OSCILLATING AMUSEMENT RIDE

Abstract

An amusement ride comprises a pair of swinging arms, each supporting a support element that includes a plurality of seats to accommodate riders. The arms may share a rotation axis and are rotatable with respect to one another. The arms may each be coupled to a rotatable vertical tower. The support elements at the ends of the respective arms each oscillate by swinging about a pivot axis, due to the swinging motion of the arms. A control system controls the swinging of the arms such that the supporting elements oscillate at a resonance frequency.

Claims

1. An amusement ride (1) comprising: a central column (2) having a longitudinal axis (A1) and comprising a base structure (2a); at least one arm (3a, 3b), rotatably coupled to said central column (2) at respective arm rotation axes (A2, A2) that each intersect said longitudinal axis (A1); a first actuation element (70) for swinging each said at least one arm (3a, 3b) through at least a portion of a circular arc (P1); at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) adapted to support at least one seat(S) for at least one rider, each said supporting element (6a, 6b) being rotatably coupled to a respective arm of said at least one arm (3a, 3b) at a rotation axis (A3, A3) spaced from and parallel to the at least one arm rotation axis (A2, A2); and a logic control unit (100) configured to control said first actuation element (70) for swinging said at least one arm (3a, 3b), wherein said logic control unit (100) is configured to control each said first actuation element (70) for swinging said at least one arm (3a, 3b) with a predetermined frequency value (.sub.F) so that said swinging of said at least one arm (3a, 3b) generates an oscillatory movement of said at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) through at least a portion of a circular arc (P2) whereby said oscillatory movement of said at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) occurs in resonance condition.

2. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 1, wherein said resonance condition occurs when said at least one arm (3a, 3b) swings with a frequency value (.sub.F) which is substantially equal to the natural frequency (.sub.N) of said at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) oscillating through said at least a portion of a circular arc (P2).

3. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 1, wherein each said first actuation element (70) comprises two hydraulic cylinders (71, 72).

4. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 3, further comprising second actuation elements (73) configured to cause each said at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) to swing about its respective rotation axis (A3, A3) and travel along said at least a portion of a circular arc (P2).

5. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one second actuation element (73) configured for moving an associated supporting element (6a, 6b) along at least a portion of said circular arc (P2), each said second actuation element (73) disposed on an end (31, 32) of a respective arm (3a, 3b) and including a motor.

6. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 5, wherein said control unit (100) is configured to control said at least one second actuation element (73) for moving said at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) along said at least a portion of said circular arc (P2).

7. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 5, wherein said central column (2) comprises a rotatable portion (2b) that is rotatable with respect to said base structure (2a) and wherein said at least one arm (3a, 3b) is coupled to said rotatable portion (2b).

8. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 1, wherein each said arm (3a, 3b) is provided with one supporting element (6a, 6b) arranged at an end (31, 32) of said arm (3a, 3b).

9. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 8, wherein each said supporting element (6a, 6b) includes a counter-weight (61).

10. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 1, wherein said central column (2) comprises a gear system (7) for rotating said at least one arm (3a, 3b) about a respective arm rotation axis (A2, A2).

11. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 1, wherein said central column (2) comprises one or more movable portions (2b), that are longitudinally movable with respect to said base structure (2a).

12. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 1, wherein said central column (2) comprises a rotatable portion (2b) that is rotatable with respect to said base structure (2a).

13. The amusement ride (1) according to claim 12, wherein said at least one arm (3a, 3b) is coupled to said rotatable portion (2b).

14. A method of operation of the amusement ride (1) of claim 1, said method comprising: maintaining said at least one arm (3a, 3b) in a loading/unloading position to enable loading of at least one rider on the at least one seat(S), operating said first actuation element (70) to swing said at least one arm (3a, 3b) through at least a portion of said circular arc (P1), with a predetermined frequency value (.sub.F) so that said swinging of said at least one arm (3a, 3b) generates an oscillatory movement of said at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) through at least a portion of said circular arc (P2) to produce an oscillatory movement of said at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) in resonance condition; and operating said first actuation element (70) to swing said at least one arm (3a, 3b) back to said loading/unloading position for unloading the at least one rider.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising, after said maintaining said at least one arm (3a, 3b) in a loading/unloading position, operating each said first actuation element (70) to rotate said at least one arm (3a, 3b) from said loading/unloading position to a security position, wherein said at least one seat(S) is disposed above the ground.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein said amusement ride (1) further comprises second actuation elements (73) moving said at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) along at least a portion of said circular arc (P2) by rotating said at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) about a respective a rotation axis (A3, A3).

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said second actuation elements (73) moving said at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) along at least a portion of said circular arc (P2), takes place before said operating said first actuation element (70) to swing said at least one arm (3a, 3b), and further comprising determining a natural frequency value (.sub.N) of said associated supporting element (6a, 6b) by turning off said at least one second actuation element (73) and allowing said associated supporting element (6a, 6b) to swing freely, and wherein said predetermined frequency value (.sub.F) is based on said determined natural frequency value (.sub.N).

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein said at least one arm (3a, 3b) swings through an angle () in the range of 10 to 180 along the at least a portion of circular arc (P1), and said at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) oscillates back and forth along at least a portion of said circular arc (P2), through an angle () between 20 and 300.

19. A method of operation of an amusement ride (1), said method comprising: providing an amusement ride with at least one swingable arm (3a, 3b) having an associated supporting element (6a, 6b) disposed on an end thereof, each said supporting element (6a, 6b) having at least one seat(S) for accommodating a rider; and operating a first actuation element (70) to swing said at least one arm (3a, 3b) through at least a portion of a circular arc (P1), with a predetermined frequency value (.sub.F) so that said swinging of said at least one arm (3a, 3b) generates an oscillatory movement of said at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) through at least a portion of a circular arc (P2) to produce an oscillatory movement of said at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) in resonance condition.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising second actuation elements (73) moving said at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) along at least a portion of a circular arc (P2) by rotating about a corresponding rotation axis (A3, A3) before said operating said first actuation element (70) to swing said at least one arm (3a, 3b), and determining a natural frequency value (.sub.N) of said associated supporting element (6a, 6b) by turning off said at least one second actuation element (73) and allowing said associated supporting element (6a, 6b) to swing freely, and wherein said predetermined frequency value (.sub.F) is based on said determined natural frequency value (.sub.N).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] One or more embodiments of the present invention are now described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings provided by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosed amusement ride according to the invention, in a loading position;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a front view of the amusement ride of FIG. 1, shown during its operation;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a top view of the amusement ride of FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective front view of an embodiment of the disclosed amusement ride during operation;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of an embodiment of the disclosed amusement ride according to the invention, in loading position;

[0027] FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of an embodiment of the supporting element and related seats of the disclosed amusement ride according to the invention;

[0028] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of one embodiment of the first actuation elements of the disclosed amusement ride according to the invention; and

[0029] FIG. 8 is a detailed view of one embodiment of a gear system of the disclosed amusement ride according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The aspects described herein, and references in the specification to one aspect, an aspect, an exemplary aspect, an example aspect, etc., indicate that the aspects described can include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every aspect may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same aspect. The same is true for the use of the term embodiment, e.g. one embodiment, an embodiment, an exemplary embodiment, an example embodiment, etc. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an aspect or embodiment, it is understood that it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other aspects or embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0031] Spatially relative terms, such as beneath, below, lower, above, on, upper and the like, can be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. In many embodiments, the apparatus can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein can likewise be interpreted accordingly.

[0032] Terms such as about, approximately, and the like, can be used herein to indicate the value of a given quantity that can vary based on a particular technology. Based on the particular technology, the terms about, approximately, and the like can indicate a value of a given quantity that varies within, for example, 10-30% of the value (e.g., +10%, +20%, or +30% of the value). Terms such as substantially when used to state substantially equal or substantially vertical indicate fundamentally or approximately equal or vertical, for example.

[0033] Enumerative adjectives (e.g., first, second, third, or the like) can be used to distinguish like elements without establishing an order, hierarchy, quantity, or permanent numeric assignment (unless otherwise noted). For example, the terms first vehicle and second vehicle can be used to facilitate the distinguishing of two vehicles without specifying a particular order, hierarchy, quantity, or immutable numeric correspondence.

[0034] With reference to figures, the amusement ride 1 comprises a central column 2, including a base structure 2a that, in use, is disposed on the ground or, more generally, disposed on or coupled to an external flat surface.

[0035] Central column 2 has a longitudinal axis A1 that is typically vertical during use. Central column 2 may advantageously include one or more portions that are movable with respect to base structure 2a. As an example, the portions may be coupled in a nested tube arrangement, i.e. telescopically, with respect to the base structure 2a. In an embodiment shown in the figures such as FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, first portion 2b of central column 2 is translatable, typically in a slidable manner, with respect to base structure 2a along the longitudinal axis A1 of central column 2, that is, first portion 2b of central column 2 is longitudinally slidable with respect to base structure 2a. Furthermore, first portion 2b is rotatable with respect to base structure 2a, around longitudinal axis A1 of central column 2.

[0036] First portion 2b can rotate with respect to base structure 2a and/or it can also translate with respect to base structure 2a. The movable first portion 2b, may be moved by suitable and known movement means. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, movable portion 2b is moved by at least one column motor 4a mounted on central column 2 which drives column gear 4b. Column gear 4b is rotated to cause rotation of the movable first portion 2b with respect to base structure 2a.

[0037] As discussed, the illustrated embodiments with base structure 2a and first portion 2b, represent one embodiment of a central column 2 provided with a movable portion 2b. In some embodiments, two or more translatable and telescopically arranged portions may be provided in order achieve a longer run along the longitudinal axis A1 of the central column 2.

[0038] Some embodiments do not include both translation and rotational movement, i.e. some embodiments comprise only movable portions of the central column that are translatable with respect to the base structure, and other embodiments include movable portions 2b that are only rotatable with respect to the base structure 2a of central column 2.

[0039] In some embodiments, the amusement ride of the present invention is provided with a central column having no movable portions, i.e. a stationary central column that does not rotate.

[0040] At least one arm, and advantageously two arms 3a, 3b, are coupled to central column 2. As mentioned, central column 2 is advantageously provided with at least one movable portion 2b and arms 3a, 3b may advantageously be coupled to movable portion 2b of central column 2. According to one embodiment, arms 3a, 3b are coupled to first portion 2b that is at least rotatable with respect to base structure 2a, but in other embodiments, arms 3a, 3b may be coupled to a stationary central column.

[0041] Each arm 3a, 3b is rotatably coupled to the central column 2 at respective arm rotation axes A2, A2 incident with respect to longitudinal axis A1. The two arm rotation axes A2, A2 advantageously coincide with one another as seen, for example, in FIG. 4. Each of the rotation axes A2, A2 intersect longitudinal axis A1 in various embodiments, such as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0042] According to one embodiment, as in FIG. 8, central column 2 is provided with a gear system 7 for rotating each arm 3a, 3b around respective arm rotation axes A2, A2. In particular, in an exemplary embodiment wherein the amusement ride 1 comprises two arms 3a, 3b, the gear system 7 comprises a first gear 7a (obscured in FIG. 8) and a second gear 7b coupled along the arm rotation axes A2, A2. The first gear 7a and second gear 7b can rotate the respective arms around associated rotation axes A2, A2 in opposite directions, in order to swing the two arms 3a, 3b in opposite directions. Other devices for rotating arms 3a, 3b around respective arm rotation axes A2, A2 may be used in other embodiments.

[0043] As in FIGS. 2, and 4-8, amusement ride 1 further includes a first actuation element 70 for swinging the arms 3a, 3b back and forth through at least a portion of a circular arc P1 (see FIG. 2). The arm or arms 3a, 3b swing up and down along at least a portion of the circular arc P1 which may be oriented orthogonal to the horizontal. According to various embodiments, first actuation element 70 comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder, and will generally and advantageously include two hydraulic cylinders 71, 72 with pistons.

[0044] Each cylinder 71, 72 may include regulation valves and sensors, for example position sensors. In some embodiments, the sensors comprise one or more translational encoders to detect the position of the piston.

[0045] In an embodiment shown most clearly in FIG. 5, two actuation elements 70, each comprising hydraulic cylinders 71, 72, are each coupled at location 78 near an end of the respective arm 3a, 3b to be swinged. The actuation elements 70 are also coupled, at their opposite ends, to moveable portion 2b of central column 2.

[0046] In this way, when the actuation elements 70 are operated, the at least one arm 3a, 3b swings around its respective arm rotation axis A2, A2 back and forth through at least a portion of a circular arc P1, due to extension and contraction of hydraulic actuators dictating the arm position.

[0047] It should be noted that the at least one arm 3a, 3b swings back and forth through at least a portion of a circular arc P1, which subtends an angle between 0 and 180 in various embodiments. In some embodiments, arms 3a, 3b may be swingable through an angle of between 20 and 90.

[0048] The amusement ride 1 includes at least one supporting element 6a, 6b to support at least one seat S for at least one rider, the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b being rotatably coupled to the respective arm 3a, 3b at a respective rotation axes A3, A3 which are each parallel to respective arm rotation axes A2, A2 of the at least one arm 3a, 3b. Although illustrated as an open air supporting element 6a, 6b, each with 24 seats S, various numbers of seats S may be used in other embodiments and various other arrangements of the supporting elements 6a, 6n may be used. Various carriages or gondolas which may be closed or open may be used as the supporting elements 6a, 6b in other embodiments and may include various numbers of seats S positioned in various arrangements.

[0049] Amusement ride 1 further includes logic control unit 100 (see FIG. 2) which is configured to control first actuation element 70 with cylinders 71, 72 for swinging the at least one arm 3a, 3b. Logic control unit 100 is configured to control at least the first actuation element 70 for swinging the at least one arm 3a, 3b with a predetermined frequency value OF so that the swinging movement of each of the at least one arm 3a, 3b generates an oscillatory movement of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b through at least a portion of a circular arc P2, so that at least part of said oscillatory movement of said at least one supporting element 6a, 6b occurs in resonance condition. According to a one embodiment, the resonance condition occurs wherein the at least one arm 3a, 3b swings with a frequency value OF which is substantially equal to the natural frequency ON of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b oscillating through the at least a portion of a circular arc P2. The natural frequency ON of the at the least one supporting element 6a, 6b can be determined in various manners, such as described infra.

[0050] In various embodiments, each of the arms 3a, 3b is provided with one supporting element 6a, 6b. In various embodiments, each supporting element 6a, 6b is provided with a counter-weight 61. Each supporting element 6a, 6b carries one or more vehicles and/or seats S for the passengers/riders of the amusement ride 1. The supporting elements 6a, 6b are advantageously disposed at the end 31, 32 of the respective arm 3a, 3b. The ends 31, 32 of arms 3a, 3b signify the two areas of the arms disposed at the greatest distance from the relevant arm rotation axis A2, A2.

[0051] According to one embodiment, supporting elements 6a, 6b are hinged to the arms 3a, 3b so that the seats may be maintained in a substantially vertical manner during the operation of loading/unloading passengers.

[0052] In the embodiment shown clearly in FIGS. 1 and 4, arms 3a and 3b share the same arm rotation axis A2, A2 and the arms 3a, 3b advantageously swing in opposite direction, i.e. when arm 3a is in a raised position, arm 3b will be disposed in a lowered position, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, for example.

[0053] In various embodiments, arms 3a, 3b are rotated at the same angular speed. In other words, at a given time, during operation of the amusement ride 1, the arms 3a, 3b have the same angular speed and may be at the same height with respect to the ground. The angular speed of one arm may be varied over time. In this occurrence, the other arm behaves in a same manner, that is, both arms maintain the same angular speed. In this embodiment, if at a given time arm 3a swings at a first angular speed, the other arm 3b is operated to swing at the same first angular speed. In other embodiments, the two arms 3a, 3b swing at different angular speeds.

[0054] As described above, the at least one arm 3a, 3b swings around associated arm rotation axis A2, A2 due to extension of hydraulic cylinders 71, 72 of the first actuating element 70, dictating the arm position.

[0055] Riders are seated in seats S in the vehicles, supported by the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b, which is rotatably hinged to the respective arm 3a, 3b. The supporting element or elements 6a, 6b start to oscillate about their respective rotation axes A3, A3, which are parallel to the arm rotation axis A2, A2 as arms 3a, 3b swing. The gentle oscillation of the arms 3a, 3b causes the supporting elements 6a, 6b and consequently the seats S, to oscillate in a rhythmic swinging motion.

[0056] In various embodiments, the swinging motion of the arm 3a, 3b gradually creates a resonance in the oscillating movement of the supporting elements 6a, 6b, such that the seats S reach an angular position wherein they are close to parallel with respect to the ground. The extreme angle reached by supporting elements 6a, 6b with respective seats S, combined with the arm swinging motion create an open and thrilling experience for a rider.

[0057] According to various embodiments, the amusement ride 1 includes at least second actuation elements 73, which may include, for example, an electric motor, for moving the respective supporting element 6a, 6b along at least a portion of a circular arc P2 by rotating the respective supporting element 6a, 6b about their respective rotation axes A3, A3. The second actuation elements 73 can be disposed at the ends 31, 32 of the arms (3a, 3b). Second actuation elements 73 may be used for moving the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b while also operating said first actuation element 70 for swinging the arms 3a, 3b, in some embodiments.

[0058] In some embodiments, second actuation elements 73 may be operated during a first operative phase of the amusement ride before the swinging of arms 3a, 3b, to impart an initial oscillating motion to the supporting elements 6a, 6b. According to this embodiment, control unit 100 is configured to control the second actuation elements 73 for moving the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b through at least a portion of a circular arc P2 by rotating the respective supporting element 6a, 6b about their respective rotation axes A3, A3.

[0059] In some embodiments, the second actuation element 73 is used to initiate the oscillation of one or both of the supporting elements 6a, 6b about their respective rotation axes A3, A3 and along at least a portion of a circular arc P2 during a first operative phase which may be controlled by control unit 100. After the supporting elements 6a, 6b begin oscillating about the about the rotation axis A3, A3, the natural frequency ON of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b oscillating through the at least a portion of a circular arc P2, is measured, i.e determined, and later used as the frequency value OF at which the at least one arm 3a, 3b swings to produce supporting element 6a, 6b oscillating at a resonance condition . . .

[0060] In other words, the motor of second actuator element 73 is operated to rotate the respective associated supporting means 6a or 6b about their respective rotation axes A3, A3, then the action of the motor of second actuation element 73 is removed, for example by using a clutch, and the supporting means 6a, 6b are let go to freely oscillate according to their natural frequency ON that is detected and measured to be used for controlling the arms to reach the required resonance condition. The measured natural frequency ON is specific for the vehicle and supporting elements in use in each ride: in fact, it may change according to the amount (and weight) of passengers, i.e. of riders, that are present on the vehicle and also in view of their distribution on the vehicle, i.e. of where the passengers are seated. The presence of second actuator 73 thus has the advantage that it makes possible measuring the natural frequency of each vehicle for each ride and to use the measured value to control the ride.

[0061] In this embodiment, the control unit 100 is configured to turn off the second actuation elements 73 in order to determine the natural frequency value ON of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b. By turn off it is meant that the control of the second actuator element 73, namely the motor, on the respective supporting means, is turned off so as not to influence free movement of the supporting elements 6a, 6b along a portion of circular arc P2. Removal of the influence of motor of second actuation elements 73 on supporting means 6a, 6b may be effected using suitable known means such as a clutch or by changing the speed of the motor.

[0062] According to various embodiments, amusement ride 1 is provided with a plurality of safety gears. In more detail, an advantageous embodiment includes safety gears for each arm 3a, 3b. The safety gears are configured to control and eventually stop the oscillating motion of the supporting elements 6a, 6b. The safety gears may, for example, be configured with a clutch, which can be disengaged from one another, and they do not touch each other.

[0063] According to another embodiment, a method of operation of the disclosed amusement ride, comprises the following steps: [0064] a) maintaining the at least one arm 3a, 3b of the amusement ride in a loading/unloading position to enable loading of at least one rider on the at least one seat S, as well as the unloading of riders from a previous ride; [0065] b) operating the second actuation element 73 to generate oscillatory motion for the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b through at least a portion of a circular arc P2, to measure the natural frequency ON of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b; [0066] c) operating the first actuation element 70 to cause swinging of the at least one arm 3a, 3b through at least a portion of a circular arc P1, with a predetermined frequency value OF so that the swinging movement of the at least one arm 3a, 3b generates an oscillatory movement of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b through at least a portion of a circular arc P2, so that at least part of the oscillatory movement of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b occurs in resonance condition; and [0067] d) operating the first actuation element 70 to swing the at least one arm 3a, 3b back to the loading/unloading position for unloading and loading of at least one rider/passenger.

[0068] In use, the amusement device, i.e. amusement ride 1 is placed in a loading position, to allow the riders of amusement ride 1 to embark on the vehicles of the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b and possibly to allow the riders of the previous ride to disembark the vehicle. In a first step the arms 3a, 3b are lowered, moving the seats S towards the ground, or to or near a relevant external surface/platform. The arms 3a, 3b are rotated until one of the ends 31, 32 of each arm comes close to the ground/platform on which the riders are waiting, allowing the embarking/disembarking of riders onto and off of the associated seat S. Advantageously at least one seat S of each arm 3a, 3b is placed in a position that allows the users to embark on the respective arms 3a, 3b. According to embodiments, the above discussed loading/unloading position can include the arms 3a, 3b being angled with respect to the horizontal (i.e. an angle greater than 0 and less than) 90, to allow different riders to embark on vehicles placed on different arms. In one advantageous embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the arms 3a, 3b form an angle of about 45 with respect to the horizontal during loading. According to various embodiments, after the step a) of the loading/unloading of riders, the first actuation elements 70 are operated for rotating the at least one arm 3a, 3b from the loading/unloading position to a security position, wherein the at least one seat S is positioned above the ground. In other words, at the end of the loading/unloading, i.e. when all the riders are loaded/unloaded on/from the seats S, the arms 3a, 3b are operated to swing toward a security position, raised with respect to the ground, in order to start the ride of the amusement ride 1 enabling the arms to swing without interfering with the ground.

[0069] According to various embodiments in which amusement ride 1 includes at least second actuation elements 73 for moving the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b as above, the second actuation elements 73 may be utilized during step b) of the above method. In various embodiments, the second actuation elements 73 may also be used for moving the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b while also operating said first actuation element 70 for swinging the arms 3a, 3b.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b oscillates along at least a portion of a circular arc P2, and the at least one supporting element 6a, 6b is swingable throughout an angle in a range between 10 and 360, and in some embodiments in a range between 20 and 300.

[0071] According to another embodiment, a method of the disclosure provides: providing an amusement ride with at least one swingable arm (3a, 3b) having an associated swingable supporting element (6a, 6b) disposed on an end thereof, each swingable supporting element (6a, 6b) having at least one seat(S) for accommodating a rider; and, operating a first actuation element (70) to swing the at least one arm (3a, 3b) through at least a portion of a circular arc (P1), with a predetermined frequency value (.sub.F) so that the swinging of the at least one arm (3a, 3b) generates an oscillatory movement of the at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) through at least a portion of a circular arc (P2) to produce an oscillatory movement of the at least one swingable supporting element (6a, 6b) in resonance condition.

[0072] The method may further include at least one second actuation element (73) moving the at least one supporting element (6a, 6b) along at least a portion of a circular arc (P2) by rotating about a corresponding rotation axis (A3, A3) before operating the first actuation element (70) to swing the at least one arm (3a, 3b).

[0073] It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by those skilled in relevant art(s) in light of the teachings herein.

[0074] The present disclosure has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof.

[0075] The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. The foregoing description of specific aspects will so fully reveal the general nature of the present disclosure that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific aspects, without undue experimentation and without departing from the general concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed aspects, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein.

[0076] It is to be understood that the Detailed Description section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections can set forth one or more, but not necessarily all, embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the present disclosure and the appended claims in any way. The breadth and scope of the protected subject matter should not be limited by any of the above-described aspects, but should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.