Having Rapid Movement Patents (Class 472/76)
  • Patent number: 5829201
    Abstract: An amusement attraction has a theater with an audience seating area. The audience seating area faces a projection screen and a film presentation is projected onto the projection screen. The audience seating area contains seats that are arranged in rows. The seats are supported on seat drop units that vertically shift the seats. The theater also contains wheelchair platforms that are installed between some of the seats. The wheelchair platforms are also capable of moving in a vertical direction. During a predetermined sequence in the film presentation, an explosion takes place on the projection screen, and the seats and the wheelchair platforms drop suddenly to simulate the theater floor being blown out. In this manner, the audience, including members of the audience who are physically disabled, is provided with a participatory theater experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Universal City Studios, Inc.
    Inventors: James Schelter, Frank Masi