Abstract: Eyeglasses including an eyeglasses body and a strap with a safety release device, such as a VELCRO™ connector. The safety release device may include a first connector element attached to the eyeglasses body and a second connector element attached to the strap. The eyeglasses may also include a length adjustment device. For example, the length adjustment device may loop through a eyelet integral with the eyeglasses body. More specifically, the strap may include a first end carrying the safety release device and a second end carrying the length adjustment device.

Abstract: A winch 10 has a drum 26 that winds and unwinds a cable 28 in response to winding and unwinding of tethers 30 about an axle 24. The tethers 30 are connected to telescopic spring devices 46 with staged concentric springs 48 that store energy, and a brake 45 is releasable to permit the drum 26 to rotate under the force of the stored energy. The drum 26 has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the axle 24, thereby producing a mechanical advantage. The cable 28 is also connected to a passenger carriage 201 of an amusement ride 200 that travels under the force of the stored energy.

Abstract: A combination amusement ride including an elevated track, a first passenger carriage that rides along the track, and a second passenger carriage that swings from the track or a structure supporting the track. The first passenger carriage typically includes a frame that rides along the track and seat portion that is pivotally coupled to the frame. In addition, the at least one rapid-winding winch typically propels the first passenger carriage along the track. The rapid-winding winch typically includes a power unit, a toothed rack coupled to the power unit, a pinion gear having teeth engaged with the teeth of the toothed rack, an axel having a first diameter coupled to the pinion gear, a drum having a second diameter that is significantly greater then the first diameter coupled to the axel, and a cable wound around the drum and attached to a passenger carriage.

Abstract: Drums 56 wind and unwind cables 18 connected to a passenger carriage 14 of an amusement ride 12 in response to winding and unwinding of tethers 48 about an axle 46. The tethers 48 are connected to elastic members 44 that store energy, and a lock 32 is releasable to permit the carriage 14 to travel under the force of the stored energy. The drums 56 have a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the axle, thereby providing a mechanical advantage to launch and accelerate the carriage 14 to a high velocity and/or to provide a dampening effect on the motion of the carriage. Alternative embodiments include ramps with loops, corkscrew sections, and/or inclined sections for carrying the carriage, safety cables strung through attachment members connected to the tethers, and telescopic spring devices with concentric coil springs.

Abstract: An elevated support beam has a boom arm and two cam arms that pivot in opposite directions between a lower loading position and an elevated operating position. A passenger carriage is suspended from the cam arms and is releasably attached to the boom arm. When the passenger carriage is released from the boom arm with the cam arms locked in the operating position, it swings back and forth but is elevated safely from the ground because of the elevated cam arms. Alternative embodiments include separately pivotal boom and cam arms, a support arm sufficiently thick that the cam arms are not required, and movable solid or fluid counterweights. A method of swinging a passenger includes pivoting the boom arm and the cam arms to the operating position, locking the cam arms in the operating position, and permitting the carriage to swing from the cam arms safely above the ground.

Abstract: Drums 56 wind and unwind cables 18 connected to a passenger carriage 14 of an amusement ride 12 in response to winding and unwinding of tethers 48 about an axle 46. The tethers 48 are connected to elastic members 44 that store energy, and a lock 32 is releasable to permit the carriage 14 to travel under the force of the stored energy. The drums 56 have a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the axle, thereby providing a mechanical advantage to launch and accelerate the carriage 14 to a high velocity and/or to provide a dampening effect on the motion of the carriage. Alternative embodiments include ramps with loops, corkscrew sections, and/or inclined sections for carrying the carriage, safety cables strung through attachment members connected to the tethers, and telescopic spring devices with concentric coil springs.

Abstract: An elevated support beam has a boom arm and two cam arms that pivot in opposite directions between a lower loading position and an elevated operating position. A passenger carriage is suspended from the cam arms and is releasably attached to the boom arm. When the passenger carriage is released from the boom arm with the cam arms locked in the operating position, it swings back and forth but is elevated safely from the ground because of the elevated cam arms. Alternative embodiments include separately pivotal boom and cam arms, a support arm sufficiently thick that the cam arms are not required, and movable solid or fluid counterweights. A method of swinging a passenger includes pivoting the boom arm and the cam arms to the operating position, locking the cam arms in the operating position, and permitting the carriage to swing from the cam arms safely above the ground.

Abstract: Drums 56 wind and unwind cables 18 connected to a passenger carriage 14 of an amusement ride 12 in response to winding and unwinding of tethers 48 about an axle 46. The tethers 48 are connected to elastic members 44 that store energy, and a lock 32 is releasable to permit the carriage 14 to travel under the force of the stored energy. The drums 56 have a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the axle, thereby providing a mechanical advantage to launch and accelerate the carriage 14 to a high velocity and/or to provide a dampening effect on the motion of the carriage. Alternative embodiments include ramps with loops, corkscrew sections, and/or inclined sections for carrying the carriage, safety cables strung through attachment members connected to the tethers, and telescopic spring devices with concentric coil springs.

Abstract: A winch 10 has a drum 26 that winds and unwinds a cable 28 in response to winding and unwinding of tethers 30 about an axle 24. The tethers 30 are connected to telescopic spring devices 46 with staged concentric springs 48 that store energy, and a brake 45 is releasable to permit the drum 26 to rotate under the force of the stored energy. The drum 26 has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the axle 24, thereby producing a mechanical advantage. The cable 28 is also connected to a passenger carriage 201 of an amusement ride 200 that travels under the force of the stored energy.

Abstract: Drums 56 wind and unwind cables 18 connected to a passenger carriage 14 of an amusement ride 12 in response to winding and unwinding of tethers 48 about an axle 46. The tethers 48 are connected to elastic members 44 that store energy, and a lock 32 is releasable to permit the carriage 14 to travel under the force of the stored energy. The drums 56 have a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the axle, thereby providing a mechanical advantage to launch and accelerate the carriage 14 to a high velocity and/or to provide a dampening effect on the motion of the carriage. Alternative embodiments include ramps with loops, corkscrew sections, and/or inclined sections for carrying the carriage, safety cables strung through attachment members connected to the tethers, and telescopic spring devices with concentric coil springs.

Abstract: An elevated support beam has a boom arm and two cam arms that pivot between a lower loading position and an elevated operating position. A passenger carriage is suspended from the cam arms and is releasably attached to the boom arm. When the passenger carriage is released from the boom arm with the cam arms locked in the operating position, it swings back and forth but is elevated safely from the ground because of the elevated cam arms. Alternative embodiments include separately pivotal boom and cam arms, a support arm sufficiently thick that the cam arms are not required, and movable solid or fluid counterweights. A method of swinging a passenger includes pivoting the boom arm and the cam arms to the operating position, locking the cam arms in the operating position, and permitting the carriage to swing from the cam arms safely above the ground.

Abstract: An amusement ride 10 including a tower 12 that pivotably supports an elongated boom 16 that includes an extended end 20 and a pivot 18. A passenger carriage 28 is pivotably attached to the extended end of the boom. The shorter end of the boom includes a moveable counterweight 26 that is operable for raising the boom. The boom is then locked, the counterweight is moved, and the boom is released to swing freely. The movable counterweight includes first and second storage tanks 34 and 35, a counterweight fluid 36, and at least one pump 39 for moving the counterweight fluid between the first and second storage tanks. Passengers are loaded into the passenger carriage when the boom is in the down position. The boom is then raised by moving the counterweight fluid into the first storage tank. After the boom is raised, a brake is set to lock to boom in the raised position, and the counterweight fluid is moved into the second storage tank. The operator then lowers the boom by releasing the brake.

Abstract: An amusement ride 10 including a tower 12 that pivotably supports an elongated boom 16 that includes an extended end 20 and a pivot 18. A passenger carriage 28 is pivotably attached to the extended end of the boom. The shorter end of the boom includes a moveable counterweight 26 that is operable for raising the boom. The boom is then locked, the counterweight is moved, and the boom is released to swing freely. The movable counterweight includes first and second storage tanks 34 and 35, a counterweight fluid 36, and at least one pump 39 for moving the counterweight fluid between the first and second storage tanks. Passengers are loaded into the passenger carriage when the boom is in the down position. The boom is then raised by moving the counterweight fluid into the first storage tank. After the boom is raised, a brake is set to lock to boom in the raised position, and the counterweight fluid is moved into the second storage tank. The operator then lowers the boom by releasing the brake.

Abstract: An amusement ride system includes a chair assembly within which an occupant is seated during the course of a ride and a pair of upstanding towers fixedly secured to the ground in a spaced relationship. Bungee cords are joined to each side of the chair assembly and have ends which extend toward the upper portions of the tower. By securing the chair assembly to the ground at a ready position and tensioning the bungee cords to a stretched condition, the chair assembly is biased upwardly by the stretched condition of the bungee cords. The system also includes guide rails which cooperate with the chair assembly so that upon release of the chair assembly from its release position, the chair assembly is guided along a preselected path for at least a short period of time following release of the chair assembly to prevent the chair assembly from being thrown through the air by the bungee cords until the chair assembly has been guided along the preselected path.

Abstract: An amusement ride 10 including a tower 12 that pivotably supports an elongated boom 16 that includes an extended end 20 and a pivot 18. A passenger carriage 28 is pivotably attached to the extended end of the boom. The shorter end of the boom includes a moveable counterweight 26 that is operable for raising the boom. The boom is then locked, the counterweight is moved, and the boom is released to swing freely. The movable counterweight includes first and second storage tanks 34 and 35, a counterweight fluid 36, and at least one pump 39 for moving the counterweight fluid between the first and second storage tanks. Passengers are loaded into the passenger carriage when the boom is in the down position. The boom is then raised by moving the counterweight fluid into the first storage tank. After the boom is raised, a brake is set to lock to boom in the raised position, and the counterweight fluid is moved into the second storage tank. The operator then lowers the boom by releasing the brake.