Station with infinite ingress and egress times for use in transportation systems

A ride system adapted to eliminate delays caused by variances in loading or unloading through the inclusion of an infinite ingress/egress station within the ride path. The station provides a system to circumvent the vehicle in series design methodology, which allows the station to operate to pull a vehicle out of the line or series of vehicles if an issue arises during loading or unloading. This is achieved using a circular turntable that is rotated with a series of vehicles attached to the outer edge of the rotating turntable so as to be moved along the ride path by the turntable during loading and unloading operations. The station is configured to allow a vehicle identified as having load or unload issues to continue to travel with or around the turntable instead of being released into the attraction along the ride path as would be the case for properly loaded/unloaded vehicles.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Description

The present description relates, in general, to loading and unloading stations of rides of amusement parks, theme parks, and water parks and other applications, and, more particularly, to a ride station configured to provide extended or even unlimited (or “infinite”) passenger ingress and egress time of one up to many passenger vehicles while allowing ongoing dispatch of other passenger vehicles at or near desired throughput rates for a ride.

2. Relevant Background

It is often desirable for transportation systems such as rides at theme parks, amusement parks, and other mass transit systems to be operated to provide a continuous flow of visitors at a known rate. Often, it is one goal of ride designers to provide high throughputs to try to increase the number of park visitors that can enjoy a ride and to shorten wait times. An ongoing challenge for designers of these higher capacity rides is how to handle variations in load and unload (or ride ingress and egress) times between varying groups of vehicle passengers and what to do about interruptions to the load and unload process for a ride.

Most high capacity attractions are designed to have the vehicles travel along a single, continuous path or in a “vehicles in series” configuration. This goes for most attraction types regardless of if they have a track, flume, or pathway. For the vehicles in series configuration, the attraction timing and efficiency are tied to every single vehicle because there is no way to bypass a vehicle that may be causing an attraction backup. A typical example of slower ingress and egress times for a passenger is long passenger load/unload times, where ride operators cannot advance a vehicle within the designed dispatch time because a passenger is taking longer than expected to ingress or egress the vehicle. Since all of the vehicles are in series along the track, the vehicles behind the slow load/unloading vehicle must wait, which leads to further backups of vehicles. These backups quickly move upstream throughout the attraction or ride. This is known as a cascade, which is well documented as an issue for ride designers and operators that reduces the capacity of an attraction. A vehicle in series design, as a result, ensures that attractions are categorically affected by any type of timing issue be it minor, major, common or uncommon, thereby reducing the overall passenger or visitor capacity of these very common types of park attractions.

A wide variety of approaches have been tried to reduce or eliminate these delays for single, continuous path-type rides, but, unfortunately, none has been wholly successful or practical. Some attractions have transfer tracks or spur tracks that allow some vehicles to load at a slower pace. The lateral track switch is a section of track that translates sideways and out of line with the continuous attraction track. When the vehicle is loaded, the track is then moved back in line with the other continuous attraction track. This configuration is often not desirable as it is very limited by capacity as typically only one vehicle can be diverted at a time. Since loading/unloading issues happen fairly often, the lateral track switch configuration only helps on a few of these occasions as opposed to every occasion. Additionally, passengers cannot load or unload while the transfer is happening, which means that this approach is really only beneficial if one can predict and plan for a slow loading or unloading passenger. However, it is very difficult to predict when and which passengers will have difficulty entering a vehicle, have confusion about a restraint, forget a personal item, or the like, and these slower loading and unloading situations will still occur with no means of rectifying the slowdowns. Further, lateral track switches usually require large and complex equipment that may be cost or space prohibitive as they require an extra vehicle position in the station area and space enough to transfer two parallel track sections back and forth.

Another potential approach to addressing the slow loading or unloading problem is to increase the dispatch interval or by decreasing the number of vehicles on the track to allow slow loading/unloading passengers more time. This design will likely lead to fewer disruptions, but such a design is unwanted in many cases as it ensures less passengers ride a particular attraction per hour. Further, such a design does not make the ride immune to delays in loading and unloading. Station length could be increased to allow multiple vehicles to load at a time, which can give passengers more time to load and unload. Unfortunately, as noted for the longer dispatch interval configuration, an increase in unload/load time only makes delays less likely without preventing their occurrence. In yet another approach to the delay problem, some attractions have two stations providing loading and/or unloading platforms. This allows time for a vehicle to load in one station while the other station dispatches and provides some resiliency to passenger loading and unloading issues. While having some positive effect on the overall capacity of the attraction, the two station design does not make the attraction immune to backups because loading and unloading problems can occur on multiple vehicles at a time. Further, use of more than one station requires more space and complex systems and equipment to ensure this configuration operates efficiently.

SUMMARY

Briefly, a station or hub is provided for use in ride systems to provide passengers with indefinite load and unload times. To this end, the station is especially adapted to utilize a continuously rotating turntable that independently captures or retains each vehicle in a series exiting a main ride track and guides the vehicles in a station track about the rotating turntable. A transfer guide track is used to facilitate both this input of vehicles into the station (for unloading/loading) and their later output back onto the main track at a station exit. A vehicle capture assembly is provided on the turntable to capture and cause these vehicles to move with the turntable while in the station. Then, when properly unloaded and loaded, the vehicle capture assembly operates to selectively release each vehicle (with guidance by the transfer guide track) onto the main ride track. When not properly unloaded or loaded, the vehicle capture assembly retains them in the captured state and guides the vehicle back around the turntable and the station entrance. In this manner, one, two, or more vehicles can at any time be making a second loop to extend the loading and unloading times as useful for each set of passengers.

More particularly, a ride system is provided that is adapted for infinite ingress/egress times. The system includes a plurality of vehicles and a main track for guiding the vehicles in a series along a ride path. A turntable is provided that rotates in a continuous, single speed manner about a center axis while the ride system is operating. The system also includes a station track extending about an outer edge of the turntable to define a circular loop around a periphery of the turntable, and the main track includes a turntable inlet that directs the vehicles in the series toward the station track and a turntable outlet providing an exit for the vehicles away from the station track. Further, the system includes a transfer guide track with an inlet portion configured to guide the vehicles from the turntable inlet of the main track to the station track and with an outlet portion configured to guide the vehicles from the station track to the turntable outlet of the main track. In practice, one or more of the vehicles is guided to bypass the turntable outlet and continue to travel within the station track past the turntable inlet of the main track and back to the turntable outlet of the main track.

In some embodiments, a vehicle capture system is provided (e.g., on the turntable) with a vehicle-to-turntable coupling mechanism independently coupling each of the vehicles arriving from the turntable inlet of the main track to the turntable, whereby the vehicles are driven in the station track by rotation of the turntable. The vehicle capture system may include a release mechanism activated in response to a control signal from a ride control system to independently decouple each of the vehicles when traveling in the outlet portion of the transfer guide track except for the one or more of the vehicles that are guided to bypass the turntable outlet.

In some cases, the vehicle-to-turntable coupling mechanism includes a plurality of spring-loaded pins or balls mounted on the turntable and a turntable link device on a chassis of each of the vehicles with a hole or recessed surface for receiving one of the spring-loaded pins or balls. In the same or other implementations, the inlet and outlet portions of the transfer guide track each may include a pivotable section that is acted upon by the one or more vehicles that are guided to bypass the turntable outlet to rotate out of a path of the one or more vehicles and to then spring back into place, thereby allowing the one or more vehicles to continue to travel in the station track without binding with the transfer guide track.

Each of the vehicles may include a transfer guide wheel extending outward from a side of the chassis opposite the turntable as the vehicle travels within the station track, and the transfer guide track may include two or more surfaces for mating with the transfer guide wheels of the vehicles. In some implementations, the station track includes a channel with a bottom surface supporting and mating with up-stop wheels of the vehicles to provide vertical support of the vehicles while traveling around the turntable. In such implementations, the transfer guide track can be mounted on a sidewall of the channel of the station track that is opposite the turntable.

In some embodiments of the ride system, the main track has an additional one or more of the turntable inlets and an additional one or more of the turntable outlets to provide access to an additional one or more branches of the ride path. The transfer guide track may then include additional inlet and outlet portions paired with the additional turntable inlets and outlets, and each of the vehicles can selectively exit the station track via the transfer guide track through any one of the turntable outlets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Briefly, the following description describes a system for use in a theme or amusement park ride or other application in which vehicles, such as passenger vehicles of a roller coaster or raft ride, are directed along a ride path sequentially or as “vehicles in series.” The new system is adapted to eliminate or at least reduce delays caused by variances in loading or unloading through the inclusion of an infinite ingress/egress station (also labeled an infinite load/unload time station) within the ride path.

The proposed infinite load/unload time station provides a system to circumvent the vehicle in series design methodology, which allows the ride system to pull a vehicle out of the line or series of vehicles if an issue arises during loading or unloading. Briefly, this is achieved using a circular station platform or turntable that is rotated with a series of two-to-many vehicles attached to the outer edge or periphery of the rotating turntable so as to be moved along the ride path by the turntable during loading and unloading operations. The infinite load/unload time station is configured to allow a vehicle identified as having load or unload issues to continue to travel with or around the turntable instead of being released into the attraction along the ride path (or on a main track or water channel) as would be the case for properly loaded/unloaded vehicles. This extra loop (or loops if needed, which provides the label “infinite” to the station) around the turntable (and load/unload areas) provides the rider(s) an indefinite amount of time to load or unload a vehicle as the vehicle can be sent around the circular path or loop adjacent the turntable as many times as needed to allow them to load or unload the vehicle safely and properly.

FIG.1is a functional block diagram of an amusement park ride (or vehicle transfer system)100with a station of the present description configured for providing infinite ingress and egress times to passenger vehicles110. One passenger vehicle110is shown with the understanding that there would typically be many such vehicles arranged to travel along the ride path of the system100sequentially one after the other in a line or series of such vehicles. The station may be provided in the ride path by placing the station in the main ride track120between a turntable inlet124and a turntable outlet128, with the main ride track120defining the ride path of the system100and with the station providing a place for loading and unloading the vehicle110. In general, the station may include the turntable assembly130, the transfer guide track150, the station track160, and the vehicle capture assembly140as well as the operator input device104and ride control system106(or a portion thereof).

The ride/system100may take a wide variety of forms including nearly any existing or to be built ride that directs the passenger vehicle110in series with other such vehicles along a ride path defined by the main ride track120. These may include roller coaster-type rides, water raft-type rides, and so on, and the passenger vehicle110and track120would be adapted for the type of motion or driving systems provided in that particular type of ride design. In the ride100, the vehicle110is shown to include a body or passenger compartment112for receiving one, two, or more passengers in a seated or standing arrangement. Further, a chassis or undercarriage114is provided that is affixed to the body112(above or below the body depending on whether the vehicle is supported on the track120from above or below). To this end, the vehicle110also includes a main track coupling assembly116for engaging (as shown with dashed line121) the main ride track120to allow and/or facilitated the vehicle110to move along a ride path defined by the track (e.g., to roll upon contact surface of the main track in a guided manner).

The turntable assembly130includes a body or turntable132with a circular (and typically planar) upper surface134that is used for loading and unloading passengers from the vehicle110as the vehicle110travels about the periphery of the turntable132in or on a station track160. To allow the vehicle110to continue for another loop when load/unload issues arise, the station track160is also circular in shape and extends about the entire circumference of the turntable132, and the station track160includes a vehicle support mechanism164adapted for supporting the vehicle110vertically during this station-based travel. As shown, with dashed line165the main track coupling assembly116may engage or be used for mating with the vertical vehicle support mechanism165such as with wheels or rollers to ride upon a support surface such as a channel bottom or a track section.

The turntable assembly130further includes a drive motor138that operates in response to control signals107from the ride control system106to rotate the turntable132about its central axis as shown. The rotation of the turntable132is continuous during the operation of the ride100(except for emergencies). This is a unique feature of the ride100because the inclusion of the infinite load/unload time station allows any vehicles110having load/unload issues to continue to move on the station track160(independent from upstream vehicles) rather than being directed to the turntable outlet128and onto the main track120. Such operation is in direct contrast to prior rides, such as many raft rides in which the turntable is stopped when an issue arises delaying all upstream vehicles from departure. This selective retention of a vehicle110during load/unload issues may occur in response to an operator's input or lack thereof via the ride control system106, as is shown by control signals108being provided to a release device/actuator146of a vehicle capture assembly140. In such an example, the operator verifies proper loading/unloading of the vehicle110and, when verified, uses the operator input device104(e.g., a green button or green icon on a touch screen or the like) to cause the ride control system106to transmit a release command108to the release device/actuator146to disengage the vehicle110, and, more specifically, the vehicle side couple element117, from the turntable132.

To move the vehicle110from the main track120and ride path into the station for loading and unloading, the ride or system100includes a transfer guide track150. Further, each vehicle110includes a guide track mating element118upon the chassis114to engage or couple with the transfer guide track150as shown with dashed line151. More specifically, an inlet portion154of the transfer guide track150is provided to receive incoming vehicles110at the turntable inlet124of the main ride track120and to transfer these vehicles110to the station track160. Likewise, an outlet portion156of the transfer guide track150is provided to send outgoing vehicles110at the turntable outlet128of the main ride track120to travel along the ride path or to enter the attraction. As will become clearer from the description below, each of the transfer guide track portions154and156includes a pivot section155and157, respectively, that allows a vehicle110that is retained or remains captured by the vehicle capture assembly140(e.g., during a load/unload issue) to remain upon the station track160.

To facilitate “capture,” each vehicle110includes a vehicle side coupling element117that may be provided upon the track support chassis114. The vehicle capture assembly140, which often will be provided on an outer edge of the turntable132as to extend into or near the station track160as shown with dashed line143, includes a vehicle-to-turntable coupling mechanism142that is operable to engage the vehicle side coupling element117as the vehicle moves along the inlet portion154of the transfer guide track150. This engagement or coupling is continued while the vehicle110travels in the station track160during loading and unloading so as to drive the vehicle110with rotation of the turntable132so that the vehicle110and turntable132move at the same speed facilitating loading and unloading onto the upper surface134(or to an outer surface/walkway in some cases). The initial coupling between mechanism142and element117on the vehicle110often will be passive (or non-actuated) such as with one or more spring loaded pins, balls, or the like provided in mechanism142and being received at least partially by the coupling element117.

When loading/unloading is determined by an operator to be completed satisfactorily, the release device/actuator146is operated to decouple or disengage the coupling mechanism142from the vehicle side coupling element117. With the vehicle110released from the turntable110, the vehicle110engages the outlet portion156of the transfer guide track150with the guide track mating element118, and the pivotal section157pivots to transfer the vehicle110at the turntable outlet128onto the main ride track120with the main track coupling assembly116mating with portions of the main ride track120.

With this general understanding of the infinite load/unload time station in mind, it may now be useful to turn to a more specific exemplary implementation of these concepts.FIG.2is a top schematic view of a station200for use in a roller coaster implementation of the ride100ofFIG.1shown prior to the arrival of vehicles in the station200. In such a roller coaster configuration, vehicles ride upon a track that defines the ride path through an attraction. The design of the station200is a circular shape that includes three track sections and one rotating turntable230. Particularly, a main track210is included with a first portion at a turntable inlet or station entrance212with an arrow213indicating direction of travel of a vehicle along the ride path out of the attraction and into the station for loading/unloading. The main track210also includes a second portion at a turntable outlet or station exit214with an arrow215indicating direction of a travel of a vehicle along the ride path into the attraction.

During operations of the station200, the turntable230, which includes upper surface232that is used in many cases for passenger ingress and egress, is rotated as shown with arrow231in a clockwise direction about its center axis. About the turntables outer or peripheral edge234, a station track220is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the station track220is provided in the form of channel (with a generally U-shaped sectional shape) that extends about the entire circumference of the turntable230to define a circular load/unload path for vehicles while in the station200, and, to provide vertical support of vehicles, the track220may include the bottom channel surface222(or track members may be provided in other cases). Additionally, the station200includes an inlet portion of transfer guide track240and an outlet portion of transfer guide track244disposed between the main track210and the station track220at the station entrance212and exit214. Each includes a pivoting track section242and246that is adapted to pivot as shown with arrow243and247, respectively, to allow a vehicle to continue to rotate with the turntable230when a load/unload issue is identified by an operator of the station200.

FIG.3is an end view of a roller coaster-type vehicle370for use in the station200ofFIG.2and ride100ofFIG.1such as for vehicle110. The vehicle370is shown while riding on a section of the ride's main track210, outside of the station area, illustrating the addition of a transfer guide wheel394and a turntable link or coupling device390onto the vehicle370. The vehicle370includes a passenger compartment/body372for receiving and restraining passengers (not shown), and a chassis or undercarriage380is affixed to or supports the passenger compartment370as it travels upon the main track210. To this end, the chassis includes load wheels382(e.g., one to two or more on each side to ride on two circular beams of track210), guide wheels384, and up-stop wheels386.

Significantly, though, the vehicle370further includes one, two, or more transfer guide wheels394and one, two, or more turntable link devices390. The transfer guide wheels394are provided on the chassis380on a side opposite the turntable and are configured, such as with an extension arm392to extend outward from the chassis380a distance and with a proper orientation for mating with sections of the transfer guide track of a station. A single, horizontal wheel is shown for each of these “guide wheels”394but other configurations may be used to suit the configuration of the guide track such as a vertical wheel, a plurality of smaller wheels or bogies, roller balls, and so on. The turntable link devices390are provided on the chassis380on a side proximate the turntable and are configured, such as with a support flange with an upper plate with one or more holes or recessed surfaces as shown, to receive pins, balls, or other mating components of a vehicle-to-turntable coupling mechanism (such as mechanism142inFIG.1) of a vehicle capture assembly on the turntable. As with the guide wheels394, the turntable link devices390may take a wide variety of forms to facilitation “capture” or physical linking or coupling with the turntable (or its peripheral edge or side) to cause the vehicle370to be driven in the station track by the rotation of the turntable.

As vehicles such as vehicle370approach the end of a ride on main track210, they will enter the station200using the station entrance212. As the vehicle370moves onto the station entrance212, they are using the main track210, which is used to support the load of the vehicle370through the ride as shown inFIG.3. Before the vehicle370can move into the station200, it will first transfer into the inlet portion of the transfer guide track240, which is used to guide the direction of the vehicles370A and370B into the station with motion in the direction shown by an arrow, with reference toFIGS.4and5, as it exits the main track210(and is no longer supported upon it). Some overlap is provided such that for a length of the ride path (e.g., 5 to 20 feet or the like), both the main track210and the inlet portion of the transfer guide track240are guiding the direction of the vehicle370B and in the same direction/radius to avoid binding the vehicle370B. The vehicle370A then transitions off the main track210and onto the station track220that will support the load of the vehicle using the up-stop wheels386with channel surface222. The vehicle370A is now guided by the inlet portion of the transfer guide track240, and the vehicle370A is supported by the station track220and the up-stop wheels386, as is shown inFIGS.4and5.

The inlet portion of the transfer guide track240guides the vehicles370A and370B toward the rotating turntable230until they are position tangent to the turntable. As shown inFIG.6, the vehicle370then is linked to the turntable230by engagement of the turntable coupling mechanism640(which, in this configuration, is mounted to a lower or bottom surface636of the turntable230near its outer or peripheral edge234) with the turntable link device(s)390of the vehicle370. In the illustrated example, a spring-loaded (or actuated) locking pin644extends into a hole of the link device390in a passive (or actuate) manner as the vehicle370is guided into the tangent position. For some length of the station track220(e.g., 5 to 20 feet), the guide track240continues to guide the vehicle370as shown until the vehicle370is moved by the turntable230along the station track220away from the station entrance212. In some configuration, the transfer guide track240can be continuous from the station entry212to the station exit214, and the vehicle370will be guided throughout the station area.

The vehicle370is mechanically coupled or linked to the edge234of the turntable230such that the vehicle370travels at the exact same angular velocity as the rotating turntable230, which ensures easy ingress/egress for the passengers from the vehicle370(e.g., onto the upper surface232of the turntable230). The mechanical linkage also acts as a guide for the vehicle370to move it around the circular station track220, in which case, the transfer guide track240is no longer needed and the vehicle370transitions out of the inlet portion of the transfer guide track240. The turntable230is now the method of moving and guiding the vehicle370around the circular path defined by the station track220towards the station exit214.

Next, as shown inFIG.7, the vehicles370A and370B have traveled around station200on the station track220in areas of the turntable upper surface232in which passengers are intended to unload and load. As the vehicles370A and370B approach the station exit214, the vehicles370A and370B engages with the outlet portion of the transfer guide track244(with the transfer guide wheel394rolling within a groove of the track244in this non-limiting example as shown inFIG.4).

At this point, the ride operator has a decision to make. If the vehicle370A and/or370B is ready to be released from the station200into the attraction, the operator commands the dispatch of the vehicle370A and/or370B to exit the station200and into the ride area on the main track210at the station outlet/exit214. If “release” (or proper loading and unloading) is indicated by the operator such as via input on an operator's input device, the ride control system responds by activating the release mechanism/actuator to decouple the capture mechanism from the turntable link device(s)390on the vehicle370A and/or370B to release it from the turntable230. The transfer guide track244then guides the vehicle370A and/or370B out of the station200and into the attraction as shown inFIG.8(with this figure showing both vehicles370A and370B being released but one or both could remain captured and forced to make another loop with the turntable230).

If the vehicle370A and/or370B is not determined by the operator to not be ready to be released when in the exit position shown inFIG.9A, the operator does not have to perform any task or provide any input, and the vehicle remains mechanically linked to the turntable330and continues around the turntable230as shown inFIGS.9A-9Dto the side with the station entrance212. Since the vehicle370is already engaged with the outlet portion of the transfer guide track344, the station200has to be configured to disengage the vehicle370from the guide track344, otherwise the vehicle370will be guided in two different directions and bind. One useful embodiment of the station200is configured with a section346of the outlet portion of the transfer guide track344that is adapted to pivot, as shown with arrow801, to allow the vehicle transfer guide wheel394to pull the pivotable section346open or towards the turntable230as shown inFIG.9B.

Because the vehicle370is still being guided and/or driven by the turntable230, this action could be passive and only use the forward motion of the vehicle370to pivot the guide track section246. Once the vehicle370travels far enough to allow the transfer guide wheel394to pull out of the transfer guide track344, the pivotable section346returns to its original position (e.g., such as with a spring retention member(s) or the like (not shown but understood) used to hold it in place and return it to the closed or vehicle exit position away from the turntable230), as can be seen inFIGS.9C and9D.

Then, as the vehicle continues around the turntable230on the station track220, it will return to where it first entered the turntable station200at the station entrance212. At this point, as shown inFIGS.10A-10D, the inlet portion of the transfer guide track240would interfere with the transfer guide wheel394. However, the inlet portion of the transfer guide track240includes a pivotable section242similar to section246that is adapted to allow the returning vehicle370to re-engage the inlet portion of the transfer guide track240. Particularly,FIG.10Ashows the vehicle370being moved by the turntable230on the station track220until the front transfer guide wheel394first contacts the outer wall of the pivotable section242.FIG.10Bshows the direction of the vehicle motion231applying a force on the pivotable section242causing it to pivot or move, as shown with arrow1001, freely to allow the vehicle370to continue on the circular station track220.FIG.10Cshows the pivotable section242at the end of its pivot range guiding so the transfer guide wheel394of the vehicle370can reenter the transfer guide track240.FIG.10Dshows the spring loaded pivotable section242springing or snapping back, as shown with arrow1005, into the closed or vehicle entrance position/state.

The vehicle370can re-start the unload/load process, and the ride operator can release the vehicle370into the attraction on the next loop, if the vehicle370is ready. This vehicle370can continue to move around the turntable for an infinite amount of time, allowing the passenger(s) as much time as they need to load or unload the vehicle370without interruption or feeling as if they are delaying other vehicles in the series.

In some cases, it may be useful to provide the transfer mechanisms and concepts used in the ingress/egress stations described above in different portions of the system or ride track to selectively redirect vehicles.FIG.11illustrates another embodiment of a station1100for use in the ride100ofFIG.1that is similar to that shown inFIG.2but that is configured to provide two or more station (or “hub”) entrances/inlets and two or more station (or hub) exits/outlets. The station1100may be considered a multiple track turntable or hub, which utilizes similar concepts as above while also including multiple exit and entry points on the turntable230instead of just one pair.

The station1100allows for multiple options for a ride experience. This hub/station1100can be placed out in a ride area (e.g., away from the load/unload area) and provide passengers riding the vehicles with an option to decide which of two or more ride paths they want to take in real time, with arrowed line1105showing various paths that a vehicle may travel at the station1100). They would not have to experience any of these differing branches or sub-path in the overall ride path in any specified order because they can simply cause their vehicle to loop around the station's turntable230(e.g., by providing user input to the ride control system indicating a time for release from being linked to the turntable230via a device on or in the vehicle) to try a different branch if the vehicle previously passed it. One can readily imagine passengers being able to decide which planet or galaxy of an attraction they want to visit in a universe-type attraction or deciding which movie/television story they want to experience. Also, track downtimes for repairs and the like can be better accommodated by simply blocking off one of the branches or station exits from current use without affecting the operation of the greater ride.

As shown, the station or hub1100includes a turntable230similar to the ones described above that is rotated in an ongoing or continuous manner as shown with arrow231. A station track220is provided adjacent the outer edge of the turntable230and extends about the entire circumference of the turntable230. The station1100further includes portions of the main track1110at the four hub entrances1120,1130,1140,1150and four hub exits1159,1129,1139,1149that are paired with these station exits. At the entrances1120,1130,1140, and1150, an inlet portion of the transfer guide track1124,1134,1144, and1154is provided (each with a pivotable section1125,1135,1145,1155) to transfer a vehicle (not shown but understood fromFIGS.1-10D) onto the station track220and capture by the turntable230(as explained above with reference toFIGS.1-10D). At the exits1129,1139,1149, and1159, an outlet portion of the transfer guide track1128,1138,1148, and1158is provided (each with a pivotable section1127,1137,1147, and1157) to transfer a vehicle off of the station track220after release from the turntable230. Optionally, intermediate sections of the transfer guide track1126,1136,1146, and1156may be provided between the entrance/exit pairs to provide vehicle guidance in the main track220.

The station described herein for providing indefinite load and unload times in vehicle in series arrangements may be utilized in a wide variety of ride designs. For example, the station may be included in a roller coaster, a flume ride, a raft ride, or a dark ride. The track and vehicle link systems may vary from the examples shown here to some degree, but the overall concept for selectively taking one, two, or more vehicles out of a series without interrupting travel or movement along a ride path by other vehicles remains the same.