Abstract

A method for determining slippage of at least one wheel of at least one vehicle having a motor and a processor that communicates velocity commands to the motor for varying a velocity of the vehicle is presented. The method includes determining an actual velocity of the vehicle over regular intervals; comparing, over regular intervals, the actual velocity of the vehicle to the expected velocity from the magnitude of the velocity commands to determine whether there is slip of the wheel of the vehicle; and reducing the magnitude of the velocity commands to equal approximately the actual velocity of the vehicle where there is slip of the wheel. A system and circuit carrying out the method are also presented.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61L 25/02 - Indicating or recording positions or identities of vehicles or trains
• A63G 7/00 - Up-and-down-hill tracks or switchbacks

Abstract

A system for confirming authorization of a operator for controlling a vehicle on fixed paths, the system having at least one ride vehicle with an onboard control system being configured to confirm operator authorization prior to allowing operator control thereof and an electronic device dimensioned and configured to be supported by an operator, the electronic device being further configured to remotely authorize operator control of the onboard control system. A method for confirming authorization of an operator for controlling a vehicle on fixed paths is also provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63G 7/00 - Up-and-down-hill tracks or switchbacks
• A63G 31/16 - Amusement arrangements creating illusions of travel

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a method for managing theme park ride lines by providing an identifying device to a guest, the device configured to uniquely identify the guest, using the identifying device to ascertain an amount of time a guest spends at a predetermined location and reducing the amount of time a guest spends in a line queue for a predetermined ride by the amount of time the guest spends at the predetermined location. A system for managing theme park ride lines is also provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06Q 50/00 - Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism

Abstract

A system and method for sequentially switching a plurality of guide ways to accommodate at least one vehicle with a plurality of ground engaging portions following a plurality of plural track segments is provided. The system includes a primary guide (10) way to receive at least one of the plurality of ground engaging portions of the at least one vehicle and a secondary guide way (17, 18) located in proximity to the primary guide way. The secondary guide way may be configured to receive another of the plurality of ground engaging portions of the at least one vehicle. The system may also include a controller (300) configured to sequentially switch the primary guide way and the secondary guide way whereby the at least one vehicle may travel in one direction or in another direction.

IPC Classes  ?

• E01B 25/12 - SwitchesCrossings
• E01B 25/06 - SwitchesFrogsCrossings

Abstract

A guest lap bar locking assembly (106) for releasably positioning a lap bar (104) within a water ride at an entertainment park includes a lap bar locking assembly that is dimensioned and configured to provide continuously variable position locking of the lap bar.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63G 7/00 - Up-and-down-hill tracks or switchbacks

Abstract

An entertainment apparatus for at least one guest, includes a vehicle (6), at least one guest support (16) located on the vehicle and a lap bar (104) assembly (100). The lap bar assembly may include at least one lap bar that is located proximal to the at least one support and that is configured to releasably position at least one guest (8). The lap bar assembly may also include at least one lap bar locking assembly (106) that may be configured to releasably lock the lap bar and may further include at least one actuator (178). The at least one actuator may be configured to remotely actuate the at least one lap bar locking assembly to enable movement of the lap bar.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63G 7/00 - Up-and-down-hill tracks or switchbacks

Abstract

At least one actuator for actuating a guest lap bar locking assembly (106) for releasably positioning a lap bar (104) includes a rotatable actuator hub (132), a telegraph rod (184) interconnected with the rotatable actuator hub, an operator arm (172) also extending from the actuator hub and a toggle latching assembly (176) interconnected with the actuator hub. The toggle latching assembly provides for rotation of the telegraph rod to actuate the lap bar locking assembly to prevent movement of the lap bar in at least one particular direction.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63G 7/00 - Up-and-down-hill tracks or switchbacks

Abstract

A device for modifying source image frames to create modified image frames and for projecting the modified image frames onto a geometrically changing viewable surface is presented. The device may include a viewable surface image sampler for outputting surface image frames each including surface image pixels that reflect the geometrically changing viewable surface and a comparator in circuit with the surface image sampler. The comparator may be configured for identifying a number and a location of the surface image pixels of one or more of the surface image frames and for identifying a number and a location of source image pixels in one or more of the source image frames. The comparator may be further configured to thereafter compare the number and the location of the surface image pixels with the number and the location of the source image pixels to determine a number and a location of target pixels. An image modification device may be interconnected with the comparator and configured to receive the target pixels and to reconfigure the one or more source image frames to one or more modified image frames that are reconfigured to fit the target pixels and thereby fit the geometrically changing viewable surface. At least one projector may be configured to project the one or more modified image frames onto the geometrically changing viewable surface.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04N 5/74 - Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor

Abstract

An apparatus for entertaining multiple guests includes a device that selectively generates a flame and a barrier interposed between each guest and the flame. The barrier is configured to remain transparent throughout multiple repetitions of use of the device for generating a flame. A method of entertaining guests is also presented.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63J 5/02 - Arrangements for making stage effectsAuxiliary stage appliances
• F41H 9/02 - Flame-throwing apparatus
• E04B 1/94 - Protection against other undesired influences or dangers against fire

Abstract

A multi-language attraction communication device is provided wherein a guest selects a particular language file corresponding to an audio file coordinated with at least one entertainment activity. The communication device includes a memory for storing multiple language files for at least one entertainment activity and a processor. The processor is configured to access the memory, in response to a selected language file for the at least one entertainment activity, and to communicate the language file for review by a guest in real time coordination with the at least one entertainment activity. A method of providing audio to guests at an entertainment activity is also provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• G09B 5/06 - Electrically-operated educational appliances with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied
• H04M 1/725 - Cordless telephones

Abstract

A device for displaying multiple image streams each comprising multiple image frames that entertains multiple viewers includes at least three image generators for generating at least three separate image streams that each include multiple image frames. An image multiplexer is provided for interleaving image frames of each image stream to produce an interleaved image stream and a display is provided for showing the interleaved image stream. Shutter glasses (and/or polarizers) filter the interleaved image stream, thereby separating one image stream for viewing by one viewer. A method of displaying multiple image streams is also presented 2D or 3D images can be displayed.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04N 13/04 - Picture reproducers

Abstract

Transformable scenery includes a shell wherein at least one discrete portion of the shell is configured to be transformable between one outward appearance and one or more other outward appearances wherein the one outward appearance and the one or more other outward appearances are three-dimensional.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63J 1/02 - SceneryCurtainsOther decorationsMeans for moving same
• A63H 27/10 - Balloons
• A63H 17/02 - Toy vehicles, e.g. with self-driveAccessories therefor convertible into other forms under the action of impact or shock, e.g. arrangements for imitating accidents

Abstract

A personalized audio system for an amusement ride includes an audio selection system, a guest identification system and a ride vehicle enabled to reproduce audio selections made using the selection system in a specific seat of the ride vehicle corresponding to the seat occupied by the guest who selected the audio during that guest's ride on the amusement ride.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63G 7/00 - Up-and-down-hill tracks or switchbacks

Abstract

An amusement ride has a track (5) defining a ride vehicle path (100) with a section of the track (10) that can be decoupled from the main track and is subsequently movable on or about up to three axes with between one and six independent degrees of freedom.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63G 21/02 - ChutesHelter-skelters without rails
• A63G 21/08 - ChutesHelter-skelters with additional rotation of cars
• A63G 31/16 - Amusement arrangements creating illusions of travel

Abstract

A waterfall effect for an amusement ride has a diverter system for creating a gap through a waterfall curtain (15) timed to closely coincide with the arrival of a ride vehicle (30) for providing a simulated effect of crashing through the waterfall curtain.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63G 7/00 - Up-and-down-hill tracks or switchbacks

Abstract

An air cannon (10) for projecting a coherent mass of air in a targeted direction. The air cannon has a membrane (30) inside a frasto&sgr;onical shell (20) that is placed under tension and released suddenly to force air out the small diameter end of the cannon past a lip. The cannon can have a port for injecting a scent, smoke or fog into the cannon for delivery as a coherent mass with the air. The mass of air remains coherent a relatively long distance so that the air, scent, smoke or fog is experienced by a person located at the target location.

IPC Classes  ?

• A63J 5/02 - Arrangements for making stage effectsAuxiliary stage appliances

Goods & Services

(1) Motion Picture Films.