Amusement apparatus including a movable playing surface

Abstract

An amusement apparatus having a primary support structure which receives and supports thereon a generally bowl shaped structure including an adjustable amusement surface defined within a periphery of the structure and for conducting user activities which employ a device interacting with the amusement surface; wherein, the amusement surface is arranged to communicate with an entry and an exit and is shaped to allow user travel across a plurality of meridians spanning from a centre to a periphery of said bowl and between 0-360 degrees and while the surface is moving.

1 . A self-contained amusement apparatus having a primary support structure which receives and supports a movable amusement surface defined within a periphery of the structure and for allowing user activities which employ an interactive user device, wherein, the apparatus includes an entry and exit to said amusement surface; wherein the amusement surface is shaped to allow a user to travel along or across a plurality of meridians extending from a center of the amusement surface to the periphery of said structure during said movement. 
     
     
         2 . A self-contained amusement apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the amusement surface is provided by a generally bowl shaped shell structure disposed within the primary support structure. 
     
     
         3 . A self-contained amusement apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the amusement shell includes a generally concave surface and a convex surface. 
     
     
         4 . A self-contained amusement apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the concave surface is an interior amusement surface. 
     
     
         5 . A self-contained amusement apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the amusement surface is an interior concave surface created by inversion of the shell. 
     
     
         6 . A self-contained amusement apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the bowl shaped shell is manufactured from materials selected from either concrete, heavy duty plastics, fiberglass or metals. 
     
     
         7 . A self-contained amusement apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein the concave bowl shaped shell is parabolic and allows a user to travel across any concave or convex meridian through 360 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . A self-contained amusement apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the entry and exit are separate and may be located at any point along the periphery of the amusement surface. 
     
     
         9 . A self-contained amusement apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein the entry and exit are the same. 
     
     
         10 . An amusement apparatus having a primary support structure which receives and supports thereon a generally bowl shaped structure including an adjustable amusement surface defined within a periphery of the structure and for conducting user activities which employ a device interacting with the amusement surface; wherein, the amusement surface is arranged to communicate with an entry and an exit and is shaped to allow user travel across a plurality of meridians spanning from a center to a periphery of said bowl and between 0-360 degrees and while the surface is moving. 
     
     
         11 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the amusement device may comprise a user carriage such as a wheeled carriage, skate board, ski, wheel chair, roller blades. 
     
     
         12 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein and the amusement surface has a generally concave interior and a convex underside exterior. 
     
     
         13 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 12  further comprising an adjustment mechanism associated with either the amusement surface bowl or the support structure allowing selective alteration to the attitude of the amusement playing surface. 
     
     
         14 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein the amusement surface incline can be increased or decreased as required. 
     
     
         15 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein the primary structure provides an internal space in which the bowl is located as either a separate component or integrated with the support structure. 
     
     
         16 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein the bowl structure is adjustable. 
     
     
         17 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the mechanism is operable either mechanically or electrically/electronically. 
     
     
         18 . An amusement apparatus comprising a primary structure, including an amusement surface; a support assembly which connects to the super structure and transmits load to a ground surface, the amusement surface including a sloping part which enables gravity assisted motion of a user operated carriage device, wherein the amusement apparatus is capable of attitude adjustment relative to the ground surface prior to or during use by a player. 
     
     
         19 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein the amusement surface has an upper peripheral extremity and a lower central region. 
     
     
         20 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein the amusement surface extends radially from the central region. 
     
     
         21 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 20  wherein the amusement surface extends upwardly from a central region of the amusement surface to an upper peripheral extremity. 
     
     
         22 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein the amusement surface is substantially bowl shaped. 
     
     
         23 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein the primary structure comprises a space frame including a plurality of interconnected trusses. 
     
     
         24 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 23  wherein some of the trusses are disposed radially relative to the central region of the amusement surface. 
     
     
         25 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 24  wherein the support assembly includes a ground engaging base and at least one connection which connects to the super structure. 
     
     
         26 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 25  wherein the connection's between the super structure and support assembly allow relative motion between the super structure and support assembly. 
     
     
         27 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 26  wherein the relative motion includes selection of rocking about a pivot axis. 
     
     
         28 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein the rocking motion is allowed about axes disposed in at least X and Y directions. 
     
     
         29 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 24  wherein the rocking allows tilting of the bowl in one of a plurality of radial directions relative to the central region of the amusement surface. 
     
     
         30 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 29  wherein the bowl when viewed in plan has two straight sides and curved ends. 
     
     
         30 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 29  wherein the support assembly includes at least one pivot and extending therefrom at least one strut which each engage the super structure. 
     
     
         31 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 32  wherein the at least one struts are fixed at one end to the superstructure and at an opposite end to said pivot. 
     
     
         32 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 31  wherein the support assembly further comprises at least one telescopic hydraulic actuator which has an extending and retracting arm which when actuated induces adjustment of the attitude of the super structure. 
     
     
         33 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 22  wherein the struts are disposed in a splayed relationship each terminating at one end at a pivot axis. 
     
     
         34 . An amusement apparatus according to  claim 33  wherein adjustment of the amusement surface is enabled by a computer.