Rotating Amusement Water Related Feature

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/055,824 filed Nov. 15, 2022, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/264,090, dated Nov. 15, 2021, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

Typically, experiences in water slides occur on static surfaces on which vehicles or riders are transported along a slide path with moving water as a transportation conduit. Even adventure river rides are static in nature in that the water moguls used to create turbulence are static. Adding movement of the riding surface by a laterally rotating surface, optionally in connection with varying interior cross-sections of the rotating surface and/or three-dimensional obstacles or moguls introduces new rider experience dimensions not seen on other water slides.

The amusement water related industry is constantly seeking new ride experiences from the market to draw in new clients and to keep their attractions fresh and interesting in their local market. Previous attempts to introduce a new type of ride have included water slides that have rotation movement; however, those prior solutions were limited to keeping riders on a set ride path with the water slide moving underneath them, usually in a direction aligned with their direction of travel. Thus, the ride was limited to a constant cross slide section (such as a flume) that affects only the forward and backward motion of the rider by forcing the rider along a path where the vertical and forward/backward motion of that ride is created by the longitudinal rotation of the structure.

Previous attempts also were also limited to a smooth riding surface with no variations in water depth or slide surface cross-section. By contrast, this disclosure presents exemplary embodiments that are dynamic and may be incorporated in line with, or as one feature in, a larger water ride, rather than just as a standalone feature or as a separate part of a river complex at the amusement park.

References describing previous attempts to address moving slides include WO2009/141588, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,671, WO1998/045006, U.S. Pat. No. 9,440,155, and WO2013/144117, which are incorporated herein in their entirety. However, these descriptions do not disclose a slide with the advantageous features described herein.

As described herein, the invention includes rotating waterslide features that can be incorporated in-line with a water slide flume. Unlike prior inventions, the invention described herein induces and incorporates sideways or lateral motion of the rider (i.e., pushing the rider up a wall) to increase excitement and enjoyment by the riders. This invention affects the sideways or lateral motion of a rider (pushing them up the wall). This and additional features and embodiments are described herein.

The invention seeks to add another dimension of experience to riders in a water slide or related water amusement feature.

The invention includes a large rotating tunnel section of a water slide that may also include embedded three-dimensional shapes or variations in the rotating tunnel cross-section to disturb the water path. Exemplary embodiments describe a rotating section that connects upstream and downstream to a static water slide which carries vehicles with riders and the water channel used to transport them. In one embodiment, the volume and velocity of the water entering the barrels is such that it creates a white water rafting experience within the rotating barrel. In another embodiment, the volume and velocity of the water entering the barrels may be significantly less. For example, the water may be sufficient only to wet the surface of the ride.

These and other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in combination with the accompanying drawings and by the elements, features, and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims.

While certain embodiments have been provided and described herein, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments described herein may be employed, and are part of the invention described herein

The following detailed description illustrates by way of example, not by way of limitation, the principles of the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. It should be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of exemplary embodiments of the invention, and are not limiting of the present invention nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.

Exemplary embodiments described herein would be unique in the industry with visual appeal due to the rotation and dynamics of the ride.

Throughout this description, it should be understood that the term “ride vehicle” refers to a ride vehicle (e.g., a raft) carrying a single rider or multiple riders as is commonly used in the industry. It is also contemplated that a rider riding without a vehicle may enjoy the inventions described herein, notwithstanding the use of the term “vehicle” in the description.

is a perspective view of a ride incorporating three rotating features in accordance with one embodiment of this invention.is an overhead view of the same exemplary embodiment of a ride depicted in.

illustrate an exemplary embodiment () depicting example configurations of the rotating features (,and). As depicted in the embodiment in, a first rotating feature () follows a drop shortly after the entrance to the ride () before entering the first rotating feature (). Upon exiting the first rotating feature () the rider enters an intermediate section of the ride () which leads into a second rotating feature (). Upon exiting the second rotating feature (), the ride vehicle enters a second intermediate section of the ride () which leads into a third rotating feature (). Upon exiting the third rotating feature (), the ride vehicle exits the ride via a third intermediate feature () and into a pool () or shutdown lane.

The intermediate sections (,,) of the ride are depicted inas a closed flume. However, the intermediate section may be an open flume, conveyor, bowl feature, dropoff, lazy river, or any other ride feature known in the art.

In other embodiments of the ride, the rotating feature may be entered directly from the ride entry, directly proceed or follow another rotating feature, exit directly into a pool or shutdown lane, and/or directly or indirectly proceed or follow another ride feature.

The angle of inclination (grade) of the rotating features (,and) may be determined based on the target tangential velocity of the ride vehicles, a steeper grade may be used to speed up the ride vehicle and a shallower grade may be used to slow down the ride vehicle.

illustrate example entry angle and speed configurations of the rotating features (,and). As illustrated, rotating feature () may be entered with an entry angle close to 90 degrees from the rotating feature's central longitudinal axis (i.e., the axis about which the feature rotates) with high speed, for example following a drop used to increase ride vehicle speed. Rotating feature () illustrates the rotating feature may be entered with an entry angle close to the central longitudinal axis of the rotating feature with low speed. In other embodiments the entry angle may be between 0 and 90 degrees from the rotating features central longitudinal axis.

As more easily seen inthe rotating features (,and) may rotate clockwise (and) or anticlockwise () (as viewed by a forward-facing rider traveling through the rotating feature), as indicated by the arrows on each rotating feature.

The rotating features (,and) may constantly rotate at a set speed or may have varying rotation speed to create varying experiences. In an exemplary embodiment the varying rotation speed of the rotating feature may be controlled electronically using variable frequency drives (VFDs) or similar technology used to control the drive speed of the motor or similar technology. In one embodiment, the varying rotation speed of the rotation feature may be controlled by maintaining a constant drive speed of the motor or similar technology and using mechanical systems, for example oval gearing, offset gearing or cams, continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) or similar technology to gear up or down the rotation speed applied to the rotating feature. In one embodiment, the varying rotation speed of the rotating feature may be controlled by using a combination of electronic and mechanical speed control systems.

In one exemplary embodiment the rotating features (,and) illustrated inmay be indirectly driven. For example, the rotating feature includes one or more v-grooves for a belt drive system, or one or more gears for a chain drive or geared system, or the rotating feature may rest on one or more drive wheels that support and spin the tunnel on collars (orshown in), or similar technology. In one embodiment, the rotating features (,and) may be directly driven with a straight shaft. In one embodiment, the rotating features (,and) may be directly driven with a straight shaft and flexible coupling or similar technology.

illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a rotating feature () with a constant cross-sectional diameter following a central axis (). It is contemplated that the exemplary embodiment () or similar alternative embodiments may be used in place of any or all of the rotating features (,and) shown inor alternative ride configurations.

As shown in, the cross-sectional diameter of the interior of the rotating feature () is constant throughout. The exterior diameter also exhibits a constant cross-sectional diameter, apart from the collar sections (,) on each end. However, it is contemplated that the exterior diameter may also be adapted to have a non-uniform cross-section, while the interior cross-section remains uniform as shown. For example, the exterior diameter in this embodiment and other described herein may include design features (arrows, logos, theming, etc.) or utilitarian features (notches, grooves, gearing, etc.) that assist in the rotation.

illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a rotating feature () with collar structures (and) towards the end of the rotating feature and an open pedestal () supporting the rotating feature (). The collar structures (,) are designed to constrain the rotating feature () laterally along the central axis () by opposing features (,) on the pedestal (). In one embodiment, the rotating feature () may be constrained co-axially around the central axis () by partially or entirely enclosing the collar structures (and) and positioning guide wheels above the mid-point () of the rotating feature. In one embodiment, the support structures may have an I-beam or similar cross-section that travels through a set of guide wheels used to constrains the coaxially and laterally along the central axis (). In one embodiment, the rotating feature () may be enclosed in a large cylindrical structure such that the rotating feature, drive system, collars, etc., cannot be seen from the outside.

illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the rotating feature () with a varying cross-sectional diameter following a central longitudinal axis (). It is contemplated that the exemplary embodiment of the ride feature () or similar alternative embodiments may be used in place of any or all of the rotating features (,and) shown inor alternative ride configurations.

illustrate an exemplary embodiment () of the rotating feature with a varying cross-sectional diameter following a central axis (). Varying the cross-sectional diameter of the inner ride surface () allows the designer to change the gradient of the ride surface () without changing the gradient of the central axis () of the rotating feature. For example, by reducing the cross-sectional diameter from a large cross-sectional diameter at the extreme ends, for example, entering at the end with collarin, to a smaller cross-sectional diameter in the interior (), the ride surface gradient will reduce or invert and ride vehicles will slow down. And by increasing the cross-sectional diameter again from a small cross-sectional diameter in the interior () to a large cross-sectional diameter at the far end (the end with collar), the ride surface gradient will increase and the ride vehicles will speed up.

Althoughillustrate an exemplary embodiment of the rotating feature () with a large cross-sectional diameter at the entrance () and exit () of the rotating feature and a small cross-sectional diameter in the middle () of the rotating feature, other embodiments with varying cross-sections are contemplated. In one embodiment, the entrance () and exit () of the rotating feature may have a comparatively small cross-sectional diameter compared to the middle () of the rotating feature. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional diameter of the rotating feature may get larger or smaller, either in a linear or non-linear manner, from the entrance () to the exit () (e.g., a conical feature or a horn-shaped feature). In one embodiment, the cross-sectional diameter of the rotating feature may increase and/or decrease more than once: for example the entrance () may have a large cross-sectional diameter, then the cross-sectional diameter may decrease, then increase, then decrease and finally increase to a large cross-sectional diameter at the exit ().

In an alternative embodiment, the cross-sectional shape, not just diameter, of the rotating feature may change along its length. For example, rather than narrowing at the center point, the rotating feature shown inmay alternatively change from a circular cross section at the extreme ends to a triangular (or rectangular, pentagonal, etc.) cross-section at an interior point, and then back to a circular cross-section. In other embodiments, the cross-section may change to multiple different shapes along the length of the rotating feature.

illustrate an exemplary embodiment () of the rotating feature with a cross-section following a curved spline (). It is contemplated that the exemplary embodiment of the ride feature () or similar alternative embodiments may be used in place of any or all of the rotating features (,and) shown inor alternative ride configurations.

illustrate an exemplary embodiment () of the rotating feature with a constant cross-sectional diameter following a 2-dimensional curved spline (). In one embodiment, the spline may be three-dimensional. In one embodiment, the spline may not be a smooth curve, but may be made up of two or more straight lines at different angles to the central axis () of the rotating feature. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional diameter may also vary along the spline () similar to, such that the diameter gets larger and smaller at the same time the spline varies.

illustrate an exemplary embodiment () of the rotating feature with three-dimensional features () on the inner ride surface () that may cause turbulence within the water channel. It is contemplated that the exemplary embodiment of the ride feature () or similar alternative embodiments may be used in place of any or all of the rotating features (,and) shown inor alternative ride configurations.

illustrate an exemplary embodiment () of the rotating feature with an outer surface () with a constant cross-sectional diameter following a central axis and three-dimensional features () formed on the inner surface (). As depicted in, the three-dimensional features () are uniform in size and shape and are uniformly distributed along the circumference and along the length of the rotating feature (). In other embodiments, the three-dimensional features () may be non-uniform, either in shape, size, or location, or with respect to all three aspects.

In one embodiment, the three-dimensional features () are integrally formed in the inner surface () of the rotating feature. In other embodiments, the three-dimensional features () attached to the inner ride surface () may be removed or swapped for other three-dimensional features of the same or different shape and size.

illustrate an exemplary embodiment () of the rotating feature with smooth hemi-sphere shaped three-dimensional features (). In one embodiment, the three-dimensional features () may vary in shape and size for example long paddles, tall and short ellipses, or tunneled/arch features.

illustrate an exemplary embodiment () of the rotating feature with a cross-sectional diameter following a central axis. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional diameter may follow a spline, such as featuredepicted in. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional diameter may vary along the central axis or spline similar to.

illustrate an exemplary embodiment () of the rotating feature that incorporates an open feature () and can rotate clockwise () and anticlockwise () as viewed by a front-facing rider traveling through the feature. It is contemplated that the exemplary embodiment of the ride feature () or similar alternative embodiments may be used in place of any or all of the rotating features (,and) shown inor alternative ride configurations.

illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the rotating feature () in a neutral position.illustrates an end view of the rotating feature () with the feature and ride vehicle () in a neutral position. As illustrated inas the rotating feature rotates clockwise () the ride vehicle () begins to climb the riding surface wall () due to the friction between the ride vehicle () and riding surface (). As the rotation direction changes to anticlockwise () the ride vehicle () may continue to climb the riding surface wall () before gravitational forces overcome the friction forces and stall the ride vehicle () on the wall () and the ride vehicle () changes direction. As the rotating feature () continues to rotate anti-clockwise, the ride vehicle begins to drop toward the neutral position and then begin climbing the second surface wall (). The open feature () enhances the riders' perception of movement and change of direction of rotation.

In one embodiment, the rotating feature () inmay replace rotating featurein. In that instance, the ride vehicle () would preferably enter the rotating feature () with moderate to high speed and an entry angle close to 90 degrees from the central axis of the rotating feature () and immediately climb the first ride surface wall (). The clockwise () and anticlockwise () rotation of the rotating feature () may be used to maintain or dampen the oscillation of the ride vehicle () on the ride surface walls (,).

In one embodiment, the rotating feature () inmay replace rotating featuresand/orin. In that case, the ride vehicle () would likely enter the rotating feature () with low speed and an entry angle close to the central axis of the rotating feature (), the clockwise () and anticlockwise () rotation of the rotating feature () may be used to build up the oscillation of the ride vehicle () on the ride surface walls (and).

The exemplary embodiment of the rotating feature () illustrated inrequires the rotating feature () to switch between rotating clockwise and anticlockwise. In one embodiment, the change of rotation direction of the rotating feature () may be gradual and non-abrupt. In one embodiment, the change of rotation direction of the rotating feature () may be immediate and abrupt. In an exemplary embodiment the rotation change of direction system may be controlled electronically using variable frequency drives (VFDs) or similar technology used to control the rotation speed and rotation direction of the rotating feature (). In one embodiment, the rotation change of direction system may be controlled by mechanical systems, for example a gearbox, continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), or similar technology to control the rotation speed and rotation direction of the rotating feature (). In one embodiment, the rotation change of direction system may be controlled by using a combination of electronic and mechanical systems to control the rotation speed and rotation direction of the rotating feature ().

Similar to the rotating features (,and) illustrated in, the exemplary embodiment () of the rotating feature illustrated in, may be indirectly driven for example if the rotating feature had one or more v-grooves for a belt drive system, one or more gears for a chain drive or geared system, one or more drive wheels or similar technology. In one embodiment, the rotating feature () may be directly driven with a straight shaft. In one embodiment, the rotating feature () may be directly driven with a straight shaft and flexible coupling or similar technology.

describe the exemplary embodiment in which the rotating feature changes direction of rotation in the context of a rotating feature with an open feature (). It is also contemplated that the rotating feature may be accomplished without the open feature and/or in connection with any of the other alternative embodiments of the rotating feature described herein.

illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the rotating feature () with a corkscrew path (). It is contemplated that the exemplary embodiment of the ride feature () or similar alternative embodiments may be used in place of any or all of the rotating features (,and) shown inor alternative ride configurations.

illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the rotating feature () with a corkscrew path () around a central axis (). In one embodiment, the corkscrew path () may follow a spline similar to that shown and described in connection with

. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional diameter of the corkscrew path () may vary along the central axis () or spline similar to. In one embodiment, the rotating feature may have three-dimensional features on the inner ride surface similar to that shown and described in connection with. In one embodiment, the corkscrew pitch may vary along its length, i.e., be elongated or compressed.

illustrate an exemplary embodiment () of the rotating feature with multiple lanes. It is contemplated that the exemplary embodiment of the ride feature () or similar alternative embodiments may be used in place of any or all of the rotating features (,and) shown inor alternative ride configurations.

illustrate an embodiment with three joined sections (,and).depicts the ride feature inwith a cutaway so that the entire of features,, andcan be seen. In other embodiments there may be more than three sections. In it is contemplated that this embodiment of the rotating feature preferably must start with sectionand end with section, for example an embodiment may have a sequence starting with section, followed by, followed by another iteration of section, followed by another iteration of section, and so on, before finally ending with section. In one embodiment, the feature may only include one section similar to sectionor sectionas illustrated in.

illustrate an embodiment with four lanes (,,and) that may be designed so that ride vehicles enter the rotating feature () every quarter rotation and allow multiple ride vehicles () to be in the rotating feature at once and improve the throughput of the ride. By providing lanes, the ride vehicle speed through the rotating feature may be controlled by restricting or maintaining progression of the ride vehicle through the rotating feature (). That is, as the rotating feature () rotates, a ride vehicle that has progressed faster than expected will be inhibited by the lane separating feature (); likewise, a ride vehicle progressing slower than expected will have its speed maintained as it is pushed along by the lane separating feature (). In other embodiments the number of lanes may be two or more. In one embodiment, the lane separating features () are opaque; in other embodiments the lane separating features () may be transparent or semi-transparent over all or a portion of the length of the lane separating feature (). In one embodiment, the lane separating feature may be of a height low enough that riders in one lane can see riders in an adjacent lane. In one embodiment, the lane separating feature may be sufficiently high that riders in one lane cannot see riders in an adjacent lane. In one embodiment, the height of the lane separating feature may vary along the length of the rotating feature.

, throughC illustrate an embodiment where riders within sectioncannot see or interact with riders in neighboring lanes. In one embodiment, sectionmay have conjoined lanes with transparent or semitransparent dividing walls () similar to the experience described in connection withof international patent application publication number WO 2022/082293 A1, titled “Amusement Attraction with Coupled Ride Paths,” which is incorporated herein by reference.