WATERSLIDE CAPSULE WITH SLIDING DOOR

Abstract

A waterslide capsule assembly is operable to fluidly communicate with a waterslide flume to contain a rider and release the rider into the flume. The waterslide capsule assembly broadly includes a capsule and a sliding access door. The capsule at least partly defines a capsule chamber to receive the rider, with the capsule presenting opposite capsule ends, a longitudinal entry opening, and an exit opening. The access door is slidably mounted relative to the capsule and slidable between a closed position and an open position.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates generally to amusement rides. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention concern a waterslide system that includes a capsule assembly with a sliding access door.

2. Discussion of Prior Art

Water amusement parks have long included waterslides and other types of water rides. Conventional waterslides have one or more flumes supported by load-bearing framework so that an uppermost section of the flume is spaced one or more stories above the ground. Riders access the waterslide by climbing the stairs that lead to the uppermost section and entering the uppermost flume section. Generally, riders are drawn by gravity from the uppermost section to a lowermost section of the flume.

Prior art waterslides have a hinged access door that opens and closes to selectively allow a rider to enter the slide. It is also known in the art where the hinged access door is powered by an air piston so that the air piston can be operated to drive the door open and/or closed.

Conventional waterslides suffer from various deficiencies. For instance, prior art waterslides with multiple flumes require multiple slide operators to attend to the flumes. In particular, operation of each flume generally requires an operator to be stationed at the top of the flume and at the bottom of the flume. While a waterslide operation can have a single operator monitor the top or bottom of multiple flumes, this mode of conventional operation can be problematic because it is difficult to simultaneous monitor multiple flumes and assist riders using multiple flumes.

Prior art waterslides having a hinged access door are also problematic because such door arrangements are prone to various types of mechanical failure. For instance, hinged doors as known to bind with other components of the slide as the door is swung open and closed. Moreover, the use of hinged access doors generally requires that an attendant be located at the door when a rider is entering the slide.

SUMMARY

The following brief summary is provided to indicate the nature of the subject matter disclosed herein. While certain aspects of the present invention are described below, the summary is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a waterslide system that does not suffer from the problems and limitations of the prior art water rides set forth above.

A first aspect of the present invention concerns a waterslide capsule assembly operable to fluidly communicate with a waterslide flume to contain a rider and release the rider into the flume. The waterslide capsule assembly broadly includes a capsule and a sliding access door. The capsule at least partly defines a capsule chamber to receive the rider, with the capsule presenting opposite capsule ends and extending longitudinally therebetween. The capsule presents a longitudinal entry opening located between the capsule ends, with the entry opening communicating with the chamber to permit chamber ingress and egress by the rider. The capsule presents an exit opening adjacent one of the capsule ends that permits fluid communication between the capsule chamber and the flume when the capsule is operably coupled to the flume. The sliding access door is slidably mounted relative to the capsule and is slidable between a closed position and an open position. The sliding access door substantially spans the entry opening in the closed position to prevent chamber ingress and egress through the entry opening by the rider. The sliding access door exposes the entry opening in the open position to permit chamber ingress and egress through the entry opening by the rider.

A second aspect of the present invention concerns a method of operating a water ride including a plurality of waterslide flumes and a plurality of waterslide capsules that fluidly communicate with respective waterslide flumes to selectively release riders into the respective waterslide flumes. The method includes the step of holding multiple ones of the riders within respective waterslide capsules so that the multiple riders are restricted from entering the waterslide flumes from the respective waterslide capsules. The method also includes the step of activating the waterslide capsules with a controller to release the multiple riders to permit rider egress from the waterslide capsules to the waterslide flumes, with all of the multiple riders being released before having other riders occupy the waterslide capsules.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective of a waterslide capsule assembly constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, with the capsule assembly being provided as part of a waterslide system;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded perspective of the waterslide capsule assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation of the waterslide capsule assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the capsule assembly mounted on a deck;

FIG. 4 is a perspective of the front wall section shown in FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective of the waterslide capsule assembly shown in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 6A is a fragmentary side elevation of an access door shown in FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 6B is an end elevation of the access door shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective of the capsule assembly shown in FIGS. 1-6B;

FIG. 8A is a fragmentary schematic cross section of the capsule assembly shown in FIGS. 1-7, showing the access door in a closed position, with a driven rack being in driving engagement with the drive pinion and one of the driven pinions;

FIG. 8B is a fragmentary schematic cross section of the capsule assembly similar to FIG. 8A, but showing the access door shifted to an open position;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the waterslide system shown in FIGS. 1-8B;

FIG. 10 is an elevation of the user interface shown in FIG. 9, with the user interface including a plurality of switches and a digital display and input device;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary schematic cross section of the waterslide capsule assembly shown in FIGS. 1-9, showing the access door mounted on upper and lower weldments, with tracks fixed to the weldments to engage corresponding upper and lower bearing assemblies;

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective of one of the bearing assemblies shown in FIGS. 7 and 11; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary schematic top view of the waterslide capsule assembly shown in FIGS. 1-9, showing a release door spanning an exit opening of the capsule in a holding position.

The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly depicting features of the illustrated embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Turning initially to FIGS. 1 and 9, a waterslide system 20 serves as a water amusement ride. The illustrated system 20 includes six (6) flumes 22 that begin from a location elevated well above the ground and end at a location adjacent the ground. However, it is within the scope of the present invention for the waterslide system 20 to include an alternative number of flumes 22. In the usual manner, the flumes 22 are supported by a load-bearing structure (not shown) that includes a framework of beams and decking 24. The illustrated system 20 also preferably includes six (6) capsule assemblies 26 associated with corresponding flumes 22. However, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable where the system 20 has an alternative number of flumes 22 and/or capsule assemblies 26. While components of the illustrated system 20 are preferably used in connection with a water amusement ride, it is within the ambit of the present invention where such components are utilized with other types of amusement rides. The waterslide system 20 preferably includes the waterslide flumes 22, capsule assemblies 26, and a control system 28.

Each of the flumes 22 is conventional and extends from an upper flume end 30 to a lower flume end (not shown), where the lower flume end generally delineates the end of the water ride. Each flume 22 includes a tube section 32 that extends from the upper flume end 30 in a generally downward direction to a lower tube end (not shown). Each flume 22 also includes a slide section (not shown) that presents an upper slide end (not shown) attached to and in fluid communication with the lower tube end. The tube section 32 and slide section are dimensioned so that a rider can slide through the flume 22 from the top of the flume 22 to the bottom of the flume 22.

While the waterslide system 20 preferably includes the illustrated flumes 22, it is within the ambit of the present invention where the waterslide system 20 has an alternative flume arrangement. Furthermore, the system 20 could have other ride features, such as a water pool. For instance, the system 20 could be constructed so that riders drop from the capsule assemblies 26 into a ride element other than a flume 22, such as a water pool.

Turning to FIGS. 1-5 and 9, each of the illustrated capsule assemblies 26 is operable to hold a rider (not shown) and to selectively release the rider into the corresponding flume 22. Furthermore, the capsule assembly 26 preferably has an upright orientation so that the rider is released in a generally downward releasing direction D. As will be discussed, the capsule assembly 26 is preferably elongated to present a longitudinal axis A and present opposite upper and lower capsule ends 34,36. While the illustrated capsule is preferably arranged to define upper and lower capsule ends 34,36 associated with respective upper and lower extremities of the capsule assembly 26, it will be appreciated that the capsule could have a different orientation (e.g., where the capsule is more horizontally oriented). The capsule assembly 26 preferably includes an upper front shroud 38, a lower front shroud 40, a back shroud 42, upper and lower back wall sections 44,46, end caps 48,50, front wall section 52, water sprayer 54, a door chassis 55, release door assembly 56, access door 58, and an access door drive assembly 60.

The lower front shroud 40 and the lower back wall section 46 are secured to one another to cooperatively form a lower capsule section of the capsule assembly 26 that defines an exit opening 62 (see FIG. 13). The lower capsule section serves as a transition from the upper section of the capsule assembly 26 to the flume 22. The lower back wall section 46 includes water feeds 64 that are in fluid communication with a water supply system (not shown) and serve to inject water below the release door assembly 56.

The upper back wall section 44 is unitary and presents a curved rider support surface 66. The back wall sections 44,46 are preferably attached end-to-end to cooperatively form a continuous slide structure. The water sprayer 54 includes a water spray nozzle (not shown) and a flow meter (not shown) that senses the amount of water flow to the water spray nozzle. The water spray nozzle is located within the capsule adjacent the upper capsule end 34. The water spray nozzle is positioned to direct a continuous water spray across the width of the rider support surface 66 so that the water spray substantially covers the rider support surface 66.

The front wall section 52 preferably includes a transparent acrylic panel 68 and a frame 70 attached to the panel 68 (see FIG. 4). The panel 68 preferably presents a substantially continuous thickness of about one-half (½) inch, but could present an alternative thickness. While the panel 68 preferably includes a transparent acrylic material, the panel 68 could include other materials without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, the panel 68 could include a translucent material that is not clear (e.g., where the material has a colored tint). Yet further, the material of the panel 68 could be opaque. The frame 70 includes three (3) angle sections that extend along three corresponding edges of the panel 68.

The upper front shroud 38, lower front shroud 40, back shroud 42, and the upper and lower back wall sections 44,46 are each preferably formed of a fiberglass material and also include steel reinforcement sections. However, these components could include alternative materials without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The end caps 48,50 are conventional, with each end cap 48,50 preferably including a transparent window (not shown), e.g., to permit a rider to look through the end caps 48,50.

Again, the illustrated capsule is preferably elongated to receive a rider. The back and front wall sections 44,46,52, end cap 50, release door assembly 56, and access door 58 cooperatively define a capsule chamber 72 that extends longitudinally between the capsule ends 34,36 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). As will be discussed, each capsule chamber 72 serves to hold a rider until the rider is selectively released into the flume 22. The capsule also preferably defines an elongated entry opening 74 that extends longitudinally between the capsule ends 34,36 and communicates with the capsule chamber 72 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The entry opening 74 preferably permits rider ingress and egress relative to the capsule chamber 72.

The door chassis 55 is attached relative to and supports the back shroud 42 and the upper back wall section 44 above the deck 24 (see FIGS. 1-3 and 5). The back shroud 42 is generally mounted behind the door chassis 55 and the upper back wall section 44 is generally mounted in front of the door chassis 55. The door chassis 55 also supports components of the access door drive assembly 60, as will be discussed (see FIG. 5).

The upper front shroud 38 is mounted above the lower front shroud 40 and presents an upper surface 76 to support the rider as the rider prepares to enter the capsule. The upper front shroud 38 preferably includes a load sensor 78 configured to sense the rider's weight, with the weight generally being sensed prior to the rider entering the capsule (see FIG. 9).

Turning to FIG. 13, the release door assembly 56 includes a release door 80, frame members 82 attached to the release door 80, and a rod 84 attached to the frame members 82. The rod 84 is pivotally mounted on supports 86 fixed relative to the lower front shroud 40 so that the release door 80 can pivot between a holding position (see FIG. 13), where the release door 80 substantially spans the exit opening 62, and a releasing position (not shown), where the release door is pivoted downwardly to expose the exit opening 62. In the releasing position, the release door 80 preferably extends along and substantially parallel to the flat wall section 88 of the lower front shroud 40 (see FIG. 2). The release door 80 preferably includes a fiberglass door body and a transparent acrylic window section (not shown), e.g., so that the rider can look through the release door 80.

The release door assembly 56 also preferably includes a release door drive 90 including a pneumatic power cylinder 92, with a body 94 and a reciprocating piston 96, and a pneumatic system (not shown) to provide pressurized air to the power cylinder 92. The exposed end of the piston 96 is attached to one of the frame members 82 at a pivot joint 98 so that reciprocating movement of the piston 96 causes corresponding rotation of the release door 80 between the holding position and the releasing position.

Turning to FIGS. 6A-8B, 11, and 12, the access door 58 serves to selectively permit rider ingress and egress relative to the capsule chamber 72. The illustrated access door 58 is preferably slidable between an open position (see FIG. 8B) and a closed position (see FIG. 8A). In the closed position, the access door 58 substantially spans the entry opening 74 to prevent chamber ingress and egress through the entry opening 74 by the rider. In the open position, the access door 58 exposes the entry opening 74 to permit chamber ingress and egress through the entry opening 74 by the rider.

To support the access door 58, the capsule assembly 26 also includes upper and lower semicircular weldments 100,102 (see FIGS. 1 and 11). The illustrated lower weldment 102 is attached relative to the door chassis 55 and the upper front shroud 38 and extends along a curved edge 104 of the upper front shroud 38. The upper weldment 100 is attached relative to the door chassis 55 (see FIG. 1). The capsule assembly 26 further includes a pair of semicircular tracks 106 fixed to corresponding weldments 100,102 (see FIG. 11).

The illustrated access door 58 preferably includes a door panel 108, an exterior handle 110, a backing plate 112, upper door bearing assemblies 114, and lower door bearing assemblies 116. The door panel 108 preferably comprises a unitary curved sheet of transparent acrylic that presents a substantially continuous thickness (see FIGS. 6A and 6B). The panel 108 preferably has a thickness of about one-half (½) inch, but could present an alternative thickness. In this manner, the door panel 108 permits a waterslide rider (or another person) to look through the access door 58. However, the door panel 108 could include alternative materials without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, the door panel 108 could include a translucent material that is not clear (e.g., where the material has a colored tint). Yet further, the material of the door panel 108 could be opaque.

The door panel 108 presents a plurality of holes spaced along upper and lower door ends 118,120 of the access door 58 (e.g., to attach corresponding bearing assemblies 114,116 thereto). The door panel 108 also presents holes between the ends 118,120 to secure the backing plate 112 and handle 110 on opposite sides of the door panel 108.

The illustrated door panel 108 extends along a longitudinal door axis S and preferably curves about the door axis S. More preferably, the door panel 108 defines a radius of curvature R that is substantially continuous from one door side edge 122 to the other door side edge 124. However, while the illustrated door panel 108 is preferably curved, the door panel 108 could have an alternative shape without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, the door panel 108 could be substantially planar. The side edges 122,124 cooperatively define an angle α that preferably ranges from about ninety (90) degrees to about one hundred (100) degrees and, more preferably, is about ninety-five (95) degrees.

Turning to FIGS. 11 and 12, the access door 58 preferably has a pair of the upper bearing assemblies 114 attached along the upper door end 118 and a pair of lower bearing assemblies 116 attached along the lower door end 120 so that the access door 58 is preferably slidably supported on the weldments 100,102, with the access door 58 generally operating as a pocket door. In the illustrated embodiment, each bearing assembly 114,116 preferably includes a housing 126, a pair of lateral rollers 128 supported by pins 130, and a vertical roller 132 supported by pin 130. The illustrated housing 126 presents slotted openings 134 that receive the rollers 128,132 and permit rotating movement by the rollers 128,132 about the corresponding pins 130.

Preferably, the housing 126 also presents a longitudinal groove 136, with the lateral rollers 128 being located on opposite sides of the groove 136. The illustrated rollers 128 preferably project into the groove 136 to engage the track 106, as will be discussed. For some aspects of the present invention, the bearing assemblies 114,116 could provide an alternative roller arrangement for supporting the access door 58.

When attached to the door panel 108, the housings 126 of the lower bearing assemblies 116 are preferably arranged so that the respective grooves 136 face in a generally downward direction. Also, the housings 126 of the upper bearing assemblies 114 are preferably arranged so that the respective grooves 136 face in a generally upward direction. When the access door 58 is mounted on the weldments 100,102, the grooves 136 of each housing 126 slidably receive a corresponding one of the tracks 106. Additionally, the rollers 128,132 of the bearing assembly 114,116 engage the respective track 106, with the lateral rollers 128 engaging respective side track surfaces 138 and the vertical roller 132 engaging a track edge 140.

Thus, as the access door 58 slides between the open and closed positions, the rollers 128,132 preferably rotate so that the access door 58 slides smoothly in a circumferential direction along the tracks 106. The bearing assemblies 114,116 and tracks 106 cooperatively restrict longitudinal movement of the access door 58. In particular, the vertical rollers 132 and tracks 106 cooperatively engage one another to restrict such longitudinal movement. The bearing assemblies 114,116 and tracks 106 also cooperatively restrict movement of the access door 58 along a radial direction. In particular, the lateral rollers 128 and tracks 106 cooperatively engage one another to restrict radially inner and outer movement of the access door 58.

The capsule assembly 26 also preferably includes semicircular trim pieces 142 attached to the weldments 100,102 (see FIGS. 7 and 11). The trim pieces 142 serve to cover and restrict access to the bearing assemblies 114,116 and tracks 106 from outside the capsule.

While the illustrated access door 58 preferably slides in the circumferential direction, it is within the scope of the present invention where the access door 58 slides in an alternative direction. For instance, the access door 58 could also be constructed to slide in the longitudinal direction. Also, if the access door 58 has a substantially planar shape, the access door 58 could be mounted to slide in a generally horizontal direction parallel to a plane of the access door 58.

The illustrated bearing assemblies 114,116 and tracks 106 are preferred to provide sliding movement of the access door 58. It has been found that the illustrated arrangement of rollers and tracks provides secure and robust support for the access door 58 while permitting smooth sliding movement of the access door 58, and while restricting the access door 58 from binding with the tracks 106, the weldments 100,102, and/or other capsule structure. This structure is particularly effective for the illustrated door arrangement because the longitudinal door axis A is angled from the vertical direction, which results in variable loading on the bearing assemblies 114,116 and tracks 106 as the access door 58 shifts between the open and closed positions. However, the bearing assemblies 114,116 and/or tracks 106 could be alternatively configured to support the access door 58 without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, for some aspects of the present invention, the access door 58 could be alternatively shiftably mounted relative to upper and lower capsule weldments 100,102 to be selectively shifted between the open and closed positions.

The capsule assembly 26 also preferably includes a bump sensor (not shown). The bump sensor comprises a motion sensor that senses abrupt slowing and/or stopping movement of the access door 58 when the access door 58 is sliding toward the closed position. It will be appreciated that various motion sensors, such as an accelerometer, velocity sensor, proximity sensor, etc., could be employed to sense slowing and/or stopping of the access door 58. As will be discussed, the bump sensor operates to sense if the access door 58 is being restricted from closing by an interfering element, e.g., when part of the rider is positioned in the entry opening 74. The bump sensor is operably coupled to the control system 28 so that when the bump sensor senses interference with closing of the access door 58 the control system 28 stops closing movement of the access door 58 and opens the access door 48.

Turning to FIGS. 5, 7, 8A, and 8B, the access door drive assembly 60 is preferably operable to power the access door 58 between the open and closed positions. Furthermore, the access door drive assembly 60 is preferably operably coupled to the control system 28 so that the access door drive assemblies 60 of each capsule are centrally controlled by the control system 28.

The access door drive assembly 60 preferably includes an electric servo motor 144, a coupling 146, drive pinion 148, upper and lower driven racks 150,152, a drive shaft 154, and upper and lower driven pinions 156,158 mounted on the drive shaft 154.

The servo motor 144 is conventional and is mounted with the coupling 146 and drive pinion 148 on the door chassis 55. While the servo motor 144 is preferred, it is within the scope of the present invention where an alternative motor is employed to power the access door 58.

Preferably, the lower driven rack 152 includes a unitary curved plate that is elongated and presents opposite toothed gear surfaces 160. One end of the lower driven rack 152 is fixed to the access door 58 so as to extend along the circumferential direction. When mounted on the access door 58, the lower driven rack 152 extends circumferentially to drivingly engage the drive pinion 148 and the lower driven pinion 158. As a result, rotation of the drive pinion 148 by the servo motor 144 results in corresponding movement of the lower driven rack 152 and the access door 58 in the circumferential direction. Movement of the lower driven rack 152 also causes rotation of the lower driven pinion 158.

Again, the driven pinions 156,158 are preferably mounted on the drive shaft 154, which is rotatably mounted on the door chassis 55 (see FIG. 5). Thus, movement of the lower driven rack 152 causes rotation of the drive shaft 154 and both of the driven pinions 156,158.

The upper driven rack 150 includes a unitary curved plate that is elongated and presents a radially inner toothed gear surface 160 (see FIG. 7). One end of the upper driven rack 150 is also fixed to the access door 58 so as to extend along the circumferential direction. When mounted on the access door 58, the upper driven rack 150 extends circumferentially to drivingly engage the upper driven pinion 156 (see FIG. 5). Consequently, rotation of the drive pinion 148 by the servo motor 144 causes circumferential movement of the lower driven rack 152, which causes rotation of the drive shaft 154 and driven pinions 156,158, which in turn causes circumferential movement of the upper driven rack 150 and the access door 58. In other words, because the driven racks 150,152 are both attached to the access door 58 and drivingly engage driven pinions 156,158 mounted on the drive shaft 154, rotation of the drive pinion 148 by the motor 144 causes the driven racks 150,152 to move at generally the same time and speed and to cooperatively slide the access door 58 along the circumferential direction.

It has been found that the illustrated drive mechanism provides smooth sliding movement of the access door 58 while restricting the access door 58 from binding with the tracks 106, weldments 100,102, and/or other capsule components. This structure has also been found to be particularly effective for the illustrated door arrangement because the longitudinal axis A of the capsule, and the door axis S, are angled relative the vertical direction. While the illustrated drive mechanism is preferred, it is within the ambit of the present invention to power the access door 58 with an alternative drive mechanism. For instance, the drive could include a pair of servo motors with respective drive pinions, with each drive pinion being powered by the respective motor to drive a corresponding one of the driven racks 150,152.

Also, the principles of the present invention are applicable where the access door drive assembly 60 includes alternative transmission components to transmit rotary power and/or linear power between the motor 144 and the access door 58. For instance, a belt-and-pulley system or a chain-and-sprocket system could be used to transmit power from the motor 144 to the drive shaft 154. While the access door 58 is preferably powered by the access door drive assembly 60, for some aspects of the present invention, the access door 58 could be manually powered (i.e., manually shiftable between the open and closed positions).

Turning to FIGS. 9 and 10, the control system 28 is preferably operably coupled to all of the capsule assemblies 26 so that all of the capsule assemblies 26 are centrally controlled by a single ride operator. The control system 28 preferably includes a controller 162 and a user interface 164 operably coupled to one another. The controller 162 is preferably conventional and includes a processor (not shown) and a memory element (not shown) operably coupled to one another. The processor receives command signals from switches and from a digital display and input device D1 of the user interface. Preferably, the processor is also operably coupled to the motor 144, weight sensor 78, intercom 165, and door lock of each capsule.

The processor may include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), analog and/or digital application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and the like, or combinations thereof. The processor may generally execute, process, or run instructions, code, software, firmware, programs, applications, apps, or the like, or may step through states of a finite-state machine.

The memory element may include data storage components such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), hard-disk drives, optical disk drives, flash memory drives, and the like, or combinations thereof. The memory element may include, or may constitute, a “computer-readable medium”. The memory element may store the instructions, code, software, firmware, programs, applications, apps, or the like that are executed by the processor. The memory element may also store settings or data.

The illustrated control system 28 may also be operably coupled to a communications network (not shown) that may be wired or wireless and may include servers, routers, switches, wireless receivers and transmitters, and the like, as well as electrically conductive cables or optical cables. The network may also include local, metro, or wide area networks, as well as the Internet, or other cloud networks. Furthermore, the communications network may include cellular or mobile phone networks, as well as landline phone networks, public switched telephone networks, fiber optic networks, or the like.

Each of the capsule assemblies 26 also preferably includes the intercom 165 mounted within the capsule chamber 72 and operably coupled to one another and to the controller 162. The intercoms 165 permit multiple riders located within respective chambers 72 to communicate with one another and with the ride operator. The illustrated intercoms 165 permit audio communication between the riders and the operator. But the intercoms 165 could also provide video communication between the riders and operator. For instance, each capsule chamber 72 could be associated with a corresponding video camera (e.g., to take video of the respective rider) and a corresponding video screen for the respective rider to view video (e.g., video of one or more other riders, the operator, and/or a prerecorded video presentation). Similarly, the control system 28 could be associated with a corresponding video camera (e.g., to take video of the operator) and a corresponding video screen for the operator to view (e.g., video of one or more riders and/or a prerecorded video presentation).

The motor 144, intercom 165, weight sensor 78, and/or door lock may be connected to the controller via the network. Also, the motor 144, intercom 165, weight sensor 78, and/or door lock may be connected to the network via the controller 162 or via another computing device.

The controller 162 is operably coupled to the motor 144 to selectively drive the motor 144 in either of opposite motor directions and thereby slide the access door 58 from the open position to the closed positions, and vice versa. The controller 162 can be used to open or close the access door 58 by entering a door open command or door close command at the interface 164. However, as will be discussed, the controller 162 can independently and automatically open or close the door 58 as part of one of the operation programs described below.

The controller 162 is operably coupled to the weight sensor 78 to sense the weight of the rider when the rider is standing on the upper front shroud 38. The controller 162 can then store the sensed weight in memory and compare the sensed weight of the rider to a predetermined weight range associated with a range of rider weights that can be suitably accommodated by the waterslide system 20. Preferably, the range of rider weights is programmed into the controller 162. For instance, the programmed range of rider weights preferably is from about fifty (50) pounds to about three hundred (300) pounds, although an alternative range could be used.

The controller 162 also preferably includes a release program to compare the sensed weights of multiple riders held in corresponding ones of the capsules at the same time. If the controller 162 is operated to initiate a simultaneous release of the held riders, the release program uses the sensed weights to determine a release door delay to delay the opening of release door 80 associated with held riders that have a relatively large sensed weight. In this manner, the controller 162 can delay the opening of one or more release doors 80 so that a relatively heavier rider drops at about the same time as a relatively lighter rider.

The capsule assembly 26 preferably includes a door lock 166 to selectively lock the access door 58 in the closed position (see FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 9). The door lock 166 preferably includes a pneumatically-powered locking mechanism that engages a latch plate (not shown) attached to the backing plate 112 of the access door 58. The door lock 166 preferably includes a pneumatic cylinder (not shown) with a cylinder body and a piston. The exposed end of the piston is connected to a latch (not shown), with the piston being shiftable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The door lock 166 is preferably provided as a normally-locked device. Thus, when no pneumatic power is applied to the cylinder, the piston is in a locked position so that the latch engages the latch plate to lock the door closed. Application of pneumatic power to the cylinder serves to shift the piston to the unlocked position to permit opening and closing of the access door.

The door lock 166 is preferably pneumatically coupled to a pneumatic system (not shown) that can provide pressurized air to the cylinder. However, the door lock 166 could be alternatively powered. For instance, an electromagnetic lock could be employed to remotely lock and unlock the door. Also, the door lock 166 could be a mechanically-actuated lock, such as a tongue lock arrangement. The controller is operably coupled to the pneumatic system to selectively pressurize the cylinder (to unlock the door) or to selectively depressurize the cylinder (to lock the door).

Again, the release door drive 90 preferably includes the power cylinder 92, with the piston 96 being drivingly attached to one of the frame members 82. The power cylinder 92 is preferably provided so that the release door 80 is normally closed. Thus, when no pneumatic power is applied to the cylinder 92, the release door 80 is shifted into the holding position to restrict rider egress. Application of pneumatic power to the cylinder 92 serves to shift the piston 96 so that the release door 80 is shifted to the releasing position (i.e., where the release door is opened).

The release door drive 90 is preferably pneumatically coupled to the release pneumatic system (not shown) that can provide pressurized air to the cylinder 92. The controller 162 is operably coupled to the release pneumatic system to selectively pressurize the power cylinder (to open the release door) or to selectively depressurize the cylinder (to close the release door).

The controller 162 is also preferably operably coupled to the water sprayer 54. In particular, the controller 162 is operably coupled to the flow meter to monitor the sensed amount of water flow to the water spray nozzle. If the controller 162 determines that the sensed amount of water flow falls below a predetermined minimum amount of water flow, the controller 162 automatically turns off the corresponding capsule assembly 26 so that the release door 80 is prevented from being shifted out of the holding position.

The user interface 164 preferably includes a plurality of switches 168 and the digital display and input device D1, all of which are operably coupled to the controller 162.

When the waterslide system is initially turned on by activating an “Operator Enable” switch 168a, the controller 162 preferably operates to close the release door 80 by depressurizing the power cylinder 92. The controller 162 also operates to close and lock the access door 58 by first actuating the servo motor 144 to shift the access door 58 closed and then by depressurizing the door lock 166. The waterslide system 20 also performs these steps when a system reset switch 168b is depressed by the operator.

When the waterslide system 20 is turned on or reset, the system 20 can accept one or more riders adjacent to corresponding capsules. When one or more riders stand on respective upper front shrouds 38, the controller 162 senses the corresponding sensed weight and determines if the weight is within the predetermined weight range. If so, the controller 162 is programmed to automatically unlock and open the access door 58 to permit the rider to step onto the release door 80 and occupy the capsule chamber 72. If not, the controller 162 is preferably programmed to activate visual indicia at the user interface 164, e.g., by illuminating a warning light associated with the corresponding capsule.

The release door assembly 56 preferably includes a weight sensor (not shown) coupled to the release door 80 to sense the weight of the rider on the release door 80. When the rider weight is sensed on the release door 80, the controller 162 automatically closes and locks the access door 58 to restrict the rider from stepping out of the capsule.

As described above, capsule assembly 26 includes the bump sensor to sense interference with closing of the access door 58. Again, the bump sensor operates to sense if the access door 58 is being restricted from closing by an interfering element, e.g., when part of the rider is positioned in the entry opening 74. The bump sensor is operably coupled to the controller 162 so that the controller 162 can detect when the bump sensor senses an interference. Preferably, the controller 162 is programmed to have automated stop function where, in response to a sensed interference, the controller 162 reverses the motor 144 and thereby opens the access door 58. In this manner, the controller 162 can automatically stop closing of the access door 58 if part of a rider is located within the entry opening. It will also be appreciated that the controller 162 and bump sensor could be used to halt opening of the access door 58 if the bump sensor senses a door opening interference. Also, for some aspects of the present invention, the illustrated system 20 can be operated by manually opening and closing the access door 58.

During a release event, the illustrated controller 162 is preferably programmed to provide different rider release sequences when multiple riders are being released from corresponding capsules. The controller 162 preferably includes switches 168c,168d,168e for the operator to depress and thereby initiate corresponding sequences.

In a first sequence, referred to as simultaneous release, the controller 162 actuates the capsules to release the riders at substantially the same time. That is, the riders could be released simultaneously or nearly simultaneously with one another. The first sequence is activated when the operator depresses switch 168c.

In a second sequence, referred to as series release, the controller 162 actuates the capsules to release the riders one after another in a predetermined order so that no two of the capsules release riders at the same time. The second sequence is activated when the operator depresses switch 168d.

In a third sequence, referred to as random release, the controller 162 actuates the capsules to release the riders in series with one another, but in a random order. The third sequence is activated when the operator depresses switch 168e.

In a fourth sequence, referred to as expedited release, the controller 162 actuates the capsules to release the riders as quickly as possible and in a substantially simultaneous manner.

Once all of the riders have been released as part of the release event, the controller 162 preferably will automatically reset the capsules to return the release doors 80 to the holding position. If necessary, the controller 162 will also return the access doors 58 to the closed position and lock the access doors 58.

The forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The inventor hereby states his intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A waterslide capsule assembly operable to fluidly communicate with a waterslide flume to contain a rider and release the rider into the flume, said waterslide capsule assembly comprising:

a capsule that at least partly defines a capsule chamber to receive the rider, with the capsule presenting opposite capsule ends and extending longitudinally therebetween,

said capsule presenting a longitudinal entry opening located between the capsule ends, with the entry opening communicating with the chamber to permit chamber ingress and egress by the rider,

said capsule presenting an exit opening adjacent one of the ends that permits fluid communication between the capsule chamber and the flume when the capsule is operably coupled to the flume; and

a sliding access door slidably mounted relative to the capsule and slidable between a closed position and an open position,

said sliding access door substantially spanning the entry opening in the closed position to prevent chamber ingress and egress through the entry opening by the rider,

said sliding access door exposing the entry opening in the open position to permit chamber ingress and egress through the entry opening by the rider.

2. The waterslide capsule assembly as claimed in claim 1; and

an access door drive assembly including a powered motor and a door drive,

said door drive attached to the access door and the motor to transmit power from the motor to the access door, with the access door drive assembly operable to slide the access door between the open and closed positions.

3. The waterslide capsule assembly as claimed in claim 2,

said door drive comprising a rack-and-pinion drive including a driven rack attached to the access door and a drive pinion attached to and powered by the motor.

4. The waterslide capsule assembly as claimed in claim 3,

said rack-and-pinion drive including a pair of driven pinions drivingly connected to one another and spaced longitudinally from one another,

said driven pinions rotatably mounted relative to and spaced from the drive pinion, with the driven rack drivingly engaging one of the driven pinions so that shifting of the driven rack rotates the pair of driven pinions,

said rack-and-pinion drive including another driven rack spaced from the first-mentioned driven rack,

said another driven rack attached to the access door and drivingly engaged with another one of the pair of driven pinions so that shifting of the first-mentioned driven rack causes shifting of the another driven rack.

5. The waterslide capsule assembly as claimed in claim 4,

said access door presenting opposite door ends adjacent to corresponding capsule ends,

said driven racks being located adjacent to respective ones of the door ends.

6. The waterslide capsule assembly as claimed in claim 4,

said driven pinions being mounted on a common drive shaft so as to spin with the drive shaft.

7. The waterslide capsule assembly as claimed in claim 2,

said access door presenting opposite door ends adjacent to corresponding capsule ends,

said access door drive including upper and lower drive elements attached to the access door adjacent to respective door ends, with at least one of the drive elements being driven by the powered motor.

8. The waterslide capsule assembly as claimed in claim 7,

both of said drive elements being driven by the powered motor, with the motor being the sole motor to power the drive elements.

9. The waterslide capsule assembly as claimed in claim 1,

said access door presenting opposite door ends adjacent to corresponding capsule ends,

said access door including opposite roller assemblies attached adjacent respective door ends,

said capsule including opposite door tracks to support the access door while permitting sliding door movement,

said roller assemblies engaging the respective door tracks to permit sliding movement of the access door while restricting movement of the access door along the longitudinal direction.

10. The waterslide capsule assembly as claimed in claim 9,

said roller assemblies each including a pair of roller assemblies spaced laterally from one another.

11. The waterslide capsule assembly as claimed in claim 9,

said access door being curved about the longitudinal direction to present a continuous access door radius,

said roller assemblies engaging the respective door tracks to restrict movement of access door along a radial direction defined by the access door.

12. The waterslide capsule assembly as claimed in claim 11,

each of said roller assemblies including a carrier and a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted on the carrier and in rolling engagement with the respective door tracks,

a first one of said rollers presenting a roller axis substantially parallel to the radial direction so that the first roller engages the respective door track to restrict access door movement along the longitudinal direction,

a second one of said rollers presenting another roller axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction so that the second roller engages the respective door track to restrict access door movement along the radial direction.

13. The waterslide capsule assembly as claimed in claim 1,

said capsule presenting a longitudinal capsule axis,

said capsule including a rounded back wall presenting a rider support surface that extends longitudinally between the capsule ends and curves about the longitudinal capsule axis.

14. The waterslide capsule assembly as claimed in claim 13; and

a water sprayer that communicates with the capsule chamber adjacent one of the capsule ends and injects a water mist onto the rider support surface.

15. The waterslide capsule assembly as claimed in claim 1; and

a release door pivotally mounted relative to the capsule and pivotal between a supporting position and a releasing position,

said release door exposing the exit opening in the releasing position to permit rider egress from the capsule chamber into the flume.

16. The waterslide capsule assembly as claimed in claim 15,

said sliding entry door substantially spanning the entry opening in the supporting position to prevent rider egress from the capsule chamber into the flume.

17. The waterslide capsule assembly as claimed in claim 1,

said access door including a door panel formed of a translucent material.

18. A method of operating a water ride including a plurality of waterslide flumes and a plurality of waterslide capsules that fluidly communicate with respective waterslide flumes to selectively release riders into the respective waterslide flumes, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) holding multiple ones of the riders within respective waterslide capsules so that the multiple riders are restricted from entering the waterslide flumes from the respective waterslide capsules; and

(b) activating the waterslide capsules with a controller to release the multiple riders to permit rider egress from the waterslide capsules to the waterslide flumes, with all of the multiple riders being released before having other riders occupy the waterslide capsules.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18,

step (b) including the step of activating the waterslide capsules to release the multiple riders simultaneously.

20. The method as claimed in claim 18,

step (b) including the step of activating the waterslide capsules to release the multiple riders in series such that no two of the multiple riders are released at the same time.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20,

step (b) including the step of activating the waterslide capsules to release the multiple riders in a random order.

22. The method as claimed in claim 18,

step (b) including the step of opening a release door associated with each of the waterslide capsules from a closed door position where the release doors prevent the multiple riders from entering the waterslide flumes from the waterslide capsules.

23. The method as claimed in claim 22,

step (b) including the step of having the multiple riders automatically drop from the waterslide capsule to the waterslide flume upon opening of the release door.

24. The method as claimed in claim 22; and

(c) returning the release door to the closed door position after the multiple riders have exited the respective waterslide capsules, with all of the release doors being returned to the closed door positions before having other riders occupy the waterslide capsules.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24; and

(d) opening an access door associated with each of the waterslide capsules to permit capsule ingress by the multiple ones of the other riders.

26. The method as claimed in claim 18,

step (b) including the step of activating the waterslide capsules with a single controller that operably communicates with all of the waterslide capsules.

27. The method as claimed in claim 18; and

(c) opening an access door associated with each of the waterslide capsules to permit capsule ingress by the multiple riders, with step (c) occurring before step (a).

28. The method as claimed in claim 27,

step (a) including the step of closing the access door while the multiple riders occupy respective waterslide capsules and the step of restricting the multiple riders from opening the access door.

29. The method as claimed in claim 28,

said restricting step including the step of locking the access door closed.

30. The method as claimed in claim 27;

(d) sensing the weight of each of the multiple riders with the controller; and

(e) determining if the sensed weights fall within an accepted weight range using the controller, with step (c) being performed for the access door associated with each of the multiple riders who has a corresponding weight that falls within the weight range.