Abstract:
A device and method of loading wheelchair-using passengers includes a passenger platform, a ride vehicle, a lifting device, and a moveable transfer platform. The lifting device is located under the passenger platform and has raised and lowered positions. A moveable transfer platform is affixed to the lifting device when the lifting device is in the raised position. The lifting device is then lowered in the lowered position, wherein a wheelchair-using passenger is secured to the top of the moveable transfer platform. The lifting device then raises the moveable transfer platform and passenger to a raised position. The moveable transfer device is then rolled to a nearby ride vehicle wherein the moveable transfer device and passenger are secured. After completion of the ride, the moveable transfer device is then rolled on top of the lifting device, which is then lowered beneath the platform. The wheelchair-using passenger is then able to simply exit the ride attraction via the platform.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention is theme or amusement park ride attractions. More specifically, the invention relates to wheelchair transfer devices that load and unload passengers in amusement park or theme park ride vehicles. 
     Theme or amusement park ride attractions have become increasingly popular. These ride attractions typically involve ride vehicles moving along a predefined path or track. Passengers enter and exit the ride vehicles in a common loading/unloading area. Generally, passengers walk across a passenger platform area and enter ride vehicles stopped adjacent to the passenger platform area. Unfortunately, passengers using wheelchairs are often unable to enjoy many of these ride attractions, due to the inaccessibility of the ride vehicle. For example, to enter the ride vehicle, passengers are typically required to step into or onto the vehicle and seat themselves. Passengers that are unable to move from a wheelchair into the seat have therefore been unable to ride. 
     Fortunately more and more amusement park ride attractions are becoming accessible to wheelchair-using passengers. However, these ride attractions usually require the person to exit the wheelchair. For certain individuals, one or more ride operators are needed to assist in the transfer from the wheelchair to a seat in the ride vehicle. However, some people cannot leave the wheelchair. To this end, some amusement park ride attractions are designed such that a wheelchair can be loaded onto the ride vehicle itself, thus eliminating the need for the passenger to be physically transferred from the wheelchair. This is often done with the use of foldable ramps or special lifting devices. These devices, however, can be difficult to use and take up additional space on the ride vehicle. In addition, current methods of loading the entire wheelchair with passenger onto a ride vehicle are time consuming and slow down the loading and unloading process, thus decreasing the overall passenger carrying capacity of the ride. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for an amusement park ride attraction that allows a passenger using a wheelchairs to be loaded onto the ride vehicle while remaining in the wheelchair. There also exists a need for an amusement park ride attraction that allows for easy and rapid loading and unloading of wheelchair-using passengers into the ride vehicle without adding special ramps or lifting devices to the ride vehicle itself. Preferably, the wheelchair transfer device does not appreciably reduce the overall passenger throughput of the ride. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first aspect of the invention, a wheelchair transfer device includes a passenger platform, a ride vehicle, a lifting device, and a moveable transfer platform. The lifting device is located beneath the passenger platform. The moveable transfer platform is moveable between the ride vehicle, the passenger platform, and the lifting device. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a method of loading wheelchair using passengers includes the steps of lowering a moveable transfer platform to a lowered position such that a top surface of the moveable transfer platform is substantially flush with the passenger platform. The wheelchair using passenger is then secured to the moveable transfer platform. The moveable transfer platform is raised to a raised position. The moveable transfer platform is then moved to a ride vehicle where the moveable transfer platform and wheelchairusing passenger are secured. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a wheelchair transfer device for use in an amusement park ride attraction that permits easy loading and unloading of passengers in wheelchairs. The transfer device preferably loads and unloads passengers in wheelchairs in a relatively rapid manner to maintain a high overall passenger throughput. The wheelchair transfer device quickly loads and unloads wheelchair-using passengers onto and off of the ride vehicle without transferring the passengers into and out of their wheelchairs. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the amusement park ride attraction. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wheelchair transfer device. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lifting device in the raised position. 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the wheelchair transfer device shown in a raised position. 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the wheelchair transfer device shown in a lowered position. 
     FIG.  6 ( a ) is an elevation view of the wheelchair transfer device in the raised position. 
     FIG.  6 ( b ) is an elevation view of the wheelchair transfer device in the lowered position. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the transfer platform. 
     FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the ride vehicle without the transfer platform inside. 
     FIG. 9 is a close-up view of the wall with the lift stop and alignment pin. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the drawings, and FIG. 1 specifically, an amusement ride attraction  2  includes one or more amusement ride vehicles  6  that ride on a track or path  5  through a themed environment. Referring now to FIG. 2, the amusement ride attraction includes a loading and unloading platform  4  where passengers  3  are loaded and unloaded into and out of amusement ride vehicles  6 . Preferably, as seen in FIG. 2, a wheelchair transfer device  8  is located on and within the loading and unloading platform  4  and is used to load and unload wheelchair-using passengers into and out of a specially designed ride vehicle  6 . The wheelchair transfer device  8  includes a transfer platform  10  that is moveable and a lifting device  12 . The lifting device  12  preferably includes an upper platform surface  13 . The transfer platform  10  rests on the upper platform surface  13  when the transfer platform  10  is on the lifting device  12 . The lifting device  12  moves between raised and lowered positions. FIG. 3 shows the lifting device  12  in the raised position. 
     The transfer platform  10  preferably includes four swiveling wheels or casters  14  (two wheels  14  are shown in FIG. 2, the other two wheels  14  are obstructed from view) that allow the transfer platform  10  to be rolled across the loading and unloading platform  4  and onto the ride vehicle  6 . In this regard, the transfer platform  10  is moveable between the loading/unloading platform  4 , the ride vehicle  6 , and the lifting device  12 . Preferably, the swiveling wheels  14  are swivel casters or the like. The transfer platform  10  also preferably includes four alignment rollers  16  that align the transfer platform  10  to a wall portion  17 . 
     Rollers  16  also aid in aligning the transfer platform  10  to the cavity in the ride vehicle  6 . As seen in FIGS. 4,  5 ,  6 ( a ), and  6 ( b ), vertically-oriented foot activated locking pins  18  are located preferably at two locations (preferably on one side) on the transfer platform  10  to secure the transfer platform  10  onto the lifting device  12  and the ride vehicle  6 . With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, two locking pin sockets  20  are located in the lifting device  12  to receive the locking pins  18  (one locking pin socket  20  is obstructed from view in FIG. 2 by the transfer platform  10 ). In addition, as seen in FIG. 2, two locking pin sockets  25  are located in the ride vehicle  6  to engage the two locking pins  18  of the transfer platform  10  when the transfer platform  10  is within the ride vehicle  6 . The locking pins  18  are released from the locking pin sockets  20  by individual foot-actuated pedals  22  located on the transfer platform  10 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, a visual flag  28  is preferably located on the transfer platform  10  and is coupled to foot pedals  22  and indicates to the ride operator the status of the foot pedals  22 . By way of illustration, the visual flag  28  may include a mechanically-triggered visual flag  28  having two colors, one color indicating that the foot pedals  22  are in the up position while another color indicates that the foot pedals  22  are in the down position. 
     One or more control panel lights  29  are preferably located on the control panel  30 . The control panel lights  29  indicate to the ride operator that the locking pins  18  are engaged. This permits the lifting device  12  to be lowered or raised only when the locking pins  18  are confirmed to be engaged, ensuring that the transfer platform  10  is locked down. 
     As seen in FIGS. 2,  3 , 4 ,  5 ,  6 ( a ), and  6 ( b ) the lifting device  12  is located beneath the loading/unloading platform  4 . A utility pit  26 , as shown in FIGS.  6 ( a ) and  6 ( b ), is preferably located adjacent to the lifting device  12  and under the loading/unloading platform  4 . The utility pit  26  includes electrical utilities, air utilities, and the like. The utility pit  26  is accessible via a removable door panel  27  and removable cover plate  31 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  4 ,  5 , and  7  the transfer platform  10  preferably includes a grab handle  34  to assist in rolling the transfer platform  10  over to the ride vehicle  6 . The transfer platform  10  may also include an optional lap bar  36 , as shown in FIG. 7, to secure the wheelchair-using passenger during the ride. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the ride vehicle  6  includes a companion seat  38  (shown also in FIG. 8) located adjacent to the area intended for the transfer platform  10 . This allows a companion to ride next to a wheelchair-using passenger  3 . The transfer platform  10  is designed such that the wheelchair-using passenger  3  is at approximately the same height as the other passengers in the ride vehicle  6 , thereby insuring an equivalent ride experience for every passenger. 
     The steps for operating the wheelchair transfer device  8  are as follows: 
     With the lifting device  12  in the raised position, the transfer platform  10  is pushed up against the wall  17  such that the transfer platform  10  is about two-thirds on the raised lifting device  12  and about one-third on the loading/unloading platform  4 . In this manner, the two alignment rollers  16  closest to the wall  17  aid in aligning the transfer platform  10  on the lifting device  12 . The transfer platform  10  is then pushed along the direction of the wall  17  until the alignment pin  40  attached to a lift stop  42  engages a mating recess  43  in the transfer platform  10 . FIG. 9 illustrates a close-up view of the transfer platform  10  adjacent to the lift stop  42  and alignment pin  40 . It should be appreciated that other alignment devices other than the alignment pin  40  can be used to align the transfer platform  10  on the lifting device  12 . For example, a channel arrangement, a tongue-and-groove structure or the like can also be used. 
     Once the transfer platform  10  is pushed into position, an operator depresses the foot pedals  22  which extend the locking pins  18  into the locking pin sockets  20 . 
     With the transfer platform  10  affixed to the lifting device  12 , the operator lowers the lifting device  12  via control panel  30  or remote control device (not shown). The transfer platform  10  is lowered until the upper surface of the transfer platform  10  is substantially flush with the surface of the loading/unloading platform  4 . Preferably, as seen in FIGS.  6 ( a ) and  6 ( b ), the lifting device  12  employs four adjustable bolts  45  that act as a hard stop (two of the adjustable bolts  45  are obstructed from view). The bolts  45  are advantageously located on the four corners of the lower frame of the lifting device  12 . 
     Next, The wheelchair-using passenger  3  is then rolled, via the wheelchair, onto the transfer platform  10 . The wheelchair is then secured to the transfer platform  10  by means of standard tie downs such as straps  45 , buckles  47 , clamps, or the like, as shown in FIG.  7 . 
     The lifting device  12 , transfer platform  10 , and wheelchair-using passenger  3  are then raised by the operator via control panel  30  or remote control device (not shown). The lifting device  12  raises the transfer platform  10  until lower-most portion of the wheels  14  of the transfer platform  10  are substantially flush with the surface of the loading/unloading platform  4 . Preferably, the lifting device  12  is a pneumatic scissors lift as shown in FIGS. 4,  5 ,  6 ( a ), and  6 ( b ). Of course, other types of lifting devices  12  can also be used. The upward movement of the lifting device  12  is stopped when the lifting device  12  physically abuts the facility iron angle  57 , which is shown in FIGS.  6 ( a ) and  6 ( b ). The lifting device  12  may also include an optional secondary, or redundant lift stop that limits the extension or lift of the lifting device  12 . 
     As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lifting device  12  can include optional proximity sensors  44 ,  46 . The proximity sensors  44 ,  46  aid in monitoring the position of the lifting device  12 . The proximity sensors  44 ,  46  are preferably coupled to the control system for the lifting device  12  to assist in the control logic for the lifting device  12 . The proximity sensors  44 ,  46  are particularly helpful when pneumatic air springs are used to move the lifting device  12 . 
     Next, the operator raises the foot pedals  22  on the transfer platform  10  to disengage the two locking pins  18  from the locking pin sockets  20 . Once disengaged from the locking pin sockets  20 , the transfer platform  10  is rolled over to the ride vehicle  6  where it is placed adjacent to the passenger opening in the ride vehicle  6 . It should be noted that the wheel chair passenger  3  is securely fastened to the transfer platform  10  at this point. The transfer platform  10  is oriented to keep the wheelchair-using passenger  3  facing the desired direction, i.e., forward facing. 
     Referring now to FIG. 8, the transfer platform  10  is then pushed onto the ride vehicle  6  by the operator(s). The alignment rollers  16  engage into a channel  59  located at the front side of the vehicle and with the rear wall  48  of the ride vehicle  6  to aid in guiding the transfer platform  10 . The ride vehicle  6  preferably includes a lift stop  51  and alignment pin  53 . A mating recess  43  in the transfer platform  10  engages with the alignment pin  53 . Once in position, the operator presses down on the foot pedals  22  to engage the locking pins  18  in the locking pin sockets  25  located in the ride vehicle. Preferably, a visual flag  28  indicates to the operator that the locking pins  18  are properly engaged. 
     A safety lock  50  is then rotated 90°, either clockwise or counter-clockwise, depending on the orientation of the safety lock  50  from a vertical to a horizontal position by the operator. The safety lock  50  ensures that the transfer platform  10  is secured with a redundant fail-safe device. If any doors are located on the ride vehicle  6 , the doors are shut by the operator or passenger. In conjunction with, or alternatively, an optional land-based and/or vehicle-based control monitor utilizing proximity sensors may be incorporated. Either system can be incorporated into the respective land or vehicle-based control system. 
     After loading is complete, the ride vehicle  6  departs from the loading/unloading platform  4  and travels along the track  5 , as shown for example FIG.  1 . When the ride is over, the ride vehicle  6  comes to rest adjacent to the loading/unloading platform  4 . The operator then moves the safety lock  50  back to its vertical position. The foot pedals  22  are raised to disengage the locking pin sockets  20 . The transfer platform  10  is then rolled out of the ride vehicle  6  by the operator. 
     The transfer platform  10  is then rolled over to the lifting device  12  area. At this point the lifting device  12  is in the raised position, i.e., as shown in FIGS. 2,  3 ,  4 , and  6 ( a ). The transfer platform  10 , including the wheelchair-using passenger  3  thereon, is pushed against the wall  17  such that the transfer platform  10  is about two-thirds on the raised lifting device  12  and one-third on the loading/unloading platform  4 . The transfer platform  10  is then pushed along the direction of the wall  17  until the alignment pin  40  attached to a lift stop  42  engages the mating recess  43  in the transfer platform  10 . 
     Next, an operator depresses the foot pedal  22  which extends the locking pins  19  into the locking pin sockets  20 . Once the transfer platform  10  is affixed to the lifting device  12 , the operator lowers the lifting device  12  via control panel  30  or remote control device (not shown). The transfer platform  10  is lowered until the upper surface of the transfer platform  10  is substantially flush with the surface of the loading/unloading platform  4 . The transfer platform  10  is in the position shown in FIG.  8 . 
     At this point, the wheelchair-using passenger  3  is unsecured from the transfer platform  10 . A restraining bar  55 , as shown in FIG. 7, is lifted or otherwise moved and the wheelchair-using passenger  3  is then free to exit the ride  2  via the unloading/unloading platform  4 . Since the transfer platform  10  is in the lowered position, a next wheelchair-using passenger  3  can then be secured to the vacant transfer platform  10 . 
     It should be appreciated that multiple wheelchair transfer devices  8  can be employed for each ride  2 . In this regard, the wheelchair-using passengers  3  can be loaded while the ride  2  is operating. The wheelchair-using passengers  3  could wait in a staging area or the like. Preferably, the wheelchair-using passengers  3  are secured on the transfer platforms  10  ahead of time. In this regard, the wheelchair-using passengers  3  can be quickly loaded into the ride vehicles  6 . This significantly increases the passenger throughput of the ride  2  since time is not wasted during the loading or unloading of wheelchair-using passenger  3 . 
     While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The invention, therefore, should not be limited, except to the following claims, and their equivalents.