Abstract:
The invention is directed to a slide with at least a portion of the slide being covered so as to define a tunnel in which a user of the slide is likely to having difficulty seeing where the slide is taking them and a lighting effect that uses invisible light (e.g., ultraviolet light, black light, or infrared light) and an element that, in response to invisible light, produces visible light in the tunnel that is capable of being seen by a user that is passing through the tunnel. Also provided is a method for retrofitting an existing amusement slide that has a tunnel without such a lighting effect or that has a tunnel with inadequate or undesirable lighting effect.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an amusement slide and, more specifically, to a slide with at least a portion of the slide covered and a lighting effect that provides visible light to a user that is passing through the covered portion of the slide. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are several types of amusement slides. However, all amusement slides have a slide that is comprised of one or more pieces of material that form a path that extends from a first end to a second end and over which an individual can travel. The first end of the slide is where a user enters the slide and the second end is where a user exits the slide. Typically, the slide has lateral cross-section with a U-shape that serves to keep the user on the slide and traveling between the first and second ends. In many instances, the first end is at a higher elevation than the second end so that gravity provides at least some of the force required to move a user between the first and second ends of the slide. The slide can be made of many different types of material. For example, many types of slides are made of a material with a low coefficient of friction that allows a suitably clothed user to travel over the slide by having some portion of their clothing disposed between their body and the slide. An example of such a slide is the slide found on many playgrounds and backyards that is made of a polished aluminum or fiberglass. However, other types of slides are made of other materials that require a user to have some kind of apparatus disposed between them and the slide. For example, in many alpine slides, a portion of the slide is made of concrete and the user traverses the slide with the aid of a shuttle that is disposed between them and the slide. A water slide, another type of amusement slide, enhances the sliding effect by having a stream of water also flow over the slide or over one or more portions of the slide. The stream of water can be used to supplement any gravitational force that is being applied to move the user along the slide. In addition, the stream of water can be used to facilitate a slide with an upward directed portion. In such a water slide, the stream of water is used to push a user over the upward tending portion of the slide. 
         [0003]    Many amusement slides have a cover that extends over at least a portion of the slide such that a user traveling through the covered portion of the slide is immersed into a relatively dark or totally dark environment. The dark environment is used to enhance the “thrill” associated with riding the slide. However, a significant number of users have a tendency to become anxious when traveling through this dark environment and tend to “tense-up” or “fight” the slide and, in so doing, injure themselves. Typically, the injuries are muscle strains and sprains. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The invention is directed to an amusement slide that is comprised of: (a) a slide, (b) a cover that is located adjacent to at least a portion of the slide, (c) the covered portion of the slide and the cover define a tunnel with an exterior surface, an interior surface, and an interior space, with at least a portion of the interior space being relatively or totally dark, and (d) a lighting effect that utilizes invisible light (e.g., ultraviolet light, “black light”, or infrared light) to produce visible light or a visible image within the interior space of the tunnel. The lighting effect is comprised of a lighting device for producing invisible light and reactive device that responds to invisible light by producing visible light, typically through the mechanisms of fluorescence or phosphorescence. Consequently, when the amusement slide is in operation, invisible light will be present in the tunnel but a user traveling through the tunnel will be substantially unaware of the presence of the invisible light. However, the reactive device will produce visible light, typically in the form of a visible image, that is capable of being seen by the user passing through the tunnel. The visible light, in one embodiment, being used to provide the user with a warning relating to an upcoming change in the direction of the slide. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, a hole extends between the exterior and interior surface of the tunnel such that light can pass through the hole and into the interior space. A lighting device for producing invisible light is located so that the invisible light produced by the device passes through at least a portion of the hole and into the tunnel. By locating the lighting device in this manner, the electrical lines that provide the electricity needed to operate the device can be located adjacent to the outside of the tunnel, rather than within the tunnel. The ability to locate the electrical lines adjacent to the outside of the tunnel can be advantageous, depending upon the type of amusement slide involved. For instance, in water slides, the ability to locate the electrical lines adjacent to the outside of the tunnel is likely to reduce the actions needed to adequately insulate the electrical lines from any water flowing within the tunnel. In a particular embodiment, at least a portion of the electricity needed to drive the lighting device is provided by a solar device that is capable of receiving sunlight and, in response to the received sunlight, producing an electrical current. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the electricity needed to drive the lighting device is provided by a battery. In yet another embodiment, both a solar device and battery are employed. In this embodiment, the battery provides current to the lighting device and the solar device provides current for recharging the battery. Yet a further embodiment utilizes electrical power provided by a grid or a generator, e.g., 110 V power. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment of the amusement slide is capable of producing a dynamic lighting effect within the tunnel. In this embodiment, at least two lighting devices are provided, each capable of producing invisible light. The reactive device is typically comprised of a corresponding number of reactive elements, each producing visible light in response to invisible light. The lighting devices are positioned so that the invisible light produced by each of the devices is cast upon a corresponding one of the reactive elements. A controller is provided that is capable of modulating or sequencing the current provided to each of the lighting devices. The modulation or sequencing of the current provided to the lighting devices, in turn, causes the visible light produced by the reactive elements to be likewise modulated or sequenced. In one embodiment, the reactive elements are positioned along a line that extends down the tunnel. The controller is adapted to apply current to each of the lighting elements for non-overlapping periods of time and to do so in a sequence that corresponds to the order in which the reactive elements have been established along the line within the tunnel. In operation, the reactive elements produce visible light for a non-overlapping periods of time and to do so in order. 
         [0007]    A further embodiment of the amusement slide utilizes a solar device to produce the electrical energy that is used to drive the lighting device, thereby reducing and potentially eliminating the need to use current provided by an electrical grid or conventional electrical generator. For example, in a water slide in which the lighting effect does not require the use of power from the grid, the costs associated with running electrical lines from the grid in and around the locations at which water is or might be present are eliminated. In one embodiment, a solar device and a battery are used in providing current to the lighting device. The solar device operates to convert sunlight into electrical current that is used to charge the battery. In turn, the battery provides current to the lighting device and does so at times when the solar device is producing little or no current, such as at night. 
         [0008]    Also provided is a method for retrofitting an existing amusement slide that has a tunnel with a lighting effect for the tunnel. Initially, the tunnel of the amusement slide is located. After the tunnel portion has been located, a lighting effect that uses invisible light to produce visible light within the interior space defined by the tunnel is installed, with the lighting effect being comprised of a lighting device for producing invisible light and a reactive device that, in response to invisible light, produces visible light. The installation of the lighting effect can be accomplished without removing an portion of the tunnel from the remainder of the amusement slide (i.e., in situ) or by removing at least a portion of the tunnel from the remainder of the amusement slide. In the in-situ case, the installation comprises positioning the lighting device and the reactive device so that the reactive device receives invisible light produced by the lighting device and, in response to the invisible light, produces visible light within the interior space defined by the tunnel. In the other case, installation comprises removing at least a portion of the tunnel and substituting a replacement portion for the removed portion that is adapted to accommodate the lighting effect. Alternatively, the removed portion of the tunnel can be processed to adapt the removed portion to accommodate the lighting effect and then reinserted into the amusement device. In certain situations, the portion of the tunnel that is to be retrofitted is comprised of a top portion that is joined to a bottom portion and the lighting device is going to be positioned adjacent to the top portion. In such situations, the top portion is removed and either replaced with a new top portion or processed to accommodate the lighting effect. Since only the top portion is removed, the amusement slide in many cases remains operable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a water slide capable of being adapted to include a lighting effecting that utilizes invisible light to produce visible light within a tunnel portion of the water slide; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a tunnel section of an embodiment of a water slide; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a cross-section of a straight tunnel section of an embodiment of a water slide that illustrates the circumferential extents of the slide and the cover in the straight tunnel section; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-section of a curved tunnel section of an embodiment of a water slide that illustrates the circumferential extents of the slide and cover in the curved tunnel section; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section of a tunnel section of an embodiment of a water slide; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5A  is a block diagram of a lighting effect for a tunnel or portion of a tunnel associated with a water slide; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5B  is an end view of the tunnel or portion of a tunnel associated with a water slide and that is illustrated in  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5C  is a longitudinal cross-section of the tunnel or portion of a tunnel associated with a water slide and that is illustrated in  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates a curved, tunnel section of a water slide with a lighting effect; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates the interior of the top portion of the curved, tunnel section illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional illustration of a lighting device for producing ultraviolet light that is projected into the curved, tunnel section illustrated in  FIG. 6  and the attachment of the lighting device to the curved, tunnel section. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The invention is directed to an amusement slide in which at least a portion of the slide is covered. The covered portion of the slide and the cover define a tunnel that, in turn, defines an interior space. At least a portion of the interior space is relatively dark, i.e., is of a darkness that would make it difficult for a normal individual entering the relatively dark space from a sunlight environment to discern spatial references given the amount of time that the individual is meant to spend within the tunnel, or totally dark. A lighting effect is provided that utilizes invisible light to produce visible light in a relatively or totally dark portion of the tunnel. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of one type of amusement slide, namely, a water slide  10 . The water slide  10  is comprised of a slide-cover structure  12 . The slide-cover structure  12  includes a slide  14  that extends from a first end  16  at which a user enters the slide  14  to a second end  18  at which a user exits the slide. The slide-cover structure  12  also includes a cover  20  that covers at least a portion of the slide  14 . The water slide  10  also includes a frame  22  for supporting the slide-cover structure  12 . It should be appreciated that the extent of any frame that forms part of a water slide typically depends on the environment in which the water slide is built. For example, a water slide built on a hillside may have a substantially different frame than the frame  22 . A stair and platform structure  24  provides users with access to the first end  16  of the slide  14 . Other access structures (e.g., ramps, escalators, elevators etc.) are also feasible. The water slide  10  is located so that the second end  18  of the slide  14  is adjacent to a pool  26  or other body of water for receiving a user exiting the slide. A pump and piping system (not shown) provides water to one or more locations on the slide  14 . 
         [0022]    The slide-cover structure  12  is comprised of a number of tunnel sections. Each tunnel section is either straight, curved, or both straight and curved. Further, each tunnel section has at least one end flange for use in joining the tunnel section to an preceding or following portion of the slide-cover structure  12  using bolts, welding, or other suitable fastening technology. Several of the tunnel sections also include one or more mounts that facilitate the attachment of the tunnel section to a portion of the frame  22  via bolts, welding, or other suitable fastening technology. By way of example,  FIG. 2  illustrates a straight tunnel section  28  with first and second end flanges  30 A,  30 B that each facilitate the attachment of the section  28  to an adjacent portion of the slide-cover structure  12 . Each of the tunnel sections is also comprised of a top portion  32 A and a bottom portion  32 B. The top portion  32 A includes flanges  34 A,  34 B, that are used in conjunction with flanges  36 A,  36 B, of the bottom portion  32 B to attach the top portion  32 A to the bottom portion  32 B using bolts, welding, or other suitable fastening technology. Tunnel sections that are curved or both straight and curved also have top and bottom portions with flanges that are used in joining the top and bottom portions to one another and one or more end flanges. The illustrated tunnel sections have a circular cross-section. However, it should be appreciated that a tunnels with different cross-sectional shapes are feasible. 
         [0023]    Generally, the slide  14  is the area of the slide-cover structure  14  over which users travel when proceeding down the slide in a normal fashion and over which water generally travels. The slide  14  may also include a lateral area on each side of the area over which users travel. The area over which the user travels and the two lateral areas generally have a U-shaped or C-shaped or semi-circular, cross-section.  FIG. 3A  is a cross-section of a straight, tunnel section. In such a section, the slide  14  has a circumferential extent  42  that is defined by the area of the slide-cover structure  14  over which users travel and a circumferential area on each side of the area over which users travel. The cover  20  has a circumferential extent  44  that extends from the end-points of the circumferential extent  42  of the slide  14 . In contrast,  FIG. 3B  is a cross-section of a curved, tunnel section. The circumferential extent  42  of the slide is different in the curved, tunnel section because a user would be traveling over a different area of the slide-cover structure  14  when passing through a curve than when traveling through a straight section. The circumferential extent  44  of the cover has also changed relative to the straight section. As can be appreciated by comparing  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the circumferential extent  42  of the slide  14  changes position depending upon whether a user would be traveling through a straight section or a curved section. Relatedly, the circumferential extent  44  of the cover  20  also changes depending upon whether a user would be traveling through a straight section of a curved section. As should be appreciated, in various embodiments, the lateral extent of the slide at any point along the slide  14  may be: (a) limited to the bottom portion  32 B of a section or (b) may include a part of the top portion  32 A and part of the bottom portion  32 A of a section. If a water slide has a slide that “corkscrews,” the lateral extent of the of the slide may also be limited to the top portion of a section. 
         [0024]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , the covered portion of the slide  14  and the cover  20  define a tunnel  48  that has an external surface  50 A and an internal surface  50 B. An interior space  52  is defined by the interior surface  50 B of the tunnel  48 . At least a portion of the interior space  52  is relatively dark or totally dark. 
         [0025]    With reference to  FIGS. 5A-5C , an embodiment of a lighting effect  56  for use with a tunnel or portion of the tunnel  48  of a water slide is discussed. The lighting effect  56  is comprised of: (a) a plurality of lighting devices  60 A- 60 L that are each capable of producing ultra-violet light, which is substantially invisible to most humans, (b) a solar panel  60 , (c) a solar panel controller  62 , (d) a battery bank  64 , (e) a chaser circuit  66 , and (f) a plurality of reactive elements  68 A- 68 L each located adjacent to the interior surface  50 B of the tunnel  48  and that each produce visible light in response to the ultraviolet light produced by a corresponding one of the lighting devices  60 A- 60 L. The lighting devices each utilize a low voltage, low current draw, solid state light emitting diode (LED) to produce the ultraviolet light. Other lights that produce ultraviolet light are also feasible. It is also possible to use lights that produce infrared or IR light, which is also substantially invisible to most humans. The solar panel  60  can be implemented with the BP 350 produced by BP Solar; the solar controller  62  can be implemented with the SBC-6112 produced by Power Stream; and the chaser circuit  66  can be implemented with the Br-miniBrick8 produced by Gilderfluke &amp; Co. Other solar panels, solar panel controllers, and controller/chaser circuits are available and can be adapted to create a lighting effect within a tunnel associated with a water slide. Other solar panel controllers are available or can be designed. The reactive elements, while shown as having chevron shapes to provide a user passing through the tunnel with a warning of an upcoming turn, can be of any desired shape and serve other purposes. For instance, the reactive elements can be used for aesthetic or entertainment purposes. The reactive elements can be implemented using fluorescent films that fluoresce under ultraviolet light, such as Oracal&#39;s fluorescent premium cast film. Such films either incorporate an adhesive that is used to attach the film to a surface or an adhesive is applied to the film for use in attaching the film to a surface. As an alternative to using films that fluoresce, fluorescent paint can be utilized. In cases in which a reactive element employs fluorescent paint, a clear coat that passes the invisible light is applied over the paint. Reactive elements are also available that fluoresce or otherwise react to produce visible light in response to infrared light. Further, reactive elements are available that produce different colors within the visible spectrum. 
         [0026]    In operation, the solar panel  60  converts sunlight into an electrical current. The solar panel controller  62  processes the electrical current produced by solar panel  60  so that the current and related voltage are appropriate for recharging the battery or batteries in the battery bank  64 . The battery bank  64  provides electrical power to the chaser circuit  66  that, in turn, provides electrical power to each of the lighting devices  60 A- 60 L. The chaser circuit  66  is capable of: (a) modulating or sequencing the electrical power provided to each of the lighting devices  60 A- 60 L and (b) synchronizing the application of power to the lighting devices  60 A- 60 L. For example, the chaser circuit is capable of providing electrical power to each of the lighting devices  60 A- 60 L for a predetermined period of time that does not overlap with the period of time during which power is provided to any other of the lighting devices  60 A- 60 L and applying the power to the lighting devices  60 A- 60 L in order, i.e., applying power to lighting device  60 A for a first period of time, then applying power to lighting device  60 B for a second period of time that does not overlap with the first period of time, then applying power to lighting device  60 C for a third period of time that does not overlap with the first and second periods of time, and so on. As such, the chaser circuit  66  is capable of being used to create any number of different “light shows” within the tunnel  48 . Each of the reactive elements  66 A- 66 L respond to the invisible light produced by the corresponding one of the lighting devices  60 A- 60 L by producing visible light. Further, each of the reactive elements  66 A- 66 L produces visible light substantially in accordance with the manner in which the chaser circuit  66  is causing electrical power to be applied to the lighting devices  60 A- 60 L. It should be appreciated that a chaser circuit that provides switching/modulating and sequencing capability can be implemented using discrete electrical/electronic elements, one or more integrated circuits, or combinations of discrete electrical/electronic elements and one or more integrated circuits. Further, such a chaser circuit can be implemented such that its operation is fixed or programmable. 
         [0027]      FIG. 6  illustrates a curved, tunnel section  70  with an embodiment of the lighting effect  56 . The curved, tunnel section  70  has a top portion  72 A, a bottom portion  72 B, a first end flange  74 A, and a second end flange  74 B. The solar panel  60  is mounted to first end flange  74 A. It should be appreciated that the solar panel  60  can be mounted at other locations associated with the water slide. A waterproof box  76  that stores the solar panel controller  62 , battery bank  64 , and the chaser circuit  66  is also mounted to the first end flange  74 A. Other mounting locations for the waterproof box  76  are feasible. As an alternative to the waterproof box  76 , two or more waterproof boxes can be provided that each house one or more of the solar panel controller  62 , battery bank, and chaser circuit  66  if needed or desired for a particular application. In this case, the curved, tunnel section  70  utilizes lighting devices  78 A- 78 F that are each electrically connected to the chaser circuit  66  housed within the waterproof box  76  via low voltage power lines, e.g., 12 V lines. Each of the lighting devices  78 A- 78 F is operatively connected to the top portion  72 A at a location that is associated with the cover  20 , as opposed to the slide  14 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  illustrates the top portion  72 A of the curved, tunnel section  70 . Located adjacent to the interior surface of the top portion  72 A are reactive elements  80 A- 80 F. The reactive elements  80 A- 80 F are located to receive the beams of ultraviolet light produced by the corresponding lighting device  78 A- 78 F. It should be appreciated that the lighting devices  78 A- 78 F and reactive device  80 A- 80 F need not be positioned as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . If needed, each of the lighting devices  78 A- 78 F can be located at any position associated with the cover  20 . It should also be appreciated that the ability to position lighting devices at positions associated with the cover  20  or portion of the cover associated with a curved tunnel section is also applicable to tunnel sections that are straight and both straight and curved. Further, it should also be appreciated that any number of lighting devices can be utilized. While it is possible to position a lighting device at a position associated with the slide  14 , the possibility of water that is running down the slide leaking into the lighting device must be addressed. If two or more lighting devices are used in conjunction with two or more reactive elements, the chasing circuit  66  can sequence the application of power to the lighting devices in a desired manner and, as a result, the production of visible light by the reactive elements. Each of the reactive elements  80 A- 80 F can be positioned at any location adjacent to the interior surface of the curved, tunnel section  70 . As such, in the case of reactive elements that produce visible image that warn a user of a change in direction, the reactive elements can be positioned to give a warning of a left, right, upward, or downward change in direction of the slide. The reactive elements can be adhered to the interior surface of the tunnel section or be embedded within the tunnel section. In this regard, a clear gel coat is typically applied over a reactive device to protect the reactive device. It should be appreciated t that the ability to position reactive elements at any location adjacent to the interior surface of a curved, tunnel section is also applicable to straight and both straight and curved tunnel sections. Further, it should also be appreciated that any number of reactive elements can be utilized. Further, one-to-one correspondence between lighting devices and reactive elements is not required. 
         [0029]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a lighting device  84  and a portion of a tunnel section  86  to which the lighting device  84  is attached. The portion of the tunnel section  86  has an exterior surface  88  and an interior surface  90 . A hole  92  through which ultraviolet light produced by the lighting device  84  can pass extends between the exterior surface  88  and the interior surface  90 . The lighting device  84  is comprised of an outer tube  94  that is epoxy bonded or otherwise attached to the exterior surface  88  of the portion of the tunnel section  86 . Housed within the outer tube  94  is an LED assembly  96  that is capable of producing ultraviolet light. Alternatively, an LED assembly that is capable of producing infrared light can be used. The assembly  96  comprises an LED  98 , an electrical connector  100  that is used to establish an electrical connection between the LED  98  and the chaser circuit, a tube  102  for holding the LED  98 , a threaded cap  104  attached to one end of the tube  102 , and a strain relief  106  for supporting the connector  100 . Also housed within the outer tube  94  is a female coupling  108  that is attached to the outer tube  94  and is threaded so as to engage the threaded cap  104  that is attached to the tube  102 . A male reducing fitting  110  is located between the tube  102  and the female coupling  108  to support the tube  102 . A clear vinyl overcoat  112  covers the hole  92  to prevent water from coming into contact with the LED  98 . After the overcoat  112  is removed, the threaded cap  104  is accessible from the interior of the tunnel and can be rotated so as to disconnect the LED assembly  96  from the female coupling  108 , thereby allowing the LED assembly  96  to be removed and replaced. It should be appreciated that other lighting structures that are capable of providing invisible light that passes through at least a portion of a hole established in a tunnel section of an amusement slide are feasible. Further, it should also be appreciated that a single hole can be established in a portion of the tunnel that accommodates a fixture that holds two or more lighting devices, thereby avoiding the need to establish a hole for each light device. Such a fixture is capable of being adapted to allow adjustment of the direction in which a lighting device casts its light. 
         [0030]    Also provided is a method for retrofitting an existing amusement slide, such as water slide, that has a tunnel with a lighting effect that utilizes invisible light to produce visible light within the tunnel. The method comprises locating the tunnel portion of the amusement slide and installing a lighting effect that utilizes invisible light to produce visible light within the interior space defined by the tunnel. The lighting effect includes a lighting device for producing invisible light and a reactive device that, in response to invisible light, produces visible light. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the installation involves removing at least a portion of the tunnel from the remainder of the amusement slide. For example, with reference to  FIG. 2 , the top portion  32 A of the straight, tunnel section  28  can be removed. After the portion of the tunnel has been removed, a substitute tunnel portion that is adapted to accommodate the lighting effect replaces the removed portion. For example, after the top portion  32 A of the straight, tunnel section  28  has been removed, a substitute top portion that is adapted to accommodate the lighting effect is put in place. In one embodiment, one or more lighting devices, each capable of producing ultraviolet light or infrared light, and one or more reactive elements are attached to the substitute portion prior to putting the substitute portion in place in the amusement slide. In many cases, this can be done while allowing the amusement slide to continue to operate. The one or more lighting devices can each be attached to, or positioned adjacent to, the exterior surface of the substitute portion and one or more holes established in the substitute tunnel portion to accommodate the one or more lighting devices or the ultraviolet light produced by the one or more devices. Alternatively, one or more lighting devices can be attached to, or positioned adjacent to, the interior surface of the substitute tunnel portion. If appropriate or desirable, the lighting devices and/or reactive elements can be added after the substitute tunnel portion is in place. In addition, when a reactive element is going to be associated with a portion of the tunnel that is not being removed, the reactive element can be added to the tunnel at any time. Generally, however, such a reactive element is added after the relevant light device is in place. Further, if conventional grid power is not going to be utilized, a solar panel and solar panel controller can also be attached to the substitute tunnel portion prior to putting the substitute tunnel portion in place in the amusement slide. A chaser circuit, if desired, can also be attached to the substitute portion prior to placing the substitute tunnel portion. 
         [0032]    As an alternative to replacing a removed portion of the tunnel with a substitute tunnel portion, the removed tunnel portion is adapted to accommodate the lighting effect and then put back in place in the amusement slide. In one embodiment, one or more lighting devices, each capable of producing ultraviolet light or infrared light, and one or more reactive elements are attached to, or positioned adjacent to, the removed portion prior to putting the removed portion back in place. The one or more lighting devices can each be attached to, or positioned adjacent to, the exterior surface of the removed portion and one or more holes established in the removed tunnel portion to accommodate the one or more lighting devices or the ultraviolet light produced by the one or more lighting devices. Alternatively, one or more lighting devices can be attached to the interior surface of the removed tunnel portion. If appropriate or desirable, the lighting devices and/or reactive elements can be added after the removed tunnel portion is put back in place. In addition, when a reactive element is going to be associated with a portion of the tunnel that is not being removed, the reactive element can be added to the tunnel at any time. Generally, however, such a reactive element is added after the relevant light device is in place. In situations in which the lighting devices are not to be provided with conventional grid power, a solar panel and solar panel controller are attached to the removed portion prior to putting the removed portion back in place. Further, if desired, a chaser circuit can also be attached to the removed portion prior to returning the removed portion to its place in the amusement slide. 
         [0033]    An alternative to removing a portion of the tunnel is to associate the one or more lighting devices and one or more reactive elements with the tunnel portion of the amusement slide without removing the tunnel portion. The one or more lighting device can be attached to, or positioned adjacent to, either the exterior surface or the interior surface of the tunnel portion. If desired, a solar panel and solar controller can also be attached to, or positioned adjacent to the tunnel portion. Further, a chaser circuit can also be attached to, or positioned adjacent to the tunnel portion. 
         [0034]    Although this disclosure describes illustrative embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments described. The description and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense, rather than a restrictive sense.