Abstract: A mobile recreational lift system, comprising a first lift vehicle and a second lift vehicle, each lift vehicle having an observation platform for carrying passengers, and an articulating lift mechanism for elevating the observation platform above a ground surface. The lift vehicles are positioned at an observation site in a paired configuration, allowing the observation platforms of both vehicles to be elevated simultaneously while retaining the ability to be independently controlled. The lift mechanisms are also adapted to move the observation platforms laterally, allowing the observation platforms to be placed in close proximity to allow the passengers to interact. If one of the lift vehicles malfunctions, the other lift vehicle may immediately position its observation platform to aid the passengers of the malfunctioning vehicle. Cameras mounted on each observation platform are adapted to capture images of the other observation platform and the passengers therein, from a variety of perspectives.

Abstract: An amusement ride includes a plurality of main arms which are moved by at least one motor along a circular path about a central rotation axis arranged substantially vertical to the ground, or to a platform. The main arms are rotatable about a rotation axis so that a first portion, which extends with respect to the rotation axis, can be raised or lowered with respect to the ground. The ride further includes at least one seat for at least one rider connected to the first portion of the main arm, at least one movable aerodynamic surface, and a control device for modifying the angle of incidence of the aerodynamic surface with respect to the air flow impacting it during the rotation of the main arm about the central axis.

Abstract: A round ride adapted for efficient and safe maintenance of elevated components. The ride includes a central hub assembly with a hub and a hub drive adapted for selectively rotating the hub about a central axis. The hub assembly includes a plurality of vehicle support arms pivotally mounted at a first end to the hub and extending outward to a second end. The round ride includes a maintenance platform assembly with, for each of the vehicle support arms, extension plates proximate to the first end and extending outward from sides of the vehicle support arm. The extension plates each include a planar upper surface, and the planar upper surfaces are coplanar with an upper surface of the vehicle support arm. When the support arms are pivoted into a horizontal position, the upper surfaces of the plates combined with the upper surfaces of the arms creates a platform near the hub.

Abstract: A round ride adapted for efficient and safe maintenance of elevated components. The ride includes a central hub assembly with a hub and a hub drive adapted for selectively rotating the hub about a central axis. The hub assembly includes a plurality of vehicle support arms pivotally mounted at a first end to the hub and extending outward to a second end. The round ride includes a maintenance platform assembly with, for each of the vehicle support arms, extension plates proximate to the first end and extending outward from sides of the vehicle support arm. The extension plates each include a planar upper surface, and the planar upper surfaces are coplanar with an upper surface of the vehicle support arm. When the support arms are pivoted into a horizontal position, the upper surfaces of the plates combined with the upper surfaces of the arms creates a platform near the hub.

Abstract: A round ride with suspended vehicles from ends of actuated support arms. The ride includes a drive assembly rotating a centrally located hub. The ride also includes a passenger vehicles including at least one input device such as a support arm actuator controller. For each of the passenger vehicles, a vehicle support assembly is provided that supports the passenger vehicle such that the vehicle rotates with the hub. The vehicle support assembly includes a rigid support arm pivotally coupled at a first end to the hub. The support assembly has an actuator that operates in response to signals from the input device to move the support arm through a range of vertical support angles. The support assembly includes a suspension arm connected at a first end for free pivoting about a second or the free end of the support aim and attached at its second end to the passenger vehicle.

Abstract: An entertainment ride that includes a plurality of vessels. In one embodiment, the vessels may be shaped as spherical vessels and may be attached to robotic armatures that move the vessels such that the movement resembles a flowering bloom.

Abstract: A swing ride for providing lateral movement to a plurality of passenger vehicles. The ride includes a center hub rotating about its axis. The ride includes, for each of the passenger vehicles, a vehicle support assembly attached to rotate with the hub. The vehicle support assembly includes a flexible support member attached at a first end to the hub and at a second end to one of the vehicles. The vehicle support assembly includes a fulcrum assembly defining a fulcrum or pivot point for the support member between the first and second ends such that the member has a flexible and variable-length flexible arm attached to the vehicle. The fulcrum assembly is selectively positionable to move the fulcrum point in response to user input at the vehicle such that the passenger interactively moves the fulcrum point and thus moves the vehicle laterally inward and outward relative to the spinning hub.

Abstract: A round ride is selectively placing passenger vehicles in one of two or more workspaces or vehicle fly zones. The ride includes a drive assembly including a rotating hub structure and a plurality of vehicle support assemblies mounted to the hub. Each of the vehicle support assemblies includes: (a) a vehicle; (b) a support arm supporting the vehicle proximate to a first end; (c) a base pivotally supporting the arm; and (d) a base angle mechanism mounted to the rotatable structure and selectively operable to position the base into a low position and a high position. The vehicle support assemblies are grouped into first and second sets including alternating ones of the vehicle support assemblies. The base angle mechanisms positions the first set of vehicle support assemblies in the low position and the second set of vehicle support assemblies in the high position and later swaps the positions.

Abstract: A round ride with passenger-initiated motion profiles controlling vertical vehicle movements. The ride includes a drive assembly with a rotating hub that includes support arms extending outward from the structure supporting passenger vehicles. Each of the vehicles includes a triggering device capable of generating either an onboard or offboard discrete signal when operated by a passenger causing a controller to select a motion profile from a number of stored profiles that each defines an actuator motion profile (or angular movement of a support arm about its pivotal mounting point to the rotatable central hub). The motion profiles define different angular rotations for a support arm to cause a vehicle to jump to differing heights, and the profile may be chosen by the controller based on vehicle height and position along the circular path and other environmental inputs such as a game state for the vehicle or a show/ride status.

Abstract: An amusement park ride that provides an interactive flying experience in a round ride setting by allowing vehicle passengers to move their vehicle in and out horizontally through a fly zone. The ride includes a central support assembly with a structure rotatable about a central axis at one or more rotation speeds. The ride also includes passenger vehicles and, for each vehicle, a support arm assembly that extends outward from the rotatable structure. The support arm assembly includes a support arm and a variable radius mechanism. The support arm is mounted to the rotatable structure and supports the passenger vehicle. The variable radius mechanism operates during rotation of the rotatable structure to vary the arm length or support location of the vehicle on the arm to vary the vehicle's rotation radius. The variable radius mechanism may include a telescoping arm that reciprocates the vehicle along a linear displacement path.

Abstract: A collaborative play toy generally includes a plurality of satellite assemblies capable of a first movement and a second movement, and a center assembly coupled to the plurality of satellite assemblies. The center assembly is configured to move in response to the first movement of a first satellite assembly and to create a second movement in a second satellite assembly.

Abstract: A motion-based system includes one or more passenger units, gimbaled about three axes, movably attached to arms or slots in a planar system extending radially from a central hub. The passenger units may be positioned along the arms any distance from the central hub thereby providing means for varying forces to be exerted thereon while maintaining a constant rotational speed. The mobile passenger units further provide means for loading and unloading subjects during operation of the system. The means includes passenger units being moved to the central hub location where they are disengaged from the rotating system and safely loaded and unloaded. Computers control the rotational speed of the system and the movements of the passenger units about at least three axes based on inputted or real-time data. The data can simulate real events, be arbitrarily developed or be based on real time events. The motion-based system has both training and amusement purposes.

Abstract: The Rotating Device (1) comprises a rotating shaft (1000) being bearing interrelated to a nipple/coupling frame. The rotating shaft (1000) supports swing arms right and left from which are suspended swing seats. The nipple/coupling frame extends into and is supported by a generally concrete foundation.

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 vehicle for simulating flight in a park ride having a rotating drive with supports or radial arms. The vehicle includes a body with seats and passenger restraints. A connection assembly is used to attach the body to a support. The connection assembly includes a linkage assembly allowing the body to radially pivot inward and outward relative to the drive assembly based on the angle of the support arm and rotation rate of the drive assembly. The linkage assembly translates radial movement of the body into rotation of the body about a pitch axis. The pitch axis extends through or proximal to the center of mass of the body, and the pivotal connector that supports the vehicle in a pendular manner is spaced apart and above the center of mass. The linkage assembly may include one or more four-bar linkages to provide two degrees of freedom of the body relative.

Abstract: An amusement ride includes a central unit that rotates about a central axis and a plurality of carriages positioned circumferentially around and pivotably coupled to the central unit. The amusement ride further includes an arrangement for inducing the plurality of carriages to oscillate in a substantially vertical direction as the carriages revolve around the central axis.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing movement to a person having a person center of gravity and a person moment. The system includes a receptacle configured to allow the person to adjust the person center of gravity, a counterweight for counterbalancing the person moment, a beam connecting the receptacle and the counterweight, a base for supporting the beam, a base joint connecting the base and the beam, configured to allow the beam to rotate with respect to the base joint; wherein an adjustment in the person center of gravity provides rotation of the beam.

Abstract: An amusement ride for providing vertical movement of a passenger is disclosed. Typically, a support tower having a vertical movement mechanism defining a vertical movement path is present. The carriage is typically coupled to the movement mechanism for providing travel along the vertical movement path. Connected to the carriage is a support structure which extends radially from the carriage for supporting passenger seats. The support structure can be a wall, a rigid post, or some other structure extending outwardly from the tower. In one embodiment, the seats can be positioned along the support structure such that a first seat is closer to the carriage than a second seat. The passenger seats can be positioned to face outwardly or toward other passenger seats. Additionally, the passenger seats can be coupled to the support structure along a support structure side, above the support structure, beneath the support structure, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A centripetal acceleration movement apparatus includes a base support having a rotatable portion rotatably disposed about a first axis. A plurality of carrying pods are attached to the rotatable portion of the base support and are positioned remotely with respect to the first axis for carrying at least one passenger. A rotating device is provided for rotating the rotatable portion of the base support about the first axis and thereby causing the attached carrying pod to (i) orbit the first axis along an orbital movement path and (ii) apply a centripetal force to the at least one passenger. A motion picture device is provided for producing a motion picture display confined to orbital movement with the carrying pods in a manner sufficient to enable the motion picture display to be viewed by a seeing passenger being carried by the carrying pods.