AMUSEMENT ATTRACTION

Abstract

The present invention relates to an amusement and leisure slide for attraction parks, hotels, business or shopping centers with various combinations of thrilling experiences. It is proposed an amusement attraction comprising a sliding section part of an amusement attraction configured to receive a sliding element having an initial speed, the sliding section being shaped to form a curve with at least an angle of 90 degree between an input and an output, the curved section having an internal and shorter wall and a external and longer wall, the section being further connected to at least one actuator adapted to move the sliding section with a lateral movement so that said lateral movement do work on the sliding element (9) in order to either increase it's speed or elevation or a combination of both.

Description

INTRODUCTION

The present invention relates to an amusement and leisure slide for attraction parks, hotels, business or shopping centers with various combinations of thrilling experiences.

PRIOR ART

In the present water slide designs, it is known that a bowl structure is used as an element of the water slide embodiment. Such bowl-type slides are generally embodied such that the users enter into the bowl by means of a tangent orbital movement by using a tube before the users exit through a hole provided under the bowl and the users slide in various spiral or elliptic shapes inside the bowl, and the users finish sliding in a water pool or in a safe area.

In applications where a water pool is not preferred as said safe area, the design of the outlet region providing exit of the user from the bowl differs. In case the user, who slides in a high speed manner, does not fall into a water pool, an outlet opening design which will slow down the speed of the user is needed.

In the US patent document U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,372 B2 among the known applications of the art, a waterslide bowl element is disclosed which has a bottom wall configured to form a throat around a rider exit opening in the bottom of the bowl. The bowl holds an annular ring of water around the throat that slows down and conducts the rider to the exit opening and a flume in which the waterslide ride continues. The depth of said annular ring is equal at each point of the annular form.

In the document WO2018/080409, the design relates to a bowl-type water slide for the purpose of entertainment and having a configuration where the user, who enters into the inlet region at a predetermined speed, may exit the bowl-type water slide in a safe manner through a narrow outlet opening provided in the outlet region at the periphery of the bowl.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the previous solutions, the movement of the user is achieved through an initial speed gathered before entering into the bowl. Once the user is inside the bowl, he stays inside as long as the momentum acquired by the initial acceleration is sufficient.

The problem to be solved is to provide energy to the user inside the bowl. According to the present invention, a solution is proposed by an amusement attraction comprising a sliding section configured to receive a sliding element having an initial speed, the sliding section having on its periphery a slope and being further connected to actuator means adapted to at least move the sliding section with a sequence of lateral movements so as to transfer kinetic energy to the sliding element, by opposing the movements direction of the sliding section to the centrifugal force of the sliding element.

The key solution of the present invention is to transfer energy to the user or the sliding element by moving and/or tilting the sliding section in accordance with the position of the sliding element.

For that purpose, the control means should know movement characteristics (such as the position, speed) of the sliding element so that the moving and/or tilting of the sliding section is concurrent with the movement of the sliding element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will be better understood thanks to the attached figures in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the amusement attraction with the sliding section mounted on a frame,

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of the object of the FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 illustrates the sliding section with an entry slide with lateral exit,

FIG. 4 illustrates the sliding section with an entry slide with central exit,

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the sliding section with a surrounding water channel,

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-section of the object of the FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 illustrates the sliding section with an entry slide with surrounding water channel,

FIG. 8 illustrates a lateral view of the object of the FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 illustrates a version with an exit opening located on one side of the sliding section,

FIG. 10 illustrates the same object as the FIG. 9 with a different position of the sliding element,

FIG. 11 illustrates the case with two sliding elements,

FIG. 12 illustrates the various positions of the sliding section,

FIGS. 13 to 16 illustrate the various positions of the sliding element while the sliding section is moved laterally to bring kinetic energy to the sliding element.

FIG. 17 illustrate another way to transfer energy to a sliding element,

FIG. 18 illustrates the sliding element entering into the sliding section of the FIG. 17,

FIG. 19 illustrates the sliding element being accelerated by the actuator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The FIG. 1 is an overall view of the invention. The sliding section 1, having the shape of a bowl, is mounted on a frame comprising actuators 3. The sliding section 1 can be moved or tilted or a combination of both. By movement, we understand a horizontal movement in X and Y, the attitude of the sliding section being unchanged. By tilting, we understand a change of the attitude of the sliding section, the X/Y position (horizontal) being unchanged. The two modifications of the sliding section can be combined to move and tilt at the same time. The expression “modify or modification of the sliding section” means moving, tilting or a combination of moving and tilting. To achieve the various tilting orientations of the sliding section, at least two actuators 3 are required. Up to 6 actuators are needed to move and tilt the sliding section 1 in all possible positions and orientations. The sliding section 1 is rigid and extending one actuator in a six actuator's embodiment, has the consequence of inclining the sliding section and thus changing the attitude of the sliding section 1. If the second actuator is also extended, the inclination of the attitude of the sliding section is changed. In the figures, a Stewart platform is represented as a configuration of the 6 actuators, which has the advantage of the symmetry and simplicity. Other serial embodiments of actuators can also be designed.

In the example of the FIG. 1, the sliding section 1 comprises a central opening 2 to allow the sliding element to exit the sliding section.

The FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section of the FIG. 1 showing the actuators 2 allowing to move and/or tilt the sliding section 1. The sliding section 1 comprises the central opening 2 to let the sliding element leave the sliding section.

The FIG. 3 illustrates a version with an entry slide 6 located on top of the sliding section 1. The sliding element joins the sliding section through the entry slide 6. Once the sliding element has terminated its journey, the sliding section is modified so that the sliding element exits by the periphery of the sliding section.

The FIG. 4 differs from the FIG. 3 in the way the sliding elements exits the sliding section 1. In this example, the sliding section is modified so that the sliding element exits through the central opening 2. A camera 5 is located on top of the sliding section to acquire the position of the sliding element.

The FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which the sliding section 1 is surrounded by a water channel 7.

In a particular mode of the present invention, the movements of the sliding section are preprogrammed and triggered by the entry of the sliding element into the sliding section. The behavior of a standard sliding element is known and the movement of the sliding section can be determined in advance without knowing the position of the sliding element. As soon as the sliding element is detected within the sliding section, the programmed movements applied to the sliding section are started. In order to optimize the expected behavior of the sliding element, the entry of the sliding section comprises a scale to determine the weight of the sliding element. With the weight, the control means can calculate the expected behavior of the sliding element and the movement of the sliding section can be optimized to bring a satisfactorily experience to the user.

In another embodiment, the control of the modification of the sliding section is directly dependent on the sliding element's position. The position of the sliding element can be detected according to various ways. According to a first embodiment, the control means comprises a camera 5 preferably mounted above the sliding section and having a field of view covering the sliding section (see FIG. 6). The image of the camera is analyzed to detect the position of the sliding element and the position is used by the control means to determine the modification to be applied to the sliding section.

According to another embodiment, the sliding element comprises a beacon which transmits a radio signal. The beacon can be held by a user or be mounted on a sliding vehicle. With the assistance of at least two receivers, the position of the beacon is detected within the sliding section.

The FIG. 12 illustrates the way the attitude of the sliding section is modified. When a sliding element 3 enters the sliding section, the control means detects the position of the sliding element. A sliding element can be one person or a riding vehicle such as a bow or a cart. The user or users are mounted on the riding vehicle to glide within the sliding section.

The control means controls the actuators in order to create a movement such as a change of attitude or a movement. In one example, the change of attitude creates a slope so that the sliding element slides within the sliding section. The path, illustrated by the arrow, is determined by the control means. To understand the way the path is determined, the FIG. 12 illustrates different positions of the sliding element thus leading to different attitude of the sliding section. The movement of the sliding section (the movement is illustrated by the white arrow) follows the sliding element by creating a constant slope.

Once the position A of the sliding element is detected, the attitude of the sliding section is modified in order to create a decline (or a slope) allowing the sliding element to glide. The control means can determine the temporary target position B by adjusting the attitude of the sliding section. Once the sliding element has reached the position B, the attitude of the sliding section is modified to lead the sliding element to the position C.

The control means can maintain a movement of the sliding element as long as desired. By adjusting the actuators, the sliding element can follow linear and elliptic paths.

According to one embodiment, the speed of the sliding element is determined by the control means, in particular with the means to detect the position. The speed information can be used to anticipate the location of the sliding element during the movement. It is to be noted that the attitude could be constantly modified during the movement of the sliding element and the magnitude of the modification of the attitude can also depend on the speed of the sliding element. The attitude of the sliding section is controlled by the control means so that in the first part of a path A-B, the sliding element accelerates using the decline of the sliding section. Once the sliding element has reached the half of the journey A-B, the control means changes the attitude of the sliding section to decrease the speed of the sliding element. The speed is controlled in order to avoid that the sliding element is ejected from the sliding section.

One possible way to exit the sliding section is through an outlet preferably located at the center of the sliding section (see FIG. 4 for example). The control means can position the sliding section so that the sliding element avoids following a straight line between the initial position A to the target position C passing through the central part of the sliding section. In this way, the sliding element can move as long as the control means calculate an elliptic path. Once the time to enjoy the sliding experience is over, the control means calculates a path that leads to the center of the sliding section at a controlled speed. The central part comprises an outlet in the shape of a tube to allow the sliding element to enter and be evacuated from the sliding section.

Another way to exit the sliding section is through the periphery of the sliding section (see for example FIG. 3). The sliding section can be surrounded by a collecting channel (see FIGS. 5 and 6, element 7). Since the control means can control the speed and the position of the sliding element, the attitude can be adjusted so that the sliding element terminates its journey at the periphery of the sliding section at low speed, allowing a smooth transfer from the sliding section to the collecting channel.

The FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the collecting channel 7. The entry into the sliding section is achieved through an entry slide 6. The sliding section 1 has preferably a bowl shape with a surrounding lip 4. During the first part of the journey, the sliding element stays into the bowl part of the sliding section and moves according to the change of attitude of the sliding section. Once the time is over, the attitude is changed so that the sliding element passes the lip of the sliding section and therefore exits the sliding section to arrive into the collecting channel 7.

The FIGS. 9 and 10 is another example of the movement of the sliding section 1. The sliding element 9 slides along on the wall of the sliding section thanks to the slope created by the tilting of the sliding section. In this example, the exit is one opening into the wall of the sliding section. The FIG. 10 illustrates the end of the journey and the attitude of the sliding section is changed so that the sliding element is conveyed to the exit. In this example, the exit is connected to the connecting channel as illustrated in the FIGS. 7 and 8.

The FIG. 11 shows an example of two sliding elements at the same time in the sliding section. As far as the distance between the two sliding elements is small, the control means can determine a movement of the sliding section so that the two sliding elements could move from a position A to a position B. In the embodiment of the FIG. 11, the wall of the sliding section comprises a tube 8 to allow the sliding elements entering into the sliding section.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sliding section comprises a plurality of water outlets in order to create a water film on top of all or part of the surface of the sliding section. The water outlets are preferably located at the periphery of the sliding section and the water inlets are provided at various portions of the sliding section. In order to optimize the creation of the water film, the control means can also open or close the water inlets and water outlets. In the example of the FIG. 12, the water outlets close to the position A are open and the water inlets close to the same position are closed so that the water flows from the position A to the position B. At the position B, the water inlets are open to collect the water. When the sliding element reaches the middle of the section A-B, the water outlets are opened around this position to create a film towards the position B. As a general rule the water inlets close to the lowest portion of the sliding section are open and the water outlets upstream to that position are open. According to one embodiment, the water outlets are open below the sliding element and in front the sliding element so as to create the film of water allowing the sliding element to glide on top of the film.

According to another embodiment, the sliding portion is dry and the sliding element comprises wheels allowing it to roll in all directions.

The FIG. 3 illustrates one example of the sliding section. It is not necessary that the sliding section is flat but can also comprises valleys and hills to create a more exciting path for a user.

In this particular configuration, the stating position and the exit can be anywhere along the edge of the sliding section. In case of the absence of a wall terminating the periphery of the sliding section, a collecting channel is positioned so that the sliding element, while exiting the sliding section, joins the collecting channel. In case of the water amusement attraction, the collecting channel is a water channel leading the sliding element to the main exit of the amusement attraction.

The FIGS. 13 to 16 illustrate a way to transfer energy to the sliding element 9. The sliding section 1 receives the sliding element 9 with an initial speed. This speed represents the initial kinetic energy. The role of the sliding section is to move in order to maintain or increase the kinetic energy of the sliding section. The FIG. 13 illustrates the arrival of the sliding element within the sliding section. In view of the slope of the sliding section, the sliding element follows the slope and generates a centrifugal force F1. The illustrated sliding section in the FIG. 11 is also a good example of the sliding element following the slope or the wall of the sliding section. By following the wall of a round element (or substantially round), the initial speed generates the centrifugal force F1. Without movement, the sliding element will turn within the sliding section until the kinetic energy is zero and the sliding element will be located in the center of the sliding section.

In order to maintain a momentum, the sliding section will move so as to transfer energy to the sliding element. This movement should by synchronized with the position of the sliding element. The FIG. 14 shows a first movement of the sliding section producing a force F2 applied to the sliding element via the slope of the sliding section. The FIGS. 15 and 16 shows two instances during which the sliding section is moved in accordance with the sliding element's position. Each time the wall of the sliding section is used to move the sliding element in an opposite direction than the centrifugal force. The movement of the sliding section transfers energy to the sliding element and allows it to continue its journey within the sliding section. The amplitude of the movement of the sliding section, thus producing the force F2, determines the magnitude of the resulting force F3 to the sliding element.

In the FIG. 17, the sliding section 10 is a smaller section that can be part of a larger machinery. The sliding section comprises an input 11, and output 12 and being shaped to create a curve of at least 90 degrees. This section of the sliding section 10 is preferably closed, for example in the shape of a circle or oval. It can be executed in plain material or translucid material. The curve of the sliding section 10 plays a major role is bringing energy to the sliding element. With no action of the actuator, the sliding element will enter with a given speed into the sliding section and will follow the outer and longer wall, opposite to the inner and shorter wall, due to the centrifuge force. The sliding element will therefore follow a patch defined by the outer wall as long as the curve generates the centrifuge force. When the sliding element arrives to a straight portion, the centrifuge force ceases and the sliding element continues its journey approximately in the center of the sliding section.

The FIG. 17 shows the sliding element 13 in the middle of the curve (dotted line). When this point is passed by the sliding element 13, the movement of the sliding section is triggered. A force F3 is applied on the sliding section pushing the sliding element 13 toward the output 12. Depending of the force F3, the speed of the sliding element 13 is increased. The entering speed of the sliding element is increased by the lateral movement of the sliding section.

The FIG. 18 shows the sliding section at the time the sliding element enters into the sliding section. In this example, the sliding section is mounted on wheel allowing a lateral movement. The actuator 13 is at rest and connected to the sliding section. The FIG. 19 illustrates the sliding section after the passage of the sliding element. The actuator 13 has moved the sliding section and the sliding element was accelerated toward the output.

The shape of the sliding section can be a curve from 90 degrees to 200 degrees. The output can be level with the input to below the input. In a particular embodiment, the output can be higher than the input the actuator binging enough force to the sliding element, though the outer wall, to move the sliding element upwards.

One key element is the timing. The movement of the sliding section should be synchronized with the position of the sliding element. The correct timing is the one that create a force on the sliding element so that it is moved to the output of the sliding section. If applied too early, the force will pushes the sliding element back to the input. In the example of the FIGS. 17 to 19, the sliding section has the shape of a half circle. The sliding element should have passes the middle of the section so that the outer wall will push the sliding element toward the output. The force applied by the actuator can be non linear, a gentle force at the beginning to create the contact between the outer wall and the sliding element, and then the force can be increased. The sliding section comprises at least one detector to detect the passage of the sliding section and to trig the actuator 13. Various type of detectors can be used such as a light barrier, a movement detector, a presence detector and a camera with image analysis.

According to one embodiment, the sliding section comprises a plurality of water outlets providing a water film on the surface of the sliding section.

Claims

1. A sliding section part of an amusement attraction configured to receive a sliding element having an initial speed, the sliding section being shaped to form a curve with at least an angle of 90 degree between an input and an output, the curved section having an internal and shorter wall and a external and longer wall, the section being further connected to at least one actuator adapted to move the sliding section with a lateral movement so that said lateral movement do work on the sliding element (9) in order to either increase it's speed or elevation or a combination of both.

2. The sliding section of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to move the sliding section in a direction starting from the outer wall and toward the inner wall.

3. The sliding section of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to move the sliding section so that the outer wall transfers energy to the sliding element.

4. The sliding section of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to move the sliding section so that the outer wall transfers kinetic energy to the sliding element.

5. The sliding section of claim 1, further comprising position at least one detector detecting the position in the sliding section and triggering the actuator as a function of the detected position.

6. The sliding section of claim 1, further comprising speed and direction detectors detecting the speed and direction of the at least one sliding element and control means to control the actuator as a function of the detected position, speed and direction.

7. The sliding section of claim 6, wherein the detector comprises at least one camera for which the field of view is the sliding section.

8. The sliding section of claim 1, in which the at least one sliding element comprises a riding vehicle, said riding vehicle comprising a beacon, said detector comprising a receiver to receive the signal of the beacon and to detect the position of the riding vehicle within the sliding section.

9. The sliding section of claim 1, wherein the curve is between 90 to 200 degrees.

10. The sliding section of claim 1, wherein it comprises a plurality of water outlets providing a water film on the surface of the sliding section.