WO2010112948A2

WO2010112948A2 - Sliding course

Info

Publication number: WO2010112948A2
Application number: PCT/HU2010/000034
Authority: WO
Inventors: Csongor Czintos
Original assignee: Csongor Czintos
Priority date: 2009-04-02
Filing date: 2010-03-30
Publication date: 2010-10-07
Also published as: HUP0900202A2; WO2010112948A3; HU227718B1; HU0900202D0

Abstract

The invention is a sliding course comprising water-fed, open-water surface sliding elements and means for transmitting water to the sliding elements, the sliding elements being arranged along a sloped surface, cross-directional to the slope direction, beneath each other, and are formed on their side towards a lower end of the sloped surface with a flexible bordering wall (2). According to the invention, the sliding elements are channel-sections (6) interconnected with each another with interconnecting passages (5) enabling within the channel-sections (6) a gravitational flow cross-directional to the slope direction.

Description

SLIDING COURSE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a downhill sliding course for sliding objects and persons down a slope, primarily for entertainment purposes such as sporting activities, summer skiing, snowboarding, sleighing.

BACKGROUND ART

In WO 00/78417 A2 a downhill sliding course is disclosed for sliding down objects and persons on a slope. This known sliding course comprises sliding elements to cover the slope surface and a water source to moisten the elements by means of water. In the known solution, the sliding elements are made up of pools arranged one below the other forming water-filled micro-terraces. The pools forming the micro-terraces are made up of a covering sheet watertightly covering the slope, as well as flexible bordering walls (ribs) extending from the covering sheet. The individual pools are bordered by the covering sheet and the rib. The end sections of the pool are closed by cross-directional sectioning ribs adjoining the covering sheet and the rib. The micro-terraces have flexible, resilient walls sufficiently strong to keep in the water, but at the same time sufficiently flexible to bend - if necessary - to give way for a sliding person or device. In case of the known micro-terraced sliding course, the water is stopped or significantly slowed down on the slope by means of all-round enclosed elemental terraces, which, by forming ponds of water, practically form still water units, and the totality of these ponds provides the still water demand. The micro-terraces are, in all cases, filled up by way of filling and overflowing of the closed micro-terrace positioned directly above. Small-sized holes and openings can be formed into the walls of the pools so as to regulate the drainage, which do not influence the essential enclosure of the micro-terraces, i.e. there is no side-way current, and essentially still water is contained therein.

It is a disadvantage of this known solution, that the pools essentially contain still water, the clearing of which is difficult, and this makes the cleaning and drainage of the water content of the sliding course extremely problematic. The small-sized holes and openings arranged in the walls of the pools for regulating the drainage will function in a more balanced spreading of water, nevertheless this spreading can not provide a quick refill of the water splashed out by the slidings. Another disadvantage of the known solution is therefore that the water splashed out after each slide during the ride refills slowly, therefore, in certain pools the water level is lower than desired for a significant period of time. A further disadvantage of the known solution is that it is not suitable to produce significant lateral current on the sliding course, or in certain sections of the sliding course.

DESCIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to significantly ease and eliminate the aforementioned deficiencies as well as to further develop the known solution.

It is a special object to achieve that water is available in a sufficient amount, in a dynamic manner (easily discharged at any time), and continuously at all times, on the entire area of the sliding course, namely that any occasional splashing of the water does not cause a local decrease in the water level for a significant period of time.

It has been a further object to provide continuous water flow in a way that circulation and water replacement does not cause excessive energy consumption. It has been an additional object to construct a sliding course, which easily complies with the relevant hygienic and environmental protection measures and regulations, moreover, which is easy to manufacture, repair, and is sufficiently safe.

According to the present invention, the micro-terraces or pools containing the essentially still water have been substituted by channel-sections transmitting the flowing water as well as by interconnecting passages interconnecting the channel-sections. In this way an interconnected, continuous flow route is created, preferably alternatingly cross-directional to the slope direction, by means of which the water released onto the slope is channelled at a slowed flow. The alternate cross-directional flow route according to the present invention shall refer to any and all flow routes, wherein the water flow direction has a lateral flow component perpendicular to the slope direction in at least one section of the channel formed by the channel-sections and the interconnecting passages, and has in at least one other section a lateral flow component opposite thereto. The present invention, therefore, relates to a sliding course according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Exemplary preferred embodiments of the invention are described hereunder with reference to drawings, where

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a sliding course according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the sliding course according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a modified version of the sliding course according to Fig. 1 having covered interconnecting passages and a throttle placed in the interconnecting passages formed as a filter,

Fig. 4 is an embodiment of the sliding course according to the invention having channel-sections interconnected into groups and enclosed interconnecting passages, Fig. 5 is a detail of a version of the sliding course according to the invention formed with a hollow bordering wall,

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a version of the sliding course according to the invention implemented with interconnecting passages arranged with guiding walls, and Fig. 7 is a view of another sliding course according to the invention, wherein the interconnecting passages are formed by discontinuities in the bordering walls.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The operation of the downhill sliding course or sliding track requires that water of appropriate amount and sufficiently slow motion is continuously available on the slope. The solution according to the present invention enables forcing the water by means of obstacles placed and arranged advantageously in the way of the flowing water to a (serpentine) movement having a direction essentially perpendicular to the slope direction, whereby its downhill flow will be slow. The speed of the water slowly flowing here-and-to is yet low in the absolute sense, nevertheless, the respective speed of the water flowing in opposite directions in the respective channel beds of the channel-sections arranged below each other will annul each other owing to their opposite directions, thereby providing the preferred zero lateral impulse during the ride of the sliding, e.g. water skiing.

According to the invention it has been recognised that in addition to keeping the essential advantages of the known solution, the above objects can be achieved by continuously discharging water onto the slope - instead of the micro- terraces and pools - and arranging obstacles, open at least on one side, in the way of the water flowing down the slope so as to regulate the water flow down the slope, in other words the water running into the obstacle is able to flow downward at least at one end of the obstacle on to the next obstacle. Channel-sections are used as obstacles, which are essentially cross- directional to the slope direction, namely which are almost horizontal. Such channel-sections are arranged on the slope one below the other, essentially parallel to each other. Here, the phrase of 'almost horizontal¹ shall refer to a slope (inclination) of the channels of maximum 3 %, preferably. In between the channels positioned beneath each other, leading from an upper channel to another lower channel a forwarding pipe, an interconnecting passage is arranged. From the top, this interconnecting passage may be covered or open.

The channel-sections can be formed in a way similar to the pools of the known solution with the essential difference, however, that in this case the covering sheet watertightly covering the slope as well as the flexible bordering walls protruding from the covering sheet do not border pools, but they border channel-sections making up an interconnected and continuous flow route. Accordingly, there are no cross-directional sectioning ribs adjoining the covering sheet and the ribs, obstructing the lateral flow of the water. In the case of the present invention, therefore, the constant lateral flow is not only desirable but also represents an absolute requirement for achieving the objects.

In the present invention the bordering walls force the water continuously flowing from above to a movement of alternating lateral direction, and slow down its flow like in a meandering river. The resilient and flexible bordering walls slow down and divert the movement of the water. By means of lateral detour of the water and by keeping it in even motion, it can be ensured that the water surface has no slack water areas, and that hygienic standards are better met, moreover, that the sliding course can be totally drained in the case of a shutdown. By means of guiding elements, their geometry and positioning, water coverage of certain parts of the course can easily be influenced, therewith the speed of the slide as well as steerability. The shape and construction of the channel-sections may vary, nevertheless, they have to ensure the lateral flow of water as compared to the slope direction of the slope and its free movement in the desired direction, as well as its free outflow from the course track.

The obstacle placed in the way of the downstream water can preferably be a horizontally arranged, flexible plastic band having at least one discontinuity between the two confining sides of the slope. The interconnecting passage created by the discontinuity of the band can be alternately arranged at one end then at the other end of the band, or at least offset in a lateral direction as compared to each other. The obstacle can be a plastic band lead, typically in a straight line, partly or entirely in the width of the sliding course slightly offset from the normal to the slope direction (horizontal).

The invention therefore relates to a sliding course, which comprises water- fed sliding elements with open water-surface and means known per se (e.g. a pipe, a pump) for transmitting water to the sliding elements. The sliding elements are arranged one beneath another along the sloping surface, in a direction perpendicular to that of the slope, having downstream sides formed with a resiliently flexible bordering wall. According to the invention, the sliding elements are channel-sections, interconnected with each other by means of interconnecting passages enabling a gravitational flow cross-directional to the slope direction within the channel-sections. The channel-sections together with the interconnecting passages form a flow route, which is preferably alternately cross- directional to the slope direction.

The sliding course schematically demonstrated in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a cover 4 placed onto the surface of the slope and bordering walls 2 extending from the surface of the cover 4. The bordering walls 2 are essentially perpendicular to the cover 4 and are fixed thereto. The bordering walls 2 are preferably bands, their ends being folded back underneath another bordering wall 2 positioned below them. At the back fold, an interconnecting passage 5 is created together with the end of the downstream adjacent bordering wall 2, which interconnecting passage interconnecting the channel-section 6 defined by one bordering wall 2 and the cover 4 with a downstream channel-section 6 formed by another bordering wall 2 and the cover 4 in a lower position, thereby transmitting the flowing water from the higher position channel-section 6 into a lower positioned - in the present case, adjacent - channel-section 6. The bordering walls 2 are positioned one below the other having all their ends back folded. In this way, at the opposite ends of the adjacent channel-sections 6 respective interconnecting passages 5 are formed, transmitting the water of the given channel-section 6 into another lower positioned channel-section 6. The interconnecting passages 5, in this way, interconnect the channel-sections 6 directly beneath each other. In such a way a flow route 3 is formed as indicated in Fig. 1 by a thick line, which essentially is alternately cross- directional relative to the slope direction of the slope.

Together with the channel-sections 6, the interconnecting passages 5 arranged at the two edges of the sliding course preferably form a flow route 3 meandering in a snake-like manner, wherein the adjacent channel-sections 6 have opposite flow directions. The channel-sections 6 jointly form an interconnected channel having an open water surface, in other words the water flowing therein has a free surface. Viewing from above, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the water surface in the channel-sections 6 fully cover the slope surface. Such a full coverage is not necessarily required, experiences show that safe sliding is provided on the slope at a slope coverage of 80 %. The lower the coverage is, the more the unevenness of the sliding course can be experienced during the sliding, in other words, the sliding course provides a skiing experience of rough surface. In certain cases this can also be desired.

Fig. 3 shows a slightly modified embodiment of the sliding course shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In this version, the back folded ends of the bordering walls 2 defining the channel-sections 6 are covered by a coverage 8, which preferably is constructed in an easily removable manner and is remountably coupled to the side wall 1 bordering the sliding slope from the side. For creating this connection any suitable solution may be applied, the details of which had not been indicated in the figure. It is the essence of this version that a filter 7 is arranged in the interconnecting passage 5, which can be formed for example by means of perforating the end of the bordering wall 2, or more advantageously the filter is arranged as a separate, removable piece, to filter out all objects, garbage, waste, accidentally fallen into the channel-sections 6, so that at desired intervals these objects may be removed from the filter. At the same time, the filter also serves as a throttle to slow down the water flow, by means of which it can be achieved that on the one hand the flow becomes slower in the channel-sections 6, while on the other hand the open water surface is as much horizontal as possible at the output ends of the channel-sections 6. The filter 7 may comprise an additional filter insert having the form of a sponge, which - if contaminated - can be simply disposed of, or reused after being washed.

The sliding course according to Fig. 4 comprises channel-section groups 60, 61 , 62, 63 ...69 forming parallel beds, wherein flow directions are identical. Of course, it is not requisite to have an identical flow direction along the entire surface of the sliding course, but the flow direction may alternate at certain sections of the entire length of the sliding course. If more intensive and faster flow is created in such channel-section groups 60, 61 , 62, 63 ... 69, then the sliding person will experience in the course of its sliding down a lateral impulse, the amount of which depends on the speed of the flow, and will drift towards the side of the sliding slope, at this point he will be forced to maneuvre in order to compensate for it; whereby the slide will become more entertaining. In case of a slow flow, this drift is insignificant, and cannot be experienced on a short length.

At the outflow end of these channel-section groups 60, 61 , 62, 63 ... 69, a collecting basin is located to collect the received water, discharging it into the interconnecting passages 50, 51, 52, 53 ... 59, which in this case are formed as confined pipelines transmitting the water to one or more channel-section(s) 6, channel-section group(s) 61 , 62, 63 ... 69 or to any arbitrary place located at a lower position, below the sliding course. If, by way of example, a slow flow, e.g. a slight rate of lateral drift, is desired to be achieved, then by means of the interconnecting passage 50 the water collected by collecting basin 70 collecting the water of channel-section group 60 according to Fig. 4 will be transmitted to the channel-section group 62, where through the appropriate openings, nozzles the water is transmitted by relatively low speed into the channel-section group 62. Fig. 4 demonstrates an alternative version suitable for achieving medium lateral drift, wherein the water originating from the channel-section group 60 and collected by collecting basin 70 is forwarded by the interconnecting passage 50 into the second downward channel-section group 63 instead of the neighbouring one. Of course, even higher lateral initial speed may be achieved if the collected water is channelled into a place positioned at a yet lower level.

The higher lateral flow speed is desired to be achieved, the more it is to be taken into account that the surface of the water flowing in the channel-section group 60 is becoming less horizontal. Either it is to be accepted that the water level at the outflow end of the channel-section group 60 is lower than at the upper rim of the bordering walls 2, or the upper rim of the bordering walls 2 needs to be formed or adjusted with a construction corresponding to the speed of the flow.

Thus, the above embodiment also comprises interconnecting passages(s) 5 interconnecting one or more channel-section(s) 6 with one or more channel- section^) 6 located at a level lower than the directly downstream adjacent channel-section 6.

Fig. 5 demonstrates yet a further embodiment of the sliding course according to the present invention, wherein the sidewall 1 adjoins the ends of the bordering walls 2 attached to the cover 4. Within the bordering wall 2, a longitudinal cavity is formed, positioned underneath the bed of the channel-section 6. This cavity forms an interconnecting passage 5, which, at one end adjoins the channel-section 6 directly above, via an opening 20 formed in the wall bordering the cavity from above. The other end of the interconnecting passage 5 formed by the cavity communicates with the channel-section 6 beneath, via an opening 21 created in the bordering wall 2. In this embodiment, the interconnecting passage 5 is practically equal in length with that of the channel-section 6, and in case of adequate sizing, the inclination of the free water surface flowing in the channel-section 6 is identical to that of the upper rim of the bordering wall 2. In case of sizing for adequately slow flow, the water surface flowing in the channel-section 6 is almost horizontal and when establishing the sliding course, the upper rim of the bordering walls 2 can be adjusted to a horizontal position, which enables that the sliding course can be established in a more simple and easy manner. Flow speed can also be adjusted later by means of broadening the size of the opening or by means of inserting a throttle. Such throttle may be e.g. a filter simply placed onto the opening 20 from above. The shock absorption impact of the water in the cavity will reduce the danger of casualties resulting from any possible fall of the sliding persons.

The cavity forming the interconnecting passage 5 can be constructed in one step with the bordering wall 2, by means of extrusion. The cavity may also be formed by means of a separate band attachable to the cover 4. Between the separate band and the bordering wall 2 there need not be a leakproof connection, a slight leekage will not significantly influence the flow conditions.

Fig. 6 shows yet a further preferred embodiment of the sliding course according to the invention, wherein the ends of the channel-sections 6 bordered by the bordering walls 2 are alternately laterally offset relative to each other. At the ends of the bordering walls 2 which are closer to the middle of the sliding course, there are skewed guiding walls 9 arranged, guiding the water departing the channel-section 6 bordered by the given bordering wall 2 into the channel-section 6 directly underneath, providing a lateral initial speed thereto. In this case, the interconnecting passage 5 is bordered by the cover 4 of the sliding course, the end of the given bordering wall 2 and the skewed guiding wall 9 in its vicinity. The distance between the guiding wall 9 and the respective bordering wall 2 and the cross section defined thereby defines the resistance of the interconnecting passage 5 to the flow, namely the throttle that constricts the flow speed of the water departing the given channel-section 6. Of course, the initial speed given to the flowing water by the interconnecting passage 5 is not necessarily sufficient for retaining the total volume of water on the flow route 3, but water will partly flow down through the end of the given channel-section 6 that ends farther from the middle of the sliding course. This, however, will not cause any problem, as this volume of water is caught by a lower located guiding wall 9 and is forwarded to a channel-section 6 located underneath. If the guiding wall 9 is sufficiently elongated, no or very little water will get into its upwards located outer part, and in this way a security track may be formed for slowing down the movement of the sliding person. This braking impact may be increased by way of making the guiding wall 9 of a material which has a high friction coefficient in its moist state.

Fig. 7 depicts an embodiment of the sliding course according to the invention, wherein the interconnecting passages 5 are composed of discontinuities of the bordering walls 2 and the openings formed therein. These discontinuities are alternately laterally offset relative to the discontinuities of the guiding wall 2 located directly above them, thereby forcing the water flowing down the sliding course to an alternating lateral flow. The embodiment shown in Fig. 7 may be considered as two sliding courses arranged next to each other, having two sliding tracks made up of channel-sections 6 having opposite flow directions at each level. The water discharged onto the sliding course flows down at the two ends of the channel- section 6 formed by the upmost bordering wall 2, for there being interconnecting passages 5 at each ends of the bordering wall 2 between the cover 4 of the sliding course and the sidewall 1 bordering the sliding course from the side. The opening formed in the middle of the bordering wall 2 located directly underneath forms the next interconnecting passage 5; here the ends of the bordering wall 2 are closed by the sidewall 1. In this way from the given channel-sections 6, water flows down in the middle of the sliding course into the next channel-section 6, at the ends of which again there are respective interconnecting passages 5 formed, therefore the water flows through the two ends of this channel-section 6. This flow route is repeated along the length of the sliding course in full or in part. Such flow route can be formed by means of lateral multiplication, namely by creating three, four, five, etc. discontinuities within the bordering walls 2 and thereby having the flow route separate into corresponding numbers of branches.

The slope surface is furnished with a watertight cover closed from its two sides. Mounted onto the surface, there are obstacles, bordering walls preferably arranged as resilient flexible bands. The bordering walls protrude from the surface of the cover. The bordering walls extend horizontally between the two edges of the slope, and are discontinued in at least one place. The interconnecting passage formed by this discontinuity is open in its full height. Together with the cover, the bordering walls, obstacles form a sliding course having a continuous channel.

Water is discharged onto the top of the sliding course described above. The water flowing down is guided into one or more channel-section(s) 6 by the bordering walls 2, thereby forcing the water to detour and change its direction relative to its free course. Due to the change of direction the course of the flowing water will multiply in its length, and in a flow route similar to a meandering course of a river, will flow in a bed of significantly lower degree of inclination than the original degree of inclination of the slope, along a long flow route at a speed significantly slower than the free flow, nevertheless, in a continuous manner. In case of a detour of an appropriate geometry, the water spreads evenly within the channel meandering on the surface of the slope. The users of the sliding slope enter onto the sliding course by means of a sliding means, e.g. skis, and slide down on it. In the course of its sliding down, when passing, it bends down the flexible bordering walls 2, thereby freeing the water flowing in the channel-sections 6 between these bordering walls 2, thereby enabling the rapid splashing of the water into arbitrary directions from the channel bed. The cross-directional impulse of the flowing water is zero or almost zero relative to a normal slope, as the slight speed difference of the flowing waters, which by all means are slow - typically flowing in opposite directions in the channel-sections 6 located beneath each other - will practically equalise. The user will perform an exchange of impulses with the zero impulse water, freed in this way, making navigation possible. The water splashed during the use will spread in the other channel-section(s), and due to the continuous flow it will in a short period of time regain its level, i.e. channel-section 6 will fill up.

The advantages of the present invention are present without the need to considerably increase the recirculation demand for the low-speed continuous flow relative to prior art solutions.

Obviously, the present invention is not limited to the above described exemplary preferred embodiments, but further modifications and variations are possible within the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A sliding course comprising water-fed, open-water surface sliding elements and means for transmitting water to the sliding elements, the sliding elements being arranged along a sloped surface, cross-directional to the slope direction, beneath each other, and are formed on their side towards a lower end of the sloped surface with a flexible bordering wall (2), c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the sliding elements are channel-sections (6) interconnected with each another with interconnecting passages (5) enabling within the channel-sections (6) a gravitational flow cross-directional to the slope direction.

2. The sliding course according to claim 1 , characterised in that the channel-sections (6) together with the interconnecting passages (5) form a flow route (3) being alternatingly cross-directional to the slope direction.

3. The sliding course according to claim 2, characterised in that at least in a part of the channel-sections (6) the flow route (3) has opposite directions in the adjacent channel-sections (6).

4. The sliding course according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised by comprising interconnecting passages (5) connecting channel-sections (6) located directly beneath each other.

5. The sliding course according to claim 4, characterised by comprising interconnecting passages (5) arranged at the two sides of the sliding course, the interconnecting passages (5) forming a flow route (3) of a snake-like meander.

6. The sliding course according to claim 1 , characterised by also comprising an interconnecting passage (5) interconnecting one or more channel-section(s) (6) with one or more further channel-section^) (6) positioned at a level lower than a channel-section (6) being directly downstream adjacent to the one or more channel-section(s) (6).

7. The sliding course according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that at least some of the interconnecting passages (5) are formed as openings in the bordering walls (2).

8. The sliding course according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that at least some of the interconnecting passages (5) are formed as pipelines.

9. The sliding course according to claim 8, characterised in that the pipeline is formed as a longitudinal cavity in the channel-section (6), connected at one of its ends to the channel-section (6) and at its other end to a further channel-section (6) located at a lower level.

10. The sliding course according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that a throttle element is arranged in the interconnecting passage (5) for slowing down the flow, the throttle element preferably comprising a filter (7).

11. The sliding course according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the channel-sections (6) are formed of a cover (4) watertightly covering the sloped surface and bordering walls (2) extending from the cover (4).

12. The sliding course according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the surface of the bordering walls (2) is made up of a material having low friction coefficient in a wet state.