Ride system having an articulating arm

Abstract

A ride system may include a ride vehicle configured to move along a ride path adjacent a track, and an arm coupled to the ride vehicle. The ride vehicle may be movable separately from the arm. The ride vehicle may include features to support the ride vehicle on a ride surface of the ride path, such that the ride vehicle may follow the ride's terrain. The arm may articulate (e.g., move between positions) to adjust a position of the ride vehicle relative to the ride path. The arm may adjust the lateral and/or vertical position of the ride vehicle along the ride. The ride system may include a chassis coupled to the track, and the arm may be coupled to the chassis. The arm may be extendable and pivotable relative to the chassis, such as to adjust the position of the ride vehicle as the chassis rides along the track.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ride system comprising:
 a ride vehicle configured to move along a ride path adjacent a track; and   an arm coupled to the ride vehicle, the arm configured to articulate to adjust a position of the ride vehicle relative to the ride path, wherein the ride vehicle is movable separately from the arm.   
     
     
         2 . The ride system of  claim 1 , wherein the arm is extendable to move the ride vehicle towards and away from the track to adjust a lateral position of the ride vehicle on the ride path. 
     
     
         3 . The ride system of  claim 1 , wherein the arm is configured to rotate about an axis to move the ride vehicle relative to the track to adjust a vertical position of the ride vehicle on the ride path. 
     
     
         4 . The ride system of  claim 1 , further comprising a chassis coupled to the track, wherein the arm is coupled to the chassis and articulates to adjust the position of the ride vehicle as the chassis moves along the track. 
     
     
         5 . The ride system of  claim 4 , wherein the arm is pivotably coupled to the chassis. 
     
     
         6 . The ride system of  claim 4 , further comprising an actuator on the chassis to adjust the articulation of the arm. 
     
     
         7 . The ride system of  claim 1 , wherein the arm is movable between a first position and a second position to locate the ride vehicle at different positions along the ride path. 
     
     
         8 . The ride system of  claim 7 , wherein the arm is movable to locate the vehicle at a third position between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         9 . The ride system of  claim 7 , wherein the first position locates the ride vehicle at a first vertical position along the ride path, and wherein the second position locates the ride vehicle at a second vertical position along the ride path. 
     
     
         10 . The ride system of  claim 1 , further comprising a coupling securing the ride vehicle to the arm, the coupling allowing the ride vehicle to rotate about an axis. 
     
     
         11 . A ride system comprising:
 an arm movable between a first position and a second position; and   a ride vehicle coupled to the arm and movable with the arm between the first position and the second position, the ride vehicle comprising one or more features to support the ride vehicle on a ride surface of a ride path.   
     
     
         12 . The ride system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more features comprise a wheel and a suspension coupling the wheel to the ride vehicle, the suspension configured to allow the wheel to ride along the ride surface. 
     
     
         13 . The ride system of  claim 11 , further comprising a coupling securing the ride vehicle to the arm, wherein the coupling provides at least a one degree of freedom (DOF) connection between the ride vehicle and the arm. 
     
     
         14 . The ride system of  claim 13 , wherein the coupling provides an at least three DOF connection between the ride vehicle and the arm. 
     
     
         15 . The ride system of  claim 11 , wherein the first position locates the ride vehicle on the ride surface, and wherein the second position moves the ride vehicle away from the ride surface. 
     
     
         16 . The ride system of  claim 11 , wherein the first position locates the ride vehicle at a first lateral position on the ride surface, and wherein the second position locates the ride vehicle at a second lateral position on the ride surface. 
     
     
         17 . A ride system comprising:
 a track extending to define a ride path;   a chassis coupled to the track;   an arm coupled to the chassis, the arm extendable and pivotable relative to the chassis; and   a ride vehicle coupled to the arm and movable with the arm to adjust a position of the ride vehicle on the ride path.   
     
     
         18 . The ride system of  claim 17 , wherein the ride path comprises a first ride path on a first side of the track, and a second ride path on a second side of the track. 
     
     
         19 . The ride system of  claim 18 , wherein the arm is configured to adjust a lateral position of the ride vehicle on the first ride path and the second ride path. 
     
     
         20 . The ride system of  claim 17 , further comprising one or more coupling elements allowing the ride vehicle to ride along a ride surface of the ride path, wherein the one or more coupling elements comprise at least one of:
 a suspension of the ride vehicle; or   a coupling providing at least a one degree of freedom connection between the ride vehicle and the arm.   
     
     
         21 . The ride system of  claim 17 , wherein the ride vehicle is configured to follow a terrain of the ride path.