Passenger restraint system for roller coasters

Abstract

Specifically described is a passenger restraint system (1) for a roller coaster designed to maintain a passenger (P) in a primarily seated or lying position with their legs dangling. The passenger restraint system (1) includes a fixed column (10) and a seat column (20) designed to support and hold the passenger (P), the seat column (20) being coupled to the fixed column (10) so as to be movable relative to the fixed column (10) during a ride on the roller coaster. The seat column (20) is preferably coupled to the fixed column (10) using an articulated connection (30), and the passenger restraint system (1) further includes a balance device (15) for balancing the seat column (20), the balance device (15) being fixed at a first end (15A) to the fixed column (10) and at a second end (15B) to the seat column (20). The balance device (15) may be advantageously configured to ensure vertical acceleration applied to the passenger (P) causes vertical movement of the seat column (20) during a ride on the roller coaster.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Technical Field The present invention relates generally to passenger restraint systems for roller coasters, and more particularly to such passenger restraint systems designed to maintain a passenger in an essentially seated or lying position during a ride on a roller coaster. [Background technology]

[0002] Background technology Such passenger restraint systems are known in the state of the art, inter alia, from European Patent Applications Nos. 0545860A1, 1020212A1, 1020213A1, 1201280A2 and 1215091A2, all in the name of the Applicant.

[0003] European Patent Application Publication No. 0 545 860 A1 discloses a so-called "inverted" roller coaster installation (or "inverted coaster") in which each passenger restraint system is designed to maintain a passenger in an essentially seated position during a ride on a roller coaster with no walls or floor around the passenger, with their legs dangling in the air, and suspended below rails that support a vehicle supporting the passenger restraint system.

[0004] EP 1020212 A1 discloses a passenger restraint system designed to maintain a passenger in an essentially seated position in a seat during a roller coaster ride, with the passenger's feet on the floor of a vehicle that supports the passenger restraint system. The passenger restraint system comprises a rotating bar above a retaining element intended to restrain the passenger in the seat, the retaining element having a particular shape intended to contact the passenger's thighs. This type of passenger restraint system is particularly used for non-inverting high-speed roller coaster installations (or "hypercoasters").

[0005] European Patent Application Publication No. 1020213A1 discloses a floorless roller coaster installation (or "floorless coaster") in which each passenger restraint system is designed to maintain a passenger in an essentially seated position with no floor under the passenger's feet, with their legs dangling in the air, during the ride on the roller coaster on rails that support a vehicle that supports the passenger restraint system.

[0006] EP 1 201 280 A2 discloses a so-called "flying" roller coaster installation (or "flying coaster"), in which each passenger restraint system is designed to maintain a passenger in an essentially lying position during the ride on the roller coaster, with the passenger's back aligned substantially parallel to the track formed by the rails and suspended below the rails supporting the vehicle carrying the passenger restraint system. In this case, the passenger restraint system also includes a leg retaining device. A variant of such a retaining device for retaining the legs of a passenger is also disclosed in EP 1 215 091 A2.

[0007] Regardless of the essentially seated or lying position of the passenger, the passenger restraint systems disclosed in the above publications are all arranged so that they are rigidly secured to the vehicle carrying the passenger and cannot move relative to said vehicle during the ride on the roller coaster. The movements experienced by the passengers are thus directly induced and determined by the specific configuration of the track followed by the vehicle carrying the passengers, and each passenger feels sensations resulting from the changes in direction and acceleration defined by this configuration.

[0008] WO 2007 / 136245 A1 discloses a passenger restraint system for roller coasters designed to maintain a passenger in several positions with the passenger's feet resting on a support platform. This passenger restraint system is more particularly designed to allow the passenger to occupy several positions and to move between these positions, namely a basic vertical (standing) position, a squatting position and a bowed / leaning forward position. Figure 5 of WO 2007 / 136245 A1 shows in more detail a passenger restraint system, in particular one that allows the passenger to lean forward or bow. This restraint system comprises a seat back, in particular intended to be connected to the passenger's torso, and connecting means (only some of which are illustrated) intended to connect the seat back to a platform of the vehicle supporting the passenger. It is mentioned that the connecting means may also comprise a column (not shown) arranged on the platform, but it is not specified how this column is to be connected to the illustrated connecting means. In any case, a double wishbone structure is mentioned, which includes two overlapping plates joined by a pair of cross bars, a pair of diagonally positioned dampers, and a horizontally positioned damper, which are connected to each other at most via a pivot. The geometry of this structure is essentially intended to allow the backrest, and thus the passenger, to perform a forward rotational movement of about 15° to 20°. However, no balancing device is specifically described, and the said dampers do not ensure a balancing function, but merely damp the rotational movement of the backrest.

[0009] US Patent No. 7,070,153 B1 basically discloses a seat supported on a platform through its base by means of a suspension system including an articulated joint including an articulated arm and a pair of gas actuators / supports arranged diagonally and positioned so that the seat receives an upward force whose amplitude is adjustable. The seat is intended primarily to be equipped with vehicles. It is noted that one possible application of the seat to thrill rides is described, and only free-fall type amusement rides are mentioned, in which passengers undergo a vertical free fall of several hundred feet, ending in a sudden stop at the end of the fall. There is no mention of any possibility of applying this solution to a passenger restraint system for roller coasters.

[0010] French patent application No. 2 442 381 A1 and French patent No. 2 084 495 A5 for their part only disclose suspension and damping devices for vehicle seats, in particular for all-terrain vehicles.

[0011] There is a need to propose a passenger restraint system for essentially maintaining the passenger in a seated or lying position which ensures increased comfort whilst providing the passenger with greater sensations. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] Summary of the Invention SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The general object of the invention is therefore to propose a system for maintaining a passenger in a seated or lying position which basically remedies the drawbacks of known solutions.

[0013] More specifically, the object of the invention is to propose a solution that ensures both that the passengers are adequately restrained while ensuring greater sensations and better comfort for the passengers during their ride on the roller coaster.

[0014] Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to propose a solution that is robust and reasonably simple to implement.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to propose a solution that is reliable and easy to maintain. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] Considering the above mentioned objectives, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a passenger restraint system for a roller coaster is proposed, the features of which are recited in claim 1, namely a passenger restraint system designed to maintain a passenger in an essentially seated or lying position with legs dangling, the passenger restraint system being particularly characterized in that it comprises a fixed column and a seat column designed to support and hold the passenger, the seat column being coupled to the fixed column in such a way that it is movable relative to the fixed column during riding on the roller coaster. The passenger restraint system further comprises a balancing device ensuring balance of the seat column, the balancing device being fixed at a first end to the fixed column and at a second end to the seat column.

[0017] The seat column can be coupled to the fixed column in particular by means of an articulation joint, the first and second ends of the balancing device fixed to the fixed column and to the seat column, respectively, being articulated. It will be noted that in this situation, in contrast to known solutions, the passenger is therefore held in a seated or lying position via the movable seat column, i.e. via an articulation joint between the seat column and the fixed column, the seat column being balanced by a balancing device in order to maintain the seat column at a constant distance from the fixed column. This allows a relative movement of the passenger with respect to the vehicle supporting the passenger restraint system. The articulation joint also ensures a smoother and more flexible movement. This articulation joint is more particularly simple and compact, whilst still being robust.

[0018] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the articulation comprises a set of levers that are articulated on the fixed column and on the seat column, forming a parallelogram joint between the fixed column and the seat column. This ensures optimal guidance of the seat column on the fixed column and also ensures that the orientation of the seat column relative to the vertical direction remains unchanged, regardless of the height position of the seat column. However, it will be understood that the invention is not particularly limited to the use of a set of articulated levers as described and illustrated, and that other articulation configurations are entirely possible.

[0019] Preferably the balancing device extends through the clearance space of the articulation joint, which results in a particularly compact arrangement.

[0020] Particularly advantageously, in accordance with another aspect of the invention, the balancing device can be configured to ensure vertical movement of the seat column during a ride on the roller coaster, dependent on the vertical acceleration applied to the passenger. This other aspect is also applicable independently of the manner in which the seat column is coupled to the fixed column.

[0021] In this situation, the balance device may also be equipped with a system making it possible to adjust and control the speed of the vertical movement of the seat columns.

[0022] The balancing device can be a spring device such as a gas spring, or preferably a hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic device, in particular a hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic cylinder. In the latter case, the balancing device can then be equipped with a hydraulic fluid flow rate regulator, which makes it possible to adjust and control the speed of the vertical movement of the seat column. However, it will be understood that the invention is not particularly limited to the use of a spring device or a hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic device as the balancing device, and other types of balancing devices are entirely possible.

[0023] For the use of a hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic device for balancing the seat column, the passenger restraint system preferably further comprises an accumulator coupled to the balancing device, which is capable of generating the hydraulic pressure required for balancing the weight of the seat column, which accumulator may in particular be a hydro-pneumatic accumulator.

[0024] In the situation where a hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic device is still used for balancing the seat column, the internal pressure of the hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic device is fully adjustable, which makes it possible to modify and vary the sensitivity of the system to accelerations, in particular throughout the roller coaster ride. The strength of the generated effect can then be varied depending on the selected internal pressure.

[0025] According to a preferred variant, the passenger restraint system is configured such that, in the presence of a passenger and in the absence of any vertical acceleration other than that due to gravity, the seat column occupies a lower position relative to the fixed column, and in the absence of a passenger, the seat column can be indiscriminately balanced by means of a balancing device so that it occupies an upper or lower position.

[0026] This preferred variant further constitutes a second aspect of the invention, which can be implemented independently of the other aspects of the invention. In that respect, according to the second aspect of the invention, a passenger restraint system for a roller coaster is proposed, the features of which are recited in independent claim 14, namely a passenger restraint system designed to maintain a passenger essentially in a seated or lying position, the passenger restraint system being particularly characterized in that it comprises a fixed column and a seat column designed to support and hold the passenger, the seat column being coupled to the fixed column so as to be movable relative to the fixed column during riding on the roller coaster. The passenger restraint system further comprises a balancing device for ensuring balance of the seat column, the balancing device being fixed at a first end to the fixed column and at a second end to the seat column. Moreover, the balancing device is configured to ensure vertical movement of the seat column during riding on the roller coaster depending on a vertical acceleration applied to the passenger. Finally, the passenger restraint system is configured in such a way that in the presence of a passenger and in the absence of any vertical acceleration other than that due to gravity, the seat column occupies a lower position relative to the fixed column.

[0027] It will be appreciated that in the latter situation, the seat column and thus the passenger will tend to rise from the lower position when a certain vertical acceleration threshold is reached. More precisely, when the vertical acceleration falls below a certain threshold determined by the balance of the various forces acting on the seat column and passenger, for example when crossing a step, the seat column and the passenger carried by the seat column will undergo an upward phase and tend to leave the lower position in order to rise vertically towards an upper position, possibly reaching the limit of travel of the seat column. When the vertical acceleration again increases above said threshold, the applied forces will tend to return the assembly made up of the seat column and passenger to the lower position.

[0028] Preferably, the passenger restraint system is configured to allow an assembly formed from the seat column and the passenger to rise from a lowered position when the assembly is subjected to a vertical acceleration such that the resulting force applied to the seat column and the passenger is lower than the push-out force applied by the balancing device.

[0029] Even more preferably, the passenger restraint system is configured to enable the seat column and passenger to sequentially undergo an ascent phase during which the seat column and passenger are raised from the lowered position, followed by a descent phase during which the seat column and passenger are returned to the lowered position (particularly when negotiating a step provided in the roller coaster track).

[0030] Finally, the balancing device can further be equipped with a damping device, thus limiting vibrations as well as the risk of collisions when the system reaches an articulation point.

[0031] Preferably, the passenger restraint system includes a retention device fixed to the seat column, the retention device being in particular a seat back fixed to the seat column, the seat back being capable of supporting a passenger by resting his / her back against the seat back; a seat supported by a seat column support; and a frontal safety bar pivotally mounted to the top of the seat column and designed to descend over and around the passenger's torso.

[0032] The aforementioned backrest and seat may advantageously include a pair of lateral support elements each configured to encircle the passenger's back, arms, buttocks and thighs.

[0033] The frontal safety bar may include a retaining element configured to support the abdomen and upper thighs of a passenger, particularly when the frontal safety bar is lowered.

[0034] A roller coaster including at least one passenger restraint system according to the present invention is also claimed.

[0035] Other aspects of the invention are disclosed in the remainder of the specification.

[0036] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention, the invention being given by way of non-limiting example only and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a passenger restraint system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a side view of the passenger restraint system of FIG. 1 illustrating vertical movement of the restraint system during a ride on a roller coaster. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENTINVENTION The present invention will now be described with reference to various preferred embodiments thereof as particularly illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Figure 1 shows a side view of a passenger restraint system for a roller coaster according to an embodiment of the present invention, the system being generally indicated by the reference number 1. This passenger restraint system 1 is also illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 1 and is designed to keep a passenger, indicated by the reference character P, here supported by the passenger restraint system 1 and held in an essentially seated position.

[0040] The passenger restraint system 1 comprises a fixed column 10, which is fixed by its base to a support bed or alternatively may form an integral part of said support bed, which forms part of a vehicle (not shown) designed to run, typically on a roller coaster, typically along rails. A passenger P is supported and held at a fixed distance from said support bed with his / her feet dangling above it by a seat column 20, which is coupled to the fixed column 10 in such a way that it is movable relative to it, as will be explained in more detail below. In this respect, it should be understood that the height h shown in FIG. 1 is variable.

[0041] The seat column 20 is provided with a retaining device 200 arranged to accommodate a passenger P in a seated position, the retaining device 200 being capable of taking various forms. According to the embodiment illustrated by way of example in FIG. 1, the retaining device 200 essentially comprises a backrest 201 fixed to the seat column 20, against which the passenger P can rest with his back and which is further provided with a headrest 201A and with a pair of lateral retaining elements arranged to encircle the back and arms of the passenger P. The retaining device 200 also comprises a seat 202 supported by a support 20A of the seat column 20, which is also provided with a pair of lateral retaining elements to encircle the buttocks and thighs of the passenger, in the manner of a bucket seat. The retaining device 200 also comprises a frontal safety bar 203 pivotally mounted on the top of the seat column 20 and designed to descend over and around the torso of the passenger P. The front safety bar 203 here includes a retaining element 204 at its distal end which, when the front safety bar 203 is lowered, will support the abdomen and upper thighs of passenger P. Once positioned over the passenger's thighs, the safety bar is typically locked in place by a suitable locking device.

[0042] It will be understood that the present invention is not specifically limited to passenger restraint systems including the retention device 200 as specifically illustrated, and other retention device configurations are entirely possible.

[0043] In the illustrated example, the seat column 20 is coupled to the fixed column 10 by means of an articulation joint indicated by the reference number 30, and the passenger restraint system 1 further comprises a balancing device ensuring the balance of the seat column 20, the balancing device being designed to exert a vertical pushing force in the opposite direction to the weight exerted by the seat column 20 and to partially or completely complement the weight exerted by the seat column 20. This balancing device here preferably comprises a hydraulic (or hydro-pneumatic) cylinder 15 fixed at a first articulation end 15A to the fixed column 10 and at a second articulation end 15B to the seat column 20. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the reference sign 15a denotes the piston of the hydraulic cylinder 15 fixed at the articulation end 15B to the seat column 20.

[0044] The articulation joint 30 can take various forms. As preferably illustrated, this articulation joint 30 comprises a pair of levers, respectively a lower lever 31 and an upper lever 32, advantageously forming a parallelogram joint between the fixed column 10 and the seat column 20. More specifically, the articulation joint 30 comprises here a pair of lower levers 31, articulated at each end to the fixed column 10 on the one hand and to the seat column 20 on the other hand. Similarly, the articulation joint 30 comprises a pair of upper levers 32, the effective length of which is the same as that of the lower levers 31, and the upper levers 32 are similarly articulated at each end to the fixed column 10 on the one hand and to the seat column 20 on the other hand.

[0045] The very compact configuration of the articulation joint 30 is immediately noticeable. It should be noted that, although the geometry of the articulation joint 30 is preferably selected in such a way that the seat column 20 can move along an essentially vertical trajectory, the parallelogram joint provides a relative movement between the fixed column 10 and the seat column 20 along a circular trajectory, the amplitude of the movement being determined by the effective action amplitude of the balancing device 15. In that respect, Figure 1 shows the restraint system 1 in a configuration in which the seat column 20 is placed in the upper position, the hydraulic cylinder 15 being illustrated in a position in which the piston 15a is almost fully deployed.

[0046] The ends 15A, 15B of the balancing device 15 are articulated in that the balancing device 15 here undergoes a slight rotational movement about an axis coinciding with the bottom end 15A of the balancing device 15, depending on the positioning of the seat column 20 relative to the fixed column 10, thereby resulting in a corresponding relative movement of the balancing device 15 relative to the fixed column 10 and the seat column 20. More specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the lower part of the balancing device 15 is fixed to a support element 100, which is articulated on the fixed column 10 at the articulation end 15A. This support element 100 is likewise articulated in that it follows the movement of the balancing device 15 and therefore undergoes a corresponding relative movement with respect to the fixed column 10. This support element 100 is mounted inside a recess formed in the fixed column 10 together with the associated balancing device 15.

[0047] Advantageously, the balancing device 15 extends through the clearance space of the articulation joint 30 , here through the space formed between the lower levers 31 .

[0048] The use of an articulation joint between the fixed column 10 and the seat column 20, such as the articulation joint 30 illustrated in Figure 1, provides freedom of movement and a smoother, more flexible movement, which is simpler and more compact while still being robust.

[0049] Instead of the illustrated hydraulic (or hydro-pneumatic) cylinder 15, it is possible to envisage the use of a spring device, such as a gas spring, as counterbalancing device, if necessary, or any other suitable counterbalancing device.

[0050] Even more advantageously, according to another aspect of the invention, applicable independently of the aforementioned articulation joint, the balancing device 15 is configured to ensure a vertical movement of the seat column 20 during the ride on the roller coaster, which is applied to the passenger P depending on the vertical acceleration. This vertical movement is aimed at allowing the passenger P to undergo a vertical movement depending on the trajectory followed by the vehicle supporting the passenger P, depending on the ascending and descending phases of the movement, the amplitude of which can be varied. Figure 2 shows the passenger restraint system 1 in a lower position (left side) in which the seat column 20 is arranged at a first height h1 relative to the floor, and in an upper position (right side) in which the seat column 20 is arranged at a second height h2 relative to the floor. The maximum amplitude of the vertical movement of the seat column 20 and of the passenger P supported by the seat column 20 is highlighted in Figure 2 and is indicated by the reference symbol A.

[0051] According to the embodiment under discussion, the upper position preferably corresponds to the position occupied by the seat column 20 in the absence of a passenger P. In other words, the passenger restraint system 1 is here configured such that the seat column 20 is counterbalanced to occupy an upper position relative to the fixed column 10 in the absence of a passenger P. Before the passenger boarding phase starts, each passenger restraint system 1 is thus counterbalanced by default in the upper position, i.e. the counterbalance device 15 assumes a deployed position that brings the seat column 20 to the upper position. During the boarding phase, when a passenger P sits on the seat, the application of the passenger P's weight causes a change in the balance of forces of the assembly, which has the effect of bringing the seat column 20 to a lower position relative to the fixed column 10.

[0052] However, it is alternatively possible to configure the passenger restraint system 1 such that the seat column 20 is counterbalanced to occupy a lower position relative to the fixed column 10 even in the absence of a passenger P. It will be appreciated that in such a case the seat column 20 will therefore already by default occupy the lower position during the boarding phase and the pushing force exerted by the counterbalancing device 15 will be relatively lower than in the previously described case.

[0053] In either case, the assembly consisting of the seat column 20 and the passenger P held by the seat column 20 will move in the direction of gravity (here 9.81 m / s 2 It will be understood that this applies as long as the vertical acceleration does not fall below a certain threshold determined by the balance of the applied forces, specifically the forces due to the vertical acceleration applied to the seat column 20 and the passenger P (which includes the forces due to gravity and the vertical acceleration caused by riding the roller coaster), and the pushing forces applied by the balancing device 15.

[0054] When the vehicle carrying passenger P leaves the boarding zone, as long as the vertical acceleration remains high, the system will remain in the lower position so that the resulting forces applied to the seat column 20 and passenger P exceed the pushing force of the balancer 15.

[0055] Preferably, the passenger restraint system 1 is configured to rise from the lower position when the assembly, here consisting of the seat column 20 and the passenger P, is subjected to a vertical acceleration such that the resulting force applied to the assembly becomes lower than the pushing force applied by the balancing device 15, which occurs for example when going over a step. The seat column 20 and the passenger P held by the seat column 20 will thus tend to move away from the lower position and rise vertically towards an upper position (ascending phase), possibly reaching the limit of travel of the seat column 20.

[0056] When the vertical acceleration increases again to a value such that the force applied to the seat column 20 and the passenger P is again greater than the pushing force of the balancing device 15, the seat column 20 and the passenger P held by the seat column 20 tend to return to the lower position (descent phase).

[0057] In that respect, the balancing device 15 is preferably equipped with a damping system, which in particular makes it possible to reduce any vibration phenomena and to avoid abrupt arrival at a junction during the ascent or descent phase. The internal or external damping systems can be independent. It will be understood that this damping is effective for each movement cycle of the seat column 20.

[0058] As already mentioned above, the vertical movement of the seat column 20 can be performed independently of the use of an articulation 30 between the fixed column 10 and the seat column 20. Alternatively, the vertical movement of the balancer 15 can be performed as well in the context of a restraint system, where the seat column must be mounted relative to the fixed column by means of a slide or runner.

[0059] As can be seen in Fig. 1, the hydraulic cylinder 15 is preferably coupled to an accumulator 125, which is capable of generating the hydraulic pressure required to balance the weight of the seat column 20. This accumulator 125 can in particular be a hydro-pneumatic accumulator, in particular a hydro-pneumatic accumulator of the bladder type, which is filled with a gas (for example nitrogen) acting as a compressible fluid and capable of storing energy. In this case, this stored energy is utilized to generate the hydraulic pressure required to balance the weight of the seat column 20, i.e. to complement the force exerted on the hydraulic cylinder 15 by the weight of the seat column 20. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the accumulator 125 is advantageously supported by the previously mentioned support element 100. The assembly made up of the hydraulic cylinder 15, the accumulator 125 and the support element 100 accordingly forms a particularly compact configuration and one that is easily integrated into the system.

[0060] In the illustrated example, where the balancing device 15 is of the hydraulic (or hydro-pneumatic) type, it is advantageous to provide means for adjusting the internal pressure of the hydraulic (or hydro-pneumatic) device. This makes it possible to vary the sensitivity of the balancing device 15 (and thus of the entire system) to the vertical accelerations applied throughout the ride on the roller coaster. The strength of the effect can then be made to differ depending on the internal pressure chosen.

[0061] Moreover, the balance device 15 can be equipped with a system that makes it possible to adjust and control the speed of the vertical movement of the seat column 20. In the example shown, this can be done by adding a hydraulic fluid flow regulator to adjust the speed of the piston 15a both while it is opening (ascending phase) and while it is closing (descending phase). This fluid flow regulator can be located inside or outside the hydraulic cylinder 15, i.e. in the hydraulic circuit associated with the cylinder 15.

[0062] It will generally be appreciated that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In particular, articulation and vertical movement are two separate functions that can be performed either individually or, very advantageously, in combination with one another.

[0063] Moreover, although the figures show an embodiment in which a dedicated accumulator is associated with a restraint system, other solutions can be envisaged. For example, in one variant, a centralized accumulator of larger capacity can be associated with several restraint systems, in particular with each restraint system of one and the same row of passengers or one and the same vehicle. It will be understood that in such a case, the accumulator therefore no longer needs to be arranged and integrated on each restraint system, but is arranged in the vicinity of the row of passengers concerned or on the concerned vehicle, and all the hydraulic systems of the various restraint systems are then associated with one and the same centralized accumulator.

[0064] Moreover, although Figures 1 and 2 show a restraint system in which the fixed columns are arranged above the floor of the vehicle, maintaining the passenger in an essentially seated position, it will be understood that the same principles can be applied envisaging an inverted installation in which the passenger restraint system is suspended below the vehicle, with the legs dangling, such as the installation described in EP 0 545 860 A1. The invention is equally applicable to flight installations in which the passenger restraint system is designed to support and hold the passenger in an essentially lying position, such as the installation described in EP 1 201 280 A2.

[0065] Moreover, independently of the above, the fixed column may, although not preferably, consist of an element fixed to the support base or to the chassis of the vehicle which supports the passenger restraint system, or may form an integral part of said support base or said chassis. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] List of reference symbols used in the present specification and drawings 1. A passenger restraint system according to an embodiment of the present invention 10 Fixed Columns 15 Balancing devices, specifically hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic devices (e.g. hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic cylinders) 15a Piston of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 15 15A: Lower end of the balancing device 15, articulated on the fixed column 10 15B: Upper end of the balancer 15 (upper end of the piston 15a), articulated on the seat column 20 20 A seat column that can move vertically relative to the fixed column 10 20A Seat support 30 Articulation / parallelogram joint between fixed column 10 and seat column 20 31 Pair of lower levers of articulation 30 32 Pair of upper levers of articulation joint 30 100 Support element attached to bottom end 15A of balancer 15 and mounted inside a recess formed in fixed column 10 125 Accumulator for balancing the weight of the seat column 20 (specifically, a hydraulic / pneumatic accumulator) 200 Retention device for passenger P fixed to seat column 20 201 Backrest with lateral support elements 201A Headrest built into backrest 201 202 Seat with lateral retention elements 203 Front safety bar pivotally attached to seat column 20 204 a retaining element attached to the distal end of the front safety bar 203 P Passengers primarily in a seated position h Seat column 20 height (variable) Height of seat column 20 at h1 lower position h2 Height of seat column 20 at upper position A Amplitude of movement of seat column 20

Claims

1. A passenger restraint system (1) for a roller coaster designed to maintain a passenger (P) in an essentially seated or lying position with legs dangling, comprising: the passenger restraint system (1) comprises a fixed column (10) and a seat column (20) designed to support and hold the passenger (P), the seat column (20) being coupled to the fixed column (10) so as to be movable relative to the fixed column (10) during a ride on a roller coaster; The passenger restraint system (1) further comprises a balancing device (15) for ensuring balance of the seat column (20), the balancing device (15) being fixed at a first end (15A) to the fixed column (10) and at a second end (15B) to the seat column (20).

2. the seat column (20) is connected to the fixed column (10) by means of an articulation joint (30); 2. A passenger restraint system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second ends (15A, 15B) of the balancing device (15) fixed to the fixed column (10) and the seat column (20), respectively, are articulated.

3. 3. A passenger restraint system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the articulation (30) comprises a pair of levers (31, 32) articulated on the fixed column (10) and on the seat column (20) forming a parallelogram joint between the fixed column (10) and the seat column (20).

4. A passenger restraint system (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the balancing device (15) extends through a clearance space of the articulation joint (30).

5. A passenger restraint system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the balancing device (15) is configured to ensure a vertical movement of the seat column (20) during a ride on the roller coaster depending on a vertical acceleration applied to the passenger (P).

6. A passenger restraint system (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the balancing device (15) comprises a system making it possible to regulate and control the speed of the vertical movement of the seat column (20).

7. A passenger restraint system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the balancing device (15) is a spring device, in particular a gas spring.

8. A passenger restraint system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the balancing device (15) is a hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic device, in particular a hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic cylinder.

9. The balancing device (15) is a hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic device, specifically a hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic cylinder; 7. A passenger restraint system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the balancing device (15) comprises a hydraulic fluid flow rate regulator making it possible to adjust and control the speed of the vertical movement of the seat column (20).

10. 10. The passenger restraint system (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the passenger restraint system (1) further comprises an accumulator (125) coupled to the balancing device (15) and capable of generating hydraulic pressure required to balance the weight of the seat column (20).

11. A passenger restraint system (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that the accumulator (125) is a hydro-pneumatic accumulator.

12. A passenger restraint system (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterised in that the internal pressure of the hydraulic or hydro-pneumatic device is adjustable.

13. The passenger restraint system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, in the presence of the passenger (P) and in the absence of any vertical acceleration other than that due to gravity, the seat column (20) is configured to occupy a lower position relative to the fixed column (10).

14. A passenger restraint system (1) for a roller coaster designed to maintain a passenger (P) essentially in a seated or lying position, comprising: the passenger restraint system (1) comprises a fixed column (10) and a seat column (20) designed to support and hold the passenger (P), the seat column (20) being coupled to the fixed column (10) so as to be movable relative to the fixed column (10) during a ride on a roller coaster; the passenger restraint system (1) further comprises a balancing device (15) for ensuring balance of the seat column (20), the balancing device (15) being fixed at a first end (15A) to the fixed column (10) and at a second end (15B) to the seat column (20); the balancing device (15) being configured to ensure vertical movement of the seat column (20) during a ride on the roller coaster depending on a vertical acceleration applied to the passenger (P); The passenger restraint system (1) is characterized in that, in the presence of the passenger (P) and in the absence of any vertical acceleration other than that due to gravity, the seat column (20) is configured to occupy a lower position relative to the fixed column (10).

15. 15. The passenger restraint system (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the passenger restraint system (1) is configured so that when the assembly consisting of the seat column (20) and the passenger (P) is subjected to a vertical acceleration such that the resulting force applied to the seat column (20) and the passenger (P) is lower than the pushing force applied by the balancing device (15), the assembly can be raised from the lowered position.

16. 16. The passenger restraint system (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the passenger restraint system (1) is configured such that the seat column (20) and the passenger (P) can successively undergo an ascent phase during which the seat column (20) and the passenger (P) rise from the lowered position, followed by a descent phase during which the seat column (20) and the passenger (P) are returned to the lowered position.

17. A passenger restraint system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the balancing device (15) comprises a damping system.

18. A passenger restraint system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passenger restraint system (1) further comprises a retention device (200) fixed to the seat column (20).

19. The holding device (200) comprises: a backrest (201) fixed to the seat column (20), such that the passenger (P) can rest his / her back against the backrest (201); a seat (202) supported by the support portion (20A) of the seat column (20); 19. A passenger restraint system (1) as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that it includes a frontal safety bar (203) pivotally mounted to the top of the seat column (20) and designed to descend over and around the torso of the passenger (P).

20. 20. The passenger restraint system (1) according to claim 19, characterized in that the backrest (201) and the seat (202) each comprise a pair of lateral retention elements configured to encircle the back, arms, buttocks and thighs of the passenger (P).

21. A passenger restraint system (1) according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the frontal safety bar (203) comprises a retaining element (204) configured to support the abdomen and upper thighs of the passenger (P) when the frontal safety bar (230) is lowered.

22. A roller coaster comprising at least one passenger restraint system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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