An amusement device comprising a modularized pod at least one of which are attached to each side of a carriage that travels along a track. The pods are each mounted to the carriage for 360.degree. that are interconnected to the side walls of a carriage that rides along a track in a predetermined direction of travel. One or more riders sit and are restrained in the pods which are capable of spinning 360 degrees about a horizontal axis that extends transverse to the direction of travel. The riders may control the spinning of the pod, either forward or backward, by pressing buttons on the passenger's handgrips located inside the pod.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation application of Applicant's co-pending application, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/057,101, filed Jan. 24, 2002, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/814,083, filed Mar. 21, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,115, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/219,297, filed on Dec. 21, 1998, entitled "Modular Amusement Ride and Training Simulation Device", and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,121, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/098,043, entitled "Modularized Amusement Ride and Training Simulation Device", filed Jun. 16, 1998, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,549, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/742,465, entitled "Full Range of Motion Roller Coaster", filed Nov. 1, 1996, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,254 on Aug. 11, 1998, which claimed the benefit of the filing of Provisional Application Serial No. 60/007,206, entitled "Amusement or Basic Transportation Device Using a Ball (Sphere) and Track or Tube", filed on Nov. 3, 1995, which are all incorporated herein by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/742,465 also claimed the benefit of the filing of Provisional Application Serial No. 60/050,980, entitled "Modularized Amusement Ride Device", filed on Jun. 20, 1997, which is also incorporated herein by reference.
An amusement ride combining rotational motion, linear motion, and tumbling motion. Rotational motion and linear motion are independently variable and tumbling motion is added at patrons option. For ride patrons this offers a wide variety of acceleration and speed experiences in a single ride. For ride operators this offers a ride that can give a mild ride to one group of patrons and follow it with a wild ride to the next group by merely changing velocities. For ride owners the ride gives a large patrons-per-hour capacity in a relatively small operating area.
A roller coaster ride comprising a carriage adapted for travel along a track in a predetermined direction and a plurality of seats interconnected to and positioned exteriorly from the carriage. The seats are capable of 360 degree rotation about a longitudinal axis which extends perpendicular to the direction of travel. The seats may further be spaced apart from the carriage in a downward direction by a central arm and perpendicular to said direction of travel.
A rail assembly is built from three parallel cylindrical members, wherein a first rail provides support for a large wheel. The large wheel has an axle protruding from each side, wherein the outbound side has a frame attached to the axle and a seat attached to the frame. The rail side of the axle connects to a second rail acting as a pilot/guide for the travel of the large wheel. A third rail and interconnections provide structural rigidity for the rail assembly. The riders fly through a roller coaster layout sitting only in a seat, facing the passing environment head on at high speeds, thereby experiencing a free flight sensation. A people mover embodiment adds a motor to the wheel to move the wheel along a relatively flat layout. An optional flip means functions to selectively engage the axle with the rotating large wheel (nominally via a reduction gear) to flip the riders 360.degree.. Optionally a group of large wheels can be coupled together to form a train.
