http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=12223096
Warning graphic pictures of the injured child.
This latest incident involves a Zamperla Tea Cup ride also know as a mini Tea Cup. It can be considered a family ride and is designed for multiple riders. The mini Tea Cup had a mandatory Safety Bulletin last year regarding the installation of seat belts.
The seat belts to be installed were not what we think of when we think of seat belts. It is more of a one size fits all seat belt, or in this case one size fits riders on one side of the tub/car and an exact same belt is on the other side. Of course the best type of seat belt is where each rider has their own. To do that it would perhaps restrict the capacity of this particular amusement ride.
The base of the Tea Cup rides spins at about 7 rpm's. Then within that base there are separate platforms that contain the actual tub/car that spins about twice speed of the larger platform. The individual tub/car has its own axle and brake and it could be possible for the individual tub/car to spin as fast as someone could humanly spin the tub/car.
The spinning sensation can and does create forces/pressure on the body that are called "G" forces. Normally a ride is designed and manufactured to limit these amount of forces. These forces can be negative or positive. Due to the dual spinning nature of this ride and the reported extra spinning by an unknown individual it is very foreseeable that negative forces existed and it was those forces that forced the child out of his seat. Had one seat belt per passenger been in use it is very likely the child would not have come out of the ride, however he still could have had a injury.
"G" forces sometime are hard to understand. Say you have a 50 pound rider and the negative "G" forces are -2.5 then there would be about 125 pounds of force against the rider, forcing them out of the tub/car. Even if a 50 pound individual was strong for there size, I do not think that they could hold on for very long.
My information is based on my knowledge, education and experience. It also tells me that when children and amusement rides are involved nothing is ever simple.
http://www.krmgoup.com
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