Abstract: A swimming pool slide comprising a pool slide shell and a slide flume formed in the shell to direct downhill sliding motion of a human rider. An interior water conduit transports water from a water source, through the slide shell to a top end of the flume. A slide shell base may be configured to allow for re-positioning of the slide to a proper/desired position relative to a pool edge after having connected the interior water conduit to a water source fixture in a pool deck. The slide may include a water stream shaper comprising a manifold that receives water from the conduit and re-shapes it into a sheet and redirects it onto the slide flume.

Abstract: A waterslide feature for providing a looping or arcuate travel path for a rider traveling thereon and method for making the same. The waterslide feature may have an entrance, an exit, and a surface (e.g., a ride surface, such as a bottom surface and/or a wall surface) therebetween comprising a transparent and/or semi-transparent surface configured to permit the rider to see through the surface and experience an exterior environment. Spectators or bystanders to the waterslide feature may be able to see through the surface and to witness riders riding upon the waterslide feature. The waterslide feature may be oriented at an angle to horizontal (e.g., tilted) and/or may be positioned within a defined exterior environment contained within an exterior wall. The exterior wall may be configured to retain water such that at least a portion of the waterslide feature is below the height of the water.

Abstract: A slide feature for an amusement ride adapted to carry a rider or ride vehicle sliding thereon, and a water slide comprising said slide feature are provided. The slide feature has an inrun permitting ingress of the rider or ride vehicle, an outrun permitting egress, and a sliding surface in communication with the inrun and the outrun. The sliding surface may comprise a surface substantially in the shape of a sector of a closed curve and/or may be substantially planar. The slide feature may also include an outer lip and provide that the rider or ride vehicle, at least partially urged by gravity, slides along the sliding surface from the inrun to the outrun in an arcuate path at least partially bounded by the outer lip. The sliding surface may be oriented so an elevation of the rider or ride vehicle increases then decreases along the arcuate path.

Abstract: An amusement attraction fluid control system comprises a fluid source, at least one pump, at least one fluid feature, a plurality of conduits interconnecting the fluid source and the at least one pump to the at least one fluid feature, and a controller; wherein the at least one pump is configured to pump fluid through the conduits to the at least one fluid feature. The controller is adapted to control the at least one pump to deliver fluid to each respective fluid feature.

Abstract: A waterslide feature comprises a channel having a sliding surface and walls. The walls define a plurality of recesses. A nozzle extends through each of the recesses angled to spray water over the sliding surface. The nozzles are positioned to provide a flow of water to impact a vehicle sliding on the sliding surface. The nozzles are sized to provide a flow of water sufficient to affect motion of the vehicle. The vehicle may include an attachment to enhance the effectiveness of the flow of water.

Abstract: A bowl-type waterslide assembly includes a sliding lane, an inlet having a first radial form and allowing a rider to access the bowl-type waterslide assembly, an outlet having a greater slope than the inlet and having a second radial form, a path allowing the rider to slide, and having a curved form and configured to provide a non-stop travel between the inlet and the outlet, a wall element in an omega form is configured for partitioning the path into a plurality of separate sections. A water distribution part is configured to provide water to the bowl-type waterslide assembly, the water distribution part is provided above the omega form of the wall element and extends through the wall element in a groove form.

Abstract: A water attraction dispatch system includes a water attraction having a plurality of sensors and a dispatch controller. The dispatch controller is configured to receive attraction condition data from the plurality of sensors of the water attraction and determine a dispatch status of the water attraction based on the attraction condition data. The dispatch status may be a permit dispatch status or a deny dispatch status. The dispatch controller is configured to transmit a signal indicative of the dispatch status to a controller of the water attraction.

Abstract: An assembled slide is defined with a slide front side and a slide back side, comprises a head section, a connect section and a tail section. The head section is disposed with a first carrying portion at a head section first end facing the connect section, the connect section is disposed with a first lapping portion connected to the first carrying portion at a connect section first end facing the head section and a second carrying portion at a connect section second end facing the tail section, and the tail section is disposed with a second lapping portion connected to the second carrying portion at a tail section first end facing the connect section. The head section, connect section and tail section are respectively formed with at least one accommodating groove on an axis. At least one support rib is disposed in the at least one accommodating grooves.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a waterslide comprising an upstream flume segment having a first cross-section, the upstream flume segment defining a first slide path, and a downstream flume segment having a second cross-section different than the first cross-section, the downstream flume segment defining a second slide path. The waterslide further comprises an angled transition linking the upstream flume segment to the downstream flume segment, wherein the angled transition defines a discontinuity between the upstream and downstream flume segments, thereby defining an inflection between the first and second slide paths.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water ride (10) having a variable water level and a route (20) on which at least one vehicle (12), provided for accommodating at least one rider, can be moved, the route (20) having at least one fixedly arranged route segment (22) in which the at least one vehicle (12) is guided through water (30). In the region of the route segment (22), means are provided for raising or lowering the water level (32) of the water (30) in such a way that the at least one vehicle (12) can pass through the route segment (22) both at a raised water level (32a) and at a lowered water level (32b).

Abstract: An apparatus or method for draining fluid from an amusement attraction while helping prevent substantial portions of fluid from splashing out of the attraction. The apparatus may be an end component for a shutdown lane that has one or more areas or catch basins for flowing the fluid thereon or therethrough. Various sidewalls, hills, ridges, and/or drainage surfaces may be implemented by or on the end component to ideally keep water from splashing outside of the end component and to help maintain rider safety as the rider slides towards the end component. One or more stages of drainage areas or surfaces may be utilized for the end component. The apparatus may be in the form of an end component, a larger portion of an attraction, such as a shutdown lane, or discrete components that may be connected within or to a portion of an attraction.

Abstract: A reaction component or plate for a linear induction motor incorporates a flexibility increasing feature and a wear resistant feature.

Abstract: A vehicle motion control system comprising: a sliding surface; a vehicle adapted to slide on said sliding surface; and a linear motor associated with the vehicle and the sliding surface for affecting sliding motion of the vehicle on the sliding surface.

Abstract: A reaction component or plate for a linear induction motor incorporates a flexibility increasing feature and a wear resistant feature.

Abstract: A redundant array pumping system and control system is provided for water rides for ensuring continuous and non-disruptive supply of water. The pumping system incorporates a redundant pump and filter array in conjunction with a nozzle system for injecting water onto a ride surface. The nozzle system may incorporate a plurality of redundant or quasi-redundant nozzles. The hydraulic system can include many levels of redundancy as applied to its various components, such as pumps, filters and nozzles. Additionally, the system can be equipped with a plurality of pressure and flow sensors for monitoring and controlling the performance of the pumps, filters and nozzles of the hydraulic system.

Abstract: An amusement device that is added to a new or existing bumper boat attraction, consisting of a singular or plurality of targets, lights, water effect devices, and a control system or module. The target may be comprised of a mechanical switch, pressure switch, sensor, optical beam, or any other device for detecting a participant signal. When a participant operating a bumper boat, bumps (or sprays if equipped with onboard squirt guns), or enters into the sensor area of pool, a signal is sent to a control module or control system. The control module or system will in turn send a signal to a water effect device, actuating a singular or plurality of valves. The water effect device will be directed over the pool or arena area such that there is a possibility of other participants getting wet. A water effect device may consist of a water cannon, water blast, mist, air assisted mist, dumping of water or water spray.

Abstract: A waterslide bowl has a fixed rider path from entrance to exit. The bowl comprises a trough which is made of a plurality of sets of trough sections, attached together, in which the trough sections of a given set are the same, permitting the rider surface of the bowl to be made from trough sections having a small number of different shapes. This reduces the number of molds that would otherwise be required to make the trough sections. The waterslide bowl may also have two or more separate troughs, nested together.

Abstract: A guest lap bar locking assembly for releasably positioning a lap bar within a water ride at an entertainment park includes a lap bar locking assembly that is dimensioned and configured to provide continuously variable position locking of the lap bar.

Abstract: At least one actuator for actuating a guest lap bar locking assembly for releasably positioning a lap bar includes a rotatable actuator hub, a telegraph rod interconnected with the rotatable actuator hub, an operator arm also extending from the actuator hub and a toggle latching assembly interconnected with the actuator hub. The toggle latching assembly provides for rotation of the telegraph rod to actuate the lap bar locking assembly to prevent movement of the lap bar in at least one particular direction.

Abstract: An amusement ride system and method are described. In some embodiments, an amusement ride system may be generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be more involved in a water attraction. An amusement ride system may include an elevation system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water. An elevation system may assist in adjusting and/or controlling a participant flow rate through at least a portion of a water amusement park. An elevation system may include two or more conveyor belt systems. An elevation system for adjusting a participant flow rate may include one or more floating queue lines. An elevation system may include a control system. A control system may be automated, semi-automated, or manual.

Abstract: A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be actively involved in a water attraction. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting the at least two water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between the at least two water stations. In addition, the water transportation system may include conveyor belt systems and water locks configured to convey participants from a first source of water to a second source of water which may or may not be at a different elevation.

Abstract: A reaction component or plate for a linear induction motor incorporates a flexibility increasing feature and a wear resistant feature.

Abstract: The present Patent of invention “HELICAL RAMP LIFE-PRESERVER” refers to a model of helical ramp, aimed for collective use, for immediate rescue of lives subjected to a probable fire, to be used in buildings of any height, or in places that cannot be reached by the devices currently in use, such as “Magirus” stairs, or even in those where these devices can reach, but a probable delay to help would put in risk people's life in an eventual emergency state.

Abstract: A redundant array pumping system and control system is provided for water rides for ensuring continuous and non-disruptive supply of water. The pumping system incorporates a redundant pump and filter array in conjunction with a nozzle system for injecting water onto a ride surface. The nozzle system may incorporate a plurality of redundant or quasi-redundant nozzles. The hydraulic system can include many levels of redundancy as applied to its various components, such as pumps, filters and nozzles. Additionally, the system can be equipped with a plurality of pressure and flow sensors for monitoring and controlling the performance of the pumps, filters and nozzles of the hydraulic system.

Abstract: A redundant array pumping system and control system is provided for water rides for ensuring continuous and non-disruptive supply of water. The pumping system incorporates a redundant pump and filter array in conjunction with a nozzle system for injecting water onto a ride surface. The nozzle system may incorporate a plurality of redundant or quasi-redundant nozzles. The hydraulic system can include many levels of redundancy as applied to its various components, such as pumps, filters and nozzles. Additionally, the system can be equipped with a plurality of pressure and flow sensors for monitoring and controlling the performance of the pumps, filters and nozzles of the hydraulic system.

Abstract: A redundant array pumping system and control system is provided for water rides for ensuring continuous and non-disruptive supply of water. The pumping system incorporates a redundant pump and filter array in conjunction with a nozzle system for injecting water onto a ride surface. The nozzle system may incorporate a plurality of redundant or quasi-redundant nozzles. The hydraulic system can include many levels of redundancy as applied to its various components, such as pumps, filters and nozzles. Additionally, the system can be equipped with a plurality of pressure and flow sensors for monitoring and controlling the performance of the pumps, filters and nozzles of the hydraulic system.

Abstract: A multi-level play structure is provided for entertaining play participants. The play structure comprises multiple play levels at various elevations, including an upper play level, a lower play level, and one or more intermediate play levels. Multiple gravity induced rides and climbing structures connect two or more of the play levels. At least one of the intermediate play levels is connected to two or more other play levels by at least one gravity induced ride and at least one climbing structure, thereby allowing play participants to choose between two or more different paths to other play levels upon reaching the intermediate play level.

Abstract: A kayaking simulation device for use with a water body. The water body has a water surface. The kayaking simulation device comprises a hydraulic hole mechanism for introducing a predetermined amount of water into the water body and creating a hydraulic hole in the water surface of the water body.

Abstract: A water slide in which the slide surface is not continuously wetted, but is only intermittently wetted (preferably by a water spray). Since the volume of water flowing down the ride is less smaller, riders are not splashed.

Abstract: Passenger boats are mounted on an undercarriage assembly that includes rail-mounted centering wheels. The passenger boats are accelerated by linear induction drive motors mounted on a guide rail structure. Thrust is applied to the racing boats by magnetically conductive reaction plates that are attached to the undercarriage assembly and are movable through linear flux slots formed in the induction stators of the linear induction motors. The submerged guide track structure is arranged in various closed loop courses, including “Figure-Eight,” an hour-glass, serpentine and oval patterns, as well as parallel guide track structures that extend between a launch station and a return station. A dual “Figure-Eight” watercourse includes a simulated jump ramp and an underground tunnel arrangement. In the continuous loop guide structure, two or more boats are launched and separation is maintained by a safety block arrangement.

Abstract: A waterslide bowl element 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 waterslide bowl may be used by riders on inner tubes.

Abstract: Passenger boats are mounted on an undercarriage assembly that includes rail-mounted centering wheels. The passenger boats are accelerated by linear induction drive motors mounted on a guide rail structure. Thrust is applied to the racing boats by magnetically conductive reaction plates that are attached to the undercarriage assembly and are movable through linear flux slots formed in the induction stators of the linear induction motors. The submerged guide track structure is arranged in various closed loop courses, including “Figure-Eight,” an hour-glass, serpentine and oval patterns, as well as parallel guide track structures that extend between a launch station and a return station. A dual “Figure-Eight” watercourse includes a simulated jump ramp and an underground tunnel arrangement. In the continuous loop guide structure, two or more boats are launched and separation is maintained by a safety block arrangement.

Abstract: Passenger boats are mounted on an undercarriage assembly that includes rail-mounted centering wheels. The passenger boats are accelerated by linear induction drive motors mounted on a guide rail structure. Thrust is applied to the racing boats by magnetically conductive reaction plates that are attached to the undercarriage assembly and are movable through linear flux slots formed in the induction stators of the linear induction motors. The submerged guide track structure is arranged in various closed loop courses, including “Figure-Eight,” an hour-glass, serpentine and oval patterns, as well as parallel guide track structures that extend between a launch station and a return station. A dual “Figure-Eight” watercourse includes a simulated jump ramp and an underground tunnel arrangement. In the continuous loop guide structure, two or more boats are launched and separation is maintained by a safety block arrangement.

Abstract: An underwater mobile observatory system comprising an aquarium (20) able to hold water and large enough to support fish, coral, and to display artificial objects such as shipwrecks and ruins, a vehicle track (21) extending through the aquarium (20), the track (21) generally being adjacent the bottom of the aquarium (20), the track (21) having a portion (24) which rises to a loading/unloading position, and a passenger vehicle (22) coupled to the track (21) for movement therealong and unable to leave the track (21) such that inclination of the track (21) causes the vehicle (22) to move up and down through water in the aquarium (20), the passenger vehicle (22) having a main body portion to seat passengers and which is capable of being submerged, and a top portion which is open to the air, the spacing between the track (21) and the water level being controlled such that water does not pass over the top portion.

Abstract: An amusement water ride is provided including a water course for carrying one or more circular water rafts. The water course is provided with at least one downhill section for accelerating the water rafts into a splash point. A spin mechanism is provided near the top of the downhill section for imparting a spin to the water rafts as they move past the spin mechanism. The spin mechanism includes a movement retarding surface along one wall of the water course and a movement expediting surface along an opposite wall of the water course. The movement retarding surface is provided with a high friction coating which retards sliding movement in a downstream direction of the surface of the raft which contacts the movement retarding surface, and induces rotation of the raft and movement towards the opposite wall.

Abstract: Racing boats compete in a simulated race including forward and return heats. In the forward heat, the racing boats are accelerated along parallel guide channels from a forward launch station into a shallow splash lake, and then hydroplane to a forward heat finish line. In the return heat, the racing boats are accelerated through the same guide channels from a return launch station located on the opposite end of the splash lake. Passengers continue to face the reverse launch station as the racing boats plunge into the shallow splash lake and hydroplane to the return heat finish line. Each racing boat is mounted on an undercarriage assembly that includes rail-mounted centering wheels. The racing boats are accelerated by linear induction drive motors mounted adjacent the guide rails.

Abstract: A water ride includes a flume (10) defining a ride path. Patrons of the ride travel in rafts (24) along the flume (10) with the rafts riding on a thin layer of water introduced into the flume. To induce the rafts (24) to spin at desired locations in a controlled fashion, the rafts each include raft features (30) located on a bottom surface (32) of the raft. Flume features (34) are positioned at desired locations along the ride path in position to make contact with the raft features (30). This contact between the raft features (30) and the flume features (34) induces a controlled spin to the raft (24). The raft features (30) preferably include projections (36) extending downwardly from the bottom surface (32) of the raft at locations offset from a raft center of rotation. The flume features (34) preferably comprise alternating depressions (38) and ridges (40) extending transversely to the ride path along one side of the flume (10).

Abstract: A theme park ride attraction includes a flume path having rafts floating on flowing water. The rafts are elevated and enter into a pipe. First and second pivoting ramps are attached to the pipe and supported by an actuator. As the rafts enter onto the first pivoting ramp, the actuator quickly drops the first ramp down, simulating a waterfall event.

Abstract: An amusement ride includes a vehicle traveling down a chute through a region of water. The vehicle is shaped to minimize splashing and to allow water to flow away from the vehicle. The vehicle flanks are curved to deflect splashing water down and away from the vehicle, and the vehicle bow has upper flanks to deflect water down and away from the vehicle. The vehicle bottom has a concave channel to accommodate water displaced by the vehicle. The vehicle has sets of wheels for traveling, for guiding lateral motion, and for interlocking with floating prevention mechanism. A groove along each side of the vehicle accommodates a splash prevention member on the water chute.

Abstract: A transport device is provided for transporting a water ride participant from a first elevation to a second, higher elevation. The device includes a spiral transport element extending generally between the first and second elevations. The spiral transport element has first and second end sections, an intermediate section and an inner surface extending along the intermediate and first and second end sections. The inner surface defines a spiral pathway between the first and second elevations. Further provided is a drive mechanism coupled to the spiral transport element for effecting rotation of the transport element such that the first end section of the transport element is capable of receiving a participant at the first elevation and the second end portion is capable of releasing the participant at the second elevation after the participant has traveled along the spiral pathway from the first elevation to the second, higher elevation.

Abstract: An action river water attraction is provided comprising one or more water rides connected to a river loop, wherein the flow of water from a connected ride empowers the flow of water in the river loop. The rider enters a connected ride and then enters the river loop to experience rapid effects. They may then continue to ride the loop until the rider is ready to exit, or can enter into another connected water ride directly from the river loop. A rider can experience the thrill of one water ride and then enter the river loop for an extended amount of time. Various special effects such as lateral flow shears, differential flows at junctions and turns, boils, eddies, whirlpools, backflows and hydraulic jumps. In this manner, the endless river loop serves as the queuing area for riders who are waiting to enter connected water rides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controllably injecting, subsequent to the start of a water ride, a high velocity water flow over the water ride surface. A rider (or vehicle) that rides into such injected flow can, as the result of water-to-rider momentum transfer, either be accelerated, matched, or de-accelerated in a downhill, horizontal or uphill straight or curvilinear direction by such injected flow. Flow emitting nozzles can either be positioned above, along side or from any position along the length of the water ride surface. When a horizontal or upwardly inclined ride surface has flumed channel walls, either a special "flume within a flume" design is incorporated, or vents are positioned along the sides or bottom of the riding surface to minimize any transient surge/hydraulic jump that occurs during start-up or when a lower speed rider encounters a higher speed water flow.

Abstract: A water slider lane includes a sliding surface the effective portion of which has a width larger than the diameter of a sliding boat. The sliding surface is bent or tilted down toward one side, thereby moving a sliding boat toward a turning zone. A region of the sliding surface, at which the sliding boat approaches the turning zone, is tilted up to form an upward slope, and the upward slope is connected at its upper edge and through a bend to a side wall of the lane, whereby the sliding boat goes up the upward slope to such a degree that its upper portion goes slightly beyond the upper edge of the upward slope. When the sliding surface has its effective portion's width smaller than the diameter of a sliding boat, a step in the form of a ridge and others may be provided on the sliding surface.

Abstract: A waterslide defined by a trough proceeding generally downhill and carrying water to be skimmed over by a rider, is arranged with successive uphill and downhill sections. An elongated drain at a low elevation between the uphill and downhill sections prevents pooling of water tending to slow down the rider. Water is injected into the trough at relatively higher elevations on both the downhill and uphill sections, establishing a gravity flow of water in a forward direction relative to the rider path along the downhill section and in the reverse on the uphill section. The downhill section and the subsequent uphill section are dimensioned such that kinetic energy accumulated by the rider carries the rider over the uphill section and the arc over the uphill section can be parabolic along a free fall trajectory of the rider.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water slider used with a round or substantially round tobogganing boat designed to be displaced into contact with one side of a slide lane in the course of toboganning. A side wall of the slide lane comes into contact with the boat and has a nearly vertical portion brought in contact with a side or side edge of the boat, thereby increasing the friction between the side wall and the boat to substantially or completely eliminate any relative slippage therebetween. The slide lane may be provided on one side with a slight dent.

Abstract: Each of the slide sections making up the bedway are roto molded and have a common shape such that they may be interchanged and reversed end for end. Each connection includes a tongue and groove in the bototm wall and a sidewall extension on one sidewall received in a recessed notch on the other sidewall thereby limiting both vertical and lateral horizontal movement between the slide sections.

Abstract: A playground slide includes a hollow vertical column consisting of substantially identical hollow hubs which register with each other to define the column. The topmost and lowermost hubs are urged toward each other by a resilient device, anchored to a base. The device is typically a spring, running internally of the vertical column. This compresses the vertical column, ensures stiffness, and allows for expansion and contraction. A helical slideway encircles the column, consisting of slide segments that are fastened to each other and to the various hubs.

Abstract: A spiral slide includes interconnected bedway sections each of which are hollow and include as an integral part of the section body a sleeve telescopically engaging a ground support post. Fasteners interconnect the end-to-end bedway sections and are disposed on the interior of these sections and are accessible through capped openings. Fasteners may be formed as an integral part of the end wall. A fastener recess may be formed on the bottom side of the bedway section by the bottom wall converging upwardly towards the top wall to form a connecting flange with the fastener recess being between the flange and the bottom wall.

Abstract: A recreational slide assembly is provided which includes one or more of an improved angularly upstanding slide provided with a web-like flexible slide, a buoyant landing pad or splash pad attached to the bottom of the web-like slide member and extending therefrom into a water-containing pool, the pool being preferably in the form of a soft-walled, non-inflatable assembly which is retained in its operative condition by reason of water contained therein, and a water distribution pipe constituting a load bearing member of the frame of the slide assembly. The preferred water distribution pipe holds the upper margin of the flexible slide member to assist in maintaining it in operative position, supports a platform member forming a part of the slide and supplies a spray of water along the flexible slide member to lubricate the same.

Abstract: A water ride for swimmers utilizes the linear movement of a large quantity of water of swimming depth at minimal slopes so that the swimmer is moved by the water rather than through it. High volume pumps at low water heads move large quantities of water to create varying water velocity characteristics. A circuitous course is configured generally in the form of an S-curve with a complete 360.degree. circular portion at the bottom with a straight connecting portion from the circle to the top of the S-curve. Water is pumped through the S-curve and connecting portion at a one rate and through the circular portion at another rate. The continuous channel varies along its length in depth, width, slope, and curvature to vary the velocity and flow characteristic of the flowing water. Entrances and exits are provided on the straight connecting portion and on the circular portion. The main entrance on the straight portion is less than 7 feet above the main entrance on the circular portion.