Abstract:
Leisure and amusement slide elements and systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a waterslide includes a bowl having a curved sidewall, two or more rider entrances for enabling riders to slide into the bowl and to circuit at least a portion of the bowl, and a receptacle for forming a pool of water to receive a rider exiting the bowl. A nozzle is provided for directing a jet of water to bias a rider towards an edge of the pool. Another slide apparatus includes a bowl having upper and lower ends and first and second entrances distinct from one another and spaced apart from the bowl lower end. The first and second entrances are configured to bias all users of the first and second entrances to travel about at least a portion of the bowl in a common direction, whether clockwise or counter-clockwise.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part claiming priority to PCT/GB2009/002286 filed Sep. 25, 2009, which claims priority to GB 0818483.0 filed Oct. 8, 2008. This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/390,051, filed Oct. 5, 2010. The disclosure of each is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The current invention relates to leisure and amusement slide elements and systems. 
     GB 2224948 discloses a leisure slide comprising a circular bowl having an exit aperture formed in its base. A rider travels down a tubular slide and circuits at least partway around the bowl before exiting the bowl through the exit aperture. The rider may slide with the aid of flowing water or a waxed plastic bag. In those arrangements in which the slide is a waterslide, the rider drops into a splash pool provided below the bowl. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,354,955 and 6,485,372 disclose a waterslide bowl element having 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. The waterslide bowl may be used by riders on inner tubes. 
     The known leisure rides of this type have a limited throughput, as there must be sufficient interval between riders to ensure that consecutive riders do not collide with each other. Typically, a rider should have exited the bowl before the next rider begins their ride. This is undesirable for individuals wanting to ride the slides, as they may have to queue to ride the slide. Equally, it is undesirable for the operator, as they may need to provide additional waterslides to cope with demand. 
     At least some of the problems associated with known prior art leisure rides may be overcome by the disclosed elements and systems. 
     SUMMARY 
     Leisure and amusement slide elements and systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a waterslide apparatus includes a bowl having a curved sidewall, two or more rider entrances for enabling riders to slide into the bowl and to circuit at least a portion of the bowl, and a receptacle for forming a pool of water to receive a rider exiting the bowl. A nozzle is provided for directing a jet of water to bias a rider towards an edge of the pool. 
     In another embodiment, a waterslide apparatus includes a bowl, at least one chute for introducing a rider into the bowl, and a receptacle for forming a pool of water to receive a rider exiting the bowl. A nozzle is provided for providing a jet of water to bias a rider towards an edge of the pool. 
     In still another embodiment, a slide apparatus includes a bowl having upper and lower ends and first and second entrances. The first and second entrances are distinct from one another and are spaced apart from the bowl lower end. The first and second entrances are configured to bias all users of the first and second entrances to travel about at least a portion of the bowl in a common direction, whether clockwise or counter-clockwise. 
     In yet another embodiment, an exit system is provided for use with a leisure slide having a bowl. The exit system includes first and second exit slides and a housing configured to be positioned at a lower end of the bowl. The housing has a first exit port leading to the first exit slide and a second exit port leading to the second exit slide. The first and second exit ports are spaced apart from one another such that one user may pass through the first exit port generally simultaneously with another user passing through the second exit port. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a waterslide in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a first side elevation of the waterslide of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a second side elevation of the waterslide of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic representation of a launch mechanism for the waterslide of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a plan view of a waterslide in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows a side elevation of the waterslide of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  shows a plan view of a waterslide in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows a side elevation of the waterslide of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  shows an enlarged view of the launch station of the waterslide of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  shows a partial cutaway side elevation of the waterslide of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 11  shows an exit system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  shows a top view of the exit system of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  shows a partial view taken from line A-A of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A plan view of a waterslide  1  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The waterslide  1  comprises a bowl  3 , first and second chutes  5 ,  7  and a spiral staircase  9 . The waterslide  1  may be used, for example, in a leisure or amusement park. 
     The bowl  3  has a generally oval plan form and is approximately 13.5 meters long and approximately 9.5 meters wide. While various dimensions are described herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other dimensions may also be appropriate. The bowl  3  has a sidewall  11  formed from a series of moldings supported on a metal framework  13 . A rim  15  is provided around an upper edge of the bowl  3 , and an aperture  17  is formed in the center of the bottom of the bowl  3 . The rim  15  curves inwardly, and a middle region of the sidewall  11  below the rim  15  is substantially vertical. The lower region of the sidewall  11  slopes downwardly towards the aperture  17 . 
     A first rider entrance  19  is provided at a first end of the bowl  3 , and a second rider entrance  21  is provided at a second end thereof. The first and second rider entrances  19 ,  21  are provided proximal the upper edge of the bowl  3  and are arranged generally tangential to its circumference. The first and second chutes  5 ,  7  are connected to the first and second rider entrances  19 ,  21  such that riders R, R′ may slide down the chutes  5 ,  7  and enter the bowl  3 . The momentum of the riders R, R′ allows them to travel at least partway around the bowl  3  before exiting through the aperture  17 . 
     It may be desirable for the first and second chutes  5 ,  7  to be substantially the same as each other. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first and second chutes  5 ,  7  comprise upper sections  23 ,  23 ′, mid-sections  25 ,  25 ′ and lower sections  27 ,  27 ′. The upper sections  23 ,  23 ′ are positioned above the center of the bowl  3  and are inclined at approximately 15° to the vertical. The mid-sections  25 ,  25 ′ and the lower sections  27 ,  27 ′ in plan form curve through approximately 270° to guide the riders R, R′ to the rider entrances  19 ,  21 . The lower sections  27 ,  27 ′ are arranged substantially horizontally such that the riders R, R′ enter the bowl  3  travelling substantially parallel to the rim  15 . The term chute is used herein to refer to slides, flumes, and the like. 
     The staircase  9  leads to a gantry  29  where a launch station  31  is located. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the launch station  31  comprises first and second pivotally mounted platforms  33 ,  35 . A pair of riders R, R′ enters the launch station  31  from the side and each stand on their respective platforms  33 ,  35 . A launch mechanism  37  is provided for pivoting the platforms  33 ,  35  between an extended position and a retracted position (shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 4 ). The launch mechanism  37  is configured to ensure that the platforms  33 ,  35  pivot to their retract positions generally simultaneously, thereby ensuring that the riders R, R′ are launched together. 
     The launch mechanism in the embodiment of  FIG. 4  comprises a lever  39  to be actuated manually, for example by an operator; but the mechanism  37  could be automated. The launch station  31  may be provided with means to allow the riders R, R′ to confirm that they are ready to be released. For example, the riders R, R′ may be required to each press a respective button  41 , and once both buttons  41  have been pressed, the message “READY” may be displayed on screens  43 , and countdown timers  45  may activate. 
     The framework  13  supports the bowl  3  and the staircase  9  and may, for example, be of conventional construction. The gantry  29  is mounted on a pair of vertical columns. To provide additional support for the gantry  29 , a first set of tethered cables  49  may be provided. A second set of cables  51  may additionally (or alternately) extend from the gantry  29  to support the upper sections  23 ,  23 ′ and the mid-sections  25 ,  25 ′ of the chutes  5 ,  7 . 
     A splash pool  53  ( FIG. 2 ) may be provided below the bowl  3  so that the riders R, R′ exit the bowl  3  through the aperture  17  and fall into the pool  53 . A filtration system  55  may be provided to treat the water in the pool  53  and may be provided with a pump (not shown) to pump the water to the top of the chutes  5 ,  7  via a pipe  57 . In use, water may be continuously introduced into the top of the chutes  5 ,  7  so that there is a steady stream of water down the chutes  5 ,  6 . Water may also be pumped to a perforated conduit extending around the rim  15  to wet the interior surface of the bowl  3  to reduce friction. Or, rather than provide a stream of water over the chutes  5 ,  7  and/or the interior of the bowl  3 , a water spray may be provided to provide lubrication. A heater may be provided in the filtration system  55  to heat the water. 
     The operation of the waterslide  1  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 . The riders R, R′ climb the staircase  9  to the gantry  29  and enter the launch station  31  in pairs. A rider R, R′ stands on each of platform  33 ,  35  in the launch station  31  and respectively press the buttons  41  to confirm that they are ready to be launched. Once both riders R, R′ have confirmed that they are ready, the countdown timer  45  begins. When the countdown timer  45  reaches zero, the operator pulls the lever  39  to operate the launch mechanism  37 , and the platforms  33 ,  35  pivot to their retracted positions. The riders R, R′ then drop at generally the same time into the upper sections  23 ,  23 ′ of the respective first and second chutes  5 ,  7  and accelerate as they slide towards the bowl  3 . 
     The riders R, R′ travel down the chutes  5 ,  7  and both enter the bowl  3  at substantially the same time. The riders R, R′ are travelling substantially horizontally when they exit the lower sections  27 ,  27 ′ of the chutes  5 ,  7  and enter the bowl  3  through the first and second rider entrances  19 ,  21  respectively. The rider entrances  19 ,  21  are located near the rim  15  of the bowl  3  and the momentum of the riders R, R′ allows them to travel at least partway around the bowl  3 . 
     The riders R, R′ are unlikely to collide with each other as they travel around the bowl  3 . If a first rider R is travelling quicker than a second rider R′, then the quicker first rider R will be higher up the sidewall of the bowl  3  than the slower second rider T. Thus, if the first rider R is travelling sufficiently quickly to catch up with the second rider R′, the riders R, R′ will be at different heights. 
     The riders R, R′ slow down due to frictional forces, and the reduced centripetal forces cause them to travel towards the bottom of the bowl  3 . The riders R, R′ may come to rest at the bottom of the bowl  3 , or they may slide directly through the aperture  17  and enter the pool  53 . The riders R, R′ may then exit the waterslide  1  at the side of the pool  53 . To reduce the likelihood of the riders R, R′ colliding with each other as they enter the pool  53 , a divider or partition (not shown) may be provided in the middle of the aperture  17 . The likelihood of the riders R, R′ colliding with each other is reduced since the divider or partition keeps them apart if they enter the pool  53  from opposite sides of the aperture  17 . Instead of (or in addition to) the divider or partition, a jet of water may be provided in the pool  53  to move the riders R, R′ away from the area below the aperture  17  once they are in the water. It may be desirable for the jet of water to be provided in the middle of the pool  53  and directed upwardly, thereby causing the water at the top of the pool  53  to move out towards the edges of the pool  53 . The jet of water will thereby move the riders R, R′ towards the sides of the pool  53 . 
     A waterslide  101  according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The waterslide  101  corresponds in many ways to the waterslide  1  shown in  FIG. 14 , and like reference numerals have been used for like components, albeit incremented by 100 for clarity. 
     The waterslide  101  comprises a bowl  103  into which riders are introduced. The bowl  103  is shown to be circular rather than oval, and the waterslide  101  comprises three chutes  105 ,  106 ,  107  down which three riders travel simultaneously. The riders enter the bowl  3  through three rider entrances  119 ,  120 ,  121  equally spaced around the circumference of the bowl  103  (i.e. spaced apart from each other by approximately) 120°). The launch station (not shown) may be modified from the launch station  31  to launch the three riders into the respective chutes  105 ,  106 ,  107  at substantially the same time. 
     A further distinction between embodiments  1 ,  101  is that the bowl  103  is not provided with an aperture  17  in its base. Rather, a shallow pool  153  is formed in the base of the bowl  3  and the riders drop directly into the pool  153 . This arrangement may be desirable since the pool  153  does not have to be as deep as the pool  53 . Thus, an individual who is not a confident swimmer can ride the waterslide  101  and then stand up in the pool  153 . A second spiral staircase  159  is provided in the middle of the pool  153  leading to a platform  161  to allow a rider to exit the waterslide  101 . 
     A waterslide  201  according to yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 7 to 10 . The waterslide  201  corresponds in many ways to the waterslide  1  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , and like reference numerals have been used for like components, albeit incremented by 200 for clarity. 
     The waterslide  201  comprises a bowl  203  into which riders R, R′ are introduced. As shown most clearly in  FIG. 7 , the bowl  203  is circular and the two rider entrances  219 ,  221  are opposed from each other. The launch station  231  is provided on a gantry  229  accessed via a staircase  209 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The launch station  231  is adapted to launch two riders R, R′ into the respective chutes  205 ,  207  at substantially the same time. An enlarged side view of the launch station  231  is shown in  FIG. 9 . Although the launch station  231  is shown with the riders R, R′ standing back-to-back, it will be appreciated that they may face each other prior to launch. 
     As shown in the cutaway section of  FIG. 10 , the bowl  203  has a shallow pool  253  formed in the base thereof, similar to the arrangement in the waterslide  101 . The riders R, R′ may walk through the pool  253  to the centrally located spiral staircase  259 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the chutes  205 ,  207  have a substantially circular cross-section, but it will be appreciated that different cross-sections, for example oval cross-sections, may also be appropriate. Moreover, the chutes  205 ,  207  may be open in sections or along a portion of their length. The bowl  203  has an inwardly directed rim  215 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the waterslides and bowls described herein may be adapted to be ridden by a rider travelling on a craft, such as an inflatable inner ring or the like. Further, while embodiments have been described with particular reference to waterslides, it will be appreciated that the elements and features described herein may be applied to other leisure rides. For example, a rider may travel on a waxed fabric bag or a waxed fabric mat without the aid of flowing water. In addition, the bowl described herein may form only part of a larger system. For example, a rider may exit the bowl and enter another chute or slide. 
       FIGS. 11 through 13  show an exit system  500  that may be incorporated into a leisure slide, including those shown in  FIGS. 1 through 10 . For example, the system  500  may replace the aperture  17  and the pool  53  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 4 . The exit system  500  has a pool  502  at a base  504  of the bowl and a housing  510  with two exit ports  512 ,  512 ′ at offset (e.g., generally opposed) angles. The pool  502  surrounds the housing  510  and is created by a shallow ridge  503  at the entrance to the ports  512 ,  512 ′ that is higher than the base  504  of the bowl. The housing  510  is shown to be generally semi-spherical, though other shapes may alternately be used. It may be desirable for the angle between the exit ports  512 ,  512 ′ to be generally equivalent to an angle between entrances (e.g., entrances  19 ,  21 ). The exit ports  512 ,  512 ′ are sized to allow the riders R, R′ to pass through, and lead to exit slides (or “chutes”)  514 ,  514 ′ designed to take the riders R, R′ clear of the bowl or on to another part of the ride, aided by the flow of water from the pool  502 . As the chutes  514 ,  514 ′ may pass closely to one another, it may be desirable for the chutes  514 ,  514 ′ to have side walls that prevent undesirable contact between the riders R, R′. 
     In use, the two exit ports  512 ,  512 ′ may allow two riders R, R′ to generally simultaneously exit the bowl while travelling in different (e.g., generally opposite) directions. As such, multiple riders may generally simultaneously enter the bowl while travelling in different directions, and may generally simultaneously exit the bowl while travelling in different directions. While at any given time the riders may travel in different directions, it should be appreciated that the riders may travel in a common overall direction (i.e., all of the riders may travel clockwise, or all of the riders may travel counter-clockwise). The ride may accordingly be safe for multiple users at one time, and may be cleared much quicker for use by subsequent users compared to rides with a single exit. While an arrangement for two riders R, R′ is shown in  FIGS. 11 through 13 , those skilled in the art will appreciate that alterations may be made to accommodate additional riders in light of the teachings herein (e.g., an additional exit port and chute may be added for each additional rider). In addition, the exit system  500  may be constructed without the pool  502  for slides that do not include water. 
     Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. 
     For the avoidance of any doubt, the contents of UK patent applications GB 0809011.0 (filed May 19, 2008) and GB 0815789.3 (filed Aug. 29, 2008)—both of which are incorporated by reference into PCT/GB2009/002286—are incorporated herein by reference.