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Amusement device

Amusement device description/claims

The contents of Provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/487,751 filed Jul. 16, 2003 and U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/892,980 filed Jul. 16, 2004, on which the present application is based and benefit claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), is incorporated by reference.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an amusement device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device including a rotating carriage supported within a frame and adapted to provide centrifugal force to the rotating carriage to lift the frame upward.

2. Description of Related Art

Devices that have the ability to lift themselves from a surface are known. These devices range from simple amusement devices to sophisticated lifting devices. Accordingly, such devices are of interest to many people for their amusement value if for no other reason. For example, such devices may impart a centrifugal force for simulating weightlessness. These devices are varied. One such device, often found at carnivals, is a spinning cylinder wherein persons are lined along a wall and the floor of the cylinder lowers as the centrifugal force holds the persons against the wall while the cylinder spins. Another device that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,500, combines spinning and rotating a user in a seat to simulate weightlessness. Additionally, uses of devices producing weightlessness have even been envisioned as propulsion systems for a vehicle.

It is therefore the general object of the present invention to provide an improved spinning device designed so that the device is capable of lifting from a surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device simulating weightlessness.

According to an aspect of the present invention the device includes a frame having a rotating carriage contained positioned within the frame and a means for spinning the carriage. Evenly spaced apart sliding members mounted on rods are connected to the rotating carriage. As the carriage is caused to spin, the sliding members slide relative to the rods. The rods are preferably angled at 17° to 30° from the vertical.

A plurality of magnetic actuators mounted under the top platform of the frame act upon the sliding members as the sliding members rotate relative to the magnetic actuators. The force applied by the magnetic actuators to the sliding members causes the device to lift from the surface on which it is placed. As rotation of the carriage is slowed the sliding members will slide toward the bottom of the device causing the device to drop toward the surface to the amusement of the user.

Having described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1, showing the initial rotation and action of the actuators;

FIG. 3 illustrates the device of FIG. 2, demonstrating the device rotating at a preferred speed to produce lift;

FIG. 4 is a sectioned view of the device of the present invention taken essentially along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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