Multi-body show element systems and methods

Abstract

A system includes a show element with a first show element body coupled to a second show element body via one or more tether assemblies. Each tether assembly of the one or more tether assemblies includes a tether and a first retainer at a first end of the tether and positioned in a first recess of the first show element body. The one or more tether assemblies enable the first show element body to move relative to the second show element body to transition the show element between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration.

1 . A system, comprising:
 a show element comprising a first show element body coupled to a second show element body via one or more tether assemblies, each tether assembly of the one or more tether assemblies comprises:
 a tether; and 
 a first retainer at a first end of the tether and positioned in a first recess of the first show element body; 
   wherein the one or more tether assemblies enable the first show element body to move relative to the second show element body to transition the show element between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each tether assembly of the one or more tether assemblies comprises a second retainer at a second end of the tether and positioned in a second recess of the second show element body. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising one or more magnets disposed on or in the first show element body and one or more reaction materials disposed on or in the second show element body to magnetically couple the first show element body and the second show element body to one another. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more magnets and the one or more reaction materials are offset from the one or more tether assemblies. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tether comprises a rigid bar. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the show element comprises an animated figure, a costume, a show prop, a vehicle, a building, a wall, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the show element comprises an animated figure, and the first show element body and the second show element body form body portions of the animated figure. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a computing system comprising one or more processors and memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the computing system, cause the computing system to:
 provide instructions to at least one actuator to drive the first show element body to move relative to the second show element body to transition the show element between the engaged configuration and the disengaged configuration.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the computing system, cause the computing system to:
 determine that one or more guests are in a vicinity of the show element; and   provide the instructions to the at least one actuator to drive the first show element body to move relative to the second show element body to transition the show element between the engaged configuration and the disengaged configuration in response to determining that the one or more guests are in the vicinity of the show element.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising:
 one or more sensors configured to generate transition data indicative of occurrence of the transition of the show element between the engaged configuration and the disengaged configuration; and   a computing system comprising one or more processors and memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the computing system, cause the computing system to provide an alert in response to receipt of the transition data.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more sensors are disposed on the show element. 
     
     
         12 . A system, comprising:
 a show element comprising a plurality of show element bodies coupled together via one or more tether assemblies, wherein the one or more tether assemblies block separation of the plurality of show element bodies from one another and enable the plurality of show element bodies to move relative to one another to transition the show element from an engaged configuration to a disengaged configuration.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein each tether assembly of the one or more tether assemblies comprises:
 a tether; and   a first retainer at a first end of the tether and positioned in a respective recess of a respective show element body of the plurality of show element bodies.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein each tether assembly of the one or more tether assemblies comprises:
 a second retainer at a second end of the tether and positioned in a respective recess of a respective show element body of the plurality of show element bodies;   wherein the first retainer is retained within the respective recess of the respective show element body of the plurality of show element bodies and the second retainer is retained in the respective recess of the respective show element body of the plurality of show element bodies to block separation of the plurality of show element bodies from one another.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first retainer is retained within the respective recess of the respective show element body of the plurality of show element bodies to block separation of the plurality of show element bodies from one another, and the first retainer is configured to move within the respective recess of the respective show element body of the plurality of show element bodies to transition the show element from the engaged configuration to the disengaged configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , comprising one or more magnets and one or more reaction materials disposed at one or more interfaces between the plurality of show element bodies to magnetically couple the plurality of show element bodies to one another. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , comprising a computing system comprising one or more processors and memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the computing system, cause the computing system to:
 provide instructions to at least one actuator to drive at least one show element body of the plurality of show element bodies relative to at least one other show element body of the plurality of show element bodies to transition the show element from the engaged configuration to the disengaged configuration.   
     
     
         18 . A method of operating a show element system, the method comprising:
 applying a force to at least one show element body of a plurality of show element bodies to cause the at least one show element body of the plurality of show element bodies to move relative to at least one other show element body of the plurality of show element bodies; and   retaining the at least one show element body of the plurality of show element bodies to the at least one other show element body of the plurality of show element bodies via one or more tether assemblies as the at least one show element body of the plurality of show element bodies moves relative to at least one other show element body of the plurality of show element bodies.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising providing, via a computing system, instructions to at least one actuator to apply the force to the at least one show element body of the plurality of show element bodies to cause the at least one show element body of the plurality of show element bodies to move relative to the at least one other show element body of the plurality of show element bodies. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of show element bodies are arranged in an engaged configuration to appear as a unified show element, and applying the force provides an illusion of the unified show element breaking into multiple pieces.