Tower

#This invention relates to a tower which can be elevated from a retracted position to an elevated position and used as an amusement ride or advertising display.

#Amusement rides are popular among both young and old. An example of one amusement ride is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,719 to Comstock et al. Because of the cost and difficulty of maintaining an amusement park, a large industry has developed in temporary amusement sites which can be readily set up on a fairground, shopping mall parking lot or a community park. These activities put a premium on the quick and efficient installation and erection of the amusement rides and other facilities.

#A need always exists for improved amusement rides which are more fun for users and more efficient and quickly set up by the operators. In addition to the quality of the ride, it is important that the appearance of the device be attractive to visitors, both during the installation and erection of the device and during use.

#For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a side view of an amusement ride forming a first embodiment of the present invention shown in the transport position;

#FIG. 2 is a side view of the amusement ride showing the tower moved to the forward position prior to erection;

#Referring to the figures, an amusement ride 10 forming a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The amusement ride 10 includes a trailer 12 and a tower 14 which is movable from the transport position, as seen in FIG. 1 for transporting the amusement ride 10 along the highway, to the erected position, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The tower has a lower section 16, an upper section 18 and a gondola 20 supporting a number of gondola cars 22 for passengers. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper section 18 and gondola 20 can be moved between a lowered position, where the gondola is readily accessible for passengers to get on or off of the ride, to the elevated position, seen in FIG. 6, for the actual ride. As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, as the upper section 18 rises to the elevated position, the gondola 20 is drawn up at twice the rate of speed of the upper section 18 until the gondola is at the top end of the upper section. This provides both a thrilling ride for the passengers and an attraction to people passing by.

#The trailer 12 is generally of conventional design suitable for carrying the ride along the highway. The trailer does have a series of deployable vertical supports 24 which contact the ground and act to stabilize the trailer when the tower is erected and the ride is in use. Further, the trailer mounts a double acting hydraulic cylinder 26 with piston 28. The cylinder 26 is pivoted to the trailer at pivot 30. The hydraulic cylinder 26 will be used to erect the tower as described hereinafter. Also, the trailer mounts a hinge support 32 and a cradle 34 near the front end of the trailer for supporting a portion of the tower 14 when in the transport position as seen in FIG. 1. In the transport position, the tower is positioned on the trailer for the optimal weight distribution for highway trailering.

#With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, when the amusement ride has reached the site where it is to be erected, the piston 28 is hooked to the tower near the middle of the tower. The apparatus, whether locks, straps, bands or other structure, used to secure the tower on the trailer for transport are removed so that the tower is free to move on the trailer. The hydraulic cylinder will then be activated to retract the piston into the cylinder, drawing the tower 14 forward on the trailer until the hinge 36 at the lower end of the lower section 14 engages the hinge support 32 on the trailer. At this point, the tower cannot be moved further forward on the trailer and the hinge is locked in place by the hinge support 32 so that the tower is confined to pivot about the hinge 36 as the tower is further erected.