Contoured variably tensionable soft membrane ride surface for ride attraction
First Claim
1. A ride attraction comprising:
- an inclined ride surface adapted to safely support one or more ride participants and/or ride vehicles sliding thereon;
the inclined ride surface comprising a substantially continuous sheet of membrane material supported along at least two edges thereof by a supporting framework;
the membrane material having a coating thereon adapted to provide a substantially smooth and generally lubricous sliding surface; and
the membrane material being tensioned so as to provide a resilient, impact-safe support surface for ride participants and/or ride vehicles sliding thereon.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A ride surface for water ride attractions and the like is provided. The ride surface is fabricated from a reinforced membrane material tensioned over a supporting framework. The tensioned membrane ride surface serves the dual role of providing structural support for water flow and riders thereon while at the same time providing an impact safe surface that is non-injurious to riders who may fall thereon. The tensioned membrane can be adjusted actively and/or passively in order to accommodate different and varied ride experiences. Optionally, the shape of the membrane ride surface can be changed either dynamically or passively by special tensioning techniques and/or by using auxiliary support structures such as air bladders, pressure/suction, foam supports or/or the like.
78 Citations
63 Claims
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1. A ride attraction comprising:
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an inclined ride surface adapted to safely support one or more ride participants and/or ride vehicles sliding thereon;
the inclined ride surface comprising a substantially continuous sheet of membrane material supported along at least two edges thereof by a supporting framework;
the membrane material having a coating thereon adapted to provide a substantially smooth and generally lubricous sliding surface; and
the membrane material being tensioned so as to provide a resilient, impact-safe support surface for ride participants and/or ride vehicles sliding thereon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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- 22. A ride surface comprising a fabric-reinforced material tensioned over a supporting frame, the fabric material being coated on at least one side thereof with a fluorinated polymer.
- 24. A ride surface for ride attractions, the ride surface comprising a fabric-reinforced material supported by a structural framework and tensioned to at least 10 kgf/cm, the fabric material being coated with a friction-reducing material adapted to facilitate sliding thereon by ride patrons.
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43. A kit for assembling a ride attraction, comprising:
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a fabric-reinforced ride surface sized and adapted to safely support one or more ride participants and/or ride vehicles thereon;
a supporting framework adapted to support and apply tension to the fabric ride surface; and
tensioning means for adjusting the amount of tension applied by the framework to the ride surface. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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Specification