A Topple Tower is an amusement ride

Amusement ride

Amusement rides are large mechanical devices that move people to create enjoyment. They are frequently found at amusement parks, traveling carnivals, and funfairs.-Notable types:*Afterburner*Ali Baba*Balloon Race*Booster...

 produced by HUSS Maschinenfabrik. The ride was designed by Mr. Theo van Orsouw of van Orsouw Amusement Rides Design Service ( ARDS ) Berghem, the Netherlands Patent Pended nr: PCT/EP2002/012698 Nov. 13 2002, and first went into operation in 2005.

Design and operation

The Topple Tower consists of a single 40-person circular gondola, centred around an 18 metre tower. Passengers sit in the gondola, facing outward. When the ride cycle is started, the gondola is raised towards the top of the tower, and begins to rotate at between 9 and 11 rpm

Revolutions per minute

Revolutions per minute is a measure of the frequency of a rotation. It annotates the number of full rotations completed in one minute around a fixed axis...

. When the rotating gondola reaches the top of the tower, the tower itself begins to rock back and forth.

Incidents

On June 16, 2007, the Topple Tower installation (Known as Timber Tower) at Dollywood

Dollywood

Dollywood is a theme park owned by entertainer Dolly Parton and the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation. It is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Dollywood has 3,000 people on its payroll, making it the largest employer in that community....

 in Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Pigeon Forge is a mountain resort city in Sevier County, Tennessee, located in the southeastern United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 5,875....

, Tennessee

Tennessee

Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...

, USA became stuck after a faulty safety sensor engaged. The tower was in an upright position with the gondola at the top. The safety system would not let operators override the sensor, leaving 40 passengers stranded on the ride, some for as many as 3 hours. As of the 2011 season, the Timber Tower is not operating and is slated to be removed at the end of the season.

Appearances

• Belgium - El Volador @ Bellewaerde Park (First topple tower to go into operation)
• Canada - Topple Tower @ Marineland (Niagara Falls Ontario)
• China - Adventure Jungle @ Mysterious Island
• Denmark - Ørnen @ Djurs Sommerland
• France - Tang'Or @ Walygator Park
• United States - Timber Tower @ Dollywood (Pigeon Forge,Tennessee) (SBNO)