WO2002085478A1

WO2002085478A1 - Amusement ride

Info

Publication number: WO2002085478A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2002/000066
Authority: WO
Inventors: Craig Alan Shepherd; Philip Arthur Mcgaveston; Robert Cummins; Neil Horace Harrap
Original assignee: Craig Alan Shepherd; Philip Arthur Mcgaveston; Robert Cummins; Neil Horace Harrap
Priority date: 2001-04-20
Filing date: 2002-04-19
Publication date: 2002-10-31
Also published as: NZ511232A; EP1389148A1

Abstract

An amusement ride including a rigid member (2) supported over a curved path and extending between a high end (9) and a low end (4), and at least one harness arranged to hold at least one rider, the harness including attachment means arranged to slidingly engage with the rigid member (2) to enable the harness to descend carrying the rider from the high end (9) to the low end (4).

Description

AMUSEMENT RIDE FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to amusement rides and in particular to a ride with a rider or riders in a harness suspended from a rigid member or rail.

BACKGROUND

Rides have been devised to move a rider from one point to another with the ride following the line of a cable. In these rides the rider either holds onto or sits on a cross beam suspended from the cable or rides in a cart suspended from a cable, or similar. These "flying fox" rides begin at a higher point above the ground and end point away from the start point and nearer the ground than the start point. A disadvantage with a flying fox ride is that once the ride is finished the crossbeam or cart must be retrieved from the end point. Another disadvantage is that a flying fox typically runs along a straight path and cannot be formed into a circular route.

Another form of ride is the roller coaster where riders are strapped or otherwise held in seats in carriages that move along a track. The roller coaster is permanently attached to the track. In these rides the start and end points are in the same place and some form of power is required to move the roller coaster into position to begin the ride. A disadvantage with this sort of ride is that the riders are held in seats within carriages and only move as the roller coaster moves. Riders in carriages cannot move in a pendulum like fashion. Further disadvantages include the required use of power to move the roller coaster to the start of the ride and the requirement for a continuous track.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is the object ofthe current invention to overcome or alleviate some of the disadvantages described above or to at least provide the public with a useful choice. In broad terms in one aspect the invention comprises an amusement ride including a rigid member supported over a curved path and extending between a high end an a low end and at least one harness arranged to hold at least one rider, the harness including attachment means arranged to slidingly engage with the rigid member to enable the harness to descend carrying the rider from the high end to the low end.

Preferably the rigid member is arranged around the outside of at least one structure. Alternatively the member may be arranged inside the at least one structure.

The member extends between a high end and a low end and generally slopes down from the high end to the low end. However the member may include curves, twists and loops and other sections where the slope is not uniform from the high end to the low end. The slope ofthe member may vary along the length ofthe member.

The structure around which the rigid member is arranged may be a solid structure or may be supports forming a skeleton or shell of a structure.

Preferably the amusement ride includes means for a rider to ascend from the bottom ofthe structure to a platform on the structure at or near the high end ofthe rigid member. Ideally the platform is lower than the high end ofthe rigid member. Preferably the low end ofthe rigid member is close to the means to ascend to the platform. Alternatively the high and low ends ofthe member may be in different places.

In broad terms in another aspect the invention comprises an amusement ride including a rigid member arranged around at least one structure containing a powered ride apparatus, the rigid member extending between a high end and a low end and at least one harness arranged to hold at least one rider including attachment means arranged to slidingly engage with the rigid member to enable the harness to descend carrying the rider from the high end to the low end.

The structure around which the rigid member is arranged may be a solid structure or may be supports forming a skeleton or shell of a structure. Preferably the amusement ride includes means for a rider(s) to ascend from the bottom of the structure to a platform on the structure at or near the high end of the rigid member. Ideally the platform is below the high end of the rigid member. Preferably the low end of the rigid member is close to the means to ascend to the platform. Alternatively the^' high and low ends ofthe member may be in different places.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be further described by way of example only and without intending to be limiting with reference to the following drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of amusement ride ofthe invention, and

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of amusement ride of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED FORMS

Figure 1 shows one form of amusement ride of the invention. The amusement ride starts from platform 1 which is near, and preferably below, the high end of rigid member 2. Rigid member 2 curves around hexagonal structure 3 from platform 1 to at or near the ground at point 4. The rigid member is supported by support means 5 cantilevered from hexagonal structure 3.

Included within hexagonal structure 3 may be a powered ride apparatus of the type described in PCT patent publications WO 98/15331 and WO 95/22385. These PCT publications are incorporated herein by reference.

The rigid member 2 extends between high end 9 and low end 4. The rigid member is non- continuous in that the high end of the rigid member is not directly joined to the low end. The rigid member is shown as having a smooth descent curve in Figure 1 but the rigid member may include twists, spirals, loops, sections of steeper descent and other deviations from a uniform descent slope and/or curve. At the low end of the member, the member may be substantially horizontal or may curve up slightly to slow a rider(s) to a stop. Alternatively other means of stopping a rider(s) may be used. The member may also be arranged to impart side to side motion to a rider(s). In one embodiment the rigid member is a rail. Alternatively the rigid member may be a beam.

The high end of the member may be arranged to have a section of steep descent. Alternatively the high end ofthe member may be positioned at a height above the platform so that when a rider(s) is attached to the high end of the member the harness means attaching the harness to the member are not fully extended.

The hexagonal structure of Figure 1 also optionally includes means for a rider(s) to ascend from the bottom ofthe ride at point 4 to platform 1 up pillar 6. This may be by means of a set of steps, an elevator, or some other device. The high and low ends ofthe rigid member may be arranged in a substantially straight line vertically, or close together, so that a rider does not have far to walk to ascend to the platform and begin another ride and the attachment means do not have to be retrieved from a distant point. Alternatively the high and low ends ofthe ride may be in different locations.

Although the hexagonal structure is shown as a skeleton or shell the structure around which the rigid member extends may be solid, for example a building. A solid structure will suffice so long as clearance is allowed between the rigid member and structure so that a rider does not risk swinging into the structure. The structure supporting the member is not limited to a hexagonal shape and may be any suitable shape.

The support means 5 attaching the rigid member to the hexagonal structure are preferably formed from rigid material. Support wires or cables may also be used to add stability to the rigid member. The support means 5 are shown on the outside of the hexagonal structure but may alternatively be arranged with the rigid member inside the hexagonal structure to provide a ride with steeper curvature than the ride shown in Figure 1. The amusement ride apparatus ofthe invention also includes a harness into which a rider(s) is strapped. The harness includes attachment means (not shown) arranged to slidingly engage with the rigid member around the hexagonal structure. The attachment means is arranged to slide around the rail from high end 9 to low end 4 when engaged with the rigid member. The attachment means is engaged to the rigid member at the high point of the ride and disengaged from the rigid member at the low point of the ride. The attachment means may also include a braking system arranged to slow the harness and rider at the low end ofthe ride.

The harness may be arranged to fit a single rider or to fit a plurality of riders. For example, a group of riders may be harnessed together for a ride. The harness may include a solid seat portion arranged so that a rider can sit on the solid portion. The harness and attachment means are sufficiently lightweight that at the end of the ride they can be transported to the high end of the rigid member. Transport may be by lift or stairs. Alternatively if the low end of the rigid member is spaced away from the high end transport may include vehicular transport. The harness and attachment means should be sufficiently lightweight to enable an operator to engage the attachment means with the rigid member without mechanical assistance.

In use a rider(s) is strapped into the harness either while on the platform or on the ground before ascending to the platform. When the harnessed rider(s) is on the platform an operator engages the attachment means ofthe harness to the rigid member. The rider(s) is then able to begin the ride by stepping or jumping from the platform. Preferably the member includes a section of steep descent to give the rider(s) the initial impression of free falling before the harness is fully suspended below the rigid member. Alternatively, when the attachment means is engaged with the rigid member, if the harness is not fully suspended, jumping or stepping off the platform will give the same feeling of free fall. The rider(s) then descends to the ground suspended from the rigid member and following the path of the rail. Preferably the rigid member is arranged to impart side to side motion to the rider(s). When on the ground the rider(s) may detach the harness attachment means from the rigid member or an operator may do this. The rider(s) may then ascend to the platform again or may take the harness or attachment means off so that another rider(s) may use the ride.

Figure 2 is a top view of a second embodiment of amusement ride of the invention. In this embodiment four towers 10 - 13 support two amusement rides (of the type described with in PCT publications WO 98/15331 and WO 95/22385) suspended from points 14 and 15 and having swing ranges shown by circles 16 and 17 respectively. If the amusement ride of the invention is not constructed with the two adjacent amusement rides then towers 10 and 11 are unnecessary and need not be included. Note that the use of two amusement rides is an example only and the amusement ride of the invention may have a different number of adjacent amusement rides.

The rigid member 21 of the amusement ride of the invention extends from high end 20 at platform 18 of tower 12 to low end 19. In this embodiment the high and low ends of the rigid member are not in the same vertical line but are spaced apart. Again means to ascend tower 12 is provided so that a rider(s) can ascend to platform 18 to begin the ride. The rigid member 21 is suspended from towers 12 and 13 by support means 22. Ideally these support means are rigid. Support wires and cables may also be used to add stability to the rigid member.

In this case the structures around which the rigid member is arranged are towers 12 and 13. The rigid member is arranged around both structures in this embodiment in a figure 8 arrangement. However other arrangements may be used.

As in the embodiment described with reference to Figure 1, in use a rider(s) is strapped into the harness either while on the platform or on the ground before ascending to the platform. When the harnessed rider(s) is on the platform an operator engages the attachment means ofthe harness to the rigid member. The rider(s) is then able to begin the ride by stepping or jumping from the platform. Preferably the member includes a section of steep descent to give the rider(s) the initial impression of free falling before the harness is fully suspended below the rigid member. Alternatively, when the attachment means is engaged with the rigid member, if the harness is not fully suspended, jumping or stepping off the platform will give the same feeling of free fall. The rider(s) then descends to the ground suspended from the rigid member and following the path ofthe rail. Preferably the rigid member is arranged to impart side to side motion to the rider(s).

When on the ground the rider(s) may detach the harness attachment means from the rigid member or an operator may do this. The rider(s) may then ascend to the platform again or may take the harness or attachment means off so that another rider(s) may use the ride.

The foregoing describes the invention including preferred forms thereof. Alterations and modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope hereof as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An amusement ride including: a rigid member supported over a curved path and extending between a high end and a low end, and at least one harness arranged to hold at least one rider, the harness including attachment means arranged to slidingly engage with the rigid member to enable the harness to descend carrying the rider from the high end to the low end.

2. An amusement ride as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rigid member is arranged around the outside of at least one structure.

3. An amusement ride as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rigid member is at least partially arranged around the inside of at least one structure.

4. An amusement ride as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the rigid member slopes between the high end and the low end and the slope varies between the high end and the low end.

5. An amusement ride as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the rigid member includes curves, twists, loops or other sections of differing slope.

6. An amusement ride as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the rigid member is straight at the low end.

7. An amusement ride as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the rigid member has an upward slope at the low end.

8. An amusement ride as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 further including means to ascend to a platform at or near the high end ofthe rigid member.

9. An amusement ride as claimed in claim 8 wherein the low end ofthe rigid member is near the means to ascend to the platform.

10. An amusement ride as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the platform is lower than the high end of the rigid member.

11. An amusement ride as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the at least one structure is a skeleton of shell of a structure.

12. An amusement ride as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the at least one structure is solid.

13. An amusement ride as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the ride is arranged to provide an illusion of free falling at the start ofthe ride.

14. An amusement ride as claimed in claim 13 wherein the illusion of free falling is provided by a steep slope at the high end ofthe member.

15. An amusement ride as claimed in claim 13 wherein the illusion of free falling is provided by the harness becoming fully stretched when the rider(s) jumps from the platform at the start ofthe ride.

16. An amusement ride including: a rigid member arranged around at least one structure containing a powered ride apparatus, the rigid member extending between a high end and a low end, and at least one harness arranged to hold at least one rider, the harness including attachment means arranged to slidingly engage with the rigid member to enable the harness to descend carrying the rider from the high end to the low end.

17. An amusement ride as claimed in claim 16 wherein the rigid member slopes between the high end and the low end and the slope varies between the high end and the low end.

18. An amusement ride as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the rigid member includes curves, twists, loops or other sections of differing slope.

19. An amusement ride as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the rigid member is straight at the low end.

20. An amusement ride as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the rigid member has an upward slope at the low end.

21. An amusement ride as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20 further including means to ascend to a platform at or near the high end ofthe rigid member.

22. An amusement ride as claimed in claim 21 wherein the low end of the rigid member is near the means to ascend to the platform.

23. An amusement ride as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22 wherein the platform is lower than the high end ofthe rigid member.

24. An amusement ride as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 23 wherein the ride is arranged to provide an illusion of free falling at the start ofthe ride.

25. An amusement ride as claimed in claim 24 wherein the illusion of free falling is provided by a steep slope at the high end ofthe member.

26. An amusement ride as claimed in claim 24 wherein the illusion of free falling is provided by the harness becoming fully stretched when the rider(s) jumps from the platform at the start ofthe ride.