Combination ride for amusement park

An amusement park ride that combines the features of multiple park rides into one. The amusement park ride has a car, a base, and a platform. The car is configured to ride on the rails of a standard roller coaster track. The base has a track segment to receive the car from a roller coaster track and braking system to secure the car on the base. The platform has multiple hydraulic lifts that allows the car to have six degrees of freedom so as to function as a motion simulator. The platform can also move along a track or the ground to function as a dark ride. The locking magnetic brake can release the car either forwards or backwards, or dispatch the car onto one of multiple segments of track to offer a variety of combinations of alternating roller coaster, motion simulator, and dark rides.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a vehicle for an amusement park ride that combines the technologies and experiences of a roller coaster, motion simulator, and dark ride in a novel, fluid, and versatile fashion.

BACKGROUND

Theme parks and amusement parks over the years have strived to create immersive, fluid themed attractions such as dark rides, roller coasters, and simulators. Particularly in recent years, these theme parks have introduced attractions which combine these different types of ride experiences. Unfortunately, these ambitious amalgamations can lack realism or variability due to the limits of their technological systems, including their ride vehicles. For example, to combine the sensations of a roller coaster and a motion simulator, some rides use shaker tables under roller coaster track segments, which provide a less realistic experience than the standard motion simulator vehicle.

For the foregoing reasons there is a need for a vehicle that more effectively, seamlessly, and realistically combines a roller coaster, motion simulator, and dark ride.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to an amusement park ride vehicle that allows a patron to ride multiple rides at an amusement park while sitting in a single vehicle. The ride vehicle comprises a car configured to seat one or more riders, a pod to receive the car, and a base upon which the pod is mounted, the base configured to move along a surface. The base comprises a lift mechanism to create rolling, pivoting, and rotating motion for the pod and car. The base also comprises wheels to allow for translational movement. Therefore, with the base, the ride vehicle can experience six degrees of freedom.

The pod has a track segment extending forwardly and rearwardly past the outer perimeter of the pod that allows a ride vehicle to ride capable of riding on a roller coaster ride to ride onto the pod. The pod also has a braking system to stop the car once properly positioned on the pod.

To enhance the ride experience, the ride vehicle can have numerous options, such as surround-sound speakers, stadium-seat-style seating, a steering mechanism, and screens to play an audiovisual work related to the ride at hand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention of the present application is directed towards an amusement park ride vehicle100for a versatile amusement park ride that allows a patron to experience a variety of amusement park ride types in a single vehicle. With reference to the Figures, the ride vehicle100comprises a car102configured to seat one or more riders and a transition vehicle200that allows the car102to experience six degrees of freedom. The transition vehicle200is configured to secure the car102and send the car102from one ride to another. By way of example only, a rider may get into the car102and be taken through a roller coaster ride. Upon completion of the roller coaster ride, the car102rolls onto the transition vehicle200. The transition vehicle200can then take the rider through a dark ride. Upon completion of the dark ride, the transition vehicle200may stop in a simulator room having a projection screen. An audiovisual recording can be played showing an action scene from a first person's viewpoint. The transition vehicle200, equipped with a lift mechanism254can mimic the motion seen by the rider to feel as if the rider is actually in the action scene.

With reference toFIG. 1, the car102may be any general amusement park car capable of holding one or more riders. By way of example only, the car102may be a general roller coaster car. Preferably, the car102comprises a body104having one or more compartments106a-cto hold one or more riders, and a plurality of track wheels108configured to ride on a track10. The body104may further have a restraint system110a-cto keep the riders in their respective compartments, such as a seatbelt, shoulder harness, lap bar, an over-the-shoulder restraint, and the like, or any combination thereof.

In the preferred embodiment, there may be three rows of compartments106a,106b,106c. Each compartment may have a seat112a-cfor the riders to sit and enjoy the ride. In some embodiments, seats112a-cmay not be necessary and the riders can stand and enjoy the ride. In embodiments with seats112a-c, the seats112a-cmay be arranged as stadium-style seating with a second row seat112belevated higher than a first row seat112a, and a third row seat112chigher than the second row seat112bso that riders in the second and third row seats112b,112ccan see over riders in front of them.

Preferably, each compartment106a-cis equipped with speakers114a-c, such as surround sound speakers. The speakers114a-care positioned somewhere near the rider's head. For example, the speakers114a-cmay be on a dividing wall between compartments, on the back rest116a-cof the seats112a-c, or on the headrests. The speakers114a-ccan be used for a variety of purposes, including, but not limited to, providing the audio component of a dark ride or a simulation ride, announcements, instructions, other forms of entertainment, and the like.

The track wheels108on the car102are configured to allow the car102to ride along tracks10of a ride (referred to as ride tracks). Typically the track wheels108are attached to the car102on its bottom side. This allows the car102to ride on top of the ride tracks10. However, some cars102may have the track wheels108attached to the top side of the car102to allow the car102to ride below the tracks10. The car102may be equipped with multiple sets of track wheels strategically placed to enhance performance and safety of the ride. Each set of track wheels108may comprise any one or more of a road wheel120positioned on top of the track10, an upstop wheel122positioned below the track10, a guide wheel124position on the inside or outside of the track10, and any combination thereof. Preferably, each set of track wheels108comprises one of each type of wheel. Preferably, the car102has at least two sets of wheels108, one on each side (left and right) of the car. More preferably, the car102has one or more sets of wheels108at each of the corners of the car. Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, the car102should have at least four sets of wheels108, but can have more sets, for example, in the middle on the left and right sides.

In order for the rider to experience a different ride while remaining in the same car102, the car102is mountable on a transition vehicle200. The transition vehicle200is capable of moving from one ride station to another as well as providing motion for the car102with at least six degrees of freedom to allow the rider to experience rolling (or pivoting) from side to side, swiveling (or yawing) left and right, tilting (or pitching) forward and backward, elevating and descending up and down, moving forward and backward, moving left and right, and any combination thereof while on the transition vehicle200.

With reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, the transition vehicle200comprises a pod204to receive the car102, and a base250to provide motion for the car102. The pod204has a track segment206mounted on the pod204, and a braking system208associated with the track segment206. The pod204can be any foundational structure sufficient to hold a car102. The pod204has a floor210having a top side212and a bottom side213opposite the top side212, the top and bottom sides212,213are bound by an outer perimeter214. The track segment206and braking system208are securely mounted on the top side212of the floor210. In some embodiments, extending upwardly from opposing sides of the outer perimeter214is a pair of walls216. Thus, the walls216and the floor210define a channel218into which the car102can enter and exit. In the preferred embodiment, the pod204may be dome-shaped with the channel218cut out in the middle so as to define the two opposing walls216.

In some embodiments, the wall216or portions of the wall216on the inside may comprise a screen219capable of displaying an audiovisual work. The audiovisual work may correspond with the current ride in progress, thereby providing additional environmental scenery to enhance the ride experience. In some embodiments, the screen219may extend up from the outer perimeter214of the pod204rather than being on the walls216of the pod204. The objective is to prevent the riders from seeing past the screen219so that they are forced to see the screen219during one of the rides in which the car102is still in the pod204. However, when the riders move to a ride that does not require the transition vehicle200, then the riders' views are no longer obstructed to the side. Therefore, a pair of screens219is attached on opposite sides of the transition vehicle200adjacent to the sides of the pod204so as not to obstruct the car's ability to move in and out of the pod204.

The track segment206is essentially a segment of a ride track10, such as a roller coaster track. The ride track10may have to be modified so as to have a free start end12and a free finish end14, rather than being one continuous loop. The free start end12and the free finish end14defining a gap16therebetween. The track segment206has a front end220and a back end222. The distance from the front end220to the back end222defines the length of the track segment206. The dimensions of the gap16is substantially similar to the dimensions of the track segment206. Therefore, when the track segment206is inserted into the gap16, the ride track10essentially becomes one continuous loop. The track segment206may also be attached to the pod204in a manner that provides spacing above, below, and to the sides of the track segment206. This allows the track wheels108of the car102to roll onto the track segment206without interference from the pod204.

In order for the track segment206to be inserted into the gap16, the track segment206is secured to the floor210inside the channel218. Preferably, the front and back ends220,222of the track segment206project out past the outer perimeter214of the pod204at the front and the back ends of the pod204. This allows the track segment206to align with and connect to the ride track10without interference from the pod204. In some embodiments, the track segment206may extend out to the outer perimeter of the pod on opposite sides. The dimensions of the pod204may be such that the pod204fits inside the gap16of the ride track10. Thus, when the pod204is inserted inside the gap16of the ride track10, the track segment206is aligned with and forms a continuous relationship with the ride track10. In some embodiments, the track segment206may be shorter than the dimensions of the pod204so as to leave a space in between the front and back ends220,222and the perimeter edge214of the pod204. The space accommodates the terminal ends12,14of the ride track10. Thus, when the track segment206is inserted inside the gap16, the terminal ends12,14of the ride track10may lie on to of the floor210(FIG. 4) in the space so as to connect with the track segment206. Since the terminal ends12,14of the ride track10are housed inside the pod204, this prevents unnecessary rotational movement of the pod204since the terminal ends12,14of the roller coaster track10would abut against the walls216of the pod206.

To facilitate the alignment of the track segment206to the ride track10, sensors207may be attached to the track segment206and at the ends12,14of the ride track10. The sensors207communicate or detect each other to determine a proper connection. For example, the sensors may attract one another or detect their proximity to facilitate the alignment.

As shown inFIG. 2, the braking system208is operatively connected to the pod204, either through direct attachment to the pod204, or through the track segment206. The braking system208can be any system that can halt the movement of the car102while the car102is inside the pod204. For example, the braking system208may be in the form of a retractable projection into the channel218at the front end, the back end, both ends of the channel218, or anywhere therebetween. For example, the retractable projection may be gates, bars, straps, chains, fences, locks and the like that can obstruct the movement of the car102or the track wheels108of the car102. The braking system208may also be in the form of a magnetic braking system. For example, an electromagnet located in between the track segment206along the longitudinal axis may be used stop the movement of the car102and secure the car102in position in the pod204. Preferably, the braking system208is equipped with a fail-secure mechanism that keeps the brakes on or locked in the event of a power failure.

To provide movement for the pod204, the pod204is placed on top of a base250. The base250is configured to move along a surface for translational movement (i.e. movement along the three coordinate axes) as well as rotational movement (i.e. rotation about the three coordinate axes). In general, the base250is configured to provide at least 6 degrees of freedom with regards to the types of movements it can perform.

The base250comprises a foundation252, a lift mechanism254mounted on the foundation252and connected to the pod204, and a plurality of wheels290attached to the bottom side of the foundation252. The foundation252provides the structural support for the lift mechanism254as well as providing the mechanism for transporting the pod204from one location to another location. The foundation252may be any flat, rigid structure to support the pod204and the car102. For example, the foundation252may be a sturdy plate made of metal, wood, plastic, and the like. In the preferred embodiment, the foundation252may be circular in shape; however, any shape can be used, such as square, rectangular, triangular, and the like.

The foundation252has a top side260and a bottom side262. The lift mechanism254is mounted on the top side260. Preferably, the lift mechanism254is a plurality of hydraulic jacks. The hydraulic jacks are strategically located on the top side260of the foundation252to provide three degrees of freedom to create, for example, rolling, swiveling, and tilting motion for the pod204and car102. By way of example only, a plurality of hydraulic jacks may be positioned along the periphery264of the foundation252in an evenly spaced apart manner. Each hydraulic jack may comprise a set of telescoping arms270,272that allows the hydraulic jacks to lengthen and shorten. Each hydraulic jack may also have articulating arms.

For example, the hydraulic jacks may be attached to the foundation252with a coupling274that allows the hydraulic jack to move in a swiveling, rotating, toggling, or like manner. For example, the coupling274may be a universal joint, hinge, and the like. Each coupling274may define a vertical axis A1extending perpendicularly up from the foundation252. The hydraulic jack may toggle back and forth from one side of the vertical axis A1to another, rotate about the vertical axis A1, swivel around the vertical axis A1or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the hydraulic jacks may be directly connected to the pod204. In other embodiments, the hydraulic jacks may be connected to a plate280upon which the pod204may be secured. In either case, the connection of the hydraulic jacks to the pod204or the plate280may be via a movable coupling282, such as a universal joint, hinge, and the like. This will allow the hydraulic jacks to swivel, rotate, toggle, and otherwise move relative to the foundation252.

In embodiments in which the base250is attached to the pod204by a plate280, the attachment between the pod204and the plate280may be configured to allow for rotation of the pod204relative to the base250. For example, the plate280may comprise gears281, pulleys, and the like to control the rotation of the pod204about the base250. This will allow the car102to experience a spinning action relative to a vertical axis A2perpendicular to the base250. This will allow the rider to experience a 360 degree panoramic view. A latch system may be used to connect the plate to the pod204while still permitting rotation of the pod relative to the plate280. The latch system may have a plurality of latches306attached to the plate280and a groove308attached to the pod204. The groove308may be circular such that when the latch306attaches to the groove308, the pod204and the plate280cannot be separated but rotational movement relative to each other is permitted.

In some embodiments, any translational or rotational movement may be controlled by the ride. In some embodiments, any translational or rotational movement may be controlled by the rider. In some embodiments, any translational or rotational movement may be controllable by either the ride or the rider, or both. This way, in some rides the spinning or rotating action may be controlled by the ride, such as in a simulator ride, and in another ride, the spinning or rotating action may be controlled by the rider, such as in a dark ride. In embodiments in which the rider has control over any movement, an override feature may be provided to take control away from the rider. In order to accommodate the rider's ability to rotate or spin the car102, the car102may further comprise a steering mechanism126in the form of a wheel, joystick, buttons, and the like.

On the bottom side262of the foundation252are a plurality of base wheels290. The base wheels290allow the base250to move from location to location, thereby, allowing the car102to move from one place to another. For example, the car102can move from a roller coaster ride to a motion simulator station. In addition, the base wheels290could take the rider through a dark ride. Therefore, the base wheels290may comprise multiple sets of different types of wheels. For example, a set of ground wheels292may be designed to roll along a typical flat surface, such as the ground or the floor. These ground wheels292may comprise rubber treads to roll along a variety of different types of surfaces. A second set of wheels, referred to as track wheels294, may be configured to roll along a track, for example, in a dark ride. This set of track wheels294may be similar to the set of track wheels108attached to the car102. This improves the versatility of the ride vehicle100by allowing the ride vehicle100to move from ride to ride regardless of whether or not there is a track system in between the rides.

In use, one or more riders will secure themselves with the restraint system110inside a car102mounted on a transition vehicle200. The first ride may be a roller coaster ride. The ride track10may be predominately continuous except at the beginning12and the end14where a gap16exists. The transition vehicle200will be inserted into the gap16so that the track segment206of the transition vehicle200aligns with the tracks10of the roller coaster ride. Sensors207may facilitate this alignment. This allows the car102to move on to the ride track10and be taken through the roller coaster ride. At the termination of the roller coaster ride, the car102stops on the transition vehicle200due to the braking system208in the transition vehicle200. The transition vehicle200then moves out of the gap16of the ride track10and moves to the next ride which may be a simulator ride.

The transition vehicle200may move along a set of tracks headed towards the simulator ride. Alternatively, the transition vehicle200may be able to roll on a set of ground wheels292that allow transition vehicle200to move along any terrain without a track. The ground wheels292may be automatically controlled by a central control unit. In some embodiments, the riders may have a steering mechanism126that can be used to maneuver the transition vehicle200to the next ride.

The transition vehicle200may comprise a motor300to create motion in the car (translational or rotational). The motor300may be an electric motor, a combustion engine, and the like, or any combination thereof. Preferably, the motor300is hidden within the base250. The motor300may be powered by typical energy sources, such as battery, gas, and fuels, or alternative energy sources, such as solar power, or any combination thereof. By way of example only, the pod204and/or the base250may comprise solar panels302to power the motor300and any other electronic device on the vehicle100.

The vehicle100may further comprising a navigation system304to allow the central control unit to determine the location of the vehicle100and guide the vehicle100to the next ride, if necessary.

The simulator ride is typically a ride in which the riders watch an audiovisual work while sitting in the ride vehicle100. While watching the audiovisual work, the ride vehicle100moves in a manner that corresponds with the scene of the audiovisual work from the first person's point of view. Therefore, the riders feel as if they are actually part of the scene.

At the simulator ride, the transition vehicle200may be controlled by the central control unit. The central control unit may also operate the audiovisual work. This allows the central control unit to move the car102in a manner that corresponds with the audiovisual work. As such, the control unit may be operatively connected to the lift mechanisms254of the base250.

Once the simulator ride is completed, the car102may be restored to its stable position and transported to the next ride by the transition vehicle200. The next ride may be a dark ride in which the transition vehicle200maneuvers through a path generally within a housing. The housing also contains a variety of characters and other material generally related to a specific theme so that the rider feels as if he is in a particular location. In the dark ride, the control unit may control the path taken by the transition vehicle200. The control unit may also be operatively connected to the lift mechanism254to control movement associated with the ride. The control unit may not only maneuver the transition vehicle200in the dark ride, but also move the lift mechanisms254in a distinct pattern to give the rider a real life experience of role-play through the themed ride.

This can continue on from one ride to another with unlimited possibilities. In some embodiments, patrons can arrive at an amusement park, secure themselves inside of a car102, and be taken through the entire park, being taken from ride to ride by the transition vehicle200. In some embodiments, the riders can even wait in line while sitting in their cars102. In some embodiments, the cars102may have an entertainment system to keep the riders entertained while waiting in line or being transported from one ride to another. For example, the entertainment system may comprise the speakers114a-c, the screens219, the steering mechanism126, and the like on the car. Other components, such as smaller monitors similar to game consoles may be provided adjacent to the steering mechanism or incorporated with the navigation system304. Games, trivia, movies, music, television programs, news, and the like may be played on the entertainment system to keep the riders preoccupied when not actively participating in a ride. The steering mechanism126or some other input device may be provided to use the entertainment system. When used with the entertainment system, the steering mechanism may be disengaged from steering the transition vehicle200.

The entertainment system can also be used to enhance the ride experience by producing sights and sounds associated with the ride itself. In some embodiments, the monitor may be a touchscreen and/or the steering mechanism126or some other input devices may be used to allow the rider to interact with the entertainment system.