Show effect system for attraction system
AssigneeUniversal City Studios LLC
InventorsMichael Lee Wadsworth, Darrin Hughes, Timothy J. Eck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A show effect system of an amusement park attraction includes a prop component and a linkage system having an extension and a contactor system. The linkage system is configured to move relative to the prop component to move the extension toward the prop component and to cause engagement between the contactor system and the prop component, cause the prop component to move, via the engagement between the contactor system and the prop component, in conjunction with the extension, and block direct contact between the prop component and the extension. The extension is coupled to an animated figure such that the linkage system is configured to cause movement of the animated figure via the extension.
Claims20
A show effect system of an amusement park attraction, the show effect system comprising:
- an animated figure;
- a prop component of a prop;
- and
- a linkage system comprising:
- a contactor system configured to engage with the prop to cause movement of the prop component;
- a first portion of the linkage system directly coupled to the animated figure;
- and
- a second portion of the linkage system directly coupled to the first portion and the contactor system,
- wherein the linkage system is configured to maintain an offset between the animated figure and the prop component in an engaged configuration of the contactor system with the prop to block direct contact between the prop component and the animated figure.
An attraction system of an amusement park, the attraction system comprising:
- a prop component of a prop;
- an extension;
- an animated figure directly coupled to the extension;
- and
- a contactor system coupled to the animated figure via a support of the contactor system that is directly coupled to the extension, wherein the contactor system is configured to:
- transition between an engaged configuration with the prop and a disengaged configuration with the prop;
- cause movement of the prop component via engagement with the prop in the engaged configuration;
- and
- coordinate the support and the extension to block direct contact between the animated figure and the prop component in the engaged configuration of the contactor system with the prop.
A method of operating an attraction system of an amusement park, the method comprising:
- causing, via movement of a linkage system coupled to an animated figure, movement of a prop component of a prop in conjunction with movement of the animated figure, wherein the animated figure is directly coupled to an extension of the linkage system, the extension of the linkage system is directly coupled to a support of the linkage system, the support is directly coupled to a contactor system of the linkage system, and the contactor system is configured to engage with the prop to cause the movement of the prop component;
- maintaining an offset between the prop component and the animated figure via the support, the extension, and the contactor system;
- and
- blocking direct contact between the animated figure and the prop component via the offset.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.