Waterslide bowl

• US 6,354,955 B1
• Filed: 12/20/2000
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: WhiteWater West Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: WhiteWater West Industries Limited
• Inventors: Cuttell, David J., Stuart, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kien T.
• Application Number:
  US09/747,486
• Time in Patent Office: 447 Days
• Field of Search: 472/13, 472/116, 472/117, 472/128, 472/136, 472/137, 104/53, 104/69, 104/70, 448/8, 449/4
• US Class Current: 472/117
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes

Abstract

A waterslide bowl element has a bottom wall configured to form a throat around a rider exit opening in the bottom of the bowl. The bowl holds an annular ring of water around the throat that slows down and conducts the rider to the exit opening and a flume in which the waterslide ride continues. The waterslide bowl may be used by riders on inner tubes.

Claims

1. A bowl adapted for use as part of a waterslide apparatus, comprising:

a bowl wall having side wall and bottom wall portions;

a rider entrance opening in said side wall portion through which a rider slides into said bowl;

a rider exit opening in said bottom wall portion;

said bottom wall portion being shaped to hold a volume of water around said rider exit opening; and

said bottom wall portion extending upward around said rider exit opening, said opening being adapted to receive a flow of water from said volume of water in said bowl and to convey a rider exiting said bowl to a flume, whereby said rider continues to ride said waterslide apparatus.

2. A bowl adapted for use in a waterslide apparatus, said bowl being capable of being ridden in by a rider with or without a flotation device, comprising:

a bowl wall having side wall and bottom wall portions;

a rider entrance opening in said side wall portion through which a rider slides into said bowl from a flume;

a rider exit opening in said bottom wall portion;

said bowl being adapted to hold a volume of water around said rider exit opening, said volume of water being capable of slowing down said rider; and

said rider exit opening having a throat that extends upward above the intended level of said water held in said bowl, said opening being adapted to receive a flow of water from said volume of water in said bowl and to convey a rider exiting said bowl to a flume, whereby said rider continues to ride said waterslide apparatus.

3. A bowl adapted for use in a waterslide apparatus, comprising

a bowl wall having side wall and bottom wall portions;

a rider entrance in said side wall portion by which a rider slides into said bowl;

a rider exit opening in said bottom wall portion; and

said rider exit opening having a throat that extends upward above the level of the surrounding part of said bottom wall portion, said throat being adapted to convey a rider exiting said bowl to a further part of said waterslide apparatus.

4. A waterslide apparatus comprising a bowl adapted for use as part of said waterslide apparatus, wherein said bowl comprises a bowl wall having side wall and bottom wall portions, a rider entrance opening in said side wall portion through which a rider slides into said bowl, a rider exit opening in said bottom wall portion, said bottom wall portion being shaped to hold a volume of water around said rider exit opening, and said bottom wall portion extending upward around said rider exit opening, said opening being adapted to receive a flow of water from said volume of water in said bowl and to convey a rider exiting said bowl to a flume, whereby said rider continues to ride said waterslide apparatus.

5. A waterslide apparatus comprising a bowl adapted for use as part of said waterslide apparatus, said bowl being capable of being ridden in by a rider with or without a flotation device, wherein said bowl comprises a bowl wall having side wall and bottom wall portions, a rider entrance opening in said side wall portion through which a rider slides into said bowl from a flume, a rider exit opening in said bottom wall portion, said bowl being adapted to hold a volume of water around said rider exit opening, said volume of water being capable of slowing down said rider, and said rider exit opening having a throat that extends upward above the intended level of said water held in said bowl, said opening being adapted to receive a flow of water from said volume of water in said bowl and to convey a rider exiting said bowl to a flume, whereby said rider continues to ride said waterslide apparatus.

6. A waterslide apparatus comprising a bowl adapted for use as part of said waterslide apparatus, wherein said bowl comprises a bowl wall having side wall and bottom wall portions, a rider entrance in said side wall portion by which a rider slides into said bowl, a rider exit opening in said bottom wall portion;

and said rider exit opening having a throat that extends upward above the level of the surrounding part of said bottom wall portion, said throat being adapted to convey a rider exiting said bowl to a further part of said waterslide apparatus.