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US 7,731,595 B2Granted
Waterslide amusement device
AssigneeWhite Water West Industries, Ltd.
InventorMarvin R Hlynka
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A slide (104) supports and directs a user along a predetermined path. A conveyor system (102) is coupled to the slide to accelerate the user along the predetermined path.
Claims17
A waterslide amusement device for entertaining a first user and a second user consecutively, said device comprising:
- (a) a waterslide for supporting and directing a user;
- (b) a conveyor system coupled to the slide, the conveyor system having a first variable speed conveyor belt interfaced with the slide and extending therealong, the first conveyor belt having an entrance portion at an end thereof for receiving the first user onto the first conveyor belt and an exit portion at the opposite end thereof for discharge of the first user from the first conveyor belt;
- and
- (c) a first control system constructed and arranged to increase the speed of the first conveyor belt with the first user thereon from a starting or launch speed of substantially zero to a fast moving second speed as the first user travels from the entrance portion to the exit portion of the first conveyor belt, the control system being constructed and arranged to automatically return the first conveyor belt to a speed of substantially zero after the first user is discharged from the first conveyor belt so as to be in position for loading the second user on the entrance portion of the first conveyor belt followed by acceleration and discharge thereof.
1 more element
A waterslide amusement device for entertaining a user comprising:
- (a) a waterslide for supporting and directing the user while moving therealong;
- and
- (b) a conveyor system coupled to the slide, the conveyor system including:
- (i) a variable speed conveyor belt interfaced with the slide for transporting the user along the waterslide from an entrance portion of the belt to and off an exit portion of the belt;
- and
- (ii) a control system having a sensor for sensing the speed of the user at a preselected location adjacent to the entrance portion, the control system being constructed and arranged to automatically control the speed of the variable speed conveyor belt based on the sensed speed of the user for a smooth transition of the user onto the entrance portion and thereafter to automatically accelerate the belt to a much faster speed for acceleration of the user to and off the discharge portion followed by slowing the belt to a speed based on the detected speed of approach of a subsequent user.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.