounted on each of said discs behind said support arms, seats pivotally mounted on the bottom portions of said support arms, means for oscillating said seats about their pivotal supports, and means for periodically oscillating said discs during rotations of said hub, said bumpers comprising brackets depending from said discs, hollow containers mounted on the bottom ends of said brackets, bumper members extending from said hollow containers and springs within said containers urging said bumper members into extended positions. i

4. A novelty amusement air-ride apparatus having a stationary vertical post and an annular track arranged Aconcentric with said post and having vertical wave-like portions and a hub rotatively mounted on said post with vertical frames extending radially from said hub and being pivotally connected at their bottom portions with said hub and provided With rollers riding said annular track and means for drawing said frames along said track, a horizontal disc horizontally turnably mounted on the top of each frame, a support arm pivotally depending eccentrically from each of said discs, a bumper mounted on each of said discs behind said support arms, seats pivotally mounted on the bottom portions of said support arms, means for oscillating said seats about their pivotal supports,

and means for periodically oscillating said discs during rotations of said hub, each of said arms having a casing at its bottom end, a horizontal shaft extending rotatively through said casing and said seats being mounted in open top containers mounted upon the ends of said shafts and comprising the pivotal mounting of said seats.

5. A novelty amusement air-ride apparatus having a stationary vertical post and an annular track arranged concentric with said post and having vertical wave-like portions and a hub rotatively mounted on said post with vertical frames extending radially from said hub and being pivotally connected at their bottom portions with said hub'and provided with rollers riding said annular track and means for drawing said frames along said track, a horizontal disc horizontally turnably mounted on the top of each frame, a support arm pivotally depending eccentrically from each of said discs, a bumper mounted on each of said discs behind said support arms, seats pivotally mounted on the bottom portions of said support arms, means for oscillating said seats about their pivotal supports, and means for periodically oscillating said discs during rotations of said hub, each of said arms having a casing at its bottom end, a horizontalshaft extending rotatively through said each casing and said seats being mounted in open top containers mounted upon the ends of said shafts and comprising the pivotal mounting of said seats, said means for oscillating said seats comprising rods connected t0 radial links extending from said shafts and to points above the pivots of said arms. 6. A novelty amusement air-ride apparatus .having a stationary vertical post and an annular track arranged concentric with said post and having vertical wave-like portions and a hub rotatively mounted on said post with vertical frames extending radially from said hub and being pivotally connected at their bottom portions With said hub and provided with rollers riding said annular track and means for drawing said frames along said track, a horizontal disc horizontally turnably mounted on the top of each frame, a support arm pivotally depending eccentrically from each of said discs, a bumper mounted on each of said discs behind said support arms, seats pivotally mounted on the bottom portions of said support arms, means for oscillating said seats about their pivotal supports, and means for periodically oscillating said discs during rotations of said hub, said latter means comprising projections extending from said discs, abutments mounted on said post and extending into the path traversed by said projections to cause said discs to turn slightly until said projections bypass said abutments and resilient means urging said discs back to their former positions.

JOHN PSAILA.