A new patent application from Universal Destinations & Experiences appears to look at further improving the restraints that maintain safety on rides.
The patent, dubbed "Support Bar Mounted System and Method of Minimum Close Indication for Ride Vehicle," describes a crossbar-style restraint system that can determine if a minimum closed position is attained when restraining passengers on a ride vehicle. There's also mention of a "flap" mechanism on the side of the ride seat that can help indicate when the crossbar restraint has hit a minimum closed position for restraining the passenger.
The patent describes how some newer rides have a wider range of directionality in terms of the movements — which in part plays into the immersive experience — and thus a restraint system to accommodate that is needed.
"[A ride's] dynamic movement operations may include, for example, lateral translation movements, spins, helical spins, slides in or contrary to the direction of movement of the ride vehicle, periods of rapid acceleration and deceleration, transitions into reverse, sharp turns or combinations thereof ... It is thus important that the passenger be safely restrained in the seat so that the passenger is prevented fro being ejected from the seat due to the dynamic movement operation of the ride vehicle," the patent says.
The patent also describes various ways the harness system can inform the ride operator that the restraint is not in an ideal operating position to ensure rider safety.
Executives with Universal could not be reached for comment on the patent.
Patents can offer insights into what theme-park designers/creators see as possible improvements that can have positive results on the overall experience.
Here's a look at Universal's other recently filed patent applications:
- Choreographed Ride Systems and Methods: Describe a more free-moving carousel ride system that has more mobility vertically and horizontally — adding a twist to the traditional carousel-style attractions.
- Dark Ride Tower Systems Having Stationary and Adaptable Rooms: Describes a tower-like ride system with two levels: The first level is a stationary room and the second can change in configurations.
- System and Method for Tracking a Passive Wand and Actuating an Effect Based on a Detected Wand Path: The technology allows for a user with a handheld object such as a wand to use specific gestures to activate certain effects in their environment.
- Interactive Animated Character Head Systems and Methods: Identifies a system where an animated head on a character can respond to pre-determined signals from an interaction between the character head and the guest.
Universal Orlando Resort — owned and operated by Philadelphia-based Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA) — is among Central Florida's top attractions, per Orlando Business Journal research. Universal Orlando typically draws a combined 20 million-plus annual visitors to its Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida theme parks as well as its Volcano Bay water park in Orlando.
Universal also owns the CityWalk dining/shopping/entertainment complex, several area hotels and more than 700 acres for development off of Universal Boulevard, where it is building its Epic Universe theme park. That new $1 billion park is expected to create up to 14,000 new theme-park jobs along with thousands of local construction and vendor opportunities.
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