A gap blocking system includes a loading platform having a gap separating a first portion of the loading platform from a second portion of the loading platform. A ride vehicle is coupled to a transport extending through the gap. A guardrail assembly having a plurality of guardrail units is coupled to the first portion, where the guardrail units are configured to transition between a first position and a second position. The guardrail units are configured to block access to the gap when in the first position. The ride vehicle includes an engagement feature configured to interface with an individual guardrail unit of the guardrail units to selectively transition the individual guardrail unit from the first position to the second position. The individual guardrail unit is configured to permit the ride vehicle to occupy a guest-accessible position adjacent to or on the loading platform in the second position.

A passenger restraint system for roller coasters, designed to maintain a passenger in an essentially upright posture, the passenger restraint system including a fixed column and a seat column designed to support and hold the passenger, which seat column is coupled to the fixed column so as to be movable relative to the fixed column and to be adjustable to the size of the passenger during an embarkation phase. The seat column is coupled to the fixed column by an articulated linkage, and the passenger restraint system further includes a device for balancing the seat column, which balancing device includes a cylinder fixed, at a first articulated end, to the fixed column and, at a second articulated end, to the seat column.

A vehicle configuration wherein the center of mass of the vehicle is approximately superimposed upon the passenger and driver centers of mass when seated within the vehicle. An occupant's center of mass can be approximated using a standard center of mass position approximation, or a combination of any number of standard center of mass position approximations. The vehicle's center of mass can be approximately superimposed upon the occupant's center of mass in at least the longitudinal and vertical directions.

A vehicle configuration wherein the center of mass of the vehicle is approximately superimposed upon the passenger and driver centers of mass when seated within the vehicle. An occupant's center of mass can be approximated using a standard center of mass position approximation, or a combination of any number of standard center of mass position approximations. The vehicle's center of mass can be approximately superimposed upon the occupant's center of mass in at least the longitudinal and vertical directions.

A recreational off-highway vehicle includes side-by-side passenger and driver seats held within a chassis that is approximately 50 inches wide. The seats sit low in the chassis and are covered by a roll cage. Grab handles are positioned on the sides of the passenger seat. Select large round tubing protects the vehicle, while rectangular tubing frames the portions of the vehicle beneath body panels. The vehicle is powered by an engine rearward of the seats that is connected to a transaxle. The engine and transaxle are isolation mounted together with a portion of the air intake assembly. The vehicle is suited for rough terrain travel.

The invention relates to a passenger receptacle for an amusement ride (50), comprising a receiving portion (12) for receiving a passenger, a retaining device (20), which is adjustable between an open position, in which the access to the receiving portion (12) is possible for the passenger, and a closed position, in which the received passenger is held in the receiving portion (12), and a securing device (26), which interacts with the retaining device (20) in such a way that whenever the retaining device moves away, or wants to move away, from the closed position by a selectable degree, a further movement of the retaining device away from the closed position is blocked. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a passenger receptacle (10) and to an amusement ride (50) having such a passenger receptacle (10).

A restraint system for a ride vehicle includes a soft restraint configured to extend across a passenger to secure the passenger within a seat of the ride vehicle. The soft restraint includes a pliable material configured to conform to a substantial portion of a torso of the passenger, and a sensory stimulation system integrated with the soft restraint. The sensory stimulation system is configured to generate sensory effects and impart the sensory forces to the torso of the passenger. The soft restraint also includes an inflatable bladder system integrated with the soft restraint and the inflatable bladder system is configured to inflate with a gas to increase contact between the soft restraint and the torso of the passenger.

A ride vibration system includes a rider support feature coupled to a ride vehicle and accessible to a rider positioned in the ride vehicle. The system includes a vibrator with a motor that rotates an eccentric mass to generate vibrations. The vibrator is at least partially integrated with the rider support feature and transfers the vibrations to the rider support feature. An input device receives a vibration intensity selection. A controller couples to the vibrator and to the input device. The controller receives the vibration intensity selection and controls the motor to control an intensity of the vibrations.

A restraint system for a ride vehicle includes a soft restraint configured to extend across a passenger to secure the passenger within a seat of the ride vehicle. The soft restraint includes a pliable material configured to conform to a substantial portion of a torso of the passenger, and a sensory stimulation system integrated with the soft restraint. The sensory stimulation system is configured to generate sensory effects and impart the sensory forces to the torso of the passenger. The soft restraint also includes an inflatable bladder system integrated with the soft restraint and the inflatable bladder system is configured to inflate with a gas to increase contact between the soft restraint and the torso of the passenger.

A restraint system for a ride vehicle includes a rigid restraint configured to extend across a passenger to secure the passenger within a seat of the ride vehicle and a soft restraint coupled to the rigid restraint. The soft restraint includes a pliable material configured to conform to a substantial portion of a torso of the passenger and a haptic feedback system integrated with the soft restraint. The haptic feedback system is configured to generate vibrational forces and impart the vibrational forces to the torso of the passenger.