阅读说明：本技术 用于阻止游客撤离的系统和方法 (System and method for preventing evacuation of guests ) 是由 D·T·斯维尔金斯基 M·A·托马斯 J·T·德怀尔 于 2020-05-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：本文提出的系统和方法包括撤离阻止系统,所述撤离阻止系统包括具有配置成阻止乘客从载运器撤离的构件的载运器。撤离阻止系统还包括配置成闩锁到载运器的构件上的撤离阻止装置。撤离阻止装置包括长形主体、柄部部分、配置成闩锁到载运器的构件上的闩锁机构、配置成致动闩锁机构的致动机构、以及配置成相对于载运器固定长形主体的第一位置的定位机构。长形主体配置成当长形主体的第一位置经由定位机构相对于载运器固定时相对于载运器延伸。(Systems and methods presented herein include an evacuation prevention system including a vehicle having a member configured to prevent evacuation of passengers from the vehicle. The evacuation prevention system also includes an evacuation prevention device configured to latch onto a component of the carrier. The evacuation inhibiting device includes an elongated body, a handle portion, a latch mechanism configured to latch onto a component of the carrier, an actuation mechanism configured to actuate the latch mechanism, and a positioning mechanism configured to fix a first position of the elongated body relative to the carrier. The elongated body is configured to extend relative to the carrier when the first position of the elongated body is fixed relative to the carrier via the positioning mechanism.)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an elongate body;

a handle portion disposed at a first end of the elongate body;

a latch mechanism disposed at the second end of the elongated body, wherein the latch mechanism is configured to latch onto a member of the housing;

an actuation mechanism disposed along a length of the elongate body between the first and second ends of the elongate body, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to actuate the latch mechanism; and

a positioning mechanism disposed along the length of the elongate body between the first and second ends of the elongate body, wherein the positioning mechanism is configured to fix a first position of the elongate body relative to the housing, and wherein the elongate body is configured to extend relative to the housing when the first position of the elongate body is fixed relative to the housing via the positioning mechanism.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a hook configured to latch onto the member of the housing.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the latch mechanism is spring loaded, and wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to open the latch mechanism by counteracting a spring load of the latch mechanism.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a cable puller physically coupled to the cable at a first end of the cable, wherein the cable is physically coupled to the latch mechanism at a second end of the cable.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate body comprises a substantially linear extension arm configured to extend relative to the housing when the first position of the elongate body is fixed relative to the housing via the positioning mechanism; a substantially linear handle arm connected to the extension arm at a first bend of the elongate body; and a substantially linear latch arm connected to the extension arm at a second bend of the elongate body.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first and second bends comprise substantially 90 degree bends.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the handle arm is substantially perpendicular to the latch arm.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the extension arm includes a stop mechanism configured to abut a surface of the housing to fix the second position of the elongate body relative to the housing when the extension arm is extended relative to the housing.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the positioning mechanism comprises one or more flexible supports configured to mate with a contoured edge of the housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises a vehicle of a fairground ride.

11. An evacuation prevention system comprising:

a vehicle configured to accommodate one or more passengers, wherein the vehicle comprises a securing member configured to inhibit egress of the one or more passengers from the vehicle; and

an evacuation prevention device configured to latch onto the securing member of the carrier, wherein the evacuation prevention device comprises:

an elongate body;

a handle portion disposed at a first end of the elongate body;

a latch mechanism disposed at a second end of the elongate body, wherein the latch mechanism is configured to latch onto the securing member of the carrier;

an actuation mechanism disposed along a length of the elongate body between the first and second ends of the elongate body, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to actuate the latch mechanism; and

a positioning mechanism disposed along the length of the elongated body between the first and second ends of the elongated body, wherein the positioning mechanism is configured to fix a first position of the elongated body relative to the carrier, and wherein the elongated body is configured to extend relative to the carrier when the first position of the elongated body is fixed relative to the carrier via the positioning mechanism.

12. The evacuation prevention system of claim 11, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a hook configured to latch onto the securing member of the carrier.

13. The evacuation prevention system of claim 11, wherein the latch mechanism is spring loaded, and wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to open the latch mechanism by counteracting the spring load of the latch mechanism.

14. The evacuation prevention system of claim 11, wherein the actuation mechanism includes a cable puller physically coupled to the cable at a first end of the cable, wherein the cable is physically coupled to the latch mechanism at a second end of the cable.

15. The evacuation prevention system of claim 11, wherein the elongate body includes a substantially linear extension arm configured to extend relative to the carrier when the first position of the elongate body is fixed relative to the carrier via the positioning mechanism; a substantially linear handle arm connected to the extension arm at a first bend of the elongate body; and a substantially linear latch arm connected to the extension arm at a second bend of the elongate body.

16. The evacuation prevention system of claim 15, wherein the first and second bends comprise substantially 90 degree bends.

17. The evacuation prevention system of claim 16, wherein the handle arm is substantially perpendicular to the latch arm.

18. The evacuation prevention system of claim 15, wherein the extension arm includes a stop mechanism configured to abut a surface of the carrier to fix the second position of the elongate body relative to the carrier when the extension arm is extended relative to the carrier.

19. The evacuation prevention system of claim 11, wherein the positioning mechanism comprises one or more flexible supports configured to mate with a contoured edge of the carrier.

20. An apparatus, comprising:

a substantially linear handle arm;

a substantially linear extension arm connected to the handle arm via a first bend of substantially 90 degrees, wherein the extension arm is configured to extend along a longitudinal axis of the extension arm, and wherein the extension arm comprises:

one or more flexible supports configured to cooperate with a contoured edge of a carrier to fix a first position of the extension arm relative to the carrier; and

a stopper plate configured to abut a surface of the carrier to fix a second position of the extension arm relative to the carrier when the extension arm is extended relative to the carrier;

a substantially linear latch arm connected to the extension arm via a second bend of substantially 90 degrees, wherein the latch arm is substantially perpendicular to the handle arm, and wherein the latch arm comprises a spring-loaded hook disposed at an end of the latch arm opposite the second bend, wherein the spring-loaded hook is configured to latch onto a stationary member of the carrier; and

a cable puller physically coupled to the cable at a first end of the cable, wherein the cable is physically coupled to the spring-loaded hook at a second end of the cable, and wherein the cable puller is configured to open the spring-loaded hook by counteracting a spring load of the spring-loaded hook.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of playgrounds. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for preventing early evacuation of guests from a casino property (such as a ride vehicle).

Background

At certain times when an attraction is not in use, for example, after a casino ride vehicle has completed a trip around the ride path, a guest using an attraction may attempt to depart from the attraction before certain programs related to the particular attraction have been executed. Doing so may result in guests not leaving the attraction at the correct location, which may result in coordination issues with themselves and other guests at the casino, for example. Thus, there is a need to facilitate more orderly evacuation from attractions.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art, which may be related to various aspects of the present technology that are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter, but rather these embodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of possible forms of the subject matter. Indeed, the subject matter may include various forms, which may be similar or different from the embodiments set forth below.

In certain embodiments, the device comprises an elongate body. The device further includes a handle portion disposed at the first end of the elongate body. The device further includes a latch mechanism disposed at the second end of the elongated body. The latch mechanism is configured to latch onto a member of the housing. Further, the device includes an actuation mechanism disposed along the length of the elongate body between the first and second ends of the elongate body. The actuation mechanism is configured to actuate the latch mechanism. The device further includes a positioning mechanism disposed along the length of the elongate body between the first and second ends of the elongate body. The positioning mechanism is configured to fix a first position of the elongated body relative to the housing. The elongated body is configured to extend relative to the housing when the first position of the elongated body is fixed relative to the housing via the positioning mechanism.

Further, in certain embodiments, the evacuation prevention system includes a vehicle configured to contain one or more passengers. The vehicle includes a member configured to inhibit evacuation of one or more passengers from the vehicle. The evacuation prevention system also includes an evacuation prevention device configured to latch onto a component of the carrier. The evacuation prevention device includes an elongated body. The evacuation inhibiting device further includes a handle portion disposed at the first end of the elongated body. The evacuation prevention device further includes a latch mechanism provided at the second end of the elongated body. The latching mechanism is configured to latch onto a component of the carrier. Further, the evacuation prevention device includes an actuation mechanism disposed along the length of the elongated body between the first and second ends of the elongated body. The actuation mechanism is configured to actuate the latch mechanism. The evacuation prevention device also includes a positioning mechanism disposed along the length of the elongated body between the first and second ends of the elongated body. The positioning mechanism is configured to fix a first position of the elongate body relative to the carrier. The elongated body is configured to extend relative to the carrier when the first position of the elongated body is fixed relative to the carrier via the positioning mechanism.

Further, in certain embodiments, the device comprises a substantially linear handle arm. The device further includes a substantially linear extension arm connected to the handle arm via a first bend of substantially 90 degrees. The extension arm is configured to extend along a longitudinal axis of the extension arm. Further, the extension arm includes one or more flexible supports configured to cooperate with the contoured edge of the carrier to fix the first position of the extension arm relative to the carrier. The extension arm further includes a detent plate configured to abut a surface of the carrier to fix a second position of the extension arm relative to the carrier when the extension arm is extended relative to the carrier. The device further includes a substantially linear latch arm connected to the extension arm via a substantially 90 degree second bend. The latch arm is substantially perpendicular to the handle arm. The latch arm includes a spring-loaded hook disposed at an end of the latch arm opposite the second bend. The spring loaded hook is configured to latch onto a component of the carrier. Further, the apparatus includes a cable physically coupled to the cable at a first end of the cable. The cable is physically coupled to the spring-loaded hook at a second end of the cable. The cable puller is configured to open the spring-loaded hook by counteracting a spring load of the spring-loaded hook.

Various modifications may be made to the above-referenced features with respect to various aspects of the present disclosure. Additional features may also be incorporated in these various aspects. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination.

Drawings

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a guest evacuation prevention system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 is a perspective view of the guest evacuation prevention device of fig. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 is a top view of the guest evacuation prevention device of fig. 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is a side view of the guest evacuation prevention device of fig. 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 is a top view of portions of a latch mechanism and latch arm of the guest evacuation prevention device of fig. 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6 is a side view of portions of a latch mechanism and latch arm of the guest evacuation prevention device of fig. 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 7 is a perspective view of a flexible support of the guest evacuation prevention device of fig. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 illustrates two flexible supports of the guest evacuation prevention device cooperating with contoured surfaces of the ride vehicle to fix a first position of the guest evacuation prevention device relative to the ride vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 9 illustrates the latch mechanism of the guest evacuation prevention device after latching onto a securing member associated with the ride vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 10 illustrates an actuation mechanism of a guest evacuation prevention device that may be used to actuate a latch of a latch mechanism to facilitate release of a securing member of a ride vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

fig. 11 illustrates a sign of the guest evacuation preventing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. Further, to the extent that certain terms are used herein, such as parallel, perpendicular, and the like, it is understood that these terms are intended to encompass certain deviations from the strict mathematical definition, such as deviations associated with manufacturing imperfections and associated tolerances.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles "a," "an," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Furthermore, it should be understood that references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

The present disclosure provides a guest evacuation prevention system configured to prevent guests from attempting to evacuate a casino property at an inappropriate time and/or in an inappropriate direction. In particular, embodiments described herein provide a guest evacuation prevention device configured to physically interact with certain casino ride vehicles in a manner that facilitates proper guest evacuation from the ride vehicles. For example, in certain embodiments, a guest evacuation prevention device described herein includes a latch arm having a latching mechanism configured to latch onto a fixed member or other portion of a fairground ride (e.g., to facilitate evacuation of one or more guests from the ride); a positioning mechanism configured to fix a first position of the guest evacuation prevention device relative to the ride vehicle; an extension arm configured to extend the latch mechanism toward the ride vehicle once the positioning mechanism of the guest evacuation prevention device is fixed in a first position relative to the ride vehicle; a detent mechanism configured to abut a surface of the ride vehicle to ensure that the latch mechanism is properly positioned relative to the ride vehicle after the extension arm has been extended; and an actuation mechanism configured to unlatch the latch mechanism (e.g., to release a securing member of the ride vehicle). As described in greater detail herein, these features of the guest evacuation prevention device facilitate a series of repeatable steps that can ensure proper guest evacuation from a casino ride vehicle.

While the disclosed embodiments are generally described in the context of a casino ride vehicle, it should be understood that the guest evacuation prevention systems and apparatus described herein may be used in other contexts as well. For example, the guest evacuation prevention systems and devices described herein may be used in conjunction with other attraction points, including structures in which attraction guests may stand or sit within. Indeed, the guest evacuation prevention systems and devices described herein may also be extended to other applications (i.e., applications other than fairgrounds). Accordingly, the particular configuration (e.g., materials, shapes, sizes, etc.) of the guest evacuation prevention system and apparatus described herein may be implemented depending on the desired application.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a guest evacuation prevention system 10. Specifically, as illustrated in fig. 1, in certain embodiments, the guest evacuation prevention system 10 includes a guest evacuation prevention device 12 configured to physically interact with the ride vehicle 14 to ensure that guests seated in the ride vehicle 14 leave the ride vehicle 14 at the appropriate time. For example, as described in more detail herein, the guest evacuation prevention device 12 may be configured to physically interact with the ride vehicle 14 to unlock, for example, the doors of the ride vehicle 14 to allow guests to evacuate the ride vehicle 14 and then detach from the ride vehicle 14.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the guest evacuation preventing device 12 of fig. 1. As illustrated, in certain embodiments, the guest evacuation prevention device 12 may include an elongated body 16 having a handle 18 disposed at a first end 20 of the elongated body 16 and a latch mechanism 22 disposed at a second end 24 (i.e., opposite the first end 20) of the elongated body 16. In certain embodiments, the elongate body 16 may be a hollow tubular member, such as an aluminum tube having a relatively small diameter (e.g., 1 inch or 25 millimeter diameter). However, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of the elongate body 16 may utilize different materials, dimensions, etc.

As described in more detail herein, in certain embodiments, the latch mechanism 22 may include a hook with a spring-loaded latch configured to latch onto and release a securing member of a fairground ride vehicle (such as the ride vehicle 14 illustrated in fig. 1). However, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of the latch mechanism 22 may utilize different implementations for latching to and releasing from a fixed member of a fairground ride vehicle. As described in more detail herein, in certain embodiments, the latch mechanism 22 may be configured to automatically latch onto a fixed member of a fairground ride vehicle when the latch mechanism 22 is moved into a position relative to the fixed member of the fairground ride vehicle. Subsequently, as described in more detail herein, the latch mechanism 22 may release the securing member of the fairground ride vehicle. Further, it will be appreciated that the design of the latch mechanism 22 described herein also prevents a guest from inadvertently bumping the guest evacuation prevention device 12 off of the stationary components of the casino ride vehicle.

As also illustrated in fig. 2, in certain embodiments, the guest evacuation prevention device 12 may include an actuation mechanism 26 disposed along the length of the elongated body 16 between the first end 20 and the second end 24 of the elongated body 16. Typically, the actuating mechanism 26 is configured to actuate the latch mechanism 22 to, for example, release a fixed member of the fairground ride vehicle. As described in greater detail herein, in certain embodiments, the actuation mechanism 26 can include a cable puller 28 physically coupled to a cable 30 that extends from the cable puller 28 to the latch mechanism 22 through the interior volume of the elongate body 16. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the cable 30 is physically coupled to the cable puller 28 at a first end 32 of the cable 30 and to the latch mechanism 22 at a second end 34 of the cable 30, as described in greater detail herein. In certain embodiments, the actuation mechanism 26 may be configured to unlatch the latch mechanism 22 by counteracting the spring load of the latch mechanism 22. However, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of the actuation mechanism 26 may utilize different implementations to actuate the latch mechanism 22 (e.g., such as a handle/lever combination configured to manipulate the cable 30, etc.).

As also illustrated in fig. 2, in certain embodiments, the guest evacuation prevention device 12 may further include a positioning mechanism 36 disposed along the length of the elongated body 16 between the first end 20 and the second end 24 of the elongated body 16. Generally, the positioning mechanism 36 is configured to fix the first position of the elongated body 16 relative to the fairground ride vehicle. As described in greater detail herein, in certain embodiments, the positioning mechanism 36 may include one or more flexible supports 38 (e.g., rubber or other elastomeric supports) configured to mate with contoured edges of the ride vehicle to fix the first position of the elongate body 16 relative to the ride vehicle. However, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of the positioning mechanism 36 may utilize different implementations to fix the first position of the elongated body 16 relative to the fairground ride vehicle.

As described in more detail herein, in certain embodiments, the elongate body 16 may be configured to extend relative to the fairground ride vehicle (e.g., as illustrated by arrow 40) when the first position of the elongate body 16 is fixed relative to the fairground ride vehicle via positioning mechanism 36. Specifically, as also described in more detail herein, in certain embodiments, the elongate body 16 may include a substantially linear extension arm 42 configured to extend relative to the fairground ride vehicle (e.g., as illustrated by arrow 40) when the first position of the elongate body 16 is fixed relative to the ride vehicle via the positioning mechanism 36; a substantially linear handle arm 44 connected to the extension arm 42 at a first bend 46 of the elongate body 16; and a substantially linear latch arm 48 connected to the extension arm 42 at a second bend 50 of the elongate body 16. As used herein, the term "substantially linear" is intended to describe a feature (e.g., the respective arms 42, 44, 48 of the elongate body 16) that is linear along the length of the feature to within only a slight variation from linear (e.g., within 5 degrees, within 4 degrees, within 3 degrees, within 2 degrees, within 1 degree, or even more linear) with respect to the end point of the feature.

As described in more detail herein, in certain embodiments, the first and second bends 46, 50 of the elongate body 16 may be substantially 90 degree bends, e.g., such that both the handle arm 44 and the latch arm 48 are substantially perpendicular to the extension arm 42. Indeed, in certain embodiments, the handle arm 44 and latch arm 48 may also be substantially perpendicular to each other such that rotation of the guest evacuation prevention device 12 about the longitudinal axis 52 of the extension arm 42 facilitates manipulation of the guest evacuation prevention device 12 for the purpose of physical interaction with stationary components of the fairground ride vehicle. As used herein, the term "substantially perpendicular" is intended to describe features (e.g., the respective arms 42, 44, 48 of the elongate body 16) that are perpendicular to one another to within only a slight variation from perpendicular (e.g., within 5 degrees, within 4 degrees, within 3 degrees, within 2 degrees, within 1 degree, or even more linear) relative to an end point of the feature. Similarly, the term "substantially 90 degrees" is intended to describe angles (e.g., of the first and second bends 46, 50) between 87 degrees and 93 degrees, between 88 degrees and 92 degrees, between 89 degrees and 91 degrees, or even closer to 90 degrees.

As also illustrated in fig. 2, in certain embodiments, the guest evacuation prevention device 12 may further include a stop mechanism 54 disposed along the length of the elongated body 16 between the first end 20 and the second end 24 of the elongated body 16. Typically, the stop mechanism 54 is configured to abut a surface of the fairground ride vehicle to fix the second position of the elongate body 16 relative to the fairground ride vehicle when the extension arm 42 has been extended relative to the fairground ride vehicle. As described in more detail herein, in certain embodiments, the stop mechanism 54 may include a metal stop plate configured to abut a surface of the fairground ride vehicle to fix the second position of the elongate body 16 relative to the fairground ride vehicle when the extension arm 42 is extended relative to the fairground ride vehicle. However, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of the stop mechanism 54 may utilize different implementations for securing the second position of the elongated body 16 relative to the fairground ride vehicle.

As also illustrated in fig. 2, in certain embodiments, the guest evacuation prevention device 12 may also include a flag 56, e.g., a universal language no entry flag, to inform guests of the casino ride vehicle that they should not attempt to evacuate the casino ride vehicle at that time and/or in the direction of the guest evacuation prevention device 12. For example, fig. 11 illustrates the sign 56 of the guest evacuation preventing device 12. It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments, due at least in part to the orientation of the flag 56, the flag 56 may be hidden, for example, from view within an interior portion of the fairground ride vehicle when the latch mechanism 22 of the guest evacuation prevention device 12 engages a fixed member of the fairground ride vehicle (i.e., when guests may properly evacuate the fairground ride vehicle).

Fig. 3 is a top view of the guest evacuation preventing device 12 of fig. 2. Further, fig. 4 is a side view of the guest evacuation preventing device 12 of fig. 2. As illustrated, in certain embodiments, the cable puller 28, the one or more flexible supports 38, and the stop mechanism 54 of the actuation mechanism 26 are continuously disposed along the length of the extension arm 42 between the first bend 46 and the second bend 50 of the guest evacuation prevention device 12.

Fig. 5 is a top view of portions of the latch mechanism 22 and the latch arm 48 of the guest evacuation prevention device 12 of fig. 2. Further, fig. 6 is a side view of the latch mechanism 22 and portions of the latch arm 48 of the guest evacuation preventing device 12 of fig. 2. As illustrated in fig. 6, in certain embodiments, the latch mechanism 22 includes a primary hook portion 58 and a latch 60 physically coupled to the primary hook portion 58 at a hinge point 62. As illustrated in fig. 5 and 6, in certain embodiments, the primary hook portion 58 may be physically coupled to the latch arm 48 by one or more coupling plates 64. Specifically, as illustrated in fig. 5, in certain embodiments, the main hook portion 58 may be physically coupled to the latch arm 48 via two coupling plates 64 disposed on opposite sides of both the main hook portion 58 and the latch arm 48.

In certain embodiments, the latch 60 may be spring-loaded such that the latch 60 is biased toward the closed position relative to the main hook portion 58, but may allow certain objects (e.g., securing members of a fairground ride vehicle) to push the latch 60 into a partially open position to allow the object to enter the space 66 defined by the main hook portion 58 (i.e., to allow the latch mechanism 22 to latch onto the object), and then return to the closed position once the object has entered the space 66 defined by the main hook portion 58. In certain embodiments, to release an object from within the space 66 defined by the primary hook portion 58, the latch 60 may be actuated into a partially open position by the actuation mechanism 26 described herein. Specifically, as illustrated in fig. 6, in certain embodiments, the cable 30 may be physically coupled to the latch 60 to enable the actuation mechanism 26 described herein to counteract the spring-loaded nature of the latch 60, for example, to release certain objects (e.g., fixed members of a fairground ride vehicle) that have been latched thereto by the latch mechanism 22. As illustrated in fig. 6, in certain embodiments, the latch arm 48 may include a small opening 68 through a wall 70 of the latch arm 48 to enable the cable 30 to pass within an interior volume 72 of the latch arm 48 to facilitate physical coupling of the cable 30 to the latch 60 external to the latch arm 48.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the flexible support 38 of the guest evacuation prevention device 12 of fig. 2. As illustrated, in certain embodiments, the flexible support 38 includes an opening 74 that extends all the way through a body portion 76 of the flexible support 38 so that the elongated body 16 (e.g., specifically, the extension arm 42) of the guest evacuation prevention device 12 can fit within the opening 74. As illustrated, in certain embodiments, the body portion 76 of the flexible support 38 may include a slot 78 extending through the body portion 76 substantially parallel to the opening 74, wherein the slot 78 facilitates insertion of the elongated body 16 (e.g., specifically, the extension arm 42) of the guest evacuation prevention device 12 into the opening 74. In particular, it will be appreciated that the flexible nature of the flexible support 38 may be manipulated relatively easily to allow the extension arm 42 to be inserted into the opening 74.

As also illustrated in fig. 7, in certain embodiments, the flexible support 38 may include certain locating features 80, such as legs 82 extending from the body portion 76 of the flexible support 38. The locating features 80 may be specifically designed to cooperate with (e.g., abut) certain contoured edges of, for example, the ride vehicle to fix the first position of the guest evacuation prevention device 12 relative to the ride vehicle. For example, fig. 8 illustrates two flexible supports 38 of the guest evacuation prevention device 12 that cooperate with the contoured surface 84 of the ride vehicle 14 to fix the first position of the guest evacuation prevention device 12 relative to the ride vehicle 14.

As described in greater detail herein, in certain embodiments, the latch mechanism 22 of the guest evacuation prevention device 12 is configured to latch onto certain objects due at least in part to the spring-loaded nature of the latch 60 of the latch mechanism 22. For example, fig. 9 illustrates the latch mechanism 22 of the guest evacuation prevention device 12 after latching onto the securing member 86 associated with the ride vehicle 14. As described in more detail herein, the latch 60 of the latch mechanism 22 may be actuated (e.g., by the actuation mechanism 26) to release the securing member 86 of the ride vehicle 14 from the latch mechanism 22. For example, fig. 10 illustrates an actuation mechanism 26 (e.g., a cable puller 28 in the illustrated embodiment) that may be used to actuate the latch 60 of the latch mechanism 22 to facilitate release of the securing member 86 of the ride vehicle 14.

As described herein, the guest evacuation prevention device 12 is configured to physically interact with, for example, the ride vehicle 14 to prevent guests from attempting to evacuate the ride vehicle 14 at inappropriate times and/or in inappropriate directions. For example, in operation, the guest evacuation prevention device 12 may be held by an operator at the handle 18 in an orientation such that the latch arm 48 is at a 90 degree angle relative to the ground. The operator may then begin lowering the guest evacuation prevention device 12 onto the contoured surface 84 of the ride vehicle 14 (see, e.g., fig. 10) until the one or more flexible supports 38 of the guest evacuation prevention device 12 are properly seated against the ride vehicle (i.e., to fix the first predetermined position of the guest evacuation prevention device 12 relative to the ride vehicle). The operator may then extend the extension arm 42 of the guest evacuation prevention device 12, as illustrated by arrow 40, until the stop mechanism 54 comes into contact with another surface of the ride vehicle (i.e., to fix the second predetermined position of the guest evacuation prevention device 12 relative to the ride vehicle). Once the one or more flexible supports 38 and the stop mechanism 54 of the guest evacuation prevention device 12 are in their respective predetermined positions, the operator may use the handle 18 to rotate the guest evacuation prevention device 12 about the longitudinal axis 52 of the extension arm 42, as illustrated by arrow 88, such that the latch arm 48 is rotated approximately 90 degrees (e.g., between 80 and 100 degrees, between 85 and 95 degrees, between 88 and 92 degrees, etc.) in the counterclockwise direction, for example, until the spring loaded latch 60 of the latch mechanism 22 catches a fixed member 86 of the ride vehicle 14 (see, e.g., fig. 9). At this point, the guest may evacuate the ride vehicle and the operator may then use the actuation mechanism 26 to open the latch 60 of the latch mechanism 22 to release the securing member 86 of the ride vehicle 14. The operator may then execute the program in reverse order and remove the guest evacuation prevention device 12 from the ride vehicle 14.

Returning now to fig. 1, in certain embodiments, the ride vehicle 14 may include a door 90 disposed on one side of the ride vehicle 14, and a gap, door 92, or equivalent on the opposite side of the ride vehicle 14. As described in more detail herein, the guest evacuation prevention device 12 is configured to prevent guests from exiting the ride vehicle 14 in a non-preferred manner through, for example, an otherwise intuitive path (e.g., door 92) during evacuation or normal operation of the ride vehicle 14. In particular, as illustrated in fig. 1, the guest evacuation prevention device 12 may be configured to prevent guests from exiting the ride vehicle 14 via such a path. Further, as described in more detail herein, the flag 56 on the guest evacuation prevention device 12 may alert guests not to take such a path.

While only certain features have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.

The technology presented and claimed herein is cited and applied to real objects and concrete examples of practical nature which significantly improve the technical field and are therefore not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Furthermore, if any claim appended to the end of this specification contains one or more elements designated as "means for [ performing ]. ] or" steps for [ performing ]. ] a [ function ], it is intended that these elements be construed in accordance with 35 u.s.c. § 112 (f). However, for any claims that contain elements specified in any other way, it is intended that such elements not be construed in accordance with 35 u.s.c. § 112 (f).