AMUSEMENT OR WATER RIDE ATTRACTION INCLUDING SUB-ELEMENTS
A waterslide ride that provides multiple directly connected sub-elements. The sub-elements may be ramps that provide a pendulum action ride as the first sub-element ramp is opposite in direction to second sub-element ramp. The first sub-element may be higher in elevation than second and subsequent sub-elements. In an alternative embodiment, the sub-elements may include arcing, banked turns that alternate in direction as the elevation of the waterslide attraction decreases. Where arcing, banked turns comprise the sub-elements, the rider arcs from side to side changing direction with each arcing banked turn. An exit slide is connected to the final sub-element and directs a rider to a runout pool. The waterslide may include speed-altering components for changing a speed and/or direction of a rider as the rider travels along the waterslide.
1 . A waterslide for traversal by a rider comprising:
a first sub-element including a ramp facing in a first direction; and
at least a second sub-element including a ramp facing in a second direction different from the first direction,
wherein the second sub element is connected to the first sub-element such that the rider traverses the first sub-element and immediately into the second sub-element.
2 . The waterslide of claim 1 wherein the first sub-element ramp is higher than the second sub-element ramp.
3 . The waterslide of claim 1 wherein the first sub-element ramp is steeper than the second sub-element ramp.
4 . The waterslide of claim 1 wherein the exit slide exits in a direction opposite to the second sub-element.
5 . The waterslide of claim 1 wherein the exit slide is lower than the second sub-element ramp.
6 . The waterslide of claim 1 , wherein the first sub-element comprises an entry slide directly connected to a first arcing banked turn.
7 . The waterslide of claim 7 , further comprising: a second slide directly connected to an exit of the first arcing banked turn and an entrance to a second arcing banked turn.
8 . The waterslide of claim 8 , further comprising: a third slide directly connected to an exit of the second arcing banked turn and an entrance to a third arcing banked turn.
9 . The waterslide of claim 9 , further comprising: a fourth slide directly connected to an exit of the third arcing banked turn.
10 . The waterslide of claim 8 , wherein the first arcing banked turn is opposite in direction to the second arcing banked turn.
11 . The waterslide of claim 9 , wherein the second arcing banked turn is opposite in direction to the third arcing banked turn.
12 . The waterslide of claim 7 , wherein the first arcing banked turn turns 180 degrees.
13 . The waterslide of claim 8 , wherein the second arcing banked turn turns 180 degrees.
14 . The waterslide of claim 9 , wherein the third arcing banked turn turns 180 degrees.
15 . The waterslide of claim 1 further comprising a speed-altering component disposed at an entrance to the first sub-element.
16 . The waterslide of claim 15 wherein the speed-altering component increases the speed of the rider.
17 . The waterslide of claim 15 wherein the speed-altering component is at least one water jet.
18 . A waterslide for traversal by a rider comprising:
a first sub-element including a ramp facing in a first direction;
at least a second sub-element including a ramp facing in a second direction different from the first direction; and
an intermediate section connected between the first sub-element and the second sub-element such that the rider traverses the first sub-element, across the intermediate section, and then into the second sub-element.
19 . The waterslide of claim 18 further comprising a speed-altering component coupled with the intermediate section for changing a speed of the rider as the rider travels across the intermediate section.
20 . The waterslide of claim 19 further comprising a second speed-altering component disposed after the second sub-element for decreasing the speed of the rider after the rider exits the second sub-element.