TRACK-BASED SWING RIDE WITH LONG ARM PENDULUM

Number: 20170282085
Published: 2017-10-05
Filed: 2016-04-01
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: CRAWFORD; DAVID W., HOWARD; DEREK LEE
CPC: A63G31/02; A63G27/02; A63G21/20; A63G21/08
Verdict: High Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

A track-based swing ride with a moving bogie and long-arm pendulum drive assembly for a themed amusement park attraction.

Abstract

A track-based swing ride system providing passengers a unique swinging ride experience. The ride system includes a ride track that supports a moving bogie coupled to the ride track that includes a drive assembly driving the bogie along a ride path defined by the ride track. The ride apparatus includes a pendulum arm pivotally coupled at a first end to the bogie, whereby the pendulum arm is suspended below the ride track and moves along the ride path with the bogie. The ride apparatus includes a passenger vehicle coupled to a second end of the pendulum arm opposite the first end of the pendulum arm. To provide the swinging sensation, the ride apparatus includes a roll driver rotating, concurrently with the drive assembly of the bogie, the pendulum arm about a roll axis extending through the first end of the pendulum arm.

Background

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustratesa front view of a track-based swing ride system of the present description with the pendulum arm hanging straight down from the supporting track (e.g., with a roll angle of zero degrees as measured between the longitudinal axis of the arm and vertical (or a vertical axis passing through the center of the track in this system configuration);

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the ride system of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate rotationof the pendulum arm and supported vehicle during operations of the ride system of FIGS. 1and 2 by showing in FIG. 3 rotation in the CCW direction to a first roll angle and by showing in FIG. 4 rotation in the CW direction to a second roll angle;

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing showing a plan view of an amusement park ride using a ride system of the present description to provide a swinging sensation to passengers in a vehicle suspended froma track on a pendulum arm;

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic plan view of an amusementpark ride with a ride system of the present description showing side-to-side swinging of the pendulum arm and supported vehicle through a ride space with a plurality of curves;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side or profile view of a ride with a ride system of the presentdescription illustrating implementation of a safety envelope for passengers in passenger seats (in seats/supports of a vehicle) during rotation of a pendulum arm supporting the seat

Claims

1. A swing ride apparatus, comprising: a ride track; a bogie coupled to the ride track, wherein the bogie includes a drive assembly operable to drivethe bogie along a ride path defined by the ride track; a pendulum arm pivotally coupled at a first end to the bogie, whereby the pendulum arm is suspended below the ride track andmoves along the ride path with the bogie; a passenger vehicle coupled to a second end of the pendulum arm opposite the first end of the pendulum arm; and a roll driver operable, concurrently with the drive assembly of the bogie, to rotate the pendulum arm about a roll axis extending through the first end of the pendulum arm. 9. An apparatus for providing a swinging ride experience, comprising: a track structure comprising an elevated track; a powered bogie rollably engaging the elevated track; a passenger vehicle with at least one seat for receiving and restraining a passenger; an elongated arm pivotally supported at a first end and coupled to at a second end to the passenger vehicle; a drive mechanism operable to rotate the elongated arm about a roll axis extending through the first end of the elongate arm in a CW direction and in a CCW direction; and a ride controller concurrently operating the powered bogie to move in a direction of travel on the elevated track and the drive mechanism to rotate the elongated arm in at least one of the CW and CCW directions, whereby the passenger vehicle has concurrent translational and roll motions. 16. A swing ride apparatus for use with an elevated ride track, comprising: a bogie adapted for rollably engaging the ride track, wherein the bogie includes a drive assembly operable to drive thebogie along the ride track; a pendulum arm pivotally coupled at a first end to the bogie via a pendulum support assembly, whereby the pendulum arm is suspended from the bogie and moves translationally with the bogie along the track; a passenger vehicle coupled to a second end of the pendulum arm opposite the first end of the pendulum arm; and a roll driver operable to rotate the pendulum arm about a roll axis extending through the first end of the pendulum arm.