SLIDE, IN PARTICULAR WATER SLIDE

Abstract

Slide, in particular a water slide, with a take-off zone and a landing zone, between which at least one slide path with a slide surface extends, which includes a run-up section leading away from the take-off zone and a run-out section leading into the landing zone, with a plurality of slide sections of the slide path provided between the run-up and run-out sections, with at least one branching section arranged in the slide path, by which branching section an incoming slide section is divided into a plurality of outgoing slide sections or a plurality of incoming slide sections are combined into one outgoing slide section, wherein the branching section has a first slide connector and, adjacently thereto, a second slide connector, both of which are opposite or remote from a third slide connector. A mouth region is formed between the first and second slide connector and the third slide connector.

Claims

1. Slide, in particular water slide, with a take-off zone and a landing zone, between which at least one slide path with a slide surface extends, which comprises a run-up section leading away from the take-off zone and a run-out section leading into the landing zone, with a plurality of slide sections of the slide path provided between the run-up section and the run-out section, with at least one branching section arranged in the slide path, by means of which branching section an incoming slide section is divided into a plurality of outgoing slide sections or a plurality of incoming slide paths are merged into one outgoing slide path, wherein the branching section has a first slide connector and a second slide connector adjacently thereto, both of which are opposite or remote from a third slide connector, and a mouth region is formed between the first and second slide connector and the third slide connector, and the third slide connector is elevated relative to the first and second slide connector as viewed in the vertical direction, and an ascending section is formed starting from the mouth region in the direction of the third slide connector, wherein two mutually associated branching sections or a plurality of branching sections mutually associated in pairs are provided in the slide path, in that the first branching section of the mutually associated branching sections in the slide path is connected by the first slide connector to the run-up section or to the slide section leading to the branching section, and in that the second branching section of the mutually associated branching sections in the slide path is connected by the second slide connector to the run-out section or to the slide section leading away from the second branching section.

2. Slide according to claim 1, wherein the branching section has a rectilinear continuous slide surface between the first and third slide connector or between the second and third slide connector.

3. Slide according to claim 1, wherein the branching section between the first and second slide connector and the opposite third slide connector has a Y-shaped course of the slide surface.

4. Slide according to claim 1, wherein the first branching section of the mutually associated branching sections is connected by the first slide connector to the incoming slide section and the second slide connector is connected to the out-going slide section, and the third slide connector is connected to the further outgoing slide section.

5. Slide according to claim 4, wherein the outgoing slide section is an alternative section and the further outgoing slide section is a bonus section.

6. Slide according to claim 1, wherein the second branching section of the mutually associated branching sections is connected by the second slide connector, to the outgoing slide section and the first slide connector is connected to the incoming slide section, and the third slide connector is connected to the incoming slide section.

7. Slide according to claim 6, wherein the first slide connector is connected to the alternative section and the third slide connector is connected to the bonus section.

8. Slide according to claim 1, wherein the two mutually associated branching sections are connected to one another by a slide section, in that the slide section is connected to the third slide connector of the first branching section and to the third slide connector of the second branching section.

9. Slide according to claim 1, wherein the branching section between the first and second slide connector has a bead-like elevation which decreases in the direction of the third slide connector.

10. Slide according to claim 9, wherein the bead-like elevation transitions into the slide surface in the mouth region of the branching section.

11. Slide according to claim 1, wherein a crest or elevation is provided between the ascending section and the third slide connector or after the slide connector in the slide section.

12. Slide according to claim 1, wherein at a curved, oval or arcuate course is provided between the adjacent first and second slide connector and the opposite third slide connector.

13. Slide according to claim 12, wherein the third slide connector is oriented at an angle of between 45° and 270° , with respect to the first and second slide connector.

14. Slide according to claim 1, wherein the slide path designed as a body slide.

15. Slide according to claim 1, wherein the slide path is exposed to a water film, water precipitation or spray mist.

Description

[0019] The drawings show:

[0020] FIG. 1 a schematic view of a slide,

[0021] FIG. 2 a schematic side view of the slide according to FIG. 1,

[0022] FIG. 3 a perspective view of a branching section,

[0023] FIG. 4 a perspective view of the branching section according to FIG. 3 in an open embodiment,

[0024] FIG. 5 a schematic view from above of the embodiment according to FIG. 3,

[0025] FIG. 6 a schematic view from above of the branching section according to an alternative embodiment to FIG. 5,

[0026] FIG. 7 a schematic view from above of another alternative embodiment of the branching section,

[0027] FIG. 8 a schematic view from above of an alternative course of the slide section of the slide to FIG. 1, and

[0028] FIG. 9 a schematic view of a slide according to FIG. 1 with an alternative embodiment of a branching section.

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view from above of a slide 11, in particular a water slide. FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the slide 11 according to FIG. 1. This FIG. 2 shows a height profile of the slide 11. This slide 11 can be what is known as a dry slide, in which the sliding person slides directly along the slide surface or slides by means of a mat or carpet. In particular, the slide 11 is designed as a water slide, wherein the sliding person slides directly on a film of water on a slide surface 19 of the slide 11. This slide 11 may also be designed as a tyre slide, where-in the slide surface is limited in width such that only one person sitting on a tyre or two persons sitting on a double tyre one behind the other can slide along the slide path 11. A change of direction in the orientation of the sliding person along and within a slide section 21 is not possible. The slide 11 is not designed as a tyre slide in which one or more persons can slide along the slide path on a tyre and can rotate at will about the vertical axis of the tyre or the slide element during the slide ride.

[0030] The slide 11 comprises a take-off zone 12, in which the sliding person prepares for the slide ride. From the take-off zone 12, the sliding person enters a descending run-up section 14. In the take-off zone 12, the person aligns himself or herself feet first in order to enter the run-up section 14. The run-up section 14 forms part of a slide path 16, which ends in a run-out section 17. The run-out section 17 leads into a landing zone 18. This landing zone 18 can be a pool filled with water. This pool preferably has a low water level, so that on the one hand a gentle, safe landing is possible and on the other hand it is easy to leave the pool on foot.

[0031] The slide path 16 comprises slide sections 21 with a slide surface 19 (FIG. 3), which can be flat or curved or recessed transversely to the slide direction. The slide section 21 can be designed as a closed channel 46 or tube. Within the slide path 16, several different slide sections 21 can be provided so that the sliding person can slide through different slide routes between the take-off zone 12 and the landing zone 18 depending on his or her kinetic energy. This increases the fun and enhances the experience.

[0032] For example, following the run-up section 17, a slide section 21 can be provided which is curved or helical. This curved section can be, for example, 180°, 270°, 360° or a multiple thereof.

[0033] A branching section 23 is connected to the run-up section 14 or to the first slide section 21. This branching section 23 is shown schematically in an enlarged view in FIG. 3. The branching section 23, 30 shown in FIG. 3 is closed. FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the branching section 23, 30 according to FIG. 3, this time in an open design. A tube portion covering the slide surface 19 to form a closed tube or channel, as shown in FIG. 3, can also be omitted according to the embodiment in FIG. 4. This branching section 23 according to FIG. 3 comprises a first slide connector 24 and adjacent thereto a second slide connector 25. Opposite the first and second slide connector 24, 25, there is provided a third slide connector 27. This branching section 23 is what is known as a Y-branching section. Viewed vertically, the first slide connector 24 is located between the second slide connector 25 and the third slide connector 27. The third slide connector 27 is elevated relative to the first slide connector 24. Alternatively, it can be provided that the second slide connector 25 is elevated relative to the first slide connector 24.

[0034] The three slide connectors 24, 25, 27 form a mouth region 34 within the branching section 23. A bead-like elevation 28 is formed between the first and second slide connector 24, 25, which lowers in the direction of the mouth region 34 and preferably transitions into the slide surface 19 in the mouth region 34. Starting from the mouth region 34, an ascending section 35 follows in the direction of the third slide connector 27. This ascending section 35 can transition directly into the third slide connector 27. Alternatively, a crest 29 or an elevation can be formed between the ascending section 35 and the third slide connector 27. Thus, the slide connector 27 is provided slightly below an apex of the crest 29.

[0035] This branching section 23 according to FIG. 3 is integrated into the slide path 16 according to FIG. 1 in that the first slide connector 24 is connected to the run-up section 14 or an incoming slide section 21. The third slide connector 27 transitions into an outgoing slide section 21, in particular a bonus section 31. The second slide connector 25 transitions into a further outgoing slide section 21, in particular an alternative section 32. The bonus section 31 and the alternative section 32 are connected to a further branching section 30. The alternative section 32 is connected to the first slide connector 24 of the second branching section 30. The bonus section 31 is connected to the third slide connector 27 of the second branching section 30. Another slide section 21 leads from the second slide connector 25 of the second branching section 30 or is directly connected to the run-out section 17.

[0036] The first branching section 23 and the second branching section 30 can have the same design. This arrangement and orientation of the first branching section 23 and the second branching section 30 enables the sliding person, who enters the run-up section 14 feet first, to also enter the run-out section 17 and thus the landing zone 18 in a controlled manner, feet first.

[0037] This controlled orientation of the sliding person is independent of whether the sliding person enters the bonus section 31 or alternative section 32 from the first branching section 23. The second branching section 30 reverses the sliding direction that is caused by the first branching section 23 if the sliding person slides into the alternative section 32, again in the sliding direction in the second branching section 30, so that the sliding person slides feet first into the run-out section 17.

[0038] In order to illustrate two possible slide routes along the slide path 16, the arrangement and orientation of the branching sections 23, 30 will be explained once again with reference to FIG. 2. The position and height of the branching section 23 is oriented in such a way that the first slide connector 24, through which the sliding person enters, is at height A below the end of the ascending section 35 of the branching section 23 or the third slide connector 27. This is at height B. The second slide connector 25 is located at height C below the first slide connector 24. This results in two variants. The sliding person enters the first branching section 23 feet first with a high kinetic energy. In this case, this person slides feet first over the ascending section 35 and, as applicable, the crest 29 and reaches the third slide connector 27. Subsequently, the sliding person enters the bonus section 31 feet first.

[0039] If the kinetic energy of the person sliding feet first is not sufficiently high when entering the first slide connector 24 of the first branching section 23, this person slides backwards, or head first, into the second slide connector 25 and enters the alternative route 32 head first.

[0040] Irrespective of the kinetic energy of the sliding person in the alternative section 32, this person in turn enters the second branching section 30 via the first slide connector 24. Since the third slide connector 27 is elevated compared to the first slide connector 24, as is the bonus section 31 connected to it, the person sliding head first into the second branching section 30 then enters the second slide connector 25, which is connected to the outgoing slide section 21 or to the run-out section 17, feet first. The two mutually associated branching sections 23, 30 enable the orientation of the sliding person so that he or she arrives at the landing zone 18 feet first.

[0041] The sliding person, who has entered the bonus section 31 feet first, continues to slide through the second branching section 30 feet first and arrives at the outgoing slide section 21 or the run-out section 17 and feet first in the landing zone 18.

[0042] According to a further embodiment of the slide 11 in FIGS. 1 and 2, it may be provided that further slide elements can be provided between the first branching section 23 and the second branching section 30 or between the first and the last branching section 23, 30 in the slide 16. Provided that further bonus and alternative sections 31, 32 are planned, it is necessary that the further branching sections interposed between the first and second or between the first and the last branching section 23, 30 are likewise arranged in pairs and, moreover, are oriented in the same way. The controlled orientation of the sliding person can thus be achieved, so that when the person starts from the take-off zone 12 feet first, he or she also enters the landing zone 18 feet first.

[0043] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the branching section 23, 30 according to FIGS. 3 or 4. In this embodiment of the branching section 23, it is provided that a rectilinear course of the slide surface 19 is formed between the first slide connector 24 and the third slide connector 27. This means that there is a preferred direction between the first slide connector 24 and the third slide connector 27 when sliding through the branching section 23.

[0044] The bead-like elevation 26 is formed between the first and second slide connectors 24, 25, which ensures that when the sliding person enters via the first slide connector 24, if there is insufficient kinetic energy to reach the third slide connector 27, the branching section 23 is exited via the second slide connector 25.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the slide surface 19 is designed to run in a straight line between the second slide connector 25 and the third slide connector 27. Thus, the preferred direction for sliding through this branching section 23, 30 is between the second slide connector 25 and the third slide connector 27.

[0046] FIG. 7 shows another alternative embodiment of the branching section 23, 30 to FIGS. 5 and 6. The slide connectors 24, 25 open quasi identically into the branching sections 23, 30 and merge into a common slide surface 19, which leads to the third slide connector 27.

[0047] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view from above of an alternative embodiment of the slide 11 to FIG. 1. The structure of the slide 11 according to FIG. 8 corresponds to that according to FIGS. 1 and 2 with regard to the individual components, and therefore reference can be made to said figures. In the view from above of the slide course of the slide 11 according to FIG. 1, the branching sections 23, 30 are oriented for example in the same way, i.e. the slide connectors 24, 25 both point to the left and the slide connector 27 to the right. In the embodiment of the slide 11 according to FIG. 8, the orientation of the branching sections 23, 30 can also be opposite. This can be seen from the view from above of the slide 11 according to FIG. 8.

[0048] Both slides 11 have in common that in each case the third slide connector 27 of the branching sections 23, 30 are connected to a bonus section 31.

[0049] FIG. 9 shows a schematic view from above of a further alternative embodiment of the slide 11 to FIGS. 1 and 8. This embodiment differs in particular in that the contour or geometry of the branching sections 23, 30 is designed differently from that of the branching sections 23, 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 8. In this embodiment, it is provided that the third slide connector 27 is oriented at an angle α of, for example, 180° to the first and second slide connectors 24, 25. A curved slide surface 19 or a curved slide surface 19 is formed therebetween. This angle a may have an angular range of 45 to 270°. As an alternative to the arcuate course of the slide section between the first and second slide connector 24, 25 and the third slide connector 27, a curved or elliptical course can also be provided. In this way, the courses of the individual slide sections can be designed in a variety of ways. Incidentally, the previous explanations also apply to this slide 11 as shown according to FIG. 9.

[0050] The slide sections 21 and/or the branching sections 23, 30 can be designed as closed tubes. These closed tubes can be made of plastic. These tubes can be made of opaque materials. Portions of the tubes that are transparent in part, in some sections or in full may also be provided.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0051] 11. Slide [0052] 12. Take-off zone [0053] 14. Run-up area [0054] 16. Slide path [0055] 17. Run-out track [0056] 18. Landing zone [0057] 19. Slide section [0058] 21. Slide area [0059] 23. Branching section [0060] 24. First slide connector [0061] 25. Second slide connector [0062] 26. Bead-like elevation [0063] 27. Third slide connector [0064] 29. Crest [0065] 30. Second branching section [0066] 31. Bonus section [0067] 32. Alternative section [0068] 34. Mouth region [0069] 35. Ascending section [0070] 46. Channel