Universal City Studios, Inc.

James Anthony Bertoncello

Michael David Russell, Jr

Rachel Sarah Wilcox

Frank K Weigand

Michael Gordon

Daniel Coats

Brad Borgman

Fred Calvin Wainwright, Jr

Kenneth D Salter

Robert William Dannenfelser, Jr

Maria Carlota Fontiveros Penso

Shawn Michael Kish

Jr Fred Calvin Wainwright

Jr Michael David Russell

Jr Robert William Dannenfelser

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. The gap blocking system also includes a panel assembly coupled to the loading platform and comprising a plurality of panels, wherein each panel of the plurality of panels is coupled to a respective biasing mechanism coupled to the first portion of the loading platform and configured to bias each panel towards a closed configuration in which each panel extends radially away from the first portion of the loading platform.

Gap blocking systems and methods for amusement park attractions

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.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a method, apparatus, and system for restraining a passenger in a ride vehicle. The system includes a ride seat and a restraint system configured to restrain the passenger against the ride seat. The restraint system includes a crossbar for placing against the passenger, a support bar having a first support bar end coupled to the crossbar and a second support bar end rotatably coupled to a pivot mounted to an upper-rear portion of the ride seat, and a flap coupled to the support bar. The flap is configured to insert into, or extract from, a slot formed within a seat side structure when the support bar is rotated about the pivot and indicate whether the crossbar has attained a minimum closed position for restraining the passenger based on a position of a marking on the flap relative to the slot.

Support bar mounted system and method of minimum close indication for ride vehicle

Growing community of inventors

Orlando, FL, United States of America

James Anthony Bertoncello