3-D simulator ride

• US 5,857,917 A
• Filed: 06/16/1994
• Issued: 01/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cinema Ride, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cinema Ride, Inc.
• Inventors: Francis, Mitchell J., Packman, Gary H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kien T.
• Application Number:
  US08/260,831
• Time in Patent Office: 1,671 Days
• Field of Search: 472/59, 472/60, 472/61, 472/130, 434/55
• US Class Current: 472/60
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/16 creating illusions of travel
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/14 controlled by fluid actuated piston or cylinder ram
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/30 Simulation of view from aircraft

Abstract

A 3-D simulator amusement ride dimensioned to fit within existing buildings having 12 to 15 foot high ceilings. The ride includes a motion base formed in a hexagonal pattern with up to six degrees of freedom of movement, a passenger enclosure supported upon the motion base, a 3-D video image system attached to the enclosure and a computerized control system which functions to synchronize the movement of the enclosure to a projected 3-D video.

Claims

1. An amusement ride apparatus comprising:

a motion base with up to six degrees of freedom of motion including a plurality of actuators supporting a platform;

a passenger holding means secured to said platform and including a plurality of seats;

a digital storage medium storing 3-D video information;

a 3-D video image means including a screen and a digital video player with dual projectors attached to move with said platform wherein said digital video player projects a 3-D picture on said screen based upon 3-D video information stored on said digital storage medium; and

a motion control system including a computer which receives digital signals encoded on said digital storage medium for moving said platform in correspondence with said 3-D video information and said projected image.

2. The amusement ride of claim 1 wherein said passenger holding means includes a housing for enclosing said seats and said image means.

3. The amusement ride of claim 2 wherein said motion base and said housing are dimensioned so as to allow the ride to be installed and fully operational in a building with 15 foot ceilings.

4. The amusement ride of claim 1, wherein the digital video player is two laser video disc players.