Apparatus, system and method for experiencing motion

• US 6,039,653 A
• Filed: 11/16/1998
• Issued: 03/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brad Engstrand
• Original Assignee: Brad Engstrand
• Inventors: Engstrand, Brad
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kien T.
• Application Number:
  US09/192,788
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 472/59, 472/60, 472/61, 472/130, 434/29, 434/55, 463/7
• US Class Current: 472/59
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/16 creating illusions of travel
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 2005/002 moving the spectator's body
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 5/00 Auxiliaries for producing special effects on stages, or in circuses or arenas

Abstract

An apparatus, a system and a method for creating motion are provided. The apparatus includes a base and a frame connected by legs with a rod extending from the base towards the frame. Cylinders, preferably pneumatic, connect to the rod to the frame. Air or fluid to the cylinders may be controlled in a programmable manner to create motion to the rod and, hence, to the base. Another connecting element is provided between the base and one of the legs which may also include a cylinder creating an additional degree of freedom and motion to the apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for experiencing motion, the apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a base substantially parallel to the frame in a resting position and remotely situated from the frame;

a rod extending from the base in a direction towards the frame;

a first cylinder connected between the rod and the frame; and

a second cylinder connected between the rod and the frame wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder expand and contract to provide motion to the base and further wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder are rotatably connected to the rod at a common end of the rod.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a connecting element between the frame and the base wherein the connecting element includes a ball joint.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a third cylinder incorporated with the connecting element.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a ball joint at each end of each of the first cylinder and the second cylinder wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder commonly meet at one end vertically disposed from each other.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a ball joint between the base and the rod.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a connecting element having first and second ball joints wherein the connecting element is attached at one end to the base and at an opposite end to the frame.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of legs extending between the frame and the base wherein the plurality of legs are disposed to meet at a point beneath the base wherein the rod extends from the seat to the frame through the point.

8. A system for creating motion, the system comprising:

an assembly having a base and a frame wherein the base and the frame are connected by legs extending therebetween;

a rod extending from the base towards the frame;

cylinders connected to the rod at one end and to the frame at the opposite end and further wherein the cylinders are connected to the rod at a common end of the rod; and

means for controlling supply and release of air to the cylinder to move the rod and the base in a programmable manner.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

ball joints connected at opposite ends of each of the cylinders.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein only two cylinders are provided connected between the rod and the frame.

11. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a connecting element having a ball joint connected between the base and one of the legs of the assembly.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising:

a cylinder incorporated with the connecting element.

13. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a connecting element having first and second ball joints wherein the connecting element is attached at one end to the base and at the opposite end to one of the legs of the assembly.

14. A method for creating motion, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an assembly having a base and a frame;

connecting the base and the frame by a plurality of legs wherein the base is pivotally supported by the plurality of legs;

providing a rod extending from the base in a direction toward the frame;

connecting cylinders to the rod and the frame wherein the cylinders are connected to the rod at a common end of the rod; and

controlling supply and release of air to create movement in the rod and motion to the base.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

providing a connecting element between the base and one of the plurality of legs wherein the connecting element includes a ball joint.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

providing a cylinder incorporated with the connecting element.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

providing ball joints at each end of the cylinders.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the number of cylinders is two.

19. An apparatus for experiencing motion, the apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a base substantially parallel to the frame in a resting position and remotely situated from the frame;

a rod extending from the base in a direction towards the frame;

a first cylinder connected between the rod and the frame;

a second cylinder connected between the rod and the frame wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder expand and contract to provide motion to the base; and

a ball joint at each end of each of the first cylinder and the second cylinder wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder commonly meet at one end vertically disposed from each other.

20. An apparatus for experiencing motion, the apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a base substantially parallel to the frame in a resting position and remotely situated from the frame;

a rod extending from the base in a direction towards the frame;

a first cylinder connected between the rod and the frame;

a second cylinder connected between the rod and the frame wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder expand and contract to provide motion to the base; and

a connecting element having first and second ball joints wherein the connecting element is attached at one end to the base and at an opposite end to the frame.

21. A system for creating motion, the system comprising:

an assembly having a base and a frame wherein the base and the frame are connected by legs extending therebetween;

a rod extending from the base towards the frame;

cylinders connected to the rod at one end and to the frame at the opposite end;

means for controlling supply and release of air to the cylinder to move the rod and the base in a programmable manner; and

ball joints connected at opposite ends of each of the cylinders.

22. A system for creating motion, the system comprising:

an assembly having a base and a frame wherein the base and the frame are connected by legs extending therebetween;

a rod extending from the base towards the frame;

only two cylinders connected to the rod at one end and to the frame at the opposite end; and

means for controlling supply and release of air to the cylinder to move the rod and the base in a programmable manner.

23. A system for creating motion, the system comprising:

an assembly having a base and a frame wherein the base and the frame are connected by legs extending therebetween;

a rod extending from the base towards the frame;

cylinders connected to the rod at one end and to the frame at the opposite end;

means for controlling supply and release of air to the cylinder to move the rod and the base in a programmable manner; and

a connecting element having a ball joint connected between the base and one of the legs of the assembly.

24. A system for creating motion, the system comprising:

an assembly having a base and a frame wherein the base and the frame are connected by legs extending therebetween;

a rod extending from the base towards the frame;

cylinders connected to the rod at one end and to the frame at the opposite end;

means for controlling supply and release of air to the cylinder to move the rod and the base in a programmable manner; and

a cylinder incorporated with the connecting element.

25. A system for creating motion, the system comprising:

an assembly having a base and a frame wherein the base and the frame are connected by legs extending therebetween;

a rod extending from the base towards the frame;

cylinders connected to the rod at one end and to the frame at the opposite end;

means for controlling supply and release of air to the cylinder to move the rod and the base in a programmable manner; and

a connecting element having first and second ball joints wherein the connecting element is attached at one end to the base and at the opposite end to one of the legs of the assembly.

26. A method for creating motion, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an assembly having a base and a frame;

connecting the base and the frame by a plurality of legs wherein the base is pivotally supported by the plurality of legs;

providing a rod extending from the base in a direction toward the frame;

connecting cylinders to the rod and the frame;

controlling supply and release of air to create movement in the rod and motion to the base; and

providing ball joints at each end of the cylinders.

27. A method for creating motion, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an assembly having a base and a frame;

connecting the base and the frame by a plurality of legs wherein the base is pivotally supported by the plurality of legs;

providing a rod extending from the base in a direction toward the frame;

connecting two cylinders to the rod and the frame; and

controlling supply and release of air to create movement in the rod and motion to the base.