Detail of the Decoration on the Break Dance Ride in Astroland in Coney Island, June 2008

The Breakdance is an amusement park ride, designed by HUSS Maschinenfabrik in 1985. Upon release, the ride design proved to be an instant hit, with HUSS now producing four varying designs, all of which can be acquired in transportable, semi-permanent, or permanent forms.

A Breakdance consists of a dodecagonal platform with a diameter of 20 meters. On this platform are mounted four hubs, each bearing four two-person cars. The entire ride is on an incline of 7.5°. When the ride is activated, the platform rotates, the hubs rotate in the opposite direction to the platform. The combination of the platform slope, hub movement, and weight displacement within the cars cause them to rock back and forth, the oblique join mount and the motion of the ride allowing the cars to rotate through 360°. Huss recommends that riders be a minimum of 48" tall with an adult and over 54" tall to ride alone on all models except for the Rodeo/Breakdance 4 variant; on this model riders must be at least 42" tall.

Breakdances incorporate backdrops, and the provision for sound systems, elaborate light displays, and special effects equipment is made. Controls for these additional systems can easily be routed through the operator's console.

Travelling versions of this ride can be dissassembled and stowed on two 40 ft trailers, one for the ride itself, the other carrying the platforms, backdrop, special effects equipment and ticketbox.


Text from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakdance_(ride)