초록 ▼

An amusement ride comprises a hollow launch tube having an inner surface and first and second ends, the first end being open; a passenger vehicle having an outer peripheral surface which forms a substantial seal with the inner surface of the launch tube so as to form a substantially sealed space ins

An amusement ride comprises a hollow launch tube having an inner surface and first and second ends, the first end being open; a passenger vehicle having an outer peripheral surface which forms a substantial seal with the inner surface of the launch tube so as to form a substantially sealed space inside said launch tube from said passenger vehicle to the second end of the launch tube; guidance means for guiding said passenger vehicle along a pre-determined path to exit the launch tube, said guidance means being self-rigid and extending through said open first end along said pre-determined path; and a pressurized gas source for introducing pressurized gas into the substantially sealed space inside said launch tube sufficient to launch the passenger vehicle along said guidance means and out of the launch tube. Such amusement ride overcomes disadvantages of prior art amusement rides by launching a vehicle from a launch tube and guiding the vehicle along a path extending outwardly of the tube, thereby enhancing safety and design possibilities.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An amusement ride, comprising:a hollow launch tube having an inner surface, and first and second ends, the first end being open; a passenger vehicle having an outer peripheral surface which forms a substantial seal with the inner surface of the launch tube so as to form a substantially sealed spa

1. An amusement ride, comprising:a hollow launch tube having an inner surface, and first and second ends, the first end being open; a passenger vehicle having an outer peripheral surface which forms a substantial seal with the inner surface of the launch tube so as to form a substantially sealed space inside said launch tube from said passenger vehicle to the second end of the launch tube; guidance means for guiding said passenger vehicle along a pre-determined path to exit the launch tube, said guidance means being self-rigid and extending through said open first end along said pre-determined path; and a pressurized gas source for introducing pressurized gas into the substantially sealed space inside said launch tube sufficient to launch the passenger vehicle along said guidance means and out of the launch tube; wherein the guidance means comprises rigid track means extending along said pre-determined path, the track means having an inner portion extending along, and in close proximity to, the inner surface of the launch tube, and an outer portion extending outwardly of the first open end of the launch tube; and wherein said pre-determined path along which said track means extends comprises a continuous loop in which the passenger vehicle is launched from the first end of the tube and is guided toward the second end of the tube, and wherein the second end of the tube includes a door to permit the passenger vehicle to enter the launch tube through its second end.