Motorized amusement ride apparatus and method

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.

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.