Abstract: A wheel amusement ride is depicted, which moves carriages containing riders around the wheel on a track. In other words, the carriages move, not the wheel. This design allows a moment frame to be used to support the wheel. Because a moment frame can be constructed to be much narrower than the supports for a traditional Ferris wheel, the wheel of the present invention can be installed in a much narrower land area, while still achieving great height.

Abstract: A stationary track wheel ride is disclosed where a chain of rider carriages (gondolas) are driven around the stationary track. The rider carriages are rotationally mounted on axles on a support frame that allow the rider carriages to rotate around the axles so that the floor of the rider carriage remains approximately level with the ground while the rider carriage travels around the stationary track. A drive mechanism for the ride that simultaneously mounts the rider carriages to the track and provides the drive force is also include: a drive cable mechanism, motors attached to the track to drive the rider carriage train using drive wheels contacting some portion of the rider carriage. Motors attached to the rider carriage with drive wheels contacting the track. An emergency access assembly for fixed track rides and for Ferris wheel type rides is also disclosed.

Abstract: An suspended cable amusement ride is disclosed. The cable is supported by turning beam assemblies and moved by turning beam drive assemblies. The turning beam assemblies and turning beam drive assemblies each have multiple sheave wheels supported in brackets along a turning beam. In the turning beam drive assembly the sheave wheels are driven by motors operably attached to the sheave wheels.

Abstract: An suspended cable amusement ride is disclosed. The cable is supported by turning beam assemblies and moved by turning beam drive assemblies. The turning beam assemblies and turning beam drive assemblies each have multiple sheave wheels supported in brackets along a turning beam. In the turning beam drive assembly the sheave wheels are driven by motors operably attached to the sheave wheels.

Abstract: A circular track may be flat or hilly. Riding on the track is a big wheel sized larger than a rider compartment. The rider compartment is supported out bound from the big wheel's axle. The big wheel's inbound axle is attached to a radius arm which is powered by a conventional rotating hub. The radius arms are pivotally connected to the hub to allow an up and down movement on a hilly track. The rider compartment has a magnetic coupler assembly to the axle to enable an automatic and/or a rider controlled head over heels spinning of the rider compartment while the big wheel is traveling in its circular path around the hub.

Abstract: A rail assembly is built from three parallel cylindrical members, wherein a first rail provides support for a large wheel. The large wheel has an axle protruding from each side, wherein the outbound side has a frame attached to the axle and a seat attached to the frame. The rail side of the axle connects to a second rail acting as a pilot/guide for the travel of the large wheel. A third rail and interconnections provide structural rigidity for the rail assembly. The riders fly through a roller coaster layout sitting only in a seat, facing the passing environment head on at high speeds, thereby experiencing a free flight sensation. A people mover embodiment adds a motor to the wheel to move the wheel along a relatively flat layout. An optional flip means functions to selectively engage the axle with the rotating large wheel (nominally via a reduction gear) to flip the riders 360°. Optionally a group of large wheels can be coupled together to form a train.

Abstract: A circular track may be flat or hilly. Riding on the track is a big wheel sized larger than a rider compartment. The rider compartment is supported out bound from the big wheel's axle. The big wheel's inbound axle is attached to a radius arm which is powered by a conventional rotating hub. The radius arms are pivotally connected to the hub to allow an up and down movement on a hilly track. The rider compartment has a magnetic coupler assembly to the axle to enable an automatic and/or a rider controlled head over heels spinning of the rider compartment while the big wheel is traveling in its circular path around the hub.

Abstract: A vertical wind tunnel flight simulator comprises a flight chamber wherein a flier may experience a freefall simulation. Airflow to support the flier is induced by fans connected above the flight chamber through a duct. A staging area having openings to the flight chamber is adjacent to the flight chamber. One or two return air ducts are used to return air from the fans outlet to the fans inlet. Opposed louvers are included on at least one duct segment thereby regulating the temperature via forcing ambient air into the simulator. The use of many duct segments having diverging walls adds commercial value to the system by lowering the height. Mounting components on the roof and behind walls creates a spectacular pedestrian viewing scene of people in flight.

Abstract: A single or multiple source decontamination device for containment with a simple mailbox individual receptacle or a larger office environment receptacle. Sources such as a gaseous release, ultraviolet, infrared, microwave, ultrasonic, deionization, etc. are employed to decontaminate delivered packages within the receptacle. The device offers protection against packages potentially contaminated with bacterial or viral microorganism, anthrax being one example.

Abstract: The present invention is a vertical wind tunnel amusement device. The device comprises a flight chamber wherein a user may experience a freefall through the atmosphere from the safety of an enclosed flight chamber. Airflow sufficient to fully support a user within the flight chamber is induced by a plurality of fans connected above the flight chamber through a duct. A staging area having openings to the flight chamber is adjacent to the flight chamber. A user may enter or retreat from the flight chamber at will through the staging area openings without significantly adjusting the airflow velocity in the flight chamber. A control room is adjacent to the fight chamber whereby an operator may observe a user or users within the flight chamber and thereby safely control the operation of the fans. A projection room is also adjacent to the flight chamber whereby a video of a skydiving experience may be displayed to a user within the flight chamber.

Abstract: A method to confuse a police radar by moving a multiplicity of radar reflector antennas in the field of view of the radar. The moving radar reflector antennas present continuously changing doppler velocities to the police radar. The radar reflectors can be any of several reflective antennas such as dipoles, Yagies, horns, etc. The continuously changing doppler velocities are generated by mounting the radar reflector antennas on a moving disk. The moving disk is driven by an electric motor or by the wind. The radar reflector antennas can also be mounted on the rim or in the tread of a vehicle's tires.

Abstract: A skydiving simulator combines a vertical air chamber with a video projection system on the interior wall. A virtual reality environment is created as the skydiver, while suspended, sees actual film footage of scenarios descending toward earth. A skydiver backpack houses a transmitter which interactively steps the skydiver through emergency procedures.

Abstract: A passenger car sized pendulum is supported by a moving pivot point. The moving pivot point is forced horizontally by the angular movement of the pendulum. By resisting the horizontal force the angular movement of the pendulum is reduced. The preferred embodiment for resisting the horizontal force is a parallelogram assembly supporting a horizontal support platform. The parallelogram assembly has a damping cylinder resisting the horizontal force.

Abstract: The ride (10) is capable of raising a rider (22) to a height of ten meters or more above the ground, and then releasing the rider to swing. It includes a support structure (12), a support line (16) secured to the support structure at one end, with an opposed end secured to a rider, preferably to an attachment which is worn by a rider (20). A launch structure (26) is spaced from the support structure (12) and carries a launch line (24) which has an end (48) which is capable of being raised and lowered above the ground, and which is designed to be releasably attached to a rider attachment, so as to lift a rider from the ground. In operation the rider attachment with the support line attached is secured to the rider, the launch line is releasably secured to the attachment, and the launch line is activated to move the rider laterally and upwardly towards the top of the launch structure.

Abstract: The present invention is a vertical wind tunnel amusement device. The device comprises a flight chamber wherein a user may experience a freefall through the atmosphere from the safety of an enclosed flight chamber. Airflow sufficient to fully support a user within the flight chamber is induced by a plurality of fans connected above the flight chamber through a duct. A staging area having openings to the flight chamber is adjacent to the flight chamber. A user may enter or retreat from the flight chamber at will through the staging area openings without significantly adjusting the airflow velocity in the flight chamber. A control room is adjacent to the fight chamber whereby an operator may observe a user or users within the flight chamber and thereby safely control the operation of the fans. A projection room is also adjacent to the flight chamber whereby a video of a skydiving experience may be displayed to a user within the flight chamber.