AU2008202697B2 - Water chute - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA FB RICE & CO Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys Patents Act 1990 AQUARENA FREIZEITANLAGEN GMBH COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Water chute The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- -1 A WATER CHUTE The invention relates to a water chute having a chute 5 emerging in an outlet, the said chute comprising a starting stretch and a finishing stretch, which latter emerges in the outlet. The demands placed upon attractions in leisure parks 10 are steadily rising. Thus, in water parks or adventure parks, for example, water chutes are offered, which are configured as black hole chutes, as wide chutes and as high-speed water chutes. Furthermore, a water chute comprising a jump has already been developed, which is 15 known from DE 201 20 561 Ul. US 2004/0198520 Al discloses a water chute formed by two rectilinearly running track portions, which are arranged at an acute angle to each other and merge 20 together at a common point. Starting from a starting stretch, the end of the first rectilinear run leads into the beginning of the second rectilinear run, which passes at the end into a finishing stretch. In this water chute, the run is configured as a type of 25 zigzagging chute. After the user has left the starting stretch, an upwardly directed sliding movement is made. In the transition region from the first to the second run, the sliding speed is reduced to zero, so that the rider is sent into a fresh acceleration phase in the 30 opposite sliding direction. A so-called loop ride is hence not enabled. In addition, a water chute has been disclosed which has a very long and steep starting stretch, which passes 35 into a loop section, the starting point of the loop and the end of the loop lying directly adjacent to each other and aligning the loop section in the vertical direction. A loop chute of this kind has the drawback that the generated accelerations are too high and the 2 users suffer injuries to the neck and vertebral region and also briefly experience considerable balance disorders after using the loop chute. The design of a loop section as a loop without the aforesaid drawbacks could, however, 5 considerably enhance the nature of the experience. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of 10 providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each 15 claim of this application. Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, 20 integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. According to the present invention there is provided a 25 water chute having a chute emerging in an outlet, the said chute comprising a starting stretch and a finishing stretch, which latter emerges in the outlet, characterized in that between the starting stretch and the finishing stretch there is provided at least one loop section, which 30 has a starting point and a finishing point wherein the loop portion between the starting point and the finishing point subtends as a central angle of at least 2700 or has a crossover point and which, at least between the starting point and a summit of the loop section, is inclined by 20* 35 to 800 relative to a vertical.

2A In a preferred aspect the invention may provide a water chute having a chute emerging into an outlet, which chute comprises a loop section which allows upside-down sliding and in which the loads upon the human body lie below the 5 maximally permitted acceleration force of a standard drawn up for water chutes. Further advantageous embodiments and refinements of the invention are defined in the other claims. 10 The inventive design of the water chute has a loop section which, viewed from a starting point of the loop section, comprises at least one circumferential angle of at least 2700 and which, at least between a starting point and a 15 summit of the loop section, is inclined by at least 200 to 80* relative to a vertical or has a transverse inclination. As a result of the alignment of the loop section, which alignment is provided outside a vertical, the maximum acceleration at the transition from the 20 starting point into the rising section portion of the loop section can be reduced, so that the loads arising from the acceleration and centrifugal forces do not lead to any physical impairments in the user. In order to reduce the physical loads, the angle of inclination of the loop 25 section relative to the vertical can be enlarged, the sensation of upside-down travel being able to be imparted to the user even if the angle of inclination relative to the vertical is very large. In addition, this arrangement has the - 3 advantage that, whilst the length of the starting stretch remains constant, use by both light and heavy persons is made possible. The inclined arrangement also makes it possible for slower-sliding users or very 5 light users to experience, instead of upside-down travel, a type of roller coaster ride. An alternative embodiment of the water chute is given by the fact that the loop section has a crossover point 10 and the loop section is inclined by at least 50 to 80* relative to a vertical. The initial and finishing stretches, adjoining the rising and falling sections of the loop section, can be aligned in different directions, so that a flexible chute course is enabled. 15 According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the radius of curvature of the loop section, starting from the starting point of the loop section to the summit of the loop section, 20 diminishes. The starting point of the loop section preferably constitutes the transition from a falling course of the starting stretch into a rising course of the loop section. Following this, the radius of curvature of the loop section declines, so that the 25 gravity-induced reduction of the sliding speed is compensated by a reduction in the radius of the loop section up to the summit so as not to reduce the centrifugal force, or reduce it only by a small amount, so that the summit is slid through or passed through at 30 the necessary minimum speed. It is preferably provided that the reduction in radius of the loop section leads to a constant centrifugal force acceleration, which is preferably less than or equal to the permitted acceleration. 35 According to a first alternative embodiment, it is provided that the radius of curvature between the starting point and the summit of the loop section is continually reduced. The loop section is made up of a plurality of individual track segments. These are matched, in accordance with the size of the circular arc segment, to the reduction in the radius of curvature. Such a design produces a very uniform curve 5 acceleration. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the radius of curvature between the starting point and the summit of the loop 10 section is reduced portion by portion. The portion-by portion reduction in the radius of curvature is realized from track segment to track segment of which the loop section is composed. A simple manufacture of the individual track segments can thereby be obtained, 15 since these have a constant radius over their angular range. A manufacture based on identical parts for the section between the starting point and the summit, on the one hand, and from the summit to the finishing point, on the other hand, can hence also be obtained. 20 Preferably, for a run from the starting point up to the summit, a radius of curvature is provided which is formed from a combination of a run for a circular loop and a clothoid loop. This ensures that a uniform curve 25 acceleration for the user is obtained, the centrifugal accelerations which are here in force being less than or equal to the permitted accelerations. For example, the combination of the two loop shapes can lead to a considerable reduction in the high accelerations 30 generated directly after the starting point in a circular loop and to an increase in the excessively low accelerations generated in a pure clothoid loop, for example at a 900, 1350, 180* and 225* angle, so that a centrifugal force of greater than or equal to 1 g 35 [m/s 2 ] acts upon the user and a lifting of the user from the sliding surface is prevented, in some track portions a centrifugal force of less than 1 g being non-critical provided that the sliding acceleration is sufficiently high.

-5 According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the loop section from the summit to the finishing point is configured inversely to the run from 5 the starting point to the summit. Hence, not only can a simple construction be obtained by virtue of identical parts, but also identical curve accelerations can be given for each sector within the loop section, which provide an improved sliding sensation for the user. 10 In order to reduce the acceleration forces during sliding in the loop section, the run from a track bed in the summit to the starting point of the loop section comprises a minimum radius of 2 m. It can thereby be 15 ensured that no excessive accelerations are generated which would result in injuries to the user. According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the chute, at least 20 along the loop section, is fully closed. A safe loop section having an upside-down running chute can hence be created. This closed arrangement of the loop section can be made from various materials. For example, a part-circumference of the tubular loop section can be 25 fully transparent. Furthermore, tube segments can also be provided which let daylight through but do not permit a view of the surroundings. A further preferred embodiment of the water chute 30 provides that the chute, viewed in cross section, is of circular configuration. This enables constant conditions to be created for persons of different weight to pass through the loop section. 35 A further alternative embodiment for the geometric design of the sliding surface provides that the chute comprises a sliding surface having a profile which is designed to guide the riders. Based on, for example, a circular cross section of the chute, lateral guide - 6 profiles can be applied to the sliding surface, so that the slide path is predefined. Hence, high sliding speeds can be obtained and undesirable rocking motions of the rider can be prevented. As an alternative to the 5 guide profiles, which are applied to the sliding surface or are built into it, the guide profile can be configured by a recess in the sliding surface, which is superimposed on the circular cross section of the chute. The same effect can thereby be obtained. Lateral 10 guide profiles of this kind can be provided in portions or fully along a chute. The lateral guide profiles can also be used and adapted for other cross sections of the chutes differing from the circular cross section. 15 According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that a sliding surface of the chute, viewed in cross section, has a trough-shaped recess. The rider can hence be fully guided whilst sliding down the water chute. Preferably, the trough 20 shaped recess in the loop section is designed such that the lowest point of the trough-shaped recess lies within the direction vector of the maximally acting acceleration force of a rider. 25 According to a further alternative embodiment, it is provided that a sliding surface of the chute, viewed in cross section, has a rectilinearly running sliding surface, which is laterally adjoined, for the limitation of the sliding surface, by lateral guide 30 walls. An alternative embodiment of this kind allows, for example, two persons to slide through a loop section side by side. Preferably, the sliding surface of the chute is 35 subjected at least partially along the loop section to a water film, water fall or spray mist, so that, over the whole of the chute, in particular the upside-down region of the loop section, a liquid slide film is also maintained.

- 7 To prevent water from collecting at the starting point of the loop section, a water run-off region is preferably integrated in the sliding surface. This 5 water run-off region can be configured in a grille shape or slot shape by virtue of narrow openings and can pass flush into the sliding surface. At the starting point of the loop section, an escape 10 section is preferably provided. This escape section is not configured as a closed tube, but rather, for example, as a half shell, or, in the case of a closed tube, has at least one escape opening outside the sliding surface. This allows an escape facility to be 15 provided for persons who have failed to reach the necessary climbing height up to the summit and who slide back to the starting point of the loop section. In addition, it is preferably provided that a loop or 20 angle of radius of a following loop section is configured smaller than that of the preceding loop section. This ensures that a sufficient speed of the rider to slide through the second or further following loop section continues to be present. 25 In addition, it is preferably provided that an angle of inclination of a following loop section is configured larger than that of the preceding loop section in relation to the vertical. 30 As a result of the increasingly shallow angle of inclination, the one or more following loop sections can be passed through at reduced sliding speeds without the loop effect being lost to the user. 35 In addition, it is preferably provided that a first loop section and at least one following loop section are inversely inclined relative to the vertical. As a result of such a V-shaped alignment of at least two -8 consecutive loop sections, an increased thrill can be provided by a further change of direction. Alternatively, it can be provided that two or more loop sections are preferably inclined at the same angle 5 relative to the vertical. According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that, for example, a first loop section comprises a lower summit than a following loop section. 10 Hence different sliding speeds can be obtained and thus the thrill increased. For the monitoring of the water chute having at least one loop section, it is preferably provided that at the 15 summit of the loop section or at the end of the finishing stretch there is provided at least one monitoring sensor, which controls a chute clearance signalling device provided at the entrance. A controlled and monitored water chute can hence be 20 produced, which monitors the hidden regions of the water chute. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a rising and a falling section of 25 the loop section are inclined within a common angular range to the vertical. Insofar as the alignment of a plurality of loops in opposite-running arrangement to the vertical is provided, so-called butterfly loops are formed. 30 According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a rising and a falling section of the loop section are inversely inclined within an angular range relative to the vertical 22. In 35 a loop section of this kind, a thread-imitating course of the chute is obtained. Such an embodiment is referred to as a helical loop.

- 9 The invention and other advantageous embodiments and refinements of the same are described in greater detail below with reference to the examples represented in the drawings. The features to be drawn from the description 5 and the drawings can be applied according to the invention individually per se, or in multiple in any chosen combination. Figures la-d show diagrammatic views of a first 10 embodiment of the water chute, Figures 2a-d show diagrammatic views of an alternative embodiment of a water chute, 15 Figures 3a-d show diagrammatic views of a further alternative embodiment of a water chute, and Figures 4a-d show diagrammatic views of a further 20 alternative embodiment of a water chute. In Figures la-d, a first embodiment of a water chute 11 according to the invention is represented. In Figure la, a side view of a water chute 11 is represented. 25 This water chute 11 comprises a chute 12, which extends from a starting ramp 14 to a diagrammatically represented outlet 16. This outlet 16 can be formed by a water basin or a braking section, as well as a landing zone. The chute 12 comprises a starting stretch 30 17, adjoining the starting ramp 14, which passes into a loop section 18 and emerges in a finishing stretch 19 ending in the outlet 16. Figure lb shows a diagrammatic front view, Figure lc a 35 diagrammatic rear view and Figure ld a diagrammatic top view of the water chute 11. This embodiment is referred to as a loop.

- 10 The chute 12 is made up of individual chute segments 21, which are joined together by detachable flange joints. The chute segments 21 can have a rectilinear or curved course in order to obtain the desired run after 5 a plurality of chute segments 21 have been put together. The chute segments 21 are preferably configured as closed tubes. The sliding surface of the chute 12 is wetted by a water or spray mist in order to keep the frictional resistance low to obtain a low 10 friction force or slide friction. The chute segments 21 are preferably configured as plastics tubes, in particular glass-fibre reinforced plastics tubes, which are of translucent or opaque configuration. Alternatively, the plastics tube can also be made of a 15 transparent plastic, such as, for example, PMMA or PC. In Figures la to d, the loop section 18 between the starting stretch 17 and the finishing stretch 19 comprises a circumferential angle of at least 2700, the 20 finishing stretch 19 being designed to constitute an extension of the starting stretch 17 and to be aligned in the same direction as the starting stretch 17. At least the loop section 18 between the starting point 23 and the summit 26 of the looping section 18 is 25 inclinded between 20* to 80*. In a further preferred embodiment this loop section is inclined between 30* and 700. In the illustrative embodiment, this loop section 18 is inclined for example by about 400 to 600 relative to a vertical 22. The above ranges can also be 30 provided for preferred embodiments of loop section 18 with a circumferential angel of at least 270". The run of the loop section 18, starting from a starting point 23, which forms the transition between the starting stretch 17 and the loop section 18, up to a finishing 35 point 24, which forms the transition from the loop section 18 to the finishing stretch 19, has a radius of curvature which is preferably composed of a circular track and a clothoid track. In this case, a rising section between the starting point 23 and a summit 26 - 11 of the loop section 18 is preferably provided symmetrical to a part-section from the summit 26 to the finishing point 24. This curved course of the loop section 18 enables a maximally permitted centrifugal 5 force acceleration not to be exceeded and allows a person of average body weight to slide through the loop section 18 upside-down at the summit 26. The inclined arrangement of the loop section 18 relative to the vertical 22 additionally allows persons, who, starting 10 from the starting ramp 14, only develop a low sliding speed in the starting stretch 17, to experience a roller coaster ride and make their way to the outlet 16 via the finishing stretch 19. Consequently, a transversely inclined loop section 18 of this kind can 15 produce a versatility of use. In addition, this allows persons who have no excess speed for sliding through the summit 26, having slid back to the starting point 23, to leave the chute 12 at an escape point. 20 The loop section 18 is made up of, for example, eight chute segments 21. Within the circular portion or the arc segment, these radii are preferably of constant configuration. In the passage from one circular portion into the adjacent circular portion of the chute 25 segments 21, a centrifugal force of less than 1 g can briefly be generated. This is unproblematical, however, because of the excess speed. On the contrary, an increased thrill can thereby be created. 30 The combination of the circular and clothoid run, particularly after the starting stretch 17 in the rising section of the loop section 18, means that no loads, for example, greater than 2.6 g are generated. The same applies to the falling section directly in the 35 transition to the finishing stretch 19. A water chute 11 of this kind, represented in Figures la-d, has a radius of the loop section 18 of about 3 m, for example. Preferred entry speeds into the loop - 12 section 18 amount to about 50 to 60 km/h, which are generally obtained with a starting height of 12 to 14 m relative to the starting point 23 of the loop section 18. 5 In Figures 2a-d, an alternative embodiment of the water chute 11 is represented. In this alternative embodiment, the alignment of the finishing stretch 19 is different from the starting stretch 17. For example, 10 the finishing stretch 19 is aligned within an angular range of between 70 and 1100 to the starting stretch 17. This embodiment of the flute 11 shows that a loop section 18 can nevertheless be formed which comprises a transverse inclination. As a result of the different 15 directions of the finishing stretches 19 in comparison to the starting stretches 17, the course of the chute can be flexibly configured. The loop section 18 has a crossover point 25 between 20 the rising and the falling section, the intervening circumferential angle lying, for example, in a range between 260 and 2900. Hence the loop section 18, viewed in top view, has a shape corresponding to a so-called half-hitch. 25 In Figures 3a-d, a further alternative embodiment of the invention is represented, which is referred to as a butterfly loop. In this embodiment, between the starting stretch 17 and the finishing stretch 19, two 30 loop sections 18 are placed consecutively in line. The first loop section 18 corresponds to that in Figure 2. The second loop section 18 is preferably inclined inversely to the first loop section 18 relative to the vertical 22. Alternatively, the second loop section 18 35 can also comprise the same direction of transverse inclination as the first loop section 18. The second loop section 18 preferably has an inclination relative to the vertical 22 which is the same as or greater than the first loop section 18. Where necessary, incurred - 13 speed losses can hence be compensated by the sliding friction in the transition region between the first and second loop section 18 and an upside-down sliding is maintained. 5 The alignment and size of the first and second loop sections 18 is merely illustrative. Self-evidently, a larger number of loop sections 18 may also be provided between a starting and finishing stretch, these loop 10 sections 18 being able to comprise both a same direction of inclination and an inverse direction of inclination to the vertical 22 and also different inclinations and loop radii. In addition, it is also possible that between the individual loop sections or 15 in one loop section so-called calming sections or transition sections are provided, which comprise a greater distance between the two loop sections to be joined. It is further possible for the summit of a second or following loop section 18 to be higher than 20 the summit in a first or preceding loop section 18. In Figures 4a to d, a further alternative embodiment of a water chute 11 is represented. Such an embodiment and its geometry is also referred to as a helical loop. 25 This embodiment differs, for example, from the embodiment according to Figure 1 inasmuch as the starting point 23 and finishing point 24 do not lie directly adjacent to each other, but are arranged at a greater distance apart, so that the loop section 18 30 corresponds to the course of a screw thread. Depending on the pitch, the starting point 23 and the finishing point 24 are distanced apart. Such loop sections 18 allow both an upside-down sliding and a roller coaster ride if the entry speed into the loop section 18 is 35 insufficiently high. In a loop section of this kind, the rising and falling sections, as can be seen, for example, from Figures 4b and c, can be arranged at a same angle to the vertical 22. Alternatively, one of - 14 the two sections can be arranged with a larger or smaller angle to the vertical 22 or to the summit 26. All the aforementioned features are respectively per se 5 fundamental to the invention and can be mutually combined according to choice.

Claims (20)

1. Water chute having a chute emerging in an outlet, 5 the said chute comprising a starting stretch and a finishing stretch, which latter emerges in the outlet, characterized in that between the starting stretch and the finishing stretch there is provided at least one loop section, which has a starting point and a finishing point 10 wherein the loop portion between the starting point and the finishing point subtends as a central angle of at least 270* or has a crossover point and which, at least between the starting point and a summit of the loop section, is inclined by 20* to 80* relative to a vertical. 15

2. Water chute according to Claim 1, characterized in that the radius of curvature, starting from the starting point to the summit of the loop section, diminishes. 20

3. Water chute according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the loop section, from the starting point up to the summit, has a radius of curvature which is formed from a combination of a run for a circular loop and 25 a clothoid loop.

4. Water chute according to Claim 3, characterized in that the loop section, from the summit to the finishing point, has a mirror-inverted course relative to the run 30 from the starting point up to the summit.

5. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a minimum radius of at least 2 m is provided for a loop section extending from a 35 sliding surface of the chute at the starting point up to the summit. 16

6. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chute, at least along the loop section, is fully closed. 5

7. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding surface of the chute, viewed in cross section, is circular. 10

8. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding surface of the chute has a profile for guiding the rider.

9. Water chute according to one of Claims 1 to 6, 15 characterized in that a sliding surface of the chute, viewed in cross section, has a trough-shaped recess.

10. Water chute according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a sliding surface of the chute has a 20 rectilinear course, which is laterally adjoined, for the limitation of the sliding surface, by lateral guide walls.

11. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding surface of the 25 chute is subjected at least partially along the loop section, in particular in the region of the upside-down sliding surface, to a water film, water fall or spray mist. 30

12. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, at the starting point of the loop section, a water run-off region is integrated in the sliding surface. 17

13. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, at the starting point of the loop section, an escape section is provided. 5

14. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loop radius of a following loop section is configured smaller than that of the preceding loop section. 10 15. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angle of inclination relative to the vertical of a following loop section is configured larger than that of the preceding loop section.

15

16. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first loop section and at least one following loop section are provided inversely inclined relative to the vertical. 20

17. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the summit (of the loop section or at the end of the finishing stretch of the chute there is provided at least one monitoring sensor, which controls a chute clearance signalling device 25 provided at the entrance.

18. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rising and a falling section of the loop section are inclined within a common 30 angular range relative to the vertical.

19. Water chute according to one of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that a rising and a falling section of the loop section are inclined at an angle mirror-inverted 35 to the vertical. 18

20. A water chute substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures la-ld, or Figures 2a 2d, or Figures 3a to 3d, or Figures 4a to 4d of the drawings. 5