THEME PARK RIDE WITH RIDE-THROUGH SCREEN SYSTEM
First Claim
1. An assembly for use with a vehicle track of a ride system in a theme or amusement park to provide a ride-through screen experience, comprising:
- a vehicle for carrying at least one passenger with a base adapted for riding upon the vehicle track and with a top assembly provided on the base, wherein the top assembly comprises a first and a second set of magnetic elements proximate an exterior surface of the top assembly with the magnetic elements in each of the sets having a same pole oriented outward from the exterior surface; and
a screen assembly comprising a first and a second screen segment pivotably mounted adjacent to each other and transverse to the vehicle track in a closed position, wherein the first and second screen segments each comprise a magnetic element with an exposed pole matching the same pole of the corresponding one of the first and second sets of the magnetic elements of the vehicle, whereby the first and second screen segments are magnetically levitated to an open position and away from the top assembly when the vehicle passes through the screen assembly without contacting the vehicle.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle and screen assembly is provided for theme park rides to create a ride-through screen experience. The assembly includes a vehicle for carrying passengers that includes a top or roof assembly with first and second sets of magnetic elements on an exterior surface of the top assembly, with each of the sets having a like pole oriented outward from the exterior surface. A screen assembly is included with first and second planar screen segments that are pivotably mounted adjacent to each other so as to hang or be positioned in a plane that is transverse to a track traveled by the vehicle. The screen segments include magnetic elements with exposed poles that match the outward facing pole of the corresponding sets of magnetic elements on the vehicle. The screen segments magnetically levitate away from the top assembly when the vehicle passes through the screen assembly without touching the vehicle.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An assembly for use with a vehicle track of a ride system in a theme or amusement park to provide a ride-through screen experience, comprising:
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a vehicle for carrying at least one passenger with a base adapted for riding upon the vehicle track and with a top assembly provided on the base, wherein the top assembly comprises a first and a second set of magnetic elements proximate an exterior surface of the top assembly with the magnetic elements in each of the sets having a same pole oriented outward from the exterior surface; and a screen assembly comprising a first and a second screen segment pivotably mounted adjacent to each other and transverse to the vehicle track in a closed position, wherein the first and second screen segments each comprise a magnetic element with an exposed pole matching the same pole of the corresponding one of the first and second sets of the magnetic elements of the vehicle, whereby the first and second screen segments are magnetically levitated to an open position and away from the top assembly when the vehicle passes through the screen assembly without contacting the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A ride assembly for use in providing amusement park guests a ride-through screen show experience, comprising:
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a track defining a travel path for vehicles in a ride; a screen assembly positioned transverse to the track separating the ride into first and second show portions, the screen assembly comprising two or more segments independently mounted for rotating each about a base edge; and a vehicle riding on the track for carrying one or more of the guests, wherein the vehicle is adapted to actuate the screen assembly to cause the screen segments to rotate about the base edges to allow the vehicle to pass through the screen assembly. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A vehicle and screen assembly for use in park rides, comprising:
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a vehicle adapted for riding on a ride track with a body for seating one or more passengers, the vehicle further comprising a plurality of elongate and curved levitation rails on the body that each include a plurality of magnets with a same pole facing outward from the body; and a scenic element positioned across the ride track, wherein each of the scenic elements includes a magnet oriented with a pole matching the outward facing poles of the magnets in the levitation rails, whereby the magnets of the scenic elements and the magnets of a corresponding one of the levitation rails are positioned to be aligned to be proximal as the vehicle passes through the screen causing the scenic elements to be magnetically repelled a distance from the vehicle top assembly. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification