Trapdoor drop amusement mechanism
AssigneeWhitewater West Industries Ltd.
InventorDaniel Pierre Brassard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A trapdoor mechanism and method of providing a trapdoor mechanism for initiating descent into a slide ride is disclosed. Aspects of invention are directed to an energy efficient mechanism capable of dropping slide riders into the entrance of a slide ride. The trapdoor mechanism utilizes momentum produced by the force of gravity to swing the trapdoor to an open position, to a closed position, and back to the open position. A control device may be utilized to apply force to the trapdoor during its transit between the open position and closed position.
Claims13
An apparatus for initiating descent into a slide ride, comprising:
- a slide segment for receiving a rider;
- a platform movable between a first position and a second position, the platform in the first position being configured such that the rider is capable of being positioned upon the platform, the platform in the second position being configured such that the rider descends into the slide segment after having been positioned upon the platform when the platform is in the first position;
- and
- a control device configured to apply a force to the platform to move the platform from the second position to the first position, wherein the force and gravity are the only forces necessary to move the platform from the second position to the first position.
An apparatus for initiating descent into a slide ride, comprising:
- a slide segment for receiving a rider;
- a platform movable between a first position and a second position, the platform in the first position being configured such that the rider is capable of being positioned upon the platform, the platform in the second position being configured such that the rider descends into the slide segment after having been positioned upon the platform when the platform is in the first position;
- and
- a control device configured to apply a force to move the platform from the second position to the first position, wherein the force is insufficient to overcome gravity such that both the force and gravity are required to move the platform from the second position to the first position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.