Swing amusement ride system

Abstract

Disclosed is an amusement ride system that includes a support component extending in a generally horizontal direction. The support component includes a first anchored segment, a medial segment, and a second anchored segment. The medial segment of the support component is elevated a distance above the ground. The amusement ride system further includes a trolley that is movably attached to the support component and a retraction subsystem. The retraction subsystem moves the trolley along the length of the support component between the first anchored segment and the medial segment. Also, the amusement ride system includes a swing subsystem that includes a passenger carriage and a swing line pivotally coupled to the trolley. The passenger carriage swings on the swing line about the trolley and the length of the swing line between the passenger carriage and the trolley is less than the distance above the ground.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An amusement ride system, comprising:
 a support component extending in a generally horizontal direction, the support component comprising a first anchored segment, a medial segment, and a second anchored segment, wherein at least the medial segment of the support component is elevated a distance above the ground;   a trolley movably attached to the support component;   a retraction subsystem that moves the trolley along the length of the support component between the first anchored segment and the medial segment; and   a swing subsystem comprising a passenger carriage and a swing line pivotally coupled to the trolley, wherein the passenger carriage swings on the swing line about the trolley and the length of the swing line between the passenger carriage and the trolley is less than the distance above the ground.   
     
     
         2 . The amusement ride system of  claim 1 , wherein the support component spans a canyon, gorge, valley, ravine, gap, gulch, or chasm. 
     
     
         3 . The amusement ride system of  claim 2 , wherein the first anchored segment of the support component comprises a tower. 
     
     
         4 . The amusement ride system of  claim 1 , further comprising a passenger loading subsystem. 
     
     
         5 . The amusement ride system of  claim 4 , wherein the passenger loading subsystem comprises a platform and a securing mechanism, wherein the platform temporarily engages the passenger carriage while loading and unloading passengers, and the securing mechanism temporarily secures the passenger carriage while loading and unloading passengers. 
     
     
         6 . The amusement ride system of  claim 5 , wherein the platform comprises moveable floor panels that can be retracted or rotated to a launch position. 
     
     
         7 . The amusement ride system of  claim 6 , wherein the passenger carriage can be positioned so that passengers look substantially straight down to the ground when the floor panels are retracted or rotated to the launch position. 
     
     
         8 . The amusement ride system of  claim 1 , wherein the swing subsystem further comprises a swing line drive motor for extending and retracting the swing line. 
     
     
         9 . The amusement ride system of  claim 8 , wherein the swing line drive motor is affixed to the trolley. 
     
     
         10 . The amusement ride system of  claim 8 , wherein the swing line drive motor is affixed to the first anchored segment of the support component, and the trolley comprises a swing line pulley member for engaging the swing line. 
     
     
         11 . The amusement ride system of  claim 8 , wherein the swing line drive motor is affixed to the medial segment of the support component, and the trolley comprises a swing line pulley member for engaging the swing line. 
     
     
         12 . The amusement ride system of  claim 1 , wherein the retraction subsystem comprises a trolley line affixed to the trolley, a first pulley member affixed to the first anchored segment of the support component for engaging the trolley line, a medial pulley member affixed to the medial segment of the support component for engaging the trolley line, and a trolley line drive motor for extending and retracting the trolley line. 
     
     
         13 . The amusement ride system of  claim 1 , wherein the trolley comprises a tethering mechanism for temporarily tethering the trolley to the medial segment of the support component. 
     
     
         14 . The amusement ride system of  claim 1 , wherein the support component comprises two cables tensioned to 5,000 pounds. 
     
     
         15 . The amusement ride system of  claim 1 , wherein the first anchored segment and the second anchored segment of the support component are each coupled to a manufactured tower. 
     
     
         16 . The amusement ride system of  claim 1 , wherein the passenger carriage comprises a seat for positioning a passenger in a seated position. 
     
     
         17 . The amusement ride system of  claim 16 , wherein the seat is a tandem seat for positioning two passengers side-by-side in the seating position. 
     
     
         18 . An amusement ride system, comprising:
 a support component extending in a generally horizontal direction, the support component comprising a first anchored segment, a medial segment, and a second anchored segment, wherein at least the medial segment of the support component is elevated a distance above the ground;   a trolley movably attached to the support component;   a retraction subsystem that moves the trolley along the length of the support component between the first anchored segment and the medial segment, the retraction subsystem comprising a trolley line affixed to the trolley, a first pulley member affixed to the first anchored segment of the support component for engaging the trolley line, a medial pulley member affixed to the medial segment of the support component for engaging the trolley line, and a trolley line drive motor for extending and retracting the trolley line;   a swing subsystem comprising a passenger carriage, a swing line pivotally coupled to the trolley, and a swing line drive motor for extending and retracting the swing line, wherein the passenger carriage swings on the swing line about the trolley and the length of the swing line between the passenger carriage and the trolley is less than the distance above the ground; and   a passenger loading subsystem comprising a platform and a securing mechanism, wherein the platform temporarily supports passengers and ride attendants while loading and unloading passengers, and the securing mechanism temporarily secures the passenger carriage while loading and unloading passengers.   
     
     
         19 . The amusement ride system of  claim 18 , wherein the swing line drive motor is affixed to the first anchored segment of the support component, and the trolley comprises a swing line pulley member for engaging the swing line. 
     
     
         20 . An amusement ride method comprising:
 loading a passenger into a passenger carriage on a platform, wherein a swing line is interconnected between the passenger carriage and a trolley that is movably attached to a support component, wherein the support component extends in a direction across a canyon;   moving the trolley away from the platform to a medial segment of the support component;   positioning the passenger carriage into a launching position on the platform;   releasing the passenger carriage from the platform to swing in the direction of the support component;   retracting the swing line to raise the passenger carriage; and   moving the trolley towards the platform to unload the passenger from the passenger carriage.