Motorized amusement ride apparatus and method

• US 20050288111A1
• Filed: 05/27/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cynthia G. Morse, John Cowan
• Original Assignee: Cynthia G. Morse, John Cowan
• Inventors: Cowan, John, Morse, Cynthia G.
• Application Number:
  US11/139,352
• Publication Number:
  US 20050288111A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 472/96
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 19/20 motor-driven
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 25/00 Autocar-like self-drivers; Runways therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 33/00 Devices allowing competitions between several persons, not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A self-propelled amusement ride apparatus has a base with a frame mounted on wheels. A motor is coupled to the wheels for transmitting power thereto for moving the apparatus over a non-tracked support surface. A riding body is coupled to the base and has a seating surface for supporting a rider. The body is shaped to resemble an animal, character, vehicle, vessel, aircraft, architectural structure or other recognizable object selected to provide an amusing or entertaining appearance. A controller of the apparatus is positioned for operation by the rider while being supported on the seating surface for controlling speed and direction of movement of the apparatus. A human rider may be moved over a support surface by actuating the amusement ride apparatus. The rider directs the movement of the apparatus over a non-tracked support surface using the controller.

Claims

1. A self-propelled amusement ride apparatus comprising:

a base having a frame mounted on wheels;

a motor coupled to the wheels for transmitting power thereto for moving the apparatus over a non-tracked support surface;

a riding body coupled to the base and having a seating surface for supporting a rider, the body being shaped to resemble at least one of an animal, character, vehicle, vessel, aircraft, architectural structure or other recognizable object selected to provide an amusing or entertaining appearance; and

a controller positioned for operation by the rider while supported on the seating surface for controlling speed and direction of movement of the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the riding body is movably coupled to the base to allow relative motion between the base and the riding body.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an exchange medium receptor for receiving an exchange medium, the apparatus being actuated upon receipt of a selected exchange medium by the exchange medium receptor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an audio device for producing sounds with the apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the riding body is shaped to resemble at least one of an animal, character, vehicle, vessel, aircraft or architectural structure.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the direction of movement is facilitated by differential steering of the wheels.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the apparatus is capable of speeds of not more than 10 mph.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the riding body is adjustable to different positions relative to the base.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a timer control for selectively limiting the time of actuation of the apparatus.

10. A method of moving a human over a support surface, the method comprising:

providing a self-propelled amusement ride apparatus that includes;

a) a base having a frame mounted on wheels;

b) a motor coupled to the wheels for transmitting power thereto for moving the apparatus over a non-tracked support surface;

c) a riding body coupled to the base and having a seating surface for supporting a rider, the body being shaped to resemble an animal, character, vehicle, vessel, aircraft, architectural structure or other recognizable object selected to provide an amusing or entertaining appearance; and

d) a controller for controlling speed and direction of movement of the apparatus;

positioning a rider on the seating surface;

actuating the amusement ride apparatus; and

allowing the rider to direct the movement of the apparatus over a non-tracked support surface using the controller.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the riding body is movably coupled to the base to allow relative motion between the base and the riding body.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the apparatus further includes an exchange medium receptor for receiving an exchange medium; and

wherein

actuation of the amusement ride apparatus is accomplished upon receipt of a selected exchange medium by the exchange medium receptor.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the apparatus further includes an audio device for producing sounds with the apparatus.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the riding body is shaped to resemble at least one of an animal, character, vehicle, vessel, aircraft or architectural structure.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the direction of movement is facilitated by differential steering of the wheels.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the apparatus is capable of speeds of not more than 10 mph.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the riding body is adjustable to different positions relative to the base.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the apparatus further includes a timer control for selectively limiting the time of actuation of the apparatus.

19. A method of moving a human over a support surface, the method comprising:

providing a self-propelled amusement ride apparatus that includes;

a) a base having a frame mounted on wheels;

b) a motor coupled to the wheels for transmitting power thereto for moving the apparatus over a non-tracked support surface, the direction of movement being facilitated by differential steering of the wheels and that provides a top speed of not more than 10 mph;

c) a riding body coupled to the base and having a seating surface for supporting a rider, the body being shaped to resemble an animal, character, vehicle, vessel, aircraft, architectural structure or other recognizable object selected to provide an amusing or entertaining appearance; and

d) a controller for controlling speed and direction of movement of the apparatus; and

e) an exchange medium receptor for receiving an exchange medium, the apparatus being actuated upon receipt of a selected exchange medium by the exchange medium receptor;

f) a timer control for selectively limiting the time of actuation of the apparatus for a selected period of time upon receipt of the selected exchange medium by the exchange medium receptor;

positioning a rider on the seating surface;

providing the selected exchange medium to the receptor;

actuating the amusement ride apparatus; and

allowing the rider to direct the movement of the apparatus over a non-tracked support surface using the controller while the apparatus is actuated, the timer control limiting the actuation of the apparatus upon passage of the selected period of time.