Trackless dark ride vehicle, system, and method

Abstract

A motion assembly that produces pitch and roll motions includes lower and upper plates. A pivotable coupling having upper and lower shafts extending from its center is coupled between the upper and lower plates. At least two linear actuators are coupled between the plates. Extension and retraction of the actuators pivots the upper plate about the pivotable coupling relative to the lower plate. A vehicle includes two steerable propulsion wheels coupled to a chassis. A lower plate of a pitch and roll assembly, similar to that just described, couples to the chassis via a slew bearing. Seating is coupled to the upper plate. The seating rotates with respect to the chassis via controlled rotation of the slew bearing with reference to the chassis. The seating can be rotated to point in any direction with respect to the chassis regardless of the direction the steerable propulsion wheels move the chassis.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 484,942, filed on May 11, 2011, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully presented herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to multi-passenger vehicles used in amusement park rides. More specifically, the vehicle is battery operated and includes features permitting passengers to experience motion with three degrees of freedom (yaw, pitch, and roll) while simultaneously being propelled along a preprogrammed route, which is autonomously traveled by the vehicle without use of a mechanical track or wire stretched along the route.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Vehicles for amusement park rides have existed for a long time. Earliest vehicles rode on tracks. These vehicles were loud, due to the metal-on-metal sound of wheels on tracks. Rides making use of these vehicles were not amenable to changes, because of the difficulty of removing,...

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