WO2019064087A1

WO2019064087A1 - A car for a rollercoaster

Info

Publication number: WO2019064087A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/056575
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adriana ADRUALDI; Laura MERCATI
Original assignee: Adrualdi Adriana; Mercati Laura
Priority date: 2017-09-26
Filing date: 2018-08-29
Publication date: 2019-04-04
Also published as: IT201700107341A1

Abstract

A car (20) for a rollercoaster (10) comprising a track (100) provided with at least a rail (102)(102') that develop along an annular path (P); the car (20) comprising a first frame (200) that develops along a given direction (D) and provided with bilateral constraining members (202) for the coupling to each rail (102)(102'); a second frame (206) being coupled to the first frame (200) by means of an articulated quadrilateral part (208) and a ball joint (209); the second frame (206) stably carrying at least a seat (204).

Description

A CAR FOR A ROLLERCOASTER

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a car mobile along rails for a rollercoaster provided with these rails. In particular, the present invention relates to a car mobile along rails for a rollercoaster provided with these rails wherein said car is arranged so as to be transversely mobile in respect to these tracks. In more detail, the present invention relates to a car mobile along rails for a rollercoaster provided with such rails wherein said car is arranged so as to be transversely mobile in respect to such tracks so as to simulate acceleration models typical of road or nautical means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The present invention falls within the mechanical sector of amusement parks, funfairs or travelling shows in general and concerns a specific type of car, designed for single car rollercoasters , such as the so-called "Wild Mouse Coaster", as described below.

In general, by single car rollercoasters we mean a rollercoaster with cars that travel individually by gravity on a given loop closed path, defined by tracks consisting of pairs of rails, where the movement of each car is the result of the continual transformation of potential energy into kinetic energy starting from a detected position that, generally but not necessarily, is arranged at a higher point than any other section of the entire path. Said path usually starts with an ascent, on which the car is moved in various manners. Often, the movement is achieved by a towing chain, and subsequently the path has a sequential descents, straight sections and further alternations of curved ascents and descents, and ends with a final straight section.

Each car has two double seats that are arranged longitudinally in series for seating the passengers. Furthermore, each seat is provided with a safety bar, adjustable according to the size of the passengers.

The vertical inertial accelerations that tend to push the cars upwards are thus generally lower than the acceleration of gravity, for obvious safety reasons, even if each car is equipped with safety devices adapted to hold the occupants in a given posture and to counterbalance possible actions trying to project the occupants out of the car. Upon return to the departure station, therefore upstream of the motorised ascent, the annular path always has a straight section with a length sufficient to house all the cars that run along the circuit .

The passengers are subjected to effects that correlate to the accelerations to which the cars are subjected in different sections of the path, which create feelings, alternatively or in combination, of a centrifugal projection (during turning), of being pushed upwards (during ascents) or being pushed downwards (during descent) , therefore feelings of lesser or greater body weight .

A particularity of the "Wild Mouse Coaster" lies in in that in the turns, both the rails are arranged on a substantially horizontal plane, whereby direction changes take place in the absence of super elevation. According to the Anglo-Saxon definition the track is of the "no banking" type. The speeds reached by the cars are, however, always modest so that the effects on the users are fairly limited.

On the other hand, rollercoaster enthusiasts are constantly searching for amusements that are able to provide experience more and more original. This challenges designers to create structures that enable combined dynamic forces (centrifugal forces, upwards or downwards thrusts) to the cars according to increasingly more complex models. On the other hand, it is easy to understand that the degrees of freedom on which one can intervene in the case of "Wild Mouse Coaster" plants already manufactured, are limited, due to what has been described above.

In consideration of what has been described above it would be desirable to have a car mobile along rails and a relative rollercoaster that, in addition to limiting and possibly overcoming the inconveniences typical of the prior art illustrated above, together defining a new standard for these types of amusements, ensuring consistent operation of the cars and of the same rollercoaster, therefore a guaranteed fun for passengers, with a feeling of a particular movement, unique in its own way, throughout different sections of the path of the same rollercoaster.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to a car mobile along rails for a rollercoaster provided with these rails. In particular, the present invention relates to a car mobile along rails for a rollercoaster provided with such rails wherein said car is arranged so as to be transversely mobile in respect to such tracks. In more detail, the present invention relates to a car mobile along rails for a rollercoaster provided with such rails where said car is arranged so as to be transversely mobile in respect to such tracks for simulating acceleration models typical of road, aircraft or nautical means. The problems exposed above are solved by the present invention according to at least one of the claims that follow .

According to an embodiment of the present invention a car for a rollercoaster is achieved comprising a track provided with at least a rail that develops along an annular path; said car comprising a first frame that develops along a given direction and provided with bilateral constraining means for coupling to each said rail; a second frame being coupled to said first frame by an articulated quadrilateral part and a ball joint; said second frame firmly carrying said seat.

In some embodiments of the present invention said articulated quadrilateral part comprises a third frame, a connecting rod and a pair of rocker arms that connect said connecting rod to said third frame in an oscillating manner: said first frame having a first beam transversal to said direction and comprising the said third frame; said connecting rod delimits said second frame along said first beam.

According to a possible constructive variation of the present invention, said car comprises means for controlling the relative position between said first frame and said second frame.

In some cases, the control means comprise at least an elongated member delimited by a first end portion coupled to said first frame in an articulated manner and by a second end portion coupled to said second frame in an articulated manner.

According to a possible constructive variation of the present invention, said elongated member comprises at least one torsion spring.

In other cases, said control means comprise an electronic control unit; said elongated member comprises a linear actuator electronically connected with said electronic control unit.

According to a possible constructive variation of the present invention, said first beam is overlapping said connecting rod, therefore said quadrilateral part is reversed .

In some embodiments of the present invention said rocker arms are coupled to said connecting rod and to said first beam, respectively, through two first ball joints arranged at a first distance and two second ball joints arranged at a second distance.

In some cases, said first distance is greater than, less than or equal to said second distance.

According to a possible constructive variation of the present invention, said constraining means are of the rolling type and comprise a pair of axles each of which is longitudinally limited by a carriage coupled to a respective rail: each said carriage is provided with pairs of wheels arranged on planes perpendicular to the corresponding said rail; said second frame firmly carrying each said seat.

In some cases, said first frame has a platform provided with a second centre beam and said constraining means comprise a joint carried by said second beam for coupling said first frame with a respective one of said axle.

In other cases, at least a first joint of said joints is a ball joint.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention said ball joints are of the mechanically lockable type.

In other cases, a battery is provided which is electrically coupled to said electronic control unit and a power supply unit carried by said second frame and electrically coupled to said battery; said unit being positioned at the front of said second frame.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention a rollercoaster is implemented, comprising a track comprising an inner rail and an outer rail which develop parallelly along an annular path for a car such as the one described above, wherein said track has at least a first section in which the respective said inner tracks and outer tracks are arranged at different heights .

In some cases, said car comprises a battery electrically coupled to said electronic control unit and a power supply unit carried by said second frame and electrically coupled to said battery; said unit being positioned in the front of said second frame; one or more recharging stations, in particular for both the "partial recharging" and/or for completely recharging said battery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further characteristics and advantages of the car and of the relative rollercoaster according to the present invention will become clearer from the following description, made with reference to the enclosed drawings which illustrate some examples of non-limiting embodiments, in which identical or corresponding parts of the same device are denoted by the same reference numbers, in particular;

- figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a rollercoaster of a relative car according to the present invention;

- figure 2 is a plan view of a detail of figure 1 with one of the details represented in different operating configurations ;

- figure 3 is an elevation side view of figure 2; and - figure 4 is a rear figure of figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In figure 1 the number 1 denotes, as a whole, a portion of a rollercoaster 10 provided with an annular track 100 comprising at least a rail 102/102' winding along an annular path P, of which in figure 1 a curved section 12 is visible, which is longitudinally delimited by a first section 14 and by a second section 16, both being essentially straight. Again, with reference to figure 1, a car 20 is visible, carried by the second section 16, then arranged downstream of the curved section 12 according to a clockwise direction of the path P in figure 1. In particular, here and in the following, the track 100 comprises an inner rail 102 and an outer rail 102' wherein these rails are substantially parallel and with substantially cylindrical sections, without this limiting the aim of the present invention. In addition, the rails 102 and 102' can be arranged at altimetrically uniform or different heights, based on the design, as will be better specified in the following. On the other hand, this is also true in the case in which each rail 102/102' has transversal sections shaped as a geometric figure with two orthogonal axes of symmetry.

Here and in the following, the term rollercoaster can be replaced by the term "Roller Coaster" based on the context, without this implying amusements of different types .

The car 20 comprises a first frame 200 that develops along a given direction D and is provided with a constraining device 202 of the type for coupling to each of the rails 102/102'. Furthermore, the first frame 200 has a platform 2000 provided with a centre beam 2001 longitudinally delimited between an upright 201 that delimits the frame 200 at the rear and, is provided, at the bottom, with a rear transversal beam 2002 and with a front transversal beam 2003.

On the other hand, the constraining device 202 is of the rolling type and comprises a pair of axles 2020, each of which is longitudinally delimited by a carriage 2022 that is arranged to be coupled to a respective rail 102/012' in a bilateral manner.

In fact, each carriage 2022 is provided with pairs of wheels 2024 arranged on perpendicular planes centred on the respective rail 102/102'. For ease of drawing, a car 20 shown in the enclosed drawings is always illustrated in combination with the track 100 of the rollercoaster 10, without this limiting the aim of the present invention. It can be useful to note that the carriages 2020 are without inner wheels 2024 on the rails 102 and 102'. This choice is clearly justified by the choice of using two adjacent wheels, therefore the wheels of each side-by-side carriage 2022 operate as the wheels 2014 of an individual carriage used for coupling the first frame 200 to a track consisting of a single known rail and not illustrated so as to avoid the car 20 being projected out of the rollercoaster 10 at the first turning. This would be the only difference between the car 20 described herein and the version of the car 20 for a single rail track 100.

With reference to figure 2, the constraining device 202 comprises a joint 2026 for each axle 2020, wherein each joint 2026 is carried by the beam 2001 and is shaped for coupling the first frame 200 with a respective axle 2020. Among these joints 2026, a first joint 2026' is a ball joint and is arranged in the front of the car 20 shown in figure 2, although it could happen that the joint 2026' is arranged at the back, based on specific design requirements. For ease of drawing, the two joints 2026 and 2026' are shown in figures 3 and 4 with a reference line ending with an arrow and shown in figure 2 with a dashed circular line.

The first frame 200 supports at least a seat 204 for the passengers and the car 20 comprises a second frame 206 coupled to the first frame 200 through an articulated quadrilateral part 208, which is arranged at the back in figure 2, and a ball joint 209 that, in turn, is arranged at the front in the same figure. The second frame 206 firmly carries each seat 204.

With particular reference to figure 4, the articulated quadrilateral part 208 comprises a third frame 2080, a connecting rod 2084 and a pair of rocker arms 2082 and 2082' which connect the connecting rod 2084 and the third frame 2080 together in an oscillating manner.

In the enclosed drawings, the two rocker arms 2082 and 2082' are substantially identical, without limiting the aim of the present invention and the connecting rod 2084 is part of the second frame 206 and delimits it at the rear from the beam 2002. Furthermore, the upright 201 is delimited at the top by a beam 2005 that comprises the third frame 2080, and therefore overlaps the connecting rod 2084. Therefore, in use, the connecting rod 2084 is substantially parallel to the beam 2005, or tries to assumes such a position, when the car 20 is substantially still or moves in a straight direction on the track 100 with the rails 102 and 102' at the same altimetric height.

In regard to what has been described above, it is safe to say that in this solution, without this limiting the aim of the present invention, the quadrilateral part 208 is suspended from the respective frame 2080/from the beam 2005, therefore arranged "reversed".

With particular reference to figures 3 and 4, it should be noted that due to the fact that the second frame 206 is suspended via the articulated quadrilateral part 208 and resting on the joint 209, the second frame 206 has only one degree of freedom in the space, it can rotate in the space around the joint 209 moving towards the right or the left in respect to a longitudinal and vertical centre plane of the first frame 200 based on the effect of the centrifugal force acting instantaneously on the car 20, or other actions to which the car 20 could be subjected, as will be explained in the following.

With reference to fig 4, it can be useful to specify that the rocker arms 2082/2082' are coupled to the connecting rod 2084 and to the beam 2005, respectively, by means of two first ball joints 20820, arranged at a first distance LI, and two second ball joints 20820' arranged at a second distance L2. The choice of arranging the first joints 20820 at a first distance LI greater than, less than or equal to the second distance L2 affects the behaviour of the second frame 206 in respect to the first frame 200. In particular when in use, the car 20 is moving and travels along a turn, the lateral movement being determined by the centrifugal forces acting upon it, the difference between the distances LI and L2 affects the inclination of the connecting rod 2084 in respect to the beam 2005. It is easy to understand that when the first distance LI is greater than the second distance L2 the first feeling perceived by the passengers is similar to the feeling of being seated in a car during a cornering, whereas when the first distance LI is smaller than the second distance L2 the first feeling perceived by the passengers is similar to sensation of being seated in a motorboat during heaving.

In regard to what has been described above, the articulated quadrilateral part 208 is of the spatial type, and allows the multi-axes rotation of the second frame 206 in respect to the first frame 200 around the centre of the joint 209.

On the other hand, with particular reference to figure 3 and 4, the car 20 comprises a control device 30 the function of which is to affect the relative movements of the second frame 206 in respect to the first frame 200 and the modes in which these movements appear. For this purpose, said control device 30 comprises at least one elongated member 32 delimited by a first end portion 320, coupled to the beam 2001 of the first frame 200 in an articulated manner, and by a second end portion 322 laterally coupled to the second frame 206 in an articulated manner. In particular, in figure 3 said control device 30 comprises two elongated members 32 and is of the mechanical type; in particular, each elongated member 32 comprises a torsion spring 32'. The choice of a torsion spring with pre-set features, or with operating intervals of the spring 32', for example in terms of extension thereof, can determine dynamic situations that stimulate the sensibility of the passengers in unforeseeable ways. Being equipped in this manner the control device 30 is similar to a dampener device and thus can be renamed, if the situation requires so. Always with reference to figures 2 and 3, in alternation or in combination, the control device 30 can comprise an electronic control unit 34, carried by the beam 2001, and at least one of the elongated members 32 can comprise a linear actuator 32'', electronically connected with the electronic control unit 34. In this manner, by appropriately programming the electronic control unit 34 it is possible to use the linear actuator 32'' in a passive or active manner and, in this case, it is possible to vary, as desired, the inclination of the second frame 206 in respect to the first frame 200 based on set operating parameters, including the position, the speed or the acceleration of the car 20 along the path P, the mass of the occupants in the seats 204, as generically described above. For ease of drawing, the electronic control unit 34 is illustrated in association with the centre beam 2001 of the first frame 200 visible in figure 2, where a centre overlying beam 2061 of the second frame 206 is interrupted so as to render the same beam 2001 visible.

In this case, the control device 30 can comprise a battery 36 electrically coupled to the electronic control unit 34, thus always carried by the beam 2001, and a power supply unit 38 also carried by the second frame 206 and electrically coupled to the battery 36 in a known manner and not illustrated, where said unit 38 is coupled at the front to the beam 2003 of the first frame 200 arranged to carry out the partial pre-set recharging of the battery 36 at the end of the use of the car 20 or at the relative complete recharging based on the need in a recharge station 110 of the rollercoaster 10 arranged in a parking station 11 known and not illustrated. As is known, with the term "partial recharging" we mean the partial temporary recharge of a battery, which can also be carried out while a plant is in operation. On the other hand, the recharge stations 110 can be also numerically more than one, positioned on sections of circuit meant for the servicing maintenance of the cars 20 and can also be of the induction type and on the outside of one of the rails 102 and 102', so as to maximise its practical use. Obviously, in this case also the unit 38 must be laterally positioned and facing the station 110 for obvious operating reasons.

The use of the car 20 in combination with the rollercoaster 10 is easy to understand based on what has been described above and does not require any further explanation. On the other it could be useful to point out that the use of two support frames in the car 20, kinematically connected to each other by the spatial articulated quadrilateral part 208 and the ball joint 209, therefore by means of a trustable and simple technical solution a skidding effect or better yet, an oversteering drift very similar to that caused during the real behaviour of a car when skidding during cornering when traveling along a substantially horizontal turn.

Furthermore, it is possible to equip the car 20 and/or the rollercoaster 10 with known sound emitters, not illustrated, such as the noise of the tyres, the noise of the motor, or other noises as desired as well as impart themes to the amusement so as to replicate a real road path, hiding the track and virtually masking it from the road. The height variation of the two rails 102 and 102' (schematically illustrated in figure 1 at the side of the track 100 with four transversal sections I - IV arranged along the path P with reference to a neutral inclination of the track 100) could therefore be used in straight sections 101, for producing skidding along the second frame 206 as well as in the turns of the path P. In these skidding sections of the path P the virtual road could have fixed obstacles that the car 20, thanks to the controlled skidding, could manage to avoid in any case. In figure 2 the second frame side-slipped to the right and to the left in respect to a longitudinal centre plane of the first frame 200 has been illustrated with a broken dotted line.

We consider it useful to highlight how the mutual movement between the first frame 200 and the second frame 206 of the car 20 in different sections of the path P is determined by the particular architecture of the car 20, therefore it is automatic and progressive and such as not to compromise the regular operation of the car or the rollercoaster, guaranteeing guaranteed fun for passengers, with a feeling of being pushed out the car 20 from the path P, unique in its own way. Furthermore, the adopted solution is accompanied when cornering by smaller dynamic impact effects of the wheels 2024 on the track 100 and therefore also less wear and, therefore, a greater useful life of the same tracks. These characteristics of the mechanical model with a double frame described above enable to construct each car 20 at a cost that exceeds, in very limitedly, the cost of a known car provided with a single frame. In particular, it is appropriate to note that the structure described above of the car 20 allows the second frame 206 to try and return to a stable position in respect to a longitudinal and vertical centre plane of the first frame 200 or in another static position with minimum potential energy, therefore substantially balanced, exclusively through the essential action of the gravitational force when, in use, the car 20 precedes along the ascending sections of the path P. If the ascending section is straight and the rails 102 and 102' were at the same height then the balanced position assumed by the second frame 206 would be in the centreline. Obviously, this could occur even in the complete absence of the control device 30, but the balanced position in the centreline would be metastable in the sections of the descending path P and a minimum balance of the forces acting on the lateral portions of the second frame 206 would be sufficient to determine the stable engagement of the extreme right or extreme left positions. The use of the control device 30 of the mechanical type with the springs 32 ' appropriately adjusted or of the electronic control unit 34 appropriately programmed, could allow to vary the stress acting on the second frame 26 and, therefore, to determine particularly unpredictable dynamic behaviours. In addition, it could be useful to specify that with the simple addition of a known hooking device, not illustrated, it is possible to mechanically connect two equal cars 24 forming a convoy for allowing big groups of passengers to experience the rollercoaster together.

On the other hand, considering what has been described above, it is easy to affect the operation of the car 20 in order to make it similar to the operation of the cars for "Wild Mouse Coaster" already known. In particular, this object can be obtained by making the second frame 206 selectively integral with the first frame 200 through an appropriate adjustment of the device 30 (in any case actuated) or making the third frame 2080 of the quadrilateral part 208, integral (i.e. the beam 2005 of the upright 201) by intervening on the ball joints 20820/208202, for example with mechanical locks known and not illustrated.

Naturally, considering what has been described above, cars as the car 20 can be installed both on new "Roller Coasters" as well as, after checking the structure, the operation and safe operation assurance, in the "revamping" of existing amusement rides, with the possibility of recovering the path either in part or entirely and, also the possible recovery and/or modification of the existing cars.

It is clear that modifications and variations can be applied to the car 20 and to the rollercoaster 10 described and illustrated herein, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

From what has been described above, the car 20, and the rollercoaster 10 pre-set for the relative use, together resolve the technical problem described above and offer even more unique feelings than those offered by the "Wild Mouse Coaster" currently known to rollercoaster enthusiasts .

For example, should it be desirable to accentuate the skidding action when the inclinations of the car 20 vary the car could be provided with an additional mass 2086 (figure 3) selectively applicable at the back of the second frame 206 which, as an example only, but with no limitations, in the embodiment described above, consists of the connecting rod 2084.

Claims

1. The car (20) for a rollercoaster (10) comprising a track (100) provided with at least a rail (102) (102') that develops along an annular path (P) ; said car (20) comprising a first frame (200) that develops along a given direction (D) and provided with bilateral constraining means (202) for coupling to each said rail (102) (102'); said first frame (200) supporting at least the seat (204) for passengers; characterised in that it comprises a second frame (206) coupled to said first frame (200) via a spatial articulated quadrilateral part (208) and a ball joint (209) .

2. The car according to claim 1, characterised in that the said articulated quadrilateral part (208) comprises a third frame (2080), a connecting rod (2084) and a pair of rocker arms (2082) (2082') that connect said connecting rod (2084) and said third frame (2080) together in an oscillating manner; said first frame (200) having a first beam (2005) transversal to said direction (D) and comprising said third frame (2080); said connecting rod (2084) delimits said second frame (206) along said first beam (2005) .

3. The car according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it comprises means for controlling (30) the relative position between said first frame (200) and said second frame (206) .

4. The car according to claim 3, characterised in that said control means (30) comprise at least an elongated member (32) delimited by a first end portion (320) coupled to said first frame (200) in an articulated manner and by a second end portion (322) coupled to said second frame (206) in an articulated manner.

5. The car according to claim 4, characterised in that said elongated member (32) comprises at least a torsion spring ( 32 ' ) .

6. The car according to claim 4, characterised in that said control means (30) comprise an electronic control unit (34); said elongated member (32) comprising a linear actuator (32'') electronically connected with said electronic control unit (34) .

7. The car according to any one of the claims 2 to 6, characterised in that said first beam (2005) said first whereby (200) is overlapping said connecting rod (2084) therefore said quadrilateral part (208) is reversed, namely the second frame (206) is constrained hung to the rear axle of said first frame (200) .

8. The car according to any one of the claims 2 to 7, characterised in that said rocker arms (2082) (2082') are coupled to said connecting rod (2084) and to said first beam (2005), respectively, through two first ball joints (20820) arranged at a first distance (LI) and two second ball joints (20820') arranged at a second distance (L2) .

9. The car according to claim 8, characterised in that said first distance (LI) is greater than, less than or equal to said second distance (L2) .

10. The car according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said constraining means (202) of the rolling type and comprise a pair of axles (2020), each of which is longitudinally delimited by a carriage (2022) coupled to a respective rail (102) (102'); each said carriage (2022) is provided with pairs of wheels (2024) arranged on planes perpendicular in respect of the corresponding said rail (102) (102'); said second frame (200) stably carrying each said seat (204) .

11. The car according to claim 10, characterised in that said first frame (200) has a platform (2000) provided with a second centre beam (2001) and that said constraining means (202) comprise a joint (2026) (2026') carried by said second beam (2001) for coupling said first frame (200) with a respective said axle (2020) .

12. The car according to claim 11, characterised in that at least a first joint (2026') of the two said joints (2026) (2026') is a ball joint.

13. The car according to any one of the claims 8 to 12, characterised in that said ball joints (20820) (20820') are of the mechanically lockable type.

14. The car according to any one of the claims 6 to 13, characterised in that it comprises a battery (36) electrically coupled to the electronic control unit (34) and a power supply unit (38) carried by said first frame (200) and electrically coupled to said battery (36); said unit (38) being positioned at the front of said second frame (206) .

15. A rollercoaster (10) comprising a track (100) comprising an inner rail (102) and an outer rail (102') that develop parallel along an annular path (P) for a car (20) described with reference to any one of the claims 1 to 14; characterised in that said track (100) has at least a first section (101) in which the respective said inner rails (102) and outer rails (102') are arranged at altimetrically different heights.

16. The rollercoaster according to claim 15, characterised in that said car (20) comprises a battery (36) electrically coupled to the electronic control unit (34) and a power supply unit (38) carried by said first frame (200) and electrically coupled to said battery (36) .

17. The rollercoaster according to claim 16, characterised in that said unit (38) is carried at the front or at the side of said first frame (200); at least a recharge station (110) being arranged for the partial recharging and/or for completely recharging said battery (36) .