Elevating rotary amusement ride

Abstract

An elevating rotary amusement ride having a rotatable passenger carrying-arm which is initially in a substantially horizontal loading position to facilitate the rapid loading and unloading of persons desiring to utilize the ride. The rotatable passenger-carrying arm is elevated to a position at which the rotatable passenger-carrying arm can, indeed, be rotated. A variety of means are available for elevating the rotatable passenger-carrying arm, including gas-powered cylinders and electric motors. Similarly, many means can be utilized to rotate the rotatable passenger-carrying arm, with an electric motor being preferred. In some embodiments, the rotatable passenger-carrying is elevated beside one or more support structures; in other embodiments, the support structure or structures, themselves, move to achieve the elevation of the rotatable passenger-carrying arm.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An elevating rotary amusement ride, which comprises: 
 a rotatable passenger-carrying arm having a first end, a first side, and a second side;    one or more seats attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at least near a first end of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm;    a restraint attached to each of said seats;    a support structure adjacent to a first side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm;    a means for elevating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm from a non-vertical loading position to a position which is sufficiently high that said rotatable passenger-carrying arm can be rotated, said means for elevating being attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and    a means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.    
     
     
         2 . An elevating rotary amusement ride, which comprises: 
 a rotatable passenger-carrying arm having a first end, a first side, and a second side;    one or more seats attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at least near a first end of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm;    a restraint attached to each of said seats;    a support structure adjacent to a first side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm;    a means for elevating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm from a substantially horizontal loading position to a position which is sufficiently high that said rotatable passenger-carrying arm can be rotated, said means for elevating being attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and    a means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.    
     
     
         3 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 an electric motor;  
 a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.  
   
     
     
         4 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         5 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         6 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore;  
 a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be;  
 an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and  
 a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         7 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 6 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         8 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 6 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         9 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a second support structure, said second support structure being adjacent to a second side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm;    
     
     
         10 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 9 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 an electric motor;  
 a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.  
   
     
     
         11 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         12 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 10 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         13 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 9 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore;  
 a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be;  
 an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and  
 a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         14 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         15 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         16 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a means for maintaining said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at a position which is sufficiently high that said rotatable passenger-carrying arm can be rotated, said means for maintaining being connected to said support structure and to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm with at least one of such connections being releasable.    
     
     
         17 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 16 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 an electric motor;  
 a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.  
   
     
     
         18 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 17 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         19 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 17 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         20 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 16 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore;  
 a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be;  
 an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and  
 a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         21 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 20 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         22 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 20 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         23 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a counterweight;    a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and    a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm, over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device.    
     
     
         24 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 23 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 an electric motor;  
 a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.  
   
     
     
         25 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 24 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         26 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 24 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         27 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 23 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore;  
 a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be;  
 an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and  
 a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         28 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 27 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         29 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 27 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         30 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a counterweight;    a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and    a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm, over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device.    
     
     
         31 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 30 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 an electric motor;  
 a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.  
   
     
     
         32 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 31 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         33 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 31 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         34 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 30 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore;  
 a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be;  
 an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and  
 a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         35 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 34 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         36 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 34 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         37 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a means for maintaining said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at a position which is sufficiently high that said rotatable passenger-carrying arm can be rotated, said means for maintaining being connected to said support structure and to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm with at least one of such connections being releasable.    
     
     
         38 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 37 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 an electric motor;  
 a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.  
   
     
     
         39 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 38 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         40 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 38 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         41 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 37 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore;  
 a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be;  
 an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and  
 a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         42 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 41 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         43 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 41 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
   a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.    
     
     
         44 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 37 , further comprising: 
 a counterweight;    a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and    a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm, over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device.    
     
     
         45 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 44 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 an electric motor;  
 a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.  
   
     
     
         46 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 45 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         47 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 45 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         48 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 44 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore;  
 a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be;  
 an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and  
 a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         49 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 48 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         50 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 48 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         51 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a counterweight;    a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and    a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm, over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device.    
     
     
         52 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 51 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 an electric motor;  
 a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.  
   
     
     
         53 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 52 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         54 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 52 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         55 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 51 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore;  
 a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be;  
 an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and  
 a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         56 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 55 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         57 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 55 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         58 . An elevating rotary amusement ride, which comprises: 
 a rotatable passenger-carrying arm having a first end, a first side, and a second side;    one or more seats attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at least near a first end of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm;    a restraint attached to each of said seats;    a support structure adjacent to a first side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm;    a trolley rotatably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm;    a means for elevating said trolley rotatable passenger-carrying arm from a substantially horizontal loading position to a position which is sufficiently high that said rotatable passenger-carrying arm can be rotated, said means for elevating being attached to said trolley; and    a means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.    
     
     
         59 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 58 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 an electric motor;  
 a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said trolley; and  
 a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.  
   
     
     
         60 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 59 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         61 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 59 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         62 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 58 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore;  
 a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be;  
 an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and  
 a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.  
   
     
     
         63 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 62 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         64 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 62 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         65 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 58 , further comprising: 
 a second support structure, said second support structure being adjacent to a second side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.    
     
     
         66 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 65 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 an electric motor;  
 a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said trolley; and  
 a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.  
   
     
     
         67 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 66 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         68 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 66 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         69 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 65 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore;  
 a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be;  
 an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and  
 a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.  
   
     
     
         70 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 69 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         71 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 69 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         72 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 65 , further comprising: 
 a means for maintaining said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at a position which is sufficiently high that said rotatable passenger-carrying arm can be rotated, said means for maintaining being connected to said support structure and to said trolley with at least one of such connections being releasable.    
     
     
         73 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 72 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 an electric motor;  
 a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said trolley; and  
 a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.  
   
     
     
         74 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 73 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         75 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 73 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         76 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 72 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore;  
 a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be;  
 an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and  
 a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.  
   
     
     
         77 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 76 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         78 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 76 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         79 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 72 , further comprising: 
 a counterweight;    a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said trolley; and    a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said trolley over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device.    
     
     
         80 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 79 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 an electric motor;  
 a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said trolley; and  
 a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.  
   
     
     
         81 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 80 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         82 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 80 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is, slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         83 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 79 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore;  
 a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be;  
 an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and  
 a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.  
   
     
     
         84 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 83 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         85 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 83 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         86 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 65 , further comprising: 
 a counterweight;    a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said trolley; and    a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said trolley over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device.    
     
     
         87 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 86 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 an electric motor;  
 a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said trolley; and  
 a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.  
   
     
     
         88 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 87 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         89 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 87 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         90 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 86 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore;  
 a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be;  
 an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and  
 a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.  
   
     
     
         91 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 90 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         92 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 90 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         93 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 58 , further comprising: 
 a means for maintaining said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at a position which is sufficiently high that said rotatable passenger-carrying arm can be rotated, said means for maintaining being connected to said support structure and to said trolley with at least one of such connections being releasable.    
     
     
         94 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 93 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 an electric motor;  
 a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said trolley; and  
 a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.  
   
     
     
         95 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 94 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         96 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 94 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         97 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 93 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore;  
 a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be;  
 an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and  
 a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.  
   
     
     
         98 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 97 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         99 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 97 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         100 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 93 , further comprising: 
 a counterweight;    a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said trolley; and    a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said trolley over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device.    
     
     
         101 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 100 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 an electric motor;  
 a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said trolley; and  
 a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.  
   
     
     
         102 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 101 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         103 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 101 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         104 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 100 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore;  
 a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be;  
 an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and  
 a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.  
   
     
     
         105 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 104 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         106 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 104 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         107 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 58 , further comprising: 
 a counterweight;    a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said trolley; and    a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said trolley over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device.    
     
     
         108 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 107 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 an electric motor;  
 a cable having a first end connected to said electric motor and having a second end connected to said trolley; and  
 a pulley over which said cable passes between the first end and the second end of said cable.  
   
     
     
         109 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 108 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         110 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 108 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         111 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 107 , wherein: 
 said means for elevating comprises: 
 a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore;  
 a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be;  
 an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and  
 a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.  
   
     
     
         112 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 111 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         113 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 111 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         114 . An elevating rotary amusement ride, which comprises: 
 a rotatable passenger-carrying arm having a first end, a second end, a first side, and a second side;    one or more seats attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at least near a first end and near a second end of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm;    a restraint attached to each of said seats;    a support structure adjacent to a first side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm;    a second support structure adjacent to a second side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm;    a trolley having a first section on a first side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm and a second section on a second side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm rotatably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm and also having a cavity;    an electric motor on each section of said trolley attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm;    a disc brake attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm and to at least one section of said trolley;    a pin slidably attached to said support structure for insertion into the cavity of said trolley for maintaining said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at a desired position of elevation;    a counterweight;    a flexible force-transferring device having a first end attached to said counterweight and also having a second end attached to said trolley;    a device for changing the direction of a mechanical force located at a higher elevation than either said counterweight or the point of attachment of said flexible force-transferring device to said trolley over which said flexible force-transferring device passes between the first end and the second end of said flexible force-transferring device;    a housing having a first end, a second end, and a bore;    a piston slidably mounted within the bore of the housing and wherein said housing contains an aperture that is closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be;    an injection valve in said housing closer to the first end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said injection valve communicating with the bore of said housing; and    a force-transferring device having a first end connected to said piston and a second end attached to said trolley.    
     
     
         115 . An elevating rotary amusement ride, which comprises: 
 a rotatable passenger-carrying arm having a first end, a first side, and a second side;    one or more seats attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at least near a first end of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm;    a restraint attached to each of said seats;    a support structure adjacent to a first side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm, said support structure being rotatably connected to a foundation;    a means for rotating said support structure; and    a means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.    
     
     
         116 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 115 , further comprising: 
 a second support structure, said second support structure being adjacent to a second side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm and rotatably connected to a foundation.    
     
     
         117 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in claim  1116 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         118 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 116 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
 a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.  
   
     
     
         119 . An elevating rotary amusement ride, which comprises: 
 a rotatable passenger-carrying arm having a first end, a first side, and a second side;    one or more seats attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm at least near a first end of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm;    a restraint attached to each of said seats;    a support structure adjacent to a first side of said rotatable passenger-carrying arm, said support structure having a lower end;    a means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm;    a housing having a lower end and a bore;    a piston slidably mounted within said bore and connected to a lower end of said support structure; and    a valve located nearer the lower end of said housing than said piston will ever be, said valve being for introducing gas or hydraulic fluid into and removing gas or hydraulic fluid from the bore of said housing.    
     
     
         120 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 119 , further comprising: 
 a second support structure, said second support structure being adjacent to a second side of said rotatable passenger-carrying;    a second housing having a lower end and a bore;    a second piston slidably mounted within the bore of said second housing and connected to a lower end of said second support structure; and    a second valve located nearer the lower end of said second housing than said second piston will ever be, said second valve being for introducing gas or hydraulic fluid into and removing gas or hydraulic fluid from the bore of said second housing.    
     
     
         121 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 120 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm is selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, and a hydraulic motor.    
     
     
         122 . The elevating rotary amusement ride as recited in  claim 120 , wherein: 
 said means for rotating said rotatable passenger-carrying arm comprises: 
 a mass which is slidably attached to said rotatable passenger-carrying arm for longitudinal movement along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm; and  
   a means for moving said mass longitudinally along said rotatable passenger-carrying arm.    
     
     
         123 . A process for elevating and rotating participants, which comprises: 
 loading participants on a rotatable passenger-carrying arm having a first end, a first side, and a second side, seats having restraints, with the rotatable passenger-carrying arm being adjacent to a support structure in a substantially horizontal loading position;    then elevating the rotatable passenger-carrying arm from a substantially horizontal loading position to a position which is sufficiently high that the rotatable passenger-carrying arm can be rotated; and    then rotating the rotatable passenger-carrying arm.