Abstract: This application provides a multiple or single arm oscillating, optionally rotating amusement ride with reverse pendulum oscillating arm or arms that are angularly mounted to a horizontal tubular frame member of the rotating supporting structure. In one embodiment, there is a moveable adjustable counterbalance weight. The unique principal of the ride is that it that when the ride is rotating and the oscillating arm is moved from the lower position to the upper position the rotational velocity is increased through conservation of angular momentum producing a spinning “Ice dancer” effect. Tie rods or optionally a gimble and cable system is used to maintain stability and upright positioning of the gondola.

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 Ferris wheel-type ride. A lever arm is mounted to the wheel rim to freely pivot between front and rear stops. Passenger gondolas, pivotally attached to the lever arms, travel through four zones experiencing differing ride dynamics. In the first zone, the lever arm abuts the front stop while, in the second, the lever arm is spaced apart from the stops and the lever arm is supported from above by the wheel via the lever arm causing the gondola to be vertically lifted and to rotate slower than the hub rotation rate. In the third zone, the lever arm abuts the rear stop and, in the fourth zone, the lever arm is spaced apart from the stops and is supported from below by the wheel as it falls toward the front stop at a rate greater than the hub rotation rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a playing device with which a player can perform more diversified plays. A playing device 1 comprises a beam 11 disposed such that its longitudinal direction is directed laterally and which is configured such that a player Y can move on the outer circumferential surface thereof under a standing state along the longitudinal direction; a first support mechanism and a second support mechanism which are disposed at a distance in the longitudinal direction of the beam 11 for supporting the both end portions of the beam 11, respectively, the first support mechanism and the second support mechanism for supporting the beam 11 such that one or both end portions of the beam 11 can displaces freely in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction; and a drive mechanism for driving the beam 11 to displace one or both end portions thereof in the intersecting direction.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a fairground attraction, including an arm which is mounted for rotation about a shaft in a bearing arranged in the top of the frame, on an end of which arm at least one people carrier is suspended, a device for rotatingly driving the arm, and a device for displacing the at least one people carrier in height direction in a rest position of the arm, which displacing device is arranged between the top supporting the bearing and the remaining part of the frame. In one embodiment of the present invention, the top can be pivotable relative to the remaining frame part, for instance about a lying axis which lies transversely of the rotation axis of the arm, and the displacing device can include a drive for causing pivoting of the top. The fairground attraction can further be provided with a device for blocking the displacing device during operation of the fairground attraction.

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: A controllably rotatable seat having an arm to which one or more seats are attached. The arm is rotatably connected to a carrier. An electrical motor, pneumatics, hydraulics, or any other mechanism that is well known in the art for producing rotation rotates the arm and, consequently, the seat or seats. Initiation of rotation and returning of the seat or seats to their original orientation is accomplished by a timer, a sensor detecting targets, or the measurement of some physical criterion associated with movement of the carrier. Preferably, a lever arm connects the arm to the device for rotating so that the point of rotation of the device for rotating will be substantially aligned with the center of gravity of a participant sitting on the seat.

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: A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) includes a semiconductor device having a pair of mirror portions, an active region, a tunnel junction, a pair of cladding layers and a substrate. Heat generated by the VCSEL dissipates through the cladding layers, which utilize an indium phosphide material. The VCSEL also includes selective etches that are used to aperture the active region to allow electric current to be injected into the active region.

Abstract: A multidirectional amusement device is shown having a support structure extending above a support surface. A ride vehicle is secured to the support structure with support lines and is allowed to move freely beneath the support towers. A retraction tower receives a tow line connected to the ride vehicle to draw the ride vehicle to a desired height. A release mechanism attached between ends of the tow line engages a stop on the retraction tower and automatically releases the ride vehicle into a pendulum motion. The ride vehicle includes an attachment portion for receiving the support lines. The ride vehicle also includes a rider platform rotatably attached to the attachment portion. The ride vehicle further includes a coupling bar having a first end pivotally secured to the attachment portion of the ride vehicle and a second end extending outwardly from the ride vehicle for engaging the release mechanism.

Abstract: A multidirectional amusement device is shown having a support structure extending above a support surface. A ride vehicle is secured to the support structure with support lines and is allowed to move freely beneath the support towers. A retraction tower receives a tow line connected to the ride vehicle to draw the ride vehicle to a desired height. A release mechanism attached between ends of the tow line engages a stop on the retraction tower and automatically releases the ride vehicle into a pendulum motion. The ride vehicle includes an attachment portion for receiving the support lines. The ride vehicle also includes a rider platform rotatably attached to the attachment portion. The ride vehicle further includes a coupling bar having a first end pivotally secured to the attachment portion of the ride vehicle and a second end extending outwardly from the ride vehicle for engaging the release mechanism.

Abstract: An amusement ride presenting a platform; two parallel vertical uprights extending upwards from the platform; two arms fitted to respective uprights and rotated by drive means about a first horizontal axis; and a passenger car fitted to the arms and rotating about a second axis; characterized in that the car presents a supporting structure, and three rows of seats fitted to the structure and all facing in the same direction.

Abstract: An amusement ride presenting a platform, two parallel vertical posts extending upwards from the platform, and two arms fitted respectively to the posts and rotated about a horizontal axis by a first drive means. The ride is characterized in that it presents a passenger car in turn presenting a circular supporting structure fitted to an axial end of the two arms, a circular plate fitted to the structure and rotated freely about its own central axis by a second drive means and a number of seats fitted to the plate.

Abstract: An amusement ride presenting a column fitted to a beam which pivots about a pin on the platform and is connected to the column by at least one jack. The column is fitted in articulated manner with four blocks, each presenting a horizontal pin about which pivots one end of a roundabout supporting member, and a support rotating about the supporting member presents a number of cars with which it forms a roundabout. Each car is mounted on two pins of the support, presents an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis of the support, and may be rotated through a full turn by centrifugal force. Each block is normally locked in relation to the column by means of a key, and the supporting member is in the form of a boom fitted in articulated manner with an L-shaped arm and in turn integral with a shaft about which the support rotates, so that the shaft may be inclined by an angle of over 90 degrees in relation to its idle position.

Abstract: A roundabout having a substantially vertical mast, means forming a support for a gondola mounted to move in a straight line along the mast, driving means for moving the means forming a support along the mast between a low position and a high position and vice-versa, a gondola mounted such that it is mobile with respect to said means forming a support, and wherein there is provided a hub-shaft pair of which one end is integral with the means forming a support and of which the other end is integral with the side surface of a cylindrical drum, the shaft being mounted such that it rotates about a substantially horizontal axis, driving means to rotate the shaft about its substantially horizontal axis, and wherein the gondola includes at least one cylindrical part housed inside the drum, and guiding in rotation to the drum about a substantially vertical axis, and in that the driving means is provided to rotate the cylindrical part of the gondola in the drum, which makes it possible to subject the passengers seated