WO1996004051A1

WO1996004051A1 - Fairground attraction

Info

Publication number: WO1996004051A1
Application number: PCT/NL1995/000268
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hette Knijpstra
Original assignee: Knijpstra Konstruktie B.V.
Priority date: 1994-08-05
Filing date: 1995-08-04
Publication date: 1996-02-15
Also published as: DE9412937U1; NL9401281A

Abstract

A fairground attraction, comprising at least one arm mounted on a supporting construction for rotation about a rotation axis extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the arm and located at a distance above the ground, the arm at at least one outer end thereof carrying an elongated seat support comprising at least one number of seats, and first drive means being provided which, in operation, can rotate the arm about the rotation axis. The rotation axis is an inclined axis, including an acute angle with both the vertical plane and the horizontal plane; and the seat support is mounted on the arm for rotation about a first axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the seat support, the first axis including an angle with the arm so that the seats in the lowest position are suspended substantially horizontally. The seats are further rotatable about a second axis extending substantially transversely to the first axis.

Description

Title: Fairground attraction

The invention relates to a fairground attraction, comprising at least one arm which is mounted on a supporting construction for rotation about a rotation axis extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the arm and located at a distance above the ground, the arm at at least one outer end thereof carrying at least one seat support comprising a number of seats, and drive means being provided capable of rotating the arm, in operation, about the rotation axis. Such an attraction comprising a single seat support or gondola is known from practice. By the name of "magic carpet", for instance, an apparatus is exploited having a vertical mast and an arm mounted adjacent the top end of the mast, which arm is rotatable about a horizontal axis. At one end, the arm carries an elongated gondola comprising a relatively large number of seats. At the other end, the arm comprises a counterweight. Further, drive means, typically comprising one or more hydromotors, are provided, capable of rotating the arm. The arm, together with the gondola located at one outer end thereof, swivels round in a vertical plane located next to the mast. The seats comprise safety bars, so that the passengers are firmly held in position. This is important in particular for the top path of the gondola, because the gondola is then suspended upside down. Although the known attraction provides many visitors to fairgrounds and amusement parks with a pleasant and exciting ride, another group of people have a need for an attraction which provides an even more exciting ride with more sensation. The object of the invention is to meet this need and more generally to provide a fairground attraction which provides a safe and nevertheless sensational, exciting ride in a seat support or gondola swivelling round on an arm.

In accordance with the invention, to this end, a fairground attraction of the above-described type is characterized in that the rotation axis is an inclined axis, which includes an acute angle with both the vertical plane and the horizontal plane; that the at least one seat support is mounted on the arm for rotation about a first axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the seat support, the first shaft including an angle with the arm so that the seats, in the lowest position, are suspended substantially horizontally; and that the seats are further at least rotatable about a second axis extending substantially transversely to the first axis. It is observed that from US patent specification 2 294 166, a fairground apparatus is known per se which comprises an arm rotatable about an inclined axis located at a distance above the ground. At the two outer ends, the arm carries gondola supports, which, in operation, undergo a forced rotation. However, the gondola supports each carry two elongated gondolas, suspended in such a manner that the passengers are always seated substantially upright. Hence, the gondolas cannot rotate about an axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axes of the gondolas. Consequently, the passengers of the apparatus known from US patent specification 2 294 166 undergo completely different and less varied sensations from the passengers of an apparatus, according to the invention.

Hereinafter, the invention will be specified with reference to the accompanying drawings of some exemplary embodiments. In these drawings:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a view of an example of a first embodiment of an attraction according to the invention; Fig. 2 schematically shows a modification of the suspension of the seat supports shown in Fig. 1;

Figs 3 and 4 schematically show an example of a vaniant of the attraction of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 schematically shows another variant of the attraction of Fig. 1; and Fig. 6 shows, by way of example, a third variant.

Fig. 1 schematically shows an example of an apparatus 1 according to the invention. In the example shown, the apparatus comprises a mast 2, which is disposed substantially vertically but which at its upper end comprises a top element 3, on which an arm 4 is rotatably mounted in such a manner that the rotation axis 5 of the arm includes an angle with both the horizontal and the vertical plane. As is shown, the top element itself can be mounted on the mast at an angle, but this is not necessary. The mast may comprise supports or hauling cables, not shown, extending obliquely to the ground surface 6, or may be supported or even completely replaced by a suitable frame structure. By means of first drive means, known per se and not shown, which first drive means may for instance comprise a hydromotor, the arm 4 can be rotated about the axis 5.

At one outer end 7, the arm 4 carries an elongated gondola 8. The other outer end 9 of the arm has a counterweight 10. The gondola comprises a number of seats

11,12 disposed behind one another. In the example shown, the seats are positioned so that the passengers sit with their backs turned towards the central portion 17 of the gondola. However, the seats can also be positioned otherwise, for instance so that the passengers face one of the longitudinal sides of the gondola. By its central portion 17, the gondola is rotatably suspended from the arm 4. The relevant rotation axis 13 is transverse to the longitudinal axis 14 of the gondola and makes an angle α with the longitudinal center line 15 of the arm 4. The angle α is so selected that in its lowest position, the gondola is horizontal, while in its highest position the gondola can be in such a position that the axis 13 extends horizontally or at a slight incline relative to the horizontal position. Accordingly, the gondola can be in vertical or approximately vertical position. As will further appear hereinbelow, in its highest position the gondola may also extend horizontally, but then lying edgewise. The angle α and the incline of the axis 5 can for instance both be 45 degrees. The highest position of the gondola 8 is shown in Fig. 1 at the left-hand top at 8' . The gondola can rotate about the axis 13 so that in the highest position the passengers look alternately downwards and upwards. The rotation about the axis 13 can be a free rotation, but is preferably a forced, optionally variable rotation, which may be derived via transmission means in a known manner from the rotation of the arm 4 about the axis 5 or be effected by separately controllable second drive means, optionally via transmission means.

The gondola 8 is further rotatable about an axis 16 extending transversely to the axis 13. The axis 16 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 14 of the gondola and has, in the lowest position of the gondola, a substantially horizontal position. In the example shown, the axis 16 lies in the central portion 17.

The rotation of the gondola about the axis 16 can again be a free rotation, but is preferably a forced, optionally controllable and variable rotation.

For this purpose, drive means optionally coupled to the first and/or second drive means can be provided.

As desired, the various possible rotations about the axes 5,13 and 16 can further be reciprocating rotations or oscillations or rotations circulating completely through 360 degrees. Alternation between oscillation and complete rotation during the same ride is also possible.

Fig. 2 schematically shows an example of another manner of suspending a gondola of an apparatus according to the invention. In this example, the gondola 20 is suspended in a bow construction 21, which is in turn rotatable about the axis 13. The axis 13 constitutes a central axis of the bow construction, which is elongated and has a depending supporting arm 22 on two sides. The gondola 20 is suspended between the supporting arms 22 in such a manner that the gondola is in turn rotatable about an axis 14, which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gondola.

It is observed that after the foregoing, various modifications will readily occur to the skilled artisan. For instance, the arm could carry a gondola at both ends.

Further, the arm can have a bent end part, which in the lowest position of the end part extends substantially horizontally. The rotation axis of the gondola, which rotation axis is vertical in that position, then extends transversely to the end part and makes an acute angle with the rest of the arm. Further, the gondola can be of an open or (partly) closed, or closable design.

Also, the apparatus according to the invention can be controlled according to different programs. For this purpose, a control device may be present, determining in an adjustable manner the order and/or nature of the different rotation possibilities.

By way of example, some modifications are schematically shown in Figs 3-6.

Fig. 3 shows a variant wherein, instead of a gondola, which can be conceived to be composed of two gondola sections or seat supports extending on both sides of the rotation axis 13, several seat supports are employed, extending rotational- symmetrically and radially relative to the axis 13. By way of example, in Fig. 3, the position of five elongated seat supports relative to the rotation axis 13 is indicated by means of center lines 30,31,32,33,34. At 35, one of the seat supports is shown in more detail, yet still schematically. In this example, the seat support 35, which can again be of open design, or, by means of a covering, of an at least partly closed design, has five juxtaposed seats 36-40, each of which are of course fitted with the necessary safety provisions, such as for instance safety bars and/or safety belts and the like.

The seat supports can rotate or oscillate about the associated center lines, as is schematically indicated by an arrow 41 for the seat support 35. An arrow 42 illustrates the rotation possibilities relative to the axis 13.

As has already been observed, the seat support can be of open or (partly) closed or closable design. A ride in an open seat support provides a more exciting sensation. This effect can be further increased if the legs of the passengers are completely or partly freely suspended. This can for instance be realized by using no foot rest or a foot rest capable of being swung aside. Fig. 4 shows, in side elevation, the seat support 35 suspended from the arm 4. For clarity's sake, the seat supports located at the positions 30-33 of Fig. 3 are not shown in Fig. 4. In the example shown, the seat support 35 comprises a bearing girder 45, bearing the seats and coupled, via an arm 46 which, in the rest position of the seat support, extends obliquely upwards, to a bearing house 47, which is in turn mounted on the head 48 at the outer end of the arm 4 and which enables the desired rotation about the axis 34. The seat supports at the positions 30-33 are attached to the head 48 of the arm 4 in a similar manner as the seat support 34.

It goes without saying that a different number of seat supports can be used, for instance six pieces, or just one single seat support. Also, the number of seats per seat support can vary greatly in different embodiments. A single seat is possible, but also for instance 10 or 12 seats. Further, a seat support could carry two rows of seats, which may for instance be in back-to-back arrangement. This applies to all embodiments. Fig. 5 shows a variant according to which a number of assemblies, corresponding to the assembly of seats 36-40, bearing girder 45, arm 46 and bearing house 47, are suspended from an intermediate arm for rotatation about a vertical axis, which intermediate arm is in turn attached to the head 48 of the main arm 4 for rotation about the axis 13. In Fig. 5, only one of these assemblies is shown, indicated by 50. The intermediate arm is indicated by 51 and is in this example a curved arm. Relative to the intermediate axis 51, each assembly 50 is capable of rotating or oscillating about an axis 52, horizontal in the rest position, see arrow 53, and about an axis 54, substantially vertical in the rest position, see arrow 55. In the example shown, the axes 13 and 54 are parallel, but this is not necessary.

The head 48 can carry more than one intermediate arm, each comprising a number of assemblies corresponding to the assembly 50. In a practical exemplary embodiment, for instance three intermediate arms could be attached rotational- symmetrically to the head 48. In the above-described exemplary embodiments, the seats are fixedly mounted on top of the seat supports. Of course, it is also possible to mount the seats on the seat supports for rotation about a horizontal and/or vertical axis. A rotation of the seat supports about a horizontal transverse axis could replace the rotation about the axes 14 or 16 or 34 or 52, but could in principle also be added thereto.

The same applies if the seats are mounted so as to be suspended from the seat supports, which is possible in all embodiments described hereinabove, and which may even intensify the sensation of freely floating through the air. Fig. 6 schematically shows an example of an embodiment with hanging seats. Moreover, in the variant of Fig. 6, a second intermediate arm 60 is used, attached to the head 61 of the first intermediate arm 51 and rotatable about the substantially vertical axis 54. In this example, the second intermediate arm 60 carries a number of rotational- symmetrically mounted seat supports 62, one of which is visible. The seat supports 62 are suspended from the second intermediate arm 60 for rotation about a vertical axis 63 and each carry a number of suspended seats 64,65. The seats can be rotatable individually or in groups about a horizontal axis extending from left to right and/or from front to back, as is symbolized at 66,67. Optionally, the assembly of seat supports 62, too, can be suspended from the second intermediate arm for rotation about a horizontal axis. Alternatively, the second intermediate arm could be suspended from the first intermediate arm for rotation about a horizontal axis. Further, the seats could be rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the seat supports. These and similar modifications are considered to fall within the framework of the invention.

Claims

CJL&IUS

1. A fairground attraction, comprising at least one arm mounted on a supporting construction for rotation about a rotation axis extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the arm and located at a distance above the ground, the arm at at least one outer end thereof carrying at least one seat support comprising a number of seats, and first drive means being provided which are capable of rotating the arm, in operation, about the rotation axis, characterized in that the rotation axis is an inclined axis, including an acute angle with both the vertical plane and the horizontal plane; that the at least one seat support is mounted on the arm for rotation about a first axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the seat support, the first axis including an angle with the arm so that the seats in the lowest position are suspended substantially horizontally; and that the seats are further at least rotatable about a second axis extending substantially transversely to the first axis.

2. A fairground attraction according to claim 1, characterized in that the seat supports are designed as a gondola, suspended by a central portion of the gondola, wherein the second axis is located, the seats for the passengers being located on both sides of the central portion.

3. A fairground attraction according to claim 1, characterized in that the seat supports are designed as a gondola, suspended in a bow construction having an elongated part which is mounted on the arm for rotation about the first axis, and two depending arms located adjacent the outer ends of the horizontal part, between which arms the gondola is mounted for rotation about the second axis.

4. A fairground attraction according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inclined axis makes an angle of about 45 degrees with the horizontal plane.

5. A fairground attraction according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by second drive means capable of providing the seats, in operation, with a forced rotation about the first axis.

6. A fairground attraction according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by third drive means capable of providing the seats, in operation, with a forced rotation about the second axis.

7. A fairground attraction according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the second and/or third drive means are controllable and connected to a control device.

8. A fairground attraction according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the second and third drive means are coupled to each other.

9. A fairground attraction according to any one of claims 1 or 4-8, characterized in that the seat supports form an assembly of seat supports extending rotational-symmetrically and radially relative to a central portion, the central portion having a rotation axis which is substantially parallel to the first axis, and each seat being rotatable about an axis extending transversely to the first axis.

10. A fairground attraction according to claim 9, characterized in that the rotation axis of the central portion coincides with the first axis.

11. A fairground attraction according to claim 9, characterized in that the rotation axis of the central portion is spaced from the first axis, and that the central portion is connected, via an intermediate arm, to the outer end of the arm comprising the first axis.

12. A fairground attraction according to claim 9, characterized in that the rotation axis of the central portion is spaced from the first axis, and that the central portion is connected to one end of a first intermediate form whose other end is rotatable about an axis which is substantially parallel to the first axis and which is located at one end of a second intermediate arm, whose other end is connected to the outer end of the arm comprising the first axis.

13. A fairground attraction according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seats are rotatable about an axis extending substantially transversely to the first axis as the seat supports are rotatable about an axis extending transversely to the first axis.

14. A fairground attraction according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seats are rotatable relative to the seat supports about at least one axis.

15. A fairground attraction according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat supports are at least partly closable by means of a covering.

16. A fairground attraction according to any one of the preceding claims 1-14, characterized in that the seats are mounted on the seat supports so that, in operation, the legs of the passengers are substantially free.

17. A fairground attraction according to any one of claims 14-16, characterized in that the seats are rotatable relative to the associated seat supports about at least two rotation axes extending transversely to each other.

18. A fairground attraction according to any one of claims 1 and 4-17, characterized in that the seats are mounted so as to be suspended from the seat supports.