Amusement Seat Leg Locking Device for Reliable Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amusement device seat assemblies face issues with operational reliability and ride comfort due to inadequate leg locking mechanisms, particularly for tall passengers, where flaps may not effectively capture lower legs and can be uncomfortable, leading to undesired movement during rides.
Innovation Solution
A leg locking device with a central mount and lateral mount that divides the leg space, combined with a movable bracket, allows intuitive leg placement and secure retention, preventing inward and forward movements, and enhancing comfort by allowing passengers to position their legs naturally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flaps are used to lock lower legs in existing amusement devices, then the locking mechanism is simple, but the operational reliability is insufficient for tall passengers and comfort is reduced due to forced positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The leg locking device is divided into multiple functional components: a central mount with a main mount that divides the leg space into left and right leg subspaces, and lateral mounts that extend laterally outward to prevent forward movement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively, ensuring reliable leg retention without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The main mount acts as an intermediary element between the seat base and the lateral mounts. It divides the leg space and provides structural support for the lateral mounts, which in turn prevent forward movement of the legs. This intermediary structure ensures that the locking mechanism is both reliable and comfortable for passengers of various heights.
2Reliability
If flaps are rotated behind lower legs to close the opening, then the locking action is achieved, but tall passengers can extend legs too far forward allowing flaps to rotate behind legs, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral mounts are positioned to extend laterally outward from the main mount before the leg placement process. This preliminary positioning creates a physical barrier that prevents the lower legs from extending too far forward, ensuring that the flaps can effectively rotate behind the legs to close the opening. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures reliable leg retention while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If flaps are used to force lower legs into predetermined position, then locking is achieved, but ride comfort is reduced due to uncomfortable pressing
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral mounts are designed with specific local qualities: they extend laterally outward from the main mount to prevent forward movement, but they are positioned and dimensioned to provide gentle guidance rather than forceful constraint. This local quality optimization ensures effective locking while maintaining passenger comfort during the ride.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
Amusement device seat assembly (1) comprising a seat to allow a passenger to sit. A leg space is provided under a seat base for holding a left and right leg of the passenger. The seat assembly comprises a leg locking device (30) for retaining an in the leg space introduced lower leg of the passenger. The leg locking device comprises a central mount (31) for preventing an laterally inwardly directed movement of a leg. A lateral mount prevents a forwardly directed movement of the lower leg. A bracket (32) which may be operatable by the passenger himself is movable to provide an open or closed configuration of the leg locking device. In the closed configuration, an outer bracket extension (321) prevents a laterally outwardly directed movement of a leg of a passenger. Advantageously, an intuitively working leg locking device is provided which contributes to a high level of operational reliability.