WO2013066155A1

WO2013066155A1 - A slide apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2013066155A1
Application number: PCT/NL2011/050757
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joran TIENPONT
Original assignee: Van Egdom B.V.
Priority date: 2011-11-04
Filing date: 2011-11-04
Publication date: 2013-05-10

Abstract

The invention relates to a slide apparatus (1) comprising one or multiple slide segment(s) (2) and at least a first entrance (3) and a first exit (4). Such a slide apparatus, such as for example a leisure slide or water slide is familiar to almost anyone who has visited a water or theme park. Whilst such slides are widely enjoyed, there remains scope for innovation to provide a more exciting and enjoyable experience for a rider. The invention provides slide segments or zone which are rotatable or partially rotatable.

Description

A Slide Apparatus

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a slide apparatus comprising one or multiple slide segment (s) and at least a first entrance and a first exit.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Slide apparatus, such as for example leisure slides or water slides are familiar to almost anyone who has visited a water or theme park. Whilst such slides are widely enjoyed, there remains scope for innovations that lead to a more exciting and enjoyable experience for a rider. The experience should preferably begin upon first sight of the slide appara^¬ tus .

Problems of the slide apparatus of the prior art relate in particular to the familiarity of the elements from which they are comprised and the limited number of possible combinations .

The present invention therefore relates to a slide apparatus, which overcomes one or more of the above disadvantages, without jeopardizing functionality and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved or alternative to the slide apparatus of the prior art in accordance with one or more of the appended claims.

A slide, such as the slide of the invention such as a water or leisure slide typically comprises a conduit suitably dimensioned to allow for example the passage of a person or persons in a sitting or horizontal position optionally on a mat, or in a vehicle for passage through the conduit such as an inflatable vehicle such as an inflatable boat or ring. The conduit is arranged such that an entrance to the conduit is higher than an exit of the conduit; under the influence of gravity and/or some external means such as water pressure and/or water flow a person passes through the conduit from the entrance to the exit. The conduit is not necessarily straight and may include for example bends, inclinations, and addi^¬ tional elements such as a bowl, a loop, a tornado, a funnel and/or a half-pipe etc. Such terms are familiar to a person of skill in the art. The conduit may also have elements or segments having positive, negative or neutral inclinations.

Thereby a person, e.g. due to gravitational force, will experience an acceleration, a deceleration or a constant velocity. Further a water force and/or friction may attribute to acceleration/deceleration, e.g. to go over an inclination.

The invention relates to a slide apparatus comprising one or multiple slide segment (s) and at least a first entrance and at least a first exit allowing passage from the at least first entrance to the at least first exit, wherein (i) one or multiple of the slide segment (s) comprise (s) one or multiple rotatable or partially rotatable zone(s), and/or (ii) the slide apparatus further comprises one or multiple rotatable or partially rotatable slide segment (s).

The rotation will provide for unexpected acceleration or deceleration, in a first direction which is substantially not parallel to a direction along which a person moves, which first direction typically is out of a 2D-plane. It is noted that various existing elements, such as a bowl, provide an acceleration substantially not parallel to a direction along which a person moves, however mainly within a 2D-plane.

Therewith the present invention provides amongst others for a person unexpected effect of rotation, being a highly appreciated experience.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a slide apparatus as indicated above.

Rotatable or partially rotatable zone(s) may be an integral part of a slide segment, or be provided at or near to a surface of the segment, for example by providing an inner and/or outer rotatable or partially rotatable element, such as a rotatable tube or disk at or near to an inner or outer sur^¬ face of the segment i.e. either an entire proportion of a segment (across its cross-section) may rotate, or a main body of the slide segment will remain approximately stationary whilst an internal and/or external rotatable or partially rotatable element rotates or partially rotates. Wherein an inner and outer rotating surface are provided, said surfaces need not rotate at the same speed; in an exemplary embodiment, the outer surface rotates at a faster speed than an inner surface, for example to increase the visual appeal of the slide appara^¬ tus. The rotatable or partially rotatable zone(s) are provided either to alter the path of a rider as said rider passes along a surface of the rotatable or partially rotatable zone, or are provided to give the impression of rotation for example to an onlooker. The rotatable or partially rotatable zone may extend for example around the entire circumference of a slide seg^¬ ment, or only a proportion thereof. The rotatable or partially rotatable zone is preferably provided at least partially in the path of a rider using the slide apparatus.

Rotation may also vary. For instance a rotational speed (or angular momentum) of a segment may increase or decrease. Rotation may also follow a sinusoidal pattern, e.g. providing a pendulum motion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the rotatable or par^¬ tially rotatable slide segment (s), or the slide segments comprising rotatable or partially rotatable zones, are further provided with sensing means linked to a control mechanism for adjusting the speed of rotation of the segment. For example, to control the path followed by a rider through the segment, or for safety reasons.

Rotatable or partially rotatable slide segments are slide segments that rotate or partially rotate. Rotatable or partially rotatable slide segments preferably both alter the path of a rider as said rider passes along a surface of the rotatable or partially rotatable segment and give the impres^¬ sion of rotation for example to an onlooker. It is advanta^¬ geous for an outer surface of the slide segment comprising the rotatable or partially rotatable zone, and/or for an outer surface of a rotatable or partially rotatable zone to be seen to rotate by onlookers, since it may serve to increase the ap^¬ peal and attractiveness of the slide apparatus to potential riders .

The shape of the slide segment (s) comprising one or multiple rotatable or partially rotatable zone(s), and/or the rotatable or partially rotatable slide segment (s) is not particularly limited, but preferably has a circular, elliptical, semi- or partially- circular or elliptical, oval or polygonal cross-section, such as pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, and decagonal .

In an exemplary embodiment, rotation or partial rotation is substantially about an imaginary axis parallel to a direction of passage through the rotatable or partially rotatable zone or segment. Such provides amongst others out of plane movement for a person.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, rotation or partial rotation is substantially in a direction of passage along the rotatable or partially rotatable zone or segment. For example, wherein the rotatable or partially rotatable segment is a bowl, the bowl rotates about its axis which is typically about vertical. Thus a rider passing around the bowl is accelerated or decelerated by the rotation or partial rotation of the bowl. Such is totally unexpected for a person and provides e.g. a well appreciated experience. The term bowl is familiar to a person of skill in the art.

In an exemplary embodiment, the rotatable or partially rotatable zone or segment is at least partially en^¬ closed. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous for safety reasons .

It is noted that the present slide is also designed in line with Government Regulations.

In an exemplary embodiment, the rotatable or par^¬ tially rotatable zone or segment is transparent or translucent, thus providing added interest and attraction for a rider. A transparent or translucent element allows some notice of an environment to a person using the slide.

In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the rotatable or partially rotatable zone or segment is non-uniform and is preferably at least partially conical. In other words it may increase and decrease in size. Such also influences acceleration .

In an exemplary embodiment, the slide apparatus further comprises a rotating means such as one or more internal and/or external motor (s) for rotating or partially rotating the rotatable or partially rotatable zone(s) and/or segment (s). Motor (s) also advantageously provide a means for controlling the speed of rotation or partial rotation of the rotatable or partially rotatable zone or segment. Such may e.g. be relevant, depending on design, for safety reasons, durability, maintenance and life time.

In an exemplary embodiment, the slide apparatus further comprises a means for generating power such as one or more of solar panels, wind turbines, water turbines, hybrid generators, fossil fuel powered generators and electromagnetic power generators, such as for rotating or partially rotating the rotatable or partially rotatable zone(s) and/or segment (s). So called "green" power generating means such as solar panels and wind and water turbines are particularly preferred for environmental reasons.

In an exemplary embodiment, the slide is a water or leisure slide, such as a body slide, an inline tube slide.

In an exemplary embodiment, the slide is dimensioned so as to allow passage of one or more of a person, a floating vehicle, such as a boat, a raft, a tube, a mat.

In an exemplary embodiment, the slide apparatus further comprises one or more of safety means, a water supply, such as a pump, a staircase, a receiving unit, such as a

(plunge) pool, a bath, a 3D-element comprising a liquid, optical element, such as LED, a trap door, a bowl, a loop, a tornado, a funnel, a half-pipe, a skim out, a dry-landing area.

The invention is further detailed by the accompanying figures, which are exemplary and explanatory of nature and are not limiting the scope of the invention. To the person skilled in the art it may be clear that many variants, being obvious or not, may be conceivable falling within the scope of protection, defined by the present claims.

SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the drawings,

Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the slide apparatus of the invention;

Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a rotatable or partially rotatable slide segment;

Figure 3 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a slide segment comprising rotatable or partially rotatable zones ;

Figure 4 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a slide comprising rotatable or partially rotatable zones; Figure 5 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a slide segment comprising rotatable or partially rotatable zones ;

Figures 6I-V show further exemplary embodiments of rotatable or partially rotatable slide segments and their ro^¬ tation directions;

Figures 7I-VI show alternative cross-section shapes of rotatable or partially rotatable slide segments or of slide segments comprising rotatable or partially rotatable zones;

Figures 8A-C demonstrate the effect of providing an entrance at an angle ( a) to the axis of rotation of a rotating zone or segment; the dashed line with longer line segments represent the rotation axis, the dashed line with shorter line segments represents the travel direction.

Wherein in the Figures the same reference numerals or characters are used, these refer to the same features.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the slide apparatus 1 of the invention comprising multiple slide segments 2, an entrance 3 and an exit 4. The multiple segments are preferably provided with a means to allow coupling, such as for example a protruding rim permitting the slide segments 2 to be bolted together. Additionally a seal may be provided between neighbouring slide segments 2 to prevent leakage. The slide segments 2 entrance 3 and exit 4 are suitable dimensioned to allow passage of a person in a sitting or horizontal position optionally on a mat, or in a vehicle for passage through the conduit such as an inflatable vehicle such as an inflatable boat or ring; the dimensions of the slide segments 2, entrance 3 and exit 4 need not be the same. Only a single entrance 3 and exit 4 are shown at uppermost and lowermost ex^¬ tremities of the slide apparatus respectively; in alternative exemplary embodiments, multiple entrances 3 and exits 4 may be provided. The entrance (s) 3 or exit(s) 4 may also be provided in the side of a slide segment 2 of the slide apparatus 1. The slide apparatus 1 further comprises multiple rotatable segments 5. The slide apparatus 1 may alternatively comprise one, multiple or combinations of rotatable slide segments 5, par- tially rotatable slide segments 5' , slide segments with ro- tatable zones 6, or slide segments with partially rotatable zones 6' .

Rotatable or partially rotatable slide segments 5,5' and/or slide segments comprising rotatable or partially ro- tatable zones 6, 6' have, for example, diameters in the range of 0.5 m to 10 m, more preferable 0.5 m to 5 m, most preferably 0.8 m to 4 m; the diameter may vary over the length of the segment. In particular for large segments, the rotatable or partially rotatable slide segments 5,5' and/or slide segments comprising rotatable or partially rotatable zones 6, 6' may further comprise supporting structures such as for support and strength .

Exemplary embodiments of rotatable slide segments 5, partially rotatable slide segments 5' , slide segments with ro- tatable zones 6, or slide segments with partially rotatable zones 6' that may be incorporated into the slide apparatus of the invention such as that shown in Figure 1, and which are completely in keeping with the spirit of the invention are shown in Figures 2-8 described hereafter.

In an exemplary embodiment, rotation or partial rotation, indicated in the Figures with a subscript r, or wherein multiple rotations are shown, ri,r₂,r₃ etc., which represent vectors, is substantially about an imaginary axis x parallel to a direction of passage v through the rotatable or partially rotatable zone 6,6' or segment 5,5' as shown in Figure 2 and

Figure 6I-III. Typically rotational speeds are in the range of 1-60 rpm, preferable 2-30 rpm, more preferably 3-20 rpm, most preferably 4-15 rpm, such as 5-10 rpm. ; typical velocities of a rider are in the range of 1-30 m/s, preferable 2-20 m/s more preferably 3-15 m/s, most preferably 4-10 m/s; it is noted that the speed may vary along the conduit. It is also noted that the conduit is designed to provide a maximum velocity in the aforementioned range. A slide segment 2, may comprise mul^¬ tiple rotatable or partially rotatable zones 6, 6' as shown in Figures 3-5; rotation of these zones 6,6' may be together or separate and may either be in the same direction or opposite directions. Many combinations of rotatable or partially ro^¬ tatable zones 6,6' and/or segments 5,5' are envisigable to a person of skill in the art.

In an exemplary embodiment, rotation or partial rota- tion is substantially in a direction of passage along the rotatable or partially rotatable zone 6 or segment 7 as shown in Figure 6IV and V. For reference, Fig. 61 is an example of a tunnel, Fig. 611 is an example of a funnel, Fig. 6III is an example of a half-pipe, Fig. 6IV is an example of a bowl and Fig. 6V is an example of a loop.

Whilst Figure 1 shows the slide segments 2 and rotatable slide segments 5 to be cylindrical, cross sections of the slide segments 2, rotatable slide segments 5, partially rotatable slide segments 5' , slide segments with rotatable zones 6, or slide segments with partially rotatable zones 6' , can take many shapes or arrangements such as shown in Figure 7I-VI, such as circular (Fig. 71), semicircular (Fig. 7VI) , polygonal (Fig. 7III-V) and elliptical (Fig. 711) . R_n and S_n represent curved and horizontal surfaces respectively

(n=l,2,3...) .

A purpose of providing a rotatable or partially rotatable zone 6,6' or segment 5,5' is to alter the path of a rider passing through the rotatable or partially rotatable zone 6,6' or segment 5,5' as shown in Figure 8A-C.

As shown in Figure 2, the slide apparatus further comprises a rotating means 7 such as one or more internal and/or external motor (s) for rotating or partially rotating the rotatable or partially rotatable zone(s) and/or segment (s). The slide appa- ratus preferably further comprises a means for generating power 8 such as one or more of solar panels, wind turbines, water turbines, hybrid generators, fossil fuel powered generators and electromagnetic power generators, such as for rotating or partially rotating the rotatable or partially rotatable zone(s) 6,6' and/or segment (s) 5,5'.

The slide apparatus 1 preferably further comprises (not shown) one or more of safety means, a water supply, such as a pump, a staircase, a receiving unit, such as a (plunge) pool, a bath, a 3D-element comprising a liquid, optical ele- ment, such as LED, a trap door, a bowl, a loop, a tornado, a funnel, a half-pipe, a skim out, a dry-landing area.

It should be appreciated that for commercial application it may be preferable to use one or more variations of the present system, which would similar be to the ones disclosed in the present application and are within the spirit of the invention

Claims

1. A slide apparatus (1) comprising one or multiple slide segment (s) (2) and at least a first entrance (3) and at least a first exit (4) allowing passage (P) from the at least first entrance (3) to the at least first exit (4), character- ised in that:

(i) one or multiple of the slide segment (s) (2) comprise (s) one or multiple rotatable or partially rotatable zone(s) (6,6'), and/or

(ii) the slide apparatus (1) further comprises one or multiple rotatable or partially rotatable slide segment (s)

(5,5' ) .

2. A slide apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that rotation or partial rotation is substantially about an imaginary axis (A) parallel to a direction of passage (P) through the rotatable or partially rotatable zone (6,6') or segment (5,5').

3. A slide apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that rotation or partial rotation is substantially in a direction of passage (P) along the rotatable or partially rotatable zone (6,6') or segment (5,5').

4. A slide apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rotatable or partially rotatable zone (6,6') or segment (5,5') is at least partially enclosed.

5. A slide apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the slide apparatus (1) further comprises a rotating means (7) such as one or more internal and/or external motor (s) for rotating or partially rotating the rotatable or partially rotatable zone(s) (6,6') and/or segment(s) (5,5').

6. A slide apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that slide apparatus (1) further comprises a means for generating power (8) such as one or more of solar panels, wind turbines, water turbines, hybrid generators, fossil fuel powered generators and electromagnetic power generators, such as for rotating or partially rotating the rotatable or partially rotatable zone(s) (6,6') and/or segment (s) (5,5').

7. A slide apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least the rotatable or partially rotatable zone(s) (6,6') and/or segment (s) (5,5') are provided with visual elements, such as lights and/or colours contrasting with the remainder of the slide apparatus (2) and/or sculptures and/or particular shapes to distinguish the rotatable or partially rotatable zone(s) and/or segment (s) .

8. A slide apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the slide is a wa^¬ ter or leisure slide, such as a body slide, an inline tube slide .

9. A slide apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is dimensioned so as to allow passage of one or more of a person, a floating vehicle, such as a boat, a raft, a tube, a mat.

10. A slide apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that it further comprises one or more of safety means, a water supply, such as a pump, a staircase, a receiving unit, such as a (plunge) pool, a bath, a 3D-element comprising a liquid, optical element, such as LED, a trap door, a bowl, a loop, a tornado, a funnel, a half-pipe, a skim out, a dry-landing area.