A multiple punch and multiple die assembly has a workpiece protector as a punch lifter that is operatively associated with each punch for supporting each of the punches in an inactive position as an active punch is moved by the ram to the active, i.e. operating position to thereby eliminate scoring or marking of the sheet material or other workpiece that is being punched. To eliminate the need for hand tools and hand assembly or disassembly, a manually moveable retainer on the punch assembly is provided that can be moved by hand between a punch-releasing and punch-retaining position for holding the punches within the multi-punch assembly during operation. To prevent stress fractures that formerly occurred in die carriers, support of each die is distributed between two different die components thereby reducing impact stress on the carrier as the ram drives the punch through the workpiece.

A sheet metal blanking die has a lower and an upper part and guide columns for maintaining the parts aligned. The upper part presents a plurality of punches which project downwards from it, when the die is closed by a press. Recesses are present on the flat lower portion to receive the respective punches at the moment of blanking. For one punch a rapid replacement device can be provided, including a chamber within which a loader can move presenting two cavities of vertical axis to receive relative punches. By moving the loader a punch can be selected for transfer from a rest position to an operative blanking position.

A sheet hole punching device has a device frame bearing-supporting a plurality of punching members, a driving rotation shaft, a drive motor, a gear mechanism transmitting a rotation of the driving rotation shaft, cam mechanisms converting the rotational movement into vertical movement, and a motor control device. The gearing mechanism includes drive gears fixed on the driving rotation shaft and receiving gears to engage with the drive gears to transmit the rotational movement to the punching members. The cam mechanism includes cylindrical cams formed integrally to the punching members and cam followers fixed to the device frame. The cylindrical cams are provided with V-shaped groove cams to reciprocate the punching members between an upper dead point and a lower dead point. The punching members are rotated in one direction to punch holes in a sheet, and subsequently rotated in a reverse direction to punch holes in a following sheet.

A sheet hole punching device has a device frame; a plurality of punching members arranged in first and second groups, and arranged linearly on the device frame; a driving rotation shaft; a driving motor reciprocally rotating the driving rotation shaft; a gear mechanism transmitting a rotation of the driving rotation shaft; cam mechanisms converting the rotational movement; and a motor control device. The gearing mechanism includes drive gears disposed on the drive rotational shaft, and receiving gears disposed on the punching members to engage with the drive gears. The cam mechanisms include cam followers and cylindrical cams. The cylindrical cam has a V-shaped groove cam to reciprocate each of the punching members between an upper dead point and a lower dead point. The punching members are rotated in one direction to punch holes in first sheets, and subsequently rotated in a reverse direction to punch holes in following sheets.

An apparatus for punching holes is provided. The apparatus may include a base movable from a first position to a second position and first and second punch assemblies attached to and movable with the base. The punch assemblies may each include parallel punches movable relative to the base and having an end. The apparatus may include first and second cams fixed to a rotatable shaft and having an engagement portion for engagement with the ends of the respective punches at a predetermined rotation position of the shaft. When the base is in the first position, rotation of the shaft to the predetermined rotation position may cause movement of only one of the punches relative to the base. When the base is in the second position, rotation of the shaft to the predetermined rotation position may cause movement of only the other punch of the punch assemblies.

A punch assembly for a turret punch press having a two piece reciprocally movable punch member that has a punch point insert removably attached to a punch driver that allows replacement of the punch point insert without the need to extract the punch member from its punch guide. A locking assembly having four vertical guideways containing slider strips for coupling the punch point insert to the punch driver ensures precision registration of the punch point insert with its driver.

A toy projectile launching system including at least one launchable toy projectile, including at least one RFID tag, and a toy projectile launching apparatus, including a housing, a projectile launching mechanism, a projectile receptacle, and an RFID writer adapted to write tag data to the at least one RFID tag, wherein the toy projectile is adapted to be loaded into the projectile receptacle and launched by the projectile launching mechanism.

A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of improving operability while suppressing an increase in apparatus size. In a front cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a front cover is inserted into a bundle of sheets on which images have been formed, and in a rear cover insertion mode, an insertion sheet for a rear cover is inserted into the bundle of sheets. Insertion sheets for the front cover and insertion sheets for the rear cover are set with the same orientation in a manual feed tray 105. An insertion sheet for the front cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to a finisher 500 in one of a face-down state and a face-up state. An insertion sheet for the rear cover stored in the manual feed tray 105 is conveyed to the finisher 500 in the other of the face-down state and the face-up state. The insertion sheets for the front cover and for the rear cover conveyed from the manual feed tray 105 and the sheets on which images have been formed are stacked on the finisher 500.

An image forming system including a control section provides control in such a way that, the ring binder of the size determined for the first set of copies is adopted so that ring binding is performed for a second set of copies or copies thereafter in a case of executing a job for ring binding of a plurality of copies. When at least one of a status change in the sheet feed section, a main power source being turned off, or a change in a job ticket is occurred from a suspension to a resumption of the job, since the thickness of a bundle of sheets may change, the thickness measuring section is caused to measure the thickness of the bundle in a first set of copies subsequent to resumption. And the control section judges continuation or suspension of a job.

Some embodiments of the invention relate to function elements for fixing in seat rails of aircraft. The function element according to the invention may include: a fixing rail with a web running in the x direction and a multiplicity of extensions which protrude beyond the web in a y direction to form a T profile, wherein the fixing rail is formed corresponding to the seat rail such that the fixing rail can be inserted in the seat rail and moved along the x direction into a holding position in which the extensions sit between the holes below the slots, at least one fixing peg which is arranged mobile on the fixing rail and can be brought into a blocking position in which the fixing peg engages in a hole of the seat rail so that the function element is fixed in the x direction.

A box stop device includes a base member and a raised member attached to the base member. The base member has a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface may be flat. The bottom surface may be adapted to attach to a desired surface. The raised member may be attached to the base member and may extend approximately vertically from the top surface. The raised member may include a first side and a second side. The first side and the second side may be attached together at an angle of approximately 90 degrees.

A system and methods that generates a physical unclonable function (“PUF”) security key for an integrated circuit (“IC”) through use of equivalent resistance variations in the power distribution system (“PDS”) to mitigate the vulnerability of security keys to threats including cloning, misappropriation and unauthorized use.

Water valves and methods of regulating fluid flow for low ambient pressure water sources that reduce the amount of filtration needed for valve mechanisms operating in the water source.

In the invention, for a first sheet, regardless of the sheet size (width), a lateral registration detector is moved in a direction towards an edge face of the sheet from a home position to detect the edge face of the sheet. With lateral deviation in the sheet position corrected, punching is performed by a puncher. For the second and subsequent sheets, the lateral registration detector is moved in advance to near the edge face of the sheet with reference to the detected position of the sheet edge of the first sheet, and the edge face is detected at a given timing. With lateral deviation in the sheet position corrected, punching is performed by the puncher.

A multi-function binding machine is proposed. The multi-function binding machine (700) comprises a binding station (135) for binding blocks of signatures (105), and a feeding station (115) for receiving signatures in succession, opening the signatures, and feeding the signatures to the binding station; in the solution according to an embodiment of the invention, the multi-function binding machine further comprises a further feeding station (715) for receiving pre-signatures in successions, folding groups of at least one pre-signature into further signatures (729), and feeding the further signatures to the binding station.

The tuner circuit comprises a HF input and a HF output with a loop through function, wherein a variable capacitance diode is coupled with a first terminal to the HF input and with a second terminal to the HF output for providing a passive loop through function. The variable capacitance diode is in particular in a passing mode, when no DC reverse voltage is applied, for providing a passive loop through function. In a preferred embodiment, the tuner circuit is designed for reception of television channels, and for the variable capacitance diode one or two tuning variable capacitance diode is used being designed for satellite tuners with a frequency range of 1-2 GHz, or a specially designed variable capacitance diode with a capacitance ratio C1/C25>18 at a frequency of 1 MHz for DC reverse voltages of 1 and 25 Volts is used.

A data processing apparatus is monitoring the first port of itself and the second port of itself. If the data processing apparatus receives data via the second port, it conducts a specific process to the data regardless of a data format of the data so as to convert the data into the data format that can be processed regardless of a data format of the data and sends converted data to the first port.

A container data center includes a container, a plurality of power supplies, an electric switch system, a plurality of normally closed switches, an alarm device, and a controller. The electric switch system is received in the container. The plurality of normally closed switches are connected between the power supplies and the electric switch system. Each normally closed switch is connected with a corresponding one of the power supplies in series. The controller is connected to the normally closed switches and the alarm device, configured for receiving earthquake information containing an earthquake intensity, and configured for controlling the alarm device to activate alarms and controlling some of the normally closed switches or all the normally closed switches to open when the earthquake intensity is equal to or greater than a predetermined earthquake intensity.

A hand operated shovel system for moving materials that uses spring enhanced human power to increase force during the flinging part of shoveling. A user adds propulsive force to a shovel having a spring located between the handle and the blade. Motion of the handle and blade rotates the spring to store energy expended during the initial acceleration of lifting, and applies the stored energy back into the material during the deposition step, increasing the ballistic trajectory of the material. If material deposition can be accomplished without flinging, the shovel acts as a substantially rigid body for standard shoveling.

A game apparatus and a method using trays as the game board with vertical support columns, two sets of playing pieces and two launching devices. The one or more vertical support columns attach to the one or more trays to support the trays horizontally above a support surface. On the surface of each of the trays is a matrix and each element of the matrix has a recessed compartment orthogonal to the surface of the tray. Each recessed compartment is sized to hold a multiplicity of both types of playing pieces in a stacked manner. The recessed compartments may also be created so that the order and the number of the playing pieces in each recessed compartment are observable for additional variety in game play.

An apparatus includes a biquad filter having first and second lossy integrators and multiple input networks. Each lossy integrator includes an amplifier, and each input network is coupled to an input of the amplifier in one of the lossy integrators. Each input network includes multiple resistors and a capacitor arranged in a T-structure. In a single-ended configuration, each input network includes a grounded capacitor. In a fully-differential configuration, each input network includes one of: a grounded capacitor and a floating capacitor coupled to another input network. The amplifiers and resistors could form a portion of an integrated circuit chip, which also includes multiple input/output pins. A single grounded capacitor could be coupled to a single input/output pin of the integrated circuit chip for an input network. A single floating capacitor could be coupled to two input/output pins of the integrated circuit chip for a pair of input networks.

A system and method for assessing a health and functionality of a locomotive friction modifying system wherein the locomotive has a friction modifying applicator associated with a wheel of the locomotive for applying a friction modifying agent to a rail on which the wheel is traversing. The system and method comprise a sensor detecting a predetermined operational condition of the locomotive. The system and method also comprise a controller associated with the sensor and responsive to input from the sensor determining a per unit creep of an axle of the locomotive. The controller also determines a tractive effort of the axle of the locomotive and determines a friction modifying applicator state for the applicator associated with the axle. The controller further compares the determined per unit creep of the axle, the tractive effort of the axle and the state of the friction modifying applicator associated with the axle to a predetermined value indicative of the health and functionality of the locomotive friction modifying system. The controller provides an indication of the health and functionality of the locomotive friction modifying system.

A method of preparing functionalized graphene, comprises treating graphene with an alkali metal in the presence of an electron transfer agent and coordinating solvent, and adding a functionalizing compound. The method further includes quenching unreacted alkali metal by addition of a protic medium, and isolating the functionalized graphene.

Secure access to a database of upgrade data is provided by storing an encryption key value in a cable used to interconnect a first device and a second device that is associated with the database of upgrade data. The second device allows access to the database of upgrade data via the cable only when the cable is first positively authenticated by the second device through use of the encryption key value stored in the cable.

Implementations for exciting two or more modes via modal decomposition of a pulse by a wave launcher are generally disclosed.

A multi-functional electronic self-protection device is disclosed. The device includes a flashlight with reflector which also mounts shock blocks. The casing includes a circuit board and booster together with a battery, and in the base thereof, a buzzer is mounted. A first switch controls the flashlight so that rotation of the lens case will turn the light on and off. A second switch controls the generation of an electric charge at the shock blocks so that when the casing is rotated and a switch depressed, a strong electrical charge whill be generated at the shock blocks. The base is also slidably mounted on the casing and by slidably displacing the base, a third switch activates the buzzer which is coupled also to the battery.

An electronic device includes a silicon carbide layer including an n-type drift region therein, a contact forming a junction, such as a Schottky junction, with the drift region, and a p-type junction barrier region on the silicon carbide layer. The p-type junction barrier region includes a p-type polysilicon region forming a P-N heterojunction with the drift region, and the p-type junction barrier region is electrically connected to the contact. Related methods are also disclosed.

A sensor includes a collector, an emitter and a base-region barrier formed as an inverted bipolar junction transistor having a base substrate forming a base electrode to activate the inverted bipolar junction transistor. A level surface is formed by the collector, the emitter and the base-region barrier opposite the base substrate such that when the level surface is exposed to charge, the charge is measured during operation of the bipolar junction transistor.

A method of bunch length compression method for a free electron laser (FEL) that avoids parasitic compressions by 1) applying acceleration on the falling portion of the RF waveform, 2) compressing using a positive momentum compaction (R56>0), and 3) compensating for aberration by using nonlinear magnets in the compressor beam line.

A vacuum roller for a web handling system comprises a hollow, cylindrical, rotably driven drum and an end cap threadingly mounted onto the rear end of the drum. Together, the drum and the end cap define a plurality of individual, externally communicable vacuum paths. A spherical, metal movable element is internally disposed within each vacuum path and regulates the passage of air therethrough. A plurality of magnetic elements is fixedly mounted on a stationary annular holder. In use, each magnetic element selectively displaces each movable element when disposed in close proximity thereto to the extent necessary so as to permit the passage of air through its corresponding vacuum path. As such, the vacuum roller is provided with a predefined range of suction, or vacuum zone, about the outer surface of its rotating drum that directly corresponds to the angular arrangement of the plurality of stationary magnetic elements.

A multifunctional case is configured for receiving or supporting a portable electronic device. The case includes a first layer and a second layer. The second layer is connected to the first layer by the edges. A receiving space is formed between the first and second layers for receiving the portable electronic device. The second layer is provided with a base portion, a main supporting portion, two side supporting portions and two remaining portions are formed on the second layer. The two side supporting portions and the remaining portions are symmetrically positioned at two sides of the main supporting portion. When the case is folded up as a support, the main supporting portion is angled with the base portion. The remaining portions are stacked on the base portion. The side supporting portions are perpendicular to the remaining portions and the main supporting portion.

A bound system including a plurality of pages and a cover and/or divider including a bound outer edge and a plurality of free outer edges. The cover and/or divider may be bound to the plurality of pages along the bound edge. The cover and/or divider may include one or more discreet tabs extending generally outwardly relative to one of the edges. Each tab may be integrally formed from a single piece of material with the rest of the cover and/or divider. Each tab further may have an opening formed therethrough and is configured to receive at least part of a binding device therethrough to thereby couple the cover and/or divider to the binding device.

A radio frequency channel amplification module for communication satellite, comprises an input configured to convey an input radio frequency signal, an output configured to restore a pre-amplified output radio frequency signal intended to power a travelling wave tube amplifier that can be equipped with linearization means with predistortion, at least one first upstream gain control module arranged downstream of the input and one second downstream gain control module arranged downstream of the first upstream gain control module and upstream of any linearization means by predistortion. The channel amplification module also comprises an instantaneous power limiter intended to clip the peaks of the input radio frequency signals with a level exceeding a determined threshold value, the instantaneous power limiter being arranged in series between said first upstream gain control module and said second downstream gain control module.

The invention relates to an energy-efficient apparatus driven by compressed air and equipped with a dual piston function for tensioning, or clamping, or centering, or punching, or welding, or clinching, for use in body construction in the automotive industry. The apparatus is driven by a pressurized fluid, in particular by compressed air. It is shown how a significant amount of operating costs can be saved while, at the same time, conserving the environment and consuming a low amount of pressurized fluid, in particular compressed air. In addition, the pivoting angle of a toggle joint assembly and thus of an apparatus connected thereto, for example, a tensioning arm of a toggle tensioning apparatus, can be continuously adjusted in both directions while, at the same time, adjusting a sampling device using sensors, for example, microswitches, or inductive switches, or pneumatic switches, or limit switches.

The punch retainer mounted on a die shoe has a body with a backing plate fastened to the top face thereof. The body is formed with a first bore for retaining a punch, the inner end of which abuts the backing plate. A first dowel projecting from the mounting face of the die shoe extends into the backing plate in axial alignment with the central axis of the first bore. Second and third bores in the body register with second and third holes in the backing plate. Tubular dowels engage in the registering bores and holes to align the backing plate on the body. The retainer is mounted on a die shoe by holding screws which extend through the tubular dowels and thread into the die shoe. The backing plate is aligned on the die shoe by either a separate fourth dowel in the backing plate spaced remotely from the first dowel or by extending one of the tubular dowels beyond the backing plate for engagement with a registering opening in the die shoe.

A paper shredder with an allowable thickness warning function is provided. The paper shredder includes a casing and an upper cover. An input tray is disposed on the casing for placing plural papers thereon. A pressing member and a thickness detecting device are installed on the upper cover. When the pressing member is contacted with the plural papers on the input tray and pushed by the plural papers, the pressing member is moved. The thickness detecting device is located near the pressing member. Moreover, in response to the movement of the pressing member, the thickness detecting device may be triggered. If an overall thickness of the plural papers exceeds an allowable thickness, the pressing member is pushed by the plural papers. Consequently, the thickness detecting device is triggered by the pressing member to generate a warning signal.

Disclosed is a cap unit wherein safety is increased by preventing a reversed flow of a puncture-sealing agent. A cap main body (33) comprises an air flow passage (31) consisting of a vertical flow passage (31A) extending downward from an air passage upper opening (31a), a lateral flow passage (31B) laterally extending from an air intake port (31b), and a connecting flow passage (31C) connecting therebetween. The air flow passage (31) is provided with a reversed flow preventing device (22). The cap main body (33) is provided with a vertical hole (40) consisting of first to fourth vertical holes (40A to 40D) which have inner diameters increasing downwardly from the upper end in a stepwise manner, and the first to third vertical holes (40A to 40C) form the vertical flow passage (31A).

A method to prevent gelation of an uncured gelcoat composition during storage is described. The method includes applying a gelation inhibitor to the surface of a gelcoat composition in the container to prevent premature gelation. The gelation inhibitor additionally prevents the formation of a crust on the inner surface of storage container lids.

A synchronous DC-DC converter having a soft-stop function includes an output stage for supplying an output voltage, wherein the output stage includes a high-side transistor for charging the output voltage and a low-side transistor for discharging the output voltage; an output control circuit, coupled to the output stage, for controlling the high-side transistor and the low-side transistor of the output stage; at least one protection device, for controlling the high-side transistor to be turned off when a specific situation occurs, in order to stop supplying the output voltage; and a soft-stop control circuit, coupled to the output control circuit, for controlling the low-side transistor of the output stage to be turned on when the protection device controls the high-side transistor to be turned off or the synchronous DC-DC converter is disabled, in order to discharge the output voltage.

Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices configured to retain, at least for some period, and provide pre-launch support kites such as stunt kites. In certain instances, the device positions stunt kites of various sizes and design, including, for example, delta wing kits, diamond kits and foil kits, in a reclined position to provide pre-launch stability and wind flow/spill-over across the face of the kite to help prevent unintentional or premature launch. If desired, optional control line upright supports can be present that permit minimum control line pull-back thereby reducing the recline of the kite to bring the face of the kite into the wind and thereby launch the kite. The control line upright supports may also prevent the kite from falling completely face down on the surface, thereby requiring a reset of the kite on the device.

A toy projectile launcher assembly has the form of a crossbow. The crossbow only launches the safety projectiles that are provided. The launcher body has a handle at a first end and diverging support arms at an opposite second end. An adjustment mechanism is contained within the launcher body for selectively adjusting the length of the launcher body. The crossbow has diverging support arms. Bow arms are attached to the support arms. The bow arms pivot from retracted positions to extended positions when a projectile is loaded into the toy crossbow. The toy crossbow has elastic loops that can only engage specialized safety projectiles with side. Furthermore, the trigger mechanism can only engage the safety projectiles provided with the toy. Projectiles without a specific tab and keyhole cannot be loaded into the toy crossbow.

A toy having a housing; a cover pivotally mounted to the housing for movement between a first position wherein an internal cavity of the housing is covered and a second position wherein access to the internal cavity is provided; a launching mechanism located within the internal cavity; a first projectile configured to be launched from the launching mechanism; a plurality of second projectiles configured to be launched from a plurality of projectile launchers secured to the housing; an actuation mechanism coupled to the cover, the launching mechanism and the plurality of projectile launchers, wherein operation of the actuation mechanism causes the cover to move from the first position to the second position and simultaneously launch the first projectile and the plurality of second projectiles from the launching mechanism and the plurality of projectile launchers.

A toy pump action rifle for launching discs having an outer housing, a stock, a grip, a trigger, a handle for cocking the rifle and a revolving drum for storing multiple discs. Within the housing is a mechanism for removing discs, one at a time, from the drum where the discs are arranged in a first position, rotating each disc 90° to a second position, and transporting each disc to a discharge chamber. The mechanism includes a transfer arm to remove each disc from the drum, a disc pocket for receiving the removed disc, the pocket being rotatable to reorient the disc, and disc pocket also being slidable to carry the disc to the discharge chamber. Activation of the trigger releases a cocked launch arm that snaps forward and strikes the disc to cause discharge.

A line launching device is provided with a tube for receiving a projectile and including an externally threaded bottom and a cap put on the tube; a cylinder including a first externally threaded extension at one end, an internally threaded cup secured to the first externally threaded extension, a second externally threaded extension at an other end, and an internally threaded ring securing to both the second externally threaded extension and the externally threaded bottom; a hollow anchor fastened in one end of the tube; a hollow fin assembly in a bottom of the projectile and including slits on a housing, pivotal fins, and an internal biasing member biasing against the fins; and a rope having one end attached to the nose and an other end fastened in the anchor. The fins project out of the slits after the projectile being propelled out of the tube by pressurized gas.

A projectile for launching through the air comprises a body and one or more projecting members integral therewith extending outwardly a distance from the body, which can be hollow or solid. The projectile is formed from an elastomeric material capable of being stretched to energize the projectile for launching. The projecting members are positioned a distance apart from one another and include openings disposed therethrough at distal ends for engaging sections of a launching device. The launching device includes a handle with the sections extending outwardly therefrom to accommodate placement of the projectile openings thereagainst for retaining the projectile before and during launch. The projectile is launched from the device by pulling the body away from the launching device to energize the projectile, and then releasing the energized projectile, causing it to be propelled from the launching device into the air and towards a desired target.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a toy dart launcher comprises a housing defining an interior recess and a launch assembly. The launch assembly is at least partially disposed within the interior recess and comprises: a projectile feed, a slidable frame, and a launch mechanism. The projectile feed is rotatably disposed within the interior recess and comprises a plurality of receiving chambers each adapted to receive one or more projectiles. The slidable frame has at least one engagement finger rotatably disposed thereon, and is movable with respect to the projectile feed so that the at least one engagement finger can engage and move at least one projectile through at least one receiving chamber. The launch mechanism is disposed rearwardly of the projectile feed and is configured to create a pressure differential about the at least one projectile so that the at least one projectile can be launched from the housing.

The present invention relates to the field of electromagnetic rail launchers, and particularly to a rail launcher and an associated projectile-launching process including at least two longitudinal rails connected to a power supply circuit of these two rails, these rails being at least partially surrounded by superconductor elements able to generate a magnetic induction of a direction perpendicular to the plane formed by the rails and located therebetween during the flow of a current therein, launcher wherein the supply circuit includes the superconductor elements.

A dart launcher comprises a housing, a safety arm, and a trigger. The housing includes a launching section configured to receive a dart having a minimum threshold length. The safety arm is movably attached to the housing and extends at least partially across the launching section. The safety arm is positioned so that the dart having the minimum threshold length engages at least a portion of the safety arm upon insertion into the launching section. The trigger is movable with respect to the housing and is operable to cause the dart having the minimum threshold length to launch from the launching section.

A water balloon launching cannon is disclosed. The water balloon launching cannon includes a slotted barrel for rapid and easy loading and uses compressed air as the propelling force for firing the water balloon. Namely, the water balloon launching cannon includes an I-beam support upon which is mounted an air delivery system and the slotted barrel. For ease of disassembly, (1) the air delivery system includes quick-release mechanisms and (2) a plunger assembly inside the barrel is held by an easily removable pin. Further, a method of operating and a method using the water balloon launching cannon are disclosed.

A ride system for giving passengers a flying roller coaster experience. The ride system includes a train of vehicles, with each of the vehicles including seat assemblies that each has a seat and seat back for receiving a passenger. The vehicles are supported by the track to roll along a length of the track, and the ride path is adapted for gravity-based movement of the train of vehicles in at least portions of the ride path. The track includes a vertical segment, and the ride system includes a station including a platform assembly with horizontal platforms vertically spaced-apart to provide multi-level loading. The train is positioned on the vertical segment with each of the vehicles proximate to an end of one of the horizontal platforms. The seat backs are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the track to provide vertical loading and, then, vertical launching from the station.