Technical field

The present invention relates to a car for an amusement park or luna park, in particular a bumper car.

Technological background

The invention relates to the technical field of cars for being steered by a driver, which are configured for amusement parks or luna parks. An example of such cars is constituted by bumper cars.

As known, these cars, which generally have small dimensions and electrical control, are provided to travel on suitable tracks in which the occupants on-board these cars seek to bump into or avoid intentional or unintentional impacts from others. Another example is constituted by cars which are actuated electrically by battery or by internal combustion engines and which are intended to run along tracks or circuits with a base which is conventionally made of asphalt, cement or other types of surfaces. This type of cars comprises by way of non-limiting example go-karts and cars which are known as "battery cars" in the sector being referred to.

Typically, these cars are provided with a structure of a carrier frame, on which there are mounted the front and rear axles of the respective wheel groups, with the corresponding transmission systems. Furthermore, a seating structure, with a single or double seat, suitable for receiving the driver, optionally beside another passenger (in the two-seat versions) is rigidly fixed to the carrier frame or the relevant body.

The continuous search for innovation in this specific sector has mainly been directed towards defining innovative designs of the body profiles of the cars. From the functional point of view connected with the steerability of the car, it would further be desirable to have, during the steering of the car, additional movement effects, which may or may not be controlled, so as to provoke different and unexpected sensations in the occupants of the car, from the perspective of provoking greater amusement.

For example, in the steering or bumping phase with respect to other cars (in the case of bumper cars), it would be desirable for the driver to have the sensation of side-slipping or skidding more realistically, which effect cars of conventional type do not allow to be obtained.

From the point of view of safety, it would further be desirable to reduce in these cars the lateral accelerations on the occupants, resulting from possible side impacts (in the case of bumper cars) and during manoeuvres round bends.

Description of the invention

A main object of the invention is to provide a car for amusement parks which is structurally and functionally configured to comply with the above-mentioned requirements, overcoming the limitations set out with reference to the known solutions, and which in particular produces, at least in some phases of normal operation, a greater effect of uncontrolled steering, particularly which allows the driver to have sensations of steering, for example, with side-slipping or with skidding, which are more realistic and therefore more entertaining including, but not exclusively, during impacts with other cars. This object and other objects which will be appreciated more clearly below are achieved by a car for amusement parks which is constructed in accordance with the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be appreciated from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof which is illustrated by way of non- limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a car for amusement parks of the bumper type, which is constructed according to the present invention, - Figure 2 is an additional partial perspective view of the car of Figure 1,

- Figure 3 is a partial lateral plan view of a detail of the car of the preceding Figures, - Figure 4 is a partial perspective rear view of the car of the preceding Figures,

Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a construction variant of the car of the preceding Figures,

Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views of an additional embodiment of the car according to the invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention

Initially with reference to Figures 1 to 4, there is generally designated 1 a first example of a car for amusement parks which is configured in particular for bumper cars and which is constructed according to the present invention.

The car, which is only partially shown in Figure 1, comprises a structure of a main carrier frame 2 on which a body (not shown, in order to make it easier to see the internal portions) which is peripherally surrounded by a rubber bumper 4 is intended to be mounted.

The mechanism of the transmission is mounted on the frame 2, including a front steering axle which has a conventional structure per se and which is controlled by a steering wheel 5 and a rear axle which is provided with wheel groups and which may optionally be steerable (both the axles not being shown in detail in the Figures).

The carrier frame 2 is advantageously constructed from metal material (for example, steel) and/or composite materials (for example, from fibreglass/carbon fibre). For the frame, there may be used open or tubular profiles, with connections welded or fixed by means of bolted connection.

The car further comprises a seating structure for the driver, which is generally designated 7 and which is formed by a single seat or a double seat. The seating structure is supported by a second frame 8 which is also preferably constructed from metal material (for example, steel) and/or composite materials. For the frame 8, there may be used profiles and connections of the type set out above for the main frame. The seating structure 7 is formed with a seat portion 7a which is connected to a back portion 7b. The seat 7a, with a single seat or double seat, is fixed to the frame 8 with brackets or screws or other fixing systems.

According to a main feature of the invention, the car 1 comprises guide means which are generally designated 9 and which are interposed between the carrier frame 2 and the frame 8 carrying the seat 7, and which are configured to guide the frame 8 with a relative movement with respect to the carrier frame 2, particularly during the running phase of the car. In an embodiment, the movement of the frame 8 which is guided by the guide means 9 is free and is brought about by the inertial forces of the masses being moved during the running of the car.

In an additional embodiment, the movement of the frame 8 guided by the guide means 9 is controlled, for example, by controlling motor means or motorized actuator means which are operationally associated with the frame 8 in order to drive it with movement relative to the carrier frame 2.

In the embodiment described, the guide means 9 are configured to guide the frame 8 which carries the seating structure 7 with a pivoting movement, with rotation relative to the carrier frame 2. The guide means comprise a pin type articulation device about a rotation axis X so that the seating structure 7 can be pivoted about the axis.

The articulation device comprises a pair of pins 11, 12 which are provided on the frame 8 and which are coaxial relative to each other in the axial direction X, which is inclined with respect to the main longitudinal extent direction of the car, as shown in greater detail in Figure 3. The pins 11, 12 are received, with rotatable engagement inside respective seats 11a, 12a which are provided in respective and corresponding hubs lib, 12b, which are fixedly joined to the main frame 2. There are advantageously interposed between the pins and the respective hubs suitable bearing type supports or other types of low-friction support.

By means of this pair of rotating supports, which are mounted in front of and behind the seating structure 7, respectively, the seating structure can pivot about the rotation axis X, bringing about in the seat a lateral tilting movement along a circular rotational trajectory. A rocking effect of the seat about the pivoting axis X is derived therefrom.

In greater detail, the rear hub 12b is secured to an assembly 14 which is formed by three legs 13 which are erected in the manner of a tripod and which are convergent in a plate 15 for supporting the hub 12b and which are in turn secured to the main frame 2 at the opposite ends.

The front hub lib is secured to a bracket 16 which is connected to a front portion of the carrier structure of the main frame 2, in a position under the steering group 5.

In an embodiment, the guide means 9 are configured to guide the frame 8 which carries the seat 7 with a linear movement in relation to the carrier frame 2. For example, there may be provided rails or lines for rectilinear sliding, which are secured to the frame 2, in a position under the seat, and which are capable of being engaged, with a connection for relative sliding, by wheels or wheeled carriages which are mounted on the seating structure, under the seat, so that the seat can be guided during the lateral movement in a direction, for example, transverse relative to the running direction of the car.

With reference to a construction variant, Figure 5 schematically shows by way of example with a thick broken line the profiles of lines which can be provided on the car in order to guide the seating structure. In this variant, the lines which have an arcuate form are provided as the only guide means for the seat; alternatively, the lines may be provided in combination with the rotary supports.

In an embodiment, the guide means 9 can be configured to guide the frame 8 with an undulating movement in relation to the carrier frame 2. Lines with an undulating profile can be combined, with a connection with relative sliding, with wheels or wheeled carriages, which are mounted below the seating structure 7, similarly to the preceding example.

In an additional embodiment, the guide means 9 can be configured to guide the frame 8 for supporting the seat 7 with a combined rotational/translational movement with respect to the carrier frame 2.

An example of such a combined movement may make provision for the seat to be rotatably supported on the frame 2 about a first vertical axis (directed perpendicularly to the support plane on the floor of the car) and the frame 8 is in turn rotatably supported about a second pivoting axis (for example, coincident with the axis X cited in the examples described above).

It will be understood that other combinations of movements are naturally able to be carried out, for example, by combining a pivoting movement of the seat about a vertical axis with a linear or undulating movement of the frame 8 in relation to the frame 2.

In an embodiment, there may be provision for the car to be provided with motor means for driving the frame 8, guided by the guide means 9, during the relative movement on the main frame 2. To this end, there may be provided motorized actuators with electrical control or electric motors which are operatively connected, with a suitable kinematic chain, to the elements to be moved, whether rotational or translational or rotational/translational movement.

In an embodiment in which the seating structure 7 can pivot about a rotation axis, as in the example of Figures 1 to 3, a rotary motor may be connected directly to one of the pins of the rotary supports of the seat, or may be connected thereto, indirectly, via a suitable movement transmission system (with a belt or chain, for example). In an embodiment, the motor may further be combined with a phonic wheel which allows adjustment of the degrees of turning of the rotation in such a manner that the travel is adjustable on the basis of the requirements and the model of the car required. The rotation can further also be carried out mechanically or hydraulically .

In an embodiment, the car comprises limiting means for the movement (or angular rotation or linear translational or combined movement) of the frame 8 with respect to the frame 2, thereby limiting the extent of the pivoting/lateral translation travel of the seat. The limiting means which comprise travel limit members can further be provided to block the seating structure 7 in the rest position, which is not pivoted, in order to allow the driver to get in and out of the car in safety. For example, there may be provided a retention block which is mounted under the car and which serves to keep the seat blocked, the block being able to be mechanical or electrical or hydraulic on the basis of constructive requirements.

Figures 6 and 7 show an additional embodiment of the car according to the invention, wherein details similar to those of the preceding example are indicated with the same reference numerals.

This embodiment provides for the car to have a seating structure 7 which is engaged at the front and rear by means of rotating supports with pins or bearings so as to allow the circular rotation of the seat. During the retention phase, the seat remains stationary centrally as a result of a mechanical or electrical block 17 which allows the operator to climb up and down. The seat is further provided with belts and a register of the inclination of the seat so as to be able to adjust the rotation to any degree the constructor believes is necessary. During the work phase, that is to say, when the car is running, the seat may therefore move with a tilting movement, this movement being able to be free or guided with electronic, mechanical or pneumatic components.

This embodiment differs from the one described above mainly in that there is integrated in the seating structure a footplate 18 for supporting the feet of the driver, which is connected to lateral sides 19 which surround the seating structure 7.

During operation, during the running of the car, as a result of the rotating supports the seat may rotate laterally, with a rocking pivoting movement, about the rotation axis. Such a movement provokes in the occupant of the car the sensation of carrying out, while bumping into other cars, a more realistic side slip, increasing the entertainment during the running of the car. The other advantageous effects which are obtained with the car according to the invention include the greater containment round bends, the attenuation of any lateral impacts undergone by the car, the introduction of unexpected movements, which may be where applicable casual ones and may not necessarily be coherent with the movement of the car.

The invention thereby achieves the objectives set out, affording the advantages set out above with respect to the known solutions