Amusement rides are widely known in public from amusement parks, wherein such park versions of amusement rides are in general built as a stationary construction, and from fairgrounds, wherein such travelling versions of amusement rides are transported between different fairs.

Amusement rides provide passengers seated therein with a pleasant and exciting ride in providing rotational motions around one or several rotational axis and linear motions, like lifting, lowering, accelerating and decelerating motions.

Due to the partially dangerous nature of such linear and rotational motions, the safety law requirements for such amusement rides are at a high level.

Thus, there is, on one side the need to provide passengers with a sensational ride but, on the other side, the requirement to fulfil said safety laws.

In order to enable the different rotational and linear motions and to provide a safe ride for the passengers such amusement rides require a highly sophisticated technical design which results in high design and manufacture costs causing a high price of such an amusement ride.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an amusement ride which provides passengers with a safe and nevertheless sensational ride having a simplified technical design at reduced manufacturing costs.

This objective is solved in an inventive manner for an amusement ride having the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, the invented amusement ride has a support beam comprising a center section and a first and a second cantilever section, wherein said support beam is rotatable about a first axis and wherein said first axis is arranged in the center section of the support beam and is inclined relative to a vertical axis. The invented amusement ride further comprises a passenger transporting device supported by said support beam, wherein the passenger transporting device is arranged at an end portion of the first cantilever section of the support beam and is rotatable about a second axis.

The amusement ride according to the invention is capable of providing an altitude difference by rotating the support beam without the need of any additional lifting device like a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. As an additional lifting or lowering device is omitted, the design is simplified and costs are reduced.

Furthermore, due to the simplified design, the amusement ride according to the invention can be built as a travelling version mounted on a trailer or as a park version wherein for the park version the trailer is replaced by a stationary construction like a concrete foundation.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the end portion of the first cantilever section of the support beam is arranged underneath a center section of the passenger transporting device.

Accordingly, loading and unloading of the passengers in a loading position of the support beam is simple and comfortable for the passengers.

It is further preferable if the first and the second cantilever sections are arranged on opposite sides of the center portion and include an obtuse angle.

Due to this design feature, the passenger transporting device is arranged at a very flat angle relative to the horizontal line. Thus, comfortable access to the passenger transporting device for the passengers is further enhanced.

According to a preferred embodiment, the support beam is supported by a bearing and driving means provided at the center portion of the support beam, wherein the bearing and driving means is mountable on a movable vehicle, in particular a trailer, or on a stationary unit, in particular a concrete foundation.

It is preferable if the obtuse angle opens to the side of the support beam opposite to the bearing and driving means.

It is further preferable if the support beam is rotatable in a clockwise and/or counterclockwise direction, wherein a rotational motion of the support beam is drivable or breakable by means of a first drive means of the bearing and driving means.

Furthermore, a counterweight can be provided on the second cantilever section of the support beam, in particular in an end portion thereof.

Like the support beam, the passenger transporting device is rotatable in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction, wherein a rotational motion of the passenger transporting device is driveable and breakable by means of a second drive means.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the second axis of the passenger transporting device is inclined relative to the vertical axis and arranged in a center section of the passenger transporting device.

Preferably, the first axis of the support beam and the second axis of the passenger transporting device intersect at a point above the passenger transporting device.

According to a further preferred embodiment, a passenger transporting device comprises a preferably flat and round disc provided with at least one passenger compartment for at least one passenger, wherein the passenger compartment is rotatable about a third axis. Within this preferred embodiment, it is beneficial if the passenger transporting device is provided with an even number of passenger compartments, wherein two of said even number of passenger compartments are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the second axis of the disc, and wherein the third axis of said two passenger compartments are arranged parallel to and provided in an equal distance to the second axis. It is further preferable within this preferred embodiment if each of the passenger compartments is freely rotatable about the respective third axis, especially depending on a balance and a weight distribution of and inside the passenger compartment, in particular depending on passengers seated in the passenger compartment.

According to another preferred embodiment, the passenger transporting device is comprised of one passenger cabin, wherein the passenger cabin is capable of transporting a plurality of passengers. Within this preferred embodiment, it is preferable if the passenger cabin is provided with an at least partially closed casing.

Further preferred embodiments are laid down in further dependent claims.

In the following, the present invention is explained in greater detail with respect to several embodiments thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of the amusement ride in a loading position for passengers; Fig. 2 is a further side view of the amusement ride according to Fig. 1 in a top position; Fig. 3 is a top view of the amusement ride according to Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the amusement ride having one passenger cabin in the loading position for passengers; Fig. 5 is another side view of the amusement ride according to Fig. 4 having the passenger cabin in another rotational position; Fig. 6 is a further side view of the amusement ride according to Figs. 4 and 5 in a top position; and Fig. 7 is a top view of the amusement ride according to Figs. 4,5 and 6.

A first embodiment of the present amusement ride 1 is derivable from Figs. 1 to 3, wherein said embodiment is designed as a travelling version mounted on a trailer 16.

As derivable from the side views in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the amusement ride 1 comprises a single support beam 2 having a center section 2a and a first and a second cantilever section 2b, 2c, wherein said first and said second cantilever sections 2b, 2c are arranged on opposite sides of the center portion 2a and include an obtuse angle (p. Thus, when looking on the side view of the support beam 2, the structure of the support beam forms an open V-shape.

The center section 2a of the support beam 2 comprises a hollow cylindrical body to which the flat first and the second cantilever sections 2b, 2c are attached. The thickness of the first cantilever section 2b is continuously reduced from the contacting area with the center section 2a to the end portion 2d thereof. A thickness of the second cantilever section 2c is also reduced from the center section 2a towards an end portion of said second cantilever section 2c, wherein a length of the first cantilever section 2b to which a passenger transporting device 4 is mounted is longer than a length of the second cantilever section 2c to which a counterweight 7 is mounted.

A cross-sectional shape of either of the first and the second cantilever section 2b, 2c is substantially rectangular.

The support beam 2 is supported by a bearing and driving means 8, wherein said bearing and driving means 8 is mounted to the trailer 16. The bearing and driving means 8 supports the center section 2a of the support beam 2, wherein the bearing and driving means 8 partially extends through the hollow portion of the center section 2a.

A rotational movement of the support beam 2 around a first rotational axis A, which extends through the center section 2a is driven and controlled by said bearing and driving means 8. The support beam 2 is rotatable around said first axis A in a clockwise and in a counterclockwise direction by means of the first drive means of the bearing and driving means 8.

As derivable from the side view in Figs. 1 and 2, the bearing and driving means 8 is provided in a tip point of the V-shaped support beam 2, that is the bearing and driving means 8 is arranged on the opposite side of the support beam 2 to which the obtuse angle (p opens.

As further derivable from Figs. 1,2 and 3, the end portion 2d of the first cantilever section 2b of the support beam 2 is arranged underneath a center section 4a of the passenger transporting device 4. Accordingly, the passenger transporting device 4 is supported by the support beam 2 which itself is supported by the bearing and driving means 8, wherein the bearing and driving means 8 is mounted onto a trailer 16. In other words, the passenger transporting device 4 is arranged inside the V-shaped structure and the bearing and driving means 8 is arranged outside and at the tip point of the V-shaped structure.

The afore-mentioned first axis A which is arranged in the center section 2a of the support beam 2 is inclined with respect to the vertical and encloses an acute angle with a vertical axis, wherein the acute angle equals 90° minus the angle a shown in Fig. 2.

A second axis B of the passenger transporting device 4 which is arranged in the center section 4a of the passenger transporting device 4 is also inclined relative to a vertical axis.

Further, as derivable from Fig. 3, the first axis A and the second axis B are arranged within one plane. Thus, when comparing the teaching of Figs. 1 and 2 with said teaching of Fig. 3, it is obvious that the first axis A and the second axis B intersect at a point above the support beam 2 and above the passenger transporting device 4, that is on the open side of the V-shaped structure.

The passenger transporting device 4 is rotatable in a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction around a second axis B which is arranged in a center portion of the flat and round disc of the passenger transporting device 4.

Said rotation around the second axis B is driven and controlled by means of a second drive means (not shown). Said drive means comprises one or several motors capable of driving and breaking the passenger transporting device 4 depending on the actual overall weight of the passenger transporting device 4 including passengers seated therein.

Within a modification to this embodiment having a second drive means said drive means is omitted and the passenger transporting device 4 is freely rotatable about the second axis B. Within this embodiment it is preferable if a center of mass of the passenger transporting device 4 does not coincide with the second axis B, as a distance between the center of mass and the second axis B provides a moment arm for said free rotation of the passenger transporting device 4. In that respect the center of mass preferably means the passenger transporting device 4 including passengers seated therein.

The passenger transporting device 4 is built, in the embodiment shown in Figs.

1 to 3, as a flat and round disc and comprises six passenger compartments 5, wherein each of the passenger compartments 5 is supported by said flat and round disc.

Each of the passenger compartments 5 is rotatable about a third axis C, wherein said third axis C of each of the passenger compartments 5 is spaced at an equal distance to the second rotational axis B. In other words, the third rotational axes C are arranged on a theoretical circle having its center at the second rotational axis B. The distance between said third rotational axis C of two adjacent passenger compartments 5 is also constant, that is the distance on the circumference of said theoretical circle is respectively equal between two adjacent passenger compartments 5. The third axes C of the respective passenger compartments 5 are parallel to the second axis B as derivable from the teaching of Figs. 1 and 3.

Each of said passenger compartments 5 is freely rotatable about the respective third axis C depending on a balance and a weight distribution of and inside the passenger compartment, in particular depending on passengers seated in the passenger compartments 5, wherein the center of mass of each of the passenger compartments is spaced apart from said third rotational axis C of each of the passenger compartments 5. Thus, the center of mass depends on the design of the passenger compartments 5 and on the passengers seated in said passenger compartments 5.

However, the present invention is not limited to this free rotation of the passenger compartments 5 even though this feature adds to the exciting effect of a ride on the amusement ride. Within another embodiment of the present amusement ride, each of the passenger compartments 5 is driven by an independent drive means providing an even further thrill to the passengers due to the additional and forced motion around said third axis C. It is also noted that it is preferable if each of the passenger compartments is provided with a braking means for stopping and allowing a rotational motion about the third axis C, in particular when decelerating the amusement ride for downloading the passengers at the loading position of the amusement ride.

Within a further preferred embodiment of the amusement ride 1 each of the passenger compartments 5 is individually rotatable about a fourth axis (not shown), wherein each of these fourth axes of the passenger compartments 5 is substantially rectangular to the third axis of the respective passenger compartment 5. Accordingly, as the third axes are substantially rectangular to the disc of the passenger transporting device 4, the fourth axes are substantially parallel to said disc.

A passengers seated in the passenger seats 5a is rotated around the third axis C like being seated in an individual carrousel, wherein each passenger is subjected to a radial force having its center at the third axis C and pushing the passenger away from the third axis C and, thus, deeper in the respective seat 5a. Further, each passenger is turned in a tumble-like movement around the fourth axis. Said tumble-like movement is either a forced movement by a drive means, individual for each of the passenger compartments, or is a free-turning motion, eventually with a break device for stopping a tumble movement at an end of a ride. Due to this tumble-like movement a passenger can be turned upside down at a certain stage of the movement. Thus, each of the passengers is secured in the seats 5a by means of a safety device like safety brackets, safety belt or safety poles. This safety device is either provided individually for each of the passengers or for a certain group of passengers seated in a passenger compartment 5 or for all of the passengers within one passenger compartment 5.

Fig. 1 shows the present amusement ride in a loading position and Fig. 2 shows the amusement ride in the top position, after the support beam 2 has made a 180° rotational movement around the rotational axis A. Thus, as shown in Fig. 2, the passenger compartment 5 is lifted to a maximum height of H1 solely by means of the rotational movement of the support beam 2 without any lifting means like a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder.

The passengers enter the amusement ride through the entrance 11 and after having paid for the ride at ticket booth 12 they move to the loading platform 14 and access the flat and round disc 4. After the ride, the passengers leave the passenger compartments 5, move to the loading platform 14, and leave the amusement ride through the exit 13.

The trailer 16 itself is supported by at least two support means 17 provided at opposite sides of the trailer 16. A possible force on said support means 17 varies with the rotational movement of the support beam 2. Accordingly, the support means 17 are designed such to avoid an incline of the trailer 16 while the support beam 2 performs a rotation around the first axis A, wherein a 90° rotation from the support beam out of the loading position is one of the most critical points.

However, the present amusement ride is also not limited to the afore-described design of the passenger transporting device 4 according to Figs. 1 to 3.

According to a further embodiment shown in Figs. 4 to 7, the passenger transporting device 4 is comprised of one passenger cabin 6, wherein the passenger cabin 6 is capable of transporting a plurality of passengers. Within the embodiments shown in Figs. 4 to 7, the amusement ride 1 also comprises a support beam 2 having a center section 2a and two cantilever sections 2b, 2c extending from said center section 2a. The features of said support beam 2 are similar to the afore-described embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 3.

The passenger cabin 6 is supported by said support beam 2, wherein the passenger cabin 6 is arranged at the end portion 2d of the first cantilever section 2b of the support beam 2 and is rotatable about the second axis B.

The passenger cabin 6 provides several rows of seats 6a for a plurality of passengers.

Further, according to the embodiments shown in Figs. 4 to 7, the passenger cabin is provided with a partially closed casing, in a bus-like style.

Similar to the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 3, the passenger cabin 6 is rotatable about the second axis B, as shown in Fig. 5, and is rotatable and liftable by a rotational movement of the support beam 2 around the first axis A, as shown in Fig. 6. Thus, when comparing the Figs. 4 and 6, it is obvious that the passenger cabin 6 is lifted from the loading position as shown in Fig. 4 to the topmost position with the height H2 shown in Fig. 6. Said rotational movements are also derivable from Fig. 7, wherein the rotational movement of the support beam 2 is shown by the circular phantom line D1 and the circular movement of the passenger cabin 6 is shown by a phantom line D2.

The further features of the embodiment of the amusement ride according to Figs. 4 to 7 are similar to the features discussed above in respect to the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 3.

Within a further preferred embodiment of the amusement ride 1 according to Figs. 4 to 7 the passenger cabin 6 is rotatable about a fifth axis (not shown), wherein said fifth axis of the passenger cabin 6 is substantially rectangular to the second axis B and extends along a longitudinal axis of the passenger cabin 6. Thus, the plurality of passengers seated in the passenger seats 6a of the passenger cabin 6 are rotated around the second axis B like being seated in a common carrousel, wherein each passenger is subjected to an individual radial force having its center at the second axis B and pushing the passenger away from the second axis B. Further, the passengers are turned in a tumble-like movement around the fifth axis. Said tumble-like movement is either a forced movement by an additional drive means for the passenger cabin 6, or is a free- turning motion, eventually with a break device for stopping a tumble movement at an end of a ride. Due to this tumble-like movement the passengers can be commonly turned upside down at a certain stage of the movement. Thus, all of the passengers are secured in the seats 6a by means of a safety device like safety brackets, safety belt or safety poles. This safety device is either provided individually for each of the passengers or for a certain group of passengers seated in a passenger cabin 6 or for all of the passengers within one passenger cabin 6.