Abstract:
Slide apparatus includes at least one trough and a switchback trough or a switchback connected to the trough. The switchback is oriented and configured for changing the direction of travel or a user or a passenger, such as a user seated in an inner tube, from a first direction into a second direction. Multiple troughs and switchback elements may be provided so as to maximize the length of time during which a user slides, yet without increasing water usage, energy requirements, and space requirements. A switchback element may be configured for reversing the direction of travel of the user from more than 0° to 180° or more. The switchback element may be configured for directing passengers in different directions along different paths, and yet, without a dividing wall therebetween, thanks to the configuration of the switchback elements.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority of U.S. application Ser. No. 60/157,842, filed Oct. 6, 1999, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to amusement devices. More particularly, the invention relates to amusement devices sufficiently large so as to carry passengers and be placed in amusement parks and public recreation areas. Even more particularly, the invention relates to amusement rides, such as water slides, which use water to enhance the sliding of passengers or individual riders down substantially predetermined pathways. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Slides, with or without the addition of water on the sliding surface thereof, which allow passengers or riders to slide downwardly into a stationary or moving body of water, have long been known. 
     Typically, early slides had relied on substantially straight downwardly slopped passageways in which the riders slid. 
     Previous improvements in the prior art slides include my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,497 to Dubeta, issued Aug. 11, 1992. 
     As the size of slide apparatuses (such as shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,497) increases, and the cost of labor and borrowing money increase, there is a requirement for a slide apparatus that can accommodate an even greater number of people in a shorter period of time. 
     The provision of such an improved slide apparatus would have the added benefit of shortening the time which passengers must wait in line. Such waiting is, needless to say, unacceptable to the majority of passengers; i.e., amusement park goers. 
     Accordingly, it can be seen that there is a need for a slide apparatus which can overcome these and other drawbacks of known devices. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to overcome the drawbacks of prior art slide apparatuses. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a slide apparatus which has a greater passenger throughput per hour than known devices, thereby shortening wait times for passengers, increasing the amusement value of the device, and maximizing the value of the installed device. 
     It is a further object of the invention to increase passenger throughput, yet without requiring greater water usage than existing devices. 
     A still further object is to lengthen the period of time during which a passenger is sliding, yet without increasing water usage, energy requirements, and space requirements, for example. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an environmentally friendly water slide apparatus owing to its achieving the above objects of increased passenger throughput without increased demands for water, energy, and space, for example. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a water slide having increased excitement value for the passengers, owing to its use of one or more switchback or “sidewinder” elements. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a slide apparatus that changes the direction of travel of passengers in a small space, yet without the use of a dividing wall to separate passengers traveling in different (and even “opposite”) directions. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a slide apparatus which prevents users from engaging or “bouncing off” the sides of the pathways or trough, while achieving the desired speeds, excitement, and rapid changes of direction. 
     In summary, the invention is directed to a slide apparatus including at least one trough defining at least one path along which a passenger travels, and at least one switchback trough or switchback operatively connected to the trough. 
     The invention is likewise directed to a slide apparatus having at least one path of travel along which a passenger travels, and at least one switchback which changes the direction of travel of the user without the use of a portion of a spiral path to accomplish the change of direction. 
     The invention is directed to a switchback configured for directing passengers in different directions, yet without the use of a dividing wall to separate two(2) paths along which the user travels; i.e., a first path along which the user travels in the first direction, and a second path along which the user travels in a second (e.g., return direction). 
     It will be appreciated that relative terms such as up, down, left, and right are for convenience only, and are not meant to be limiting. The term user, for example, is intended to encompass all users, whether individual passengers sliding directly on the slide apparatus, sliding on a film or bed of water, sliding in a stream of water, sliding on conveyances, being carried mechanically along the slide apparatus, sliding on boats or tubes, or multiple passengers sliding with or without the use of conveyances. 
     Still further, the term “trough” is not intended to be limited to trough-like pathways along which a user may slide. The term trough, throughout the written description and claims, is intended to encompass all manners of pathways along which a user can slide, with or without accompanying water, and with or without the use of a conveyance on which the user travels. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a first preferred embodiment of a slide apparatus according the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a switchback or sidewinder element according to the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a further preferred embodiment of a slide apparatus according to the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view, similar to FIG. 2, of a further preferred embodiment of a switchback element according to the invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross sectional side view of the switchback element of FIG. 6 according to the invention taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG. 6; 
     FIGS. 8-13 are sectional views of the switchback element of FIG. 6 according to the invention taken along lines  8 — 8 ,  9 — 9 ,  10 — 10 ,  11 — 11 ,  12 — 12 , and  13 — 13  of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the switchback element of FIG. 6 according to the invention; and 
     FIG. 15 is a schematic top plan view of another preferred embodiment of a slide apparatus according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a first preferred embodiment of a slide apparatus  10  according to the invention. 
     Slide apparatus  10  includes a left switchback  14  and a right switchback  18 . 
     Typically, slide apparatus  10  will be provided with a starting area or a start tub  20  and an exit  24  which empties into a pool or runout, such as slow moving river. 
     Switchback elements  14  and  18 , which have been termed “sidewinders”, may be mirror images of each other, or may have distinct configurations. 
     Typically, the user enters at starting area  20 , slides down in a direction  30  at least under the force of gravity, is pushed up or slid up against the force of gravity in a direction  32  toward the far left  33  of switchback  14  as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     The user then returns in a direction  34  after a predetermined maximum height (i.e., an area in leftmost region  33  of switchback  14 ) has been achieved. The user continues on in a direction  36  along connecting slide or trough  40 . The user&#39;s inertia carries the user upwardly and to the right in a direction  44  into switchback  18 , until a predetermined rightmost height  37  has been achieved. 
     The user then starts sliding in a different (e.g., a substantially opposite) direction  48  downwardly to the left and continues on past connecting slide  40  in the directions of arrows  52  and  54  toward exit or runout  24 . 
     The volume of water provided in a left portion  60  of exit  24  may be selected so that the user is stopped gradually or is provided with a large splash when the user encounters exit  24 . 
     It will be appreciated that the slopes, heights, water volume, materials used, and the like may be varied so as to fine-tune the rate of speed of the users and/or the water volume requirements. 
     FIG. 2 is top plan view of a typical switchback or sidewinder element, such as switchback element  18  shown in FIG.  1 . 
     As in FIG. 1, a user will enter switchback element  18  in direction  36  along a first trough or trough element or slide element  64 . The user will continue in direction  44  until the user has reached an end region  70  at which the user&#39;s velocity has reached 0 owing to the slowing down of the user&#39;s rightward movement toward end region  70  owing to the force of gravity, the amount of water present, the material of the slide, the material of the passenger&#39;s conveyance, and the like. At that predetermined point in region  70 , the user&#39;s velocity or speed will reach 0. At that point, the user will then begin moving (“accelerating”) rearwardly in direction  48  and will continue to gain speed and will then pass into a second trough or slide element  74  in direction  52 . 
     A portion  56  may be formed with gently curved surfaces to ensure that a user is directed in the desired direction from direction  36  into end region  70  of switchback  18 , and then, when the user is returned along direction  52 , the user is guided into the second trough element  74 . Such gently sloping surfaces may be in the form of a part or all of a hyperbolic paraboloid. 
     FIG. 2 shows that the side walls  62  and  66  of the switchback element  18  may be inwardly angled at an angle  58  of greater than 0° or more. As shown, side walls  62  and  64  may be inwardly angled at about 7.5 degrees. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a side view thereof, with an example of the elevation of switchback element  44  relative to the horizon at an angle  78  greater than 0° or more. As shown, angle  78  may be about 22.5 degrees, for example. The angle(s) will be varied depending on the length of switchback element  18 , the desired speed, water volume providing a braking effect, and the like. 
     FIG. 4 shows that switchback element  18  may be slightly angled relative to the vertical and relative to the horizontal axes, for example, to ensure that the user exits through second trough  74  instead of exiting up into a portion of first trough  64  after having reversed course. Such angling of second trough  74  relative to first trough  64  ensures that the passenger throughput is maintained at a high rate and that the passengers enjoy the maximum velocity afforded by the gravitational pull exerted on them after reaching the quiescent (i.e., zero (0) velocity) point in region  70 . 
     The angling or tilting of switchback element  18  about its longitudinal axis at an angle  86 , helps ensure that a user returning rearwardly in direction  48  will be directed into second trough element  74  (instead of into first trough element  64 ). 
     Depending on the width, length and other variations of switchback element  18 , as well as water volume and the like, the inward angling of angle  82  may vary from being greater than 0° to 2 or 3° or more. 
     FIG. 4 shows switchback element  18  may be angled at an angle  86  of 2-3° relative to the horizontal, as well as angled at angle  82  about 2-3° relative to the vertical. 
     Please note that direction  33  in FIG. 4 indicates the user is moving away from the viewer. Direction  48  indicates the user is moving toward the viewer. In both cases, the user could be facing the viewer or could be facing from the viewer. For example, the user could be moving up switchback element  18  in direction  44  while facing forwardly; then, the same user could return in direction  48  either facing rearwardly or forwardly. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates another preferred embodiment of a slide apparatus  100  having three(3) righthand and three(3) lefthand switchback elements  18  and  14 , respectively. Switchback elements  18  and  14  may have the same or different configuration from those of FIG.  1 . Any number of switchback elements may be provided. 
     As illustrated, slide apparatus  100  has three(3) righthand switchback elements  18  and three(3) left hand switchback elements  14 . 
     FIGS. 6-14 illustrate another preferred embodiment of a switchback element  110  according to a further preferred embodiment of a invention. Switchback element  110  includes an upward travel region  112  and a downward travel region  116 . 
     An entry  118  opens into upward travel region  112  at a portion thereof adjacent an opening into trough  64 . 
     A further entry  120  opens into and is adjacent to an upper region of downward travel region  116 . 
     Downward travel region  116  may be termed a return region or a return travel region, as travel region  116  is intended to guide and return the users returning in direction  48  after having reached an area near an outer end region  134 . Return travel region  116  may be provided with an inner side wall and an outer side wall. The inner side wall may blend into or converge with the sideways outer portions of upward travel region  112 . 
     Outer side wall  126  of downward travel region  116  will be configured for guiding users or passengers downwardly along the desired paths, such as into trough  74 . 
     A lower or lowermost portion  132  of return travel region  116  may be provided to further guide and ensure that returning users are substantially free of engagement with upwardly moving users traveling in direction  44  along upward travel region  112 . 
     Outer end region  134  may include a portion of switchback element  110  at which point the upward movement of the users has substantially stopped, and the downward movement of the user has begun; i.e., the point or region at which the user&#39;s velocity is approximately 0 m.p.h (km/h). 
     One or more strengthening elements  142  and  144  may be provided on switchback element  110 . Strengthening elements  142 ,  144  may be made in the form of downwardly turned lips, as shown. 
     Additional strengthening ribs or supports  148  may be provided. In the case where switchback element is supported by a structural framework, strengthening ribs or supports  148  may be configured and be sufficiently large so as to be attached to the supporting framework. In the case where switchback element is a part of the slide system provided on a hillside, for example, strengthening ribs or supports  148  may form part of switchback element  110  that contacts the ground and supports switchback element  110  on the ground. 
     A curved guide portion  156  may be provided adjacent the transition between trough  64  and entry  118 , and the transition between trough  74  and downward travel region  116  to further ensure that the users are guided in the desired direction in a smooth and efficient manner. 
     It will be appreciated that each of the elements shown in FIGS. 6-14 are configured and sized individually and collectively for ensuring the overall desired operation of switchback element  110 . 
     As will be readily appreciated from considering FIGS. 6-14, and from the description of the other preferred embodiments, in use, a user, such a free sliding participant or a participant in an inner tube, enter switchback element  110  in direction  36  via trough  64 . The user then travels upwardly in direction  44  until the user has, for example, reach upper region  134 . 
     At that point, the user&#39;s speed is about 0 m.p.h. The user then returns in the opposite direction (i.e., direction  48 ) moving downwardly and is guided in downward travel region  116 . The user&#39;s speed increases and the user exits into trough  74  for further travel in the direction  52 . 
     Depending on the number of users in inner tubes linked together, their size and experience, for example, the user(s) may move from upward travel region  112  to downward travel region  116  at a point prior to reaching outer end region  134 . 
     The size and configuration of upward travel region  112  and downward travel region  116  will be selected so that any premature entry into downward travel region  116  from upward travel region  112  may be controlled as desired by the fabricator and the operator. Desired throughput, the ages of the intended users, and the like will all play a role in selecting such. All such variations are within the scope of the invention. 
     It is likewise contemplated that the embodiment of FIG. 6 may be tilted relative to the vertical and relative to the horizontal, such as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, particularly as shown in FIG. 4, should such prove desirable to a particular application. 
     The width and angling of the longitudinal axis of upward travel region  112  and of the downward travel region  116  will be selected so that the direction of the user is changed from up to 90°, and in many cases up to and including about 170° or 180| 20   from the user&#39;s initial direction of travel. 
     In the embodiment of FIG. 6, although the direction of travel of the user has not been shown as having been changed by 18°, the direction of travel of the user has been shown as being changed by closer to about 170° or more. 
     The configuration of switchback  110  of the embodiment of FIGS. 6-14 ensures that the users do not strike or “bounce off” the outer sidewalls of switchback  110 , for example. The slope of the switchback  110  may be selected so that the user gravitates toward, engages, and slides downwardly along the outer sidewall. Thanks to the configuration of switchback element  110  and upward travel region  112 , as well as downward travel region  116 , the desired relatively high rate of speed, excitement, and rapid and great change of direction of the path of travel of the users may be achieved without unnecessarily jarring the users. 
     FIG. 15 illustrates a further preferred embodiment of a slide apparatus  200  according to the invention. 
     Slide  200  may include a start  204 , a water slide flume  208  which may be made, as has been known in the past in the form of a spiral, and one or more righthand switchback elements  218  and lefthand switchback elements  214 , as illustrated. 
     It is likewise contemplated that a further curved element  220  may be provided. 
     Curved element  220  may be steeply or gently sloped depending on the rate of speed at which the user is to exit slide  200  at an exit  230 . 
     All or a portion of flume  208  may be used in the embodiment of FIG.  15 . 
     It is contemplated that the wide surface of the slide troughs may be made from fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP), other plastics, sheets of plastic bonded to the base of the trough, so-called gunite concrete products, and the like. 
     It is contemplated that speeds of from about 0 m.p.h. to about 10 m.p.h. or more will be typical, with higher speeds contemplated. 
     The slide may be made as a free-standing structure, or incorporated into other amusement rides, buildings, or hillsides, for example. 
     Further variations of production and assembly may be performed as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,497 to Dubeta, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, and uses and/or adaptations of the invention and following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention or limits of the claims appended hereto.