MULTI-LANE WATER SLIDE FEATURE

Abstract

A slide feature for an amusement ride is disclosed. The slide feature includes at least first and second flumes, each flume having a respective inrun permitting ingress of riders or ride vehicles and a respective outrun permitting egress of the riders or ride vehicles. Each flume defines a separate ride path for the riders or ride vehicles and each of the flumes is arced. The second flume is one or both of a) radially outward of the first flume and b) upward of the first flume. The first and second flumes share a common lane boundary along at least a portion of the first and second flumes, the common lane boundary permitting visibility between the flumes.

Description

FIELD

This application relates generally to a water slide feature for an amusement ride. Specifically, this application relates to a multi-lane water slide feature.

BACKGROUND

In conventional water-based amusement rides, such as large-scale water slides featured at amusement parks, patrons enter the ride at a high elevation and travel to a terminal destination at a lower elevation by sliding along a chute or flume. To facilitate sliding, portions of a water slide may be lubricated with a volume of water.

Depending on the configuration of a ride, patrons ride directly on the sliding surface of the slide or are carried by a vehicle. Some such vehicles include mats, tubes and boats.

Some water slides may be configured as a multi-lane slide, in which multiple patrons use the slide simultaneously. In such rides, multiple patrons (whether alone or in a vehicle) typically commence the ride simultaneously, each in their respective lane, and progress through the ride, remaining in separate lanes.

There is a desire to increase the thrill and excitement experienced by riders of water-based rides, including multi-lane rides.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a slide feature for an amusement ride, the slide feature comprising at least first and second flumes, each flume comprising a respective inrun permitting ingress of riders or ride vehicles and a respective outrun permitting egress of the riders or ride vehicles, each flume defining a separate ride path for the riders or ride vehicles, wherein each of the flumes is arced, wherein the second flume is one or both of a) radially outward of the first flume and b) upward of the first flume, wherein the first and second flumes share a common lane boundary along at least a portion of the first and second flumes, and wherein the common lane boundary permits visibility between the flumes.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a water ride incorporating a slide feature as described herein, wherein each inrun is connected to a respective entry chute and each outrun is connected to a respective exit chute.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating the present application, there is shown in the drawings illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slide feature according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view thereof.

FIG. 3 is left side view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a front view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a front view thereof showing the slide feature tilted at a roll angle.

FIG. 6 is a further perspective view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of thereof showing entrance and exit chutes according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a slide feature according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a slide feature according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a front view thereof.

FIG. 11 is a left side view thereof.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a slide feature according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a front view thereof.

FIG. 14 is a left side view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, a first embodiment of a slide feature for a water ride according to the present disclosure will be described.

Slide feature 10 includes at least a first flume 12a and a second flume 12b. Each of the first and second flumes 12a, 12b includes an inrun and outrun and a sliding surface extending from the inrun to the outrun. Thus, the first flume 12a includes inrun 14a and outrun 16a and the second flume 12b includes inrun 14b and outrun 16b. A sliding surface 18a extends from the inrun 14a to the outrun 16a and a sliding surface 18b extends from the inrun 14b to the outrun 16b.

Adjacent each inrun, each flume includes an inrun transition portion where a geometry of the inrun continuously merges with the remainder of the flume to provide a smooth transition from the inrun to the sliding surface of the flume and ride path. Similarly, adjacent each outrun, each flume includes an outrun transition portion to provide a smooth transition from the sliding surface of the flume and ride path to the respective outrun. Thus, the first flume 12a includes inrun transition portion 20a and outrun transition portion 22a. The second flume 12b includes inrun transition portion 20b and outrun transition portion 22b.

In the embodiment shown, the slide feature 10 also includes a core portion 24 on an inner side of the first flume 12a. The core portion 24 generally takes the shape of a circular feature intended to evoke the appearance of a saucer or disc with a planar, circular part 26 which smoothly transitions along an arced transition region 28 to the sliding surface 18a of the first flume 12a. The core portion 24 also includes lip 30 extending in a generally circular arc from inrun 14a to outrun 16a. In the illustrated embodiment, the lip 30 is raised with respect to the circular part 26 and is configured with a curvature to merge with the generally flat circular part 26. In other embodiments, the lip 30 may not be present or may have a different configuration.

More generally, in other embodiments the core portion 24 may be configured differently or may be omitted entirely. In some embodiments, the combination of the first flume 12a and the core portion may be based in part or in whole on one or more embodiments of the slide features disclosed in PCT international application no. PCT/CA2015/050159, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Each of the flumes 12a, 12b are open flumes, meaning that at least the portion of each flume between their respective inruns and outruns has a cross-sectional profile that is open to the atmosphere. This may allow spectators to view the riders travelling through the slide feature. It may also allow riders in each flume to view the riders in the other flume, which may add to the thrill experienced by the riders, particularly if the riders in one flume feel they are competing with riders in the adjacent flume to progress through the ride the fastest.

It should be understood that the term “open flume” includes flumes that remain open to the feature even if the entire feature itself may be enclosed. For example, the slide feature 10 may include a dome or other cover that extends over both the first and second flumes, with each flume being open under the cover. Thus, the term “open flume” is meant to indicate a flume that is not a completely enclosed tube.

In embodiments where the entire slide feature is covered, windows, transparent fiberglass, or other materials may be included to allow spectators to view into the feature and/or so that riders can view outside the feature.

In the embodiment shown, the sliding surfaces 18a, 18b each has a partially circular cross-section or profile that is less than a complete circle. Thus, the sliding surfaces 18a, 18b are configured to have a profile of only part of a tube and not a complete tube. For example, each of the sliding surfaces 18a, 18b may have a profile of a partial circle that is at least a quarter circle. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional profiles of the sliding surfaces 18a, 18b may be more than a semi-circle.

In yet other embodiments, other cross-sectional profiles are also possible and may be based on portions of other curvatures such as oval or parabolic. It will also be understood that the cross-sectional profiles of each of the sliding surfaces may or may not be the same. Thus, the cross-sectional profile of the first sliding surface 18a may be based in whole or in part on a circular profile, while the cross-sectional profile of the second sliding surface 18b may be based in whole or in part on an oval or other curvature, and vice versa. The cross-sectional profiles of the sliding surfaces 18a, 18b may be in part configured to determine the range of ride paths followed by riders or ride vehicles travelling through the slide feature 10.

Since the slide feature 10 forms part of a larger water ride, each flume 12a, 12b is connected to respective entry and exit flumes at the respective inruns and outruns to allow riders to enter and exit the slide feature 10, respectively.

Namely, as shown in particular in FIG. 7, the inruns 14a, 14b may be connected to respective entry chutes 15a and 15b and the outruns 16a, 16b may be connected to exit chutes 17a, 17b. Thus, each of the inruns 14a, 14b and each of the outruns 16a, 16b comprises circular flanges configured to connect with closed entry and exit chutes or tube flumes, respectively. Namely, the inruns 14a and 14b comprises flanges 32a and 32b that connect the inruns to entry chutes 15a and 15b, respectively. Similarly, the outruns 16a and 16b comprises flanges 34a and 34b that connect the outruns to exit chutes 17a and 17b, respectively.

Because, in the embodiment shown, the entrance and exit flumes are closed chutes, the slide feature 10 may provide the added thrill and rider experience of allowing riders who are in separate flumes, without the ability to see each other, to suddenly perceive each other's position as they transition from separate flumes into the open flumes 12a, 12b.

In some embodiments of a water ride incorporating embodiments of the slide feature 10, the chutes leading to and/or from the slide feature 10 may be entirely separate from each other and not connected for part or all of their lengths leading to and/or from the slide feature 10. This may allow for features to be incorporated into each ride path and lane that differ from lane to lane. This may also allow for different ride path lengths leading up to and/or away from the slide feature 10, for example to compensate for the difference in ride path length of each lane within the slide feature 10.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, entry chutes 15a and 15b are not connected in the lead up to the feature 10 but are then connected beginning approximately at location 19 until the entry chutes 15a, 15b meet the respective inruns 14a, 14b. Similarly, exit chutes 17a, 17b are connected for a length following outruns 14a, 14b and then separate at approximately a location 21.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7, the entry chutes 15a, 15b are in proximity and cross over the exit chutes 17a, 17b at cross over points 23a, 23b when the slide feature 10 is viewed from above. Specifically, entry chute 15a crosses over exit chute 17a at cross over point 23a, and entry chute 15b crosses over exit chute 17b at cross over point 23b. A rider or ride vehicle travelling through the slide feature 10 shown in FIG. 7 may travel from the cross over point in the entry chute to the cross over point in the exit chute in a ride path of at least 180 degrees depending on the curvature and configurations of the entry and exit chutes through three dimensional space. It will be understood that in other embodiments the entry and exit chutes may cross over at other points or not at all.

In other embodiments, the slide feature may be configured to connect to open flumes or chutes at either or both of the inrun and the outrun.

Each of the first and second flumes 12a, 12b define a separate ride path for riders or ride vehicles. The ride path of each flume generally follows an arcuate path from the respective inrun to the respective outrun. The actual ride path followed by each rider or ride vehicle may be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, the speed, acceleration, and trajectory of the riders or ride vehicles travelling through the slide feature 10.

The ride paths or a range of possible rides may also be predetermined and/or controlled in part by configuration of the slide feature 10 and/or the configuration of each flume. This may include, but is not limited to, the radii of curvature of the arcs A and B, the overall orientation of the slide feature 10 with respect to the vertical and horizontal direction, the inrun and outrun gradients of the flumes, the profile of the flumes, as well as the relative length of each flume and part sequencing.

Moreover, in general, it may be desirable that the ride paths of riders or ride vehicles throughout the entire water ride, including the slide feature and any other included features, be generally the same length for each lane. This may aid in the competitive and thrilling aspects of the ride. It will be appreciated that, for example, the ride path of riders or ride vehicles in the second flume will be longer than the ride path in the first flume if the second flume is outwardly of the first flume. Therefore, as part of the overall configuration of the water ride, a second slide feature 10 may be included and the ride configured to have the riders who were in the outer flume in the first slide feature travel through the inner flume of the second slide feature, and vice versa, in order to aid in ensuring a similar overall ride path length through the features.

In addition, it may be desirable to configure the ride so that not only the ride paths length of each lane but also the average speed of the rider or ride vehicle in each lane is approximately the same, assuming approximately equal weight and other factors affecting speed. Therefore, the ride paths of each ride may include ride elements such as ascents, descents, turns and other features in such a manner to help ensure that the overall time taken to traverse the ride in each lane is approximately the same or within a predefined range. For example, in embodiments where the slide feature 10 is tilted (see below) the riders or ride vehicles entering the second flume may experience a larger drop in elevation over the slide feature 10 than riders or ride vehicles in the first flume. Accordingly, the entry and/or exit flumes to the first and second flumes may be configured to compensate for a differential in elevation (and therefore speed) changes through slide feature between the first and second flumes. This may include ascents and/or descents incorporated into the entry and/or exit flumes of one of the lanes but not the other.

The flumes 12a and 12b are each arced. To illustrate the arcing of each flume, FIG. 2 includes arcs A and B that define the arcing of each flume, the arcs A and B lying in parallel planes. In the illustrated embodiment, the radii of arcs A and B are not constant. Specifically, the arcs A and B are subdivided into segments, corresponding segments of arcs A and B being co-axial. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, each segment of the arc B that is radially outward from a corresponding segment of the arc A is coaxial with that corresponding arc segment. Moreover, within each arc, each segment may have a different radius of curvature than other segments of that arc, resulting in a compounding arc. For example, the radii of curvature of each arc may decrease from the inrun to a first position and then increase from the first position to the outrun. The increase and/or decrease in radius may be stepwise or continuous.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the arcs A and B are divided into five segments. For example, arc A is divided into five segments, first through fifth, each with a corresponding radius R, labelled R1a, R2a, R3a, R4a, and R5a. R1a and R5a are equal, as are R2a and R4a. R1a is the largest radius, decreasing to R2a and further decreasing to R3a. In one embodiment, R1a is 15 ft, R2a is 12 ft, and R3a is 10 ft. The arc B comprises five corresponding segments, with the segment of the arc B that is radially outward of the first segment of the arc A (i.e. the segment with radius R1a) being co-axial with that segment and so forth for the remaining four segments along both the arcs A and B.

It will be understood that the number of segments of the arcs A and B may vary. Moreover, in yet other embodiments, the arcs A and B may be co-axial circular arcs comprising only a single radius of curvature each. In yet other embodiments, the radii may vary from arcs A to B. Thus, the arcs A and B or the corresponding segments of the arcs A and B are not necessarily co-axial in all embodiments.

For each flume 12a, 12b in the illustrated embodiment, the decreasing radii of curvature cause an increase in the centripetal acceleration and forces experienced by riders or ride vehicles travelling through the flumes 12a, 12b. In turn, due to inertia, the riders or ride vehicles tend radially outward and towards an outer boundary of the respective flume. Moreover, due to the cross-sectional profile of the flumes, the riders or ride vehicles also tend upwards along the curved sliding surfaces 18a, 18b. As the radii of the arcs increase the riders or ride vehicles tend back down the curved sliding surface 18a and towards the outruns 16a, 16b to exit the flumes. Also identified in FIG. 2 are a roll axis RA and a pitch axis PA, the roll axis RA and the pitch axis PA being mutually perpendicular. Each of the roll axis RA and the pitch axis PA are illustrated surrounded by curved arrows indicating the direction in which a positive rotation along each axis would tilt the slide feature 10. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the roll axis RA and pitch axis PA lies along a horizontal plane HP, the plane HP being parallel to a ground surface (not shown) beneath the slide feature 10.

However, in some embodiments, each of the roll axis RA and pitch axis PA may have a different location, thereby permitting the sliding feature 10, and thus the flumes 12a, 12b, to have any orientation in three-dimensional space relative to the ground surface beneath the slide feature 10. Further, in the depicted embodiment, the intersection point of the roll axis RA and the pitch axis PA is shown located at a point P. In some embodiments, the intersection point of the roll axis RA and the pitch axis PA may have another location.

It should be understood that the words “roll axis” and “pitch axis” are arbitrary identifiers, and that other names could be applied to these axes. For example, the identifiers “roll axis” and “pitch axis” could be switched. That is, the words “roll axis” could be used to refer to the pitch axis PA, and the words “pitch axis” could be used to refer to the roll axis RA.

Accordingly, the slide feature 10 may be oriented at a pitch angle around the pitch axis PA and/or at a roll angle around the roll axis RA. In some embodiments, at least one of the pitch angle and roll angle are non-zero relative to the horizontal plane. One such embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 5, where the pitch angle is zero but the roll angle θ is larger than zero.

Generally, the pitch and roll angle may be selected based on the overall lengths of the arcs A and B and the compounding radii of the arc segments in order to determine a range of speeds for riders or ride vehicles travelling through the ride. For example, a higher roll angle will result in a greater speed for riders or ride vehicles for any given arc length.

In some embodiments, one or both of the pitch and roll angle may be selected such that an apex of one or more ride paths of the riders and/or ride vehicles, and/or an apex of one or more sliding surfaces of the feature, are at a higher elevation than both the inrun and outrun. In some embodiments, the riders' elevation may increase along at least a portion of the ride path as the riders and/or ride vehicles travel through the slide feature from inrun to outrun.

With reference to FIG. 6, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the inruns and outruns may include a gradient of ingress α and egress β, respectively. The gradients affect the angle at which riders or ride vehicles enter the slide feature 10 and, in turn, the speed and orientation they might have. In combination with the roll and/or pitch angle of the slide feature, the ride path of the riders or ride vehicles travelling through the slide feature 10 may be further controlled such that the riders or ride vehicles adopt one of a range of predicted ride paths.

In addition or alternatively, the profiles of the flumes 12a,12b may be configured in a manner to control the ride path of the riders or ride vehicles. As noted above, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the flumes 12a, 12b may comprise a cross-sectional profile of a partial circle. However, other cross-sectional profiles are possible and various arcs and curvatures may be used.

For example, in some embodiments, the second flume may have a profile with a higher inner wall than shown in the illustrated embodiment to mitigate against riders falling into the first flume or further into the feature, resulting in a more oval overall cross-sectional profile for the second flume. In such embodiments, the portion of the sliding surface primarily being ridden on may still maintain a circular profile. Similarly, the outer wall may be more relaxed than in the illustrated embodiment by having the inwardly curving geometry be positioned further upward of the outer wall and increasing the portion of a flat portion of the outer wall. Such embodiments may provide more freedom to a rider or ride vehicle to climb on the outer wall as it travels around the arced flume.

Moreover, while the arcs A and B generally each lie in a single plane in the illustrated embodiment, other profiles of the arcs, and therefore the flumes, might be possible. For instance, each of the flumes 12a, 12b may comprise at least partially helical profiles. In some embodiments, only the sliding surfaces 18a, 18b may have at least partially helical profiles. In yet other embodiments, the inruns 14a,14b and outruns 16a, 16b may form part of the overall helical profiles of the flume or comprise their own helical profiles that merge with the profiles of the sliding surfaces 18, whether partially helical or not. Moreover, in embodiments where the flumes 12a, 12b comprise at least partially helical profiles, the helical profiles may comprise segments that are co-axial as described above in respect of the segments of the arcs A and B or may comprise only one segment of constant radius. In some embodiments, the helical ride paths for each flume may be unique.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flume 12b is positioned outward of the flume 12a in a radial direction and upward of the flume 12a in an axial direction of the axes of curvatures of the arcs A and B. In other embodiments, the second flume 12b may be positioned only one of outward and upward of the first flume 12a. More generally, as seen in FIG. 4, the second flume 12b may be positioned with respect to the first flume 12a anywhere along the 90 degree arc drawn between a position only radially outward of the first flume 12a and a position directly above the first flume 12a.

In some embodiments, the second flume may be positioned radially outward and downwards of the first flume. Put differently, the first flume may be upward but radially inward of the second flume. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the second flume 12b may also be positioned anywhere along the 90 degree arc drawn between a position only radially outward of the first flume 12a and a position directly below the first flume 12b. The principles discussed herein in respect of the other embodiments may apply mutatis mutandis to embodiments with the first, radially inner flume being upward of the second, radially outer flume and any other further outer flumes. In embodiments with additional flumes, i.e. third, fourth, etc., each adjacent flume may be radially outward and upward or downward of the immediately adjacent, radially inward flume.

It will be appreciated that the radii of curvature of the arc B change with respect to the radii of the arc A depending on the position of the second flume 12b. For example, the radii of curvature of the arc B are larger when the second flume 12b is in a position radially outward but not upward of the first flume 12a as compared to a position upward but not radially outward of first flume 12a. In that latter position, the radii of curvature of the arc B would match those of arc A.

The above description of embodiments with alternate placement of the first and second flumes 12a and 12b may also apply to embodiments where the flumes have other profiles, such as the at least partially helical profiles discussed above.

The first and second flumes 12a, 12b share a common lane boundary 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the lane boundary extends from the inruns 14a, 14b to the outruns 16a, 16b. The lane boundary 40 forms an outer boundary of the first flume 12a and an inner boundary of the second flume 12b. In the illustrated embodiment, between the inruns and outruns, the lane boundary 40 is formed by the intersection and merger of sliding surfaces 18a and 18b.

The lane boundary 40 delineates the lanes of the first and second flumes 12a, 12b and may act as a median to maintain separation of the riders or ride vehicles in each lane. The lane boundary 40 may also be configured to aid in ensuring that riders or ride vehicles safely remain in the flumes 12a, 12b, particularly in the second flume 12b if it is upwards of the first flume 12a.

The lane boundary 40 may be configured to reduce the likelihood or possibility that riders or ride vehicles in the second flume 12b fall or cross over into the first flume 12a. For example, the lane boundary 40 may comprises an upward slant or curve to urge riders or ride vehicles that divert from an expected ride path back into the lane of the second flume 12b. Other features, such as fencing, guard rails and other retention structures might be included on the lane boundary 40 to further aid in retaining riders or ride vehicles in their own lane. Similarly, the lane boundary 40 may aid to retain riders in the first flume 12a as they climb up the flume when travelling along the arcuate curve of the lane, as described above.

At the inruns 14a, 14b and the outruns 16a, 16b the lane boundary 40 proceeds between the flanges 32, 34 and is configured to aid in the transition from and to separated, close flumes upon entry and exit of the slide feature 10 by riders or ride vehicles.

The lane boundary 40 is a structural connection between the first and second flumes 12a,12b that may also aid in providing the riders in each flume with the perception that they are travelling in the same slide feature 10 and not separate, disparate flumes. This may further add to the thrilling and/or competitive experience of the riders. The lane boundary may also permit visibility between the flumes, allowing riders in one lane to be able to see riders in the other lane. This may further aide in the thrilling and/or racing aspects of the slide feature 10.

In other embodiments, the lane boundary 40 may extend along only a portion of the first and second flumes 12a, 12b such that the riders enter each flume from closed entry flumes, transition to open flumes that do not share a lane boundary then ride along portions of the open flumes that do share a lane boundary and then separate again.

Moreover, it should be appreciated that the configuration of the shared lane boundary 40 may vary depending on the relative positioning of the first and second flumes 12a and 12b. For example, in embodiments where the second flume 12b is positioned more radially outward but less upward of the first flume 12a, the shared boundary might comprise portions of the rear side of the flume 12a. In embodiments where the second flume 12b is positioned more upwards but less radially outwards of the first flume 12a, the lane boundary 40 might comprise portions of the underside of the second flume 12b. In yet other embodiments, the shared boundary may comprises a separate structural median or central reservation positioned to separate the first and second flume 12a and 12b, while still forming a structural connection or bridge between them.

As noted above, in some embodiments, core portion 24 may be configured differently than illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and may be omitted entirely. FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment where core portion 24 has been omitted. In such embodiments, an inner boundary 42 of the first flume 12a may be formed by a lip or inner wall extending from the inrun 14a to the outrun 16a. In yet other embodiments the inner boundary 42 may also be flush with the surrounding sliding surface 18a. This may further aid in providing a thrilling experience to riders.

In yet other embodiments, the core portion may be raised relative to the sliding surface of the first flume, such that riders or ride vehicles in the first flume travel in an arcuate path from inrun to outrun around the core portion in arc of at least 60 degrees. In such embodiments, a height of the core portion relative to the sliding surface of the first flume may be less than a height of the outer wall of the first flume and/or of the common lane boundary.

Other configurations are also possible. In some embodiments, whether a core portion is present or not, a guide, lip, rail, wall or other similar feature may extend partially or entirely from the inrun to the outrun to provide an interior, physical barrier to riders travelling through the first lane. The barrier may define an inner boundary of the sliding surface and may aid in ensuring riders or ride vehicles safely remain within the lane.

The second flume 12b comprises upper boundary 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper boundary 44 comprises a flat upper edge that extends from the inrun transition portion 20b to the outrun transition portion 22b. However, the upper boundary 44 may have other configurations. The upper boundary 44 may be configured as a lip that aids in retaining riders or ride vehicles in the second flume 12b. For example, a lip 44 may be curved or slanted at least partially radially inward to tend riders or ride vehicles back down the sliding surface 18b as they travel partially upwards during the arcuate travel through the slide feature 10. More generally, the upper boundary 44 may further aid in controlling the range of possible ride paths for riders or ride vehicles to safely traverse the slide feature 10.

In some embodiments, the inner boundary 42 and/or the upper boundary 44 may have a partially or wholly aesthetic appeal. For example, one or both may comprise themed structures, patterns, shapes and other ornamental features. Similarly, the core portion 24, when present, may have a partially or wholly aesthetic appeal, for example comprising themed structures, patterns, shapes and other ornamental features.

Other embodiments and configurations are possible. An additional embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, where, as compared to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, the second flume 12b is positioned more radially outward and less upward of the first flume 12a. Accordingly, the lane boundary 40, configured as a boundary wall, extends further from the sliding surface of the second flume 12b. In such embodiments, the riders or ride vehicles may be more nestled within the second flume 12b providing a safer travel through the slide feature. Notwithstanding the different relative configuration of the first and second flumes 12a and 12b, the principles and alternatives discussed herein in respect of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 8 apply equally to the embodiment of FIGS. 9 to 11. Accordingly, like reference numerals have been used to refer to like elements.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, where, as compared to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11, the second flume 12b is positioned radially outward and substantially co-planar with the first flume 12a. The lane boundary 40, configured as a boundary wall, extends approximately equally upwards on the interior and exterior of the second and first flumes 12b, 12a, respectively. Moreover, in embodiments with a similar lane configuration as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 12 to 14, the boundary wall may be configured lower or using transparent materials to permit riders in one lane to see the riders in the other lane. Similarly, portions of the flumes 18a and 18b may be configured with transparent materials. Notwithstanding the different relative configuration of the first and second flumes 12a and 12b, the principles and alternatives discussed herein in respect of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 11 apply equally to the embodiment of FIGS. 12 to 14. Accordingly, like reference numerals have been used to refer to like elements.

Embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in reference to first and second flumes as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-13. In other embodiments, a slide feature according to the present disclosure may include additional flumes (e.g. three, four, five etc.). The principles discussed above may apply, with necessary modifications, mutatis mutandis to slide features with more than two flumes.

For example, in embodiments where there are more than two flumes, the first two flumes may be positioned as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-13 with each additional flume being positioned radially outward and/or axially upward of the flume immediately preceding it and the corresponding segments of the arcs of each flume being co-axial. A lane boundary between each couple of adjacent flumes would act to separate the flumes. The principles and features discussed above in respect of the lane boundary 40 would apply to boundaries between further adjacent flumes as well. In some embodiments, the relative positioning of each successive flume with respect to the flume immediately radially inward would be the same. For example, in embodiment based on FIGS. 1 to 7, a third flume would be outward and upward of the second flume in the same relative proportions as the second flume with respect to the first flume, and so on. In other embodiments, such as embodiments based on FIGS. 11 to 13, a third flume would be radially outward of the second flume and so on.

Other configurations are also possible. For example, the third flume may be upward of the second flume but have the same radii of curvature as the first flume, with a possibly fourth flume being upward of the third flume but with the same radii of curvature as the second flume, resulting in an undulating outside shape to the slide feature. Additional flumes might be added in the same pattern in yet other embodiments.

While the illustrated embodiments show curved lanes in which riders travel from respective inruns to respective outruns in curves of less than 180 degrees, other embodiments are also within the present disclosure. In some embodiments, riders may travel curved lanes of more than 180 degrees from inrun to outrun. In some embodiments, riders may travel more than 360 degree through the feature, the feature having a partially or fully helical shape such that riders loop over or under while travelling through the feature.

Moreover, while the embodiments described above generally relate to riders or ride vehicles in each lane travelling from the inrun to the outrun in the same direction, i.e. clockwise in the illustrated embodiment, it will be understood that a feature in which riders or ride vehicles travel counter-clockwise is also within the present disclosure. Furthermore, in some embodiments, riders or ride vehicles in one lane may travel in an opposite sense than in other lanes. For example, riders or ride vehicles in the first lane may travel clockwise through the feature, while riders or ride vehicles in an other lane may travel counter clockwise. Use of the terms “inrun” and “outrun” are meant to denote where the riders or ride vehicles enter and exit the feature, respectively, regardless of the sense in which they travel through the feature.

The inventive concepts disclosed herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The inventive concepts disclosed herein are capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting the inventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein in any way.

Numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventive concepts. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the inventive concepts within the instant disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a nonexclusive inclusion. For example, a composition, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherently present therein.

As used herein the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially” and variations thereof are intended to include not only the exact value qualified by the term, but to also include some slight deviations therefrom, such as deviations caused by measuring error, manufacturing tolerances, wear and tear on components or structures, stress exerted on structures, and combinations thereof, for example.

Use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the inventive concepts. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

Any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Moreover, it will be understood that features of one embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments, even if not expressly recited or described as a combination.

Claims

1. A slide feature for an amusement ride, the slide feature comprising at least first and second flumes, each flume comprising a respective inrun permitting ingress of riders or ride vehicles and a respective outrun permitting egress of the riders or ride vehicles, each flume defining a separate ride path for the riders or ride vehicles, wherein each of the flumes is arced, wherein the second flume is one or both of a) radially outward of the first flume and b) upward of the first flume, wherein the first and second flumes share a common lane boundary along at least a portion of the first and second flumes, and wherein the common lane boundary permits visibility between the flumes.

2. The slide feature of claim 1, wherein each of the flumes is arced along an arc comprising one or more arc segments, each arc segment of the first flume being co-axial with a corresponding arc segment of the second flume.

3. The slide feature of claim 2, wherein the arc of each flume comprises one segment with a single radius of curvature from the inrun to the outrun.

4. The slide feature of claim 2, wherein the arc of each flume comprises more than one segment, a radius of the arc decreasing from the inrun to a first position and increasing from the first position to the outrun.

5. The slide feature of claim 1, wherein each of the flumes comprises an at least partially helical profile.

6. The slide feature of claim 1, wherein:

the slide feature is oriented at a pitch angle around a pitch axis, the pitch angle being measured relative to a horizontal plane;

the slide feature is oriented at a roll angle around a roll axis, the roll angle being measured relative to the horizontal plane,

the pitch axis and the roll axis are mutually perpendicular, and

at least one of the pitch angle and the roll angle is nonzero.

7. The slide feature of claim 6, wherein one or both of the pitch angle and roll angle are configured such that the apex of the ride path of the riders or ride vehicles in each flume is at a higher elevation than one or both of the respective inrun and outrun.

8. The slide feature of claim 1, wherein the lane boundary is formed by an intersection and/or merging of sliding surfaces of the first and second flumes.

9. The slide feature of claim 1, wherein a sliding surface of each flume comprises a partially circular profile.

10. The slide feature of claim 9, wherein the partially circular profile is between a quarter circle and a semi-circle.

11. The slide feature of claim 1, wherein the inrun of each flume transitions from a closed flume to an open flume.

12. The slide feature of claim 1, wherein the outrun of each flume transitions from an open flume to a closed flume.

13. The slide feature of claim 1, wherein the first and second flumes are open flumes.

14. The slide feature of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional arced flumes, each of the one or more additional flumes being one or both of a) radially outward and b) upward of an adjacent, radially inward flume, each of the one or more additional flumes sharing a respective common lane boundary with adjacent flumes, wherein the respective common lane boundaries permit visibility between the flumes.

15. The slide feature of claim 1, wherein the second flume is radially outward of the first flume and co-planar with the first flume.

16. A slide feature as described and shown herein.

17. A water ride incorporating a slide feature according to claim 1, wherein each inrun is connected to a respective entry chute and each outrun is connected to a respective exit chute.

18. The water ride of claim 17, wherein the entry chute for each flume and the exit chute for each flume cross over each other at a cross over point.

19. The water ride of claim 18, wherein the riders or ride vehicle travel from the cross over point in the entry chute to the cross over point in the exit chute along a ride path of at least 180 degrees.

20. The water ride of claim 17, wherein the entry chute and exit chute for at least one of the first flume and second flume are configured as closed flumes for at least a portion of the chute immediately preceding and immediately following the respective inruns and outruns.