EP2637756A2 - Toboggan récréatif comportant une section mobile - Google Patents

Toboggan récréatif comportant une section mobile

Info

Publication number
EP2637756A2
EP2637756A2 EP11839379.2A EP11839379A EP2637756A2 EP 2637756 A2 EP2637756 A2 EP 2637756A2 EP 11839379 A EP11839379 A EP 11839379A EP 2637756 A2 EP2637756 A2 EP 2637756A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
state
section
slide
rider
passageway
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP11839379.2A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2637756A4 (fr
Inventor
Philip John Olive
David John Cuttell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Splashtacular Inc
Original Assignee
Splashtacular Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Splashtacular Inc filed Critical Splashtacular Inc
Publication of EP2637756A2 publication Critical patent/EP2637756A2/fr
Publication of EP2637756A4 publication Critical patent/EP2637756A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63G—MERRY-GO-ROUNDS; SWINGS; ROCKING-HORSES; CHUTES; SWITCHBACKS; SIMILAR DEVICES FOR PUBLIC AMUSEMENT
    • A63G21/00—Chutes; Helter-skelters
    • A63G21/14—Chutes; Helter-skelters with driven slideways
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63G—MERRY-GO-ROUNDS; SWINGS; ROCKING-HORSES; CHUTES; SWITCHBACKS; SIMILAR DEVICES FOR PUBLIC AMUSEMENT
    • A63G21/00—Chutes; Helter-skelters
    • A63G21/18—Water-chutes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to leisure and amusement slides, and particularly to water slides.
  • Water slides in general are fabricated from rigid material configured into twists and turns to provide variety and entertainment for the user.
  • a rider travels down the slide on a body of water and, because of the rigidity of the slide, travels in a predetermined slide track which is repeated on subsequent uses.
  • Water slides can be classified as either a body ride where the rider travels on or in a body of water, or a tube ride where the rider travels in a craft or inner tube which itself travels on or in a body of water.
  • the water provides lubrication and a sliding enhancement medium.
  • water may be replaced by polishing the sliding surface of the slide so as to make a slippery surface on which to slide.
  • Other sliding aids may also be used. Examples include a waxed bag, mat, or special suit.
  • the present inventions relate to sections of an amusement slide which are designed to move in different ways. Some of the embodiments described below provide a potentially different slide track with each use. The rider will also be subject to the sensation of movement within the ride itself, which has little or no precedent in the prior art.
  • an amusement slide includes a first stationary section having a rider passageway therein and a movable section having a rider passageway therein.
  • the movable section passageway is in communication with the first section passageway such that a rider may pass from one of the passageways to the other of the passageways.
  • a first slide path passes through the passageways.
  • At least one actuator is configured to move the movable section.
  • a processor in data communication with the at least one actuator is included for causing the movable section to move from a first state to a second state. Movement of the movable section from the first state to the second state alters the first slide path to a second slide path passing through the passageways. The second slide path is different from the first slide path.
  • an amusement slide in another embodiment, includes a first section, a second section, and at least one actuator for moving the first section from a first state to a second state.
  • the first section has a rider passageway therein
  • the second section has a rider passageway therein.
  • the second section passageway is in communication with the first section passageway such that a rider may pass from one of the passageways to the other of the passageways.
  • a first slide path is defined while the first section is at the first state, and a second slide path is defined while the first section is at the second state. The second slide path is different from the first slide path.
  • FIG. la shows a plan view of part of a slide having a rotating section according to one embodiment.
  • FIG. lb shows a cross sectional view taken from FIG. la along line
  • FIG. lc shows a diagram of a processor in data communication with the actuator of FIG. la.
  • FIG. 2 shows a plan view of part of a slide having a rotating section according to another embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 shows a plan view of part of a slide having rotating sections according to yet another embodiment.
  • FIGs. la and lb show a rotating section 6 installed as part of a tubular slide having an upstream section 4 and a downstream section 5.
  • the rotating section 6 rotates about axis B— B and includes an interior rider passageway that is aligned with and smoothly transitions to an interior rider passageway 4a (FIG. lb) of the upstream section 4 and to an interior rider passageway of the downstream section 5.
  • Alignment and transition of the interior rider passageways may be desired to minimize (at least to an acceptable extent) discomfort and opportunity for bodily injury when a rider passes between the interior rider passageways as discussed further below.
  • alignment and transition may be such that the rider experiences no noticeable affects from moving between the sections 4, 5, 6.
  • Collars la, lb may maintain the alignment between the rotating section 6 and the upstream and downstream sections 4, 5, and the collars la, lb may include bearings that interact with one or more of the sections 4, 5, 6.
  • gearing, pistons (or “rams"), and/or other actuators may be formed with one or both of the collars la, lb, such that force is operatively imparted on one or both ends 6a, 6b of the rotating section 6.
  • movement of the rotating section 6 may be caused by a suitable powered mechanism 3 providing necessary drive energy to slide bearings in the collar lb.
  • actuating devices may be used to rotate the rotating section 6— whether at one or both ends 6a, 6b, or at a central area of the rotating section 6.
  • the rotating section 6 may be used with dry slides that do not utilize water or other lubricants.
  • the rotating section 6 the collars la, lb, the sections 4, 5, and/or other elements may be undesirably stressed (especially while the rotating section 6 rotates), it may be desirable to include a weighted unit (or "counter balance") 2.
  • the counter balance 2 may have various aesthetic configurations, and may be intended (if employed) to reduce undesirable stresses acting on the overall system.
  • FIG. la shows the counter balance 2 configured very similar to the rotating section 6, and the counter balance 2 may or may not have an interior rider passageway similar to the interior passageway of the rotating section 6. If the counter balance 2 does include an interior rider passageway, diverters may be used to direct riders into the counter balance 2 or the rotating section 6.
  • At least one rider enters the slide at the upstream section 4 (i.e., in the interior rider passageway 4a) or even further upstream than the section 4.
  • the rider may enter the slide with or without a carrying vehicle; or in other words, the rider may enter feet-first, head-first, on a raft, et cetera.
  • the rider After travelling through a traditional (i.e., non-rotating) upstream portion, the rider passes from the interior rider passageway 4a of the upstream section 4 and into the interior rider passageway of the rotating section 6.
  • the rotating section 6 may be caused to rotate (clockwise and/or counterclockwise) in various manners.
  • a processor 110 FIG. lc
  • FIG. lb exemplary rotation of the movable slide section 6 is shown by arrows C in FIG. lb.
  • the rotating section 6 may be continuously, intermittently (either at times such that the rotating sections 6 rotates while used by a rider, or at times such that the rotating section 6 rotates while no riders are present), or randomly rotated (e.g., by the processor 110 activating the actuator 3), or may for example be rotated to correspond to the rider entering or approaching the rotating section 6 (e.g., by using a predetermined time interval from when the rider entered the slide, by employing sensors to detect the rider's location, et cetera). Further, the rotating section 6 may be rotated at different (or even varying) speeds. In some embodiments, the rider may select the direction and/or speed of rotation (e.g., before entering the slide).
  • the processor 110 may include hardware and/or software for controlling actuators as described. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other embodiments may omit the processor 110 and use operators (e.g., employees) to manually activate the actuators, for example.
  • Gravity may bias the rider toward the lowermost point of the interior rider passageway of the rotating section 6, regardless of the position of the rotating section 6. Accordingly, the rider may remain generally in whatever part of the interior rider passageway of the rotating section 6 is lowest when he encounters it— regardless of the position of the rotating section 6 (e.g., below axis B— B, above axis B— B, et cetera). As such, the rider may sometimes travel in the interior rider passageway adjacent side 6c of the rotating section 6, and may at other times travel in the interior rider passageway adjacent side 6d of the rotating section 6.
  • the rider may encounter a different slide path inside the rotating section 6 each time the slide is used. From the rotating section 6, the rider proceeds to the interior rider passageway of the downstream section 5.
  • the rotating section 6 may be constructed from any suitable material, such as GRP or any other appropriate materials now known or later developed.
  • the rotating section 6 may be incorporated into various existing (or later developed) slides, with the unique features of each combining to provide different overall experiences.
  • U.S. Patent Application Number 13/080,452 (published as US 2011/0183768), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses a "bowl" type slide having two tubular entrances 205, 207 and two tubular exits 514, 514'.
  • the rotating section 6 may be incorporated, for example, into one or both tubular entrances 205, 207 and/or one or both tubular exits 514, 514'.
  • a slide (or even a portion of a slide) may include multiple rotating sections 6 that a rider will encounter.
  • FIG. 2 shows a rotating section 7 according to another embodiment which may be used in conjunction with, or instead of, the rotating section 6.
  • the rotating section 7 may be curved (as shown, for example) or may extend generally straight, and is hinged (at axis 9) to rotate.
  • the axis 9 may extend generally horizontally.
  • the rotating section 7 may include a supporting frame (or "spine") 8 made of steel or other suitable material or combination of materials, and ram(s) 12, gearing, and/or other actuators may cause the frame 8 to rotate about the axis 9. It may be desirable for the axis 9 to be at (or closely adjacent) a proximal end 7a of the rotating section 7.
  • the ram 12 may be powered by various existing or later-developed devices, such as hydraulic devices, pneumatic devices, electric motors, balancing devices that use fluid or solid weights, et cetera.
  • the rotating section 7 is located at the beginning of the slide and feeds into non-rotating section 10.
  • a rider 11 may enter the slide at the section 10. Instead of initially travelling toward the end of the slide (i.e., in leftward direction E), the rider 11 may instead be launched in the opposite direction (i.e., in rightward direction F), such that the rider 11 travels down the rotating section 7 (at position 7').
  • the ram 12 (or other actuator) may cause the rotating section 7 to pivot upwardly (to position 7") such that the rider 11 is higher than the section 10. Curve in the rotating section 7 and/or the rotation of the rotating section 7 may cause the rider to stop moving away from the section 10, and gravity may cause the rider 11 to slide back down the rotating section 7 and to pass into the non-rotating section 10.
  • riders may enter the rotating section 7 at the distal end 7b while the rotating section 7 is at the lowered position 7'. This may be advantageous in that the height of the entry stairway and the starting platform may be lower than it would otherwise be. And, in some embodiments, it may be possible for the distal end 7b to reach all the way down to a ground level such that an entry stairway is not required.
  • Ram 19 could then be used to move the rotating section 17 from lowered position 17" to above raised position 17', causing the rider 13 to travel to proximal end 17a of rotating section 17 and onto distal end 13b of rotating portion 13. This pattern could be repeated until the rider is sufficiently high and introduced into a non-rotating section (e.g., section 10 in FIG. 2), or the rider could descend on the same sections as described below regarding FIG. 3.
  • a non-rotating section e.g., section 10 in FIG. 2
  • FIG. 3 shows additional rotating sections 15, 17, 20 according to another embodiment which may be used in conjunction with, or instead of, the rotating section 6 and/or the rotating section 7.
  • the rotating sections 15, 17, 20 may each be substantially similar to the rotating section 7, and may differ primarily in their location along the overall slide.
  • the rotating sections 15, 17, 20 are arranged such that a rider progresses from one of the sections to another following vertical and/or horizontal movement of each of the sections 15, 17, 20. If a section 15, 17, 20 moves both vertically and horizontally, attachment between the frame of the section and a respective actuator (e.g., ram 16, 19, 21) may for example include a ball and socket joint, and an additional element (e.g., another actuator) may cause the angle (i.e., orientation) of the actuators to adjust. Control of the actuators may be mechanical, manual, or computer controlled, and may be linked to other parts of the ride for safety and/or operational reasons.
  • a respective actuator e.g., ram 16, 19, 21
  • an additional element e.g., another actuator
  • Control of the actuators may be mechanical, manual, or computer controlled, and may be linked to other parts of the ride for safety and/or operational reasons.
  • the rider 13 may launch from start area 14 at the top of an access tower and travel along the movable section 15.
  • the ram 16 moves the section 15 to engage with the next movable section 17 or an intermediary section.
  • the rider 13 then progresses down the section 17, while the section 15 may return to a beginning orientation for the next rider.
  • the ram 19 moves the section 17 to engage with the next movable section 20 or an intermediary section.
  • the rider 13 then progresses down the section 20, while the section 17 may return to a beginning orientation for the next rider.
  • the ram 21 moves the section 20 to offload the rider 13 (e.g., in a splash pool).
  • This sequence may of course be abbreviated or extended by using fewer or additional moving sections.
  • the speed and/or amount of rotation caused by the actuators may be generally unchanging, or may vary to alter riders' experiences.
  • the water may be provided at the start area 14, may be introduced (e.g., by spray nozzles) at strategic locations along the sections 15, 17, 20, and/or may be introduced at other desired locations.
  • hinge and actuator positions may be varied to provide a "see saw” motion and allow different slide configurations.
  • the hinge and actuator can be placed in such a way as to allow the rotating section to pivot about a central point so that the rider could be launched from a start point into the rotating sections, and the section could then rotate to direct the rider to a different slide.

Landscapes

  • Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
  • Transmission Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne des toboggans récréatifs comportant une section mobile. Dans un mode de réalisation, un toboggan récréatif comprend une première section, une seconde section et au moins un actionneur pour déplacer la première section d'un premier état à un second état. La première section comporte à l'intérieur un passage pour utilisateur et la seconde section comporte à l'intérieur un passage pour utilisateur. Le passage de la seconde section est en communication avec le passage de la première section de telle sorte qu'un utilisateur puisse passer d'un des passages à l'autre. Un premier trajet de glissade est défini pendant que la première section est dans son premier état et un second trajet de glissade est défini pendant que la première section est dans son second état. Le second trajet de glissade est différent du premier trajet de glissade.
EP11839379.2A 2010-11-12 2011-11-14 Toboggan récréatif comportant une section mobile Withdrawn EP2637756A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US41287910P 2010-11-12 2010-11-12
PCT/US2011/060627 WO2012065172A2 (fr) 2010-11-12 2011-11-14 Toboggan récréatif comportant une section mobile

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2637756A2 true EP2637756A2 (fr) 2013-09-18
EP2637756A4 EP2637756A4 (fr) 2014-04-16

Family

ID=46051611

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11839379.2A Withdrawn EP2637756A4 (fr) 2010-11-12 2011-11-14 Toboggan récréatif comportant une section mobile

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20120129617A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2637756A4 (fr)
CN (1) CN103209742A (fr)
CA (1) CA2817799A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2012065172A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8684855B2 (en) 2011-04-08 2014-04-01 Universal City Studios Llc Articulated waterslide
RU2611030C2 (ru) * 2012-03-27 2017-02-17 Фишер Дизайн-Консептс Сарль Игровой спуск
DE202014102176U1 (de) * 2014-05-09 2015-08-11 Klarer Freizeitanlagen Ag Wasserrutsche
MX2016016335A (es) 2014-06-13 2017-07-20 Proslide Technology Inc Atraccion acuatica.
DE102014108892B3 (de) * 2014-06-25 2015-08-20 Klarer Freizeitanlagen Ag Wasserrutschensystem
US10350504B2 (en) 2016-09-13 2019-07-16 Universal City Studios Llc Systems and methods for incorporating pneumatic robotic systems into amusement park attractions
CN108310778A (zh) * 2018-05-09 2018-07-24 广州海山游乐科技股份有限公司 一种娱乐滑道
EP3702009A1 (fr) * 2019-02-27 2020-09-02 Fischer Design-Concepts Sàrl Attraction d'amusement de l'eau
EP4433184A4 (fr) * 2021-11-15 2025-10-15 Whitewater West Ind Ltd Élément de divertissement rotatif associé à l'eau

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US4423864A (en) * 1981-10-13 1984-01-03 Wiik Sven E Angularly adjustable ski deck
US5219315A (en) * 1991-06-28 1993-06-15 Mark Fuller Water effects enhanced motion base simulator ride
JPH0679064A (ja) * 1992-09-04 1994-03-22 Shiratori:Kk 滑降路が上下動する滑り台
JPH07148353A (ja) * 1993-11-27 1995-06-13 Shiratori:Kk 滑降路が上下動する滑り台
US6019547A (en) * 1996-10-08 2000-02-01 Hill; Kenneth D. Wave-forming apparatus
CA2345853A1 (fr) * 2001-04-30 2002-10-30 Minoru Katayama Installations de ski a surface de pentes modifiables et methode de transformation de ces dernieres
US6729963B2 (en) * 2001-11-16 2004-05-04 Whitewater West Industries Inc. Undulating amusement slide
US8430760B2 (en) * 2008-07-16 2013-04-30 Whitewater West Industries Ltd. Waterslide with angled transition
US8684855B2 (en) * 2011-04-08 2014-04-01 Universal City Studios Llc Articulated waterslide

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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Title
No further relevant documents disclosed *
See also references of WO2012065172A2 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2817799A1 (fr) 2012-05-18
EP2637756A4 (fr) 2014-04-16
WO2012065172A3 (fr) 2012-07-26
WO2012065172A2 (fr) 2012-05-18
US20120129617A1 (en) 2012-05-24
WO2012065172A8 (fr) 2013-07-18
CN103209742A (zh) 2013-07-17

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