EP2498883A1

EP2498883A1 - Device for aerial amusement rides

Info

Publication number: EP2498883A1
Application number: EP10803403A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wytze Knijpstra
Original assignee: KIG Heerenveen BV
Current assignee: KIG Heerenveen BV
Priority date: 2009-11-12
Filing date: 2010-11-12
Publication date: 2012-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 2030-11-12
Also published as: WO2011059327A1; NL2003796C2; EP2498883B1

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 a tower (2), a hub (3) mounted on the tower for movement in longitudinal direction and in peripheral direction of the tower, means for moving the hub, a frame (10) which is attached fixedly to the hub and extends in radial direction from the hub, and a number of seats connected to the frame and distributed in peripheral direction such that the seats begin to fly through the air when the hub rotates. The attraction further comprises a number of stiff arms (20) for connecting the seats to the frame, which connecting arms are each connected at an outer end to the seats and at an opposite outer end are connected by means of a hinge (21) to the frame for free pivoting in radial direction.

Description

DEVICE FOR AERIAL AMUSEMENT RIDES

The present invention relates to an attraction for amusement rides, such as a fairground attraction or an amusement park attraction, comprising a tower, a hub mounted on the tower for movement in longitudinal direction and in peripheral direction of the tower, means for moving the hub, a frame which is attached fixedly to the hub and extends in radial direction from the hub, a number of seats connected to the frame and distributed in peripheral direction such that the seats begin to fly through the air when the hub rotates.

Such an aerial ride is known in the field. The known aerial ride is a variant of the traditional chairoplane which can rotate on a platform and in which the seats are attached by means of chains. In the known aerial ride the seats are carried along the tower to a great height prior to or simultaneously with the rotation.

The known attraction has diverse drawbacks. First of all, the attraction is extremely wind-sensitive. Above a predetermined wind velocity (set at 15 metres per second) the attraction may not be used for safety reasons. In addition, there is always the danger during use that the seats begin to move toward each other due to rhythmic action. From a safety viewpoint this is undesirable.

The present invention has for its object to provide an attraction of the type stated in the preamble which obviates these drawbacks.

The attraction according to the invention has for this purpose the feature that the attraction further comprises a number of stiff arms for connecting the seats to the frame, which connecting arms are each connected at an outer end to the seats and at an opposite outer end are connected by means of a hinge to the frame for free pivoting in radial direction.

By applying stiff arms which are connected to the frame for free pivoting in radial direction the attraction according to the invention is substantially insensitive to wind. The occurrence of a rhythmic action as in the known attraction is hereby prevented. Furthermore, it is hereby possible to reduce the distance between the seats in peripheral direction, whereby the capacity per ride can increase considerably. A hinge is a reliable attachment for the stiff arms to the frame which is safe and provides a long lifespan.

It is noted that an attraction according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US 5957779. The stiff arms are however absent in the known attraction.

In a first preferred embodiment the attraction is provided with a double hinge with a first pivot axis lying at an angle a to the tangent along the peripheral direction of the frame. In a further elaboration of the first preferred embodiment the attraction is provided with a double hinge with a second pivot axis lying at an angle β to the tangent along the peripheral direction of the frame. As a result of the double hinge the passenger in the gondola experiences, under the influence of the centrifugal force, a free pivoting movement with a significant component in radial direction from the tower. The passenger will here experience an additional sensation of freedom because he/she will periodically have an unobstructed view past the other gondolas.

In a further embodiment values for the angles are defined in accordance with claims 4 to 6. Within these angle values the attraction according to the invention can provide passengers with the intended additional sensation in safe manner.

There are diverse further types of hinge suitable for application in the attraction according to the invention. Several examples are a single hinge and a double hinge or ball hinge with a stroke limiter.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the connecting arms are hollow, preferably tubular. The connecting arms thereby acquire a light weight, this being an advantage with a view to the power required for the attraction according to the invention.

In another preferred embodiment the frame comprises a number of further arms which are connected to the hub and distributed in peripheral direction and which extend in radial direction from the hub for connection to the connecting arms. An open construction of the frame is hereby obtained which has an attractive appearance. According to a further development of the above stated preferred embodiment, the frame arms extend obliquely upward. A higher position of the seats can hereby be obtained in advantageous manner without making the tower longer. For strengthening purposes the frame arms are preferably mutually connected by transverse arms running in peripheral direction of the hub.

According to another further preferred embodiment, the seats are received in gondolas, which gondolas are connected fixedly to the connecting arms. A plurality of seats, for instance two, can be arranged in each gondola, thereby further increasing the capacity of the attraction according to the invention.

The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a first preferred embodiment of the aerial ride according to the invention in the boarding position;

Figure 2 shows the aerial ride of figure 1 in the operating position;

Figure 3 shows a part of the aerial ride of figure 2 in more detail;

Figure 4 shows a part of figure 3 in more detail; Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the part depicted in figure 4; and

Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 7 show a further alternative embodiment of the part depicted in figure 4. Figure 1 shows an attraction for amusement rides according to the invention in a first preferred embodiment. Attraction 1 is an aerial ride suitable as mobile attraction, for instance a fairground attraction, and as fixed attraction, for instance an amusement park attraction. Figure 1 shows the attraction in boarding position. Figure 2 shows attraction 1 in operation. Figure 3 shows in more detail a part of attraction 1 during operation. In the shown preferred embodiment attraction 1 is provided with a platform 30. This platform allows passengers to board, in the boarding position seats 23 are accessible to the passengers. In the shown preferred embodiment seats 23 are received in gondolas 22. For safety purposes these gondolas 22 are provided with safety bars 24.

An upright or tower 2 extends in substantially vertical direction on the platform. A hub 3 is mounted on tower 2. Hub 3 is mounted such that it is both translatable and rotatable relative to tower 2.

A frame 10 is attached fixedly to hub 3 and extends generally in radial direction from hub 3. Arms 20 connect seats 24 to frame 10. Each arm 20 is provided at the one outer end with pivot means 21 which are adapted such that connecting arms 20 are connected to frame 10 for free pivoting in radial direction. Each connecting arm 20 is connected at the opposite outer end to a gondola 22.

Connecting arms 20 preferably have a light construction. This can be achieved by giving the connecting arms a hollow form, for instance tubular. Connecting arms 20 can be manufactured from diverse suitable material such as steel, plastic, alloys and all possible combinations thereof. The materials must of course have been tested for safety.

Frame 10 preferably has an open construction. In the shown preferred embodiment it is constructed from further arms 11 A and 11 B connected to hub 3 and distributed in peripheral direction. Connecting arms 11 A and 11 B extend pairwise in radial direction from hub 3 for connection to connecting arms 20. In the shown preferred embodiment connecting arms 11 A are fixed to the underside of hub 3 and connecting arms 1B are fixed to the upper side of hub 3. Connecting arms 1A and 1 B are both connected at the other outer end thereof to pivot means 21. Frame arms 11 A and 11 B extend upward to some extent as seen from hub 3.

Frame 11 further comprises transverse arms 12 running in peripheral direction of hub 3 and mutually connecting adjacent connecting arms 11 A. Figures 4 and 5 show examples of suitable pivot means for connection of connecting arms 20 to frame 10. The pivot means preferably comprise a hinge. Figure 4 illustrates a single hinge 21 which allows pivoting in one direction or one dimension. In the shown preferred embodiment pivot axis A extends tangentiatly along the peripheral direction of frame 10. Pivot axis A likewise extends tangentially along the rotation direction of hub 3 and frame 10. Figure 5 shows a hinge 25 which allows pivoting about pivot axis A and about pivot axis B. Pivot axis B lies substantially perpendicularly of pivot axis A. In order to retain the advantages achieved with the invention the hinge must be provided with a stroke limiter for the movement about pivot axis B. Hinge 25 is shown as double hinge, but can also be realized by means of a ball hinge.

Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 7 show a further example of suitable pivot means 25' for connecting the connecting arms 20 to frame 10. Figures 6A and 6B show pivot means 25' in an operating position during the ride and figure 6C shows pivot means 25' in the boarding position of the attraction. Pivot means 25' also form a double hinge allowing pivoting of the gondolas about a first pivot axis A' and a second pivot axis B. Double hinge 25^* comprises a first part 25-1 connected to frame 10 and a second part 25-2 connected to a connecting arm 20. First part 25-1 and second part 25-2 are mutually connected via an intermediate part 26. In the shown preferred embodiment intermediate part 26 is embodied as connecting shaft. Parts 25-1 and 25-2 preferably take a plate-like form. Parts 25-1 and 25-2 are preferably welded to respectively frame 10 and connecting arms 20. Extending through parts 25- , 25-2 and connecting part 26 are suitable shaft parts which define pivot axes A' and B.

The idea behind the embodiment of the pivot means shown in figures 6A, 6B and 6C is also to realize a free pivoting movement in radial direction under the influence of centrifugal force. Pivot axis A' does not however run tangentially relative to the peripheral direction of frame 10. In figures 6C and 7 can be seen that first pivot axis A' forms an angle a with this tangent T. In the shown preferred embodiment this angle a amounts substantially to 30 degrees. It will be apparent that this angle can vary, for instance between 0 and 45 degrees. The angle a preferably varies between 10 and 30 degrees. The angle a more preferably amounts substantially to 20 degrees. Figure 6C shows that second pivot axis B lies at an angle β relative to tangent T along the peripheral direction of the frame. It is the case for angle β that 70≤ p≤ 110. β Is preferably substantially 90 degrees. The angle γ between first pivot axis A' and second pivot axis B (as can be seen in figure 6C) lies in the range between 45 and 90 degrees, preferably between 60 and 80 degrees.

Finally, figure 7 shows a top view of the resulting pivoting movement of connecting arm 20 with the gondola relative to frame 10. As a result of double hinge 25' the passenger in the gondola experiences, under the influence of the centrifugal force, a free pivoting movement with a significant component in radial direction from the tower. The passenger will here experience an additional sensation of freedom because he/she will periodically have an unobstructed view, i.e. will not

continuously follow the gondola in front of him/her.

Diverse drive means are known in the relevant field for realizing the movement of hub 3 in longitudinal direction of tower 2. By way of illustration for the shown preferred embodiment, figure 3 shows return pulleys 4 with steel wires 5 which run through to winches (not shown) situated at the bottom of the tower. A counterweight for the hub is optionally attached to the steel wires. Tower 2 is further provided with guide rails 6 extending in longitudinal direction on the outer side of tower 2.

Means are also known in the relevant field for rotating hub 3 in peripheral direction relative to tower 2. Hub 3 can for this purpose be embodied in two parts, wherein the outer part is bearing-mounted on the inner part.

The present invention is of course not limited to the shown and described preferred embodiments, but comprises any preferred embodiment falling within the scope of protection of the appended claims as seen in the light of the accompanying figures.

Claims

1. Attraction for amusement rides, such as a fairground attraction or an amusement park attraction, comprising a tower, a hub mounted on the tower for movement in longitudinal direction and in peripheral direction of the tower, means for moving the hub, a frame which is attached fixedly to the hub and extends in radial direction from the hub, a number of seats connected to the frame and distributed in peripheral direction such that the seats begin to fly through the air when the hub rotates, characterized in that the attraction further comprises a number of stiff arms for connecting the seats to the frame, which connecting arms are each connected at an outer end to the seats and at an opposite outer end are connected by means of a hinge to the frame for free pivoting in radial direction.

2. Attraction as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the hinge is a double hinge with a first pivot axis lying at an angle a to the tangent along the peripheral direction of the frame.

3. Attraction as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the hinge is a double hinge with a second pivot axis lying at an angle β to the tangent along the peripheral direction of the frame.

4. Attraction as claimed in claim 2, wherein 0 < a < 45 degrees.

5. Attraction as claimed in claim 2, wherein 10≤ a≤ 30 degrees.

6. Attraction as claimed in claim 3, wherein 70≤ β≤ 110, preferably substantially 90 degrees.

7. Attraction as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the hinge is a single hinge with a pivot axis running substantially tangentially relative to the peripheral direction of the frame.

8. Attraction as claimed in claim 7, wherein the hinge is a double hinge or ball hinge with a stroke limiter about a further pivot axis lying substantially

perpendicularly of the tangential pivot axis.

9. Attraction as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the connecting arms are hollow, preferably tubular.

10. Attraction as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the frame comprises a number of further arms which are connected to the hub and distributed in peripheral direction and which extend in radial direction from the hub for connection to the connecting arms.

11. Attraction as claimed in claim 10, wherein the frame arms extend obliquely upward.

12. Attraction as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the frame arms are mutually connected by transverse arms running in peripheral direction of the hub.

13. Attraction as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the seats are received in gondolas, which gondolas are connected fixedly to the connecting arms.