NZ740995A - An attraction for an adventure park or for entertainment - Google Patents

Abstract

attraction for an adventure park or for entertainment including: a first course; a second course; participants make progress along either of the first and second courses; and participants progressing along the first course can engage in a shooting based activity with participants progressing along the second course. g the second course.

Description

AN ATTRACTION FOR AN ADVENTURE PARK OR FOR ENTERTAINMENT Technical Field The present invention relates to an attraction for an adventure park or for entertainment.

Summary of the Invention In a first aspect the present invention provides an attraction for an adventure park or for entertainment including: a first course; a second course; participants make progress along either of the first and second courses; and participants progressing along the first course can engage in a shooting based activity with participants progressing along the second course.

The shooting based activity may utilise a laser shooting system.

The attraction may further include a number of targets associated with either of the first and second courses.

The first course may be ground based.

The first course may be water based.

The second course may be aerial based.

The attraction may further include an electronic scoring system, the scoring system calculates scores for participants based on their engagement in the shooting based activity.

The scoring system may be arranged to calculate a combined score based on participants’ activity based on their progress through both the first and second courses.

Brief Description of the Drawings An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic overhead view of an attraction for an adventure park according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a region of the attraction of figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of another region of the attraction of figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic overhead view of a second embodiment of an attraction; Figure 5 is a schematic overhead view of a third embodiment of an attraction; Figure 6 is a schematic overhead view of a fourth embodiment of an attraction.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to figure 1, an attraction 10 for an adventure park is shown. The attraction 10 includes a first course in the form of a ground based terrain track 20 and a second course in the form of an aerial based track 30 such as an overhead zip line/tree coaster or flying fox.

In this embodiment, the ground based track 20 includes two separate tracks 22, 24 in an arrangement known as “duelling tracks”. Both of tracks 22, 24 begin and end at region 26. The ground based track passes through mixed terrain including mature trees or other features.

The aerial based track 30 is suspended above the ground based track 20 by being attached to trees or purpose built towers or gantries. The aerial based track 30 begins at launch tower 32 or suitable launch platform (see figure 2) and ends at landing area 34, taking a course indicated by the dotted line in the figure which is convoluted with the ground based tracks 22, 24, crossing over the ground based tracks in numerous locations. An example of a suitable type of aerial track is the Roller Coaster Zip Line by Ecoline see: http://www.ecoline.com.au.

Participants engage with the attraction by making progress along either of the first or second tracks 20, 30. Participants in the ground based tracks travel in vehicles such as single or multiperson capacity rubber tracked electric/battery powered vehicles.

An example of a suitable type of vehicle is the The Ziesel vehicle by Mattro see: http://www.ziesel-adventures.com.

The participants in each course can engage in a shooting based game and are equipped with an activation device or simulated laser weapon for “hitting” targets 40 (see figure 3) that are located in various positions including on the ground and suspended. An example of a suitable type of laser based target shooting system is the SX-7 laser Gun and Chimera Targets by Staradian see https://www.steradiantech.com.

The flow of the progress along the ground based tracks 22, 24 is similar to Olympic Biathlon (a combination of cross country skiing and periodically including laser target shooting) meaning there are periodic stop zones 28 around the ground based track where vehicles are brought to a stop and pilots take aim and attempt to hit and achieve score off a set of/individual laser targets at each stop zone.

The attraction includes an electronic scoring system which calculates scores for participants based on their performance in the shooting based activity. The scores of each participant in the ground based tracks are calculated to comprise a combination of target score and time score. Scores from successful target hits across all stop zones on targets will be added to arrive at a cumulative target score. The time score will be the difference between start time on track and finish time measured by electronic timing equipment. The final recorded score combines both to reflect the number of targets hit and the speed of which the course was navigated.

As the vehicles require concentration, focus and the use of the participants hands to manoeuvre, the laser targets may be active (able to record score) only when the vehicle is stationary at the stop zones. This could be a safety feature governed electronically which will prohibit target scores being registered whilst the vehicle is in motion.

In a dual track (duelling track) format as shown participants start in pairs with one on track 22 and the other on track 24. The pair of participants compete in real time against each other and the clock for increased excitement, a heightened sense of competition, and fun with friends. While intertwined the tracks would not be identical in layout but rather unique in design for added variety. Both track 22and track 24 would be of equal length for the purpose of time score comparison, with equal number of stop zones and equal number of target scoring opportunities to enable comparison of combined (total) scores.

Ground based tracks may include a variety of terrain, a variety of surface materials and a variety of obstacles to navigate. Tracks may feature elevated sections which go up and over/under each other similar to a track bridge/tunnel to enable track paths to cross over without the risk of vehicle contact.

An extension of this activity would be to make a safe means of taking shots while moving. This could be utilising retina controlled lock/fire technology within a participant’s helmet, enabling hands free targeting /firing whilst navigating the track alleviating the need for stop zones.

Targets may be ground based, tree or apparatus based hanging targets (on purpose built structures) or even moving targets such as on the zip line or tree coaster ride above.

Participants using the aerial based track 30 are attached by a harness providing full support and thus enabling single handed or hands free riding. Participants on the aerial based track make progress by gravity and are not required to stop at stop zones.

Laser guns are hand held (and tethered to the harness for retention/safety) for targeting whilst in motion. Both tree and ground based laser targets are positioned along the course of the ride.

Referring to figure 3, participants progressing along the first course can engage in a shooting based game with participants progressing along the second course. The overhead riders 38 have the opportunity to hit a moving target (vehicle 28 or vehicles below) which if successfully hit would/could lead to the disabling of that vehicle for a short period thereby compromising the time score of that vehicle which would reflect in that participants combined score.

Conversely vehicle based riders 28 have the choice of stopping their vehicle mid track (compromising their time score) to attempt a high value shot on the overhead moving target 38 (the tree coaster/zip line rider). If hit the above participant would be disabled from shooting (achieving shot score) for a short period (say 2-4 seconds).

The scoring system is arranged to calculate a “ground” score A and an “aerial” score B plus the option of a combined score based on participants’ activity during their progress through both the first and second courses. The scores calculated by the scoring system can be displayed on display screens provided at locations around the attraction alongside the names or nicknames of participants or teams of participants. This can generate a sense of rivalry with enhanced excitement and provides increased motivation to perform well in the game.

Both the overhead and ground based activities are suited to people who may be mobility impaired from the pelvis down. Wheel chair bound sufferers of paraplegia (non-functioning legs) for example will be able to actively participate to no disadvantage as neither part of the attraction requires walking, running or standing.

Entry and exit platforms and all loading areas can be made to be disabled access friendly.

“Shield” activation may be a feature for both overhead and vehicle based riders adding a layer of depth whereby participants are able to temporarily electronically shield or cloak themselves to protect against being hit (thus not losing time or target score or both). Shield would be enabled by the participant if they choose when they observe a threat. (being an overhead rider approaching or a vehicle coming close to them) for an enhanced gaming experience.

To enable the involvement of younger participants on the ground based layer of the attraction a customised trailer will be possible (for participants to be towed by staff around the course) which will enable them the experience of going on the ground based courses (with a professional pilot) and also being able to have their own laser gun to achieve target score at the stop zones (tallied separately as each gun would register score uniquely). They would also be able to shoot overhead moving participants to achieve bonus scoring, and could have their own shield to apply as described above.

Attractions according to the invention may take numerous forms and configurations. Referring to figure 4, an alternative attraction 100 is shown with a different configuration of ground based track 120 and aerial based track 130.

Referring to figure 5, in some embodiments the ground based track may include a “gymkhana style” open arena environment 160. This type of track would accommodate a single vehicle at a time and involves correct navigation in both forward and reverse directions to each sequentially numbered marked “parking” zone 170.

From within each” parking” zone 170 targets 180 can be fired upon with successful hits being scored. Similar to the above, the navigation of the course would be timed and a total score would be achieved made up of the sum of target score and time score.

Participants would only be able to make target score whilst wholly within the parking zone (electronically governed through use of sensors or GPS technology) thus making fast and correct placement of the vehicle within the parking zone critical to a successful outcome and achieving the highest achievable scores. This would be a navigational challenge, a vehicle piloting and parking challenge and a laser shooting and target scoring challenge all in one. The aerial based track 130 passes over areas of the gymkhana style arena 160 to allow for engagement between participants both tracks in the shooting style game as described above.

Although the attractions described above have been in an outdoor setting in other embodiments the attraction may be based indoors such as in a warehouse type scenario.

Vehicles other than ground based vehicles may be used. In another variation of the invention a water based track is used in conjunction with an aerial based track.

Referring to figure 5, an attraction 200 is shown including a water based track 220 and an aerial based track 230. Riders 228 on the water based track participate using either one or two seater boats such as jet-boats. Strings of buoys 221 are placed around the track to define a route along the track. These can be moved from time to time to provide for different track configurations. The aerial based track 230 is again a zipline type arrangement as for the embodiments described above. The arrows shown in conjunction with the riders 228 illustrate their lines of sights to upcoming targets 240 positioned around the track.

It can be seen that embodiments of the invention provide at least one of the following advantages:  Interaction between participants on ground and aerial based tracks provides for varied and unexpected game events providing enhanced fun and excitement.

 Computer based scoring of participants instigates rivalry to encourage competitive play.

 Attraction is safe to use for participants in a wide age range and with a wide- ranging level of physical ability.

Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS :

1. An attraction for an adventure park or for entertainment including: a first course; a second course; participants make progress along either of the first and second courses; and participants progressing along the first course can engage in a shooting based activity with participants progressing along the second course.

2. An attraction according to claim 1 wherein the shooting based activity utilises a laser shooting system.

3. An attraction according to either of claim 1 or claim 2 further including a number of targets associated with either of the first and second courses.

4. An attraction according to any preceding claim wherein the first course is ground based.

5. An attraction according to any preceding claim wherein the first course is water based.

6. An attraction according to any preceding claim wherein the second course is aerial based.

7. An attraction according to any preceding claim further including an electronic scoring system, the scoring system calculates scores for participants based on their engagement in the shooting based activity.

8. An attraction according to claim 7 wherein the scoring system is arranged to calculate a combined score based on participants’ activity based on their progress through both the first and second courses. Fig 1 Fig 2 Fig 3 Fig 4 Fig 5 Fig 6