WO2021258221A1 - Convertible end of ride system for water rides - Google Patents

Abstract

A convertible system for receiving riders or ride vehicles at an end of a water ride is disclosed. The system includes a receiving portion positioned adjacent to the end of the ride. In a first system configuration, the receiving portion includes a pool of water for receiving riders or ride vehicles. A surface is configured to be installed over at least a part of the receiving portion, the surface including a deceleration region that decelerates riders or ride vehicles exiting the ride in a second system configuration. A complex for a plurality of water rides, the complex including a plurality of convertible systems, is also disclosed.

Description

CONVERTIBLE END OF RIDE SYSTEM FOR WATER RIDES

FIELD

[0001] This application relates generally to end of ride systems for water rides and, in particular, to a convertible end of ride system. BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventional water rides have riders travel from an initial location at higher elevation to a terminal location at a lower elevation, either without a vehicle or within a vehicle, such as a mat, boat, tube or raft, alone or with other riders. To facilitate sliding, portions of the water slide may be lubricated with a volume of water. [0003] Riders typically arrive at the terminal location with a final velocity and require safe deceleration to arrive at a complete spot. Some or all of the water used to lubricate the ride may also exit the ride at the terminal location and must be collected and recycled for use in the ride.

[0004] In many conventional rides, riders exit the ride into a pool. Riders may drop from the end of the ride into the pool or slide directly into the standing body of water in the pool. In such conventional “wet” end of ride systems, riders get wet.

[0005] In some other conventional rides, such as where riders do not wish to get wet or the ride is being operated in weather where being wet would be undesirable, the ride operator may employ a so-called “dry” end of ride system. However, an amusement or water ride operator must typically choose whether to install a wet or dry system and cannot efficiently or easily switch between the two, as desired.

SUMMARY

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a convertible system for receiving riders or ride vehicles at an end of a water ride, the system comprising: a receiving portion positioned adjacent to the end of the ride, wherein, in a first system configuration, the receiving portion includes a pool of water for receiving riders or ride vehicles, and a surface configured to be installed over at least a part of the receiving portion, wherein the surface comprises a deceleration region that decelerates riders or ride vehicles exiting the ride in a second system configuration.

[0007] In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a complex for a plurality of water rides, the complex comprising a plurality of convertible systems as described herein, each system corresponding to a respective end of one of the plurality of water rides, the plurality of convertible systems being separated from each other by boundary walls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating the present application, there is shown in the drawings illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

[0009] Fig. l is a schematic view of a complex of convertible end of ride systems according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the systems being in a first, “wet” system configuration.

[0010] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the complex of Fig. 1, the systems being in a second, “dry” system configuration.

[0011] Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the complex of Fig. 1, the systems being in alternate “dry” and “wet” configurations.

[0012] Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view of a portion of a convertible system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Fig. 5 is a top view of the steps of the system of Fig. 4.

[0014] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 5. [0015] Fig. 7 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a convertible end of ride system according to the present disclosure.

PET AIT, ED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a convertible end of ride system that may permit a ride operator to switch between “wet” and “dry” system configurations. “Dry” operation may still involve the use of water to lubricate the ride, but riders remain substantially dry in their vehicles as they travel through the ride to the terminal location, are decelerated and are able to exit.

[0017] Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, there is shown a complex 1 of a plurality of convertible systems 10 for receiving riders or ride vehicles exiting at an end 12 of a water ride. Each system 10 includes a receiving portion 14 that, in the illustrated embodiment, is sunken with respect to the end 12 of the water ride. The receiving portion 14 includes a first end 16 adjacent to and, in the illustrated embodiment, sunken with respect to the end 12 of the water ride. A second end 18 of the receiving portion 14 opposite the first end 16 includes a set of steps 20 leading out of the receiving portion 14. The receiving portion 14 further includes opposing side walls 22 and 24, each side wall extending a length of the receiving portion 14 from the first end 16 to the second end 18. A weir 26 is provided adjacent the second end 18.

[0018] More generally, the receiving portion 14 is sunken relative to a ride surface of the end 12. The receiving portion may be above grade and resting on a flat or sloped concrete slab. In some embodiments, the receiving portion may not be sunken relative to the end of the ride 12 but instead by at grade with the end 12, at least where the receiving portion 14 meets the end 12.

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a first configuration state of the system 10 when operated as a “wet” system. Water flowing out of the end 12 of the water ride flows into the receiving portion 14. A desired water level in the receiving portion 14 is maintained as a pool by a height of the weir 26. Any water passing over the weir 26 is evacuated by evacuation system 28 fluidly connected to the receiving portion 14. In the illustrated embodiment, both the weir 26 and evacuation system 28 are located beneath the steps 20, which are grated to permit water to flow therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, the weir 26 is configured as a wall positioned in slanted, parallel slots 27 arranged on opposite sides of the stairs 20.

[0020] In other embodiments, evacuation system 28 may be omitted and the water would flow out of unimpeded out of an open back. More generally, the water evacuation system may be positioned anywhere within the receiving portion, for example, beneath the stairs, along sides of the receiving portion, near an end of the water ride, etc.

[0021] Aside or in addition to a weir, the water level in the receiving portion may be controlled using other means, such as valves.

[0022] Riders or ride vehicles who exit the end 12 of the water ride drop into the standing water pool in the receiving portion 14, which decelerates the riders or ride vehicles. Riders then exit the receiving portion 14 via the steps 20.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a second configuration state of the system 10 when operated as a second, “dry” system. A surface 29 is installed over at least a part of the receiving portion 14 to decelerate riders exiting the ride. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface is on a platform 30 installed over at least a part of the receiving portion 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the platform 30 extends over the entire length over the receiving portion 14. However, in other embodiments, the platform may extend over less than all of the receiving portion 14. Other embodiments of the surface 29 are also possible, one such embodiment being shown in Fig. 7, discussed below.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment of Fig. 2, at a first end 32 of the platform 30, the platform 30 is substantially flush with the end 12 of the water ride. At an opposing second end 34 of the platform 30, the platform 30 is substantially flush with one of the steps 20.

[0025] In other embodiments, the first end 32 may not be flush with the end 12 of the water ride. The first end 32 may be spaced from, lower or higher than the end 12. In such embodiments there may be a transition portion that functionally connects the end 12 to the platform 30 to allow riders or ride vehicles to transition to the platform 30. The platform 30 may itself be inclined or sloped upwards or downwards. [0026] In the second, “dry” system configuration, the weir 26 may be adjusted or entirely removed in order to not maintain any water level and to allow all water entering the receiving portion 14 to be drained via evacuation system 28. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the weir 26 is removed from the slots 27 to operate the system in the “dry” configuration. In other embodiments, for example where the weir may be rotatable around a fixed axis, the weir may be rotated to a flat or near-flat position to permit water to flow thereover or thereunder.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the platform 30 includes an evacuation region 36 to evacuate water exiting the water ride and a deceleration region 38 to decelerate riders or ride vehicles exiting the ride. In the illustrated embodiment, the evacuation region 36 is positioned immediately adjacent the end 12 of the water ride and following the end 12 in a travel path of riders exiting the ride. The evacuation region 36 comprises a set of spaced apart parallel rollers 40. The rollers 40 provide a low coefficient of friction, permitting riders or ride vehicles to pass relatively easily, while water exiting the water ride flows through the spaced apart rollers and into receiving portion 14 towards the evacuation system 28.

[0028] In some embodiments, the evacuation region 36 is omitted from the platform and it only contains a deceleration region 38. Instead, an evacuation region to evacuate the water in the ride may be built into the end 12 of the ride or into a run-out portion of the end 12, for example a substantially horizontal portion of the ride flume near or at the end 12 of the ride.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the deceleration region 38 follows the evacuation region 36 (whether in the platform or in the end of the ride) in a travel path of the riders or ride vehicles. The deceleration region does not necessarily follow immediately after the evacuation region but may be spaced from the evacuation region.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, a top surface 39 of the deceleration region 38 has a higher coefficient of friction than the evacuation region 36. For example, the deceleration region 38 may comprise a synthetic turf or plastic bristle material. In some embodiments, the platform 30, including the deceleration region 38, may comprise a crash pad or foam pit which receives the riders to aid in deceleration. [0031] The deceleration region 38 may also comprise one or more sub-regions with varying coefficients of friction. For example, to provide a gradual and smooth deceleration two or more successive sub-regions with an increasing coefficient of friction may be provided. The sub-regions may comprise multiple patches of material differing from the material surrounding the patches.

[0032] The deceleration region 38 may also be water-permeable. For example, the deceleration region 38 may include a water-permeable material, such as artificial turf, placed over a grid support. This may allow any remaining water that is not evacuated in the evacuation region 36 and is carried over into the deceleration region 36 to drain. This may allow the evacuation region to be omitted so that the deceleration region functions to both decelerate riders or ride vehicles and evacuate a substantial portion of the water flowing from the ride.

[0033] In some embodiments, the platform may have side walls. In some embodiments, the side walls of the platform, sidewalls of the flume at the end of the water ride and/or other parts of the platform and/or flume may include deceleration material that may make contact with parts of the ride vehicle other than a bottom of the ride vehicle.

[0034] In some embodiments, the evacuation region 36 and deceleration region 38 at least partially overlap, such that evacuation and/or deceleration are performed by both the evacuation and deceleration regions 36, 38.

[0035] In some embodiments, the deceleration region 38 may be positioned immediately adjacent the end 12 of the ride. In some such embodiments, at least part of the platform 30 may be configured to be water permeable. For example, some or all of the platform 30 may be covered in a water permeable material, such as artificial turf, leading up to the end 12 of the ride. The material may overlay a changing grid structure underneath such that more water is able to pass through an initial grid structure adjacent the end 12 of the ride where the most water is to be expected. However, the presence of the material or other decelerating elements may cause deceleration to begin immediately upon exiting the ride, together with water evacuation. In other embodiments, the platform may be uniform along its length. [0036] Similarly, the evacuation region 36 may also act to decelerate the riders. For example, there may be an initial incline or upwards grading of the evacuation region 36, as seen with the configuration of the rollers 40 in Fig. 2. The incline from the end 12 of the ride allows for initial deceleration of riders exiting the ride. Deceleration region 38 may also use grading to further decelerate riders in addition to any friction braking caused by the top surface 39.

[0037] Other configurations are possible. The evacuation region may be configured as slots, grating, rollers, or a combination of these features. Other features which permit water to flow through could also be used. The evacuation region may also be located at least part of the way into the deceleration region. In yet other embodiments, the evacuation region may be omitted entirely, for example in embodiments where the deceleration region is sufficiently water permeable or if the flows of the water in the ride is reduced sufficiently when being operated in a second, “dry” configuration.

[0038] As noted above, the deceleration region may comprise a single material with a common coefficient of friction resulting in constant deceleration or may comprise multiple, different materials with different coefficients of friction for abrupt or gradual deceleration. By varying the coefficient of friction of various portions or sub-regions of the deceleration region, the material or configuration being used, and/or the slope any desired deceleration effect may be achieved.

[0039] In some embodiments, the platform, and thus part or all of the deceleration region, may be incorporated partially or wholly into the end of the ride 12. For example, in “wet” system configurations, the end 12 of the ride may comprise a traditional fiber-reinforced plastic flume run-out leading to the receiving portion, while in a “dry” system configuration part of the flume run-out is replaced with a decelerating material, such as artificial turf or rubber. This replacement could be considered to be part of the platform 30, making the deceleration region adjacent to and/or part of the end 12 of the ride.

[0040] While the illustrated embodiment shows the platform 30 being removed to switch between second and first, i.e. “dry” and “wet”, system configurations, in other embodiments some or all of the platform 30 may not require removal to switch configurations. For example, in some embodiments, some or all of the platform may persist in the “wet” configuration but be below the water level maintained in the receiving portion so that the platform is partially or wholly submerged.

[0041] As shown in the illustrated embodiment, when installed, the platform 30 may span the entire length of the receiving portion 14 as well as the entire width between side walls 22, 24. This may reduce the risk that a rider accidentally falls into the receiving portion when exiting.

[0042] The platform 30 may rest on a support structure 41, such as a truss or scaffold, removably fixed to the receiving portion 14, such as the side walls 22, 24 and/or the floor 42 of the receiving portion 14. The platform 30 may comprise multiple, separate panels that are installed next to each other to form the platform and deceleration region. More generally, the support structure could be a modular system comprised of vertical and horizontal support members meant to support the platform panels and fastened to the main either mechanically or by friction (i.e. gravity or press-fit).

[0043] The support structure 41 may be adjustable in height, length and/or sloping. For example, the scaffold structure may have telescoping components. Adjustability may also allow the platform to accommodate different ride conditions or settings, such as the expected speed of riders arriving at the end runout of the water ride. For example, an operator may wish to decrease the deceleration time of riders by increasing the upwards slope of the platform.

[0044] While a single system 10 has been described and may be used in isolation, the illustrated embodiment of the complex 1 includes a plurality of systems 10, each being a separate lane such that the receiving portions 14 of the systems 10 are not in fluid communication with each other prior to respective evacuation of the water from the receiving portion. Furthermore, the side walls 22, 24 are sufficiently high as to reduce the risk of collision of riders from different lanes or significant splashing between lanes.

[0045] As shown, an operator of a water ride may choose to operate all systems in first, “wet” system configurations (Fig. 1), all systems in second, “dry” system configurations (Fig. 2) or some other combination thereof (Fig. 3). Each system 10 of the complex 1 corresponds to a respective end 12 of one of a plurality of water rides. [0046] Moreover, as shown, each system 10 may have a corresponding evacuation system 28, the evacuation systems possibly being linked to feed into a common sump for reuse in the water rides.

[0047] Other configurations are possible. For example, while an elongated, lane-like receiving portion is shown, other shapes and geometries are possible, for example V, L, X, U, T shaped and others. The receiving portion may take on any shape. Accordingly, the platform would be configured differently so as to be complementary to all or part of the shape of the receiving portion. Stairs are not necessarily present at an exit of the receiving portion. The exit may be a sloped, grated ramp to allow riders to walk up while also allowing water to flow through. The exit of the receiving portion may also be at grade with the surrounding ground. The platform may be flush with a portion of a walk out exit and/or may be sloped upwards or downwards to accommodate the exit.

[0048] The weir maintaining the water level in the “wet” configuration is not necessarily coincident with the second end of the receiving portion and may be positioned elsewhere. Water levels in the receiving portion may also be maintained using other structures or systems aside from a weir. A removable weir, as discussed above, permits substantially all water to drain from the receiving portion.

[0049] Referring to Fig. 7, another embodiment of a convertible end of ride system 10 according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. Following the end 12 of the water ride, a downward sloping transition portion 44 connects the end 12 of the ride with the floor 42 of the receiving portion 14. The transition portion 44 acts, together with the weir 26, to retain water in the receiving portion 14 in the first, “wet” system configuration.

[0050] The surface 29 is installed directly over at least a part of the floor 42 of the receiving portion 14. The surface 29 may comprise a deceleration region 46, including a decelerating material, such as artificial turf, that is fixed, possibly removably, to the floor 42. The embodiments of the deceleration region discussed in respect of the platform 30 apply mutatis mutandis to the deceleration region 46 of the surface 29. Various decelerating materials and decelerating means are possible. The transition portion 44 may also be configured to aid in deceleration of the riders, for example by including a decelerating material fixed thereto.

[0051] In the second, “dry” system configuration, the weir is removed or the receiving portion 14 is otherwise drained, exposing the surface 29 and causing riders to slide onto the surface 29 as they exit the ride. In some embodiments, water may also be evacuated or removed at the end of the ride 12, for example using grated rollers as described above, to reduce or eliminate the water flowing from the ride into the receiving portion and onto the surface 29

[0052] Numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventive concepts. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the inventive concepts within the instant disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure.

[0053] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a nonexclusive inclusion. For example, a composition, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherently present therein.

[0054] As used herein the terms "approximately," "about," "substantially" and variations thereof are intended to include not only the exact value qualified by the term, but to also include some slight deviations therefrom, such as deviations caused by measuring error, manufacturing tolerances, wear and tear on components or structures, stress exerted on structures, and combinations thereof, for example.

[0055] Use of the "a" or "an" are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the inventive concepts. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. [0056] Any reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Moreover, it will be understood that features of one embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments, even if not expressly recited or described as a combination.

Claims

1. A convertible system for receiving riders or ride vehicles at an end of a water ride, the system comprising: a receiving portion positioned adjacent to the end of the ride, wherein, in a first system configuration, the receiving portion includes a pool of water for receiving riders or ride vehicles, and a surface configured to be installed over at least a part of the receiving portion, wherein the surface comprises a deceleration region that decelerates riders or ride vehicles exiting the ride in a second system configuration.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the surface is on a platform.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein, in the second system configuration, a first end of the platform is substantially flush with the end of the water ride.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is sunken with respect to the end of the water ride.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the deceleration region is positioned immediately adjacent to the end of the water ride.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the platform is at least one of removable and adjustable in height, length and/or sloping.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the deceleration region is water- permeable.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the deceleration region comprises a water-permeable material.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the deceleration region comprises one or more of synthetic turf, a crash pad and a foam pit.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the deceleration region comprises two or more deceleration sub-regions with increasing coefficients of friction in a direction of travel of the riders exiting the ride.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the platform further comprises an evacuation region to evacuate water exiting the ride.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the evacuation region and deceleration region at least partially overlap.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the evacuation region is positioned immediately adjacent to the end of the water ride between the end of the water ride and the deceleration region.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the evacuation region comprises at least one of slots, grating and a set of spaced apart parallel rollers.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiving portion comprises a weir to a) maintain a water level of the pool in the receiving portion in the first system configuration and b) allow water to evacuate the receiving portion in the second system configuration.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the weir is removable.

17. The system of claim 2, further comprising a set of steps leading out of the receiving portion, wherein the platform has a second end that, in the second system configuration, is substantially flush with one of the set of steps.

18. The system of claim 2, wherein the receiving portion comprises a lane with opposing sidewalls and the platform, in the second system configuration, spans the sidewalls.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein a transition portion connects the end of the water ride and the receiving portion.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a deceleration material fixed to a floor of the receiving portion.

21. A complex for a plurality of water rides, the complex comprising a plurality of convertible systems according to any one of claims 1 to 20, each system corresponding to a respective end of one of the plurality of water rides, the plurality of convertible systems being separated from each other by boundary walls.

22. The complex of claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of convertible systems comprises a respective water evacuation system.

23. The complex of claim 22, wherein the evacuation systems lead to a common sump.

24. The complex of claim 21, wherein the plurality of systems comprises parallel lanes separated by sidewalls.