EP0671193A1

EP0671193A1 - Fairground attraction

Info

Publication number: EP0671193A1
Application number: EP95200066A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Louisito Johannes Usebio Kroon
Original assignee: Cobra Beheer BV
Current assignee: Cobra Beheer BV
Priority date: 1994-01-13
Filing date: 1995-01-12
Publication date: 1995-09-13
Also published as: DE9415858U1; NL9400063A

Abstract

The invention relates to a fairground attraction comprising a frame, two arms connected to the frame for pivoting round the same axis, at least one support bracket connected to at least one of both arms for pivoting round one axis, a roundabout connected rotatably to the support bracket and drive means to bring about pivoting of arms and support bracket and drive means to bring about rotation of the roundabout.

Description

The invention relates to a fairground attraction.
There are diverse fairground attractions with variants of a roundabout or cars rotating round a fixed point. A visitor to such an attraction steps into the stationary attraction, whereafter the latter is moved round a fixed point with optional changes in speed as well as optional changes in direction of rotation. The possible diversity of the number of movements of the roundabout or the cars largely determines the appeal of the attraction to potential visitors.
The present invention has for its object to provide a fairground attraction with a rotating roundabout wherein the position of the point of rotation of the roundabout is displaceable during rotation thereof.
The present invention provides to this end a fairground attraction comprising a frame, two arms connected to the frame for pivoting round the same axis, at least one support bracket connected to at least one of the both arms for pivoting round one axis, a roundabout connected rotatably to the support bracket and drive means to bring about pivoting of arms and support bracket and drive means to bring about rotation of the roundabout. In this fairground attraction the point of rotation of the roundabout and the direction of the axis around which the roundabout rotates are displaceable. The attraction, which is comparatively simple to manufacture and thereby also safe in use, has a roundabout with a great freedom of movement.
The fairground attraction is preferably characterized in that a cylinder is arranged between each arm and the frame to cause the arm to pivot relative to the frame. This relatively simple construction is reliable in use.
The roundabout preferably comprises a gear ring on which engages at least one gear ring drive connected to the support bracket. Due to the gear ring the roundabout can be driven close to the periphery, which means that the roundabout can be designed in open, i.e. ring-shaped, form.
The drive means are preferably hydraulic. A hydraulic drive is reliable and it is possible to place the power source at a distance from a hydraulic motor, which has the advantage that a plurality of hydraulic motors can be connected to one power source.
The frame is preferably characterized in that it comprises at least two parts rotatable relative to each other and a drive. Such a rotatable frame gives the roundabout additional freedom of movement.
The roundabout preferably comprises seats. A seat provides a visitor with support and protection whereby the safety of the attraction is increased.
The invention is further elucidated by the non-limitative embodiments shown in the following figures.
Herein:

fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a fairground attraction according to the invention;
fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in operational situation; and
fig. 3 is a perspective view of the machine of fig. 2 in the transporting situation.

A fairground attraction 1 as shown in fig. 1 comprises a frame 2 to which are mounted two arms 4 pivotable on a single axis 3. The arms 4 are displaceable by cylinders 5 as according to arrow Z. A support bracket 6 is fixed to both arms 4. The support brackets 6 are rotatable round a common axis 7 as shown by arrow R1. A motor 8 is arranged in at least one of the two support brackets 6. Motor 8 drives a roundabout 9, for instance with interposing of a gear ring (not shown here). It is also possible to drive roundabout 9 by means of two synchronized motors 8, wherein a motor 8 is fixed to each support bracket 6. These motors 8 can for instance be hydraulically driven motors. The roundabout 9 is rotatable relative to support brackets 6 as according to arrow R2. It is also possible to manufacture the fairground attraction 1 with a single continuous support bracket 6 which is mounted rotatably to both arms 4. The ring-shaped roundabout 9 is provided with seats 10. The frame 2 consisting of a plurality of parts comprises a vertical rotation axis 11 whereby the frame 2 can perform a rotation as according to arrow R3. At the moment the visitors to the fairground attraction 1 step into or out of seats 10 the roundabout 9 is standing still and is situated close to a platform 12. The arms 4 will herein be situated in a practically horizontal position. Arms 4 will subsequently be moved into a more vertical position as according to arrow Z. As soon as roundabout 9 is situated at a distance from platform 12 it is possible to cause the fairground attraction 1 to move in accordance with all the above described freedoms.
The embodiment of a fairground attraction 13 shown in fig. 2 corresponds to a large extent with the fairground attraction 1 shown in fig. 1. However, this figure shows a frame 14 which is connected to a trailer 15 of a truck (not shown). Fixedly connected to frame 14 are two standing parts 16, 17 to which two pivoting arms 18, 19 are fixed on the side remote from frame 14. The arms 18, 19 are displaceable by cylinders 20 round a single axis 21 as according to arrow Z2. The other freedom of movement of roundabout 22 is comparable to that according to arrows R1, R2 and R3 of the roundabout 9 shown in fig. 1. The drive for providing the rotation designated with arrow R3 is accommodated in the trailer 15. The roundabout 22 is provided with seats 23 which are fixed to a support bracket 26 by means of a ring 24 with spokes 25 placed on the upper side of the seats. In a downward pivoted position people can walk into or out of the roundabout via openings 27 respectively to go and sit in roundabout 22 or to leave the fairground attraction 13.
Fig. 3 finally shows the trailer 15 with tractive unit 28 in a transporting situation. Parts 29 of a floor plate are pivoted upward. Legs 30 supporting these parts 29 are swivelled toward the trailer 15. The roundabout 22 can also be divided into a number of pieces. Other ways of reducing the fairground attraction 1, 13 to a transportable volume are of course also conceivable. It is thus possible for instance that instead of pivotable floor parts 29 separate plate parts are used which can be placed on a pivotable or non-pivotable undercarriage.

Claims

Fairground attraction comprising a frame, two arms connected to the frame for pivoting round the same axis, at least one support bracket connected to at least one of both arms for pivoting round one axis, a roundabout connected rotatably to the support bracket and drive means to bring about pivoting of arms and support bracket and drive means to bring about rotation of the roundabout.
Fairground attraction as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a cylinder is arranged between each arm and the frame to cause the arm to pivot relative to the frame.
Fairground attraction as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the roundabout comprises a gear ring on which engages at least one gear ring drive connected to the support bracket.
Fairground attraction as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the drive means are hydraulic.
Fairground attraction as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the frame comprises at least two parts rotatable relative to each other and a drive.
Fairground attraction as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the roundabout comprises seats.