EP1935464B1 - Waterslide - Google Patents

Abstract

The slide has a chute (12) that opens into a discharge area (16) and includes an initial section (17) and a discharge section (19), which opens into the discharge area. A loop section (18) is provided between the initial section and the discharge section. The loop section has an angle at circumference of 270 degrees and between a starting point (23) and an apex point (26) of the loop section, where the angle is inclined by 5 degree to 80 degree in relation to a vertical axis.

Description

The invention relates to a water slide with an opening into a spout slide, which includes a start-up route and an outflow opening into the outlet.

The demands on attractions in leisure facilities are increasing more and more. For example, water slides are offered in water parks or adventure parks, which are designed as black hole slides, wide slides and high-speed water slides. Furthermore, a waterslide has already been developed with a ski jumping hill, which emerges from the DE 201 20 561 U1 is known.

From the US 2004/0198520 A1 is a water slide is known, which is formed by two rectilinear track sections, which are associated at an acute angle to each other and open at a common point in each other. Starting from a run-up route, the end of the first straight-line course leads to the beginning of the second straight-line course, which at the end merges into a run-off route. In this water slide, the course of the track is designed as a kind of zigzag slide. After the user has left the run-up route, there is an upward upward sliding movement. In the transition region from the first to the second trajectory, the sliding speed is reduced to zero, so that the slipping person is placed in a renewed acceleration phase in the opposite direction of slipping. A so-called looping slide is not possible.

In addition, a water slide has become known, which has a very long and steep run-up path, which merges into a loop route, wherein the starting point of the loop and the end of the loop are immediately adjacent to each other and align the loop line vertically. Such a looping slide has the disadvantage that the accelerations occurring are too high and the user suffer injuries in the neck and vertebral region as well as experiencing significant short-term balance disturbances after using the looping slide. The design of a loop loop as a loop without the aforementioned disadvantages, however, could significantly increase the experience character.

Therefore, the invention has the object to provide a water slide with an opening into an outlet slide, which includes a loop path that allows for overhead chutes and in which the loads on the human body are below the maximum allowable acceleration force created for a water slides standard.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention are specified in the further claims.

The inventive design of the water slide has a loop path which, viewed from a starting point of the loop section, comprises at least a circumferential angle of at least 270 ° and which is inclined at least between 5 ° to 80 ° with respect to a vertical at least between a starting point and a vertex of the loop segment has a bank. Due to the orientation of the loop path provided outside a vertical, the maximum acceleration in the transition from the starting point into the rising section of the loop section can be reduced, so that the stress caused by the acceleration and centrifugal forces does not lead to any physical impairment for the user. To reduce the physical stresses, the angle of inclination of the loop line relative to the vertical can be increased, whereby even at a very large angle of inclination relative to the vertical, the user can be given the feeling of an overhead ride. In addition, this arrangement has the advantage that the use of both light and heavy persons is possible with a constant length of the run-up route. Due to the inclined arrangement, slower sliding users or very light users, instead of overhead travel, allow them to experience a kind of ascent and descent.

An alternative embodiment of the water slide is given by the fact that the loop line has a crossing point and the loop path is inclined by at least 5 ° to 80 ° relative to a vertical. As a result, the start-up section and exit section, which adjoins the climbing and falling section of the loop section, can be aligned in different directions, so that a flexible slide path course is made possible.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the radius of curvature of the loop route decreases starting from the starting point of the loop route to the vertex of the loop route. The starting point of the loop section preferably represents the transition from a falling course of the run-up track into a rising course of the loop track. Subsequently, the radius of curvature of the loop track decreases, so that the reduction of the slip speed resulting from gravity is achieved by reducing the radius of the loop track up to Vertex is compensated so as not to reduce the centrifugal force or only by a small amount, so that the vertex slips or passes through with the required minimum speed. It is preferably provided that the reduction of the radius of the loop path leads to a constant centrifugal force acceleration, which is preferably less than or equal to the permissible acceleration.

According to a first alternative embodiment, it is provided that the radius of curvature between the starting point and the vertex of the loop path is continuously reduced. The loop route is composed of several individual web segments. These are adjusted according to the size of the circular arc segment to the reduction of the radius of curvature. Such a design achieves a very uniform acceleration of the curve.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the radius of curvature between the starting point and the vertex of the loop path is reduced in sections. The section-wise reduction of the radius of curvature takes place from web segment to web segment, from which the loop segment is composed. As a result, a simple production of the individual web segments can be achieved, since they have a constant radius over their angular range. As a result, the production due to identical parts for the distance between the starting point to the vertex on the one hand and from the vertex to the outlet point on the other hand can be achieved.

Preferably, a radius of curvature for a trajectory from the starting point to the vertex is provided, which is formed from a combination of a trajectory for a loop loop and a Klothoidenlooping. This ensures that even cornering acceleration is achieved for the user, with the centrifugal accelerations acting thereby being less than or equal to the permissible accelerations. For example, can be achieved by the combination of the two Loopingformen that occurring at a Kreislooping immediately after the start point high accelerations are significantly reduced and occurring in a pure Klothoidenlooping too low accelerations, for example in a 90 °, 135 °, 180 ° and 225th ° angle, so that a centrifugal force of greater than or equal to 1 g [m / s ² ] acts on the user and a lifting of the user from the sliding surface is prevented, in some web sections, a centrifugal force of less than 1 g is not critical, if the sliding speed is high enough.

According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the loop path is formed from the vertex to the outlet point mirror image of the trajectory from the starting point to the apex. As a result, not only can a simple construction be achieved by means of identical parts, but there can also be equal curve accelerations for each sector within the loop section, which gives an improved sliding feel for the user,

In order to reduce the acceleration forces during the slippage in the loop section, the course of the track from a sole at the apex to the starting point of the loop section comprises a minimum radius of 2 m. This can ensure that not too high Accelerations occur that would lead to injury to the user.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the slide is completely closed at least along the loop path. As a result, a secure loop route can be created with an overhead slide, this closed arrangement of the loop line can be made of different materials. For example, a partial circumference of the tubular loop section may be completely transparent. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide tube sections which let through natural light but do not release a view of the surroundings.

A further preferred embodiment of the water slide provides that the slide is seen in cross-section circular. This makes it possible for persons with different weights consistent conditions are created to go through the loop route.

A further alternative embodiment for the design of the geometry of the sliding surface provides that the slide comprises a sliding surface with a profile which is provided for guiding the persons slipping. Starting from, for example, a circular cross-section of the slide lateral guide profiles can be applied to the sliding surface, so that the sliding path is predetermined. As a result, high sliding speeds can be achieved and unwanted pendulum movements of the slipping person can be avoided. As an alternative to guide profiles, which are applied or incorporated on the sliding surface, the guide profile can be formed by a depression in the sliding surface, which is superimposed on the circular cross section of the slide. This can achieve the same effect. Such lateral guide profiles may be provided in sections or completely along a slide. The lateral guide profiles can also be used and adapted for further cross sections of the slides deviating from the circular cross section.

According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention can be provided that a sliding surface of the slide seen in cross section has a trough-shaped depression. As a result, the person sliding can be completely guided while sliding down the water slide. Preferably, the trough-shaped depression in the loop path is designed such that the lowest point of the trough-shaped depression is located in the direction vector of the maximum acting acceleration force of a person slipping.

According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a sliding surface of the slide seen in cross-section has a rectilinear sliding surface, which laterally join side guide walls for limiting the sliding surface. Such an alternative embodiment makes it possible, for example, for two persons to be able to slip through a loop section next to one another.

Preferably, the sliding surface of the slide is at least partially acted upon along the loop path with a water film, water precipitation or spray, so that over the entire slide, in particular the overhead region of the loop path, a liquid lubricating film is maintained.

So that water accumulation is prevented at the starting point of the loop route, a water drainage area is preferably integrated in the sliding surface. This Wasserabtaufbereich may be formed like a lattice or slit through narrow openings and go flush into the sliding surface.

At the starting point of the loop route an exit route is preferably provided. This exit route is not formed as a closed tube, but for example as a half-shell or has at least one exit opening outside the sliding surface in a closed tube. This makes it possible for persons an exit option is created, which the required height of rise to have not reached the top and slip back to the starting point of the loop route.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that a loop or radius of curvature of a subsequent loop section is made smaller than that of the preceding loop section. This ensures that there is still sufficient speed of the slipping person to slide through the second or further subsequent loop route.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that an angle of inclination of a subsequent loop line is made larger than that of the preceding loop line with respect to the vertical. Due to the flattening angle of inclination, the one or more subsequent loop sections can be passed through at reduced slip speeds without losing the looping effect for the user.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that a first loop section and at least one subsequent loop section are inclined in mirror image to the vertical. By such a V-shaped alignment of at least two looped loops strung together, an increased sense of experience can be created by a further change of direction. Alternatively it can be provided that two or more loop sections are preferably inclined at the same angle relative to the vertical.

According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that, for example, a first loop section comprises a lower vertex than a subsequent loop section. As a result, different sliding speeds can be achieved and thus the experience of experience can be increased.

For monitoring the water slide with at least one loop section, it is preferably provided that at least one monitoring sensor is present at the vertex of the loop section or at the end of the outlet section is provided, which controls a signal provided at the entry signal device for train release. This will create a controlled and monitored water slide that will monitor the non-visible areas of the waterslide.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a climb and a fall distance of the loop line are inclined in a common angular range to the vertical. As a result, a so-called loop looping is formed. If the alignment of several loop loops is provided opposite to the vertical, so-called butterfly loops are formed.

According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, it is provided that an ascending and falling section of the loop section are inclined in an angular range mirror-inverted to the vertical 22. With such a loop path, a course of a thread simulated course of the slide is achieved. Such an embodiment is referred to as a screw loop,

Figuren 1a - d

schematische Ansichten einer ersten Ausführungsform der Wasserrutsche,

Figuren 2a - d

schematische Ansichten einer alternativen Ausführungsform einer Wasserrutsche,

Figuren 3a - d

schematische Ansichten einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform einer Wasserrutsche und

Figuren 4a - d

schematische Ansichten einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform einer Wasserrutsche.

The invention and further advantageous embodiments and developments thereof are described in more detail below with reference to the examples shown in the drawings and explained. The features to be taken from the description and the drawings can be applied individually according to the invention individually or in combination in any combination. Show it;

FIGS. 1a-d

schematic views of a first embodiment of the water slide,

FIGS. 2a-d

schematic views of an alternative embodiment of a waterslide,

FIGS. 3a-d

schematic views of another alternative embodiment of a waterslide and

FIGS. 4a-d

schematic views of another alternative embodiment of a waterslide.

In the FIGS. 1a-d a first embodiment of a water slide 11 according to the invention is shown. In FIG. 1a a side view of a water slide 11 is shown. This water slide 11 comprises a slide 12, which extends from a launch ramp 14 to a schematically illustrated outlet 16. This outlet 16 may be formed by a water basin or a braking distance as well as a landing zone. The slide 12 comprises a starting section 17 adjoining the launch ramp 14, which merges into a loop section 18 and opens into an outlet section 19 which ends in the outlet 16.

FIG. 1b shows a schematic front view, the Figure 1c a schematic view from the back and the Figure 1d a schematic top view of the waterslide 11. This embodiment is referred to as looping loops.

The slide 12 is composed by means of individual slide segments 21 which are connected to one another via releasable flange connections. The slide track segments 21 may have a straight or curved course in order to achieve the desired trajectory after the assembly of several slide track segments 21. The slide track segments 21 are preferably designed as closed tubes. The sliding surface of the slide 12 is wetted by a spray of water or spray, so that the frictional resistance is kept low, to achieve a low frictional force or sliding friction. The slide track segments 21 are preferably formed as plastic tubes, in particular glass fiber reinforced plastic tubes, which are translucent or opaque. Alternatively, the plastic tube can also be made of a transparent plastic, such as PMMA or PC.

In the FIGS. 1a to d the loop line 18 between the start-up section 17 and the outlet section 19 comprises a circumferential angle of at least 270 °, wherein it is provided that the outlet section 19 is an extension of the start-up section 17 and is aligned in the same direction as the start-up section 17. The loop line 18 is inclined in the exemplary embodiment by about 60 to 70 ° relative to a vertical 22. The trajectory of the loop path 18, starting from a starting point 23 which forms the transition between the start-up section 17 and the loop section 18, to an outlet point 24 which forms the transition from the loop section 18 to the outlet section 19, has a radius of curvature which is preferred composed of a circular path and a clothoid path. In this case, an ascending path between the starting point 23 and a vertex 26 of the loop path 18 is preferably provided symmetrically to a part of the distance from the vertex 26 to the outlet point 24. This curvature of the loop line 18 is made possible that a maximum allowable centrifugal force is not exceeded and slips a person with average body weight, the loop line 18 overhead in the apex 26. Due to the inclined relative to the vertical 22 arrangement of the loop line 18 is also possible that persons who build starting from the launch ramp 14 in the run-up section 17 only a low sliding speed, experience a mountain and descent and reach the outlet 16 via the outlet section 19 , Consequently, by such a transversely inclined loop route 18 or looping a wide variety of use can be given. In addition, for persons who have no speed surplus to slip through the vertex 26, allows them to leave the slide 12 after slipping back to the starting point 23 at an exit point.

The loop line 18 is composed, for example, by eight web segments 21. Within the circle section or the arc segment, these radii are preferably formed constant. During the transition from a circular section into the adjacent circular section of the slide track segments 21, a centrifugal force of less than 1 g can occur for a short time. However, this is unproblematic due to the speed surplus. Rather, this can create a heightened sense of experience.

Through the combination of the circular and the clothoid course, in particular after the start-up section 17 in the climbing section of the loop section 18, it is achieved that loads of, for example, greater than 2.6 g do not occur. The same applies to the fall distance directly in the transition to the outlet section 19.

Such in the FIGS. 1a-d illustrated water slide 11, for example, has a radius of the loop line 18 of about 3 m. Preferred entry speeds into the loop section 18 amount to approximately 50 to 60 km / h, which are generally achieved at a starting height of 12 to 14 m relative to the starting point 23 of the loop section 18.

In the FIGS. 2a-d an alternative embodiment of the water slide 11 is shown. In this alternative embodiment, the orientation of the outlet section 19 with respect to the run-up path 17 is different. For example, the outlet section 19 is aligned in an angular range between 70 and 110 ° to the starting section 17. This embodiment of the water slide 11 shows that nevertheless a loop line 18 can be formed which comprises a bank. Due to the different directions of the outlet paths 19 compared to the run-up sections 17 of the slide track can be made flexible.

The loop line 18 has a point of intersection 25 between the climb and the drop section, the intermediate circumferential angle lying, for example, in a range between 260 and 290 °. As a result, the loop line 18 seen in plan view has a shape which corresponds to a so-called half-stroke.

In the FIGS. 3a-d another alternative embodiment of the invention is shown, referred to as butterfly looping. In this embodiment, between the start-up section 17 and the outlet section 19, two loop sections 18 are arranged directly adjacent to one another. The first loop line 18 corresponds to that in FIG FIG. 2 , The second loop line 18 is preferably mirror-inverted relative to the vertical 22 to the first loop line 18 inclined, Alternatively, the second loop line 18 may also include the same bank direction as the first loop line 18. The second loop section 18 preferably has the same or a greater inclination relative to the vertical 22 as the first loop section 18. As a result, any resulting speed losses can be compensated by the sliding friction in the transition region between the first and second loop line 18 and an overhead slippage can be maintained.

The orientation and size of the first and second loop line 18 is only exemplary. It is self-evident that a plurality of loop sections 18 can also be provided between a start-up and outfeed section, wherein these loop sections 18 can comprise both an identical direction of inclination and a mirror-symmetric inclination direction to the vertical 22 and also different inclinations and loop radii. In addition, it is also possible that between the individual loop sections or in a loop section so-called calming or transitional lines are provided which comprise a larger distance between the two loop sections to be connected. Furthermore, it is possible for the vertex of a second or subsequent loop segment 18 to be higher than the vertex in a first or preceding loop segment 18.

In the FIGS. 4a to d another alternative embodiment of a water slide 11 is shown. Such an embodiment and its geometry is also referred to as a screw loop. This embodiment differs from, for example, the embodiment according to FIG FIG. 1 in that the starting point 23 and outlet point 24 are not immediately adjacent to each other, but are arranged away from each other by a greater distance, so that the loop path 18 corresponds to the course of a screw thread. Depending on the slope of the starting point 23 and the outlet point 24 are spaced apart. Such loop lines 18 allow both an overhead slide and a mountain and Talrutschfahrt, provided the entry speed into the loop line 18 is not should be sufficiently large. In such a loop route, the climb and fall distance, such as from the FIGS. 4b and c can be arranged at an equal angle to the vertical 22. Alternatively, one of the two paths can be arranged at a greater or smaller angle to the vertical 22 or to the vertex 26.

All of the aforementioned features are essential to the invention and can be combined with one another as desired.

Claims (19)

1. Water chute having a chute (12) emerging in an outlet (16), the said chute comprising a starting stretch (17) and a finishing stretch (19), which latter emerges in the outlet (16), characterized in that between the starting stretch (17) and the finishing stretch (19) there is provided at least one loop section (18), which has a circumferential angle of at least 270° or has a crossover point (25) and which, at least between a starting point (23) and a summit (26) of the loop section (18), is inclined by 5° to 80° relative to a vertical (22).
2. Water chute according to Claim 1, characterized in that the radius of curvature, starting from the starting point (23) to the summit (26) of the loop section (18), diminishes.
3. Water chute according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that the loop section (18), from the starting point (23) up to the summit (26), has a radius of curvature which is formed from a combination of a run for a circular loop and a clothoid loop.
4. Water chute according to Claim 3, characterized in that the loop section (18), from the summit (26) to the finishing point (24), has a mirror-inverted course relative to the run from the starting point (23) up to the summit (26).
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 (18) extending from a sliding surface of the chute (12) at the starting point (23) up to the summit (26).
6. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chute (12), at least along the loop section (18), is fully closed.
7. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding surface of the chute (12), viewed in cross section, is circular.
8. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding surface of the chute (12) has a profile for guiding the rider.
9. Water chute according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a sliding surface of the chute (12), 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 (12) has a 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 chute (12) is subjected at least partially along the loop section (18), in particular in the region of the upside-down sliding surface, to a water film, water fall or spray mist.
12. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, at the starting point (23) of the loop section (18), a water run-off region is integrated in the sliding surface.
13. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, at the starting point (23) of the loop section (18), an escape section is provided.
14. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loop radius of a following loop section (18) is configured smaller than that of the preceding loop section (18).
15. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angle of inclination relative to the vertical (22) of a following loop section (18) is configured larger than that of the preceding loop section (18).
16. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first loop section (18) and at least one following loop section (18) are provided inversely inclined relative to the vertical (22).
17. Water chute according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the summit (26) of the loop section (18) or at the end of the finishing stretch (19) of the chute (12) there is provided at least one monitoring sensor, which controls a chute clearance signalling device 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 (18) are inclined within a common angular range relative to the vertical (22).
19. Water chute according to one of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that a rising and a falling section of the loop section (18) are inclined at an angle mirror-inverted to the vertical (22).

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