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Technical field

The present invention concerns an amusement ride of the type used in amusement parks or in theme parks (amusement rides are also known in the sector under the term amusement apparatus).

More in particular, the present invention concerns an amusement ride in which one or more seats for restraining one or more passengers is/are moved by means of respective arms connected to a main shaft and rotated around a respective rotation axis of the arm and around the longitudinally-extending axis of the shaft.

Known prior art

It should be immediately noted that the term amusement apparatus can also be used in the present document as an alternative to the term amusement ride to denote the amusement apparatuses present in amusement parks and similar places.

In the sector of amusement rides, constant research is carried out to develop amusement apparatuses able to entertain passengers with intense emotions, by means of new geometries of the structures of the apparatuses themselves, and able to simulate extreme real situations, for example by means of free falling or paths of the amusement ride vehicle which comprise inversions and rotations.

Different amusement rides provided with arms bearing one or more seats for housing passengers, and wherein the seats are rotated integrally with the arm, are known.

Such amusement rides provide a stationary central column, or possibly rotatable around its vertical axis, and one or two arms rotatable in a vertical plane; each arm bears a seat or a plurality of seats at its end, i.e. an apparatus for housing passengers which can be fixed with respect to the arm, or which is rotatable on itself.

It is difficult to control the movement of the arms and seats in these amusement rides.

A further disadvantage of the known embodiments is that the emotions imparted to the passengers depend substantially on the circular motion of the seats constrained to the arms and which are thus relatively limited.

Object of the present invention is to solve the drawbacks set forth above and to provide a safe and reliable amusement ride that is able to produce new emotions for the passengers.

Summary of the invention

These and further objects are achieved by means of an amusement ride according to one or more of the accompanying claims 1 - 20 and a method according claim 21.

Further aspects and characteristics are described in the respective dependent claims and/or discussed in the following description.

The amusement ride according to the present invention comprises a supporting structure which can be installed on a preferably horizontal bearing plane. It should be noted that the bearing plane in the present document means both a structure or platform leaned onto the ground, or means directly onto the ground on which the structure of the amusement ride is placed.

The amusement ride further comprises a shaft having a longitudinally-extending axis coupled to the supporting structure by at least one rotating mechanism, to rotate the shaft with respect to the supporting structure around the respective longitudinally- extending axis of the shaft, wherein said longitudinally-extending axis of the shaft forms an angle between 0° and 45° with respect to the bearing plane. It should be noted that the expression “longitudinally-extending axis of the shaft forms an angle between 0° and 45° with respect to the bearing plane “ means that the longitudinal axis of the shaft can be parallel to the bearing plane whenever such angle is substantially equal to 0°, preferably equal to 0°, and is thus for example horizontal whenever the bearing plane is horizontal.

Moreover, such expression further means that according to possible embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the shaft has an inclination with respect to the bearing plane, where the longitudinal axis of the shaft forms an angle greater than 0°, up to be able to reach inclinations of 45° with respect to the bearing plane, which, as stated, is preferably horizontal.

The amusement ride further comprises:

• at least one arm coupled to the shaft and rotatable integrally with the shaft around the longitudinally-extending axis of the shaft, each arm being coupled to the shaft by a rotating mechanism to rotate the at least one arm around a rotation axis of the arm with respect to the shaft;

• at least one supporting element to support at least one seat for one or more passengers of the amusement ride, wherein the at least one supporting element is constrained to the at least one arm (and is rotatably constrained to the shaft around the longitudinally-extending axis of the shaft), each supporting element being rotatably constrained to a respective arm so that the supporting element is rotatable around a rotation axis of the supporting element with respect to the arm.

The rotation axis of the at least one arm is incident to the longitudinally-extending axis of the shaft, or is incident to an axis parallel to said longitudinally-extending axis of the shaft, preferably is incident to an axis passing through said shaft and parallel to said longitudinally-extending axis of the shaft.

Advantageously, according to such configuration, the at least one supporting element, to which the at least one seat for the passengers is constrained, can move with at least two degrees of freedom with respect to the longitudinally-extending axis of the shaft.

According to an aspect, the at least one seat is constrained to the at least one supporting element in a position substantially coincident with the rotation axis of the supporting element, or in a position distal from the rotation axis of the supporting element, at a certain distance from the rotation axis of the supporting element.

Advantageously, the supporting element of the seat allows the rotation of the latter with respect to the arm at, or at a distance from, the rotation axis of the supporting element of the seat with respect to the arm, so that to increase the emotions imparted to the passenger due to the combination of movements that the seat can perform.

According to an aspect, the rotation axis of the at least one arm forms an angle between 0° and 45° with the rotation axis of the at least one supporting element.

It should be noted that the expression “the rotation axis of the at least one arm forms an angle between 0° and 45° with the rotation axis of the at least one supporting element” means that the rotation axis of the at least one arm can be parallel to the rotation axis of the at least one supporting element whenever such angle is substantially equal to 0°, preferably equal to 0°.

Such expression further means that the rotation axis of the at least one arm forms an angle greater than 0°, preferably up to reaching 45°, with the rotation axis of the at least one supporting element, so that the two rotation axes are incident.

According to an aspect, the rotation of the at least one arm around the rotation axis of the arm is operated independently of the rotation of the shaft around the longitudinally-extending axis of the shaft.

Advantageously, according to such aspect, the rotation of the at least one arm around the respective rotation axis can be operated contemporaneously to the rotation of the shaft around its longitudinally-extending axis, or can be operated at a later time.

According to an aspect, the combination of the rotational movement of the at least one arm around the rotation axis of the arm with respect to the shaft and of the rotational movement of the shaft around its longitudinally-extending axis results in the rotation of the at least one supporting element around the rotation axis of the supporting element with respect to the arm. In other words, the rotation of the at least one supporting element with respect to the arm is determined by inertia, by the combination of the rotational movement of the shaft around its longitudinally- extending axis (which integrally rotates the at least one arm around the longitudinally-extending axis of the shaft) and of the rotational movement of the at least one arm with respect to the shaft around the rotation axis of the arm with respect to the shaft.

In other words, the at least one supporting element of the seat (and thus the at least one seat integral with the supporting element) performs a rotational movement which can comprise at least one complete rotation or one partial rotation (a swinging or pendulum movement) around the rotation axis of the supporting element with respect to the arm. As stated, such rotational movement (which comprises at least one complete and/or at least one partial rotation and thus at least one swinging or dangling, or a combination of one or more complete rotations and one or more swinging/dangling) is caused by the combination of the movement of the shaft and of the movement of the arm with respect to the shaft, which, as stated, are preferably rotated by at least one electric motor.

Advantageously, according to such configuration, the rotation of the at least one supporting element is thus free with respect to the at least one arm, and is not driven by an electric motor or similar controlled driving means.

According to an aspect, the supporting structure of the amusement ride comprises at least two supports placed at a given distance, and the shaft is rotatably coupled at its ends to the supports by means of the rotating mechanism of the shaft.

According to a further aspect, the at least one supporting element is rotatable clockwise and/or counterclockwise around the rotation axis of the supporting element with respect to the arm.

According to a further aspect, the at least one supporting element rotates around the rotation axis of the supporting element with respect to the arm with a variable angular velocity. In other words, the combination of the rotational movement of the shaft and arm will result in a variation of the rotational angular velocity of the supporting element with respect to the arm.

Advantageously, this allows to obtain, for example, an acceleration of the movement of the supporting elements and, consequently, of the seats constrained thereto, for example during the rotation step in which the seats are placed at a maximum point in height with respect to the shaft and rotate towards the ground, i.e. towards a bearing plane of the amusement ride. The variation of the angular velocity simulates a vertical fall and a more sudden and unexpected movement.

According to an aspect, the at least one arm is rotatable clockwise and/or counterclockwise around the rotation axis of the arm with respect to the shaft.

According to an aspect, the amusement ride comprises an even number of arms, preferably a pair of arms opposed to each other (with respect to the shaft which is thus placed between the two arms) and which are rotatable around the respective rotation axes (i.e. the rotation axes of the arms with respect to the shaft), preferably in two parallel planes.

Advantageously, the rotation of the two arms in two parallel planes prevents a possible collision and allows to increase the load capacity of the amusement ride. Moreover, the spectacularity of the amusement ride is increased due to the combination of the movements generated.

According to a further aspect, the amusement ride comprises an even number of arms, preferably a pair of arms opposed to each other, which rotate along opposite directions with respect to the respective axes (i.e. the rotation axes of the arms with respect to the shaft).

Advantageously, such configuration allows a homogeneous distribution of the load while the amusement ride is running, due to the arms with respect to the center of the shaft. Moreover, the spectacularity of the amusement ride is increased due to the combination of the movements generated.

According to an aspect, the rotating mechanism of the arms is configured so that the angular velocity of the two arms is substantially the same.

According to a further aspect, the rotating mechanism of the arms comprises a gear mechanism and the at least one arm is coupled to the gear mechanism which imparts the rotation of the arm around the rotation axis of the arm with respect to the shaft.

Preferably, the amusement ride comprises at least one electric motor for driving the rotating mechanism of the at least one arm.

It should be noted that the electric motor for driving the rotating mechanism of the shaft and the electric motor for driving the rotating mechanism of the at least one arm are preferably two distinct motors.

Advantageously, this allows to drive the rotation of the arm independently of the rotation of the shaft and vice versa.

According to a preferred aspect, the amusement ride comprises at least one pair of supporting elements, each coupled to a respective arm and rotatable around the respective rotation axes (i.e. the rotation axes of the supporting element with respect to the arm), preferably in two parallel planes.

Moreover, according to an aspect, the supporting elements rotate around the respective axis (i.e. the rotation axis of the supporting element with respect to the arm), along opposite directions or along the same direction.

According to an aspect, the rotation axis of the at least one arm with respect to the shaft is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinally-extending axis of the shaft, or is substantially perpendicular to an axis parallel to the longitudinally-extending axis of the shaft, preferably is substantially perpendicular to an axis which passes through the shaft and which is parallel to the longitudinally-extending axis of the shaft. It should be noted that the expression substantially perpendicular means that the angle formed between the axes is between 80° and 100°, preferably forms an angle equal to 90°.

The present invention further concerns a method of operating an amusement ride according to claim 21, wherein

• the shaft is rotated with respect to the supporting structure around the longitudinally-extending axis of the shaft;

• the at least one arm coupled to the shaft rotates integrally with the shaft around the longitudinally-extending axis of the shaft, and the at least one arm is rotated around the respective rotation axis by means of the rotating mechanism of the arm;

• the at least one coupled supporting element rotates around the respective rotation axis.

Advantageously, the rotational movement of the supporting element and thus of the at least one seat is the result of the rotation of the shaft and of the rotation of the at least one arm with respect to the shaft.

It should be noted that aspects described and/or claimed herein with respect to the amusement ride can be applied to the method and vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

One or more embodiments will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures attached for illustrative and non limiting purposes, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the amusement ride according to the present invention in the passenger loading/unloading position;

Figure 2 is a top view of the amusement ride according to the present invention;

Figure 2A is a detailed view of figure 2, which shows the connection of the arms with the shaft of the amusement ride according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a front view of the amusement ride according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a side view of the amusement ride according to the present invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the arms, the supporting elements and the respective connections of the amusement ride according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF POSSIBLE EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the accompanying figures, the amusement ride 1 comprises a supporting structure 5 placed on a bearing plane P, preferably horizontal, and a shaft 2 having a longitudinally-extending axis Al coupled to the supporting structure 5 by a rotating mechanism 20a, 20b, so that the shaft 2 is rotatable with respect to the supporting structure 5 around a respective shaft axis Al which can be substantially parallel to the bearing plane P, or can form an angle between 0° to 45° with respect to the bearing plane P.

It should be noted that the shaft 2 rotates to preferably perform at least one complete rotation around its longitudinally-extending axis Al, i.e. a 360° rotation around its longitudinally-extending axis Al.

Preferably, the at least one shaft 2 rotates to perform a plurality of such complete rotations around its longitudinally-extending axis Al, rotating continuously during a single run of the amusement ride 1.

According to a possible embodiment, as for example visible in the figures, the bearing plane P (or the ground) on which the structure of the amusement ride leans is horizontal and the longitudinal axis Al of the shaft 2 is parallel to the bearing plane, thus resulting horizontal.

In a possible embodiment, the bearing plane P comprises a platform which can be movable (or translatable) between a passenger boarding/disembarking position of the amusement ride 1, in which the bearing plane P is in a position proximal from the at least one seat S of the amusement ride 1, and an at rest position, in which the bearing plane P is in a position distal from the at least one seat S of the amusement ride 1, so that not to hinder the movement of the amusement ride 1 during a run.

The shaft 2 preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape and extends between two ends 2a, 2b.

In a possible embodiment shown in figures 1, 2 and 3, the supporting structure 5 comprises at least two supports 50a, 50b placed at a distance D from each other, and the shaft 2 is rotatably coupled at its ends 2a, 2b to the supports 50a, 50b, by means of the rotating mechanism 20a, 20b of the shaft. In particular, the shaft 2 extends between the two supports 50a, 50b, so that to be parallel to the bearing plane P with respect to its direction of longitudinal extent along the axis Al.

In an embodiment, the rotating mechanism 20a, 20b of the shaft 2 comprises a gear mechanism, and the shaft 2 is coupled to such gear mechanism which imparts the rotation of the shaft 2 around the longitudinally-extending axis Al of the shaft.

For example, each of the ends 2a, 2b of the shaft can comprise a cogwheel which is coupled to the rotating mechanism 20a, 20b and which imparts the rotation of the shaft 2 around the longitudinally-extending axis Al of the shaft.

In a preferred embodiment, the amusement ride 1 comprises at least one electric motor 21 for driving the rotating mechanism 20a, 20b of the shaft, and such at least one electric motor 21 is preferably placed on the structure of the amusement ride substantially at an end 2a, 2b of the shaft.

In a possible embodiment not shown in the figures, two electric motors 21, each placed at a respective end 2a, 2b of the shaft, can be present.

It should be noted that the shaft 2 can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to its longitudinally-extending axis Al, and preferably the direction of such rotation is not varied during a single run.

In other words, the shaft 2 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to its longitudinally-extending axis Al during a run of the amusement ride 1, without reversing the rotational direction.

Embodiments, in which the rotational direction of the shaft 2 with respect to its longitudinally-extending axis Al is inverted during a run, are not however excluded. Preferably, the shaft 2 is rotated around its longitudinally-extending axis Al at a constant angular velocity W. In other words, during a run of the amusement ride 1, the angular velocity W of the shaft 2 does not change.

Such as for example visible in the accompanying figures, the amusement ride 1 according to the present invention further comprises at least one arm 3a, 3b coupled to the shaft 2 and rotatable integrally with the shaft 2 around the longitudinally- extending axis Al of the shaft, wherein each arm 3 a, 3b is coupled to the shaft 2 by a rotating mechanism 40a, 40b to rotate the at least one arm 3a, 3b around a rotation axis A2’, A2” of the arm with respect to the shaft 2.

The rotation axis of the at least one arm A2', A2" is incident (is perpendicular, as will be better seen hereunder) with respect to the longitudinally-extending axis Al of the shaft or with respect to an axis parallel to such longitudinally-extending axis Al of the shaft, preferably is incident to an axis which passes through said shaft and which is parallel to the longitudinally-extending axis Al of the shaft.

The rotation axis A2’, A2” of the at least one arm with respect to the shaft 2 is substantially perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis Al of the shaft.

Preferably, the rotation axis A2’, A2” of the at least one arm forms an angle between 80° and 100° with respect to the longitudinal axis Al of the shaft 2, more preferably forms an angle equal to 90°.

In the present document, the expression “rotatable integrally with the shaft 2” means that the at least one arm 3 a, 3b, by virtue of the coupling or connection to the body of the shaft 2, is driven to rotate in the rotational direction of the shaft 2 itself around the longitudinally-extending axis Al of the shaft, and thus the arm 3a, 3b has a movement component according to a rotary drive motion imparted by the shaft 2.

In particular, during such rotary motion, the portion of the at least one arm 3a, 3b constrained to the shaft 2 is moved along a circumferential path T1 around the longitudinally-extending axis Al of the shaft.

As mentioned above, in a preferred embodiment, such as for example visible in figure 4, the shaft 2 rotates around its longitudinally-extending axis Al with a uniform angular velocity W. Consequently, the at least one arm 3a, 3b constrained to the shaft 2 rotates integrally with it at a uniform angular velocity W around the longitudinally-extending axis Al of the shaft.

Such as for example visible in figures 2 and 2A, in a possible embodiment, each arm 3a, 3b is coupled to the shaft 2 by the rotating mechanism 40a, 40b at a central portion 22 of the shaft 2.

Such as for example better visible by way of example in figure 2A, the rotating mechanism of the at least one arm 40a, 40b comprises a gear mechanism 4a, 4b and the at least one arm 3a, 3b is coupled (for example by a cogwheel) to such gear mechanism 4a, 4b which imparts the rotation of the arm 3a, 3b around the rotation axis A2’, A2” of the arm with respect to the arm 2.

Preferably, the rotating mechanism of the at least one arm 40a, 40b is driven by at least one electric motor 43a, 43b.

In a possible embodiment, for example shown in figures 1, 3, 4 and 5, the at least one arm 3a, 3b comprises a main body which extends along a longitudinally-extending axis Bl, B2 of the arm between two ends 30’, 31’; 30”, 31”. The rotation axis A2’, A2” of the arm 3a, 3b with respect to the shaft 2 is located between the two ends of the arm.

Moreover, the arm 3a, 3b is coupled to the shaft 2, so that the longitudinally- extending axis Bl, B2 of the arm is substantially tangent to the outer circular surface of the shaft 2.

Moreover, the rotation axis A2’, A2” of the at least one arm is preferably substantially perpendicular to the longitudinally-extending axis Bl, B2 of the arm. Preferably, the rotation axis A2’, A2” of the at least one arm forms an angle between 80° and 100° with the longitudinally-extending axis Bl, B2 of the arm, more preferably forms an angle equal to 90°.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one arm 3a, 3b is rotatable clockwise and/or counterclockwise around the rotation axis A2’, A2” of the arm, and preferably the clockwise or counterclockwise rotational direction is not varied during the same run. In other words, the at least one arm 3a, 3b rotates clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to its rotation axis A2’, A” without reversing the rotational direction during a run of the amusement ride 1.

Embodiments, wherein the rotational direction of the at least one arm 3a, 3b with respect to its rotation axis A2’, A2” is inverted during a run of the amusement ride 1, are not however excluded.

It should be noted that the at least one arm 3a, 3b rotates to preferably perform at least one complete rotation around its rotation axis A2’, A2”, i.e. a 360° rotation around its rotation axis A2’, A2”.

Preferably, the at least one arm 3a, 3b rotates to perform a plurality of such complete rotations around its rotation axis A2’, A2”, rotating continuously during a single run of the amusement ride 1. Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, the at least one arm 3a, 3b rotates around its rotation axis A2’, A2” with a uniform angular velocity wl, w2.

In other words, the rotational angular velocity of the at least one arm 3a, 3b is controlled, for example by the electric motor 43a, 43b, so that to result constant during a single run.

Embodiments, wherein the angular velocity wl, w2 of the at least one arm 3a, 3b is variable during a single run, are not however excluded.

The amusement ride 1 according to the present invention comprises at least one supporting element 6a, 6b to support at least one seat S for the passengers of the amusement ride 1, wherein the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b is constrained to a respective arm 3a, 3b and is rotatable integrally with the shaft 2 around the longitudinally-extending axis Al of the shaft.

In fact, by virtue of the connection of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b with the at least one arm 3a, 3b in turn connected with the shaft 2, the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b is driven to rotate by the respective arm 3a, 3b around the longitudinally-extending axis Al of the shaft according to a rotary drive motion component.

Each supporting element 6a, 6b is rotatably constrained to a respective arm 3a, 3b, preferably freely rotatable (i.e. in the absence of motors or similar means for imparting the rotational motion). During operation, the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b rotates around a rotation axis A3’, A3” of the supporting element with respect to the arm 3a, 3b.

In an embodiment shown in figure 3, the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b is rotatable clockwise and/or counterclockwise around the axis A3’, A3” of the supporting element, and preferably the rotation direction changes during the same run depending on the combination of movements of the shaft 2 and the arm 3 a, 3b to which the supporting element 6a, 6b is constrained.

In other words, the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b rotates clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to its rotation axis A3’, A3”, reversing the rotational direction during a run of the amusement ride 1.

The rotation of the at least one supporting element is caused by the combination of the rotational movement of the shaft 2 around its longitudinally-extending axis Al (which integrally rotates the at least one arm 3a, 3b around the longitudinally- extending axis Al of the shaft) and of the rotational movement of the at least one arm 3a, 3b around its rotation axis A2', A2”.

The rotation of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b is thus free with respect to the at least one arm 3a, 3b and is not driven by an electric motor.

The at least one supporting element 6a, 6b can comprise a braking mechanism 30a, 30b for braking the rotation of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b and to thus slow down and/or stop the rotation around the rotation axis A3’, A3” with respect to the arm 3a, 3b.

With reference to the example of figure 4, in an embodiment, the braking mechanism 30a, 30b of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b comprises a first brake 62’, 62” for stopping the rotational movement of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b around the rotation axis A3’, A3” and a second brake 63’, 63” for slowing down the rotational movement of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b around the rotation axis A3 ’ , A3 ” .

In particular, in an embodiment, the braking mechanism 30a, 30b of the at least one supporting element comprises an axial reduction gear and a cogwheel of the supporting element 6a, 6b, and the first and the second brake can act on the axis of the axial reduction gear to stop or slow down the rotational movement of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b around the rotation axis A3’, A3” and which rotational movement, as stated, is caused by the combination of the movements of the shaft 2 and the arm 3a, 3b.

Such as for example shown in figures 1, 4 and 5, in a preferred embodiment, the rotation axis A2’, A2” of the at least one arm and the rotation axis A3’, A3” of the at least one supporting element are substantially parallel to each other, i.e. the rotation axis A2’, A2” of the at least one arm forms an angle substantially equal to 0°, preferably equal to 0°, with the rotation axis A3’, A3” of the at least one supporting element.

In a further embodiment not shown in the accompanying figures, the rotation axis A3’, A3” of the at least one supporting element forms an angle greater than 0°, preferably greater than 0° and up to 45°, more preferably greater than 0° and up to 30°, with the rotation axis A2', A2” of the at least one arm.

In a preferred embodiment, such as for example visible in figure 4, the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b is rotatably constrained to the at least one arm 3a, 3b at an end portion 30’, 30” of the arm 3a, 3b, so that the rotation axis A2’, A3” of the at least one supporting element and the rotation axis A2’, A2” of the at least one arm are placed at a distance d’, d” from each other and are substantially parallel to each other.

In the amusement ride according to the present invention, the at least one seat S is constrained to the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b in a position coincident with the rotation axis A3’, A3” of the supporting element, or is constrained to the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b in a position distal from the rotation axis A3’, A3” of the supporting element, in particular at a distance d’” from the rotation axis A3’, A3” of the supporting element.

As shown in the accompanying figures, the amusement ride 1 can comprise a plurality of seats S side by side and placed at the same distance d” with respect to the rotation axis A3’, A3” of the supporting element.

In a possible embodiment, such as for example shown in figure 4, the at least one seat S is constrained to the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b in a position distal from the rotation axis A3’, A3” of the supporting element.

In other words, the seat S is constrained at a distance d’” greater than zero from the rotation axis A3’, A3” of the supporting element, so that to rotate away from the rotation axis A3’, A3” of the supporting element.

Such distance d’” is measured from a median position between an upper portion and a lower portion of the backrest, preferably between the headrest and the seat.

Preferably, the at least one seat S is constrained to the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b at an end portion 61’, 61” of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b.

As mentioned above, in a further possible embodiment not shown in the accompanying figures, the at least one seat S is constrained to the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b in a position proximal from the rotation axis A3’, A3” of the supporting element, preferably in a position coincident with the rotation axis A3’, A3” of the supporting element, i.e. at a distance d’” equal to zero with respect to the rotation axis A3’, A3” of the supporting element.

With reference to figure 3, in an embodiment, the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b rotates around its rotation axis A3’, A3” with a variable angular velocity w3, w4. In fact, as mentioned above, the rotational motion of the supporting element 6a, 6b is caused by the combination of the rotational movement of the shaft 2 around its longitudinally-extending axis Al and of the rotational movement of the at least one arm 3a, 3b around its rotation axis A2’, A2”.

The rotation of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b is thus free with respect to the at least one arm 3a, 3b, and the angular velocity w3, w4 of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b is thus the result of the rotational movements of the respective arm 3a, 3b to which the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b is constrained.

Moreover, as mentioned above, the presence of a brake to reduce or slow down the rotational movement of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b allows to vary the angular velocity w3, w4 of the supporting element 6a, 6b during the rotation around its axis A3’, A3”.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b comprises a main body which extends between two ends 61’, 61” along a longitudinally- extending axis Cl, C2 of the supporting element and is coupled to the at least one arm 3a, 3b so that the longitudinally-extending axis Cl, C2 of the supporting element is substantially parallel to, preferably parallel to, the longitudinally-extending axis Bl, B2 of the at least one arm in the passenger loading/unloading position.

In general, according to a preferred embodiment, during the movement of the amusement ride, the longitudinally-extending axis Cl, C2 of the supporting element 6a, 6b lies on a plane that is substantially parallel to, preferably parallel to, the plane in which the longitudinally-extending axis Bl, B2 of the at least one arm 3a, 3b lies. In other words, according to a preferred embodiment, the supporting element 6a, 6b and the arm 3a, 3b are rotated in planes that are substantially parallel to each other, preferably parallel to each other.

In a further embodiment not shown in the accompanying figures, the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b comprises a main body which extends between two ends 61’, 61 ” along a longitudinally-extending axis Cl, C2 of the supporting element and is coupled to the at least one arm 3a, 3b so that the longitudinally-extending axis Cl, C2 of the supporting element is incident to the longitudinally-extending axis Bl, B2 of the at least one arm in the passenger loading/unloading position.

In such embodiment, during the movement of the amusement ride, the longitudinally-extending axis Cl, C2 of the supporting element 6a, 6b lies in a plane that is incident to the plane in which the longitudinally-extending axis Bl, B2 of the at least one arm 3a, 3b lies.

In other words, according to such possible embodiment, the supporting element 6a, 6b and the arm 3a, 3b are rotated in planes that are incident to each other.

In a preferred embodiment, such as for example visible in figures 1, 4 and 5, the rotation axis A3’, A3” of the at least one supporting element is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinally-extending axis Cl, C2 of the supporting element. Preferably, the rotation axis A3’, A3” of the at least one supporting element forms an angle between 80° and 100° with the longitudinally-extending axis Cl, C2 of the supporting element, more preferably forms an angle equal to 90°.

Moreover, in a possible embodiment, in the passenger loading/unloading position, the longitudinally-extending axis Cl, C2 of the at least one supporting element is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis Bl, B2 of the at least one arm, such as for example shown in the accompanying figures.

In an embodiment shown in figures 3 and 4, the seats S have a backrest which extends longitudinally in a direction parallel to the longitudinally-extending axis Cl, C2 of the supporting element and in a direction parallel to the longitudinally- extending axis Bl, B2 of the arm in the passenger loading/unloading position.

This way, the head-feet direction of the passenger is parallel to the longitudinally- extending axis Cl, C2 of the supporting element and parallel to the longitudinally- extending axis Bl, B2 of the arm.

In a further embodiment not shown in the accompanying figures, the seats S have a backrest which extends longitudinally in a direction incident to the longitudinally- extending axis Cl, C2 of the supporting element and in a direction parallel to the longitudinally-extending axis Bl, B2 of the arm in the passenger loading/unloading position.

This way, the head-feet direction of the passenger is parallel to the longitudinally- extending axis Bl, B2 of the arm.

In such embodiment, the seat S can be movable with respect to the longitudinally- extending axis Cl, C2 of the supporting element so that to allow and favor the passenger loading and unloading operations.

In particular, the seat S can be rotatable between a position in which the backrest is substantially perpendicular to the bearing plane P and, in particular, the seat is substantially parallel to such bearing plane P, and a position in which the backrest is substantially parallel to the longitudinally-extending axis Cl, C2 of the supporting element.

With particular reference to figures 3 and 4, in an embodiment, the amusement ride 1 has an at rest position (or a passenger loading/unloading position) in which the longitudinally-extending axis Cl, C2 of the at least one supporting element and the longitudinally-extending axis Bl, B2 of the at least one arm are substantially parallel to each other and are substantially perpendicular to the bearing plane P.

In such at rest position, the at least one seat S is in a position proximal to the bearing plane P and the passengers can be boarded or disembarked from the amusement ride 1.

As mentioned above, the bearing plane P can comprise a platform movable or translatable between a passenger boarding/disembarking position of the amusement ride 1, in which the bearing plane P is in a position proximal from the at least one seat S of the amusement ride 1, and an at rest position, in which the bearing plane P is in a position distal from the at least one seat S of the amusement ride 1, so that not to hinder the movement of the amusement ride 1 during a run.

The passenger boarding and disembarking operations are favored by the presence of the first brake 62’, 62” of the braking mechanism 30a, 30b of the at least one supporting element, which stops the free rotation of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b around the rotation axis A3’, A3”, thus allowing passengers to get on or off of the amusement ride 1 in the at rest position while ensuring that the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b doesn’t swing.

Preferably, the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b comprising the at least one seat S has a barycenter such as, during a run of the amusement ride also without the presence of passengers, the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b tends to go towards its at rest position, i.e. tends to orient itself in space so that the longitudinally-extending axis Bl, B2 of the at least one arm is substantially perpendicular to the bearing plane P and the seat S is in the point closest to the bearing plane P.

In a possible embodiment, the rotation of the at least one arm 3a, 3b around the rotation axis A2’, A2” of the arm is operated independently of the rotation of the shaft 2 around the axis Al of the shaft.

For such purpose, as mentioned above, the amusement ride 1 can comprise at least one electric motor 43a, 43b for driving the rotating mechanism 40a, 40b of the at least one arm and an electric motor 21 for driving the rotating mechanism 20a, 20b of the shaft.

Moreover, as mentioned above, the rotation of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b around the rotation axis A3’, A3” of the supporting element preferably is the result of the combination of the rotational movement of the at least one arm 3a, 3b around the rotation axis A2’, A2” of the arm and of the rotational movement of the shaft 2 around the axis Al of the shaft, which drives the at least one arm 3a, 3b to which the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b is constrained to rotate.

In a preferred embodiment, the amusement ride 1 comprises a central control unit adapted to control the rotation of the shaft 2 of the at least one arm 3 a, 3b.

In particular, the central control unit can control the rotation of the shaft 2 and of the at least one arm 3a, 3b by controlling the respective rotating mechanisms 20a, 20b; 40a, 40b. As stated, the movement of the preceding components results in the rotation of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b.

Preferably, the control unit is programmable to execute a predetermined program which contains the instructions relative to the movement of the components of the amusement ride 1 and, in particular, relative to the rotation of the shaft 2 of the at least one arm 3a, 3b. With reference to the accompanying figures, in a preferred embodiment, the amusement ride 1 comprises an even number of arms 3a, 3b, preferably a pair of two opposing arms 3a, 3b which are rotatable around the respective rotation axes A2’, A2” in two parallel planes.

In particular, the two opposing arms 3a, 3b are rotated around the respective rotation axes A2’, A2” in two parallel planes, so that the free end portions 31’, 31” of the arms 3a, 3b (i.e. the end portions on which the supporting element are not constrained) are moved along two respective circumferences in such parallel planes. Preferably, the two opposing arms 3 a, 3b rotate around two respective rotation axes A2’, A2” along opposite directions with respect to the respective axes A2’, A2”.

In particular, the two opposing arms 3a, 3b rotate around two respective rotation axes A2’, A2” along opposite directions with respect to the respective axes A2’, A2” with respect to an observer located in a frontal observation point with respect to the amusement ride 1.

In such embodiment comprising a pair of arms 3a, 3b, the rotating mechanism of the arms 40a, 40b is configured so that the angular velocity wl, w2 of the two arms 3a, 3b is substantially the same and, moreover, the angular velocity wl, w2 of each arm 3a, 3b is constant during a run of the amusement ride 1.

In a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the amusement ride 1 comprises at least one pair of supporting elements 6a, 6b, each coupled to a respective arm 3a, 3b, wherein the two supporting elements 6a, 6b are rotatable around a respective axis A3’, A3” in two parallel planes.

In particular, the two supporting elements 6a, 6b are rotated around the respective rotation axes A3’, A3” in two parallel planes, so that the end portions 61’, 61” of the supporting elements 6a, 6b, to which the seats S are constrained, are moved along two respective circumferences in such parallel planes.

In a further embodiment not shown in the accompanying figures, the amusement ride 1 comprises at least one pair of supporting elements 6a, 6b, each coupled to a respective arm 3a, 3b, wherein the two supporting elements 6a, 6b are rotatable around a respective axis A3’, A3” in two parallel planes.

In particular, the two supporting elements 6a, 6b are rotated around the respective rotation axes A3’, A3” in two incident planes, so that the end portions 61’, 61” of the supporting elements 6a, 6b, to which the seats S are constrained, are moved along two respective circumferences in such incident planes.

During a single run of the amusement ride 1, a supporting element can rotate with respect to its rotation axis A3’, A3” with a greater angular velocity with respect to the other supporting element, depending on the relative position assumed by the shaft 2 and the arm 3a, 3b to which the respective supporting element 6a, 6b is constrained.

Preferably, the two supporting elements 6a, 6b rotate around the respective rotation axis A3’, A3” along opposite directions or along the same directions, depending on the relative position assumed by the shaft 2 and the arm 3a, 3b to which the respective supporting element 6a, 6b is constrained.

In particular, the two supporting elements 6a, 6b rotate around two respective rotation axes A3’, A3” along directions opposite the respective axes A2’, A2”, with respect to an observer placed in a frontal observation point with respect to the amusement ride 1.

A method of operating a run of the amusement ride 1 according to the present invention is briefly described hereunder.

Initially, the shaft 2 is rotated with respect to the supporting structure 5 around the longitudinally-extending axis Al of the shaft.

Consequently, by virtue of the connection to the shaft 2, the at least one arm 3a, 3b is rotated integrally with the shaft 2 around the longitudinally-extending axis Al of the shaft.

Moreover, each arm 3a, 3b is rotated around the rotation axis A2’, A2” of the arm with respect to the shaft 2 by the rotating mechanism 40a, 40b.

By virtue of the connection with the at least one arm 3a, 3b, the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b rotates integrally with the shaft 2 around the longitudinally-extending axis Al of the shaft.

Moreover, each supporting element 6a, 6b is rotated around the rotation axis A3’, A3” of the supporting element with respect to the arm 3a, 3b, due to the combination of the rotational movement of the shaft 2 and the arm 3 a, 3b. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one arm 3a, 3b and the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b are rotated around the respective rotation axes A2’, A2”, A3’, A3” in planes substantially parallel to each other.

In a further embodiment not shown in the accompanying figures, the at least one arm 3a, 3b and the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b are rotated around the respective rotation axes A2’, A2”, A3’, A3” in planes incident to each other.

In a preferred embodiment, each arm 3a, 3b is rotated around the respective rotation axis A2’, A2” by keeping a clockwise or counterclockwise direction during a run of the amusement ride 1, preferably without reversing its rotational direction. In a preferred embodiment, the combination of the movements of the shaft 2 and the arms 3a, 3b is such as to cause a rotational movement of the supporting element 6a, 6b around the respective rotation axis A3’, A3” thus alternating a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction during a run of the amusement ride 1.