Abstract: A suspension system may include a plate, a frame extending at least partially around the plate, and a resilient member extending between to connect the plate to the frame. The resilient member may be configured to resiliently deform to allow a movement of the plate relative to the frame. The frame may be associated with a chassis configured to couple a track vehicle to a track. A pair of plates may define a rotation axis for a wheel configured to traverse along the track. Resilient members may extend between the pair of plates and the frame. A suspension part formed as a single monolithic component may include a first plate, a second plate, and a resilient member extending between the first plate and the second plate, the resilient member configured to resiliently deform to allow a movement of the first plate relative to the second plate.

Abstract: A method for attaching padding material to a surface of a structural component, e.g., a lap bar or other park ride vehicle component. The method includes positioning a laminated sheet onto the surface of the structural component, with the laminated sheet including an adhesive material and a heating element. The method includes positioning a pad formed of the padding material onto the surface of the structural component, with a surface of the pad abuts an exposed surface of the laminated sheet. Further, the method involves connecting the heating element to a power source and then operating the power source to activate the heating element. The padding material may include ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and the adhesive material then is compatible with EVA. The adhesive material may be provided in first and second layers, and the heating element is sandwiched between the first and second layers in the laminated sheet.

Abstract: A method for controlling an amusement park ride to provide safe access for maintenance and testing. The method includes first determining a location of an access control key and then second determining whether the determined location is within a control space. The method includes, when the access control key is in the control space, operating a machine of the park ride in a first operating mode. When outside the control space, the method includes operating the machine in a second operating mode. The second operating mode may include disabling the machine. The method may further include, after the operating the machine in the second operating mode, repeating the first determining of the location of the access control key, third determining whether the determined location is within a predefined safe space, and, when the access control key is within the predefined safe space operating the machine in a third operating mode.

Abstract: An insect trap for use in trapping and exterminating crawling insects including bed bugs. The trap includes a pit fall trap assembly with sidewalls defining a pit or well and a heat source positioned within the pit. The trap includes a controller assembly with a controller selectively operating the heat source, which includes a base plate provided at a bottom of the pit. In this way, the base plate provides the floor or lower surfaces of the pit upon which insects fall and also to which the insects are attracted by the thermal lure of the heat source. The inner surfaces preferably include a layer of anti-traction material (such as UHMW tape or the like) such that the insects cannot climb back out of the pit. The controller operates to alternate the heat source between a lure temperature mimicking a blood host and a higher temperature to exterminate trapped insects.

Abstract: An anti-roll back (ARB) assembly for use with vehicles that ride on a track, which has inclined portions that include a set of ARB or lift pins. The assembly includes a linear magnet assembly positioned along the track in the ARB portion, and this assembly includes spaced apart magnet arrays that define a slot or elongated magnetic force zone. The ARB assembly includes an ARB element with a body pivotally supported on a vehicle frame and further includes an electrically conductive reaction plate supported on the vehicle frame, and the plate passes through the magnet assembly slot when the vehicle travels on the track. The reaction plate is connected to the ARB body to pivot it in response to displacement of the reaction plate in response to magnetic forces to rotate it up into a suspended position in which the ARB body is spaced apart from the ARB pins.

Abstract: An anti-roll back (ARB) assembly for use with vehicles that ride on a track, which has inclined portions that include a set of ARB or lift pins. The assembly includes a linear magnet assembly positioned along the track in the ARB portion, and this assembly includes spaced apart magnet arrays that define a slot or elongated magnetic force zone. The ARB assembly includes an ARB element with a body pivotally supported on a vehicle frame and further includes an electrically conductive reaction plate supported on the vehicle frame, and the plate passes through the magnet assembly slot when the vehicle travels on the track. The reaction plate is connected to the ARB body to pivot it in response to displacement of the reaction plate in response to magnetic forces to rotate it up into a suspended position in which the ARB body is spaced apart from the ARB pins.

Abstract: An anti-roll back (ARB) assembly for use with vehicles that ride on a track, which has inclined portions that include a set of ARB or lift pins. The assembly includes a linear magnet assembly positioned along the track in the ARB portion, and this assembly includes spaced apart magnet arrays that define a slot or elongated magnetic force zone. The ARB assembly includes an ARB element with a body pivotally supported on a vehicle frame and further includes an electrically conductive reaction plate supported on the vehicle frame, and the plate passes through the magnet assembly slot when the vehicle travels on the track. The reaction plate is connected to the ARB body to pivot it in response to displacement of the reaction plate in response to magnetic forces to rotate it up into a suspended position in which the ARB body is spaced apart from the ARB pins.

Abstract: A passenger restraint system for a vehicle having a plurality of seats, each seat having a seatbelt, a retractor from which the seatbelt is extendable, and a receiver used to latch the seatbelt. Each retractor includes a first pneumatic locking element and a second pneumatic locking element for limiting movement of the seatbelt and each receiver includes a receiver pneumatic locking element for locking the seatbelt within the receiver. A controller controls the operation of a plurality of first valves for supplying air to the first pneumatic locking element of a corresponding one of the plurality of retractors, a second valve for supplying air to each of the second pneumatic locking element of the plurality of retractors, and a plurality of third valves for supplying air to the receiver pneumatic locking element of a corresponding one of the plurality of receivers.

Abstract: A passenger restraint system for a vehicle having a plurality of seats, each seat having a seatbelt, a retractor from which the seatbelt is extendable, and a receiver used to latch the seatbelt. Each retractor includes a first pneumatic locking element and a second pneumatic locking element for limiting movement of the seatbelt and each receiver includes a receiver pneumatic locking element for locking the seatbelt within the receiver. A controller controls the operation of a plurality of first valves for supplying air to the first pneumatic locking element of a corresponding one of the plurality of retractors, a second valve for supplying air to each of the second pneumatic locking element of the plurality of retractors, and a plurality of third valves for supplying air to the receiver pneumatic locking element of a corresponding one of the plurality of receivers.

Abstract: A pulse piloted cartridge valve that defaults to a closed position. A spring biases against a latching piston assembly within the valve to position the latching piston assembly to the closed position. In this position, a supply port is sealed off from a control port. Pressurized fluid may be provided in a pilot open chamber to move the pilot open piston downward on the upper stem of the latching piston assembly to push the latching piston assembly to an open position. When in the open position, the passageway from the control port to the supply port is opened as well as the passageway from the control port to the axial passageway. Pressure is then transferred from the supply port through the axial passageway to the latching chamber. The pilot open piston is raised by pressure from the axial passageway. The latching piston assembly is held in the open position with pressure within the latching chamber.