Passive restraint techniques for amusement park rides

Abstract

To provide systems and methods for securing guests into a ride vehicle of an amusement park ride.SOLUTION: A system includes a ride vehicle 20 of an amusement park ride 10, and a restraint system 30 coupled to the ride vehicle and including a lock having a detector that may receive a wireless signal. Receiving the wireless signal causes the lock to lock or unlock, and the restraint system may secure a rider into the ride vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 607,770, filed December 19, 2017, and entitled “PASSIVE RESTRAINT TECHNIQUES FOR AMUSEMENT PARK RIDES,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. [Background technology]

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to the field of amusement parks. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for securing guests within ride vehicles of amusement park rides.

[0003] Various amusement park rides have been developed to provide passengers with unique motion and visual experiences. For example, theme rides can be implemented with single passenger or multi-passenger vehicles that travel along a path or utilize a motion base. Excitement is often generated by the speed of the vehicle or the change in direction of the vehicle as it moves along the ride path or follows a set motion of motion. For example, the ride path can include multiple features such as, but not limited to, tunnels, turns, rises, falls, loops, etc. While passengers are inside a moving ride, they may be subjected to forces during the operation of the ride. Therefore, it is desirable to restrain and secure passengers within the ride vehicle during the duration of the amusement park ride. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The following summarizes certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the present disclosure. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, but rather to provide a brief summary of some disclosed embodiments. Indeed, the present disclosure may include a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.

[0005] According to one embodiment, a system includes a ride vehicle of an amusement ride and a restraint system coupled to the ride vehicle and including a lock having a detector capable of receiving a wireless signal, the restraint system securing a passenger within the ride vehicle by locking or unlocking the lock upon receipt of the wireless signal.

[0006] According to a second embodiment, a system includes a restraint system that can be coupled to a ride vehicle of an amusement ride and secure a passenger within the ride vehicle. The restraint system includes a first strap with a first connector, a second strap with a second connector, a third strap with a lock releasably coupleable to the first and second connectors, and a detector capable of receiving a wireless signal. Receipt of the wireless signal transitions the lock between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, where the first and second connectors are at least partially retained within the lock in the locked configuration and are removable from the lock in the unlocked configuration.

[0007] According to a third embodiment, a system includes a ride vehicle of an amusement ride and a restraint system coupled to the ride vehicle. The restraint system includes a restraint bar with a pivot arm movable from a restrained configuration to an unrestrained configuration and a detector capable of receiving a wireless signal. Receipt of the wireless signal locks or unlocks the pivot arm. The pivot arm is pivotable to transition from the restrained configuration to the unrestrained configuration when unlocked. The pivot arm is fixed in the restrained configuration when locked.

[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are designated with like numerals throughout. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an amusement park ride including a ride vehicle having a passive restraint system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic diagram of the passive restraint system of FIG. 1 including a five-point harness restraint in a locked configuration and having a wireless locking and unlocking mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 3 is a schematic diagram of the passive restraint system of FIG. 2 in an unlocked configuration, with the five-point harness restraint including individual shoulder straps, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the passive restraint system of FIG. 2 in an unlocked configuration, including shoulder straps having a five-point harness restraint attached thereto, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a passive restraint system that may be used with the amusement ride of FIG. 1 having a wireless locking and unlocking mechanism, the passive restraint system including a restraint bar having a pivotable arm in an unlocked configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the passive restraint system of FIG. 5 with the restraint bar in a locked configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. In an attempt to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation may be described herein. It should be understood that the development of such an actual implementation, like any engineering or design project, requires numerous implementation-specific decisions to be made in order to achieve developer-specific goals, such as adhering to system-related and business-related constraints. The decisions may vary from implementation to implementation. Moreover, it should be understood that such a development endeavor may be complex and time-consuming, but is nevertheless a routine exercise in design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0011] The present embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a system and method for securing passengers within a ride vehicle of an amusement ride using a passive restraint system that activates a locking mechanism without using electrical power. For example, the disclosed system and method includes a passive restraint system (e.g., seat belt, harness, restraint bar (e.g., lap bar, shoulder bar), etc.) that includes a locking mechanism that is activated and deactivated wirelessly (e.g., via electromagnetic signals). The locking mechanism can be activated any time after loading passengers and before the amusement ride departs to secure the passengers within the ride vehicle for the duration of the amusement ride. The disclosed locking mechanism can be out of reach of passengers so that they cannot prematurely unlock the locking mechanism during the operation of the ride. Once the amusement ride has ended, the locking mechanism can be deactivated, for example, in an unlocked position at an unlocking station to release the passengers from the ride vehicle.

[0012] The disclosed technology does not use active power to maintain a locked configuration, and therefore is able to lock and unlock the ride vehicle without active power. That is, a passive restraint system will not unlock if the power being supplied to it is interrupted. This is in contrast to an active restraint system, which remains locked while receiving power, but unlocks when power is interrupted. Some existing ride restraints that secure passengers within a ride vehicle use a power source mounted on the ride vehicle to lock and unlock the restraint. A powered or active ride restraint system can ensure that the passenger is restrained for the duration of the amusement ride and while the restraint mechanism receives power from an active power source. Then, after the ride is completed, power to the restraint is interrupted and the passenger can be removed from the ride vehicle. However, a powered active restraint system can be difficult to integrate into some amusement rides. For example, some existing amusement ride systems cannot include a power source that can be used to operate a powered restraint system. Additionally, it may be difficult and / or costly to integrate power sources for ride restraints into existing and / or new amusement rides, due in part to the design and configuration of the rides, so the use of wireless activation to control the locking mechanisms allows the disclosed restraint systems to be retrofitted into existing ride vehicles that are not equipped with a power source.

[0013] 1 illustrates an embodiment of an amusement ride 10 that uses a passive restraint system having a wireless locking mechanism for securing a passenger 16 during operation of the amusement ride 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the amusement ride 10 includes a ride vehicle 20 that travels along a track 24 that defines a ride path for the amusement ride 10. The ride vehicle 20 includes a ride seat 28 that supports the passenger 16 within the ride vehicle 20, and a restraint system 30 that secures the passenger 16 within the ride seat 28 during operation of the amusement ride 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the restraint system 30 includes a five-point harness 32. However, in other embodiments, the restraint system 30 includes a seat belt (e.g., a lap belt), a restraint bar (see, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 6), or any other suitable restraint mechanism.

[0014] As described in further detail below, the restraint system 30 includes a locking mechanism 36 having a lock 38 (e.g., a buckle, clip, lock, fastener, etc.) that can be wirelessly actuated (e.g., via radio frequency or any other suitable electromagnetic signal). For example, the locking mechanism 36 can be actuated at a loading / unloading station 40 to lock or unlock the locking mechanism 36 to secure the passenger 16 in or release the passenger 16 from within the vehicle seat 28, respectively. The loading station can include a locked position in which the locking mechanism is actuated (e.g., automatically or by the attendant 34) to secure the passenger 16 in the ride vehicle 20. In some embodiments, the loading station can also include a control position in which the attendant 34 can check that the passenger 16 is properly restrained in the vehicle seat 28. Similarly, the unloading station can include an unlocked position in which the locking mechanism is deactivated and unlocked to release the passenger from the ride vehicle 20.

[0015] As used herein, a "loading station" is intended to refer to an area where passengers 16 board the ride vehicle of the amusement ride. As used herein, an "unloading station" is intended to refer to an area where passengers 16 disembark from the ride vehicle. In some embodiments, the loading and unloading stations are located in different areas of the amusement ride 10. In other embodiments, the loading and unloading stations are located in the same area of ​​the amusement ride 10. As used herein, a "control position" is intended to refer to a position where a check is made that the passengers 16 are properly secured within the ride vehicle 20. As used herein, a "locked position" is intended to refer to a position where the locking mechanism of the restraint system 30 is locked and cannot be unlocked. A "locked position" can refer to a location (e.g., the locking mechanism is locked beyond some physical location), a time (e.g., the locking mechanism is locked after a particular time), or an event location (e.g., the locking mechanism is locked before a particular event, such as the start of vehicle movement). As used herein, "unlocked position" is intended to refer to the position in which the locking mechanism of the restraint system 30 is unlocked.

[0016] As previously described, the locking mechanism 36 of the restraint system 30 may be actuated in a locked position prior to passing through the control position. In some embodiments, the locked position may include a gate 46 (e.g., an RFID gate) located at the loading station 40. The gate 46 includes a transmitter 48 that transmits a wireless signal 50 to the restraint system 30. As described in more detail below, the wireless signal 50 is configured to lock or unlock the locking mechanism 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the gate 46 is located on the track 24. However, the gate 46 may be located at any other suitable location within the amusement ride 10 that allows wireless communication between the restraint system 30 and the transmitter 48. In other embodiments, the attendant 34 may use a handheld transmitter 52 to transmit a wireless signal 50 to the locking mechanism 36, thereby locking the locking mechanism 36 and securing the passenger 16 within the ride vehicle 20.

[0017] As described in more detail below, the locking mechanism 36 cannot be unlocked without receiving a lock stop signal transmitted after the amusement ride 10 has ended. For example, the gate 46 or a handheld transmitter 52 transmits a wireless signal 50 at the unloading station 38 after the ride has ended to stop the locking mechanism and release the passengers 16 from the ride vehicle 20. In some embodiments, the handheld transmitter 52 can be used to override the activation signal from the gate 46, such as when a passenger needs to exit the ride vehicle 20 after passing a locked position and before the amusement ride 10 departs.

[0018] As previously described, the gate 40 is communicatively coupled to the locking mechanism 36 to transmit a signal 50 (e.g., an activate or deactivate signal) to lock or unlock the restraint system 30. FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the restraint system 30 with the five-point harness 32 in a locked configuration. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of the restraint system 30 with the five-point harness 32 in an unlocked configuration. The five-point harness 32 includes a number of straps 56 (56a, 56b, 56c, 56d, 56e) that are coupled to the vehicle seat 28 at five different locations. For example, the straps 56 are each coupled at respective locations 58 (58a, 58b, 58c, 58d, 58e) of the vehicle seat 28 that correspond to where the passenger's shoulders, hips, and between-the-legs areas would be located when the passenger 16 is properly seated in the vehicle seat 28. For example, straps 56a, 56b are located at positions 58a, 58b corresponding to the positions where the passenger's shoulders will rest when seated in the vehicle seat 28. Straps 56c, 56d are located at positions 58c, 58d corresponding to the positions where the passenger's buttocks will rest when seated in the vehicle seat 28. Strap 56e is located at position 58e corresponding to the position between the passenger's legs when the passenger 16 is seated in the vehicle seat 28. The five-point harness 32 can be adjusted to allow proper restraint of passengers of various heights and body shapes. Some restraint systems, such as lap belts (e.g., seat belts) and restraint bars (e.g., lap bars and overhead bars), can only secure a portion of the passenger's body (e.g., only the waist, legs, or shoulders). Therefore, it may be difficult to properly restrain passengers of various heights and body shapes. However, the five-point harness 32 restrains the passenger 16 in a manner such that different portions of the straps 56 contact different portions of the passenger's upper body (e.g., shoulders, waist, and chest). In this manner, the passenger's upper body is fully secured within the vehicle seat 28. The securing of the passenger's upper body allows the five-point harness 32 to facilitate restraining passengers of various body shapes and heights.

[0019] The straps 56 include features that facilitate coupling of one or more of the straps 56 to the lock 38. For example, as shown in the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, the one or more straps 56 include female connectors 60 (60a, 60b, 60c) that are releasably coupled to male connectors 62 (62a, 62b, 62c) disposed on the lock 38. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the straps 56a, 56c and straps 56b, 56d are arranged such that a loop 68 is formed between the respective straps 56a, 56c and straps 56b, 56d. When the passenger 16 is seated in the vehicle seat 28, the passenger 16 can slip both arms into the loops 68 before the female connectors 60 couple to the respective male connectors 62 on the lock. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the straps 56a, 56b are arranged adjacent to each other such that a loop 70 (e.g., an opening) is formed between the straps 56a, 56b. When the passenger 16 is seated in the vehicle seat 28, the passenger can slide his or her head through the loop 70 and position the straps 56a, 56b against his or her shoulders.

[0020] Once the straps 56 are properly positioned on the passenger 16, the passenger 16 may plug the female connectors 60 into the respective male connectors 60 to releasably couple the straps 56 to the locks 38. Upon coupling of the straps 56 to the locks 38 (e.g., via the connectors 60, 62), the locking mechanism 36 may be actuated to secure the passenger 16 within the ride vehicle 20. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 36 includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) feature 72 that may function as an electronic key to lock and unlock the locking mechanism 36. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the RFID feature 72 may be a receiver that receives an actuation signal 80 from a control system 82 prior to the departure of the amusement ride 10 (e.g., prior to the movement of the ride vehicle 20 along the track 24). The control system 82 may be part of a main control system of the amusement ride 10 or a separate control system integrated, for example, into the gate 46. The control system 82 can detect that a passenger 16 is occupying a vehicle seat 28 and, in response, transmit an activation signal 80 to the RFID function 72. For example, once the control system 82 identifies that a passenger 16 is occupying a vehicle seat 28, the control system 82 can transmit an activation signal 82 as soon as the ride vehicle approaches a locked position at the loading station 38. In some embodiments, the attendant 34 can activate the locking mechanism using the portable device 52.

[0021] The control system 82 may include a processor 81, which may include one or more processing devices, and a memory 82 that stores instructions executable by the processor 81. The memory 83 may include one or more tangible, non-transitory machine-readable media. By way of example, such machine-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that may be used to carry or store designed program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by the processor 81 or by any general-purpose or special-purpose computer or other machine using the processor. The control system 82 may also include communication circuitry and / or input and output circuitry that facilitates communication with other components of the amusement park ride 10. Additionally, the control system 82 may be directly or wirelessly coupled to an operator input device or operator interface that may be used by a ride technician to provide inputs used to control one or more ride functions during operation. The operator interface, or other components of the ride 10, may in some embodiments be located remotely from the control system 82, for example, implemented on a mobile device.

[0022] The control system 82 may also include a radio frequency (RF) chip 86 that detects the RFID feature 72 and transmits an activation signal 80 to the locking mechanism 36. For example, the RFID feature 72 may transmit a signal 90 that is detected by the RF chip 86. In response to the signal 90, the control system 82 outputs the activation signal 80 to activate the locking mechanism 36. Upon receiving the activation signal 80, the locking mechanism 36 may activate a locking pin or other suitable locking mechanism within the lock 38 that secures and prevents movement of the female connector 60 out of the respective male connector 62 of the lock 38. The prevention of movement of the female connector 60 prevents the passenger 16 from prematurely unlocking the locking mechanism 36 while the ride vehicle 20 is in motion. In the illustrated embodiment, the RFID feature 72 is shown as part of the lock 38, but in other embodiments, the RFID feature 72 is part of the female connector 60. Additionally, the RF chip 86 of the control system 82 may issue a global locked signal to all ride vehicles 20 within range when in a locked position. In other embodiments, the RF chip 86 may emit a lock signal after acknowledging (eg, detecting) that each passenger 16 is restrained within the ride vehicle 20 .

[0023] In some embodiments, the vehicle seats 28 may include a sensor 94 that determines whether the restraint system 30 of each vehicle seat 28 is in a restrained or unrestrained configuration. For example, when the restraint system 30 is in an unrestrained configuration, the sensor 94 may send a signal to a control system (e.g., control system 82) indicating that the restraint system 30 is in an unrestrained configuration. The control system may prevent the release of the ride vehicle 20 from the locked and / or controlled position until the restraint system 30 is in the restrained configuration. Thus, the flight attendant 34 may need to check that the vehicle seat 28 is clear, manually couple the female connector 60 to the male connector 62, and activate the locking mechanism using the portable device 52. The control system may then determine that all of the restraint systems 30 of the ride vehicle 20 are secured and release the ride vehicle 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor 94 is located on the seat back of the vehicle seat 28. However, the sensor 94 may be located in any other location on the vehicle seat 28 or ride vehicle 20 that facilitates communication with the restraint system 30 and / or control system 82 .

[0024] In other embodiments, the sensor 94 may transmit a signal indicating that the vehicle seat 28 is vacant. Upon detecting that signal from the sensor 94, the control system may determine that the vehicle seat 28 is vacant and release the vehicle vehicle from the controlled position with the restraint system 30 corresponding to the vacant vehicle seat 28 in an unrestrained configuration. For example, in some embodiments, the sensor 94 may receive a signal from a retroreflective marker disposed on the vehicle seat 28. The retroreflective marker may reflect light detected by the sensor 94. Based on the intensity of the reflected light or the degree of attenuation of the reflected light detected by the sensor 94, the control system 82 may determine whether the vehicle seat 28 is occupied or unoccupied. For example, when a passenger 16 is disposed in the vehicle seat 28, the passenger 16 may block at least a portion of the retroreflective marker. Thus, the light reflected by the retroreflective marker may be attenuated. However, when the vehicle seat 28 is vacant, the retroreflective marker is not blocked and the intensity of the reflected light by the retroreflective marker is greater than the intensity of the reflected light when the vehicle seat is occupied. Thus, the control system 82 can determine that the vehicle seat is vacant.

[0025] In other embodiments, the sensor 94 may be a pressure sensor located on the vehicle seat 28. For example, the sensor 94 may be located on the backrest or on the seat cushion of the vehicle seat 28. The pressure sensor may send a signal to the control system 82 indicative of the pressure acting on the vehicle seat 28. If the pressure signal is less than a predetermined value (e.g., less than about 5 pounds per square inch), the control system 82 may determine that the vehicle seat 28 is empty. As such, the control system 82 may release the ride vehicle 20 from the controlled position with the restraint system 30 corresponding to the empty vehicle seat 28 in an unrestrained configuration.

[0026] After the amusement ride 10 has ended, the restraint system 30 may be unlocked. For example, when the ride 10 has ended and the ride vehicle 20 has come to a complete stop at the unloading station 40, the RFID function 72 may receive a stop signal 96 issued by the gate 46 and / or control system 82 of the amusement ride 10. For example, similar to actuation, the RFID chip 86 detects the RFID function 72 (e.g., signal 90) when the ride vehicle 20 is at the unloading station 38. When the ride vehicle 20 reaches the unlocked position, the gate 46 and / or control system 82 transmits the stop signal 96 to the RFID function 72. In response to the stop signal 96, the locking mechanism 36 may unlock the lock 38, allowing the passenger 16 to disconnect the female connector 60 from the male connector 62 and leave the ride vehicle 20.

[0027] In some embodiments, the attendant 34 can disable the locking mechanism 36 of the restraint system 30 using a handheld transmitter 52, a key card, or other electronic key. Disabling the locking mechanism 36 of the restraint system 30 via a wireless signal can mitigate premature unlocking of the lock 38. Additionally, the need to integrate a power source used to operate a power controlled restraint system into the ride vehicle 20 can be eliminated. Thus, existing amusement rides that do not include a power source can be retrofitted with the restraint system 30, thereby reducing the costs associated with implementing a power source into the amusement ride and improving the restraint system to better secure and keep passengers within the ride seat during the ride of the amusement ride. The five-point harness restraint system disclosed herein can also facilitate restraining passengers of various body shapes and heights by restraining passengers at various positions along the passenger's body (e.g., shoulders, waist, and chest).

[0028] The locking mechanism 36 may also be incorporated into other types of restraint systems that do not include a five-point harness 32. For example, the locking mechanism may be incorporated into a seat belt used to secure a passenger in an amusement park ride seat, a restraint bar (e.g., a lap bar or overhead bar), or any other suitable restraint system. Figure 5 is a side view of an embodiment of a restraint system 30 having a restraint bar 100 in a non-restrained configuration used to restrain and secure a passenger 16 in a ride vehicle 20. Figure 6 is a side view of the restraint bar 100 in a restrained configuration.

[0029] The restraint bar 100 includes a pivot arm 104 that rotates about an axis 108 to move the restraint bar 100 between a restrained configuration (FIG. 6) and an unrestrained configuration (FIG. 5). As noted above, the restraint system 30 includes a locking mechanism that is activated and deactivated by a wireless signal. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the restraint bar 100 includes an RFID function 72 disposed within the pivot arm 104. The RFID function 72 transmits a signal 90 to the control system 82, which in turn transmits an activation signal 80 to the control system 82. Upon receiving the activation signal 80 from the control system 82, the pivot arm 104 rotates about the axis 108, as indicated by arrow 112, to move the restraint bar 100 from the unrestrained configuration to the restrained configuration. For example, the pivot arm 104 rotates in the direction 112 toward the occupant 16 to place the restraint bar 100 in the restrained configuration.

[0030] In some embodiments, the ride vehicle 20 may include one or more sensors 116 communicatively coupled to the control system 82 of the amusement ride 10. The one or more sensors 116 may transmit a signal 120 to the control system 82 indicating that the ride seat 28 is occupied and that the passenger 16 may need to be secured within the ride seat 28. For example, near-field wireless communication may be utilized to determine that the passenger 16 is seated in the ride seat 28. In response to such a determination, the control system 82 transmits an actuation signal 80 that causes the pivot arm 104 to move in a direction 108 toward the passenger 16. Once the pivot arm 104 is in the restrained configuration, the pivot arm 104 locks to prevent rotation of the pivot arm 104, securing the passenger 16 within the ride seat 28. In some embodiments, the attendant 34 may actuate the pivot arm 104 using the handheld transmitter 52. The control system 82 may activate a light source 124 on the ride vehicle 20 to indicate that the passenger 16 has been secured and the ride vehicle 20 has been released from the loading station 40 .

[0031] When the amusement ride 10 has finished, as shown in FIG. 6 , the pivot arm 104 is unlocked to allow the pivot arm 104 to rotate in a direction 128 away from the passenger 16. For example, as described above, the RFID function 72 receives a stop signal 94 from the control system 82 of the amusement ride 10. In other embodiments, the gate 46 or the attendant 34 (e.g., via the handheld transmitter 52) can transmit a stop signal 96. In response to the stop signal 96, the pivot arm 104 rotates about the axis 108 in the direction 128, moving the restraining bar 100 from the restrained configuration to the unrestrained configuration. Thus, the passenger 16 is free to leave the ride vehicle 20 at the unloading station 40.

[0032] Previous systems and methods for activating restraint systems on amusement rides use a power source built into the ride vehicle. However, it is now recognized that by using electromagnetic signals to activate and deactivate the locking mechanisms of the restraint system, the need for a power source to be built into the ride vehicle can be eliminated. As such, costs associated with incorporating a power source into existing and / or new ride vehicles can be reduced compared to ride vehicles that include a power source for the restraint system. Additionally, the use of electromagnetic signals to activate and deactivate the restraint locking mechanisms can mitigate premature unlocking of the restraint system, allowing for improved restraint design and securing passengers of various heights and body types.

[0033] While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art and it is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes which fall within the true spirit of the invention.

[0034] The technology presented and claimed herein refers to and is applied to tangible objects and specific examples of a practical nature that clearly improve the art, and is therefore not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. Moreover, where any claim appended at the end of this specification contains one or more elements designated as "means for [performing] ... [function]" or "step for [performing] ... [function]," it is intended that such elements be construed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claim containing an element designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements not be construed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

Claims

1. [0023] amusement park ride vehicles; a restraint system including a lock coupled to the ride vehicle and having a detector configured to receive a wireless signal; Equipped with and locking or unlocking the lock upon receipt of the wireless signal, the restraint system being configured to secure a passenger within the ride vehicle. system.

2. a lock control location located at a landing of the ride vehicle, the lock control location including a first transmitter configured to transmit the wireless signal to cause the lock of the restraint system to lock; an unlocked position including a second transmitter configured to transmit a second wireless signal to unlock the restraint system; Equipped with The system of claim 1 .

3. the first transmitter and the second transmitter are radio frequency (RF) chips configured to transmit the radio signal, and the detector is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The system of claim 2.

4. the restraint system comprises a five-point harness having a plurality of straps each having at least one end fixedly connected to a vehicle seat of the ride vehicle, at least one strap of the plurality of straps comprising a connector and at least one other strap of the plurality of straps comprising the lock at a free end, the connector configured to releasably couple to the lock to secure the passenger within the ride vehicle when the lock is in a locked configuration; The system of claim 1 .

5. the detector is disposed within the lock and comprises an RFID tag; The system of claim 1 .

6. the restraint system comprising a pivot arm configured to rotate about an axis to move the pivot arm between a restrained configuration and an unconstrained configuration, the detector being disposed on the pivot arm and comprising an RFID tag. The system of claim 1 .

7. a portable transmitter configured to transmit the wireless signal; The system of claim 1 .

8. one or more sensors configured to detect the passenger in a seat of the ride vehicle. The system of claim 1 .

9. a control system configured to transmit the wireless signal to the detector in response to receiving a signal from the one or more sensors indicating that the passenger is occupying the seat of the ride vehicle. The system of claim 8.

10. a restraint system coupled to a ride vehicle of the amusement ride and configured to secure a passenger within the ride vehicle; The restraint system comprises: a first strap having a first connector; a second strap having a second connector; a third strap including a lock configured to releasably couple to the first connector and the second connector; and A detector configured to receive a wireless signal; Equipped with transitioning the lock between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration upon receipt of the wireless signal, the first connector and the second connector being at least partially retained within the lock in the locked configuration and removable from the lock in the unlocked configuration. system.

11. a transmitter configured to transmit the wireless signal to cause the lock of the restraint system to transition between the locked and unlocked configurations; the transmitter is a radio frequency (RF) chip configured to transmit the radio signal, and the detector is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag; The system of claim 10.

12. the first strap and the second strap each have a first end and a second end connected to a vehicle seat of the ride vehicle such that a loop is formed between the first end and the second end of each strap, the loop being configured to receive an arm of the passenger. The system of claim 10.

13. the first connector and the second connector are located between the first end and the second end of each strap; The system of claim 12.

14. the first strap has a first fixed end and a first free end, the second strap has a second fixed end and a second free end, the first free end and the second free end each having the first connector and the second connector, and the first fixed end and the second fixed end each connected to a vehicle seat of the ride vehicle. The system of claim 10.

15. the ride vehicle is configured to receive power from an external or internal power source to power operation of the ride vehicle, and the lock is configured to maintain the locked configuration when not receiving power from the power source. The system of claim 10.

16. the lock is configured to transition to the unlocked configuration when the power source is inactive or not providing power to the restraint system. The system of claim 15.

17. a portable transmitter configured to transmit the encrypted wireless signal; The system of claim 10.

18. [0023] amusement park ride vehicles; a restraint system coupled to the ride vehicle; Equipped with The restraint system comprises: a restraining bar having a pivot arm configured to move from a restraining configuration to an unrestrained configuration; A detector configured to receive a wireless signal; Equipped with receiving the wireless signal causes the pivot arm to lock or unlock, the pivot arm being capable of pivoting to transition from the constrained configuration to the unconstrained configuration when unlocked, and the pivot arm being fixed in the constrained configuration when locked. system.

19. a lock control location located at a landing of the ride vehicle, the lock control location including a first transmitter configured to transmit the wireless signal to lock the pivot arm of the restraint system; an unlocked position comprising a second transmitter configured to transmit a second wireless signal to unlock the pivot arm of the restraint system; Equipped with 20. The system of claim 18.

20. the first transmitter and the second transmitter are radio frequency (RF) chips configured to transmit the radio signal, and the detector is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

20. The system of claim 18.

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