U.S. patent application number 13/295961 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-24 for amusement slide having moving section.
This patent application is currently assigned to SPLASHTACULAR, INC.. Invention is credited to David John Cuttell, Philip John Olive.
Application Number | 20120129617 13/295961 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46051611 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120129617 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Olive; Philip John ; et
al. |
May 24, 2012 |
Amusement Slide Having Moving Section
Abstract
Amusement slides having moving sections are disclosed. In one
embodiment, an amusement slide 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, and 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.
Inventors: |
Olive; Philip John; (East
Sussex, GB) ; Cuttell; David John; (East Sussex,
GB) |
Assignee: |
SPLASHTACULAR, INC.
LaQuinta
CA
|
Family ID: |
46051611 |
Appl. No.: |
13/295961 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61412879 |
Nov 12, 2010 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
472/116 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63G 21/14 20130101;
A63G 21/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
472/116 |
International
Class: |
A63G 21/00 20060101
A63G021/00 |
Claims
1. An amusement slide, comprising: a first stationary section
having a rider passageway therein; a movable section having a rider
passageway therein, the movable section passageway being 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 passing through the passageways; at
least one actuator configured to move the movable section; and a
processor in data communication with the at least one actuator 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 altering the first slide path to a second slide path
passing through the passageways, the second slide path being
different from the first slide path.
2. The amusement slide of claim 1, wherein: the first state is a
stationary state; and the second state is one of: (a) a second
stationary state offset from the stationary state; and (b) a
kinetic state.
3. The amusement slide of claim 1, wherein: the first state is a
kinetic state having a first speed and a first direction; and the
second state is a kinetic state having at least one of: (a) a
second speed, and (b) a second direction; wherein the second speed
is different from the first speed, and wherein the second direction
is different from the first direction.
4. The amusement slide of claim 1, wherein the first state is a
kinetic state having a first speed and a first direction; and the
second state is a stationary state.
5. The amusement slide of claim 1, wherein the movable section is
moved from the first state to the second state while a rider is in
the movable section passageway.
6. The amusement slide of claim 1, wherein the movable section is
moved from the first state to the second state while the movable
section passage is devoid of riders.
7. The amusement slide of claim 1, wherein movement of the movable
section from the first state to the second state is at least one
of: upward pivoting, downward pivoting, lateral movement, and
rotational movement.
8. An amusement slide, comprising: a first section having a rider
passageway therein; a second section having a rider passageway
therein, the second section passageway being in communication with
the first section passageway such that a rider may pass from one of
the passageways to the other of the passageways; and at least one
actuator for moving the first section from a first state to a
second state; wherein a first slide path is defined while the first
section is at the first state, and wherein a second slide path is
defined while the first section is at the second state, the second
slide path being different from the first slide path.
9. The amusement slide of claim 8, further comprising at least one
actuator for moving the second section from one state to another
state.
10. The amusement slide of claim 8, further comprising a third
section having a rider passageway therein; wherein the first
section passageway is in communication with the third section
passageway such that a rider may pass from the second section
passageway to the first section passageway to the third section
passageway.
11. The amusement slide of claim 8, further comprising a processor
in data communication with the at least one actuator for activating
the at least one actuator.
12. The amusement slide of claim 8, further comprising means for
providing water into the first and second sections.
13. The amusement slide of claim 8, wherein the passageways are
configured to pass a raft therethrough.
14. The amusement slide of claim 8, wherein: the first state is a
stationary state; and the second state is one of: (a) a second
stationary state offset from the stationary state; and (b) a
kinetic state.
15. The amusement slide of claim 8, wherein: the first state is a
kinetic state having a first speed and a first direction; and the
second state is a kinetic state having at least one of: (a) a
second speed, and (b) a second direction; wherein the second speed
is different from the first speed, and wherein the second direction
is different from the first direction.
16. The amusement slide of claim 8, wherein the first state is a
kinetic state having a first speed and a first direction; and the
second state is a stationary state.
17. The amusement slide of claim 8, wherein movement of the first
section from the first state to the second state is at least one
of: upward pivoting, downward pivoting, lateral movement, and
rotational movement.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/412,879, filed Nov. 12, 2010, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to leisure and amusement
slides, and particularly to water slides.
BACKGROUND
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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. In both cases, the water provides
lubrication and a sliding enhancement medium. In some cases, 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.
[0005] Known slides have distinct disadvantages. They are rigid
over their entire length and therefore, once constructed, cannot be
varied or changed as to slope, height, bumps, curves, or other
features. The slide path is the same in each use; ultimately, users
may lose interest in such static, unchanging rides. Thus, slides
are frequently updated or replaced in order to provide variety and
maintain user interest.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] 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.
[0007] Since it is possible to use the start and finish of existing
rides while incorporating movable sections disclosed herein, old
slides may be retrofitted with new moving sections; of course,
completely new installations may also be made using moving slide
sections.
[0008] In one embodiment, 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.
[0009] In another embodiment, an amusement slide 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, and 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1a shows a plan view of part of a slide having a
rotating section according to one embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 1b shows a cross sectional view taken from FIG. 1a
along line A-A.
[0012] FIG. 1c shows a diagram of a processor in data communication
with the actuator of FIG. 1a.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of part of a slide having a
rotating section according to another embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of part of a slide having rotating
sections according to yet another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] FIGS. 1a and 1b 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. 1b)
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. In some embodiments, alignment and
transition may be such that the rider experiences no noticeable
affects from moving between the sections 4, 5, 6.
[0016] Collars 1a, 1b may maintain the alignment between the
rotating section 6 and the upstream and downstream sections 4, 5,
and the collars 1a, 1b may include bearings that interact with one
or more of the sections 4, 5, 6. In some embodiments, gearing,
pistons (or "rams"), and/or other actuators may be formed with one
or both of the collars 1a, 1b, such that force is operatively
imparted on one or both ends 6a, 6b of the rotating section 6. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a, 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 1b. However, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous 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.
[0017] If the sections 4, 5, 6 are coupled together in a generally
watertight manner, water may be introduced into the upstream
section 4 and flow through the interior rider passageways of the
sections 4, 5, 6. In other embodiments, water may be introduced
into each of the sections 4, 5, 6 and may cycle out of the slide
without proceeding from one section to the next. And in still other
embodiments, the rotating section 6 may be used with dry slides
that do not utilize water or other lubricants.
[0018] As the rotating section 6, the collars 1a, 1b, 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. 1a 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.
[0019] In use, 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. 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.
[0020] The rotating section 6 may be caused to rotate (clockwise
and/or counterclockwise) in various manners. For example, a
processor 110 (FIG. 1c) may activate the actuator 3, and exemplary
rotation of the movable slide section 6 is shown by arrows C in
FIG. 1b. 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.
[0021] 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. Due to the curved configuration of the interior rider passageway
and the rotation 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.
[0022] The rotating section 6 may be constructed from any suitable
material, such as GRP or any other appropriate materials now known
or later developed. In addition, 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. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
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'. It should also be appreciated that a slide (or
even a portion of a slide) may include multiple rotating sections 6
that a rider will encounter.
[0023] 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. In some embodiments, 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. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that, if a ram 12 is used, 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.
[0024] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the rotating section 7 is
located at the beginning of the slide and feeds into non-rotating
section 10. In this embodiment, 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'). As the rider 11 reaches a distal end 7b of the
rotating section 7, or at some other determined time, 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.
[0025] By incorporating the rotating section 7 at the beginning of
the slide, riders may be allowed to choose whether to use the
rotating section 7 or to proceed directly to the non-rotating
section 10. For riders utilizing the rotating section 7, the amount
of time on the slide may be increased without increasing the height
of the entry stairway or the starting platform of the slide, and
without extending the length from the starting platform to the end
of the slide. Moreover, by using the rotating section 7, a rider's
momentum may be increased.
[0026] In other embodiments that incorporate the rotating section 7
at the beginning of a slide, 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.
[0027] Particularly in such embodiments, it may sometimes be
necessary to use a series of rotating sections 7 to enable riders
to reach certain heights without the length of each section 7 being
undesirably long. Such a configuration may resemble the
configuration shown in FIG. 3, but the actuators would be operated
to move the rider in directions opposite those shown in FIG. 3. In
other words, the rider 13 in FIG. 3 could enter at distal end 20b
of rotating section 20, and ram 21 could be used to move the
rotating section 20 from lowered position 20'' to above raised
position 20', causing the rider 13 to travel to proximal end 20a of
rotating section 20 and onto distal end 17b of rotating portion 17.
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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] In use, the rider 13 may launch from start area 14 at the
top of an access tower and travel along the movable section 15. As
the rider 13 progresses down the 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. As the rider 13 progresses down the section 17, 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. As the rider 13 progresses down the
section 20, 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.
[0031] If water is used with the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, 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.
[0032] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the hinge and
actuator positions may be varied to provide a "see saw" motion and
allow different slide configurations. For example, 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.
[0033] Many different arrangements of the various components
depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the
intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative
embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that
do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop
alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements
without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will
be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of
utility and may be employed without reference to other features and
subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the
claims.
* * * * *