744results about "Switchbacks" patented technology

An amusement park ride system includes one or more ride vehicles configured to transport passengers, where each ride vehicle of the one or more ride vehicles includes an exterior surface and a base coupler disposed on or accessible via the exterior surface. The amusement park ride system also includes a show structure configured to operate for viewing by the passengers, the show structure including a first coupler configured to removably couple with and / or secure to a respective base coupler of a ride vehicle of the plurality of ride vehicles and a second coupler. The amusement park ride system includes a manipulator configured to transport the show structure to and from the ride vehicle of the plurality of ride vehicles, where the manipulator comprises a transport coupler configured to removably couple with and / or secure to the second coupler.

A park ride for use in theme parks, amusement parks, and other settings. The new ride includes a track defining a ride path for a passenger vehicle (or multiple vehicles that may be linked in a train). The vehicle is configured, such as with a bogie assembly with two to four or more wheels, to roll upon and engage the track. The ride includes a drop swing propulsion system that is adapted to drop a section of track upon which the passenger vehicle is supported from a first elevation to a second elevation that is lower than the first elevation. The dropping motion involves swinging the track with a linkage assembly, which with other components of the system may form a four-bar linkage, so as to impart a propelling force on the vehicle to move it along an exit track section provided at the second, lower elevation.

A ride system may include a ride vehicle that supports a passenger and an attention tracker to determine a current direction of attention of the passenger. The ride system may also include a control system for maintaining an environment of the passenger. Maintaining the environment may include determining a set of content to be incorporated into the environment based at least in part on the current direction of attention.

A hydraulic system for a passenger restraint device includes a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic section. The hydraulic section includes a hydraulic accumulator, a valve arrangement and a hydraulic cylinder unit with a piston. The valve arrangement is connected to the hydraulic pump, the hydraulic accumulator and the hydraulic cylinder unit. The piston can be moved between an open position and a first closed position. The hydraulic pump can pressurize the hydraulic cylinder unit so that the piston moves from the first closed position to the open position. The hydraulic accumulator is configured so that the piston moves from the open position to the first closed position. The hydraulic cylinder unit can be pressurized in a first switching position of the valve arrangement with a first pressure stage and in a second switching position of the valve arrangement with a second pressure stage lower than the first pressure stage.

Present embodiments are directed to a gate system for an amusement park attraction. The gate system includes a loading platform configured to rotate about a central vertical axis of the loading platform, and a gate positioned on the loading platform. The gate is configured to transition between a closed position and an open position. A gate actuation system is coupled to the loading platform and is configured to actuate the gate between the closed position and the open position based on feedback indicative of a position of a ride vehicle relative to the gate.

An apparatus for an amusement park includes a bogie carriage system that moves along a ride path, a platform coupled to the bogie carriage system, and a plurality of seats coupled to a surface of the platform, the platform being rotatable relative to the bogie carriage system about a guide axis, and the plurality of seats being rotatable with the platform about the guide axis.

A system for autonomously inspecting intrusions into a reach envelope of a vehicle traveling along a ride path of a park ride. The system includes a test vehicle that travels along the ride path at test speeds. The system includes a reach envelope inspection assembly including a housing supported by the test vehicle. The reach envelope inspection assembly includes a distance measurement assembly in the housing operable to measure distances between the distance measurement assembly and surfaces of the physical environment. The inspection assembly includes a processor executing code to provide an examination program that compares the plurality of distances to one or more predefined reach envelopes to determine whether an intrusion into any of the one or more predefined reach envelopes exists along the ride path. The test vehicle is a ride vehicle for the park ride or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operated to follow the ride path.

A sanitization system for an amusement park includes a sanitizing source for sanitizing a ride vehicle. The sanitization system may include a controller that receives an indication that the ride vehicle is in a position for sanitization. The sanitization system may include a sanitizing source, which the controller may lower into position to sanitize the ride vehicle. When sanitization is complete, the controller may raise the sanitizing source out of position. The controller may then send an indication that the ride vehicle is sanitized.

Present embodiments are directed to novel vehicle positioning techniques for determining a position of a vehicle in an amusement park. Provided herein is a vehicle positioning system, which includes a ride vehicle configured to travel along a ride path of a ride attraction. The ride vehicle may include a ground-penetrating radar to emit electromagnetic radiation into the ride path to detect underground structures embedded therein, which may cause a receiver of the ride vehicle to receive variations in returned electromagnetic radiation signals. Based on the returned electromagnetic radiation signals, the vehicle positioning system may determine vehicle position based on signals characteristic of particular path features.

A ride vehicle control system for a ride vehicle of an attraction includes multiple sensors that are configured to monitor a guest supported by the ride vehicle. The ride vehicle control system also includes an actuator system configured to couple to the ride vehicle. The ride vehicle control system further includes one or more processors that are configured to receive signals from the multiple sensors, wherein the signals are indicative of a position of the guest, a movement of the guest, or both. The one or more processors are also configured to determine an intended movement for the ride vehicle based on the signals and to control the actuator system to adjust a resistance to movement of the ride vehicle to facilitate the intended movement.

The tiered reporting system for an attraction can include primary and secondary wireless communication networks that are separate from one another. Components of the attraction environment, such as a ride vehicle having an augmented reality / virtual reality headset and a controller, can generate operational data for the attraction. The components of the system can also include communication circuitry that communicates a first subset of the operational data to the primary wireless network. A second subset of the operational data is communicated over a secondary wireless network having a higher bandwidth than the primary wireless network.

An amusement park ride vehicle, includes a chassis configured to direct the amusement park ride vehicle along a ride path in a direction of travel toward a turn, a cabin configured to hold one or more passengers, and a slider disposed between the chassis and the cabin. The slider is configured to translate the cabin between a neutral position and a cantilevered position relative to the chassis in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of travel. The slider comprises a counterweight configured to move opposite the cabin as the slider translates the cabin in the direction substantially transverse to the direction of travel.

An amusement park attraction system includes a first track, a second track configured to move relative to the first track, one or more ride vehicles configured to move along the first track and toward the second track, and one or more camages coupled to the second track. The one or more carriages are configured to receive the one or more ride vehicles from the first track and to move along and / or about the second track to drive movement of the one or more ride vehicles along and / or about the second track.

A Stewart platform assembly comprising: a first platform having a first surface; a second platform having a second surface facing the first surface of the first platform; and six legs extending between and coupling the first platform and the second platform, and configured to be actuated between a first arrangement in which adjustable lengths of the six legs, measured from the first platform to the second platform, are substantially equal to one another, and a plurality of second arrangements in which the adjustable lengths of the six legs are not substantially equal to one another. The first surface of the first platform comprises: a first anchor position to which a first leg and a second leg of the six legs are coupled; a second anchor position to which a third leg and a fourth leg of the six legs are coupled; and a third anchor position to which a fifth leg and a sixth leg of the six legs are coupled. The second surface of the second platform comprises: a fourth anchor position to which the third leg and the sixth leg are coupled; a fifth anchor position to which the second leg and the fifth leg are coupled; and a sixth anchor position to which the first leg and the fourth leg are coupled. In the first arrangement of the six legs, the first anchor position, the second anchor position, and the third anchor position are circumferentially aligned with the fourth anchor position, the fifth anchor position, and the sixth anchor position, respectively.

A sanitization system 10 for an amusement park includes a sanitization source for sanitizing a ride vehicle 12. The sanitization system 10 can include a controller that receives an indication that the ride vehicle 12 is in a position for sanitization. The sanitization system 10 can include a sanitization source, and the controller can lower the sanitization source into a position to sanitize the ride vehicle 12. Once sanitization is complete, the controller can raise the sanitization source from the position. The controller can then send an indication that the ride vehicle 12 has been sanitized.

The attraction system includes a first component, a second component, a fixture configured to couple the first component to the second component, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag including a torque stripe extending between the fixture and a reference point on the attraction system, and the RFID tag configured to emit a radio frequency (RF) signal when the torque stripe is intact, and an RFID reader configured to detect the RF signal.

A ride vehicle control system for an attraction ride vehicle includes a plurality of sensors configured to monitor guests supported by the ride vehicle. The ride vehicle control system also includes an actuator system configured to couple to the ride vehicle. The ride vehicle control system further includes one or more processors configured to receive signals from the plurality of sensors indicative of guest position, guest movement, or both. The one or more processors are also configured to determine intended movement of the ride vehicle based on the signals and to control the actuator system to adjust resistance to movement of the ride vehicle to facilitate the intended movement.

An attraction system includes a ride vehicle configured to move within the attraction system, a display coupled to the ride vehicle, and a control system communicatively coupled to the display. The control system is configured to determine a position and / or orientation of the display within the attraction system and operate the display to present an image based on the position and / or orientation of the display.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method, apparatus, and system for replacing a drive assembly in a turntable-type loading station. The system includes a structural column, a track formed on an upper surface of the structural column, a turntable, and a bogie assembly removably coupled to the underside of the turntable, the bogie assembly including a wheeled drive assembly, a swap rail attached to a radial side of the structural column, and a translating cartridge movably attached to the swap rail in a usable orientation. The translating cartridge is configured to move along the radial side of the structural column via the swap rail while in the usable orientation to an unloading position below the bogie assembly, and to pivot from the usable orientation to a correct functional orientation to couple with and decouple the wheeled drive assembly from the bogie assembly.

An attraction loading system comprises a turntable, where the turntable is configured to rotate, a loading path disposed around the turntable, wherein a ride vehicle is configured to move along the loading path, an attraction path coupled to the loading path, and a controller configured to direct the ride vehicle from the loading path onto the attraction path or to direct the ride vehicle to re-loop the loading path.

A scenic spot loading system is provided, which includes a loading platform. The loading platform includes a rotating portion configured to rotate around a central vertical axis of the loading platform and a stationary portion extending between a first edge and a second edge of the loading platform. The first edge and the second edge of the stationary portion include respective interfaces of the stationary portion and the rotating portion. The rotating portion rotates from the first edge to the second edge. The scenic spot loading system further includes a loading path disposed around a periphery of the loading platform.

A maintenance vehicle for an attraction system includes a maintenance component configured to discharge material onto a path of a path system of the attraction system, a guide engagement device configured to capture a protrusion of the path system, the protrusion being off the path, and a wheel set configured to move the maintenance vehicle along the path system while the guide engagement device maintains capture of the protrusion and moves the maintenance component along the path.

The amusement park attraction show effect system includes a prop component and a link system having an extension and a contactor system configured to move relative to the prop component to move the extension toward the prop component and cause engagement of the contactor system with the prop component, and to move the prop component in conjunction with the extension through engagement of the contactor system with the prop component to prevent direct contact between the prop component and the extension. The extension is coupled to an animated figure such that the link system is configured to cause movement of the animated figure through the extension.

A layered reporting system for an attraction may include a primary and secondary wireless communication network that are separate from one another. Components of an attraction environment, such as augmented reality / virtual reality headsets and a ride vehicle having a controller, may generate operation data of the attraction. The components of the systems may also include communication circuitry that communicates a first subset of the operation data to the primary wireless network. A second subset of the operation data is communicated via a secondary wireless network having a bandwidth higher than the primary wireless network.

The invention relates to an amusement park ride (1), in particular a rollercoaster, comprising at least one car (10), which can be moved in an exit direction out of an exit (C) from an amusement ride area (30) with a first orientation (e.g. forwards) along a route (20) and, after the ride, the car (10) returns via an entry (D) in an entry direction while maintaining the direction of travel, wherein the amusement ride area (30) and the route (20) are designed in such a way that, while maintaining the direction of travel, the car (10) passes the entry (D) of the amusement ride area (30) in an entry direction, which is the opposite direction to the above-mentioned exit direction, enters, such that, in a subsequent ride, the car travels the route (20) in the opposite orientation (e.g. backwards) to the first orientation (e.g. forwards).

To provide systems for blocking access to gaps in certain amusement park ride systems.SOLUTION: A ride vehicle 14 is coupled to a transport part extending through a gap 30. A guardrail assembly having a plurality of guardrail units is coupled to a first portion, where the guardrail units are configured to transition between a first position and a second position. The guardrail units are configured to block access to the gap 30 when in the first position. The ride vehicle 14 includes an engagement feature part configured to interface with an individual guardrail unit of the guardrail units to selectively transition the individual guardrail unit from the first position to the second position. The individual guardrail unit is configured to permit the ride vehicle 14 to occupy a guest-accessible position adjacent to or on a loading platform 17 in the second position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

The present system and method are directed to an audio system integrated into a restraint system for an amusement park ride vehicle. In particular, the system includes a restraint system for ride vehicles of an amusement park. The system comprises an audio system comprising a speaker and a microphone, where the audio system is located inside the restraint system and is configured to generate audio by means of the speaker in response to a received audio activation signal.

A ride system comprises a ride vehicle, a bogie comprising a vehicle support positioned under the ride vehicle wherein the bogie is configured to travel along a track and an extender coupled to the vehicle support and coupled to the ride vehicle. The extender is configured to transition between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. A length of the extender is greater in the extended configuration than in the retracted configuration.

A clearance envelope scanning system for an amusement park attraction includes a detection system configured to couple to a ride vehicle of the amusement park attraction. The detection system includes an emitter configured to output a wave within an environment of the amusement park attraction, a receiver configured to detect the wave reflected off of an object within the environment, and a controller communicatively coupled to the detection system. The controller is configured to receive computer-aided design (CAD) data representative of an expected configuration of the amusement park attraction, define a clearance envelope of the ride vehicle based on the CAD data representative of the expected configuration of the amusement park attraction and based on a position of the detection system relative to the ride vehicle, analyze properties of the wave detected by the receiver, and determine whether the object is within the clearance envelope of the ride vehicle.