Systems and methods utilizing modular omnidirectional actuated floors in an amusement park ride

Abstract

A system for moving passengers is disclosed. The system includes an auxiliary mobility platform including a plurality of tiles, the plurality of tiles includes a first plurality of tiles defining a loading region and a second plurality of tiles defining an intermediate region. The system also includes a carriage positioned on the auxiliary mobility platform and defining a passenger compartment, the carriage movable by the auxiliary mobility platform, and a carrier vehicle to support the carriage and movable along a predefined ride pathway.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for moving passengers comprising:
 an auxiliary mobility platform comprising:
 a plurality of tiles, the plurality of tiles including:
 a first plurality of tiles defining a loading region, and 
 a second plurality of tiles defining an intermediate region; 
 
   a carriage positioned on the auxiliary mobility platform and defining a passenger compartment, the carriage movable by the auxiliary mobility platform; and   a carrier vehicle to support the carriage and movable along a predefined ride pathway.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each tile of the plurality of tiles generates motion of the carriage independent of others of the plurality of tiles. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second plurality of tiles moves the carriage at a different velocity or direction from the first plurality of tiles.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first plurality of tiles have a first width dimension; and   the second plurality of tiles have a second width dimension greater than the first width dimension.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first plurality of tiles move relative to the carriage to assist a passenger in boarding the carriage.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the loading region is a first ride including a first carrier vehicle to support the carriage and movable along a first ride pathway; and   a second ride includes the first carrier vehicle.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the carrier vehicle comprises:
 a receiving platform including a third plurality of tiles to arrange the carriage relative to the first ride pathway.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the carriage is movable by the auxiliary mobility platform in a direction separate from a direction of the ride pathway. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ride pathway is defined as one or more of a track, a conveyor system, or a road. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ride pathway extends adjacent to a portion of the intermediate region. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a movement of the carriage by the auxiliary mobility platform corresponds to audio or an image generated by the system. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , the carriage further comprising:
 an input device for receiving an input from the passenger, and   wherein the carriage is movable by the auxiliary mobility platform corresponding to the input.   
     
     
         13 . A ride system for moving passengers comprising:
 a modular floor including a plurality of tiles providing independent movement, the modular floor including:
 a first region, and 
 a second region, the second region causing movement at a velocity or in a direction different from the first region; 
   a carriage positioned on the modular floor and defining a passenger compartment, the carriage movable by the modular floor; and   a carrier vehicle to support the carriage and movable along a track positioned adjacent the modular floor.   
     
     
         14 . The ride system of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the carriage is a first carriage of a plurality of carriages; and   the plurality of carriages are arranged by the plurality of tiles for loading onto the carrier vehicle.   
     
     
         15 . The ride system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a plurality of track vehicles, the plurality of track vehicles coupled to the carrier vehicle and the track.   
     
     
         16 . The ride system of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the modular floor is positioned between the track and a second track, the second track spaced from the track.   
     
     
         17 . The ride system of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the first region of the modular floor is a first device configured to move a passenger to the carriage; and   the second region includes the plurality of tiles.   
     
     
         18 . A method for a system transporting passengers to a carrier vehicle of a ride using an auxiliary mobility platform comprising:
 positioning a carriage at a loading region, the loading region including a first set of active tiles;   moving the carriage from the loading region to an intermediate region including a second set of active tiles, the second set of active tiles moving the carriage at a different velocity from the first set of active tiles; and   moving the carriage from the intermediate region to carrier vehicle.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 while moving the carriage from the loading region to the intermediate region, moving the carriage in a predetermined pattern corresponding to a projected image or audio generated by the system.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 arranging the carriage on the carrier vehicle, the carrier vehicle including a third set of active tiles.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 moving the carrier platform along a ride path, wherein the carrier platform is connected to the ride path.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 positioning a second carriage on the intermediate region moving the carriage in response to a movement of the second carriage   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 maintaining the carriage in a stationary position on the loading region; and   moving the carriage along the first set of active tiles after loading a passenger on the carriage.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 moving the passenger to the carriage by the first set of active tiles while the carriage is in the stationary position.   
     
     
         25 . A ride system for passengers comprising:
 a main ride including:
 a plurality of vehicles including a carrier vehicle, and 
 a ride pathway including a start area, 
 wherein the plurality of vehicles navigate the ride pathway; 
   a modular floor positioned adjacent the start area;   a carriage configured to receive passengers and positioned on the modular floor; and   wherein the carriage is movable by the modular floor to the start area in alignment with the main ride.   
     
     
         26 . The ride system of  claim 25 , wherein the carrier vehicle receives the carriage at the start area. 
     
     
         27 . The ride system of  claim 25 , wherein the modular floor includes an active mobility elements.