Remote release, redundant restraint latch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12065099-B2
Application number	US-202117174009-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 11, 2021
Priority date	Oct 5, 2020
Publication date	Aug 20, 2024
Grant date	Aug 20, 2024

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for securing a rider inside a ride vehicle of an amusement park ride. For example, the disclosed systems and methods include a restraint system (e.g., lap belt, harness, restraint bar (e.g., lap bar, shoulder bar), and the like) that includes a locking mechanism that is activated and deactivated remotely. The remote release locking mechanism includes redundant latches (e.g., a primary latch and at least one secondary, redundant latch) and encompasses a relatively small amount of components housed in a relatively small amount of space.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A restraint system, comprising:
a restraining mechanism configured to secure a rider with respect to a ride seat, wherein the restraining mechanism comprises a first connector; and
a remote release locking mechanism comprising a plurality of latches comprising a first, primary latch and at least one second, redundant latch, wherein the plurality of latches are configured to be individually remotely actuated to lock and unlock the first connector of the restraining mechanism relative to a second connector of the remote release locking mechanism, wherein:
the first connector of the restraining mechanism is locked relative to the second connector of the remote release locking mechanism when at least the first, primary latch or the at least one second, redundant latch is in a locked position; and
the first connector of the restraining mechanism is unlocked relative to the second connector of the remote release locking mechanism when both the first, primary latch and the at least one second, redundant latch are in an unlocked position.

2. The restraint system of claim 1 , wherein the remote release locking mechanism comprises a plurality of toggle bolts and a plurality of solenoids, wherein each toggle bolt of the plurality of toggle bolts comprises a respective latch of the plurality of latches, and wherein each solenoid of the plurality of solenoids is configured to be individually remotely actuated to apply a force against a respective toggle bolt to individually lock and collectively unlock the first connector of the restraining mechanism relative to the second connector of the remote release locking mechanism.

3. The restraint system of claim 2 , wherein each toggle bolt of the plurality of toggle bolts is configured to pivot in response to the force applied by a respective solenoid of the plurality of solenoids to move a respective latch of the plurality of latches into and out of an opening through the first connector of the restraining mechanism to lock and unlock the first connector of the restraining mechanism relative to the second connector of the remote release locking mechanism.

4. The restraint system of claim 1 , comprising a handheld device configured to send control signals to the remote release locking mechanism to individually remotely actuate the plurality of latches.

5. The restraint system of claim 1 , comprising a control system configured to send control signals to the remote release locking mechanism to individually remotely actuate the plurality of latches.

6. The restraint system of claim 5 , comprising one or more sensors associated with the ride seat, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to detect a presence of the rider within the ride seat, wherein the control system is configured to send the control signals to the remote release locking mechanism to individually remotely actuate the plurality of latches in response to detection of the presence of the rider within the ride seat.

7. The restraint system of claim 5 , wherein the remote release locking mechanism comprises one or more sensors configured to detect a latching state of one or more latches of the plurality of latches, and to send a signal to the control system indicative of the detected latching state of the one or more latches of the plurality of latches.

8. The restraint system of claim 1 , wherein the remote release locking mechanism comprises an ejector mechanism configured to push the first connector of the restraining mechanism out of the second connector of the remote release locking mechanism.

9. The restraint system of claim 1 , wherein the restraining mechanism comprises a lap belt, a harness, a restraint bar, or some combination thereof.

10. The restraint system of claim 1 , wherein:
the second connector of the remote release locking mechanism holds the first connector of the restraining mechanism in place within a latching channel of the remote release locking mechanism when the first connector of the restraining mechanism is locked relative to the second connector of the remote release locking mechanism; and
the second connector of the remote release locking mechanism releases the first connector of the restraining mechanism from the latching channel of the remote release locking mechanism when the first connector of the restraining mechanism is unlocked relative to the second connector of the remote release locking mechanism.

11. An amusement park ride, comprising:
one or more ride vehicles, wherein each ride vehicle comprises one or more ride seats, wherein each ride seat comprises:
a restraining mechanism configured to secure a rider with respect to a ride seat of the one or more ride seats, wherein the restraining mechanism comprises a first connector; and
a remote release locking mechanism comprising a plurality of latches comprising a first, primary latch and at least one second, redundant latch, wherein the plurality of latches are configured to be individually remotely actuated to lock and unlock the first connector of the restraining mechanism relative to a second connector of the remote release locking mechanism, wherein:
the first connector of the restraining mechanism is locked relative to the second connector of the remote release locking mechanism when at least the first, primary latch or the at least one second, redundant latch is in a locked position; and
the first connector of the restraining mechanism is unlocked relative to the second connector of the remote release locking mechanism when both the first, primary latch and the at least one second, redundant latch are in an unlocked position.

12. The amusement park ride of claim 11 , wherein each remote release locking mechanism comprises a plurality of toggle bolts and a plurality of solenoids, wherein each toggle bolt of the plurality of toggle bolts comprises a respective latch of the plurality of latches, and wherein each solenoid of the plurality of solenoids is configured to be individually remotely actuated to apply a force against a respective toggle bolt to individually lock and collectively unlock the first connector of the restraining mechanism relative to the second connector of the remote release locking mechanism.

13. The amusement park ride of claim 12 , wherein each toggle bolt of the plurality of toggle bolts is configured to pivot in response to the force applied by a respective solenoid of the plurality of solenoids to move a respective latch of the plurality of latches into and out of an opening through the first connector of the restraining mechanism to lock and unlock the first connector of the restraining mechanism relative to the second connector of the remote release locking mechanism.

14. The amusement park ride of claim 11 , comprising a handheld device configured to send control signals to the remote release locking mechanism to individually remotely actuate the plurality of latches.

15. The amusement park ride of claim 11 , comprising a control system configured to send control signals to the remote release locking mechanism to individually remotely actuate the plurality of latches.

16. The amusement park ride of claim 15 , comprising one or more sensors associated with each ride seat of the one or more ride seats, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to detect a presence of the rider within the ride seat, wherein the control system is configured to send the control signals to the remote release locking mechanism to individually remotely actuate the plurality of latches in response to detection of the presence of the rider within the ride seat.

Assignees

• Universal City Studios Llc

Inventors

• Simonelli James K
• Wilson John D

Classifications

• A63G7/00

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

• B60R2022/4816

  for sensing locking of buckle · CPC title

• A44B11/25

  with two or more separable parts · CPC title

• B60R22/12

  Construction of belts or harnesses (B60R21/18 takes precedence {; woven fabrics for safety belts D03D1/0005}) · CPC title

• B60R22/001

  Knee, leg or head belts · CPC title