Abstract: In a passenger propelled swinging ride assembly, a variable counterweight employing two eccentrically weighted wheels driven in opposite directions to effect a variable counterweight.

Abstract: A vehicular passenger restraint mechanism especially adapted for amusement rides wherein the passenger is subjected to changing forces throughout the ride. A passenger restraint arm is pivotably attached at the head location of each passenger seat. The restraint arm pivots from an extreme upward position, that permits the passenger to move into and out of the seat, to a lower restraint position wherein the bottom of the restraint arm rests on the passenger's lap and the remaining portions of the arm simultaneously restrain the passenger's shoulders against the back of the seat. A hydraulic system controllable from one or more locations on a multi-seat amusement ride vehicle permits each passenger to move his or her associated passenger restraint bar either up or down. A mechanical backup is provided with each hydraulic restraint system.

Abstract: A passenger carrying cage pivotally mounted at one end of a movable support structure is rotatable completely about an elevated horizontal shaft. The passenger cage is stabilized by a positive mechanical connection between the cage and the shaft so as to maintain the same cage attitude relative to the ground in any of its rotatable positions about the shaft. The rotation is made possible by power supplied from within the passenger carrying cage by the passengers themselves reciprocating a lever whose reciprocation is transmitted by another positive mechanical connection between the cage and the horizontal shaft.