RECOVERY DEVICE FOR AN AMUSEMENT RIDE

Abstract

A fairground ride may include a support structure, at least one vehicle having a passenger receptacle, and at least one guideway which is attached to the support structure and forms a circuit, wherein the guideway is adapted to guide the vehicle along the circuit. The fairground ride may also include at least one drive member which is adapted to move the vehicle along the circuit; and at least one recovery apparatus, which has an operating range. The guideway may be disposed at least section-wise on a substantially vertical area, each point of the normal vector of which is perpendicular to the vertical axis of the support structure, and the operating range of the recovery apparatus may substantially cover the vertical area.

Claims

1. A fairground ride comprising: a support structure; at least one vehicle having a passenger receptacle; at least one guideway which is attached to the support structure and forms a circuit, wherein the guideway is adapted to guide the vehicle along the circuit; at least one drive member which is adapted to move the vehicle along the circuit; and at least one recovery apparatus, which has an operating range, wherein the guideway is disposed at least section-wise on a substantially vertical area, each point of a normal vector of which is perpendicular to a vertical axis of the support structure, and an operating range of the recovery apparatus substantially covers the substantially vertical area.

2. The fairground ride of claim 1, wherein a movement of the vehicle generated by the drive member is an acceleration and/or a deceleration.

3. The fairground ride of claim 1, wherein the drive member comprises a gear connection, a cable connection, a chain connection, and one of a friction wheel drive or a linear drive.

4. The fairground ride of claim 1, wherein the vehicle has a chassis which is disposed movably relative to the passenger receptacle.

5. The fairground ride of claim 1, wherein the vehicle has a chassis which is disposed rotatably relative to the passenger receptacle.

6. The fairground ride of claim 1, wherein the circuit is guided at least section-wise substantially vertically parallel with the vertical axis of the support structure.

7. The fairground ride of claim 1, wherein the circuit is guided substantially spirally upwards and/or downwards about the vertical axis of the support structure.

8. The fairground ride of claim 1, wherein the recovery apparatus is configured for recovery and/or circuit maintenance.

9. The fairground ride of claim 1, wherein the recovery apparatus comprises an attachment apparatus, which is attached to the support structure, at least one of a platform and a cage, and a support device configured to provide support for and travel of the platform along a travel path, wherein the travel path is disposed vertically along a height of the support structure and the platform is movable along the travel path.

10. The fairground ride of claim 9, wherein the attachment apparatus of the recovery apparatus is disposed on a top or on a bottom of the support structure.

11. The fairground ride of claim 10, wherein the support device of the recovery apparatus comprises at least one of a cable, a tube, rails, and a support rod.

12. The fairground ride of claim 9, wherein the attachment apparatus of the recovery apparatus is disposed on the top and on the bottom of the support structure.

13. The fairground ride of claim 12, wherein the support device of the recovery apparatus comprises at least one of a cable, a tube, rails, and a support rod.

14. The fairground ride of claim 9, wherein the attachment apparatus of the recovery apparatus is movable around a perimeter of a top of the support structure and around a bottom of the support structure, respectively.

15. The fairground ride of claim 1, wherein the recovery apparatus has a drive member configured to move a platform or a cage along a travel path of a support device.

16. The fairground ride of claim 1, wherein the recovery apparatus comprises a drive apparatus configured to move the recovery apparatus along a perimeter of the support structure or to move a platform along a travel path of a support device.

17. The fairground ride of claim 1, wherein the recovery apparatus comprises a drive apparatus configured to move the recovery apparatus along a perimeter of the support structure and configured to move a platform along a travel path of a support device.

18. The fairground ride of claim 1, wherein the recovery apparatus has an extendable extension.

19. A fairground ride system comprising at least two fairground rides in accordance with claim 1, wherein the circuits of the at least two fairground rides run on one or more vertical planes of the at least two support structures.

20. A fairground ride system comprising at least two fairground rides in accordance with claim 9, wherein the circuits of the fairground rides run on one or more vertical planes of the at least two support structures.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0044] FIG. 1 is a representation of an embodiment of a fairground ride with a tower-like support structure comprising steel members, to which a guideway is attached. The guideway includes two parallel guide rails, as well as a support rail and support structure (e.g., connecting bars between the guide rails and the support rail) and forms a circuit. The closed circuit winds its way upwards on the right side of the illustrated view, and essentially vertically downwards on the left side. The vehicles are guided from above the passenger receptacle by the guideway. The recovery apparatus is attached to the top of the support structure.

[0045] FIG. 2 is a representation of an embodiment of a recovery apparatus on the tower-like support structure. The recovery apparatus is attached to the top of the support structure. Two parallel guided cables form a support device to which a platform is attached. The support device allows for movement of the platform along a vertical travel path along the vertical plane of the support structure.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a representation of an embodiment of a recovery device, which is attached to the top of the support structure by way of the attachment apparatus. The attachment apparatus is movable along the perimeter of the surface of the support structure.

[0047] FIG. 4A is a representation of an embodiment of a platform of the recovery apparatus. The platform is attached, by two cables at each of its short sides, to the support device.

[0048] FIG. 4B is a representation of an embodiment of a platform of the recovery apparatus with extension. The extension is extendable along the short side of the platform and enlarges the area of the platform in this way when being extended. [0049] FIG. 5A is a representation of an embodiment of a lateral view of the circuit of the guide structure in the form of a straight line. [0050] FIG. 5B is a representation of an embodiment of a plan view of the circuit of the guide structure in the form of a wave. [0051] FIG. 5C is a representation of an embodiment of a lateral view of the circuit of the guide structure in the form of a wave. [0052] FIG. 5D is a representation of an embodiment of a plan view of a convoluted shape of the circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The present disclosure is explained below with reference to an embodiment. FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a fairground ride 1 with a tower-like support structure 2. The tower of the support structure 2 includes a truss structure, which is formed from individual steel members. In the vertical direction, the support structure 2 is configured so as to taper towards the top 24. The guideway 4 in the form of two parallel-guided guide rails and a support rail with support structure is attached to the support structure 2. The circuit formed by the guideway 4 is a closed circuit. In this regard, the circuit begins in a station area for the purpose of passenger entry/exit (not shown) on the bottom 21 of the support structure and executes an ascent in a multiply winding structure on the right side 23 to the top 24 of the support structure 2, where it transitions into an almost vertical downwards stretch on the left side 22. Guided along the circuit by way of the guideway 4 are vehicles 3, which serve to accommodate passengers. In the present example, guiding of the vehicles 3 is effected from above the passenger receptacle. Attached to the top 24 of the tower structure is the recovery apparatus 5, which is shown in further detail in FIG. 2.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows the recovery apparatus 5, which is attached to the top 24 of the support structure 2 by an attachment apparatus 52 (see FIG. 3). Two parallel guided cables form a support device 53, to which is attached a platform 51 or a cage. The support device 53 is so designed and movable that it is possible for the platform or the cage to move along a travel path 54 along the vertical plane of the support structure 2.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows an example of the attachment apparatus 52 of the recovery apparatus 5, which is disposed on the top 24 of the support structure 2. The attachment apparatus 52 is movable around the perimeter of the surface 24 of the support structure 2, as a result of which every side of the support structure 2 can be reached.

[0056] FIGS. 4A and 4B show the platform 51 of the recovery apparatus 5. FIG. 4A shows the platform 51, each of the short sides of which is attached to the support device 53 by two cables. In accordance with FIG. 4B, the platform 51, or the cage, has an extension 55. The extension 55 is extendable along the short side of the platform 51 and thus enlarges the area of the platform 51. Alternatively, extendability along the long side of the platform 51 is also possible. In this way, the effective range that can be reached by the platform is increased.

[0057] FIGS. 5A to 5D show different configurations of the circuit, which is formed by the guideway 4 and is disposed in a substantially vertical area. In this regard, two rails are parallel guided on a support rail. The support rail is connected to the support device 53.

[0058] FIG. 5A shows a straight stretch of circuit. In this regard, only one movement of the vehicle or vehicles 3 in the form of a round-trip, e.g., from the bottom 21 of the support device 53 to the top 24, is possible.

[0059] FIG. 5B shows a plan view of the circuit configuration in the form of a wave.

[0060] FIG. 5C shows a perspective side view of the waveform of the circuit.

[0061] FIG. 5D shows a plan view of a convoluted form of the circuit.

[0062] In FIGS. 5B and 5D the vertical area of the operating range does not have to be a plane, but can also include vertically arranged curved areas, e.g., in the form of a vertical cylindrical wall, a wave shape which is configured of vertically arranged wall sections (FIG. 5B) or in the form of a convoluted shape which is configured of vertically arranged wall sections (FIG. 5D).

[0063] In one or more embodiments, a fairground ride has a tower-like support structure with at least one vehicle and a guideway, which is attached to the support structure and forms a circuit and which is suitable for guiding the vehicle. A drive member is also provided, which is suitable for moving the vehicle along the circuit, as well as at least one recovery apparatus with an operating range, wherein the guideway is at least section-wise disposed on a substantially vertical area and the operating range of the recovery apparatus substantially covers the vertical area.

[0064] The present disclosure may include one or more of the following concepts:

[0065] A. A fairground ride (1) comprising: a support structure (2); at least one vehicle (3) having a passenger receptacle (31); at least one guideway (4) which is attached to the support structure (2) and forms a circuit, wherein the guideway (4) is suitable for guiding the vehicle (3) along the circuit; at least one drive member which is suitable for moving the vehicle (3) along the circuit; and at least one recovery apparatus (5), which has an operating range, wherein the guideway (4) is disposed at least section-wise on a substantially vertical area, each point of the normal vector of which is perpendicular to the vertical axis of the support structure (2), and the operating range of the recovery apparatus substantially covers the vertical area.

[0066] B. The fairground ride (1) in accordance with paragraph A, wherein the movement of the vehicle (3) generated by the drive member is an acceleration and/or a deceleration.

[0067] C. The fairground ride (1) in accordance with paragraph A, wherein the drive member comprises a gear connection, a cable connection, a chain connection, a friction wheel drive or a linear drive.

[0068] D. The fairground ride (1) in accordance with paragraph A, wherein the vehicle (3) has a chassis which is disposed movably, especially rotatably, relative to the passenger receptacle (31).

[0069] E. The fairground ride (1) in accordance with paragraph A, wherein the circuit is guided at least section-wise substantially vertically parallel with the vertical axis of the support structure.

[0070] F. The fairground ride (1) in accordance with paragraph A, wherein the circuit is guided substantially spirally upwards and/or downwards about the vertical axis of the support structure (2).

[0071] G. The fairground ride (1) in accordance with paragraph A, wherein the recovery apparatus (5) is especially designed for recovery and/or circuit maintenance.

[0072] H. The fairground ride (1) in accordance with paragraph A, wherein the recovery apparatus (5) comprises an attachment apparatus (52), which is attached to the support structure (2), at least one of a platform (51) and a cage, and a support device (53) for the purpose of providing support for and travel of the platform along a travel path, wherein the travel path (54) is disposed especially vertically along the height of the support structure (2) and the platform (51) can be moved along the travel path (54).

[0073] I. The fairground ride (1) in accordance with paragraph A, wherein the attachment apparatus (52) of the recovery apparatus (5) is disposed on the top (24) or on the bottom (21) of the support structure (2), or on the top (24) and on the bottom (21) of the support structure (2).

[0074] J. The fairground ride (1) in accordance with paragraph H, wherein the support device (53) of the recovery apparatus (5) comprises at least one of a cable, a tube, rails, and a support rod.

[0075] K. The fairground ride (1) in accordance with paragraph A, wherein the recovery apparatus (5) has a drive member which is suitable for moving the platform (51) or the cage along the travel path (54) of the support device (53).

[0076] L. The fairground ride (1) in accordance with paragraph H, wherein the attachment apparatus (52) of the recovery apparatus (5) can be moved around the perimeter of the top (24) of the support structure (2) and around the bottom (23) of the support structure (2), respectively.

[0077] M. The fairground ride (1) in accordance with paragraph A, wherein the recovery apparatus (5) comprises a drive apparatus for moving the recovery apparatus (5) along the perimeter of the support structure (2) or for moving the platform (51) along the travel path (54) of the support device (53).

[0078] N. The fairground ride (1) in accordance with paragraph A, wherein the recovery apparatus (5) comprises a drive apparatus for moving the recovery apparatus (5) along the perimeter of the support structure (2) and for moving the platform (51) along the travel path (54) of the support device (53).

[0079] O. The fairground ride (1) in accordance with paragraph A, wherein the recovery apparatus (5) has an extendable extension (55).

[0080] P. A fairground ride system comprising at least two fairground rides (1) in accordance with paragraphs A or H, wherein the circuits of the fairground rides (1) run on one or more vertical planes of the at least two support structures (2).