Motion generating platform assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10413836-B2
Application number	US-201815892170-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 8, 2018
Priority date	Feb 8, 2017
Publication date	Sep 17, 2019
Grant date	Sep 17, 2019

Abstract

A ride system includes a base, a ride vehicle, a platform assembly positioned between the base and the ride vehicle, and an extension mechanism coupled to the platform assembly and positioned between the base and the ride vehicle. The platform assembly includes a first platform, a second platform, and six legs extending between the first platform and the second platform, and the platform assembly is configured to actuate each of the six legs so as to move the first platform relative to the second platform in different configurations based on which of the six legs is actuated. The extension mechanism is configured to extend and contract so as to move the ride vehicle away from and toward, respectively, the base of the ride system.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A ride system, comprising:
a base;
a ride vehicle;
a platform assembly having a first platform, a second platform, and six legs extending between the first platform and the second platform, wherein the platform assembly is positioned between the base and the ride vehicle, and wherein the platform assembly is configured to actuate each of the six legs so as to move the first platform relative to the second platform in different configurations based on which of the six legs is actuated;
an extension mechanism positioned between the base and the ride vehicle, coupled to the platform assembly, and configured to extend and contract so as to move the ride vehicle away from and toward, respectively, the base of the ride system, wherein the extension mechanism comprises a plurality of cables; and
a controller communicatively coupled to a plurality of motors configured to selectively winch the plurality of cables, wherein the controller is configured to:
monitor forces in the ride system caused by actuation of at least one leg of the six legs; and
modulate torque outputs of the plurality of motors based on the forces monitored by the controller.

2. The ride system of claim 1 , wherein the platform assembly is positioned between the base and the extension mechanism.

3. The ride system of claim 1 , wherein the platform assembly is positioned between the ride vehicle and the extension mechanism.

4. The ride system of claim 1 , wherein the first platform comprises a first anchor position to which a first pair of legs of the six legs are coupled, a second anchor position to which a second pair of legs of the six legs are coupled, and a third anchor position to which a third pair of legs of the six legs are coupled;
wherein the second platform comprises a fourth anchor position to which a first leg of the second pair of legs and a first leg of the third pair of legs are coupled, a fifth anchor position to which a first leg of the first pair of legs and a second leg of the third pair of legs are coupled, and a sixth anchor position to which a second leg of the first pair of legs and a second leg of the second pair of legs are coupled; and
wherein the first anchor position is aligned with the fourth anchor position when the six legs comprise equal lengths, the second anchor position is aligned with the fifth anchor position when the six legs comprise equal lengths, and the third anchor position is aligned with the sixth anchor position when the six legs comprise equal lengths.

5. The ride system of claim 1 , wherein each leg of the six legs forms a first angle with a first plane of the first platform of less than or equal to 45 degrees, and wherein each leg of the six legs forms a second angle with a second plane of the second platform of less than or equal to 45 degrees.

6. The ride system of claim 1 , comprising a plurality of winches configured to extend the six legs, retract the six legs, or both.

7. The ride system of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a track along which the ride vehicle is configured to be translated, or a stationary base on which the ride vehicle is disposed.

8. The ride system of claim 1 , wherein the ride vehicle hangs below or is cantilevered from the base.

9. The ride system of claim 1 , wherein the ride vehicle is positioned above the base.

10. A ride system comprising a platform assembly, the platform assembly comprising: a first platform coupled to a ride vehicle, a second platform, and six legs extending between the first platform and the second platform;
wherein the first platform comprises a first anchor position to which a first leg and a second leg of the six legs are coupled, a second anchor position to which a third leg and a fourth leg of the six legs are coupled, and a third anchor position to which a fifth leg and a sixth leg of the six legs are coupled; wherein the second platform comprises a fourth anchor position to which the third leg and the sixth leg are coupled, a fifth anchor position to which the second leg and the fifth leg are coupled, and a sixth anchor position to which the first leg and the fourth leg are coupled; and wherein the first anchor position is aligned over the fourth anchor position when the six legs comprise equal lengths, the second anchor position is aligned over the fifth anchor position when the six legs comprise equal lengths, and the third anchor position is aligned over the sixth anchor position when the six legs comprise equal lengths.

11. The ride system of claim 10 , wherein each leg of the six legs forms a first angle with a first plane of the first platform of less than or equal to 45 degrees, and wherein each leg of the six legs forms a second angle with a second plane of the second platform of less than or equal to 45 degrees.

12. The ride system of claim 10 , comprising six actuators corresponding with the six legs and configured to be controlled so as to change lengths of the six legs.

13. The ride system of claim 10 , comprising: a base to which the platform assembly is directly or indirectly coupled; and an extension mechanism configured to change a distance of the ride vehicle from the base.

14. The ride system of claim 10 , comprising a plurality of winches disposed proximate to the first anchor position, the second anchor position, and the third anchor position of the first platform, wherein the plurality of winches are configured to extend the six legs, retract the six legs, or both.

15. The ride system of claim 10 , comprising:
an extension mechanism having a plurality of cables extending between the platform assembly and a mount of the ride system;
a plurality of motors configured to selectively winch the plurality of cables; and
a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of motors, wherein the controller is configured to:
monitor forces in the ride system caused by actuation of at least one leg of the six legs; and
modulate torque outputs of the plurality of motors based on the forces monitored by the controller.

Assignees

• Universal City Studios Llc

Inventors

• Blum Steven C
• King Steven

Classifications

• A63G31/16

  creating illusions of travel · CPC title

• A63G31/14 Primary

  with planes mounted on springs; with movable planes · CPC title

• A63G31/02 Primary

  with moving substructures · CPC title

• A63G21/20 Primary

  Slideways with movably suspended cars, or with cars moving on ropes, or the like · CPC title

• A63G7/00

  Up-and-down hill tracks; Switchbacks · CPC title