Amusement Park Flight Device

Abstract

A flight-themed amusement park ride is disclosed, comprising at least one airplane-shaped vehicle tethered to a central base by an articulated arm. All the propulsion force for the vehicle comes from the vehicle itself; the central base provides no propulsion force. Each of the vehicles is independently controllable by the user, and can change its altitude, pitch, yaw, and roll independently of any of the other vehicles on the ride.

1 . An amusement park ride for simulating airplane flight, comprising:
 a. a central base;   b. at least one articulated arm attached to the central base at an arm attachment point, wherein the arm attachment point allows the arm to rotate around the central base;   c. a vehicle attached to each of the at least one articulated arm at a vehicle attachment point, wherein the vehicle attachment point is located on an end of the articulated arm that is opposite the arm attachment point;   d. wherein the vehicle attachment point allows the vehicle to rotate freely around its own axis;   e. wherein the articulated arm is articulated in such a way as to allow the vehicle to change its altitude with respect to the ground;   f. wherein each of the at least one vehicle comprises:
 i. a passenger compartment; 
 ii. a propeller for propelling the vehicle forward; 
 iii. at least two wings capable of lifting the vehicle, wherein each wing can be tilted independently; 
 iv. controls located within the passenger compartment for performing at least one of the following functions:
 1. start the vehicle in motion; 
 2. stop the vehicle; 
 3. change the speed of the vehicle; 
 4. change the altitude of the vehicle; 
 5. tilt one or more of the wings; 
 6. initiate rotation of the vehicle around its own axis; 
 
 g. a control module, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the control module is configured to perform the following functions:
 i. receive signals from the controls; 
 ii. control the speed of the propeller; 
 iii. control wing tilt for each wing; 
 
 h. wherein all the propulsion force for the ride is generated by the at least one vehicle and wherein the central base does not comprise any means of generating any propulsion force. 
   
     
     
         2 . The amusement park ride of  claim 1 , comprising two or more articulated arms, wherein an angle between the two or more arms in the horizontal plane does not change. 
     
     
         3 . The amusement park ride of  claim 1 , comprising six articulated arms, wherein each one of the six articulated arms is attached in such a way as to not change an angle between it and any other articulated arm in a horizontal plane. 
     
     
         4 . The amusement park ride of  claim 1 , wherein each articulated arm comprises:
 a. a first segment, comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first segment comprises the arm attachment point located at the first end of the first segment, wherein the arm attachment point allows the first segment to rotate around an axis of the central base and to change its angle of elevation with respect to a horizontal plane;   b. a second segment, comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second segment and the second end of the first segment are joined by a hinge joint allowing an angle between the first segment and the second segment to change;   c. wherein the second end of the second segment comprises the vehicle attachment point.   
     
     
         5 . The amusement park ride of  claim 1 , wherein each vehicle attachment point comprises:
 a. a collar encircling the vehicle, wherein the collar is free to rotate with respect to the vehicle;   b. wherein the second end of the second segment is attached rigidly to the collar.   
     
     
         6 . The amusement park ride of  claim 1 , wherein each vehicle attachment point comprises:
 a. a collar encircling the vehicle, wherein the collar is free to rotate with respect to the vehicle;   b. wherein the second end of the second segment is attached to the collar via a hinge joint.   
     
     
         7 . The amusement park ride of  claim 1 , wherein each vehicle attachment point comprises:
 a. a collar encircling the vehicle, wherein the collar is free to rotate with respect to the vehicle;   b. wherein the second end of the second segment is attached to the collar via a joint that allows rotation in any direction.   
     
     
         8 . The amusement park ride of  claim 1 , wherein each vehicle comprises at least one passenger seat, wherein each passenger seat comprises one or more of the following:
 a. a safety harness;   b. a canopy over the passenger seat.   
     
     
         9 . The amusement park ride of  claim 1 , wherein the central base comprises a brake for stopping all the articulated arms from rotating around the central base. 
     
     
         10 . The amusement park ride of  claim 1 , wherein the control module of each vehicle is pre-programmed with at least one control pattern, wherein the at least one control pattern causes the vehicle to perform at least one of the following functions:
 a. taking off;   b. landing;   c. performing an aerobatic maneuver.