AMUSEMENT RIDE COMPRISING A MODIFIED VEHICLE, MACHINE, VESSEL, CONTAINER OR PLATFORM

Abstract

This invention is an amusement ride, attraction or device comprising a modified vehicle, machine, vessel, container, load-carrying platform or similar device, or any combination thereof, or anything having the appearance thereof, which is used, useful or operated for mining, transportation, military or construction or other commercial or industrial uses, purposes or applications. Illustrative embodiments of this invention include a modified dump trailer, dump truck or load-carrying platform. Such a modified dump trailer includes a dump trailer modified so as to permit a horizontally-pivoting telescoping hydraulic cylinder to raise and lower the front of the modified dump trailer, which is modified with a passenger support system and a passenger restraint system. The invention may involve application of other devices, machines, means or forces. Associated processes, systems and methods include a power pack or other dedicated source of energy and an adjacent entrance/exit ramp and boarding/de-boarding platform and operator control platform.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. An amusement ride, attraction or device comprising: a modified vehicle, machine, vessel, container, load-carrying platform or similar device, or any combination thereof, or anything having the appearance thereof, which is used, useful or operated for mining, transportation, military or construction or other commercial or industrial uses, purposes or applications; at least one passenger support system placed therein; and wherein said vehicle, machine, vessel or container is a dump truck.

22-28. (canceled)

29. An amusement ride providing the sensation of riding a tilting dump trailer body to ride passengers, comprising: a vehicle trailer frame with wheels connected thereto; a stationary support structure supporting said frame and suspending said wheels in midair; a pivoting dump trailer body mounted to one end to said frame, modified with an opening in a sidewall of said body to permit ingress and egress of ride passengers to said body's interior compartment; an amusement ride seat mounted within said body's interior compartment; a passenger restraint on said seat; a hydraulic cylinder connected between said frame and the end of said body opposing said frame-mounted end; and a passenger access platform situated adjacent said opening, with a floor substantially even with the floor of said body's interior compartment.

30. The amusement ride of claim 29, further comprising: an electrically powered hydraulic pump connected to said hydraulic cylinder; and a non-automobile based, stationary electric power supply powering said hydraulic pump.

31. The amusement ride of claim 30, further comprising an amusement ride operator control console on said passenger access platform controlling operation of said hydraulic pump.

32. The amusement ride of claim 31, further comprising an electrically powered motor controlled by said control console, which vibrates said trailer body when energized.

33. The amusement ride of claim 29, further comprising a canopy frame attached to said trailer body to hold an overhead passenger covering, wherein said frame comprises a passenger ventilation opening located above said trailer body and below the overhead passenger covering.

34. An amusement ride body, comprising: a rectangular vehicle trailer dump body with a doorway in one of its longer upright sidewalls; and an amusement ride seat mount within said trailer body's interior compartment.

35. The amusement ride body of claim 34, further comprising an amusement ride seat mounted to said seat mount.

36. The amusement ride body of claim 34, further comprising a canopy frame attached to said dump body to hold an overhead passenger covering, wherein said frame comprises a passenger ventilation opening located above said dump body and below the overhead passenger covering.

37. The amusement ride body of claim 36, further comprising an amusement ride seat mounted to said seat mount.

38. The amusement ride body of claim 34, further comprising a vehicle trailer frame attached thereto.

39. The amusement ride body of claim 38, further comprising an amusement ride seat mounted to said seat mount.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In the drawings,

[0018] FIG. 1. Schematically shows a perspective overhead, angled view of an exemplary embodiment according to the invention in a lowered position, which is the position at the start, and at the end, of operation; a section of the adjacent entrance/exit ramp, boarding/de-boarding platform and operator control platform (which is the platform or platform area in which is located the operator control unit or console and from which an operator (depicted therein) controls boarding/de-boarding and operation); and a section of the platform/ramp supporting posts. Also schematically shows a cutaway perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a section of the supporting posts supported by below-grade piers (which are on top of footings).

[0019] FIG. 2. Schematically shows a perspective overhead, angled view of an exemplary embodiment according to the invention in a an elevated position with open/deployed tail gate, which is a position that occurs during the ride, with a cutaway (i.e., with canopy removed) perspective angled view thereof of an exemplary embodiment of one row of seven seats within a section of the passenger seating area, a section of the adjacent entrance/exit ramp, boarding/de-boarding platform and operator control platform (with operator depicted therein); and a section of the platform/ramp supporting posts. Also schematically shows a cutaway perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a section of the supporting posts supported by below-grade piers (which are on top of footings).

[0020] FIG. 3. Schematically shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment according to the invention in an elevated position, with extended, horizontally-pivoted telescoping hydraulic cylinder and open/deployed tail gate, which is a position that occurs during the ride, with a perspective side view of an exemplary embodiment of one seat (on its seat pedestal) within the passenger seating area; a section of the adjacent entrance/exit ramp, boarding/de-boarding platform and operator control platform (with operator depicted therein); a section of the above-grade platform/ramp supporting posts; an example location of a power pack used to power each hydraulic cylinder, the optional vibrator and each other electrical component; and the dump trailer's front axle jack support structure used to support the front end of the dump trailer's frame.

[0021] FIG. 4. Schematically shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment according to the invention in an elevated position, with extended, horizontally-pivoted telescoping hydraulic cylinder and open/deployed tail gate, which is a position that occurs during the ride, with a perspective side view of an exemplary embodiment of one seat (on its seat pedestal) within the passenger seating area; and an example location of the dump trailer's front axle jack support structure used to support the front end of the dump trailer's frame.

[0022] FIG. 5. Schematically shows a perspective angled close-up view of an exemplary embodiment of one of the two (e.g., left and right) hydraulic cylinders that when actuated open and close the dump trailer body's tail gate and, attached thereto, a mounting bracket to connect to the dump trailer's body, and part of the electrical distribution system to supply power thereto.

[0023] FIG. 6. Schematically shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the front of the dump trailer as part of the ride, in a lowered position, which is the position at the start of the ride and at the end of the ride, including mud flaps and tires (which are not used to support the dump trailer frame) and, between the tires and above-grade, the air brake system slack adjusters and air chambers, and, between the tires and continuing below grade, the dump trailer's rear axle supported on and by a rear axle jack, which is supported by a rear axle jack support structure, which is supported on and by a steel support beam, which is supported on and by steel anchors attached to the concrete foundation, which is situate on top of support posts on top of piers on top of footings, and the operator control platform (with operator depicted therein) adjacent to the ride. Also shown is a cutaway perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the below-grade, lower section of the concrete foundation situate on top of support posts on top of piers on top of footings and the platform situate on top of support posts on top of piers on top of footings.

[0024] FIG. 7. Schematically shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment according to the invention of the ride, in an lowered position with a cutaway perspective overhead view of an exemplary embodiment of the passenger seating area, and a section of the adjacent entrance/exit ramp, boarding/de-boarding platform and operator control platform (with operator depicted therein).

[0025] FIG. 8. Schematically shows a cutaway perspective side view of an exemplary embodiment of one row of passenger seats within the passenger seating area and the fully-lowered horizontally-pivoting telescoping hydraulic cylinder, and a perspective side view of the dump trailer's front axle jack support structure used to support the front end of the dump trailer's frame (which is raised and lowered by the horizontally-pivoting telescoping hydraulic cylinder) and the dump trailer's tires (which are not used to support the modified dump trailer's frame) and, between the tires, the air brake system slack adjusters and air chambers. Although the tires, wheels, brakes and related systems and components (including the air brake system slack adjusters and air chambers and leaf springs) are not necessary to or used in the operation of the ride as a stationary-location dump trailer with passenger seating, they may be used to transport the dump trailer, and are therefore part of the invention, because an object of this invention is to provide an amusement ride that is sufficiently mobile to be transported (including by any truck, tractor or other vehicle, machine, vessel or container, or any combination thereof) such as for use in or by a temporary or traveling carnival or amusement event or location.

[0026] FIG. 9. Schematically shows a cutaway (i.e., with tail gate and mud flaps removed) view of an exemplary embodiment of two passenger seats facing the open/deployed tail gate opening, with each such seat attached to and supported by a seat pedestal, each of which is attached to and supported by the floor of the dump trailer's body, and with each such seat having attached to it the forward-facing part of such seat's passenger restraint system. Also schematically shows between the tires (which are not used to support the modified dump trailer's frame), the dump trailer's rear axle supported on and by a rear axle jack, which is supported by a rear axle jack support structure, which is supported on and by a steel support beam, which is supported on and by steel anchors attached to the concrete foundation.

[0027] FIG. 10. Schematically shows a perspective side view of an exemplary embodiment of part of the ride in a lowered position with a perspective side view of a passenger seat within the seating area and the seat pedestal onto which the seat is mounted, and a perspective side view of an exemplary embodiment of part of the adjacent operator control platform (with operator depicted therein). The lower left side of this figure schematically shows a perspective side view of an exemplary embodiment of the dump trailer's front axle jack support structure used to support the front end of the dump trailer's frame. The lower right side of this figure schematically shows a perspective side view of an exemplary embodiment of part of the dump trailer's rear axle supported on and by a rear axle jack, which is supported by a rear axle jack support structure. Although the tires, wheels, brakes and related systems and components (including the air brake system slack adjusters and air chambers and leaf springs) are not necessary to or used in the operation of the ride as a stationary-location dump trailer with passenger seating, they may be used to transport the dump trailer, and are therefore part of the invention, because an object of this invention is to provide an amusement ride that is sufficiently mobile to be transported (including by any truck, tractor or other vehicle, machine, vessel or container, or any combination thereof) such as for use in or by a temporary or traveling carnival or amusement event or location.

[0028] FIG. 11. Schematically shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the dump trailer's rear axle supported on and by a rear axle jack, which is supported by a rear axle jack support structure, which is supported on and by a steel support beam, which is supported on and by steel anchors attached to the concrete foundation.

[0029] FIG. 12. Schematically shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the rear axle jack steel support beam with steel anchors.

[0030] FIG. 13. Schematically shows a perspective side angled view of an exemplary embodiment of the dump trailer's front axle jack support structure used to support the front end of the dump trailer's frame.

[0031] FIG. 14. Schematically shows a perspective side angled view of an exemplary embodiment of one passenger seat, a seat pedestal mount for that seat and part of a passenger restraint system.

[0032] FIG. 15. Schematically shows a perspective rear angled view of an exemplary embodiment of one passenger seat, a seat pedestal mount for that seat and part of a passenger restraint system.

[0033] FIG. 16. Schematically shows a perspective overhead, angled side view of an exemplary embodiment of one seat pedestal mounting plate for one passenger seat and exemplary embodiments of mounting holes for securing the passenger seat and restraint system to the seat pedestal.

[0034] FIG. 17. Schematically shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of one seat pedestal mounting plate for one passenger seat and exemplary embodiments of mounting holes for securing the passenger seat and restraint system to the seat pedestal.

[0035] FIG. 18. Schematically shows a perspective overhead, angled side view of an exemplary embodiment of one seat pedestal mounting plate for one passenger seat and exemplary embodiments of mounting holes for securing the passenger seat and restraint system to the seat pedestal.

[0036] FIG. 19. Schematically shows a perspective overhead angled view of an exemplary embodiment of a passenger area shade or protective canopy. (The canopy's material may be canvas, vinyl, mesh or any other suitable product or material.)

[0037] FIG. 20. Schematically shows a perspective grade-level, angled view, from under the dump trailer's underside, of the approximate location of the optional vibrator mounted on the dump trailer's underside.

[0038] FIG. 21. Schematically shows a perspective angled view, from under the dump trailer's underside, of only a small section of the dump trailer's underside, which section is the approximate location of the optional vibrator mounted on the dump trailer's underside, and a schematic representation of an optional vibrator device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] Objects, embodiments and elaborations of the invention and systems and methods for powering, controlling and conducting the invention are summarized, with references to the drawings, as follows:

[0040] The amusement ride comprises a stationary-location 2, 3 dump trailer 4, 15 with passenger seating 8, 45 and optional canopy 5, 152. The dump trailer's body 81 is supported by the trailer frame, 15, 55, which is supported by the dump trailer's front axle jack 12, 58, 127 support structure 128-132 and rear axle 92 jack 91 support structure 90 on a steel support beam 116 supported by steel anchors 121 attached to a concrete foundation 62, 79, 88. From a platform 1, 38, 47 adjacent to the ride FIG. 1, FIG. 2, an individual operator may generally observe the ride and operate the operator control unit or console 46 and passenger queue line entrance 49 gate 48 and exit 51 gate 50 and manage and control the flow of waiting, boarding, de-boarding and disembarking passengers. The front end 20, 81 of the dump trailer's body 81 is raised 7, 20 and lowered 52, 67 by a horizontally-pivoting 6 telescoping hydraulic cylinder 7 connected 20 to the dump trailer's underside 20. An optional electric 11 (or otherwise powered) vibrator 156 may be installed on or about 155 the underside of the dump trailer's body 157. The dump trailer body's tail gate 4, 10, 18 is opened and closed by two (e.g., left and right) hydraulic cylinders 22 to afford a view from inside the passenger seating area 8, 9 through the dump trailer body's open/deployed tail gate opening 10.

[0041] The modified dump trailer 4, 15 including its horizontally-pivoting 6, 7 telescoping hydraulic cylinder 7, and its support 90, 91, 116, 127, seating 8, 45, power pack 11, operator control unit or console 46 and other components may be fabricated and assembled using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) equipment, components or products; the canopy 5, 152 material may be canvas, vinyl, mesh or other OEM product or material; the canopy frame 149, 150, 154 material may be tubular steel or other OEM product or material; the platform 1, 38, 47, entrance 49 gate 48 and exit 51 gate 50 may be constructed from lumber, engineered wood products or other OEM products or materials; gate 48, 50 hinges may be OEM products; and platform and entrance/exit ramp support structures 33-36, 40, 62, 63, 79, 84, 85, 88 may be constructed from OEM concrete or other products, which OEM equipment, components, products or materials, in each case, may be the same as or similar to those depicted, described or referenced herein as preferred or example objects, embodiments and elaborations of the invention and systems and methods for powering, controlling and conducting the invention.

[0042] Other and additional objects, embodiments and elaborations of the invention and systems and methods for powering, controlling and conducting the invention are apparent from the foregoing, and from the following description, which illustrates objects, embodiments and elaborations of the invention and systems and methods for powering, controlling and conducting the invention, with references to the drawings, as follows:

[0043] The modified dump trailer is a stationary-location 2, 3 dump trailer 4, 15 with passenger seating 8, 45 and optional canopy 5, 152. The dump trailer's body 81 is supported by the trailer frame, 15, 55, which is supported by the dump trailer's front axle jack 12, 58, 127 support structure 128-132 and rear axle 92 jack 91 support structure 90 on a steel support beam 116 supported by steel anchors 121 attached to a concrete foundation 62, 79, 88. (Optional exterior chassis, frame, body or elsewhere-attached lights and theming, not shown, may be installed.)

[0044] Although in typical commercial or industrial use, a dump trailer has its body raised and lowered by a horizontally-pivoting telescoping hydraulic cylinder for which hydraulic power is provided by a pump powered by the truck/tractor engine, with respect to objects, embodiments and elaborations of the invention and systems and methods for powering, controlling and conducting the invention having no truck/tractor, it is a power pack 11 or other dedicated source of energy that supplies power to operate (a) a pump, valve or similar device to deliver pressurized fluid to a fluid-operable actuating or load-sustaining horizontally-pivoting 6 telescoping hydraulic cylinder 7 that raises 7, 20 and lowers 52, 67 the front end 20, 81 of the dump trailer's body 81, (b) each pump 22 that supplies hydraulic pressure to each hydraulic cylinder 22 that when actuated opens and closes the dump trailer body's tail gate 4, 10, (c) the operator control unit or console 46 to which (i) the control valve to deliver pressurized fluid to a fluid-operable actuating or load-sustaining horizontally-pivoting 6 telescoping hydraulic cylinder 7 is connected and from which it is operated, (ii) any optional electric 11 (or otherwise powered) vibrator 156 typically installed on the dump trailer body 155 is connected and from which it is operated, and (iii) any optional lighting or theming or other components that require power to operate are connected and from which they are or would be operated.

[0045] The dump trailer body 8, 81 is at the lowered 52, 67 position at the start and end of the ride FIG. 1. (An optional boom level indicator, not shown, may be installed and in the operator's field of view to aid the operator's determination that the dump trailer body is or has been fully leveled/lowered to 0 (zero degrees) FIG. 1.)

[0046] From a platform 1, 38, 47 adjacent to the ride FIG. 1, FIG. 2, an individual operator may generally observe the ride 45 and operate the operator control unit or console 46 and passenger queue line entrance 49 gate 48 and exit 51 gate 50 and manage and control the flow of waiting, boarding, de-boarding and disembarking passengers. (One platform 47 may comprise areas for both the operator control platform 47 area adjacent to the ride and passenger boarding/de-boarding platform 47 area adjacent to the ride.)

[0047] During the ride, the dump trailer body 81, and thus the passenger seating area 8, is raised 7, 20 from, then lowered 52, 67 to, the starting FIG. 1 and ending FIG. 2 positon by a horizontally-pivoting 6, 7 telescoping hydraulic cylinder 7. Also during the ride, the dump trailer body's tail gate 4, 10, 18 is opened and closed by two (e.g., left and right) hydraulic cylinders 22 to afford a view from inside the passenger seating area 8, 9 through the dump trailer body's open/deployed tail gate opening 10. Also during the ride, the dump trailer body may be vibrated by an optional electric 11 (or otherwise powered) vibrator 156 typically installed on or about 155 the underside of the dump trailer's body 157.

[0048] The below-grade supporting structure of the dump trailer 33-36, 40, 62, 63, 79, 84, 85, 88 and the adjacent platform 38, 47 (which comprises areas for both the operator control 46 platform 38, 47 area adjacent to the ride and the passenger boarding/de-boarding platform 38, 47, entrance 49 gate 48 and exit 51 gate 50) is a system of support posts 37, 39 on top of piers 40 on top of footings 40. One preferred embodiment has concrete piers 40 and footings 40 and wood platform 38, 47 areas and entrance 49 gate 48 and exit 51 gate 50.

[0049] The front end 20, 81 of the dump trailer's body 81, which the horizontally-pivoting 6 telescoping hydraulic cylinder 7 raises 7, 20 and lowers 52, 67 during the ride, is supported by the trailer frame, 15, 55, which is supported by the dump trailer's front axle jack 12, 58, 127 support structure 128-132 situate on top of a concrete foundation 62, 79.

[0050] The rear end 45, 65 of the dump trailer's body 81 is supported by the trailer frame, 15, 55, which is supported by the dump trailer's rear axle 92 jack 91 support structure 90 on a steel support beam 116 supported by steel anchors 121 attached to a concrete foundation 62, 79, 88.

[0051] The rear end 45, 65 of the dump trailer's body 81 includes the dump trailer body's tail gate 10, 18 to which is attached each hydraulic cylinder 22 that when actuated opens 10, 18 and closes 4 the dump trailer body's tail gate 4, 10, 18. Each hydraulic cylinder 22 is connected 21 to the dump trailer's body 21, 64, 65 by mounting brackets 21 and to 23, 24 the power pack 11 or other dedicated source of energy that supplies power to operate each pump 22 that supplies hydraulic pressure to each such hydraulic cylinder 22.

[0052] A ramp 49, 51 and platform 47 adjacent to the ride 45 include the passenger queue line entrance 49 gate 48 and exit 51 gate 50. The passenger queue line entrance ramp 49 is an incline to a level boarding platform 47. After the incline levels, and before the ride boarding area of the platform, is the passenger queue line entrance 49 gate 48. The passenger queue line entrance 49 gate 48 is used to assist in the management and control of the flow of waiting and boarding passengers. The platform 47 is used for boarding/de-boarding passengers. The passenger exit 51 gate 50 is used to assist in the management and control of the flow of the disembarking passengers. The operator opens the entrance 49 gate 48 to permit no more than the maximum number of passengers into the platform's 47 ride boarding area. Passengers board the ride (one at a time) through the modified dump trailer's side opening 44, 80, which remains open 13, 19 during the ride.

[0053] After either all passenger seats 8, 45 are occupied or no passengers remain in the passenger queue line 49 the operator closes the passenger queue line entrance 49 gate 48. One preferred embodiment does not require balancing or distributing passenger weight within the passenger seating area 8, 45.

[0054] Each passenger seat 53, 139, 140 is mounted on and attached to a seat pedestal 54, 133, 142, 145. Mounting holes 144, 146, 147 for securing the passenger seat to the seat pedestal would typically be pre-drilled during pedestal fabrication.

[0055] Each passenger seat 139 includes a passenger restraint device 137. One preferred embodiment includes as the passenger restraint system a five-point seatbelt harness 137. Alternative passenger restraint devices for securing a passenger in a seat are known from prior art and may be suitable for securing a passenger in a seat according to the invention. The operator can visually verify that all passengers are properly seated and manually verify that each passenger's restraint is properly adjusted and secured.

[0056] The operator operates the ride from the operator control unit or console 46 located within the operator control platform 47 adjacent to the ride and therefrom may generally observe the ride and operate the operator control unit or console 46 and passenger queue line entrance 49 gate 48 and exit 51 gate 50 and manage and control the flow of waiting, boarding, de-boarding and disembarking passengers.

[0057] After the ride has come to a complete stop, and the operator has instructed the passengers to de-board, the exiting passengers de-board (one at a time) through the modified dump trailer's side opening 44, 80, re-enter the adjacent boarding/de-boarding platform 47 and continue across the platform to the front of the exit 51 gate 50. The operator opens the exit 51 gate 50 to permit egress from that section of the passenger de-boarding platform 47 through the exit 51 gate 50 and then down the decline exit ramp 51.

[0058] Although the tires and wheels 29, 78 and related systems and components (including the air brake system slack adjusters and air chambers 26, 73, 98, 99 and leaf springs 86, 87) are not necessary to or used in operation as a stationary-location dump trailer with passenger seating, they may be used to transport the dump trailer, and are therefore part of the invention because an object of the invention includes embodiments that are sufficiently mobile to be transported (including by any truck, tractor or other vehicle, machine, vessel or container, or any combination thereof) such as for use in or by a temporary or traveling carnival or amusement event or location.

[0059] The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred or example embodiments, and modes of assembly and operation, of the invention; however, the invention is not, and shall not be construed as being exclusive or limited to the specific or particular embodiments set forth hereinabove. Moreover, certain specific or particular embodiments set forth hereinabove have been expressly designated optional, and thus the invention includes the invention with, or without, any or all embodiments expressly designated as optional hereinabove. Accordingly, the foregoing should be regarded as illustrative rather than exclusive or limiting, and that variations to the embodiments herein may be made without departing from the invention scope as defined by the following claims.