Abstract:
A method of providing a simulated bull ride includes guiding a rider to sit on an artificial bull in a bull chute, translating the artificial bull out of the chute along a slidably-coupled track and pivoting the artificial bull about a plurality of pivot points on an internal frame to simulate a bucking bull.

Description:
Benefit is claimed of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/137,824 filed Oct. 27, 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to ride simulation systems and more particularly to artificial animal riding systems that translate a rider along a track. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Mechanical bulls have been part of American culture for decades, providing a patron of an amusement park, themed bar, or other entertainment venue with an opportunity to experience the thrill of riding a rodeo bull. Typically stationed in a fixed location, a user of a typical mechanical bull mounts a platform having a handle to hold on with, but lacking realistic movement and anatomically correct bull features such as anatomically correct head, neck, front and rear legs. After a moment&#39;s preparation, the rider of a traditional mechanical bull will hang on tightly as the riding platform spins and pitches. 
     Various attempts have been made to impart a greater sense of realism to such rides but have failed due, in part, to the many disciplines necessarily involved to accomplish a realistic simulation for this rare experience. For example, a display showing a virtual space may be added by hardware and software engineers in front of riding systems to provide further virtual realism. Other solutions may make use of artists to provide a portion of the riding animal within the line of sight of a user in combination with the above-mentioned display in an attempt to display the surrounding environment to impart a greater sense of realism. The ride platforms, themselves, do not replicate an authentic bull-riding experience. 
     Because the level of skill in the art necessary to create a bull ride, for example, is quite complex, with the number of variables available to implement such an emotional experience actually quite large, a need continues to exists to provide a realistic riding system for the enjoyment of enthusiast consumers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A method of providing a simulated bull ride is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the method is described as guiding a rider to sit on an artificial bull in a bull chute, translating the bull out of said chute along a slidably-coupled track, and pivoting said bull about a plurality of pivot points on an internal frame to simulate a bucking bull. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principals of the invention. Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view illustrating one embodiment of an artificial animal body mounted on a sled for translation out of a bucking chute along a track into a bull-riding arena. 
       One embodiment of the invention is a method of providing a simulated animal ride, comprising the steps of: providing an artificial animal ride; providing a track; wherein the artificial animal ride is movably connected to the track; providing a ride arena that simulates an actual animal ride environment; wherein the track is within the ride arena; providing a ride chute; situating the artificial animal ride within the ride chute and at a start of the track; mounting the artificial animal ride by a rider; translating the artificial animal ride and the rider out of the chute; moving the artificial animal ride along the track; articulating the artificial animal ride at a plurality of pivot points on an internal frame of the artificial animal ride to simulate a plurality of bucking animal movements while moving the artificial animal ride along the track; stopping the artificial animal ride; and dismounting the artificial animal ride by the rider. Preferably the method is further comprised of the steps of providing a pre-ride locker room; wherein the pre-ride locker room is substantially adjacent to the ride arena; transversing the pre-ride locker room by the rider before the rider enters the ride arena; wherein the locker room simulates an actual animal ride locker room environment. The method may also comprise the steps of: preparing for the artificial animal ride by the rider within the pre-ride locker room; wherein the preparing for the artificial animal ride by the rider within the pre-ride locker room is comprised of the steps of providing a garb, wherein the garb simulates an actual animal ride dress, dressing by the rider in the garb, providing a safety gear, and equipping the rider with the safety gear. Preferably, the chute is comprised of a gate and the method preferably includes the steps of opening the gate before translating the artificial animal ride out of the chute. The method may also include the steps of: providing a catwalk; wherein the catwalk is adjacent to the chute and within the ride arena; transversing the catwalk to get to the chute by the rider; wherein the artificial animal ride has a skin, head, a neck, a body, and a plurality of legs; wherein the head, the body and the plurality of legs of the artificial animal ride substantially look like a skin, a head, a neck, a body, and a plurality of legs of an actual animal. The method may also include the steps of: providing a post; providing a sled; wherein the artificial animal ride is connected to the post, wherein the post is connected to the sled, and wherein the sled is movably connected to the track. Preferably, the plurality of pivot points on the internal frame of the artificial animal ride are comprised of: a body pitch actuator; a body lunge actuator; a neck tilt actuator; a head turn actuator; and a plurality of leg actuators. The post is preferably comprised of a post actuator. Preferably the step of articulating the artificial animal ride is comprised of the steps of: spinning of the post actuator of the post to simulate twisting of the artificial animal ride; pitching of the body pitch actuator of the artificial animal ride to simulate bucking; rotating of the body lunge actuator the artificial animal ride to simulate lunging; rotating at least one of the plurality of legs of the artificial animal ride to simulate leg movement; and pitching of the neck tilt actuator of the artificial animal ride and rotating the head turn actuator of the artificial animal ride to simulate head movement. Preferably, the ride arena is further comprised of a plurality of view screens; wherein the plurality of view screens display a plurality of scenes that simulate the actual animal ride environment. The ride arena is preferably further comprised of a plurality of projectors and a plurality of view screens; wherein the plurality of projectors display on the plurality of view screens a plurality of scenes that simulate the actual animal ride environment. Preferably the ride arena is further comprised of a plurality of speakers; wherein the plurality of speakers provides a plurality of sounds that simulate the actual animal ride environment. Preferably, the ride arena is further comprised of a plurality of artificial scent devices; wherein the plurality of artificial scent devices provide a plurality of scents that simulate the actual animal ride environment. Importantly, the scent devices and speakers may also be in the artificial animal ride itself. Typically, the safety gear is comprised of a harness and a helmet. The artificial animal ride is further comprised of one or more harness connectors; wherein the harness is comprised of one or more artificial animal ride connectors; wherein the one or more harness connectors and the one more artificial animal ride connectors are adapted to connect to each other to secure a rider to the artificial animal ride. Preferably the artificial animal ride is an artificial bull ride. 
       Another embodiment of the invention is a method of providing a simulated bull ride, comprising the steps of: providing an artificial bull ride; providing a track; providing a sled; wherein the artificial bull ride is connected to the post, wherein the post is connected to the sled, and wherein the sled is movably connected to the track; providing a ride arena that simulates an actual bull ride environment; wherein the ride arena is comprised of a plurality of view screens, a plurality of speakers, and a plurality of artificial scent devices; wherein the plurality of view screens displays a plurality of scenes that simulate the actual bull ride environment; wherein the plurality of speakers provides a plurality of sounds that simulate the actual bull ride environment; wherein the plurality of artificial scent devices provide a plurality of scents that simulate the actual bull ride environment; wherein the track is within the ride arena; providing a ride chute; wherein the chute is comprised of a gate; situating the artificial bull ride within the ride chute at a start of the track; providing a catwalk; wherein the catwalk is adjacent to the chute and within the ride arena; providing a pre-ride locker room; wherein the locker room simulates an actual bull ride locker room environment; entering the pre-ride locker room by the rider before the rider enters the ride arena; preparing for the artificial bull ride by the rider within the pre-ride locker room; providing a garb, wherein the garb simulates an actual bull ride dress; dressing by the rider in the garb; providing a safety gear; equipping the rider with the safety gear; wherein the pre-ride locker room is substantially adjacent to the ride arena; entering the ride arena by a rider; transversing the catwalk to get to the chute by the rider; mounting the artificial bull ride by a rider; opening the gate; translating the artificial bull ride out of the chute; moving the artificial bull ride along the track; articulating the artificial bull ride at a plurality of pivot points on an internal frame of the artificial bull ride to simulate a plurality of bucking bull movements; stopping the artificial bull ride; dismounting by the rider the artificial bull ride. Preferably, the artificial bull ride has a skin, head, a neck, a body, and a plurality of legs; wherein the head, the body and the plurality of legs of the artificial bull ride substantially look like a skin, a head, a neck, a body, and a plurality of legs of an actual bull; wherein the plurality of pivot points on the internal frame of the artificial bull ride are comprised of: a body pitch actuator; a body lunge actuator; a neck tilt actuator; a head turn actuator; and a plurality of leg actuators; and wherein the post is comprised of a post actuator. Preferably, the articulating the artificial bull ride is comprised of the steps of: spinning of the post actuator of the post to simulate twisting of the artificial bull ride; pitching of the body pitch actuator of the artificial bull ride to simulate bucking; rotating of the body lunge actuator the artificial bull ride to simulate lunging; rotating at least one of the plurality of legs of the artificial bull ride to simulate leg movement; and pitching of the neck tilt actuator of the artificial bull ride and rotating the head turn actuator of the artificial bull ride to simulate head movement. Importantly, the scent devices and speakers may also be in the artificial animal ride itself in addition to being in the ride arena. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of a main body frame for an artificial animal body mounted on a sled, the main body frame provided with actuators for providing bucking and appendage movements for the riding system. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of one embodiment of a riding system illustrating two adjacent animal riding arenas. 
         FIG. 4  is one embodiment of a riding arena having more than one artificial animal body and track combination in the same riding arena. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a control system having a master controller for controlling translational, bucking and appendage movements for the riding system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An unusually realistic riding system is described for providing a user with a virtual reality simulation ride of an animatronic artificial animal body without compare. In a preferred embodiment of the artificial animal body, a rodeo bull has a main body frame, head and legs that operate together while the rodeo bull is translated out of a bucking shoot and into a bull riding arena along a track to provide a convincing and risk-free bull riding experience. A pre-show locker room may also be provided to receive a human rider for instruction on the riding system prior to mounting the rodeo bull. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a riding system that has a single artificial animal body mounted along a track in a riding arena to recreate the thrill of the animal rider&#39;s experience while using only an inventive few of the many possible elements available for such a re-creation. In a preferred embodiment, the riding system is a rodeo bull riding system  100  that has an entry room  102  to receive a bull rider for ticket sales. Alternatively, the entry room  102  may be a riding system staging area, ticket reception or other room for riders preparatory to entering the remainder of the riding system  100 . The bull rider preferably enters the bull-riding arena  104  through a pre-show locker room  106  positioned adjacent to and allowing bull rider entry into the bull-riding arena  104 . The pre-show room  106  provides entertainment features to establish the appropriate entertainment atmosphere. In the preferred embodiment, the pre-show room  106  is configured as a locker room with bull riding equipment. Lockers may be provided on any of the interior walks for riders to store loose items and valuables prior entering the bull-riding arena  104 . Speakers  105  are preferably positioned to direct rodeo sounds into the pre-show locker room  106 . A television monitor  107  preferably loops safety instructions.  FIG. 1  also shows that locker room  106  has lockers or shelves that contain garb  111  and safety equipment  113 . Garb  111  may include cowboy hats, boots, chaps, and other rodeo appropriate clothing. Safety equipment  113  preferably includes helmets and protective guest restraint systems, such as padded harnesses. The padded harnesses are preferably a wearable vest with artificial animal ride connectors. The artificial animal ride connectors are preferably connected to harness connectors (shown in  FIG. 2 ), to secure the rider to the artificial animal ride. The arena  104 , pre-show locker room  106 , entry room  102 , and post-show gift shop  122  may be adapted to be portable so that the bull ride can travel to various venues, including carnivals. 
     The bull-riding arena  104  has a catwalk  108  accessible by a short staircase, positioned along one wall and raised off the floor of the arena to help a bull rider mount a rodeo bull  112  that is positioned in a bucking chute  110 . The rodeo bull  112  is connected to a track  114  through a false floor  116  to allow translational movement out of the bucking chute  110  and into a center portion of the arena  104 . Although the track course is illustrated as linear, a non-linear track course may be used to simulate movement of the bull  112  about the bull-riding arena. Preferably, the rodeo bull  112  is connected to the track  114  through a wheeled sled  118  that may house a cabling return (not shown) to facilitate take-up and reeling of signal cabling as the rodeo bull  112  is operable to spun through up to 360 degrees of rotation in either rotational direction. Signal cabling is connected to a computer control  120  optionally located underneath the raised platform  108 . In alternate embodiments, the computer control  120 , which is programmed to operate the actuators to provide a smooth, safe, and fun bull ride experience, is located in a portable cabinet that may be located anywhere inside or outside of the arena  104 . Over-travel sensors  121   a  and  121   b  are located on either end of the track  114  to provide an emergency over-travel stop signal to the computer control  120  should the rodeo bull  112  fail to stop at its predetermined stop location. A post-show gift shop  122  may be located adjacent the bull-riding arena  104  to receive the riders as they exit the bull-riding arena  104 . In one alternative embodiment, a grandstand is provided preferably between the raised platform  108  and an interior wall  124  of the bull-riding arena  104  to allow patrons to watch the rider and artificial bull  112  as they are translated along the track  114  out of the bucking chute  110  and into the center of the bull-riding arena  104 . A surround screen  126  is positioned along an exterior portion of the bull-riding arena  104 , preferably along interior three sides of the bull-riding arena  104 . Although illustrated as flat in  FIG. 1 , in an alternative embodiment, the surround screen may be semicircular or extend along only one or two interior wall portions of the bull-riding arena  104 . Projector  128  may be positioned on the ceiling of the bull-riding arena  104  or may be positioned on an upper side wall of the bull-riding arena  104  to project a visual scene of a crowd, preferably without displaying any portion of an associated gating or bull arena to allow for real-time placement of sponsorship signage about bull-riding arena  104 . Speakers  109  may also be configured within the arena to provide audible sounds of a typical bull arena.  FIG. 1  also shows how the arena  104  includes artificial scent devices  113 . The artificial scent devices  113  help further simulate the actual bull or other animal ride environment. View or surround screens  126  may be flat screen monitors or they may be screens upon which an image may be projected by projector  128 . Additionally, the view screen  126  may be a surround screen that is curved and substantially surrounds the arena  104 . Typically projector  128  is a plurality of projectors, one for each screen or portion of a screen. 
     During operation, a rider enters the pre-show locker room  106  after receiving a ticket in the entry room  102 . A monitor in the pre-show locker room  106  projects a video of a cowboy announcer welcoming the patrons to the bull-riding system, and explaining various items such as safety rules. Each rider is given an arm band by a cowboy attendant, who also explains how the vest, chaps, helmet, and other equipment are used and worn. After completing the instruction, the rider is escorted from the pre-show locker room  106  onto the catwalk  108  to mount the bull  112 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the various frame components and actuators for a main body frame of an artificial animal body, in a preferred embodiment a rodeo bull, which is mounted on a sled for translation along a track. A main body frame, illustrated in one embodiment as those components encompassed by dashed line  200 , is mounted on a post  202  rotatably connected to a sled  118 . A head portion, illustrated in one embodiment as those components encompassed by dashed line  208 , is connected to the main body frame  200  through a neck assembly  206 , with the neck assembly defined as having those components encompassed by dashed line  206 . Rear leg portion  210  is connected to the main body frame  200  through rear-leg actuator  215 . Rear-leg actuator  215  is operable to drive the rear-leg armature  210  to accomplish walking, running and kicking motions for the artificial animal body through angular rotation. For example, rapid counterclockwise rotation of rear-leg actuator  215  would result in a rear leg kick action. Slower actuation may be used to simulate walking. A front-leg armature  220  is connected to the main body frame  200  through front-leg actuator  222  to provide movement. Similar to that provided for rear leg armature  210 , front-leg actuator  222  is operable to drive the front-leg armature  220  in either a clockwise or counterclockwise rotational direction to simulate walking, running and kicking. Although rear-leg armature  210  and front-leg armature  220  are each illustrated as one leg and described in the singular, each leg armature ( 210 ,  200 ) provides two artificial animal legs, as would be found in an anatomically correct and whole animal. 
     The neck assembly  206  is provided with movement by neck actuator  224  that drives neck actuators  225 ,  227  to provide pitch up and pitch down of the neck assembly  206  about neck pivot point  226 . For example, clockwise actuation of armature  227  would drive neck actuator  225  up, result in a pitching up of the neck assembly  206 . Similarly, counterclockwise actuation of armature  227  would result in a pitching down of the neck assembly  206 . Head actuator  228  drives a left and right turning motion to the head portion  208  about a single axis of rotation and is coupled to the neck assembly with a rigid rod  229  so that pitching of the neck assembly  206  results in a concurrent pitching of the head portion  208  while the head actuator  228  allows independent left and right movement of the head portion  208 . 
     An unusual and new technique is provided with the use of body pitch actuator  230  to drive pitch armatures  231 ,  233  resulting in a rotational moment about main body rotation point  232 . As illustrated, clockwise rotation of the body pitch actuator  230  results in a pitching up or bucking of an artificial animal body positioned as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Counter clockwise rotation of the body pitch actuator armature  230  would result in a pitching down rotation about the main body rotation point  232 . An unusual and new technique is also provided with main body actuator  234  that may rotate lunge armature  236  in a clockwise rotation to produce a forward translation or lunging movement of the rodeo bull  112 . A counterclockwise rotation of lunge armature  236  would result in a rear translation of the rodeo bull  112 . These previously unknown apparatus and methods for pitching and lunging result from coordinated actuation of actuators  235  and  230 , respectively, to create the synergistic and previously-unpredictable result (to a typical mechanic) of reproducing the bucking and lunging movements of a rodeo bull movement when the main body frame  200  is provided with a rodeo bull  112  exterior.  FIG. 2  also shows how the bull  112  has a skin  117  that simulates the look and feel of a real bull. Although a bull is the preferred mechanical or animatronics animal, it should be understood that any animal shape may be used, such as a horse, buffalo, or camel, without deviating from the scope of the invention. Further, to make the bull  112  even more realistic and to better simulate a bull ride environment, the bull  112  may have speakers  277  and artificial scent devices  278 . The speakers  277  would typically be used to provide bull sounds, such as roars, grunts, or heavy breathing. The artificial scent devices  278  could provide the aroma of a bull getting ready to buck. In other embodiments of the invention the skin  117  may be moved by devices under the skin  117  that simulate the breathing of the bull as it exerts itself during a bull ride.  FIG. 2  also shows how the bull  112  preferably includes harness connectors  203 , which connect to a harness worn by a user to keep the user securely mounted on bull  112 . The harness connectors  203  and harness may connect to each other through any connection device, clip, or other fastener. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of a riding system  300  that has two adjacent bull riding arenas that share an entry room and pre-show locker room. In one implementation, each bull in riding arena  302  has the catwalk  108  behind a perspective bucking chute  110 . The artificial bull (not shown) is slidably coupled to the track  114  extending from within the bucking chute  110  to a center section of bull arena  302 . The pre-show locking room  106  is configured adjacent to the bull riding arenas  302  and between the entry room  102  and post-show gift shop  122 . Although the post-show gift shop  122  and entry room  102  are illustrated on opposing sides of the pre-show locker room  106 , the post-show gift shop  122  may be located on a side of the bull arenas  302  opposite from the pre-show locker room  102  or in a predetermined location advantageous for the desired overall exterior shape of the riding system  300 . Similarly, the entry room  102  may be positioned serially with the pre-show locker room  106  and bull arenas  302  to produce a generally rectangular exterior riding system  300  dimensions. As illustrated, a hallway  304  is configured between the bull arenas  302  to receive riders from the pre-show locker room  106  prior to their direction into respective catwalks  108  in each respective bull arena  302 . Each bull-riding arena  302  has a surround screen  126  positioned along respective exterior portions of its bull riding  302 , preferably along interior three sides of each bull-riding arena  302 . As in other embodiments of the bull-riding arena  302 , the surround screen may be semicircular or extend along only one or two interior wall portions of the arena  302 . The projector  128  may be positioned on the ceiling of the bull-riding arena  302  or may be positioned on an upper side wall or rear area of bull-riding arena  302  to project a visual scene of a crowd. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a five-track configuration for use in a single bull arena  402 . Each respective track  404 , bucking chute  110 , catwalk  108  and artificial bull (not shown) combination is generally spaced and splayed out in a radial formation about a central axis of the bull riding arena  402 . Although illustrated as following a linear course, any or all of the tracks  404  may follow a non-linear course. Preferably, a grandstand  406  sits adjacent and immediately behind the plurality of catwalks  108  to allow patrons to view the bull arena  402 . In this embodiment, a surround screen  408  is preferably defined by three flat screens on contiguous three walls facing the grandstand  406  to receive imagery or video of a bull arena crowd (not shown). In an alternative embodiment, the three flat screens may be replaced with a generally curved screen or with a single screen facing the grandstand  406 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of the control system for controlling the riding system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . A master controller  502  is in electrical communication with both the rodeo bull  504  and sled  506  through subcontroller  2  and subcontroller  1 , respectively. Body pitch actuator  230  and body lunge actuator  234  are in electrical communication with master controller  502  through subcontroller  1  to actuate the synergistic technique resulting from vertical pitch and horizontal lunge commands, respectively. Head turn actuator  228  and neck tilt actuator  224  are in electrical communication with the master controller  502  through subcontroller  2  to provide turning of the head movement and tilting of the neck movement, respectively. Also in electrical communication with the master controller  502  are the front leg actuator  222  and rear-leg actuator  215  to provide rotational movement for the front and back legs, respectively. Sled move actuator  508  and artificial animal body rotation actuator  510  are in communication with the master controller  502  through subcontroller  1  to provide translational movement for the sled and rotational movement for the artificial animal body, respectively. A personal computer  512  is in communication with the master controller to provide specific instructions for pre-determined actuation and maintenance of the various rodeo bull  504  and sled  506  actuators to provide for a riding system with synergistic results 
     While various implementations of the application have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention.