FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to amusement rides. More particularly, the invention relates to a theater seating system installed on a raiseable rack as part of an amusement ride or for other entertainment purposes.

BACKGROUND

Amusement rides that involve 3D video, wide screens, curved screens, domed screens, and other visual effects have increased in popularity because of the excitement they provide to riders who can be provided a visual and physical experience of being in another remote (and perhaps exotic or fictional) location or of engaging in an activity in which a rider normally lacks an opportunity to engage, is unable to engage in the rider’s present location, or is physically unable to experience such as, for example, unassisted flight by a person, flying an airplane or helicopter, paragliding or parasailing, or riding on a magic carpet. Many such rides also include a motion component to the amusement features of the ride. Flying theater rides, motion simulator rides, and“4D” rides (i.e., those that include visual and other sensory features such as movement, wind, or smell) can include visual effects such as those described above.

As ships used by the cruise line industry have increased in size, so too have the onboard amenities offered to passengers. Larger vessels now accommodate waterparks, water slides, sports facilities, larger or more pools, rappelling walls, shopping and performance/concert facilities, night clubs, outdoor theater-style movie screens, ziplining adventures, and other facilities both above and below deck. As the cruise line industry continues to grow and the number of passengers increases, cruise lines must offer amenities that amuse, thrill, and entertain customers in order to remain competitive. Due to the unique challenges of building an amusement device or system aboard a floating vessel, to date, cruise line vessels have not included moving amusement rides that could affect vessel performance. A need exists for an amusement device and system for entertaining cruise line passengers.

SUMMARY

The invention relates to a raiseable seating system for providing theater seating on an amusement ride. Although this system may be used for land-based amusement rides, it is ideally suited for use in amusement rides installed aboard cruise ships and other vessels. The system includes an arm element having a connected end and a free end, a gantry mechanism, a rack attached to the free end of the arm element and including at least one row element, at least one seat installed on each at least one row element, and a pulley system for changing a position of the rack.

The raiseable seating system provides several advantages to vessels on which the system is installed over new and legacy vessels that do not include the system. For example, the system provides an amusement“ride” or attraction experience that may be exciting or thrilling to passengers aboard the vessel who participate due to the potentially great height at which the rack and attached seat or seats can be raised in front of a display screen to provide the illusion of flying. An embodiment of the raiseable seating system installed at one of the uppermost decks of a large vessel (e.g., a modem cruise ship) would provide a unique and exciting view high above the water but away from the main body of the vessel as well as unique views of the main body of the vessel from the extended position of the platform. Another embodiment of the raiseable seating system installed on a deck of the vessel near to the water line would provide a unique ride experience by placing the riders near to the water surface (e.g., perhaps close enough to feel ocean spray or even wave splash) but away from the main body of the vessel so that unique and exciting views of the water and main body of the vessel are presented to the rider.

Accordingly, the invention features a raiseable seating system for providing theater seating on an amusement ride. The system includes an arm element having a connected end and a free end. The system also includes a gantry mechanism for raising and lowering the arm element, wherein the connected end of the arm element is attached to the gantry mechanism. The system also includes a rack attached to the free end of the arm element and including at least one row element and at least one seat installed on each at least one row element. A person is positionable in each seat of the at least one seat.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the system further including a pulley system for changing a position of the rack.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the gantry mechanism being or including: an overhead crane with two or more support legs between which a support beam is installed; a jib crane; a hoist; or a cantilever.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the at least one seat including one or more rows of seats.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the at least one seat being tiltable.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the at least one seat being connected to the rack by a pivoting mechanism that changes a position of the seat.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the rack and at least one seat being movable by the gantry mechanism and arm element before a display screen in front of which the system is installed.

The invention also features a shipboard raiseable seating system that includes a vessel and an arm element comprising a connected end and a free end. The system also includes a gantry mechanism for raising and lowering the arm element, wherein the connected end of the arm element is attached to the gantry mechanism, and wherein the gantry mechanism is installed aboard the vessel. The system also includes a rack attached to the free end of the arm element and having at least one row element. The system also includes at least one seat installed on each at least one row element, wherein a person is positionable in each seat of the at least one seat.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the system further including a pulley system for changing a position of the rack.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the at least one seat being connected to the rack by a pivoting mechanism that changes a position of the seat.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the gantry mechanism being installed mid-ship on the vessel.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the rack and at least one seat being movable by the gantry mechanism and arm element before a display screen in front of which the system is installed and in front of which the rack and at least one seat are suspended.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the system further including one or more seating assembly drive motors to change the pitch of the at least one seat to create movement effects that mimic action being displayed on the display screen.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the system further including a line having a first end attached to the display screen and a second end attached to the rack or arm element, wherein the line is configured to appear to be a tether between a displayed element of content shown on the display screen and the at least one seat, and wherein the line is configured to give a person positioned in the at least one seat an impression of being pulled in air.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the line being either fixed in position or movable.

The invention also features a multi-purpose shipboard crane system that includes a vessel and an arm element having a connected end and a free end that is extendable a distance away from a hull of the vessel. The system also includes a gantry mechanism for raising and lowering the arm element, wherein the connected end of the arm element is attached to the gantry mechanism, and wherein the gantry mechanism is installed aboard the vessel. The system also includes a rack attached to the free end of the arm element and having at least one row element. The system also includes at least one seat installed on each at least one row element, wherein a person is positionable in each seat of the at least one seat.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the system further including a pulley system for changing a position of the rack.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the at least one seat being connected to the rack by a pivoting mechanism that changes a position of the seat.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the gantry mechanism being installed mid-ship on the vessel.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the system further including at least one lifeboat to and from which the rack may be movably positioned to allow a person to board or deboard the lifeboat.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the distance that the free end of the arm element extends away from the hull of the vessel being sufficient to allow a person to board or deboard the vessel by entering or exiting the at least one seat.

In another aspect, the invention can feature the vessel including a storage compartment into which the arm element, rack, and at least one seat are retractable when not in use.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions will control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the raiseable seating system for providing theater seating on an amusement ride.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed drawings and description set forth herein. Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the drawings; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, in light of the teachings of the present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, numerous modifications and variations of the invention may exist that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

The present invention should not be limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. The terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to“an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to“a step” or“a means” may be a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means.

All conjunctions used herein are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, a group of items linked with the conjunction“and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as“and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should be read as“and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) are to be given their ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and are not to be limited to a special or customized meaning unless expressly so defined herein.

Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations thereof, especially in the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing, the term“including” should be read to mean“including, without limitation,”“including but not limited to,” or the like; the term“having” should be interpreted as“having at least”; the term “includes” should be interpreted as“includes but is not limited to”; the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and use of terms like “preferably,” “preferred,” “desired,” “desirable,” or“exemplary” and words of similar meaning should not be understood as implying that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the invention, but instead as merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the invention.

Those skilled in the art will also understand that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases“at least one” and“one or more” to introduce claim recitations; however, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles“a” or“an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or“at least one” and indefinite articles such as“a” or“an” (e.g.,“a” and“an” should typically be interpreted to mean“at least one” or“one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of“two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to“at least one of A, B, and C” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g.,“a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).

All numbers expressing dimensions, quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term“about” unless expressly stated otherwise. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth herein are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained.

The invention provides a raiseable seating system for providing theater seating on an amusement ride. In exemplary embodiments, the raiseable seating system includes an arm element having a connected end and a free end, a gantry mechanism for raising and lowering the arm element, a rack attached to the free end of the arm element and including at least one row element, at least one seat installed on each at least one row element, and a pulley system for changing a position of the rack. The connected end of the arm element is attached to the gantry mechanism, which can be controlled to raise and lower the arm element in front of a display screen and back to a loading station where riders take and leave their seats. A person is positionable in each seat of the at least one seat.

In other embodiments, instead of a gantry mechanism, the raiseable seating system can include a mount attached to a ceiling or support beam of the vessel that may be mechanically operated to raise and lower the rack.

In various embodiments, the rack can include one or more seats, e.g., a row of seats. The seats can be tiltably arranged in each row on the rack. The pivoting movement of each seat in relation to the position of a projection screen, or other display screen on which video can be played or projected, allows for proper viewing alignment of the riders. In an exemplary embodiment, each seat is connected to the rack by a pivoting mechanism that permits each seat to pivot. In various embodiments, each pivoting mechanism is attached to or includes a shaft that is connected to one or more seats. The pivoting mechanism can operate by gravity so that each seat pivots as the rack is moved by the pulley system and mechanical means. Alternatively, the pivoting mechanism can include mechanical devices that pivot each seat independent of any movement or change in position of the rack. In addition to allowing for additional movement to enhance the ride experience for each rider, the tilting feature of the seats can also allow for easier entry to and exit from the seats by the riders. The seats may include safety belts (i.e., seatbelts) or other safety mechanisms to secure each rider in the rider’ s seat. For example, each seat may include a seatbelt, a shoulder harness, a safety lap bar, an over- the- shoulder restraint, or a combination of two or more of the foregoing safety devices to ensure that a rider may not intentionally or unintentionally fall overboard from off the platform when it is extended away from the vessel. Each seat may also include a hand rail that the rider may hold onto or grasp. In some embodiments, instead of seats, the platform may include upright“seats” in which each rider is secured in a standing position or reclining seats in which each rider is secured in a reclined seated position.

The rack may be rectangular or another quadrilateral shape. In other embodiments, the rack may be a circular, triangular, or irregular in shape.

The arm element can be a single fixed-position element or it can include multiple joint segments one or more of which may be mechanically movable. The gantry mechanism can be, for example, a gantry crane (also known as a portal crane) for lifting and lowering the rack. In other embodiments, the gantry mechanism can be an overhead crane with two or more support legs between which a support beam is installed, a jib crane, a hoist, or a cantilever. Use of the gantry mechanism, as opposed to the counterweights and moment arms commonly used in land-based amusement park rides, prevents or inhibits the system’s operation from affecting the pitch and yaw of the vessel on which it is installed. The arm element may be connected directly to gantry mechanism, or the system may further include a mount for connecting the connected end of the arm element to the gantry mechanism. A person is positionable in each seat of the at least one seat. The system may further include a screen for displaying video content to persons positioned in the seats.

In exemplary embodiments, the gantry mechanism is installed mid-ship where it uses the lateral strength of the ship for structural support. The gantry mechanism is three or four decks in height, although in other embodiments, the gantry mechanism can be one, two, five, six, or more decks in height.

The raiseable seating system is useful for installing aboard cruise ships and other vessels for use in onboard amusement rides and other entertainment features of the ship. As used herein, the term“vessel” refers to cruise ships, other passenger ships, cargo ships, other freighter vessels, and any other vessel on which such a system can be installed. In exemplary embodiments, the system is installed on a cruise ship. The pulley system can be a pulley system without belts or a belt and pulley system, either of which are mechanically connected to a motor having a power source. The gantry mechanism, arm element, and pulley system are used to change the position of the rack (and thus, of the riders) by moving or tilting in various directions.

The raiseable seating system can be installed aboard a vessel (e.g., a cruise ship) for use in an onboard amusement ride to which ship passengers have access for amusement and entertainment purposes. The system may be installed inside the vessel, for example, in a theater or other area dedicated for entertainment purposes. In one indoor embodiment, the rack may be raised and lowered by the gantry mechanism in an open space that passes through two or more decks of the vessel. The rack is suspended in front of a display screen, e.g., a 3D video screen, a wide screen, a curved screen, or a domed screen. The display screen may be a video screen or a projection screen. Video is displayed on the display screen, and the raiseable seating system is particularly adapted for video content that, together with being suspended in their seats on the rack, provides the riders with a sensation or illusion of flying.

In one embodiment shown in Figure 1, a line may be attached to the display screen and to the rack or arm element so that the line appears to be a tether between a boat or vehicle shown in the video content and the riders are given the impression of being pulled in the air above it, for example, as in parasailing. The line may be fixed or movable.

In some embodiments, the system may be installed on an outside deck of the vessel. In one outdoor embodiment of the system, the gantry mechanism and arm element can extend the rack away from a hull of the vessel when riders are situated in the seats thereon. The rack is extended out of the vessel’s hull as an amusement“ride” or attraction in which the system allows its riders to be extended in location a distance away from the vessel to enjoy the excitement and thrill of being positioned high above the water but away from the vessel. The system provides riders with unique views of the vessel and body of water below while still being aboard the vessel. The gantry mechanism (and/or other mechanical means) retracts the rack into the hull when the ride experience ends so that the riders may deboard.

In exemplary embodiments, the raiseable seating system is installed on a new vessel during construction of that vessel. In other embodiments, an existing vessel (i.e., a legacy ship) may be retrofitted to incorporate the raiseable seating system.

A vessel may have one, two, three, four, or more of the raiseable seating systems installed aboard it. In embodiments that include raiseable seating systems installed for use at an exterior of the vessel, the raiseable seating systems may be installed on any side of the vessel, but generally, are installed on the port and starboard sides of the vessel. In some embodiments, the raiseable seating system may be installed forward on the vessel near the bow on either the port or starboard side or on both if multiple systems are installed. In other embodiments, the raiseable seating system may be installed aft on the vessel near the stern on either the port or starboard side or on both if multiple systems are installed. The raiseable seating system may be installed at, above, or beneath one of the uppermost decks of the vessel to provide unique and exciting views to riders from a position away from the vessel high above the body of water. Alternatively, the raiseable seating system may be installed at, above, or beneath one of the lower decks of the vessel to provide unique and exciting views to riders from a position away from the vessel above but near to the body of water. In this embodiment, the riders may feel ocean spray or even wave splash. A particular vessel may have raiseable seating systems installed in multiple of the aforementioned positions and locations aboard the vessel. In exemplary embodiments, one or more of the raiseable seating systems are installed beneath the deck of the vessel providing access to the vessel’s lifeboats.

The vessel can be constructed so that a storage compartment is built inside the hull of the vessel for storing all or a portion of the raiseable seating system when the rack is retracted. In exemplary embodiments, the storage compartment is constructed inside the vessel to house the rack and other mechanical components of the raiseable seating system when it is retracted. The inside of the vessel includes a loading station where riders can enter and be seated or otherwise secured on the rack when it is retracted. The rack then extends outside and away from the vessel to provide the riders with the amusement and entertainment experience for a period of time. When the “ride” ends, the rack is retracted back inside the vessel to the loading station so that the riders may deboard the rack.

In some embodiments, the raiseable seating system can include seating assembly drive motors to change the pitch of the seats in order to create movement effects that mimic action being displayed on the screen in front of which the rack and attached seats are suspended.

The system can also be constructed to have additional modes of operation. For example, in one embodiment, the raiseable seating system may be utilized as a boarding crane for the vessel, which is deployed to allow passengers (also including crew members and any other person who may need to board the vessel) of the vessel to take seats on the seats of the system (with or without their luggage) while the rack is extended outside the ship to a loading station at the dock. Once passengers have taken their seats, the rack may be raised and retracted back inside the vessel so that the passengers can exit their seats inside the vessel. In this mode of use, the system may be installed on an outdoor upper deck of the vessel. In other embodiments, the system may be installed inside the vessel, and the vessel may include a door (e.g., a sliding door) that opens and closes an aperture in a side of the vessel through which the rack and arm element of the system may be extended to and retracted from the loading station. In these latter embodiments, the rack and arm element are retracted into a storage compartment within the vessel when boarding is complete and the vessel is ready to leave port.

In another additional mode of operation, the raiseable seating system may be used as a rescue crane to lower into the surrounding body of water or to extend to another vessel to rescue a person in the water or a person on another vessel in distress. The system could also be used to transfer passengers of the vessel from the vessel to a lifeboat already deployed in the body of water or to a lifeboat that is still connected to the vessel. Similarly, the system could also be used to move passengers of the vessel to another rescuing vessel in the event of an emergency aboard the vessel on which the system is installed.

In still another mode of operation, the raiseable seating system may be used to move passengers between different decks of the vessel when either internal elevators or stairs are out of order or inaccessible due to emergency or for maintenance. In this embodiment, the vessel includes a shaft that extends at a generally vertical orientation between two or more decks of the vessel. The shaft may be open permanently, or in other embodiments, the shaft may be closed between decks when not in use. For example, fire doors, water-proof doors, blast doors, or any other suitable type of door may be used to close and seal the shaft between each set of vertically adjoined decks when the raiseable seating system is not in use in this mode.

Other Embodiments

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.