US3451673A - Floatingly supported undulating platform - Google Patents

Description

June 24, 1969 K. w. MATSON FLOATINGLY SUPPORTED UNDULATING PLATFORM Sheet of 3 Filed Dec. 20, 1965 INVENTOR. KENNETH W [WATSON ATTORNEYS Sheet 2 Ora June 24,1969 K. w. MATSON FLOATINGLY SUPPORTED UNDULATING PLATFORM Filed Dec. 20, 1965 June 24, 1969 K. w. MATSON 3,451,673

FLOATINGLY SUPPORTED UNDULATING PLATFORM Filed Dec. 20, 1965 INVENTOR- KENNETH W MATSON S BY gg i MA 3M AT TORIVE YS United States Patent 3,451,673 FLOATINGLY SUPPORTED UNDULATING PLATFORM Kenneth W. Matson, 2488 Loop Road, F ortuna, Calif. 95540 Filed Dec. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 514,783 Int. Cl. A63g 1/08, 3/00 US. Cl. 27235 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates generally to amusement devices and more particularly to a commercial amusement device for use in amusement parks. The device presents a continuously undulating surface upon which sliding or wheeled vehicles or devices, capable of carrying riders, are accelerated to continuous, circularly controlled motion on the continually rising, sloping surface, much in the manner of a surfer riding before the crest of a wave.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an amusement device having a large, preferably circular surface or platform, suitably buoyed by a fluid body, to which platform is imparted a progressively continuous rocking or undulating motion by an actuating means, thereby providing a continuously rising, inclined slope about a generally circular path upon which a skateboard rider, for example, can accelerate due to gravity effects.

It is another object of the invention to provide an amusement device having a large circular platform supported by a buoyant float member with the weight of the device supported by a fluid body, and an actuator means adapted to impart a circularly progressive undulating motion to the platform.

The invention can be more fully understood referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified, partially cross-sectioned view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a disassembled perspective view of a valve assembly for use in the particular embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a simplified partially cross-sectioned view of the invention utilizing alternative actuator and anchoring embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an actuator means employed in the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a simplified view in partial cross section of an embodiment employing an alternative actuator means;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mechanical-eccentric actuator means used in the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 are simplified views in partial cross section of further embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a cross-section view showing additional modifications of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown an amusement device 10 comprising a platform 12, rigidly secured to a float means 14 having preferably a rounded bottom, the combination defining a floating platform assembly 16. The device is shown somewhat out of proportion in order to more clearly depict the various features thereof and their coaction.

3,451,673 Patented June 24, 1969 The floating platform assembly 16 is placed within a fluid enclosure or tank 18 situated either on top of the ground or sunken in the ground as shown. Accordingly, a preferred tank 18 embodiment would utilize a swimming pool type of construction employing steel or concrete, wherein the enclosure is sunken in the ground. The tank 18 is filled with a fluid such as oil or water 20, but preferably water. The tank 18 is preferably circular in shape and has a diameter slightly larger than the float 14 diameter.

The platform 12 may have a diameter either larger than that of the tank 18 or smaller; that is, equal to the diameter of the float means 14 as described hereinafter. In the larger platform diameter embodiment a portion 22 of the periphery of platform 12 overlaps the circular edge of the sunken tank 18.

In all embodiments the depth of the fluid 20 is selected and maintained to provide the desired level of the platform 12 with respect to the tank 18, to allow the desired slope to be imparted to the floating platform assembly 16 by an actuator means further described hereinafter. To this end, a reservoir 21 is provided near the tank 18 and fluid is either introduced to or withdrawn from the tank, as desired to maintain the level therein, via an interconnecting pipe system and a two-way fluid pump 23.

For example, if there is approximately a two-foot vertical clearance between the platform 12 and the tank edge of the overhanging platform embodiment, the total vertical distance through which the platform periphery could move would be four feet. If the diameter of the platform 12 were of the order of feet, the angle which is imparted thereto relative to a horizontal plane is of the order of five degrees. This angle would be the angle of the continuously rising inclined slope upon and down which skateboard riders accelerate in a generally circular path.

Entrance and exit to the platform 12 is provided for riders via a peripheral gangway means 24 which utilizes various arrangements of horizontally extending walkways 25 and vertically extending ramps or Stairways 27. The stairway 27 is provided with wheels at its lower end and rides upon the platform 12, and is hinged at its upper end to compensate for the vertical movement of the platform.

Various means are provided to actuate the floating platform assembly 16 to impart the desired motion thereto. As shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of an actuator means 26 comprises a hydraulically operated, jet-action system utilizing a pump 28 having a driving motor 30 and which is secured firmly within the inside volume of the float means 14, preferably at the central axis region, or the center of moment thereof.

An intake pipe 32 extends from the inlet of the pump 28 along the central axis of the float means 14, with the lower end thereof open to the fluid 20 within tank 18'. A plurality of jet pipes 34 are secured at the centermost ends thereof to the output side of the pump 28 via a rotating, multiple outlet valve 38, and extend radially outward therefrom with the outermost ends thereof sealed to respective jets 36 and to the surrounding holes in the float means wall. The number of jet pipes 34 and jets 36 can vary fromthree to several more and is herein exemplified as numbering four.

In operation, water is sucked up from the tank 18 into the pump 28 via the intake pipe 32 and is sequentially forced out through the jets 36 via jet pipes 34, starting with one jet and continuing in order either clockwise or counterclockwise through the remaining three jets. The order and speed with which the jets 36 are operated is determined and maintained by means of the rotating, multiple outlet valve 38 disposed in the fluid flow path between pipes 34 and the pumps 28, and further described hereinafter.

To prevent rotation of the floating platform assembly 16, an anchoring system is provided in coupling relation between the tank 18 and assembly 16, one embodiment exemplifying the system being shown in FIG. 1.

Accordingly, a particular anchoring means 40 comprises a plurality of cables 42 secured at their upper ends to a selected spot along the periphery of the floating platform assembly 16 and secured at their lower end to a weight 44. A plurality of ring members 46 are secured to the wall of tank 18 at points thereabout in line with their respective cables 42. Cables 42 pass through respective ring members 46, and the weights 44 secured thereto keep the cables taut to prevent rotation or horizontal translation of the floating platform assembly 16 during actuation thereof by any of the various actuator means 26 herein described.

Consider now in greater detail the jet-action actuator means 26 depicted in FIG. 1 and more particularly, the rotatable, multiple outlet valve 38. Water is directed to the jets 36 in progressive order and under pressure by means of the rotating valve 38, an exemplifying embodiment of which is detailed in FIG. 2.

Accordingly, valve 38 comprises a cylindrical housing 60 having a plurality of radially extending outlets 62 connected to respective jet pipes 34. The lower end of the housing 60 is threaded or otherwise adapted, as with flanges, to demountably receive a housing cover 64 to seal off the respective end of housing 60. An axially extending valve inlet pipe 66 is secured to the cover 64 and extends therefrom to connect to an outlet 68 on the pump 28. A motor 70 is secured in sealed relation to the upper end of housing 60 as by means of flanges 72 and bolts 74, with a gasket 76 disposed therebetween. Motor 70 drives a shaft 78 which extends axially into the housing 60, via a suitable gear means (not shown) coupled therebetween to provide the required shaft speed.

A cylindrical valve rotor 80 is rotatably disposed in snug relation concentrically within the housing 60, and is provided with a single circumferentially extending port 82 in the sidewall thereof. The port 82 is located in register with the openings of the plurality of radially extending outlets 62 of the housing 60. The circumferential length of the port 82 is chosen such that at least one outlet 62 will be open at all times, even during the time interval when fluid flow is being cut off from one jet pipe 34 and directed to the next pipe 34. The rotor 80 has a hub '84 concentrically secured therein as by means of braces 86, and which is internally splined to mate with the extended shaft 78.

As may be seen, rotation of the rotor 80 via motor 70, will provide sequential opening of a single outlet 62 and simultaneous closure of the remaining outlets 62, whereby fluid will be forced from the respective jet 36 to provide a lifting action therefrom. There is a brief period during rotation of the rotor 80 when a varying portion of two adjacent outlets 62 are opening and closing respectively, such that pump 28 at all times delivers a flow of fluid in varying degree to at least one or more of the jets 36.

Referring now to FIG. 3 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the invention exemplifying in turn alternative embodiments 24', 26a and 40' of the gangway means 24, the actuator means 26, and the anchoring means 40, respectively. In this embodiment the portion 22 of the platform 12 overlaps or extends radially over the edge of the tank 18, thus requiring a preselected level of fluid 20 be maintained in the tank 18 to allow imparting the desired amount of angle to the platform 12 by means of the actuator means 26a hereinafter described.

The gangway means 24', termed a center gangway means, comprises a horizontal walkway 102 cantilevered over extending to the center of the platform 12, and a vertical ramp or stairway 104 which extends from the end of the horizontal walkway 102 to the platform 12. In this embodiment it is necessary that the horizontal walkway 102 be disposed at a suflicient height above the platform 12 to allow passage therebelow of standing participants or riders when the platform 12 rises to its maximum height therebelow.

The vertical stairway 104 comprises stairs, a ladder, or a ramp, which rests at its lower end upon the platform 12 and is hinged to the walkway 102 at its upper end. Since there is little vertical motion as well as rotational movement at the center of the platform, any wheeled or sled device can be utilized to contact the platform, or the vertical stairway 104 can be rigidly suspended from the horizontal walkway 102 a short distance above the platform 12.

In any event, a guard rail 106 is provided around the stairway 104 to prevent riders from colliding therewith. In addition a safety fence or rail 107 is provided around the periphery of the platform 12 to prevent riders from being thrown, or otherwise falling, from the platform.

The actuator means, herein termed truck actuator means 260 comprises a self-propelled trolley or truck 108 which is confined between, and disposed to run along, a convex or male lower track 110 concentrically secured circumjacently about the tank 18 edge, and a concave or female upper track 112 concentrically secured to the underside of the peripheral portion 22 in register with the male track 110. The major diameters of the two tracks are substantially equal.

Movement of the truck 108 along the periphery of the platform 12 and tank 18 between the tracks 110 and 112 forces same apart to impart a progressive, undulating motion to the platform 12. As depicted, at the lowest point of the tilted platform, that is the point diametrically opposite the position of the truck 108, the male and female tracks mate to provide additional stability to the floating platform assembly 16.

The truck 108 may be provided with a hydraulically operated ram 111 and associated hydraulic pump (not shown) disposed to reciprocate vertically to provide readily readjusting the platform angle relative to the tracks and the fluid level. Further, the ram 111 may be reciprocated during operation of the platform 12 to provide an additional rise-and-fall motion of greater frequency while the platform is undulating due to truck 108 motion as heretofore described.

The platform assembly 16 is prevented from rotating by means of the anchoring means, termed a solid anchoring means 40', which comprises a plurality of ring members 114 rigidly secured to the float mean-s 14 about a circumference thereof. An equal plurality of anchor bars 116 are rigidly secured to the walls of the tank 18 at points opposite respective, confining ring members 114, and are formed and secured to provide an elongated central position which matches the arcuate contour of the rounded float means 14 and along which the respective rings reciprocate.

Referring to FIG. 4, the self-propelled truck 108 of previous mention comprises a general support structure 118, wherein is rotatably secured a pair of concave wheels formed to match the curvature of the male track 110. The upper portion of the support structure 118 forms the hydraulic ram 111, upon which is rotatably secured at least one convex wheel 122, preferably by means of a shaft. However, the wheel 122 could be a spherical ball disposed within a socket formed at the top of the ram 111.

Motivation for the truck 108 is provided by a suitable power source, such as for example, an electric motor or gas engine, herein depicted by numeral 124. Torque generated thereby is delivered to one or both of the concave wheels 120 via a drive chain and sprocket system 126.

It is obvious that various Wheeled vehicles could be utilized in place of the truck 108, which may utilize various numbers of differently shaped wheels in various configurations, depending for example on the cross section of the tracks 110, 112, and their placement. Likewise other means of motivating the truck 108, external therefrom, could be adapted; for example, motivation could be by means of an endless cable disposed within or along the male track 110, in a manner such as employed in motivating cable cars.

Referring now to FIG. 5 there is shown another embodiment of the invention utilizing an alternative actuator means, herein termed a mechanical-eccentric actuator means 26b further detailed in FIG. 6, and an alternative anchoring means 40". The mechanical-eccentric actuator means 26b provides the progressively undulating platform motion by utilizing an eccentric drive assembly 202 coupled between the float means 14 and a power source 204.

More particularly a heavy pin 206 is rigidly secured to the bottom of the float means 14 in coaxially depending relation. The power source 204, which is preferably an electric motor, is secured to the bottom of the tank 18 or within a depression therein, as shown. The power source 204 includes an integral gear system (not shown) for imparting the selected rotational velocity to a drive shaft 208 coupled to, and extending vertically up from, the gear system.

A drive wheel 210 is coaxially secured to the drive shaft 208 and is rotated thereby. A ball socket 212 i formed in the drive wheel 210 at a selected radius from the center thereof, the radius being determined by the amount of angular translation required of pin 206 to impart the desired degree of angle to the platform 12. A ball 214 is slidably disposed on pin 206 via a hole therethrough, and is secured within the socket 212 which acts as a race.

Upon rotation of the wheel 210 the pin 206 is free to rotate and pivot as well as axially translate with respect to the ball 214 and wheel. It is to be understood that the actuator means 26b could be inverted whereby the power source 204 would be secured to the float means 14 and the pin 206 would be secured in pivotable relation, generally perpendicular to the floor of the tank 18.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the alternative anchoring means 40" comprises a plurality of cables 215 secured at their upper ends to the wall of tank 18, and which extend downward and inwardly through respective rings 217 alongside float means 14, to secure to the floor of the tank 18 by means of respective, heavy tension springs 219. However, any of the anchoring means described herein could be utilized. Likewise, gangway means 24 is shown only by way of exemplifying an entranceexit system for riders.

Referring to FIG. 7 there is shown another actuator means embodiment, herein termed a cable-eccentric actuator means 260, which employs an eccentric drive assembly 202 similar to that of FIG. 5. A power source 216 and associated gear system (not shown) is coaxially secured within the bottom of float means 14 with a drive shaft 218 extending coaxially through the bottom thereof in sealed relation.

A drive wheel 220 is coaxially secured to the drive shaft 218. A pin 222 is aflixed to the wheel 220 in parallel relation to the shaft 218 at a selected radius therefrom. A plurality of cables 224 are secured at one end to the pin 222 by means of a bearing-mounted collar or sleeve member (not shown) which is free to rotate relative to the pin 222. The other ends of the cables 224 are each connected to a ring 226 secured to the wall of the tank 18; wherein the cables extend tautly between the pin 222 and rings 226. It is preferable that there be three cables 224, although a plurality of cables greater than three is suitable.

As may be seen, rotation of wheel 220 causes pin 222 to rotate in place at a point fixed by the cables 224, thus forcing the wheel 220 to precess about the pin 222, with a corresponding circular movement of the center of the float means 14.

An anchoring means is provided as exemplified by the solid anchoring means 40'. In addition, although not shown herein the various adjunct apparatus, i.e., gangway means, safety rails, are necessarily included as they are in all embodiments.

Still another embodiment is shown in FIG. 8 utilizing a combination actuator and anchoring means depicted by numeral 230. A cable-eccentric actuator means 26d similar to that shown in FIG. 7 utilizing the eccentric drive assembly 202 is employed, and is secured coaxially within the float means 14 immediately below the circular platform 12. A power source 232 and integral gear system (not shown) provides torque to a drive shaft 234. A drive wheel 236 is coaxially secured to the end of the drive shaft 234, and has a pin 238 rigidly aflixed thereto a selected distance from the shaft 234 and generally parallel thereto.

The pin 238 is provided with a bearing-mounted collar or sleeve member (not shown) which rotates relative thereto, and which has means for securing the respective ends of a plurality of cables 240 thereto. The cables 240 extend radially outward therefrom to pass first over respective pulleys 242 rotatably secured immediately within the wall of the float means 14, and thence through respective pulleys 244 secured to the walls of the tank 18 at a horizontal level below that of the pulleys 242 when at their lowest level. The opposite ends of the cables 240 are connected to respective posts 246 imbedded in the walls of tank 18 at a desired level. As may be seen, the particular actuator system inherently provides an anchoring means because of fixed pulleys 244, although if desired an additional anchoring means may be used.

Referring to FIG. 9 there is shown an alternative cable-eccentric actuator means 265:, utilizing the eccentric drive assembly 202. The torque provided by a power source 250 is coupled to respective ends of a plurality of cables 252 via a gear system (not shown), a drive shaft 254, a drive wheel 256, and a pin 258'.

The cables 252 extend radially outward to pass through pulleys 260 secured to the walls of the tank 18, and thence upwardly to pass through pulleys 261 also secured to the wall of tank 18. The cables are then fastened to fasteners 262 on the sides of the float means 14. Thus the actuator means 26e of FIG. 9 provides a combination actuator-anchoring means such as described in FIG. 8. However, the upper pulleys 261 could be dispensed with, and the cables connected directly to the fasteners 262. Furthermore, additional anchoring means such as 40, 40' may be employed herein. In fact, although cables 252 are shown passing through pulleys 260 and 261, the cables could be disposed outwardly from the pin 258 along the bottom curvature of the float means 14 to fasten directly to the fasteners 262 without need for any pulleys.

Another actuator means herein termed a multiple-ram actuator means 26 is shown in FIG. 10. The system preferably utilizes three hydraulic rams 264 equally spaced about the periphery of the floating platform assembly 16, and adapted to reciprocate vertically between the edge of tank 18 and the overhanging portion 22 of the platform 12. The rams 264 could be pneumatically operated rather than hydraulically operated.

The rams 264 are sequentially operated in order via a fluid pump system 266, with fluid held in a reservoir 268, by means of a multiple outlet valve 270 which directs the flow of hydraulic fluid under pressure to the rams 264 via supply pipes 272. Thus, as one ram is expanded the previously expanded rams are allowed to contract in sequence, by action of the valve 270, whereupon an undulating motion is imparted to the platform 12.

Various modifications to the invention are shown in FIG. 11. For example, the flat platform 12 previously shown may be replaced by a saucer-shaped platform 12'. In addition, to provide additional stabilization to the floating platform assembly 16, a conical depression 274 is coaxially formed into the bottom of the float means 14, and a pivot support 276 is disposed with the apex thereof fitted into the depression 274. The pivot support 276 is provided with a jack or ram system 278, whereby the upper portion thereof can be lowered or raised with respect to the base to provide vertical adjustment of the support 276.

The support 276 is thus adjusted in height relative to the fluid level so that it receives only a very minor amount of weight but rests snugly within the depression 274. Lateral movement of the floating platform assembly 16 is prevented thereby, and greater stability and smoothness of motion is imparted to the platform.

By way of example only, the platform 12 is preferably formed of wood with a diameter of the order of 100 feet, and the float means is formed of steel, aluminum or wood with a rounded or semi-conical shape having a depth of twelve to twenty feet at the center thereof.

While the invention has been described herein relative to several embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made thereon within the scope of the invention. For example, two of the above-described actuator means 26-26:: and/or two of the anchoring means 40-40" may be employed with a single device and operated either simultaneously or consecutively as required to impart the desired motion to the platform 12. In addition, the platform 12 and/or 12' may be formed with regularly or randomly disposed waves on the surface thereof to provide an additional vertical roller-coaster" efiect and an added thrill to the ride.

I claim:

1. An amusement device for use in amusement parks upon which riders are accelerated along a generally circular path comprising;

(a) tank means disposed upon the ground and containing a predetermined amount of fluid;

(b) a floating platform assembly including a platform buoyantly supported at a selected level within said tank means upon the fluid therein;

(c) anchoring means coupled between said tank means and said floating platform assembly to prevent appreciable rotation of the latter with respect to the tank means;

(d) actuator means coupled to said floating platform assembly to impart a continually progressive lifting action to the platform assembly about the periphery thereof, wherein the platform describes a continuously progressing undulating motion before which the riders are accelerated; and

(e) means extending from the edge of said tank means to said floating platform assembly for access and exit thereto by said riders.

2. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the floating platform assembly comprises a generally circular float means having a generally rounded bottom of selected depth, and a circular platform integrally disposed upon the float means.

3. The amusement device of claim 2 further including a reservoir containing additional fluid disposed near the tank means, a pump system adapted to transport fluid between said tank means and reservoir, whereby the quantity of fluid in said tank means is adjusted to select the float level of said platform.

4; The amusement device of claim 2 wherein said anchoring means further comprises a plurality of rings rigidly secured in spaced relation about the circumference of the tank below the lowest excursion of the platform, a plurality of cables secured at their upper ends to the periphery of the floating platform assembly in spaced relation thereabout and disposed to pass downwardly through respective rings, and a plurality of heavy weights secured to the lower ends of their respective cables in suspended relation within the tank means.

5. e amusement device of claim 2 wherein said anchoring means comprises a plurality of rings rigidly secured in spaced relation along the circumference of the floating platform assembly, and a plurality of cables are secured at their upper ends to the tank means circumference and at their lower ends via respective heavy tension springs to the floor of said tank means.

6. The amusement device of claim 2 wherein said anchoring means comprises a plurality of rings rigidly secured in spaced relation about the circumference of the floating platform assembly, and an equal plurality of bars secured at either end to the wall of said tank means at spots vertically opposite said rings and having a central elongated portion thereof curved to match and lie adjacent the vertically extending curvature of said float means, wherein said elongated portion passes through and is laterally confined by said respective rings.

7. The amusement device of claim 2 wherein said actuator means comprises fluid jet means oriented downwardly at spaced intervals about a circumference of said float means below the level of the fluid, pipe means coupled to said jet means at respective ends thereof, fluid directing and pumping means coupled between the other ends of said pipe means and the fluid in the tank and adapted to remove fluid from said tank means and thereafter to sequentially force the water downwardly out of the fluid jet means located about the circumference of said float means.

8. The amusement device of claim 2 wherein said actuator means further comprises a hydraulic pump having an inlet and outlet and secured within said float means along generally the axis thereof, means coupled to said pump for actuating same, inlet pipe means extending from said pump inlet to the bottom of said float means in communication with the fluid in said tank means, a plurality of pipes extending radially outward in spaced apart relation within said float means to protrude in sealed relation slightly through the float means wall below the fluid level, a multiple outlet rotatable valve coupled at its inlet to said pump outlet and at its multiple outlets to respective pipes of said radially extending pipes, means for rotating said rotatable valves at a selected speed to sequentially open each of the multiple outlets to said pump outlet, and a plurality of jets disposed on respective protruding ends of said radially extending pipes, whereby synchronous actuation of said pump and said valve forces fluid out through said plurality of spaced jets in timed and progressive sequence.

9. The amusement device of claim 2 wherein said actuator means comprises a plurality of hydraulic rams disposed in bearing relation against said platform at spaced intervals thereabout, and means including a hydraulic pump and selective valve coupled to said rams to selec tively' reciprocate same in timed sequence to urge said platform upward progressively about its periphery.

10. The amusement device of claim 2 wherein the outer periphery of said platform extends radially over the edge of said tank means, and said actuator means comprises a first continuous track concentrically secured to the underside of the overhanging periphery of said platform, a second continuous track circumjacently secured about the edge of the tank means in register immediately below the first track, wheeled truck means having a variable vertical height and disposed between said first and second tracks to be confined therebetween, means coupled to said truck for driving same along and between said tracks at a selected speed, and means disposed within said truck for adjusting said variable vertical height thereof.

11. The amusement device of claim 10 wherein said wheeled truck means has a plurality of flanged lower and upper wheels which mate in confining relation over said second and first tracks respectively, said truck driving means comprises a motor secured to said truck means and adapted to rotatably drive said plurality of lower wheels, and said means for adjusting the vertical height of said truck means comprises a reciprocable hydraulic ram.

12. The amusement device of claim 2 wherein said actuator means comprises a power source including a gear system secured to said tank means, an eccentric drive assembly coupled to said gear system and rotatable thereby, and means extending from said eccentric drive assembly to said floating platform assembly to transmit the rotational motion of the drive assembly to the platform assembly to impart an undulating motion thereto.

13. The amusement device of claim 12 wherein said eccentric drive assembly comprises a rotatable wheel having a drive pin secured thereto at a selected radial distance from the center thereof, and said means extending from said drive assembly to said platform assembly further comprises a plurality of cables rotatably coupled at common ends thereof to said drive pin, said cables extending in spaced relation radially outwardly to secure at their other ends to said floating platform assembly.

14. The amusement device of claim 13 wherein said cables pass through respective pulleys secured to the tank means Wall and from thence to said floating platform assembly at points immediatley below the platform.

15. The amusement device of claim 2 wherein said actuator means comprises a power source including a gear system secured to said floating platform assembly, an eccentric drive assembly coupled to said gear system and rotatable thereby, and means extending from said eccentric drive assembly to said tank to confine and thus translate the rotational motion of the eccentric drive assembly into corresponding circular motion of a coaxial point on the bottom of the float means.

16. The amusement device of claim 15 wherein said power source and gear system is secured within the hottom of said float means, said eccentric drive assembly is secured to the bottom of said float means and includes a rotatable wheel having a drive pin secured thereto at a selected radial distance from the center thereof, and said means extending from the eccentric drive assembly to said tank means comprises a plurality of cables rotatably coupled at common ends thereof to said drive pin, said cables extending radially outward therefrom in spaced relation to secure at their other ends to the Wall of said tank means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 621,726 3/ 1899 Wiemer 272-32 923,489 6/ 1909 Chance 27235 1,193,094 8/ 1916 Wendt 272-32 1,357,995 11/ 1920 Kitterman 27232 1,409,07 1 3 1922 Veaux -1 272-3 5 1,661,864 3/1928 Zabel 272-35 1,661,865 3/1928 Zabel 27235 2,389,45 6 11/ 1945 Piesch 27232 2,938,726 5/ 1960 Hunter 272.-32

FOREIGN PATENTS 220,685 8/ 1924 Great Britain.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. R. W. DIAZ, Assistant Examiner.

Images