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EP-4225617-B1 - REMOTE RELEASE, REDUNDANT RESTRAINT LATCH

EP4225617B1EP 4225617 B1EP4225617 B1EP 4225617B1EP-4225617-B1

Inventors

  • SIMONELLI, JAMES K.
  • WILSON, JOHN D.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20210928

Claims (15)

  1. A restraint system (12), comprising: a restraining mechanism configured to secure a rider with respect to a ride seat (22), wherein the restraining mechanism comprises a first connector (38); and a remote release locking mechanism (14) comprising a plurality of latches (84) comprising a first, primary latch (84 A) and at least one second, redundant latch (84B), wherein the plurality of latches (84) are configured to be individually remotely actuated to lock and unlock the first connector (38) of the restraining mechanism relative to a second connector (40) of the remote release locking mechanism (14).
  2. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the remote release locking mechanism (14) comprises a plurality of toggle bolts (68) and a plurality of solenoids (66), wherein each toggle bolt of the plurality of toggle bolts (68) comprises a respective latch of the plurality of latches, and wherein each solenoid of the plurality of solenoids (66) is configured to be individually remotely actuated to apply a force against a respective toggle bolt.
  3. The restraint system (12) of claim 2, wherein each toggle bolt of the plurality of toggle bolts (68) is configured to pivot in response to the force applied by a respective solenoid of the plurality of solenoids (66) to move a respective latch of the plurality of latches into and out of an opening through the first connector (38) of the restraining mechanism to lock and unlock the first connector (38) of the restraining mechanism relative to the second connector (40) of the remote release locking mechanism (14).
  4. The restraint system (12) of claim 1, comprising a handheld device (34) configured to send control signals to the remote release locking mechanism (14) to individually remotely actuate the plurality of latches.
  5. The restraint system (12) of claim 1, comprising a control system (44) configured to send control signals to the remote release locking mechanism (14) to individually remotely actuate the plurality of latches.
  6. The restraint system (12) of claim 5, comprising one or more sensors (54) associated with the ride seat (22), wherein the one or more sensors (54) are configured to detect a presence of the rider within the ride seat (22), wherein the control system (44) is configured to send the control signals to the remote release locking mechanism (14) to individually remotely actuate the plurality of latches in response to detection of the presence of the rider within the ride seat (22).
  7. The restraint system (12) of claim 5, wherein the remote release locking mechanism (14) comprises one or more sensors (5 5) configured to detect a latching state of one or more latches of the plurality of latches, and to send a signal to the control system (44) indicative of the detected latching state of the one or more latches of the plurality of latches.
  8. The restraint system (12) of claim 1, wherein the remote release locking mechanism (14) comprises an ejector mechanism (108, 110) configured to push the first connector (38) of the restraining mechanism out of the second connector (40) of the remote release locking mechanism (14).
  9. The restraint system (12) of claim 1, wherein the restraining mechanism comprises a lap belt (36), a harness, a restraint bar, or some combination thereof.
  10. An amusement park ride, comprising: one or more restraint systems (12) according to any of Claims 1 to 9; one or more ride vehicles (18), wherein each ride vehicle (18) comprises one or more ride seats (22), wherein each ride seat (22) comprises a restraint system of the one or more restraint systems (12).
  11. The amusement park ride of claim 10, wherein each remote release locking mechanism (14) of the one or more restraint systems (12) comprises a plurality of toggle bolts (68) and a plurality of solenoids (66), wherein each toggle bolt of the plurality of toggle bolts (68) comprises a respective latch of the plurality of latches, and wherein each solenoid of the plurality of solenoids (66) is configured to be individually remotely actuated to apply a force against a respective toggle bolt.
  12. The amusement park ride of claim 11, wherein each toggle bolt of the plurality of toggle bolts is configured to pivot in response to the force applied by a respective solenoid of the plurality of solenoids to move a respective latch of the plurality of latches into and out of an opening through the first connector (38) of the restraining mechanism of the respective restraint system to lock and unlock the first connector (38) of the restraining mechanism of the respective restraint system relative to the second connector (40) of the remote release locking mechanism (14) of the respective restraint system.
  13. The amusement park ride of claim 10, comprising a control system (44) configured to send control signals to each remote release locking mechanism (14) of the one or more restraint systems (12) to individually remotely actuate the plurality of latches.
  14. The amusement park ride of claim 13, comprising one or more sensors (54) associated with each ride seat of the one or more ride seats (22), wherein the one or more sensors (54) are configured to detect a presence of the rider within the ride seat (22), wherein the control system (44) is configured to send the control signals to the remote release locking mechanism (14) of the respective restraint system to individually remotely actuate the plurality of latches in response to detection of the presence of the rider within the ride seat (22).
  15. The amusement park ride of claim 13, wherein each remote release locking mechanism (14) of the one or more restraint systems (12) comprises one or more sensors (55) configured to detect a latching state of one or more latches of the plurality of latches, and to send a signal to the control system (44) indicative of the detected latching state of the one or more latches of the plurality of latches.

Description

BACKGROUND 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 inside a ride vehicle of an amusement park ride. This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. Various amusement park rides have been created to provide riders with unique motion and visual experiences. For example, amusement park rides can be implemented with single-rider or multi-rider vehicles that travel along a path or that utilize a motion base. Excitement is often created by the speed or change in direction of the vehicles as they move along a ride path or follow a motion routine. For example, the ride path may include a number of features such as, but not limited to, tunnels, turns, ups, downs, loops, and so forth. While the riders are inside the operating ride, they may be subject to forces while the ride is in operation. Accordingly, it may be desirable to restrain and secure riders within the ride vehicle for the duration of the amusement park ride. In addition, it may also be desirable to prevent riders from exiting the ride vehicle to prevent injury to them, for example, by preventing the riders from exiting the ride vehicle in potentially hazardous areas (e.g., areas that are not intended for amusement park guests to be in). Document WO2005/042308 A2 describes a passenger restraint system for a vehicle having a plurality of seats, each seat having a seatbelt, a retractor from which the seatbelt is extendable, and a receiver used to latch the seatbelt. Each retractor includes a first pneumatic locking element and a second pneumatic locking element for limiting movement of the seatbelt. Each receiver includes a receiver pneumatic locking element for locking the seatbelt within the receiver. A controller controls the operation of a plurality of first valves for supplying air to the first pneumatic locking element of a corresponding one of the plurality of retractors, a second valve for supplying air to each of the second pneumatic locking element of the plurality of retractors, and a plurality of third valves for supplying air to the receiver pneumatic locking element of a corresponding one of the plurality of receivers. Control decisions may be made based upon feedback received from sensors within the receiver that sense a state of the seatbelt with respect to the receiver. SUMMARY A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. In certain embodiments, a restraint system includes a restraining mechanism configured to secure a rider with respect to a ride seat. The restraining mechanism includes a first connector. The restraint system also includes a remote release locking mechanism having a plurality of latches that include a first, primary latch and at least one second, redundant latch, wherein the plurality of latches are configured to be individually remotely actuated to lock and unlock the first connector of the restraining mechanism relative to a second connector of the remote release locking mechanism. In addition, in certain embodiments, an amusement park ride includes one or more ride vehicles. Each ride vehicle includes one or more ride seats. Each ride seat includes a restraining mechanism configured to secure a rider with respect to a ride seat. The restraining mechanism includes a first connector. Each ride seat also includes a remote release locking mechanism having a plurality of latches that include a first, primary latch and at least one second, redundant latch, wherein the plurality of latches are configured to be individually remotely actuated to lock and unlock the first connector of the restraining mechanism relative to a second connector of the remote release locking mechanism. In addition, in certain embodiments, a remote release locking mechanism includes a first connector and a plurality of latches that include a first, primary latch and at least one second, redundant latch, wherein the plurality of latches are configured to be individually remotely actuated to lock and unlock a second connector of a restraining mechanism relative to the first connector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features, aspects, and advantages of t