US 12,030,451 B2
Support bar mounted system and method of minimum close indication for ride vehicle
Rachel Sarah Wilcox, League City, TX (US); James Anthony Bertoncello, Orlando, FL (US); Michael David Russell, Jr., Orlando, FL (US); and Shawn Michael Kish, Apopka, FL (US)
Assigned to Universal City Studios LLC, Universal City, CA (US)
Filed by UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC, Universal City, CA (US)
Filed on May 10, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/316,583.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/023,413, filed on May 12, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0354646 A1, Nov. 18, 2021
Int. Cl. B60R 21/02 (2006.01); A63G 31/00 (2006.01); B60R 21/00 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 21/02 (2013.01) [A63G 31/00 (2013.01); B60R 2021/0097 (2013.01); B60R 2021/022 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for restraining a passenger in a ride vehicle, the system comprising:
a ride seat disposed within a ride vehicle, the ride seat comprising a seat pan, a seat back, and a side structure formed between the seat pan and the seat back; and
a restraint system configured to restrain a passenger against at least one of the seat back or the seat pan, the restraint system comprising:
a crossbar configured to be placed against the passenger,
at least one 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 at least one support bar, the flap extending in a perpendicular manner relative to an orientation of the at least one support bar, wherein the flap is configured to:
insert into, or extract from, a slot formed within an upper portion of the side structure when the at least one 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.