1327results about "Helter-skelters" patented technology

The invention provides an interactive dark ride configured and designed to stimulate the development of creative thinking and problem solving abilities and to encourage group cooperation and team work. A dark ride vehicle is also provided having inward-facing seating adapted to facilitate socializing and group gaming activities among ride participants during the ride sequence. Various interactive effects are provided along a defined ride path and/or along various associated ride cueing areas. The interactive effects are configured and arranged such that ride participants selectively actuate the various effects by successfully completing various requested tasks. Some or all of the interactive effects require the cooperation of multiple ride participants (either on the same vehicle, other vehicles and/or in adjacent queuing areas) in order to actuate the desired effect(s).

A ride system includes at least one ride vehicle. The at least one ride vehicle is configured to receive a ride passenger. The ride system includes electronic goggles configured to be worn by the ride passenger. The electronic goggles include a camera and a display. The ride system includes a computer graphics generation system communicatively coupled to the electronic goggles, and configured to generate streaming media of a real world environment based on image data captured via the camera of the electronic goggles, generate one or more virtual augmentations superimposed on the streaming media of the real world environment, and to transmit the streaming media of the real world environment along with the one or more superimposed virtual augmentations to be displayed on the display of the electronic goggles.

A method of providing user somatosensory experience for “thrill seeking jumping like activities” (for purposes such as but not limited to training, game, or entertainment) involves:

Providing means for changing elevation of user that rapid enough for user to feel the difference of gravity feeling or “G force” with feelings of user under stationary situation, wherein the facing direction relative to the direction of movement and/or pose of the user can be changed, and the speed of elevation change provide by the means can be controlled/adjusted;

While the user using the elevation changing means, using a computer-implemented virtual reality system to present to the user a virtual reality environment. The view point and/or direction changes in the virtual reality environment are consistent with the position changes and/or self motion of the user in the elevation changing means;

So that the user experiences the virtual reality environment under a “variable gravity” condition or “G-Force” provided by the elevation changing means in a synchronized way, such “variable gravity” condition enhancing experience of the virtual reality environment. It is also possible for users to interact with the system by means such as game controller or gesture and etc, so that the output of the elevation means could be affected/changed by user input.

A ride surface for water ride attractions and the like is provided. The ride surface is fabricated from a reinforced membrane material tensioned over a supporting framework. The tensioned membrane ride surface serves the dual role of providing structural support for water flow and riders thereon while at the same time providing an impact safe surface that is non-injurious to riders who may fall thereon. The tensioned membrane can be adjusted actively and/or passively in order to accommodate different and varied ride experiences. Optionally, the shape of the membrane ride surface can be changed either dynamically or passively by special tensioning techniques and/or by using auxiliary support structures such as air bladders, pressure/suction, foam supports or/or the like.

An interactive water amusement ride may include a water amusement ride, a competition area located in the water amusement ride, and a participant identifier coupled to a participant in the water amusement ride. The participant may participate in a competition in the competition area. An automated system assesses a status of the participant in the competition. In some embodiments, an automated system for an interactive water amusement ride includes sensors coupled to a competition area. The sensors may detect participant identifiers in the competition area. The sensors may be coupled to a control system. The control system may assess a status of each participant individually and/or a status of the teams in the competition area. Status of participants and/or teams in the competition area may be displayed on a display (e.g., a scoreboard) located at or near the competition area.

A control system for a water amusement system is described. The control system is configured to operate the water amusement system to produce water effects, sound effects, and/or light effects when the control system receives an activation signal. The activation signal may be sent to the control system by an activation point, such as an optical touch button, or a water target. The control system is further configured to produce water effects, sound effects, and/or light effects in the absence of an activation signal to attract participants to the water amusement system.

The invention relates to a wave generating system comprising a wave generator that travels along the surface of a body of water, and preferably in the middle thereof, wherein the wave generator can create both primary and secondary waves that travel toward the shore. The primary waves are intended to allow surfing maneuvers to be performed in a relatively deep water environment. In the preferred embodiment, the body of water has opposing undulating shorelines upon which the secondary waves can break, wherein by modifying the shoreline's slope and curvature, and providing undulating peninsulas and cove areas, various multiple wave formations and effects can be created.

An improved zip line trolley allowing a rider control of his or her speed while traversing along a suspended cable (8) as seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The trolley comprises front and rear pulleys (44F) and (44R) conjoined via pulley housing (16) with left and right horizontal handles (10L) and (10R) attached to vertical shaft (12). Front and rear hand brake levers (20F) and (20R) are mounted onto left and right horizontal handles (10L) and (10R). When front and rear hand brake levers (20F) and (20R) are squeezed by the rider, they create a constricting force on front left and right calipers (32FL) and (32FR) along with rear left and right calipers (32RL) and (32RR) of FIGS. 2A and 3A. Thus, friction is applied to front and rear pulleys (44F) and (44R) via front left and right brake pads (34FL) and (34FR) along with rear left and right brake pads (34RL) and (34RR). This frictional force slows the rider's speed to his or her desired rate and brings the rider to a safe stop at a precise location along suspended cable (8).

Described herein are various embodiments of trolleys usable for traversing cables such as zip lines. Various embodiments have been particularly adapted to perform better under different circumstances or in different applications using braking including impact braking.

An amusement ride system and method are described. In some embodiments, an amusement ride system may be generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be more involved in a water attraction. An amusement ride system may include system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water. The system may include one or more fluid jets. The fluid jets may function to produce a fluid stream having a predetermined velocity which is selectively greater, less than, or the same as a velocity of a participant at each of the fluid jet locations and are oriented tangentially with respect to the surface of the source of water so as to contact a participant and/or participant vehicle. An amusement ride system may include a system for controlling a participant flow rate through a multi path water amusement ride system. The system may include at least one gate mechanism which functions, upon activation, to inhibit a participant from entering one or more path choices. An amusement ride system may include a system for facilitating entry of a participant on a floatation device. The system may include one or more portions of water including a depth of water which allows a participant to more easily enter a floatation device.

A water ride attraction is disclosed which utilizes a containerless riding surface to eliminate disadvantageous boundary layer effects. A sheet flow of water is directed up the incline to produce a simulated wave. The configuration and contour of the riding surface and the various flow parameters can be widely varied to produce numerous desirable wave conditions.

The self-driven cable transportation system for persons used for the aerial panoramic observation of the environment comprises: A cable suspended over the ground held and tensed by brackets fixed to any natural element available like trees, rocks, etc., or to any type of artificial element, like poles towers, constructions, etc., along this line vehicles driven by the a user's feet run in a safe and comfortable manner to observe the environment without having to stop at the cable's anchoring points. The user has full control of the vehicle's speed, being able to accelerate, break and stop at will, having at all times both hands free. This system may be installed and used on any type of ground with recreation and/or scientific observation purposes.

A mixed reality viewing system includes a viewer configured to be secured to a steady platform and operable by a user to view a theme through the viewer. The viewer includes a display device, a user interface comprising a zoom control, and at least one sensor comprising at least one camera. The mixed reality viewing system also includes a computer graphics generation system communicatively coupled to the viewer. The computer graphics generation system is configured to generate streaming media of a real world environment based on image data captured via the at least one camera of the viewer, generate augmented reality graphics, virtual reality graphics, or both, superimposed on the streaming media of the real world environment, and transmit the streaming media of the real world environment along with the superimposed augmented reality graphics, virtual reality graphics, or both, to be displayed on the display device of the viewer.

An amusement ride, such as a roller coaster or vertical tower track ride, includes an attachment assembly movably connected to a track system. A vehicle assembly is connected to the attachment assembly and includes a seat assembly having at least one rider seat. The vehicle assembly is coupled to the attachment assembly and configured such that the seat assembly is capable of fully rotating about first and second, and preferably even third axes independent of the track system.