Patent Description:
At certain times when amusement park attractions are not in use, for example, after an amusement park ride vehicle has completed a trip around a ride path, guests who are using the attractions may attempt to disembark from the attractions before certain procedures relating to the particular attraction have been performed. Doing so may lead to the guests not disembarking from the attraction at the correct locations, for example, which may lead to logistical issues relating to themselves as well as other guests of the amusement park. As such, there is a need to facilitate more orderly evacuations from the attractions.

US patent publication document no. <CIT> discloses a restraining device for restraining a passenger on a moving unit includes a passenger body enveloping unit having two side components each having a front end and a back end. The back end of each of the side components is joined to hinges fixed in an upper portion of a back of a seat of the moving unit, and the front end of each of the side components are connected together to form a space for enveloping the passenger. A transverse component rigidly fastened to the passenger body enveloping unit rests against the passenger's thighs when the passenger body enveloping unit envelops the passenger. A lock unit restrains the passenger body enveloping unit after the transverse component has come to rest against the passenger's thighs such that the passenger body enveloping unit envelops the passenger in an area of the passenger's forearms and belly.

The scope of the claimed invention is defined in the appended claims.

In certain embodiments, an evacuation deterrence system for an amusement attraction includes an elongated main body. The system also includes a handle portion disposed at a first end of the elongated main body. The system further includes a latch mechanism disposed at a second end of the elongated main body. The latch mechanism is configured in use to latch onto a member of an enclosure. In addition, the system includes an actuation mechanism disposed along a length of the elongated main body between the first and second ends of the elongated main body. The actuation mechanism is configured to actuate the latch mechanism. The system also includes a positioning mechanism disposed along the length of the elongated main body between the first and second ends of the elongated main body. The positioning mechanism is configured in use to fix a first location of the elongated main body relative to the enclosure. The elongated main body is configured in use to be extended relative to the enclosure when the first location of the elongated main body is fixed relative to the enclosure via the positioning mechanism.

In addition, in certain embodiments, the enclosure may include a vehicle, wherein the vehicle may be configured to accommodate one or more passengers.

In certain embodiments, the elongated main body may include a substantially linear handle arm. The system may also include a substantially linear extension arm connected to the handle arm via a substantially <NUM> degree first bend. The extension arm may configured to extend along a longitudinal axis of the extension arm. In addition, the extension arm may include one or more compliant supports configured to mate with contoured edges of a vehicle to fix a first location of the extension arm relative to the vehicle. The extension arm may also include a stopper plate configured to abut a surface of the vehicle to fix a second location of the extension arm relative to the vehicle when the extension arm is extended relative to the vehicle. The system may further include a substantially linear latch arm connected to the extension arm via a substantially <NUM> degree second bend. The latch arm may be substantially perpendicular to the handle arm. The latch arm may include a spring-loaded hook disposed at an end of the latch arm opposite the second bend. The spring-loaded hook may be configured to latch onto a member of the vehicle. In addition, the system may include a cable physically coupled to a cable at a first end of the cable. The cable may be physically coupled to the spring-loaded hook at a second end of the cable. The cable pull may be configured to open the spring-loaded hook by counteracting the spring-loading of the spring-loaded hook.

Various refinements of the features noted above may be undertaken in relation to various aspects of the present disclosure. Further features may also be incorporated in these various aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination.

Further, to the extent that certain terms such as parallel, perpendicular, and so forth are used herein, it should be understood that these terms allow for certain deviations from a strict mathematical definition, for example to allow for deviations associated with manufacturing imperfections and associated tolerances.

The present disclosure provides guest evacuation deterrence systems configured to prevent guests from attempting to evacuate amusement park attractions at inadvisable times and/or in inadvisable directions. Specifically, the embodiments described herein provide guest evacuation deterrence devices configured to physically interact with certain amusement park ride vehicles in a manner that facilitates appropriate guest evacuations from the ride vehicles. For example, in certain embodiments, the guest evacuation deterrence devices described herein include a latch arm having a latch mechanism configured to latch onto a fixed member, or other portion, of an amusement park ride vehicle (e.g., to facilitate evacuation of one or more guests from the ride vehicle), a positioning mechanism configured to fix a first location of the guest evacuation deterrence device relative to the ride vehicle, an extension arm configured to extend the latch mechanism toward the ride vehicle once the positioning mechanism of the guest evacuation deterrence device fixes the first location relative to the ride vehicle, a stop mechanism configured to abut a surface of the ride vehicle to ensure that the latch mechanism is positioned properly with respect to the ride vehicle after the extension arm has been extended, and an actuation mechanism configured to open the latch mechanism (e.g., to release the fixed member of the ride vehicle). As described in greater detail herein, these features of the guest evacuation deterrence devices facilitate a series of reproducible steps capable of ensuring appropriate guest evacuations from amusement park ride vehicles.

While the disclosed embodiments are generally described in the context of amusement park ride vehicles, it should be understood that the guest evacuation deterrence systems and devices described herein may also be used in other contexts. For example, the guest evacuation deterrence systems and devices described herein may be used in conjunction with other amusement park attractions that include structures within which amusement park guests may stand or be seated. Indeed, the guest evacuation deterrence systems and devices described herein may also be extended to other applications (i.e., applications other than amusement parks). Accordingly, the particular construction of the guest evacuation deterrence systems and devices described herein (e.g., materials, shapes, sizes, and so forth) may be implemented according to the desired application.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a guest evacuation deterrence system <NUM>. Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, in certain embodiments, the guest evacuation deterrence system <NUM> includes a guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> configured to physically interact with a ride vehicle <NUM> to ensure that guests riding in the ride vehicle <NUM> disembark the ride vehicle <NUM> at an appropriate time. For example, as described in greater detail herein, the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> may be configured to physically interact with the ride vehicle <NUM> to unlock, for example, a door of the ride vehicle <NUM> to allow the guests to evacuate the ride vehicle <NUM>, and then to disengage from the ride vehicle <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> of <FIG>. As illustrated, in certain embodiments, the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> may include an elongated main body <NUM> having a handle <NUM> disposed at a first end <NUM> of the elongated main body <NUM>, and a latch mechanism <NUM> disposed at a second end <NUM> (i.e., opposite the first end <NUM>) of the elongated main body <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the elongated main body <NUM> may be a hollow tubular member, such as aluminum tubing having a relatively smaller diameter (e.g., <NUM> inch or <NUM> millimeter diameter). However, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of the elongated main body <NUM> may utilize different materials, sizes, and so forth.

As described in greater detail herein, in certain embodiments, the latch mechanism <NUM> may include a hook with a spring-loaded latch, which is configured to latch onto, and release, a fixed member of an amusement park ride vehicle, such as the ride vehicle <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. However, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of the latch mechanism <NUM> may utilize different implementations for latching onto, and releasing, the fixed member of the amusement park ride vehicle. As described in greater detail herein, in certain embodiments, the latch mechanism <NUM> may be configured to automatically latch onto the fixed member of the amusement park ride vehicle when the latch mechanism <NUM> is moved into position with respect to the fixed member of the amusement park ride vehicle. Subsequently, the latch mechanism <NUM> may release the fixed member of the amusement park ride vehicle, as described in greater detail herein. In addition, it will be appreciated that the design of the latch mechanism <NUM> described herein also prevents guests from inadvertently knocking the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> from the fixed member of the amusement park ride vehicle.

As also illustrated in <FIG>, in certain embodiments, the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> may include an actuation mechanism <NUM> disposed along a length of the elongated main body <NUM> between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the elongated main body <NUM>. In general, the actuation mechanism <NUM> is configured to actuate the latch mechanism <NUM> to, for example, release the fixed member of the amusement park ride vehicle. As described in greater detail herein, in certain embodiments, the actuation mechanism <NUM> may include a cable pull <NUM> that is physically coupled to a cable <NUM> that extends through an interior volume of the elongated main body <NUM> from the cable pull <NUM> to the latch mechanism <NUM>. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the cable <NUM> is physically coupled to the cable pull <NUM> at a first end <NUM> of the cable <NUM>, and is physically coupled to the latch mechanism <NUM> at a second end <NUM> of the cable <NUM>, as described in greater detail herein. In certain embodiments, the actuation mechanism <NUM> may be configured to open the latch mechanism <NUM> by counteracting the spring-loading of the latch mechanism <NUM>. However, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of the actuation mechanism <NUM> may utilize different implementations for actuating the latch mechanism <NUM> (e.g., such as a handle/lever combination configured to manipulate the cable <NUM>, and so forth).

As also illustrated in <FIG>, in certain embodiments, the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> may also include a positioning mechanism <NUM> disposed along the length of the elongated main body <NUM> between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the elongated main body <NUM>. In general, the positioning mechanism <NUM> is configured to fix a first location of the elongated main body <NUM> relative to an amusement park ride vehicle. As described in greater detail herein, in certain embodiments, the positioning mechanism <NUM> may include one or more compliant supports <NUM> (e.g., rubber or other elastomer supports) configured to mate with contoured edges of the ride vehicle to fix the first location of the elongated main body <NUM> relative to the ride vehicle. However, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of the positioning mechanism <NUM> may utilize different implementations for fixing the first location of the elongated main body <NUM> relative to an amusement park ride vehicle.

As described in greater detail herein, in certain embodiments, the elongated main body <NUM> may be configured to be extended (e.g., as illustrated by arrow <NUM>) relative to an amusement park ride vehicle when the first location of the elongated main body <NUM> is fixed relative to the ride vehicle via the positioning mechanism <NUM>. Specifically, as also described in greater detail herein, in certain embodiments, the elongated main body <NUM> may include a substantially linear extension arm <NUM> configured to be extended (e.g., as illustrated by arrow <NUM>) relative to an amusement park ride vehicle when the first location of the elongated main body <NUM> is fixed relative to the ride vehicle via the positioning mechanism <NUM>, a substantially linear handle arm <NUM> connected to the extension arm <NUM> at a first bend <NUM> of the elongated main body <NUM>, and a substantially linear latch arm <NUM> connected to the extension arm <NUM> at a second bend <NUM> of the elongated main body <NUM>. As used herein, the term "substantially linear" is intended to describe features (e.g., the various arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the elongated main body <NUM>) that are linear along the length of the features within only minor variations from linear (e.g., within <NUM> degrees, within <NUM> degrees, within <NUM> degrees, within <NUM> degrees, within <NUM> degree, or even more linear) with respect to end points of the features.

As described in greater detail herein, in certain embodiments, the first and second bends <NUM>, <NUM> of the elongated main body <NUM> may be substantially <NUM> degree bends, for example, such that the handle arm <NUM> and the latch arm <NUM> are both substantially perpendicular to the extension arm <NUM>. Indeed, in certain embodiments, the handle arm <NUM> and the latch arm <NUM> may also be substantially perpendicular to each other, such that rotation of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> about a longitudinal axis <NUM> of the extension arm <NUM> facilitates manipulation of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> for the purpose of physically interacting with a fixed member of an amusement park ride vehicle. As used herein, the term "substantially perpendicular" is intended to describe features (e.g., the various arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the elongated main body <NUM>) that are perpendicular with each other within only minor variations from perpendicular (e.g., within <NUM> degrees, within <NUM> degrees, within <NUM> degrees, within <NUM> degrees, within <NUM> degree, or even more linear) with respect to end points of the features. Similarly, the term "substantially <NUM> degree" is intended to describe an angle (e.g., of the first and second bends <NUM>, <NUM>) that is between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees, between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees, between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees, or even closer to <NUM> degrees.

As also illustrated in <FIG>, in certain embodiments, the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> may also include a stop mechanism <NUM> disposed along the length of the elongated main body <NUM> between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the elongated main body <NUM>. In general, the stop mechanism <NUM> is configured to abut a surface of an amusement park ride vehicle to fix a second location of the elongated main body <NUM> relative to the amusement park ride vehicle when the extension arm <NUM> has been extended relative to the amusement park ride vehicle. As described in greater detail herein, in certain embodiments, the stop mechanism <NUM> may include a metal stopper plate configured to abut the surface of the amusement park ride vehicle to fix the second location of the elongated main body <NUM> relative to the amusement park ride vehicle when the extension arm <NUM> is extended relative to the amusement park ride vehicle. However, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of the stop mechanism <NUM> may utilize different implementations for fixing the second location of the elongated main body <NUM> relative to an amusement park ride vehicle.

As also illustrated in <FIG>, in certain embodiments, the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> may also include a sign <NUM>, for example, a universal language no-entrance sign to notify guests of the amusement park ride vehicle that they should not attempt to evacuate the amusement park ride vehicle at that time and/or in the direction of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM>. For example, <FIG> illustrates the sign <NUM> of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM>. It will be appreciated that, in certain embodiments, due at least in part to the orientation of the sign <NUM>, when the latch mechanism <NUM> of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> is engaging the fixed member of the amusement park ride vehicle (i.e., when the guests may properly evacuate the amusement park ride vehicle), the sign <NUM> may be hidden from view, for example, within an interior portion of the amusement park ride vehicle.

<FIG> is a top view of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> of <FIG>. In addition, <FIG> is a side view of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> of <FIG>. As illustrated, in certain embodiments, the cable pull <NUM> of the actuation mechanism <NUM>, the one or more compliant supports <NUM>, and the stop mechanism <NUM> are disposed consecutively along a length of the extension arm <NUM> between the first bend <NUM> and the second bend <NUM> of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a top view of the latch mechanism <NUM> and a portion of the latch arm <NUM> of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> of <FIG>. In addition, <FIG> is a side view of the latch mechanism <NUM> and the portion of the latch arm <NUM> of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> of <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in certain embodiments, the latch mechanism <NUM> includes a main hook portion <NUM> and a latch <NUM> physically coupled to the main hook portion <NUM> at a hinge point <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in certain embodiments, the main hook portion <NUM> may be physically coupled to the latch arm <NUM> by one or more coupling plates <NUM>. Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, in certain embodiments, the main hook portion <NUM> may be physically coupled to the latch arm <NUM> via two coupling plates <NUM> disposed on opposite sides of both the main hook portion <NUM> and the latch arm <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the latch <NUM> may be spring-loaded such that the latch <NUM> is biased toward a closed position with respect to the main hook portion <NUM>, but may allow certain objects (e.g., a fixed member of an amusement park ride vehicle) to push the latch <NUM> into a partially open position to allow the objects to enter a space <NUM> defined by the main hook portion <NUM> (i.e., to allow the latch mechanism <NUM> to latch onto the objects), then returning to the closed position once the objects have entered the space <NUM> defined by the main hook portion <NUM>. In certain embodiments, to release the objects from within the space <NUM> defined by the main hook portion <NUM>, the latch <NUM> may be actuated into a partially open position by the actuation mechanism <NUM> described herein. Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, in certain embodiments, the cable <NUM> may be physically coupled to the latch <NUM> to enable the actuation mechanism <NUM> described herein to counteract the spring-loaded nature of the latch <NUM> to, for example, release certain objects (e.g., a fixed member of an amusement park ride vehicle) that have been latched onto by the latch mechanism <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in certain embodiments, the latch arm <NUM> may include a small opening <NUM> through a wall <NUM> of the latch arm <NUM> to enable the cable <NUM> to pass from within an interior volume <NUM> of the latch arm <NUM> to facilitate the physical coupling of the cable <NUM> to the latch <NUM> external to the latch arm <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a compliant support <NUM> of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> of <FIG>. As illustrated, in certain embodiments, the compliant support <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> that extends all the way through a main body portion <NUM> of the compliant support <NUM> such that the elongated main body <NUM> (e.g., specifically, the extension arm <NUM>) of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> may fit within the opening <NUM>. As illustrated, in certain embodiments, the main body portion <NUM> of the compliant support <NUM> may include a slit <NUM> that extends through the main body portion <NUM> substantially parallel with the opening <NUM>, wherein the slit <NUM> facilitates the elongated main body <NUM> (e.g., specifically, the extension arm <NUM>) of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> being inserted into the opening <NUM>. Specifically, it will be appreciated that the compliant nature of the compliant support <NUM> may be relatively easily manipulated to allow the extension arm <NUM> to be inserted into the opening <NUM>.

As also illustrated in <FIG>, in certain embodiments, the compliant support <NUM> may include certain positioning features <NUM>, such as legs <NUM> that extend from the main body portion <NUM> of the compliant support <NUM>. The positioning features <NUM> may be specifically designed to mate with (e.g., abut) certain contoured edges of, for example, a ride vehicle to fix a first position of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> relative to the ride vehicle. For example, <FIG> illustrates two compliant supports <NUM> of a guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> mating with a contoured surface <NUM> of a ride vehicle <NUM> to fix a first position of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> relative to the ride vehicle <NUM>.

As described in greater detail herein, in certain embodiments, the latch mechanism <NUM> of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> is configured to latch onto certain objects due at least in part to the spring-loaded nature of a latch <NUM> of the latch mechanism <NUM>. For example, <FIG> illustrates a latch mechanism <NUM> of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> after latching onto a fixed member <NUM> associated with a ride vehicle <NUM>. As described in greater detail herein, the latch <NUM> of the latch mechanism <NUM> may be actuated (e.g., by the actuation mechanism <NUM>) to release the fixed member <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> from the latch mechanism <NUM>. For example, <FIG> illustrates an actuation mechanism <NUM> (e.g., as a cable pull <NUM>, in the illustrated embodiment) that may be used to actuate the latch <NUM> of the latch mechanism <NUM> to facilitate release of the fixed member <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM>.

As described herein, the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> is configured to physically interact with, for example, a ride vehicle <NUM> to prevent guests from attempting to evacuate the ride vehicle <NUM> at inadvisable times and/or in inadvisable directions. In operation, for example, the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> may be held by an operator at the handle <NUM> in an orientation such that the latch arm <NUM> is at a <NUM> degree angle with respect to the ground. The operator may then begin to lower the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> down onto the contoured surface <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> (see, e.g., <FIG>) until the one or more compliant supports <NUM> of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> are seated properly against the ride vehicle (i.e., to fix a first predetermined location of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> relative to the ride vehicle). Then, the operator may extend the extension arm <NUM> of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM>, as illustrated by arrow <NUM>, until the stop mechanism <NUM> makes contact with another surface of the ride vehicle (i.e., to fix a second predetermined location of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> relative to the ride vehicle). Once the one or more compliant supports <NUM> and the stop mechanism <NUM> of the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> are in their respective predetermined locations, the operator may use the handle <NUM> to rotate the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> about the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the extension arm <NUM>, as illustrated by arrow <NUM>, such that the latch arm <NUM> rotates approximately <NUM> degrees (e.g., between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees, between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees, between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees, and so forth) in the counterclockwise direction, for example, until the spring-loaded latch <NUM> of the latch mechanism <NUM> captures the fixed member <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> (see, e.g., <FIG>). At this point, the guests may evacuate the ride vehicle, and the operator may then use the actuation mechanism <NUM> to open the latch <NUM> of the latch mechanism <NUM> to release the fixed member <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM>. Then, the operator may perform the procedure in reverse order, and remove the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> from the ride vehicle <NUM>.

Returning now to <FIG>, in certain embodiments, the ride vehicle <NUM> may include a door <NUM> disposed on one side of the ride vehicle <NUM>, and a gap, door <NUM>, or equivalent on the opposite side of the ride vehicle <NUM>. As described in greater detail herein, the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> is configured to prevent guests from exiting the ride vehicle <NUM> in a non-preferred manner during an evacuation or regular operation of the ride vehicle <NUM> through, for example, an otherwise intuitive-looking path (e.g., the door <NUM>). In particular, as illustrated in <FIG>, the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> may be configured to block the guests from exiting the ride vehicle <NUM> via such paths. In addition, as described in greater detail herein, the sign <NUM> on the guest evacuation deterrence device <NUM> may warn the guests against taking such paths.

Claim 1:
An evacuation deterrence system (<NUM>) for an amusement
attraction, comprising: an elongated main body (<NUM>);
a handle portion (<NUM>) disposed at a first end (<NUM>) of the elongated main body (<NUM>);
a latch mechanism (<NUM>) disposed at a second end (<NUM>) of the elongated main body (<NUM>), wherein the latch mechanism (<NUM>) is configured in use to latch onto a member of an enclosure (<NUM>);
an actuation mechanism (<NUM>) disposed along a length of the elongated main body (<NUM>) between the first and second ends (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the elongated main body (<NUM>), wherein the actuation mechanism (<NUM>) is configured to actuate the latch mechanism (<NUM>); and
a positioning mechanism (<NUM>) disposed along the length of the elongated main body (<NUM>) between the first and second ends (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the elongated main body (<NUM>), wherein the positioning mechanism (<NUM>) is configured in use to fix a first location of the elongated main body (<NUM>) relative to the enclosure (<NUM>), and wherein the elongated main body (<NUM>) is configured in use to be extended relative to the enclosure (<NUM>) when the first location of the elongated main body (<NUM>) is fixed relative to the enclosure (<NUM>) via the positioning mechanism (<NUM>).