Device For Restraining A Passenger In A Holder Of An Amusement Ride

Abstract

A mechanism for restraining a passenger restrained in a restraint system of an amusement ride, comprising at least one sensor device which includes a sensor for verifying whether there is a form-fit between the passenger and the mechanism.

Claims

1. A device for restraining a passenger held in a holder of an amusement ride comprising: a sensor device, wherein the sensor device has a sensor for detecting and monitoring a specific sitting position of the passenger in an amusement ride seat.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor of the sensor device detects a passenger body, a passenger body region, a passenger body position, or a combination thereof.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor of the sensor device compares a measurement of a passenger body, a passenger body region, or a combination thereof, to a predetermined body position.

4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a scanner.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor of the sensor device comprises a temperature sensor, a surface sensor, a pressure sensor, a displaceable or compressible medium sensor, a capacitive sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, or a combination thereof.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor of the sensor device detects and monitors a proximal fitting of a movable holder at the passenger body.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor of the sensor device detects and monitors a passenger body position in relation to a fixed holder.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device for restraining a passenger is configured to issue a clearance to start for the amusement ride.

9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: a holder, including a fixed holder and a movable holder.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the sensor of the sensor device is mounted in the fixed holder, the movable holder, or both the fixed holder and the movable holder.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device includes a plurality of sensor devices, wherein an individual sensor device of the plurality of sensor devices is mounted in a movable holder, in a seat shell, or in a back shell.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device is mounted at least partially outside of the holder of the amusement ride.

13. A method for restraining a passenger of an amusement ride comprising: providing a device for restraining a passenger held in a holder of an amusement ride having a sensor device, wherein the sensor device has a sensor for detecting and monitoring a specific sitting position of the passenger in an amusement ride seat; and a measuring unit; an adjusting device; detecting passenger dimensions with the measuring unit by using at least one of the sensor device devices; transmitting the passenger dimensions to the adjusting device; and adjusting, via the adjusting device, the holder to the passenger dimensions before the amusement ride starts.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: detecting the passenger dimensions when the amusement ride travels through an area for take-off of the amusement ride.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: enabling take-off for the amusement ride after adjusting the holder to the passenger dimensions.

16. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an adjusting device with an actuator.

Description

[0036] The present invention is described in greater detail on the basis of the exemplary embodiments of the subsequent figures.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a device for restraining a passenger held in a holder of an amusement ride;

[0038] FIG. 2 snows a detailed view of a holder having a device for restraining a passenger according to FIG. 1;

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram for illustrating the method according to the present invention according to FIG. 1.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a device 1 for restraining a passenger 20 held in a holder 40 of an amusement ride 10.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of a holder 40 having a device 1 according to FIG. 1.

[0042] FIG. 3 schematically shows the method according to the present invention for adjusting the device according to FIG. 1 on the basis of a block diagram.

[0043] To avoid unnecessary repetitions, FIGS. 1 through 3 are subsequently jointly addressed.

[0044] The exemplary embodiment shows an amusement ride 10 having a device 1 for restraining a passenger 20. Passenger 20 is held in a holder 40, holder 40 being accommodated in a passenger reception 12, for example, in a vehicle, in a cable car, in a cab. The amusement ride may, for example, be a rail-mounted amusement ride in an amusement park, in particular a roller coaster.

[0045] Modern restraint systems at amusement rides 10 are conceptualized in such a manner that they secure passenger 20 by having the least possible points of contact with the passenger. Holder 40 of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1 holds passenger 20, for example, at his/her not-shown thighs.

[0046] Device 1 has a sensor device 30 provided by means 34, by which a form lock between passenger 20 and device 1 may be monitored. In the exemplary embodiment here shown, sensor unit 30 has a temperature sensor 34a which detects the body temperature of passengers 20. Sensor device 30, however, is not limited to only temperature sensor 34a. Surface sensors 34b here not shown, pressure sensors 34c, sensors 34d detecting a displaceable or compressible medium or capacitive sensors 34e or ultrasonic sensors 34f or infrared sensors 34g or other sensors may also be used for detecting the dimensions of a passenger 20.

[0047] These means 34 of sensor device 30 may detect body 22 and/or body positions 24, for example, a seated body position 24 of passenger 20, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, or body regions 26 of passengers 20.

[0048] On the basis of the different body dimensions of passengers 20, it results that a wide range of people has to be taken into account when ergonomically conceptualizing holder 40. This, for example, also requires the individually adjustable position of movable holder 46, into which means 34 of sensor device 30 may be mounted. Means 34 of sensor device 30 mounted in movable holder 46 monitor the form lock between passenger 20 and movable holder 46 or holder 40. Body 22 of passenger 20 is wedged in holder 40 in such a way that passenger 20 is enclosed in a form-locking manner in holder 40. Thus, the passenger is not able to escape holder 40, neither by arising acceleration forces nor by his/her own doing.

[0049] The exemplary embodiment shows a scanner 36 which is situated separate from holder 40. Scanner 36 carries out a comparison measurement of individual body parts and/or body regions of passengers 20 to a predetermined holder position. Expediently, scanner 36 detects for the comparison measurement an optical image of passenger 20, which then may be easily compared to a predetermined holder position. Foreign objects of passengers 20, for example, backpacks, bags, etc., may be easily and reliably detected by such an optical comparison measurement.

[0050] Shown holder 40 has a seat shell 42, a back shell 44 and a movable holder 46, The sensor device in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 includes temperature sensors 34a situated in movable holder 46, as well as pressure sensors 34c situated in back shell 44 and in seat shell 42. Holders 40 having other sensors are of course also conceivable. The use of sensors quantitatively detecting different measured variables, such as, for example, temperature sensors 34a, which detect the body temperature of passengers 20, and pressure sensors 34c, which detect the contact forces of passengers 20 in back shell 44 and seat shell 42, in the exemplary embodiment, ensure a secure detection of body 22 and body positions 24 of a passenger 20.

[0051] Means 34 of sensor device 30 may be mounted in holder 40 or outside of amusement ride 10, for example in the take-off area, and monitor the form lock between passenger 20 and holder 40 while amusement ride 10 travels through the take-off area or before the departure of amusement ride 10.

[0052] In the shown method for restraining a passenger 20 held in a holder 40 of an amusement ride 10 by a device 1 an adjusting device 50 is used. As an input signal, a measuring unit 52 receives the dimensions of passenger 20 detected by means 34 of sensor device 30. Measuring unit 52 transmits the input signals to adjusting device 50. Adjusting device 50 is able to adjust holder 40 of the amusement ride before take-off and/or while amusement ride 10 is traveling through the take-off area. In the simplest case, the adjusting device has an actuator 54, which adjusts the body proximal fitting of movable holder 46 at body 22 of passenger 20.

[0053] The sensorial monitoring of body position 24 and of the body proximal fitting of movable holder 46 by sensor device 30 increases the safety so that the form lock between passenger 20 and holder 40 is ensured.

[0054] Device 1 for restraining passengers 20 supports the service personnel of amusement rides 10 in the detection of misbehavior, for example, faulty sitting positions, bulky clothing or objects impairing the form lock. The clearance to start amusement ride 10, which so far has been able to occur within the area of the closing position of movable holder 46 even for an incorrect closing position of movable holder 46, is now only possible if movable holder 46 indeed fits in a body proximal manner at body 22 of passenger 20.

[0055] As a support system, for supporting the service personnel, device 1 shown in the exemplary embodiment assists to reduce human error and, thus, to increase the safety for passengers 20.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0056] 1 device for restraining

[0057] 10 amusement ride

[0058] 12 passenger reception

[0059] 20 passenger

[0060] 22 body

[0061] 24 body position

[0062] 26 body region

[0063] 30 sensor device

[0064] 34 means

[0065] 34a temperature sensor

[0066] 34b surface sensor

[0067] 34c pressure sensor

[0068] 34d sensor detecting a displaceable or compressible medium

[0069] 34e capacitive sensor

[0070] 34f ultrasonic sensor

[0071] 34g infrared sensor

[0072] 36 scanner

[0073] 40 holder

[0074] 42 fixed holder

[0075] 46 movable holder

[0076] 50 adjusting device

[0077] 52 measuring unit

[0078] 54 actuator