Human amusement ride
An amusement ride for humans which is constructed to include a plurality of separate tracks located in a side-by-side relationship. On each track is located a vehicle, with this vehicle including a propulsion system which is activated and controlled by a human operator located within the vehicle. The vehicle is mounted in conjunction with a track which keeps each vehicle confined to its particular track and permits the vehicle to move between a Start position and Finish position on the track. Associated with each track is an automatic brake system to stop the vehicle. Each track is composed of a plurality of separate guide rail sections which are located in a spaced apart arrangement with the separate guide rail sections being mounted in an in-line manner within the track. A guide blade is mounted on each vehicle and is to connect with each of these guide rail sections as the vehicle moves along the track.
Claims
1. A human amusement ride comprising:
- a track having a Start position, a Finish position and a braking area located past said Finish position;
- a vehicle within which a human is to be located, said vehicle being mounted on said track, said vehicle to move from said Start position to said Finish position and then into said braking area;
- a guide rail assembly included within said track, said guide rail assembly being formed of a plurality of separate guide rail sections, each said guide rail section having a longitudinal through slot, said guide rail sections being mounted in an in-line manner with said slots being aligned, said guide rail sections being slightly spaced apart from each other, each said slot terminating in ends;
- a guide blade mounted on said vehicle, said guide blade to connect with said slots as said vehicle moves along said track, said guide blade to be continuously in engagement with said slots; and
- said track including a retaining channel, a retainer bar mounted on said guide blade, said retainer bar to be located within said retaining channel, said retainer bar to prevent vertical movement of said vehicle sufficient to result in disengagement of said vehicle from said track.
2. The human amusement ride as defined in claim 1 wherein:
- each said end of each said guide rail section being flared forming an increased width of said slot.
3. The human amusement ride as defined in claim 1 wherein:
- said guide blade being greater than one-half the length of said vehicle.
4. The human amusement ride as defined in claim 1 wherein:
- said track having a plurality of rollers located directly adjacent said Start position, said vehicle having rear wheels, said rear wheels to be locatable on said rollers, whereby the human can cause said rear wheels to spin on said rollers prior to moving on said track from said Start position to said Finish position.
5. The human amusement ride as defined in claim 1 including:
- a braking arrangement mounted within said braking area of said track, said braking arrangement including a plurality of separate brake units, said separate brake units being located in a spaced apart arrangement.
6. The human amusement ride as defined in claim 5 wherein:
- each said brake unit having a longitudinal length of approximately five feet, said brake units being spaced apart approximately ten feet.
7. The human amusement ride as defined in claim 5 wherein:
- said braking arrangement including a single brake unit located directly adjacent said Start position, the remaining said brake units being located directly adjacent said Finish position.
8. The human amusement ride as defined in claim 7 wherein:
- each said end of each said guide rail section being flared forming an increased width of said slot.
9. The human amusement ride as defined in claim 8 wherein:
- said guide blade being greater than one-half the length of said vehicle.
10. The human amusement ride as defined in claim 9 wherein:
- said track having a plurality of rollers located directly adjacent said Start position, said vehicle having rear wheels, said rear wheels to be locatable on said rollers, whereby the human can cause said rear wheels to spin on said rollers prior to moving on said track from said Start position to said Finish position..Iadd.
11. A human amusement ride comprising:
- a track having a Start position, a Finish position and a braking area located past said Finish position;
- a vehicle within which a human is to be located, said vehicle being mounted on said track, said vehicle to move from said Start position to said Finish position and then into said braking area;
- a guide rail assembly included within said track, said guide rail assembly having at least one guide rail section, said guide rail section having a longitudinal through slot;
- a guide blade mounted on said vehicle, said guide blade to connect with said slot as said vehicle that moves along said track, said guide blade to be continuously in engagement with said slot; and
- a braking arrangement mounted within said braking area of said track, said braking arrangement being positioned to move between a non-braking position and a braking position, said braking arrangement, in said braking position, applying a force against said guide blade to cause said vehicle to slow, said guide blade being positioned to both guide said vehicle in conjunction with said slot and brake said vehicle by said braking arrangement..Iaddend..Iadd.
12. A human amusement ride comprising:
- a track having a Start position, a Finish position and a braking area located past said Finish position;
- a vehicle within which a human is to be located, said vehicle being mounted on said track, said vehicle to move from said Start position to said Finish position and then into said braking area;
- a guide rail assembly included within said track, said guide rail assembly having at least one guide rail section, said guide rail section having a longitudinal through slot;
- a guide blade mounted on said vehicle, said guide blade to connect with said slot as said vehicle that moves along said track, said guide blade to be continuously in engagement with said slot; and
- said guide blade being greater than one-half the length of said vehicle..Iaddend..Iadd.
13. The human amusement ride as defined in claim 11 wherein:
- said braking arrangement including a plurality of separate brake units, said separate brake units being located in a spaced-apart arrangement..Iaddend..Iadd.
14. The human amusement ride as defined in claim 13 wherein:
- each said brake unit having a longitudinal length of approximately five feet, said brake units being spaced-apart approximately ten feet..Iaddend..Iadd.
15. The human amusement ride as defined in claim 14, wherein:
- said braking arrangement also including a single brake unit located directly adjacent said Start position, the remaining said brake units being located directly adjacent said Finish position..Iaddend.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Sep 8, 1997
Date of Patent: Dec 22, 1998
Assignee: Thrilltime Entertainment International, Inc. (Burnaby)
Inventor: Leroy H. Gutknecht (Las Vegas, NV)
Primary Examiner: Mark Tuan Le
Attorney: Jack C. Munro
Application Number: 8/925,054
International Classification: A63G 2500;
