Tower amusement ride

13 Pages·2013·1.1 MB·English

United States Patent [191
[11] Patent Number: 4,973,042
Klopf et a1. [45] Date of Patent: Nov. 27, 1990
[54] TOWER AMUSEMENT RIDE 1,795,066 3/1931 Woop .................................. .. 272/32
[76] Inventors: Frank P. Klopf; Peter M. Klopf, both FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
‘s’fé lzzggosngham Rd" Greenv?le’ 406720 11/1924 Fed. Rep. of Germany ...... .. 104/76
_ Primary Examiner-Richard E. Chilcot, Jr.
[21] Appl' NO" 468’243 Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Cort Flint
[22] Filed: Jan. 22, 1990 [57] ABSTRACT
Céis ............................................. .. A6.3G 1/0? An amusement ride is illustrated having an annular
[ 1 ' ' ‘ """""" passenger housing (A,A’,A",A'”) which surrounds a
[53] F' ld f S h , ’ 275/16 18 Central tower (B, B’, B”) and is driven relative to the
lens/3:81? 10453-55’ tower in vertical, tilting or wobbling, and/or rotary
’ ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ 79’ 76’ motion by a drive arrangement (12,16,18,42,44,50).
’ Passsenger containment units (30,64,64’) carried on
[56] References Cited tracks (32) or carriage rings (60,60') are guided in a
U_s_ PATENT DOCUMENTS prescribed path, depending on the con?guration of the
annular housing, in response to the resultant motion of
webi’reet a1‘ """""""" " :5 the annular housing. A simulated effect of annular hous
9421759 12/1909 "raylorgnulm 11:... 104/79 ing (A') riding at"? a geyser (F) may be Pmvided t°
enhance the ride.
1,661,864 3/1928 272/35
Zabel .... ..
1,661,865 3/1928 Zabel .. 272/35
1,751,096 3/1930 Morris 272/50 57 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
US. Patent Nov. 27, 1990 Sheet 1 of6 4,973,042:
US. Patent Nov. 27, 1990 Sheet 2.0% 4,973,04211
204
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US. Patent‘
Nov. 27, 1990 Sheet 3 0f 6 4,973,042
U.S. Patent Nov. 27, 1990 Sheet 4 of6 4,973,042‘
US. Patent Nov. 27, 1990 Sheet 5 of 6 4,973,042,

4,973,042
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TOWER AMUSEMENT RIDE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above objectives are accomplished according to
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION the invention by providing an amusement ride compris
The m. ventl. on relates to a new and unusual amuse 5 ing a central tower, and a generally enclosed annular
passenger housing surrounding said central tower.
ment park ride, particularly which involves visual and
Movable passenger containment units are carried by the
sensual simulation. Simulation is a new trend in amuse
annular housing for containing and carrying passengers.
ment park rides. People will sit in chairs in a theater and
A track or carrier ring guides the passenger contain
watch a ?lm while the chairs, ‘or rows of chairs, move in
ment units for movement along a prescribed path rela
synchronization with the action on the screen. While
tive to the housing. A drive is provided for raising and
this is very safe and popular this type of amusement is
lowering the annular housing along a tower and impart
very limited since it lacks excitement compared to many
ing a wobbling motion to the annular housing in at least
other amusement rides.
two degrees of freedom as it ascends and descends
Heretofore, amusement or game devices have been
along the height of the tower. The drive may be con
proposed which use mechanisms including cables, pul
structed and arranged to provide for wobbling of the
leys, and winches for moving a personnel carriage in
housing in vertical tilting and rotary motions having
various fashions. U.S. Pat. No. 1,795,066 discloses an three degrees of freedom. A helix may be formed be
aquatic device having a tower, cable, and pulley wheel
tween the tower and the annular housing to cause the
arrangement for raising and lowering swimmers to fa
annular housing to rotate relative to the tower as it
cilitate swimming instruction. U.S. Pat. No. 932,089
moves vertically relative to the tower. The helix may
discloses a platform using a tower, cable, and pulley comprise a selectively engageable follower which is
arrangement wherein the platform is tilted in a see-saw operatively connected between the tower and annular
fashion. U.S. Pat. No. 1,661,864 discloses a tilting plat housing by which the annular housing may ascend in a
25
form used in a mechanical toy to move cars which run non-rotary motion when disengaged and may descend
around a track as it tilts. U.S. Pat. No. 942,759 discloses with a rotary motion relative to the tower when en
a tilting platform on which persons move either while gaged. An external simulation effect may be provided
upon mats that slide or in suitable cars which slide on for simulating a visual representation that the annular
rails. The platform is limited to tilting about a pitch axis. housing is dancing atop a visible ?uid medium during
U.S. Pat. No. 1,558,134 discloses cars which rotate upon the ascending and descending motions. The annular
a track within a stationary covered tunnel with undula housing may be made quite advantageously as two con
tions provided by the track. U.S. Pat. No. 438,315 dis centric annular members where one annular member is
closes an amusement apparatus having a rotating tilting suspended concentrically from the central tower, and
platform suspended from a center pole on which passen the other annular member rotates relative to the other
gers are seated. However, none of these devices provide annular member. In this case, the passenger contain
an apparatus which is suitable and satisfactory for a ment units may be ?xed or pivotably mounted to the
major amusement park ride. other annular member. The suspended annular member
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide is driven in a prescribed manner to cause the other
a major amusement park ride in the form of a tower annular member and passenger containment units to
amusement ride in which persons experience excitement have a resultant movement.
through vertical and/ or random movements, as well as DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
simulation effects.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tower The construction designed to carry out the invention
will hereinafter be described, together with other fea
amusement ride having a hollow annular shaped passen 45
tures thereof. The invention will be more readily under
ger compartment which moves vertically with respect
stood from a reading of the following speci?cation and
to the tower and wobbles to provide simulation and
by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a
excitement.
part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a
shown and wherein:
passenger compartment having individual chairs car
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tower amusement
ried on tracks which surround a central tower which
ride constructed according to the present invention;
moves vertically and rotationally relative to the tower
FIG. 2 is a section view illustrating a tower amuse
to provide simulation and movement to the passengers
ment ride of FIG. 1 according to the invention;
seated in the chairs within the compartment.
55 FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an annular housing for an
Another object of the invention is to provide a cen
amusement park ride constructed according to the in
tral tower amusement ride having an annular shaped
vention; '
passenger compartment whose movement relative to
FIG. 3A is a partial sectional view of an alternate
the tower may be varied to provide desired rapid move
embodiment of an annular housing for a tower amuse
ments of chair seated passengers within the housing by
ment ride according to the invention;
means of chairs carried on tracks. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodi
Another object of the invention is to provide a tower ment of a tower amusement ride according to the inven
amusement ride wherein an annular shaped passenger tion;
compartment is moved vertically relative to the tower FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of
by means of ?uid pressure or other mechanisms which 65 FIG. 4;
simulate that the housing is being moved upwardly by FIG. 6 is an elevation of an alternate embodiment of
water or other ?uid pressure and the housing is returned a tower amusement ride constructed according to the
under the force of gravity. present invention;
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FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7—7 of gramming winches 12 will produce an effect of travel
FIG. 6; ing in space. An interior 28 of annular housing A may be
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of another embodiment of theatrically staged inside by having moving chairs, or -
an annular passenger housing constructed in the form of rows of chairs, lighting, and other staging to produce a
a pair of concentric annular members, one of which cinema effect. The diameter and weight of annular
rotates relative to the other in accordance with the housing can be very large and more cables can be uti
invention; lized as needed. However, at least three cables and
FIG. 9 is a sectional, partial cut away view illustrat drives need to be utilized for stability. While housing A
ing an embodiment of the invention according to FIG. is illustrated as closed, the housing may also be open, at
8; and least in part, while it is preferred that the housing be
FIG. 10 is a sectional, partial cut away view of an continuous 360 degrees about tower B.
other embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 8. An interior 28 of armular housing A includes passen
ger containment means D for containing passengers at
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
an identi?able station in a desired manner. As illus
EMBODIMENT
15 trated, passenger containment means D comprises a
Referring now in more detail to the drawings, as can plurality of individual cars 30 which ride on railroad
best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, an annular passenger like tracks 32. The tracks may be arranged in one of two
housing A is disclosed which may be either circular or con?gurations. Where annular housing A is circular
polygonal (FIGS. 3 and 3A). Annular housing A is (FIG. 3), tracks 32 can be continuous and run around
carried concentric with a tower B carried on a suitable 20 the entire circumference of interior 28. Where annular
base 10. Drive means C is provided for moving annular housing A is a polygon (FIG. 3A), tracks 320 may ter
housing A vertically relative to tower B comprises a minate at each vertices of the polygon. In either the
plurality of winches 12 mounted equiangularly (FIG. circular or polygonal con?guration, individual cars 30
2). The vertical movement may occur over any desired may be linked together so that there is a spacing be
operational height of tower B along which it is desired 25 tween them that is ?xed and they move like a train on
to operate the ride. On top of tower B is a plurality of tracks 32. Alternately, the cars may not be linked to
pulley wheels 14 which are also spaced equiangularly gether and thus move independently of each other. A
around the tower. Preferably, there are six such continuous circular annular housing is particularly ad
winches 12 and pulley wheels 14 spaced at 60*?" vantageous because a continuous ring rail may be used
angles relative to each other, while only four are illus with ?xed or swivel mounted passenger compartment
trated in the drawings at a 90 degree placement for ease units or chairs, as will be described in connection with
of illustration. Winches 12 may be motorized by any FIGS. 8 and 9. During the amusement ride, annular
suitable means as indicated at 16. Connector means for housing A, in the form of a space station or other simu
connecting annular housing A, tower B, and the drive lation, may tilt up and down in an omnidirectional wob
means may include generally ?exible cable means in the 35 bling motion producing a resultant motion which causes
form of plural flexible strands 18 which may be any cars 30 inside annular housing A to move along tracks
suitable cable such as braided steel cable which run in 32 in response to the movements. Motion of the contain
pulley wheel 14. The drive means further comprises ment units will be initiated by one moving part (cars 30,
means for rotating annular housing A relative to tower or rings 60, 6') being heavier than the rest which is
B, as well as moving the same vertically. In this case, a 40 always pulling the moving part with passengers to the
drive ring 20 is carried on a suitable bearing 22 in a lowest point. While a cable/pulley and winch drive
conventional manner. A drive 24 is provided for rotat arrangement is illustrated, it is to be understood, of
ing a ring 20 relative to tower B. When winches 12 are course, that other means for driving annular housing A
stationary, multiple revolutions of annular housing A may be provided which is constructed and arranged to
will not be practical. However, a reversing twisting 45 move the housing so that passenger cars 30, are caused
motion less than 360 degrees is effectively permitted to move on the tracks in a desired manner. Special
and will be desireable for many amusement ride mo construction of the track or other guide means for the
tions. By rotating ring 20 back and forth, twisting of passenger containment means in the form of cars 32 may
annular housing A may occur as cable 18 ?exes and also be had to achieve a desired movement of the cars
allows this motion. The motion may have an angular inside the housing in response to the external movement
extent as long as cables 18 do not twist together. Drive of the housing as acted upon by external drive means,
means C can thus be seen to impart a motion to annular particularly in combination to the following alternate
housing A which is vertical, tilting, and/or rotational. embodiments.
Housing A can be tilted to one side and then to the As can best be seen in FIG. 4, an alternate embodi
opposite, as can best be seen shown in dotted lines in 55 ment of the invention is illustrated which includes simu
FIG. 2, by controlling the drive of winches 12 accord lation means E for simulating a water fountain or geyser
ingly. It will be noted, as can best be seen in FIGS. 2 effect raising annular housing A’. As illustrated, the
and 3, that a substantial space 19 exists between annular simulation means comprises a plurality of water jets 36
housing A and central tower B. This allows the drives spaced underneath and about annular housing A’ to
of the winches 12 and cables 18 to be programmed and produce the desired effect. By programming the foun
synchronized to initiate a 3-dimensional wobbling mo tains in synchronization with the movements of annular
tion which includes both vertical and horizontal com housing A’, a visual representation will be created that
ponents. Thus, the annular housing may assume the. annular housing A’ rides on top of the ?uid jets which
motion of a rolling wave. Mounting of winches 12 and may be made to simulate either a water fountain or a
motors 16 may also be on a rotary driven ring, like 20, 65 naturally occurring geyser. The simulation further cre
so that rotations greater than 360 degrees may be had. ates the impression that the annular housing is rising
Preferably, annular housing A is constructed to simu under the force of the fountain or geyser. This may be
late a space station and the motion imparted by pro advantageous in many applications where annular hous
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ing A’ is provided in a form other than a space station. engaged so that a rapid spinning motion is imparted
Windows 38 in the annular housing further enhance the during the descent. Because there is no cable drive,
visual effects and motion simulation by allowing the housing A" may be driven so as to rotate many revolu
passengers to see the outside environment. This pro tions and helix 42’ is designed to accomplish this, as
vides a reference to the passenger which further en opposed to the helix 42 which limits rotation to less than
hances the effect of the motions of the annular housing a revolution. Either ?xed or movable passenger con
as it moves vertically, tilts or wobbles, and/or rotates. tainment means may be provided inside annular hous
In this embodiment, a pedestal base 40 is provided upon ings A’ and A", for example, moving cars (FIG. 1) or
which annular housing A’ rests above ?uid jets 36. seats (FIGS. 9 and 10).
As can best be seen in FIG. 4, helix guidance means Referring now to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, other embodi
F for providing rotational guidance to annular housing ments of the invention will be described wherein the
A’ is illustrated which includes a helix groove 42 annular passenger housing is provided in the form of an
formed in tower B’ and a follower means 44, which may annular passenger carrier A’” having a pair of concen
be a key, roller, or other follower, carried by annular tric annular members G and H which may slide relative
housing A’, and rides in helix groove 42. As can best be to one another (FIG. 8). Annular member G is carried
seen in FIG. 7, the helix follower may be a follower by cables 18 and annular member H, which is in the
which is ?xed instead of a retractable follower 44’ as form of a carrier ring 60, is slidably carried by annular
illustrated in connection with the embodiment of FIG. member G. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, carrier ring 60
6. Cable pulleys 14 are carried by a freely rotatable ring slides on rollers 62 relative to annular member G. Pas
20’ which rides the top tower B’. As cables 18 raise 20 senger containment means D’ is provided by passenger
annular housing A’, helix means F causes housing A’ to containment units 64 in the form of cars, seats, or chairs,
rotate twisting the cables 18, but not crossing the cables etc., pivotably mounted to ring 60 by means of a swivel
as to interfere adversely with each other. For this pur mount 65. Alternately, as can best be seen in FIG. 10, a
pose, pulley wheels are carried on a rotating, but non ring rail 60’ may be rotatably and slidably mounted in
driven ring 20'. Housing A’ may move vertically up and 25 the top of an annular member G’ by means of rollers 62'.
down several times during the ride and have the visual Containment means D” is provided by passenger con
effect of dancing up and down on geyser E while mov tainment units 64’ in the form of cars, seats, chairs, etc.,
ing in reversing rotational motions under the guidance suspended from rail 60’ in a pivotable manner by a
of helix F. Housing A’ may include a collar structure 48 swivel mount 65'. It is to be understood, of course, that
which is guided over tower B’ and maintains follower 30 containment units 64,64’ may be affixed to the carrier
44 in a tracking relation in groove 42. ring as well as pivotably mounted. By weighting a sec
Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in tion 68 of carrier rings 60,60’, the slidable carrier ring
FIG. 6 wherein ?uid nozzles 50 provide a drive means will always pull toward the lowest point of annular
in the form of ?uid pressure and are circumferentially passenger carrier G,G' as a result of the wobbling or
spaced around a base 52 of an amusement ride which 35 other prescribed motion imparted to the annular passen
includes housing A” concentrically carried about tower ger carrier. Depending on the type mounting of passen
B” having a dome 53. In this case, the cable drive means ger containment units 64,64’ to ring frame 60,60’, the
is omitted and the amusement ride is considerably re containment units may have a separate resultant motion
duced in its size and duration. Housing A” and dome 53 relative to the annular passenger carrier. Thus, annular
resemble a bullet. The ride may consist of the bullet 40 housing A, may be in the form of a single lower or
shooting upwards in its ascent in pure vertical motion, upper annular passenger carrier with a carrier ring 60 or
and spinning rapidly as it descends with the rotation 60’, respectively, concentrically rotatably mounted
imparting helix engaged. In this case, compressed air or with respect to the carrier. Alternately, a single annular
water may be utilized to push housing A” vertically passenger carrier may be utilized with passenger con
upwards against gravity. Means for assisting in the start 45 tainment means individually ?xed, pivotably, or slid
of the upward vertical movement of housing A” is pro ably attached to the annular carrier rather than by a
vided by a biasing means in the form of a spring 55 second ring which carries the containment means in
which offsets the weight of the housing to facilitate the common described by the foregoing.
start. Means for pressurizing the air or water is provided Thus, it can be seen that an advantageous construc
by a conipressor 54 connected to a source of ?uid (n'oFSlT‘tion can be had for an amusement park ride constructed
shown) which is compressed by the compressor and according to the invention wherein an annular housing
forced through the jet source 50 against a shield 56. for passengers can be provided which undergoes vari
Follower means 44’ is preferably formed by retractable ous motions and visual effects to produce a highly excit
key followers (FIG. 7) so that the followers may be ing amusement ride. The motion of the annular passen
retracted during the ascent of housing A” so that hous 55 ger housing and the guidance of the passenger cars, or
ing A”, does not rotate during the ascent. Prior to de other passenger containment means inside the housing
scent, however, the followers are extended causing may be constructed and arranged to provide a wide
rotation to be imparted to housing A” as it descends and variety of resultant movements and simulations for pas
engages and travels along helix groove 42’. For this sengers of the ride without departing from the broad
purpose, helix groove 42’ may be designed to provide principles of the invention.
many rapid revolutions to housing A” as it descends While a preferred embodiment of the invention has
under the force of gravity. Followers 44’ may be actu been described using speci?c terms, such description is
ated by admission of ?uid to a spring biased ?uid cylin for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood
der 46. Cylinder 46 may be under the control of a pro that changes and variations may be made without de
grammed controller or be manually controlled. Advan 65 parting from the spirit or scope of the following claims.
tageously in this case, the helix may be disengaged dur What is claimed is:
ing the ascent so that the force required to raise housing 1. An amusement ride comprising:
A” vertically is reduced. Prior to descent, the helix is a central tower having a base;