A vehicle connection system in accordance with present embodiments includes a first connection mechanism having a shaft with a first portion coupled to a second portion by a hinged joint. A locking element extends from the second portion. Guides extend on opposing sides of the second portion such that a channel is formed between the guides and the guides block movement of the second portion about the hinged joint outside of the channel. The guides are positioned between the locking element and the hinged joint along the shaft. A second connection mechanism is configured to couple with the first connection mechanism and includes a locking box configured to receive the locking element via an aperture in the locking box and configured such that rotation of the locking element while in the locking box via rotation of the shaft interlocks the locking element with the lock box.

The present invention relates to system, vehicle and method for providing an amusement activity. According to one embodiment, it is provided an amusement vehicle adapted for carrying a passenger, the vehicle comprising of a wireless signal receiver, a trigger mechanism and amusement means, a wireless signal transmitter capable of transmitting a signal to said amusement vehicle, the signal defining a trigger mechanism, an amusement scene and a proximity context, wherein the wireless signal transmitter transmits a signal to a vehicle in an amusement path, the vehicle receives the signal comprising a trigger mechanism and amusement scene and determines the amusement means based on received amusement scene, determines the trigger mechanism based on received trigger mechanism and triggers an amusement means to perform an amusement scene.

A water ride including vehicles that ride on a track and using water for braking. A run-out section of the track is provided after a drop or down chute section, and the track in the run-out section runs through a pool of water at a depth causing at least a portion of a vehicle riding on the rails to contact a depth of the water to achieve vehicle braking. Significantly, the new water ride is adapted to adjust or set a variable height of the rails in the run-out chute or pool to adjust the depth of water providing water drag on a vehicle traveling through the run-out section based on the vehicle weight. A braking force is applied by the water that is proportional to vehicle weight, and the water ride may be thought of as slowing vehicles with a range of weights at about the same deceleration rate.

A water ride including vehicles that ride on a track and using water for braking. A run-out section of the track is provided after a drop or down chute section, and the track in the run-out section runs through a pool of water at a depth causing at least a portion of a vehicle riding on the rails to contact a depth of the water to achieve vehicle braking. Significantly, the new water ride is adapted to adjust or set a variable height of the rails in the run-out chute or pool to adjust the depth of water providing water drag on a vehicle traveling through the run-out section based on the vehicle weight. A braking force is applied by the water that is proportional to vehicle weight, and the water ride may be thought of as slowing vehicles with a range of weights at about the same deceleration rate.

A face orientation system of a ride that includes one or more sensors and a controller. The controller receives ride cart data from the one or more sensors indicative of a presence and position of the ride cart on the ride. Further, the controller determines the ride cart's orientation based on the ride cart's data and receives position data of a guest from the one or more sensors indicative of a position of a body, a face, or a combination thereof, of the guest. Additionally, the controller determines the face orientation, the face rotation, or a combination thereof, of the guest based on the ride cart's orientation and the position data. Finally, the controller transmits data indicative of the determined face orientation, face rotation, or a combination thereof, to a downstream controller for subsequent control based upon the determined face orientation, face rotation, or the combination thereof.

A face orientation system of a ride that includes one or more sensors and a controller. The controller receives ride cart data from the one or more sensors indicative of a presence and position of the ride cart on the ride. Further, the controller determines the ride cart's orientation based on the ride cart's data and receives position data of a guest from the one or more sensors indicative of a position of a body, a face, or a combination thereof, of the guest. Additionally, the controller determines the face orientation, the face rotation, or a combination thereof, of the guest based on the ride cart's orientation and the position data. Finally, the controller transmits data indicative of the determined face orientation, face rotation, or a combination thereof, to a downstream controller for subsequent control based upon the determined face orientation, face rotation, or the combination thereof.

An amusement park system includes a modular attraction system having a ride vehicle having seats to accommodate passengers, an on-board system integrated with the ride vehicle and having on-board game systems connected via a network. Each on-board game system is configured to provide an augmented reality (AR) experience, or a virtual reality (VR) experience, or both, via a respective visual experience generator device. The AR experience, or the VR experience, or both, is provided within a game shared between the on-board game systems. The on-board game systems are integrated into the ride vehicle, and are connected via the network to one another in a manner that allows for ready removal of all or a portion of one of the on-board game systems without affecting operation of the remaining on-board game systems.

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.

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.

Passenger restraint systems are provided. The restraint systems can include: a passenger seat supported by a frame; a restraint bar pivotably attached to the frame; and at least one piston operably engaged between the restraint bar and the frame. Restraint system pistons are provided. The pistons can include: a central chamber housing a piston head and rod; a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the central chamber; and at least one electromechanical valve operable between an open and a closed position. Methods for restraining a passenger within a seat are also provided.