Flying theater

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of amusement rides, and particularly the field of flying theatres. The present invention improves on previous flying theaters in that it provides guests greater motion, and additional types of motion accomplished in unique ways, while being more cost effective than existing flying theaters. The performance parameters of the theater give it the unique ability to not only smoothly replicate the motion of a light flying experience but also simulate motions that are more aggressive than in existing flying theater rides. Guests experience turbulence and more exciting experiences that would otherwise be sacrificed due to limitations in the range of motion or quality of experience of existing rides that would take the rider out of the experience.

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         9 . An amusement ride comprising:
 a passenger cabin comprising one or more passenger seats;   a carriage comprising one or more secondary heave actuators;   a transport connected to the carriage, wherein the transport comprises one or more wheel assemblies;   wherein the one or more secondary heave actuators are configured to translate the passenger cabin in a vertical direction relative to the transport.   
     
     
         10 . The amusement ride of  claim 9 , wherein a first secondary heave actuator is offset from a midpoint of the carriage in a first direction, and a second secondary heave actuator is offset from the midpoint of the carriage in a second direction, and wherein the one or more secondary heave actuators are configured to be actuated independently of one another, such that the first secondary heave actuator is capable of translating a first portion of the passenger cabin up and a second secondary heave actuator is configured to translate a second portion of the passenger cabin down. 
     
     
         11 . The amusement ride of  claim 9 , wherein a first secondary heave actuator is offset from a midpoint of the carriage in a first direction, and a second secondary heave actuator is offset from the midpoint of the carriage in a second direction, and wherein the one or more secondary heave actuators are configured to be actuated independently of one another, such that the first secondary heave actuator is capable of translating a first portion of the passenger cabin up or down and a second secondary heave actuator is configured to translate a second portion of the passenger cabin up or down to a lesser degree than the first secondary heave actuator. 
     
     
         12 . The amusement ride of  claim 9 , wherein the transport further comprises a plurality of gimbal assemblies spaced along the length of the transport and connected to the carriage. 
     
     
         13 . The amusement ride of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of gimbal assemblies consists of a first gimbal assembly capable of allowing the carriage to move vertically, horizontally, and rotationally with respect to the transport, and a second gimbal assembly capable of allowing the carriage to move only vertically and rotationally with respect to the transport. 
     
     
         14 . The amusement ride of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of gimbal assemblies comprises two or more first gimbal assemblies capable of allowing the carriage to move vertically, horizontally, and rotationally with respect to the transport, and a second gimbal assembly capable of allowing the carriage to move only vertically and rotationally with respect to the transport, wherein the second gimbal assembly is positioned at an end-most position of the plurality of gimbal assemblies. 
     
     
         15 . The amusement ride of  claim 9 , wherein the carriage further comprises one or more pitch actuators connected to the passenger cabin and configured to pitch the passenger cabin up or down. 
     
     
         16 . An amusement ride comprising:
 a passenger cabin comprising one or more passenger seats;   a carriage comprising one or more secondary heave actuators configured to translate the passenger cabin up or down; and   one or more pitch actuators connected to the carriage and passenger cabin and configured to pitch the passenger cabin up or down.   
     
     
         17 . The amusement ride of  claim 16 , wherein a first secondary heave actuator is offset from a midpoint of the carriage in a first direction, and a second secondary heave actuator is offset from the midpoint of the carriage in a second direction, and wherein the one or more secondary heave actuators are configured to be actuated independently of one another, such that the first secondary heave actuator is capable of translating a first portion of the passenger cabin up and a second secondary heave actuator is configured to translate a second portion of the passenger cabin down. 
     
     
         18 . The amusement ride of  claim 16 , wherein a first secondary heave actuator is offset from a midpoint of the carriage in a first direction, and a second secondary heave actuator is offset from the midpoint of the carriage in a second direction, and wherein the one or more secondary heave actuators are configured to be actuated independently of one another, such that the first secondary heave actuator is capable of translating a first portion of the passenger cabin up or down and a second secondary heave actuator is configured to translate a second portion of the passenger cabin up or down to a lesser degree than the first secondary heave actuator. 
     
     
         19 . An amusement ride comprising:
 a superstructure;   one or more rails;   a ride vehicle comprising:
 a guest cabin comprising one or more seats; 
 a carriage connected to the guest cabin; 
 a transport connected to the carriage, wherein the transport comprises one or more wheel assemblies and wherein the transport is capable of moving along the one or more rails; 
   a primary heave system capable of moving the ride vehicle along the one or more rails;   wherein, the ride vehicle travels along a substantially horizontal path during a the first portion of the ride, and along a substantially vertical path during a second portion of the ride.   
     
     
         20 . The amusement ride of  claim 19 , wherein the primary heave system comprises at least one cable having a first and second end attached to the ride vehicle at the first end and to a drum at the second end, whereby when the cable is retracted, the ride vehicle moves upward along the second portion of the ride, and whereby when the cable is let out, the ride vehicle moves downward along the second portion of the ride. 
     
     
         21 . The amusement ride of  claim 19 , wherein when the ride vehicle is positioned along the second portion of the ride, the primary heave system is capable of causing the ride vehicle to translate vertically along the one or more rails. 
     
     
         22 . The amusement ride of  claim 19 , wherein the carriage comprises one or more secondary heave actuators configured to translate the carriage in a vertical direction relative to the transport. 
     
     
         23 . The amusement ride of  claim 22 , wherein a first secondary heave actuator is capable of translating a first portion of the passenger cabin up and a second secondary heave actuator is configured to translate a second portion of the passenger cabin down. 
     
     
         24 . The amusement ride of  claim 19 , wherein the transport further comprises a plurality of gimbal assemblies spaced along the length of the transport and connected to the carriage. 
     
     
         25 . The amusement ride of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of gimbal assemblies consists of a first gimbal assembly capable of allowing the carriage to move vertically, horizontally, and rotationally with respect to the transport, and a second gimbal assembly capable of allowing the carriage to move only vertically and rotationally with respect to the transport. 
     
     
         26 . The amusement ride of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of gimbal assemblies are configured to guide the guest cabin in an arcuate path. 
     
     
         27 . The amusement ride of  claim 19 , wherein during the first portion of the ride, the guest cabin is suspended beneath the one or more rails. 
     
     
         28 . The amusement ride of  claim 19 , wherein during the first portion of the ride, the guest cabin is positioned above the one or more rails.