Amusement apparatus, components, and, method

An improvement for amusement ride apparatus providing an amusement ride for a plurality of passengers one amusement ride at a time, any given amusement ride being characterized by an embarkation location and time permitting the loading of a plurality of passengers at a beginning time for that given amusement ride, and being further characterized by a debarkation location for off-loading the loaded passenger or passengers at a spaced apart debarkation time for that given amusement ride later than the embarkation time for that given amusement ride;

• the improvement comprising:
• a passenger carrier;
• each passenger carrier comprising a plurality of seat stations;
• each seat station providing seating for a single passenger;
• at least one nesting seat insert for removable docking into and undocking out of the seat station between amusement rides whereby as adapted to be performed by an attendant for the amusement ride apparatus;
• and
• a smaller-sized nesting seat insert complementing the one nesting seat insert whereby there are at least two nesting seat inserts, each sized for a different sized passenger,
• wherein the smaller-sized nesting seat insert has a seat form sized and contoured to provide seating for a diminutive passenger, and comprising a seat portion and a back-rest portion which fold with respect to each other such that when folded together the smaller-sized nesting insert forms a collapsed configuration adapted for docking and undocking operation, and for storage during non-use;
• wherein the at least one nesting seat insert has a seat form sized to provide seating for a large passenger, and comprises a seat portion and a back-rest portion which fold with respect to each other such that when folded together the at least one nesting seat insert forms a collapsed configuration adapted for docking and undocking operation, and for storage during non-use;
• the seat portion and back-rest portion of the seat station serves as a permanent seat form sized to provide seating for an extra-large passenger;
• and
• the passenger carrier further comprising plural storage housings under plural ones of the seat portions of the seat stations for storing the at least one nesting seat insert and the smaller-sized seat insert during non-use whereby providing storage during amusement rides;
• whereby the permanent seat form of the seat station for extra-large passengers and the two nesting seat inserts for diminutive and large sized passengers respectively affords the attendant for the amusement ride apparatus three options for seat sizes.