US20160114252A1 - Suspended Amusement Ride System - Google Patents

Abstract

Various embodiments of load carrying systems comprise a load supporting frame comprising three or more connection points and an associated set of lifts configured which define six separate triangles defining separate planes configured to brace against surge, sway and yaw with respect to a support frame, such as unintended or unwanted surge, sway and yaw, while allowing intended and/or desired surge, sway and yaw.

Description

RELATION TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS
• This application claims the benefit of, and priority through, U.S.Provisional Application 62/069,428, titled “Suspended Theater Ride System,” filed Oct. 28, 2014.
BACKGROUND
• Motion bases, including inverted motions bases, have been described in the art. However, certain of these motion bases, such as suspended motion bases, do not lessen or eliminate unwanted and/or unintended surge, sway or yaw.
DRAWINGS
• Various figures are included herein which illustrate aspects of embodiments of the disclosed inventions.
• FIG. 1 is a view in partial perspective of a portion of a first exemplary load carrying system;
• FIG. 2 is a view in partial perspective illustrating the six triangles which define separate planes configured to brace against surge, sway and yaw with respect to load supporting frame;
• FIG. 3 is a further illustration of the separate planes and the exemplary load carrying system;
• FIG. 4 is a cutaway view in partial perspective of an embodiment of a load carrying system illustrating an exemplary counterweight-winch configuration;
• FIG. 5 is a cutaway view in partial perspective of an exemplary load carrying system;
• FIG. 6 is a view in partial perspective of a second exemplary load carrying system and a first exemplary theater system;
• FIG. 7 is a view in partial perspective of an exemplary theater system from a rear view perspective;
• FIG. 8 is a cutaway view in partial perspective of an embodiment of a load carrying system illustrating an exemplary counterweight-winch configuration;
• FIGS. 9a-9care schematic views of various exemplary configurations of counterweighted lift systems and illustrations of how they effect movement;
• FIGS. 10a-10bare views in partial perspective of an exemplary theater system from a various perspectives, focusing partly on seating;
• FIGS. 12 and 13a-13dare views in partial cutaway perspective of a theater seating arrangements in various loading, pitch, and yaw positions;
• FIGS. 14-15 are view in partial perspective of an exemplary theater system seating arrangements;
• FIG. 16 is a view in partial perspective of a third exemplary load carrying system and a portion of an amusement ride system with block diagrammatic illustrations of various controllers;
• FIG. 17 is a further view in partial perspective of a portion of an amusement ride system;
• FIG. 18 is a view in partial perspective of an exemplary lift configuration for the amusement ride system;
• FIG. 19 is a view in partial perspective of portions of the exemplary lift configuration for the amusement ride system and
• FIGS. 20a-20care schematic illustrations of how a non-counterweight configuration can effect movement.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
• In the various embodiments disclosed herein, a support frame, which may be configured as an overhead frame, is supported via tension members which keep the frame stable and lessen or eliminate unwanted and/or unintended surge, sway or yaw; help retain heave, pitch and roll; and aid in rigging a system of which they are a part for ease of maintenance.
• As used herein, “cable,” “rope,” “wire,” and “chain” all refer generally to a flexible tensile and/or winchable element. Moreover, as will be familiar to those of ordinary skill in the controllable machinery arts, each described controller, by way of example and not limitation including programmable system controller290 (FIG. 6) or490 (FIG. 19), may be a single such controller, a plurality of controllers each assigned to a separate set of controlled devices, a set of redundant controllers arranged in with fail-safe redundancy, or the like, or a combination thereof. Further, the general references to a set of pulleys,e.g. pulley11 orpulley12, are meant to be illustrative and not limiting,e.g. pulleys11 and12 are not necessarily associated with pulleys44-45.
• Generally referring toFIGS. 1-3, in a first embodiment,load carrying system1 comprisesload supporting frame20, which further comprises three connection points,e.g. connection points21,22,23; and three lifts10 configured to be controlled independently with respect to vertical positioning of one of the threeconnection points21,22,23. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the three lifts10 (FIG. 3) define sixseparate triangles1,2,3,4,5,6 which further define separate planes configured to brace against surge, sway and yaw with respect toload supporting frame20, such as unintended or unwanted surge, sway and yaw, while allowing intended and/or desired surge, sway and yaw. Although lifts10 may be configured to be controlled independently with respect to vertical positioning of one of the threeconnection points21,22,23, two or more lifts10 may be controlled to effect synchronicity.
• Referring specifically toFIG. 3, each lift10 comprises acontrollable winch70, e.gcontrollable winch71,controllable winch72, orcontrollable winch73; a set of sheaves orother pulleys11,12,13,14,15,16; and a corresponding set of cables30,e.g. cable31,cable32, andcable33, which are operatively attached to a respectivecontrollable winch70, routed over a respective set of pulleys, and routed to a predetermined connection point of the threeconnection points21,22,13. Each cable30 ofcables31,32,33 andload supporting frame20 define two separate triangles of the six separate triangles1-6. One or more connection point of the set ofconnection points21,22,23 may comprise a swiveling connection, a U-joint, or the like, or a combination thereof.
• Referring additionally toFIG. 4, in contemplated embodiments, one ormore counterweights40,e.g counterweight41,counterweights42, andcounterweights43 are present for each of the three lifts10, eachcounterweight40 operatively connected to a respective cable30 of the threecables31,32,33.
• Each set of pulleys of the three sets of pulleys (e.g.,11 and12,13 and14, and15 and16) is typically similar if not identical to each other set. The description which follows for one set of pulleys is therefore similar if not identical to each of set of pulleys. A pulley set typically comprises first pulley, e.g.11, disposed intermediate a predetermined connection point such asconnection point22 and onecounterweight40,e.g. counterweight41, wherefirst pulley11 is further disposed proximate thepredetermined counterweight40,e.g. counterweight41. The pulley set also typically comprisessecond pulley12 disposed intermediate the predetermined connection point,e.g. connection point22, and thepredetermined counterweight40,e.g. counterweight41.
• Other pulleys may be present. By way of example and not limitation, and referring back toFIG. 1,third pulley44 may be disposed intermediatefirst pulley11 and its corresponding predetermined counterweight,e.g. counterweight41.Fourth pulley45 disposed intermediate thesecond pulley12 and its corresponding predetermined counterweight,e.g. counterweight41. In certain embodiments, a pulley set may further comprise a fifth pulley, such asfifth pulley13 or18, disposed intermediate a first pulley, e.g.14, and predetermined connection point such asconnection point21 proximate the predetermined connection point.
• Eachwinch70 may be configured to accept a predetermined length of a corresponding cable30 about a portion ofwinch70. In certain embodiments, eachwinch70 is operatively connected to acorresponding counterweight40.
• In certain embodiments, and additionally referring generally toFIG. 3, each cable30 comprises a first end, e.g.first cable end33a, and a second end, e.g.second cable end33b, where each of first cable end33aandsecond cable end33bare terminated at acorresponding winch70 and/orcounterweight40. In other embodiments, cable30,e.g. cable31, comprisesfirst cable31a, comprisingfirst cable end31c, terminated at winch70 (the termination is not illustrated) or counterweight40 (FIG. 4), andsecond cable end31dterminated at the predetermined connection point such asconnection point22, andsecond cable31b, comprisingfirst cable end31e, terminated at winch70 (the termination is not illustrated) or counterweight40 (FIG. 4), andsecond cable end31fterminated at the predetermined connection point,e.g. connection point22.
• Referring generally toFIG. 4, in embodiments, as will be familiar to those of ordinary skill in the mechanical support structure arts, eachwinch70 may comprise a plurality ofwinches70. Typically, eachwinch70 further comprises selectivelycontrollable motor81 operatively connected todrum82, which may further comprise a plurality of drums82a,82b(not shown in the figures as such will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in these arts; see, e.g.FIG. 9c). In these configurations, each cable30 may comprisefirst end31cattached to first drum82aandsecond end31dattached to second drum82b. In contemplated embodiments, one ormore winches70 may further comprises first selectively controllable motor81aoperatively (not shown in the figures as such will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in these arts) connected to first drum82aand second selectively controllable motor81b(not shown in the figures as such will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in these arts) operatively connected to second drum82b. Each of first selectively controllable motor81aand second selectively controllable motor81bmay be controllable independently of each other, synchronously, or the like, or a combination thereof.
• Winch controller84 is typically present and operatively in communication with one or more the threecontrollable winches70. In embodiments,winch controller84 comprises two ormore winch controllers84 which may be arranged redundantly or independently, e.g. aseparate winch controller84 for eachcontrollable winch70.
• Referring generally toFIG. 5, in certainembodiments load carrier52 is present and connected toload supporting frame20. Although illustrated as a passenger seating area,load carrier52 could be of any suitable type, by way of example and not limitation including a general cargo carrier such as a pallet or container platform. In some of these embodiments,load carrier52 is suspended fromload supporting frame20 such as by being suspended underneathload supporting frame20.
• In certain embodiments,lift support60, e.g. rails or the like, may be present and configured to support one or more lifts10. Wherelift support60 is present, one ormore lift movers62 may also be present and operatively connected to the supported lift10. Theselift movers60 are typically configured to allow for controlled movement of the supported lift10 and/or some of its components aboutlift support60 in a predetermined plane,e.g. pulley14. This controlled movement may be independent of each other controlled movement of each selectivelycontrollable mover62, performed synchronously, or a combination thereof.
• Referring generally now toFIGS. 6-18, in a second embodiment,seating system200 comprisesvertical guide202,lift support260, load carryingsystem206 comprisingload supporting frame220, and one ormore passenger carriers252 connected to load supportingframe220.Passenger carrier252 is typically configured to support a plurality of human passengers.
• Vertical guide202 comprises one ormore supports207, each comprising anupper portion204;lower portion203 disposed opposite the upper portion; and counterweight guide205 disposed intermediateupper portion204 andlower portion203.
• Lift support260 is connected to support207 proximateupper portion204.
• Load carrying system206, which is typically supported bylift support260, typically comprises load supportingframe220, comprising threeconnection points221,222,223, and threelifts210 which may be configured to be controlled independently with respect to each other to achieve independent vertical positioning of one of the threeconnection points221,222,223. As with the first embodiment, this controlled movement may be independent of each other controlled movement of each selectivelycontrollable motor281, performed synchronously, or a combination thereof.
• As with the first embodiment as well, threelifts210 define sixseparate triangles1,2,3,4,5,6 defining separate planes configured to brace against surge, sway and yaw with respect to the frame. Eachlift210 typically comprisescounterweight240 such ascounterweight241,242,243 movably disposed aboutcounterweight guide205, which may interpreted as including being disposed at least partially withincounterweight guide205;controllable winch270 operatively connected to its associatedcounterweight240; a set ofpulleys211,212,213,214,215,216; and a set of cables230 (e.g.,cables231,232,233 (FIG. 10a)) operatively attached to a specificcontrollable winch270 and routed over the set of pulleys to a connection point of the threeconnection points221,222,223. Each set of cables230 and load supportingframe220 define two separate triangles of the six separate triangles.
• One ormore winches270 may be disposedproximate bottom portion209 ofvertical guide202 and operatively connected to a corresponding set ofcounterweights240 to movecounterweights240 within an associatedcounterweight guide205. In these configurations, the set ofpulleys211,212,213,214,215,216 are typically disposed aboutlift support260.
• Referring additionally toFIGS. 8, 9a,9b, and9c, one or more ofwinches270 may further comprise first selectively controllable motor281aoperatively connected to first drum282aand second selectivelycontrollable motor281boperatively connected to second drum282b. These, in turn, may be connected to a corresponding plurality of counterweights, e.g.241aand241b.
• Eachwinch270 typically is configured to accept a predetermined length of a corresponding cable230 about a portion of thatwinch270. Cable230 may be configured similarly to cable30 described above, e.g. with a first end and a second end, each of which are terminated atwinch270 and/or acorresponding counterweight240.
• Passenger carrier252 may be connected to load supportingframe220 byconnection255 which may comprise a jointed connection, a U-joint, or the like, or a combination thereof.
• One ormore winch controllers284 may be present and operatively in communication with one or morecontrollable winches270. In embodiments,winch controller284 comprises two ormore winch controllers284 which may be arranged redundantly or independently, e.g. aseparate winch controller284 for eachcontrollable winch270.
• Typically, one or more programmable system controllers290 (FIG. 6) is also present and operatively in communication with one ormore winch controllers284. By way of example and not limitation, a set ofwinch controllers284, e.g. one to threewinch controllers284, may be operatively connected to an associated, predeterminedcontrollable winch270 and at least oneprogrammable system controller290 may be operatively in communication with eachsuch winch controller284.
• One or more connection points, e.g.221, of the set of connection points221,222,223 may comprise connection254 (FIG. 15) which may comprise a swiveling connection, a U-joint, or the like, or a combination thereof.
• Referring back toFIGS. 10aand 10b, additionally, in certain embodiments one or more substantiallyinflexible support rods256 may be present and configured to connectpassenger carrier252 to load supportingframe220. One or morecross-bracing pieces257 may be connected to one or more of the substantiallyinflexible support rods256, e.g. swivelingly connected to substantiallyinflexible support rod256.
• In configurations,lift support260 may comprise a plurality ofrails261 or the like and on which one ormore lifts210 or various lift components such as pulleys, e.g,pulley214, may be mounted such as onlift support263. In such configurations, one or more selectivelycontrollable movers262 may be present and aspecific lift support263 may be configured to be connected to a corresponding selectivelycontrollable mover262 and configured to allow travel oflift210 and/or one of its components such aspulley214 about thatspecific lift support260. This controlled movement may be independent of each other controlled movement of each selectivelycontrollable mover262, performed synchronously, or a combination thereof. As illustrated inFIGS. 9a-9c, various embodiments allow for movement relative to a connection point such as221.
• In certain contemplated embodiments support206 comprises one ormore rails203, theserails203 defining a further plurality of counterweight guides205.
• Referring back toFIG. 6, in a further embodiment,seating system200 may be incorporated intotheater300 which, in addition toseating system200, comprises theater space301 andimage screen302 disposed within theater space301 whereimage screen302 typically comprises an area comprising a curved surface.Seating system200 is typically disposedopposite image screen302 at least partially within theater space301. In a theater application, there may be no inherent need for overhead winch placement and, typically, all cables230 are routed over and down to a more convenient winch location. Due to rigging, frame stability is retained.
• Passenger carrier252 is typically connected to load supportingframe220 such that the human passengers contained inpassenger carrier252 are facingimage screen302 at least some of the time.
• Connection ofpassenger carrier252 to theload supporting frame220 may comprise one or more support rods253 disposedintermediate passenger carrier252load supporting frame220 and connected to load supportingframe220 such as by using a U-joint.
• Referring now toFIGS. 16-20c, in a third embodiment, load carryingsystem400 comprisesload supporting frame420, comprising threeconnection points421,422,423, and threelifts410 configured to be controlled independently with respect to vertical positioning of one of the three connection points, the three lifts defining sixseparate triangles1,2,3,4,5,6 (FIG. 2) defining separate planes configured to brace against surge, sway and yaw with respect to load supportingframe420.
• In a ride system, e.g. a suspended dark ride, cable control typically must travel with a passenger support frame and be packaged tightly with a passenger carrier, which can comprise a cabin, transport system, or a combination thereof. By way of example and not limitation, load carryingsystem400 can be located either up inpassenger carrier transport402 or down onroof453 ofpassenger carrier452.
• Referring additionally toFIGS. 18-19, eachlift410 typically comprises one or morecontrollable motors481; one ormore drums482 operatively connected to a correspondingcontrollable motor481 and configured to accept a predetermined length of acorresponding cable430 about a portion of eachsuch drum482; a set ofpulleys411,412,413,414,415,416; and one ormore cables430,e.g. cables431,432,433 routed over the set of pulleys and to, and in some embodiments through, a predetermined connection point of the threeconnection points421,422,423. Eachcable430 typically comprisesfirst cable end436aattached to drum482 andsecond cable end436bcooperatively attached to drum482. As before, eachcable430 and its associated portion of load supportingload supporting frame420 define two separate triangles of the six separate triangles.
• In an embodiment, each set of pulleys of the three sets of pulleys comprises a first pulley,e.g. pulley411, disposed intermediate a predetermined connection point of the three connection points, e.g.421, and a second pulley,e.g. pulley412, disposed opposite the first pulley intermediate the predetermined connection point of the three connection points and a drum of the associatedlift410,e.g. drum482.
• As in the other embodiments,controllable motor481 may comprise a plurality of controllable motors, e.g.481a,481b,481c. Eachcontrollable motor481 may be configured to be controlled synchronously and/or independently of each othercontrollable motor481. Moreover, drum482 may comprise a plurality ofdrums482a,482b. In these configurations, eachdrum482a,482bis typically operatively connected to a distinct controllable motor, e.g.481a. In other embodiments, eachdrum482 may be operatively connected to a distinct controllable motor,e.g. drum482amay be connected to481aanddrum482bto a collocated but separate, distinctly controllable motor (not shown in the figures). In embodiments wheredrum482 comprises a plurality of drums,e.g. drums482aand482b,cable430 typically comprisesfirst cable end436aattached tofirst drum482aandsecond end436battached tosecond drum482b. As in other embodiments, eachcable430 may comprise two or moreseparate cables430.
• One ormore motor controllers484 may be present and operatively in communication with one or morecontrollable motors481. The plurality ofcontrollable motors481 may be configured to be controlled synchronously and/or independently.
• In embodiments, eachcontrollable motor481 controls vertical positioning of one of the frame swivel attachments such as may be at a connection point, e.g.421. Various types of exemplary non-counterweight positioning is illustrated inFIGS. 20a-20c.
• Referring back toFIGS. 16-17, load carryingsystem400 typically compriseslift support460, disposed intermediateload supporting frame420 and lifts410 and configured to support lifts410. In embodiments,lift support460 usually comprises a shape substantially congruent with a shape ofload supporting frame420. The set ofpulleys411,412,413,414,415,416 is typically disposed towards an outer boundary oflift support460 and/or between its supported pulleys.
• Load carrying system400 may further comprise one ormore lift movers462 operatively connected to one or more supported lifts410. Eachlift mover462 may be configured to allow for controlled movement of its associated, supportedlift410 aboutlift support460 in a predetermined plane, e.g. along an outer boundary oflift support460. For embodiments with multiplecontrollable motors481,lift mover462 may comprise a plurality oflift movers462, e.g. afirst lift mover462, operatively connected to firstcontrollable motor481aand operatively configured to allow for controlled movement of firstcontrollable motor481aaboutlift support460 in a predetermined plane and asecond lift mover462, operatively connected to secondcontrollable motor481band operatively configured to allow for controlled movement of secondcontrollable motor481baboutlift support460 in the predetermined plane.
• Amusementride seating system500 may incorporateload carrying system400 andload carrier450 which is typically connected to load supportingframe420. In embodiments,load carrier450 is suspended fromload supporting frame420.
• In an embodiment, amusementride seating system500 further comprisespassenger carrier support401, which can comprise one or more tracks or rails or the like, passengercarrier motion base470, andpassenger carrier452. One or more passenger carriermotion base controllers473 are operatively in communication with controllable passenger carriermotion base mover470.
• Passengercarrier motion base470 is movably in communication with and typically suspended underneathpassenger carrier support401 and typically comprises one or more controllable passenger carriermotion base movers403 in communication withpassenger carrier support401. Controllable passenger carriermotion base movers403 are configured to controllably move passengercarrier motion base470 aboutpassenger carrier support401.
• Passengercarrier motion base470 may further compriserotator471 andturntable472, whereturntable472 is rotatably connected torotator471 about a rotational center ofturntable472 and operatively in communication withprogrammable system controller490. All or a portion ofrotator471 and/orturntable472 and/or passengercarrier motion base470 may be located abovepassenger carrier support401 such thatpassenger carrier support401 is disposed in-between one or more of those components andpassenger carrier452.
• Passenger carrier452 may be suspended underneath and supported by passengercarrier motion base470.Passenger carrier452 is usually configured to accommodate passenger seating for one or more passengers. In these configurations, load carryingsystem450 is typically connected to passengercarrier motion base470 andpassenger carrier452 and disposed intermediate passengercarrier motion base470 andpassenger carrier452.
• Passenger carrier452 may or may not compriseroof453.Lifts410 are typically located proximatepassenger carrier transport402 and whereroof453 ispresent lifts410 may be locatedproximate roof453. As before, the plurality ofcontrollable motors481 may be configured to be controlled synchronously or independently. By way of further example and not limitation, simultaneous rotational movement ofcontrollable motors481 for a givenlift410 may operate to movepassenger carrier452 up and down relative topassenger carrier support402.
• One or moreprogrammable system controllers490 are operatively in communication with passenger carriermotion base controller473 andmotor controller484.
• Lifts410 may be configured such that that rotational movement in a first direction imparts a lengthening offirst cable portion431cand a shortening ofsecond cable portion431d, and reversing the rotation movement accomplished the opposite effect.
• In the operation of various embodiments, in a first embodiment a load supported byframe20 may be supported while bracing against surge, sway and yaw with respect to frame20 by providingload carrying system1, which is as described above. For each lift10 of the three lifts10,first end33aof each cable30 is connected to an associated controllable winch, e.g.controllable winch70. Cable30 is routed over an associated set ofpulleys11,12,13,14,15,16 to and, in some embodiments through, a predetermined connection point of the threeconnection points21,22,23.Second end33bof each cable30 is then connected to its correspondingcontrollable winch70 and lifts10 used to supportframe20 while bracing against surge, sway and yaw with respect to frame20 by altering a relative length of cable30. As described herein, cable30 may comprise a single, continuous cable30 with two separate ends,33aand33bor twoseparate cables31aand31b.
• Each lift10 may be controlled independently of each other lift10. Wherecontrollable winch70 comprises first selectively controllable motor81a, first drum82aoperatively connected to first selectively controllable motor81a, second selectively controllable motor81b, and second drum82boperatively connected to second selectively controllable motor81b, using lifts10 to supportframe20 while bracing against surge, sway and yaw with respect to frame20 by altering a relative length of cable30 may further comprise controlling each of first selectively controllable motors81aand81bindependently and/or synchronously.
• In a furtherembodiment seating system200 which is load braced against surge, sway and yaw may be provided by providingvertical guide202, which is as described above and load carryingsystem206 supported bylift support260, as described above.
• For each oflifts210, ends of each cable230 are connected to its respective associated counterweight,e.g. counterweight240. Cable230 is routed over an associated set ofpulleys211,212,213,214,215,216 and to, and in some embodiments through, a predetermined connection point of the threeconnection points221,222,223.
• As described above,passenger carrier252 is connected to load supportingsystem220 and configured to support a plurality of human passengers.
• Lifts210 are used to supportload carrying system206 while bracing against surge, sway and yaw with respect to220 frame by altering a relative length of one or more cables230. Eachlift210 may be controlled independently of eachother lift210, synchronously, or a combination thereof.
• In embodiments whereseating system200 further comprises one ormore winch controllers284 operatively connected to eachcontrollable winch270 and one or moreprogrammable system controllers290 operatively in communication with one ormore winch controllers284, usinglifts210 to supportload carrying system206 may further comprise using one or more of theprogrammable system controllers290 to issue one or more commands to one or more of thewinch controllers284 to effect a desired position of eachcounterweight240 with respect to each counterweight's associated counterweight guide, e.g.205.
• In a further embodiment, presentation of an image within a theater may comprise providingtheater300, as described above, and creating a visual and/or audiovisual presentation susceptible to perception of movement. A software program is created to affect movement ofpassenger carrier252 which is synchronized to the visual presentation.
• One or more passengers are allowed to enterpassenger carrier252 and, at a predetermined time, the visual presentation is displayed onimage screen302. As it is being displayed, the software program, running inprogrammable system controller290, is used to control eachcontrollable winch270 to affect movement ofpassenger carrier252 synchronized to the displayed presentation.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 13a-13d, various pitch and roll motions can be achieved using the ropes and their associated winch/motor/pulley assemblies:
• In a further embodiment, travel of amusement ride vehicle such aspassenger carrier452, as in a dark ride system, comprises providingpassenger carrier support401, which is as described above. Passenger carriermotion base mover403 is supported bypassenger carrier support401. Controllable passengercarrier motion base470 is supported by passenger carriermotion base mover403.
• In a preferred embodiment,passenger carrier452 is suspended underneath and supported by passengercarrier motion base470, wherepassenger carrier452 is as described above. As described above, controllable passengercarrier motion base470 is configured to impart motion topassenger carrier452 with a plurality of degrees of freedom.
• One or moreprogrammable system controllers490 are placed into communication with one or more passenger carriermotion base controllers473, one ormore motor controllers484, and one or more passengercarrier mover controllers474.
• One or more passengercarrier mover controllers474 are placed into communication with an associated set of controllable passengercarrier base movers403 and a predetermined set of passenger carrier mover control signals sent fromprogrammable system controllers490 to passengercarrier mover controllers474 which effectively command the passengercarrier mover controllers474 to send a further predetermined set of passenger carrier mover control signals topassenger carrier movers403 to effect movement ofpassenger carrier mover403 aboutpassenger carrier support401.
• Additionally, passenger carriermotion base controller473 is operatively placed the in communication with controllable passengercarrier motion base470 and a further predetermined set of motion base control signals sent from one or moreprogrammable system controllers490 to one or more passenger carriermotion base controllers474 to command passenger carriermotion base controllers474 to send a further predetermined set of motion base control signals to controllable passengercarrier motion bases470 to affect movement of the associated passengercarrier motion base470.
• Further,motor controllers484 may be placed into communication with an associated set ofcontrollable motors481 and a further predetermined set of motor control signals sent fromprogrammable system controllers490 to one ormore motor controllers484, commanding them to send a further predetermined set of motor control signals to eachcontrollable motor481 to affect altering a relative length of one or more of their associatedcables460 to achieve bracing against surge, sway and yaw with respect toframe420.
• In various embodiments,passenger carrier452 travels along a length ofpassenger carrier support401. In other embodiments,passenger carrier452 may be guided along a predetermined path, suspended frompassenger carrier transport402 which comprises passengercarrier motion base470 capable of further movements, e.g. circumferentially with respect to a connector and/or supporting the traversal of a path defined bypassenger carrier support401. Movement may be achieved by lifting or loweringpassenger carrier452 at various positions from cables or chains attached to load carryingsystem450,e.g. cables430.
• In certain embodiments, passengers move into boarding space such as305 (FIG. 11) where they board a passenger carrier such as passenger carrier252 (FIG. 11) or452 (FIG. 21) while the passenger carrier is in a first or boarding position, e.g.FIG. 12. In various embodiments,theater ride system300 or500 may be designed such that, when inboarding space305, passengers see no indication that they are in a motion simulation theater, e.g.FIG. 11. In other embodiments,theater ride system300 or500 may be designed such that when passengers board a passenger carrier such as252 or452 they know will be traversing a ride work space.
• In some embodiments, after the passengers have boarded, the passenger carrier, e.g.252 (e.g.,FIGS. 12-13d) or452 (FIG. 16), is moved into one or more further viewing positions, where passengers view2D or3D visual images displayed on an image screen such asimage screen302. In certain embodiments, this movement may be achieved by lifting or lowering a passenger carrier such as252 from cables, e.g.230, attached to a lifting system such as260 near the top of the theater and movement is substantially vertical, as illustrated inFIGS. 13a-13d. In other embodiments, a passenger carrier such as452 is moved along a path such as passenger carrier support401 (FIG. 16) into one or more further viewing positions, where passengers view2D or3D visual images displayed on a screen or items otherwise presented to them, by way of example and not limitation including animatronic figures and the like, as illustrated inFIGS. 16-07. In either embodiment, additional movement may be achieved by lifting or lowering the passenger carrier from cables such as230 or430 attached to a load carrying system such as250 or450. This lifting may occur while the passenger carrier, e.g.452, is traversing a path such aspassenger carrier transport402.
• In each theater or ride system, the passenger carrier may have multiple rows of seats, which may additionally tilt front to back, optionally with actuators acting upon the seats to create the impression of forward movement.
• The foregoing disclosure and description of the inventions are illustrative and explanatory. Various changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrative construction and/or an illustrative method may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (19)

1. A load carrying system, comprising:

a. a load supporting frame comprising three connection points; and

b. three lifts configured to be controlled independently with respect to vertical positioning of one of the three connection points, the three lifts defining six separate triangles defining separate planes configured to brace against surge, sway and yaw with respect to the frame, each lift comprising:

i. a controllable motor;

ii. a drum operative connected to the controllable motor and configured to accept a predetermined length of a corresponding cable about a portion of the drum;

iii. a set of pulleys; and

iv. a cable routed over the set of pulleys and routed to a predetermined connection point of the three connection points, the cable comprising a first end attached to the drum and a second end cooperatively attached to the drum, the cable and the load supporting frame defining two separate triangles of the six separate triangles.

2. The load carrying system ofclaim 1, wherein each set of pulleys of the three sets of pulleys comprises:

a. a first pulley disposed intermediate a predetermined connection point of the three connection points; and

b. a second pulley disposed opposite the first pulley intermediate the predetermined connection point of the three connection points and the drum.

3. The load carrying system ofclaim 1, further comprising a motor controller operatively in communication with each of the three controllable motors.

4. The load carrying system ofclaim 1, wherein:

a. the drum comprises a plurality of drums; and

b. the cable comprises:

i. a first end attached to a first drum of the plurality of drums; and

ii. a second end attached to a second drum of the plurality of drums.

5. The load carrying system ofclaim 4, wherein the plurality of controllable motors is configured to be controlled synchronously.

6. The load carrying system ofclaim 1, further comprising a lift support disposed intermediate the load supporting frame and the lifts and configured to support the lifts.

7. The load carrying system ofclaim 6, wherein the set of pulleys are disposed towards an outer boundary of the lift support.

8. The load carrying system ofclaim 6, further comprising a lift mover operatively connected to a supported lift and configured to allow for controlled movement of the supported lift about the lift support in a predetermined plane.

9. The load carrying system ofclaim 1, further comprising a load carrier connected to the load supporting frame.

10. The load carrying system ofclaim 10, wherein the load carrier is suspended from the load supporting frame.

11. A amusement ride seating system, comprising:

a. a passenger carrier support;

b. a passenger carrier motion base movably in communication with and suspended underneath the passenger carrier support, the passenger carrier motion base comprising a controllable passenger carrier motion base mover in communication with the passenger carrier support and configured to controllably move the passenger carrier motion base about the passenger carrier support;

c. a passenger carrier suspended underneath and supported by the passenger carrier motion base, the passenger carrier configured to accommodate passenger seating;

d. a load carrying system, comprising:

i. a load supporting frame comprising three connection points; and

ii. three lifts configured to be controlled independently with respect to vertical positioning of one of the three connection points, the three lifts defining six separate triangles defining separate planes configured to brace against surge, sway and yaw with respect to the frame, each lift comprising:

1. a controllable motor;

2. a drum operative connected to the controllable motor and configured to accept a predetermined length of a corresponding cable about a portion of the drum;

3. a set of pulleys; and

a. a cable routed over the set of pulleys and routed to a predetermined connection point of the three connection points, the cable comprising a first end attached to the drum and a second end cooperatively attached to the drum, the cable and the load supporting frame defining two separate triangles of the six separate triangles;

e. a passenger carrier motion base controller operatively in communication with the controllable passenger carrier motion base mover;

f. a motor controller operatively in communication with each controllable motor; and

g. a programmable system controller operatively in communication with the passenger carrier motion base controller and the motor controller.

12. The amusement ride seating system ofclaim 11, wherein:

a. the controllable motor comprises a plurality of controllable motors, each controllable motor operatively in communication with the motor controller, each controllable motor configured to be controlled independent of each other controllable motor;

b. the drum comprises a plurality of drums, each drum operatively connected to a distinct motor of the plurality of motors; and

c. the cable comprises:

i. a first end attached to a first drum of the plurality of drums; and

ii. a second end attached to a second drum of the plurality of drums.

13. The amusement ride seating system ofclaim 11, wherein the passenger carrier lift is configured such that that rotational movement in a first direction imparts a lengthening of a first cable portion and a shortening of a second cable portion, and reversing the rotation movement accomplishes the opposite effect.

14. The amusement ride seating system ofclaim 11, wherein the passenger carrier motion base further comprises:

a. a rotator; and

b. a turntable rotatably connected to the rotator about a rotational center and operatively in communication with the programmable system controller.

15. The amusement ride seating system ofclaim 11, wherein simultaneous rotational movement of the motors for a given lift move the passenger carrier up and down relative to the passenger carrier support.

16. The amusement ride seating system ofclaim 11, wherein the passenger carrier motion base is located at least partially above the passenger carrier support such that the passenger carrier support is disposed at least partially in-between the passenger carrier support the passenger carrier.

17. The amusement ride seating system ofclaim 11, wherein:

a. the passenger carrier comprises a roof; and

b. the lifts are located proximate the roof of the passenger carrier.

18. The amusement ride seating system ofclaim 11, wherein the lifts are located proximate the passenger carrier transport.

19. A method of providing travel of an amusement ride vehicle, comprising:

a. providing a passenger carrier support;

b. supporting a passenger carrier mover with the passenger carrier support, the passenger carrier mover movably in communication with the passenger carrier support and configured to controllably move about the passenger carrier support;

c. supporting a controllable passenger carrier motion base with the passenger carrier mover;

d. suspending a passenger carrier underneath the passenger carrier motion base, the passenger carrier supported by the passenger carrier motion base, the passenger carrier configured to accommodate passenger seating, the controllable passenger carrier motion base with the passenger carrier mover further configured to impart motion to the passenger carrier with a plurality of degrees of freedom;

e. disposing a load carrying system intermediate the passenger carrier motion base and the passenger carrier, the load carrying system comprising:

i. a load supporting frame connected to the passenger carrier, the load supporting frame comprising three connection points; and

ii. three lifts configured to be controlled independently with respect to vertical positioning of one of the three connection points, the three lifts defining six separate triangles defining separate planes configured to brace against surge, sway and yaw with respect to the frame, each lift comprising:

1. a controllable motor;

2. a drum operative connected to the controllable motor and configured to accept a predetermined length of a corresponding cable about a portion of the drum;

3. a set of pulleys; and

4. a cable routed over the set of pulleys and routed to a predetermined connection point of the three connection points, the cable comprising a first end attached to the drum and a second end cooperatively attached to the drum, the cable and the load supporting frame defining two separate triangles of the six separate triangles; and

iii. a lift support disposed intermediate the load supporting frame and the lifts (410), the lift support configured to support the lifts;

f. for each of the lifts,

i. connecting a first end of each cable to the drum;

ii. routing the cable over an associated set of pulleys;

iii. routing the cable to a predetermined connection point of the three connection points; and

iv. connecting a second end of each cable to the drum;

g. supporting the load carrying system by the lift support;

h. connecting a passenger carrier to the load supporting, the passenger carrier configured to support a plurality of human passengers;

i. operatively placing a programmable system controller in communication with a passenger carrier motion base controller, a motor controller, and a passenger carrier mover controller;

j. operatively placing the passenger carrier mover controller (474) in communication with the controllable passenger carrier mover;

k. sending a predetermined set of passenger carrier mover control signals from the programmable system controller to the passenger carrier mover controller (474) to command the passenger carrier mover controller to send a predetermined set of passenger carrier mover control signals to the passenger carrier mover to affect movement of the passenger carrier mover about the passenger carrier support;

l. operatively placing the passenger carrier motion base controller in communication with the controllable passenger carrier motion base;

m. sending a predetermined set of motion base control signals from the programmable system controller to the passenger carrier motion base controller to command the passenger carrier motion base controller to send a predetermined set of motion base control signals to the controllable passenger carrier motion base to effect movement of the passenger carrier motion base;

n. operatively placing the motor controller in communication with each controllable motor; and

o. sending a predetermined set of motor control signals from the programmable system controller to the motor controller to send a predetermined set of motor control signals to each controllable motor to effect altering a relative length of a cable to achieve bracing against surge, sway and yaw with respect to the frame.

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