EP-4735306-A1 - DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTABLE COMPLIANT LAP RESTRAINT DEVICE

EP4735306A1EP 4735306 A1EP4735306 A1EP 4735306A1EP-4735306-A1

Abstract

A restraint system is used to provide a dynamically adjustable compliance for an occupant in a ride system. The restraint system includes a strap (118) with adjustable extension length to wrap around the occupant. A tension on the strap (118) is measured and used to adjust the length of the strap (118) to provide different restraint levels. The restraint level is associated with the condition of the occupant (e.g., height, weight, age, shape, size), a property of the ride system (e.g., configuration of the ride vehicle), an operating parameter of the ride vehicle (e.g., velocity, acceleration, moving direction), a feature of the environment that the ride vehicle rides in, or any combination thereof.

Inventors

MCVEEN, Keith Michael
HABIAK, Gregory Paul
MAJDALI, DAVID GERARD

Assignees

Universal City Studios LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20240517

Claims (20)

1. A restraint system for a ride vehicle, the restraint system comprising: seating of the ride vehicle comprising one or more seats; and a lap bar, wherein the lap bar is configured to transition between an open configuration and an engaged configuration, wherein the lap bar comprises: one or more prongs, wherein: the one or more prongs comprise a first prong; and the one or more prongs are configured to be disposed about one or more occupants of the seating of the ride vehicle with the lap bar in the engaged configuration; and a restraint comprising one or more straps, wherein the one or more straps conform about at least a portion of each of the one or more occupants with the lap bar in the engaged configuration.
2. The restraint system of claim 1, comprising a first tensioner and a first strap of the one or more straps, wherein the first tensioner is: coupled with the seating of the ride vehicle, and the first strap of the one or more straps extends from the first tensioner to the first prong of the one or more prongs; or coupled with the first prong of the one or more prongs and, the first strap of the one or more straps extends from the first prong of the one or more prongs to the seating of the ride vehicle.
3. The restraint system of claim 2, comprising a second tensioner and a second strap of the one or more straps, wherein the second tensioner is coupled with: the seating of the ride vehicle, and the second strap of the one or more straps extends from the second tensioner to the first prong of the one or more prongs; the first prong of the one or more prongs, and the second strap of the one or more straps extends from the second tensioner to the seating of the ride vehicle; the seating of the ride vehicle, and the second strap of the one or more straps extends from the second tensioner to a second prong of the one or more prongs; a second prong of the one or more prongs, and the second strap of the one or more straps extends from the second tensioner to the seating of the ride vehicle; the first prong of the one or more prongs, and the second strap of the one or more straps extends from the second tensioner to the second prong of the one or more prongs; or a second prong of the one or more prongs, and the second strap of the one or more straps extends from the second tensioner to the first prong of the one or more prongs.
4. The restraint system of claim 1, comprising a first tensioner, wherein the first tensioner is coupled with: a first seat of the one or more seats, and a first strap of the one or more straps extends from the first tensioner to the first prong of the one or more prongs; or the first prong of the one or more prongs, and the first strap of the one or more straps extends from the first tensioner to the first seat of the one or more seats.
5. The restraint system of claim 4, comprising a second tensioner, wherein the second tensioner is coupled with: a second seat of the one or more seats, and a second strap of the one or more straps extends from the second tensioner to the first prong of the one or more prongs; the first prong of the one or more prongs, and a second strap of the one or more straps extends from the first prong to the second seat of the one or more seats; a second seat of the one or more seats, and the second strap of the one or more straps extends from the second seat of the one or more seats and a second prong of the one or more prongs; a second prong of the one or more prongs, and a second strap of the one or more straps extends from the second tensioner to a second seat of the one or more seats; the first prong of the one or more prongs, and a second strap of the one or more straps extends from the second tensioner to a second prong of the one or more prongs; or a second prong of the one or more prongs, and a second strap of the one or more straps extends from the second tensioner to the first prong of the one or more prongs.
6. The restraint system of claim 1, comprising a first tensioner, wherein the first tensioner is coupled with: a first seat of the one or more seats, and a first strap of the one or more straps extends from the first tensioner through the first prong of the one or more prongs to either a second prong of the one or more prongs or a second seat of the one or more seats; the first prong of the one or more prongs, and the first strap of the one or more straps extends from the first tensioner through a second prong of the one or more prongs to either a third prong of the one or more prongs or a second seat of the one or more seats; or the first prong of the one or more prongs, and the first strap of the one or more straps extends from the first tensioner to a second prong of the one or more prongs.
7. The restraint system of claim 1 , comprising one or more tensioners, wherein at least one tensioner of the one or more tensioners comprises: a spool about which a portion of a respective strap of the one or more straps is wrapped; and a biasing feature configured to pull the respective strap of the one or more straps toward the spool.
8. The restraint system of claim 7, wherein the respective strap of the one or more straps extends from a first tensioner of the one or more tensioners to conform, in the engaged configuration, at least partially about at least a first occupant of the one or more occupants and at least a second occupant of the one or more occupants.
9. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the lap bar comprises a second prong of the one or more prongs and a third prong of the one or more prongs, wherein at least one prong of the one or more prongs comprises a tensioner, and wherein, in the engaged configuration, the first prong of the one or more prongs and the second prong of the one or more prongs are configured to be disposed at least partially about a first occupant of the one or more occupants of the seating, and the first prong of the one or more prongs and the third prong of the one or more prongs are configured to be disposed about a second occupant of the one or more occupants of the seating.
10. The restraint system of claim 9, comprising a single strap that engages each of the first prong of the one or more prongs, the second prong of the one or more prongs, and the third prong of the one or more prongs.
11. The restraint system of claim 9, wherein each of the first prong of the one or more prongs and the second prong of the one or more prongs, comprises a respective tensioner.
12. The restraint system of claim 1, comprising a sensor system configured to detect a tension level of at least one strap of the one or more straps.
13. The restraint system of claim 12, comprising: one or more tensioners; and a tension management system configured to control the at least one tensioner of the one or more tensioners to adjust an extended length of the at least one strap of the one or more straps based on the tension level of the at least one strap of the one or more straps.
14. The restraint system of claim 12, comprising a lock system configured to lock the at least one strap of the one or more straps into place in response to the tension of the at least one strap of the one or more straps being within a defined range.
15. The restraint system of claim 14, wherein the defined range is selected based on a weight of at least one occupant of the one or more occupants, a size of the at least one occupant of the one or more occupants, a property of the ride vehicle, an operating parameter of the ride vehicle, a feature in an environment that the ride vehicle rides in, or any combination thereof.
16. The restraint system of claim 15, wherein the defined range is stored in a look-up table with corresponding values of the weight of the at least one occupant of the one or more occupants, the size of the at least one occupant of the one or more occupants, the property of the ride vehicle, the operating parameter of the ride vehicle, the feature in the environment that the ride vehicle rides in, or any combination thereof.
17. The restraint system of claim 14, wherein an extended length of the at least one strap of the one or more straps is not adjustable while it is locked by the lock system.
18. The restraint system of claim 12, wherein the sensor system comprises a weight sensor, a force or torque sensor, a motion sensor, an image sensor, a touch sensor, or any combination thereof.
19. The restraint system of claim 1, comprising an alert system configured to transmit an alert when a tension sensor detects a tension value on at least one strap of the one or more straps that is lower than a threshold value when the lap bar is in the engaged configuration.
20. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the one or more straps comprises a flexible belt, a flexible pad, a series of pads, a cord, a net, parallel cords, or any combination thereof.

Description

DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTABLE COMPLIANT LAP RESTRAINT DEVICE BACKGROUND [0001] 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. [0002] Amusement parks typically include various attractions that provide unique experiences for guests. For example, an amusement park may include various rides and show performances. As technology has continued to improve, such attractions have increased in sophistication and complexity. For instance, certain rides may provide an immersive experience for the guest, e.g., a series of vehicles may drive riders through rooms with various features, including audio, video, and special effects features. Various amusement park rides have been created to provide riders with unique motion and visual experiences. For example, theme 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, ascents, descents 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 is desirable to restrain and secure riders within the ride vehicle for the duration of the amusement park ride. Different features along the ride path may require different restraint levels, and riders may have different conditions (e.g., physical conditions, height, weight, shape, size). Accordingly, it is now recognized that improved restraint devices with variability are desirable. [0003] In addition, it is now recognized that a group of riders (e.g., members of a family with larger guests and smaller guests (e.g., young children)) with various conditions (e.g., height, weight, shape, size) may take a multi-rider vehicle together and desire to be restrained with a common restraint device. Accordingly, it is desirable to have an improved restraint device to accommodate such an arrangement. [0004] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques, which are described and/or claimed 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. BRIEF DESCRIPTION [0005] 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. [0006] In an embodiment, a restraint system for a ride vehicle for providing a dynamically adjustable compliance is provided in accordance with the present disclosure. The restraint system includes a lap bar assembly having a pronged lap bar structure. The lap bar assembly is configured to transition between an open configuration and an engaged configuration. In the open configuration, the pronged lap bar structure is positioned further away from seating of the ride vehicle than in the engaged configuration. A first prong and a second prong of the pronged lap bar structure are configured to be disposed about an occupant of the seating in the engaged configuration, in a single locking position for one or multiple occupants. The restraint system also includes a tensioner restraint system, which has a strap spanning between the first prong and the second prong of the pronged lap bar structure. The strap is configured to be extendable from a tensioner such that as the first prong and the second prong of the lap bar structure are positioned about the occupant in the engaged configuration of the lap bar assembly, the strap extends from the tensioner to conform about the occupant. [0007] In an embodiment, a ride system having a restraint system for providing dynamically adjustable compliance is provided in accordance with the present disclosure. The ride system includes a ride vehicle having seating to support at least one rider. The ride system also includes a lap bar assembly having a neck and a pronged lap bar structure. The neck is rotatably coupled to the ride vehicle via a pivot at a first end of the neck and coupled to the pronged lap bar structure at a second end of the neck such that the lap bar assembly is configured to rotate about the pivot between an open configuration and an engaged configur