Support Bar Flap Indicator for Ride Restraint Close Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a non-electrical minimum closed position indicator for amusement park ride vehicles that lack a hood or ride vehicle floor, as existing solutions are difficult to mount on ride vehicles with limited available surfaces, posing a challenge in ensuring passenger safety through proper restraint system positioning.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a flap coupled to a support bar that rotates about a pivot, inserting into or extracting from a slot on the ride seat, with markings indicating whether the crossbar has reached a minimum or maximum safe operating position, allowing ride operators to visually confirm the restraint system's position without electrical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-electrical minimum closed position indicator is mounted on a ride vehicle with limited available surfaces (no hood or floor), then the system can determine restraint position safety, but the mounting difficulty increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator system is merged with the existing restraint mechanism by coupling the flap to the support bar. This integration allows the indicator to be mounted on the restraint system itself rather than requiring separate mounting surfaces on the ride vehicle, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The support bar serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the crossbar, enables rotation to adjust crossbar position, and carries the indicator flap to show minimum closed position. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting structures on the ride vehicle
2Ease of operation
If a flap is coupled to the support bar to indicate minimum closed position, then visual indication of crossbar position is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flap automatically indicates the crossbar position through its own rotation coupled to the support bar. No separate sensing or actuation mechanism is needed—the restraint system's own movement drives the indicator, providing visual feedback while minimizing additional complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The flap acts as an intermediary between the support bar's rotational position and the operator's visual assessment. It translates the mechanical position into a clear visual signal through markings that align with reference features, simplifying operator interpretation without adding complex electronics
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables quick and safe determination of the restraint system's position, ensuring passenger safety by providing a visual indication of the crossbar's position relative to the markings, even on ride vehicles with limited mounting surfaces, thereby preventing ejection during dynamic movements.
Implementation Method 1
A system and method utilizing a flap coupled to a support bar that rotates about a pivot, inserting into or extracting from a slot on the ride seat
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a method, apparatus, and system for restraining a passenger in a ride vehicle. The system includes a ride seat and a restraint system configured to restrain the passenger against the ride seat. The restraint system includes a crossbar for placing against the passenger, a support bar having a first support bar end coupled to the crossbar and a second support bar end rotatably coupled to a pivot mounted to an upper-rear portion of the ride seat, and a flap coupled to the support bar. The flap is configured to insert into, or extract from, a slot formed within a seat side structure when the support bar is rotated about the pivot and indicate whether the crossbar has attained a minimum closed position for restraining the passenger based on a position of a marking on the flap relative to the slot.