Remote release, redundant restraint latch
AssigneeUniversal City Studios LLC
InventorsJames K. Simonelli, John D. Wilson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for securing a rider inside a ride vehicle of an amusement park ride. For example, the disclosed systems and methods include a restraint system (e.g., lap belt, harness, restraint bar (e.g., lap bar, shoulder bar), and the like) that includes a locking mechanism that is activated and deactivated remotely. The remote release locking mechanism includes redundant latches (e.g., a primary latch and at least one secondary, redundant latch) and encompasses a relatively small amount of components housed in a relatively small amount of space.
Claims22
A restraint system, comprising:
- a restraining mechanism configured to secure a rider with respect to a ride seat, wherein the restraining mechanism comprises a first connector;
- and
- a remote release locking mechanism comprising a plurality of latches comprising 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, wherein:
- the first connector of the restraining mechanism is locked relative to the second connector of the remote release locking mechanism when at least the first, primary latch or the at least one second, redundant latch is in a locked position;
- and
- the first connector of the restraining mechanism is unlocked relative to the second connector of the remote release locking mechanism when both the first, primary latch and the at least one second, redundant latch are in an unlocked position.
An amusement park ride, comprising:
- one or more ride vehicles, wherein each ride vehicle comprises one or more ride seats, wherein each ride seat comprises:
- a restraining mechanism configured to secure a rider with respect to a ride seat of the one or more ride seats, wherein the restraining mechanism comprises a first connector;
- and
- a remote release locking mechanism comprising a plurality of latches comprising 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, wherein:
- the first connector of the restraining mechanism is locked relative to the second connector of the remote release locking mechanism when at least the first, primary latch or the at least one second, redundant latch is in a locked position;
- and
- the first connector of the restraining mechanism is unlocked relative to the second connector of the remote release locking mechanism when both the first, primary latch and the at least one second, redundant latch are in an unlocked position.
A remote release locking mechanism, comprising:
- a first connector;
- a latching channel;
- and
- a plurality of latches comprising 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, wherein:
- the second connector of the restraining mechanism is locked relative to the first connector when at least the first, primary latch or the at least one second, redundant latch is in a locked position;
- and
- the second connector of the restraining mechanism is unlocked relative to the first connector when both the first, primary latch and the at least one second, redundant latch are in an unlocked position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.