The invention relates to methods for operating an amusement device comprising an elongated track and a carriage which is movable over said track, which carriage is moved in a forward direction of transport over said track to a predetermined end position, whereby said forward movement is stopped near said end position, at least one seating part of the carriage provided with seats is pivoted through 180° about a pivot axis extending transversely to the track, and the carriage is moved in a backward direction of transport away from said end position, whereby the front part of the carriage is positioned at the front again, seen in the direction of transport.

The invention furthermore relates to an amusement device comprising an elongated track and a carriage which is movable over said track, which carriage comprises a chassis which is capable of movement over said track, as well as a seating part provided with seats, which can pivot through at least 180° with respect to said chassis.

The term seating part used herein is understood to mean that part of the carriage which is capable of accommodating one person or a number of persons in a sitting, standing or recumbent position.

In a similar amusement device, which is known from US-A- 1,474,335, a carriage is moved over the track in a forward direction of transport, then the carriage is brought to a standstill, after which the carriage is pivoted through 180°. Then the carriage is moved over the track in an opposite, backward direction of transport. As a result of this, the persons present in the carriage are moved in forward direction, both in the forward and in the backward direction of transport. Since the amusement device as described in said US patent simulates a horse race, the carriage is first stopped, then rotated and subsequently moved in a backward direction of transport. To the person present in the carriage this behaviour is predictable, so that the sensation being experienced is relatively minor.

The object of the invention is to provide a method for operating an amusement device wherein the pivoting of the carriage takes place in a more spectacular manner.

This objective is accomplished with the method according to the invention in that first the forward movement is stopped, after which, prior to and during the pivoting movement of at least the seating part of the carriage provided with seats, the carriage is moved a predetermined distance in a backward direction of transport away from the end position, after which the carriage is moved further in the backward direction of transport away from the end position, whereby the front part of the carriage is positioned at the front, seen in the backward direction of transport.

By moving the carriage the predetermined distance in the backward direction of transport prior to and during the pivoting movement, a person present in the carriage will experience a sensation of moving rearwards during the backward direction of transport.

Subsequently he is reversed as yet, however.

This sensation is further enhanced if the track comprises an upward, preferably substantially vertically extending track portion, whereby the end portion is located near the upper part of said track portion.

With another method according to the invention the object of the present invention is accomplished in that the carriage is brought to a standstill once at least one seating part of the carriage provided with seats has been pivoted through 180° about the pivot axis extending transversely to the track.

Near the end position, which may be located near the end of the track or at any predetermined point on the track, the seating part is pivoted through 180° and the carriage is brought to a standstill.

The carriage will be at a standstill the moment the pivoting movement through 180° is completed, and subsequently the carriage is moved in the opposite direction of transport, away from the end position. The persons present in the carriage keep looking in the direction of movement of the carriage thereby. By pivoting the carriage before the end position is reached, the end position can no longer be seen by the persons present in the carriage, and it will be reached as yet at an unexpected moment.

This enhances the sensation that is being experienced.

It is also possible, of course, to have the passenger look in a direction opposed to the direction of movement of the carriage.

As a result of the pivoting movement of the carriage, the passenger will

suddenly see the end of the track and experience a sensation of going off the track. When the end position is reached, the carriage is moved in the opposite direction as yet.

One embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the track comprises a substantially vertical track portion, whereby the carriage is moved over the track in the forward, upward direction of transport, pivoted about a substantially horizontal axis extending transversely to the track, and moved in a backward, downward direction of transport.

In this manner the movement of a stunt plane is simulated, whereby the stunt plane attempts to fly vertically upwards.

Upon reaching the maximum height, a stunt plane pivots about a horizontal axis and subsequently dives substantially vertically downwards. With the methods according to the invention a person present in the carriage experiences a similar sensation.

The pivoting of the seating part, the stopping of the carriage and the moving of the carriage in downward direction must be carried out within the shortest possible space of time so as to achieve an optimum approximation of the movement of a stunt plane.

When an aeroplane makes a dive, first a vertical downward movement, also called a"tail slide", is carried out before the aeroplane is pivoted through 180°. Said vertical downward movement is continued during said pivoting. As a result of said tail slide, which is simulated with the method according to the invention, the movement of a stunt plane is approximated even more.

Another embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that each carriage comprises a separate seating part provided with seats, which can pivot through at least 180°, whereby the pivoted seating parts are simultaneously pivoted through 180°.

In this manner it is possible to have a relatively large number of persons simultaneously undergo a pivoting movement about the pivot axis, whilst the length of the curve being negotiated by the persons remains limited. As a result of this it is possible to make said pivoting movement relatively quickly, without those persons who are positioned furthest away from the pivot axis being subjected to relatively excessive accelerations and velocities.

The invention will be explained in more detail hereafter with reference to the drawings, in which: Figures lA-lE are side views and front views of an amusement device according to the invention, showing said amusement device at successive points in time 1-8; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view in the direction indicated by arrows II-II of the amusement device shown in Figure 1A; Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the position of the amusement device shown in Figures 1B and 1D; Figures 4A-4C show various positions of an engaging device of the amusement device shown in Figure 1.

Like parts are numbered alike in the Figures.

Figures 1A-1D show an amusement device 10 according to the invention, which comprises an elongated track 11 and a carriage 12, which is movable over said elongated track 11. The amusement device 10 which is shown in Figures lA-lE comprises one carriage 12, which is shown in several successive positions 1-8 on track 11.

The elongated track 11 comprises a substantially horizontal track portion 13, two upwardly curved track portions 14,15, which adjoin said horizontal track portion 13 on either side thereof, an upwardly sloping track portion 16, which adjoins said curved track portion 14, an upwardly curved track portion 17, which adjoins track portion 16, and two vertically extending track portions 18,19, which adjoin track portions 17 and 15 respectively.

The vertically extending track portions 18,19 are supported by two vertically extending columns 20,21, which are provided with tubes which are interconnected to form a lattice construction.

Track 11 is provided with two parallel tubes 22,23, over which carriage 12 can move. Carriage 12 is to that end provided with a chassis 24, which, as is shown in Figures 2,3, is provided with four sets of guide rollers 25, which each comprise at least one wheel 26, which rolls on a tube 22,23, two wheels 27, which roll along the side of the tube, and at least one wheel 28, which rolls against the underside of the tube 22,23. Assemblies 25 of this kind are known per se and need not be explained in more detail, therefore.

Carriage 12 furthermore comprises a seating part 29, which comprises four pairs of seats 30 positioned one behind the other.

Seating part 29 can be pivoted with respect to chassis 24, about a pivot axis 31 extending transversely to the chassis, by means of a rim 131.

Carriage 12 is to that end provided with a friction wheel 132, which is rotatably supported about an axis of rotation extending transversely to pivot axis 31 and to the elongated track. Friction wheel 132 is coupled to rim 131 by means of a transmission (not shown). Near the upper ends of the vertically extending track portions 18,19, track 11 is provided with a friction track 133, on which friction wheel 132 rolls. As a result of the movement of friction wheel 132 on friction track 133, rim 131 and the seating part 29 connected thereto are pivoted about pivot axis 31.

Amusement device 10 furthermore comprises two moving mechanisms 32,33, which are each provided with an engaging device 34, which can be detachably coupled to chassis 24, and with a cable 35 connected to engaging device 34, which is passed over a guide roller 38 near an upper end 36,38 of the vertically extending track portions 18, 19, which continues vertically in downward direction, and which is connected, after being passed over a guide roller 39, to a winch 40 near the underside of vertical upright 20,21.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the amusement device shown in Figure 1A, showing the position carriage 12 occupies near arrows II-II.

The cross-sectional view shows upright 21, which is provided with rods 41,42,43, which are interconnected to form triangles.

The rods are connected near their ends to vertically extending tubular sections 44,45,46. Tubular section 46 is provided with a number of spaced-apart U-shaped carriers 47. The ends of legs 48,49 of U-shaped carriers 47 are connected to parallel tubes 22,23.

Chassis 24 is provided with an elongated fin-shaped flange 50, which can be coupled to engaging device 34 by means which are known per se.

Figures 4A-4C show engaging device 34, which forms part of a separate patent application NL-A-1005727 of the applicant and which will be explained only briefly, therefore. Engaging device 34 comprises a number of pairs of cams 134, which can be rotated under spring force in directions indicated by arrows P7 and P8. Engaging device 34 is furthermore provided with two slides 135,136 which can be moved against spring force in directions indicated by arrows P5, P6, and which are

provided with pins 137 positioned opposite said cams 134. Track 11 is provided with a camping device (not shown), by means of which forces can be exerted on slides 135,136 in directions indicated by arrows P5, P6.

As a result of these forces being exerted on slides 135,136, said slides 135,136 are moved towards each other, whereby pins 137 are moved into contact with cams 134, as a result of which cams 134 are pivoted in directions opposed to arrows P7, P8. As a result of the pivoting movement of cams 134 in directions opposed to arrows P7, P8, said cams 134 move from the position shown in Figure 4A to the position shown in Figure 4B.

When the engaging device 34 is being connected to flange 50 of carriage 12, the engaging device 34 is first moved to the position shown in Figure 4B, after which the forces being exerted on slides 135,136 are reduced, and the engaging device 34 will take up the position shown in Figure 4C, for example, wherein flange 50 is positioned asymmetrically in engaging device 34. When engaging device 34 is being disconnected from flange 50, forces are exerted on slides 135,136 in directions indicated by arrows P5, P6. At the same time engaging device 34 is decelerated. As a result of the mass inertia, carriage 12 and the flange 50 connected thereto will move a little further in the direction of transport indicated by arrow T. As a result of this, the forces being exerted on cams 134 by flange 50 will be reduced, and slides 135,136 can be moved towards each other by using relatively little force, as a result of which cams 134 will be disconnected from flange 50.

The operation of the amusement device will now be briefly explained.

The starting point is position 1, in which position carriage 12 is present in horizontal track portion 13. A boarding station is located near said horizontal track portion 13, from where persons can get in and off carriage 12. Persons seated on seats 30 look in a direction of transport indicated by arrow Pl. After the passengers have seated themselves in carriage 12 and have been secured in seats 30 by means which are known per se, the engaging device 34 coupled to carriage 12 is moved by winch 40 in the direction of transport indicated by arrow PI, over horizontal track portion 13, curved track portion 14, sloping track portion 16 and curved track portion 17 to vertical track portion 18, where carriage 12 reaches position 2.

Near the end of track portion 18, the seating part 29 is disconnected from chassis 24, after which it is pivoted about horizontal pivot axis 31 in the direction indicated by arrow P2 (see Figure 1B, position 3; Figure 3), and subsequently it is connected to chassis 24 again. The moment the seating part is connected to the chassis, the carriage is brought to a standstill, and carriage 12 takes up the position 4 shown in Figure 1C. It is preferred to have the completion of the pivoting movement and the stopping of the carriage take place simultaneously, in order to optimally approximate the sensation of an aeroplane diving about a horizontal axis.

The pivoting of the seating part 29 takes place in the manner as described with reference to Figure 2, for example.

It is also possible to pivot the seating part about pivot axis 31 by means of an electrically driven motor, whereby the electric motor is activated at the desired moment by means of sensors which are connected to a controller. After the seating part 29 has been pivoted, said seating part 29 is interlocked with chassis 24. Only then is the pivoting movement of seating part 29 completed. Carriage 12 is stopped the moment said pivoting movement is completed.

The stopping of carriage 12 can take place in several manners.

Firstly it is possible to stop the moving mechanism 32, then couple carriage 12 to a claw (not shown) disposed near end 36, subsequently disconnect the engaging device 34 from carriage 12, and then disconnect the claw from the carriage.

A second possibility is to use the engaging device 34 shown in Figures 4A-4C, whereby the engaging device 34 connected to flange 50 of carriage 12 is decelerated, and slides 135,136 are urged towards each other by means of a clamping device. As a result of the forces being exerted on slides 135,136 and the reduction of the forces being exerted on cams 134 by flange 50 as a result of the mass inertia, slides 135,136 are moved towards each other and cams 134 are disconnected from flange 50. Carriage 12 will be brought to a standstill as a result of the force of gravity, which force of gravity subsequently causes carriage 12 to move in downward direction.

After carriage 12 has been disconnected from engaging device 34, carriage 12 will be moved in a downward direction indicated

by arrow P3 under the influence of the force of gravity.

Carriage 12 is then moved over horizontal track portion 18, curved track portion 17, sloping track portion 16, curved track portion 14, horizontal track portion 13 and curved track portion 15 to vertical track portion 19. Engaging device 34 of moving mechanism 33 is coupled to carriage 12 on track portion 19, after which carriage 12 is moved to a position near the end 37 of vertical track portion 19 by means of winch 40. Near end 37 (position 5), seating part 29 is pivoted about the horizontally extending pivot axis 31 in the direction indicated by arrow P2 (see Figure 1D, position 6; Figure 3), and carriage 12 is brought to a standstill. Once the carriage has been pivoted about pivot axis 31 and brought to a standstill, carriage 12 takes up the position 7 shown in Figure IE, after which engaging device 34 is disconnected from carriage 12 and carriage 12 is moved in the direction indicated by arrow P4 under the influence of the force of gravity. Since vertical track portion 19 is considerably longer than track portion 18, the sensation of being present in a vertically rising aeroplane, which subsequently makes a dive, is even stronger.

Carriage 12 then moves successively over vertical track portion 19, curved track portion 15, horizontal track portion 13, curved track portion 14 and sloping track portion 16. Engaging device 34 of moving mechanism 32 is brought into engagement with fin-shaped flange 50 of carriage 12 on sloping track portion 16, and carriage 12 is brought to a standstill. Then the carriage is transported to horizontal track portion 13 in a direction opposed to arrow P1. The passengers present in carriage 12 get off and other passengers get in. It is possible, if desired, to pivot seating part 29 about pivot axis 31 on sloping track portion 16, so that the passengers also look in the direction of transport upon returning to horizontal track portion 13.

In order to simulate the sensation of an vertically rising and subsequently diving aeroplane even further, the carriage is first brought to a standstill, then it is moved in downward direction over a predetermined distance of a few metres, and during this downward movement it is pivoted through 180°, after which the carriage is moved further in downward direction. During said movement moved over said predetermined distance the carriage is connected to a claw device, by means of which the carriage is moved over said predetermined distance in a controlled

manner. After the pivoting movement through 180° has been completed, and it has been assured that seating part 29 is interlocked with chassis 24, the claw is disconnected and the carriage is moved further in downward direction under the influence of the force of gravity.

It is possible to provide the amusement device 10 with a number of coupled-together carriages 12, whereby the chassis 24 are coupled together and seating parts 29 can each pivot separately about a pivot axis 31 with respect to the associated chassis 24. Preferably the seating parts can pivot in opposite directions, as is also done with aeroplanes flying one behind the other during stunt shows.

It is also possible to transport the passengers in standing position. Furthermore it is possible to suspend the carriage from the track rather than move it over the track, as shown in Figure 1A. It is also possible to move the passengers over the track in a recumbent position, as is for example described in international patent application WO 97/02878, whereby each passenger reclines with his back against the track. During the downward movement the passenger dives vertically downward, as it were.

The pivoting of the seating part 29 with respect to chassis 24 may also take place by means of an electric motor.

The interlocking between the seating part and the chassis may be checked mechanically as well as electronically.

Instead of using a winch mechanism at track portion 19, it is also possible to use another driving mechanism, for example a hydraulic cylinder.

Furthermore it is possible for the track to be U-shaped, whereby two vertically rising track portions are interconnected by a semicircular track portion. It is possible thereby to provide the semicircular track portion with a full looping.

It is also possible to provide the amusement device with devices which blow smoke from the rear part of the carriage the moment it approaches the end position. If the carriage is shaped in the form of an aeroplane, this will give the impression of the aeroplane having engine trouble.