Two-way interactive water slide
First Claim
1. A participatory slide play structure comprising:
- a riding surface upon which a first group of one or more play participants can slide along an expected path;
one or more associated effect-delivering play elements adapted to create desired effects on a second group of play participants or adapted and positioned to shoot water and/or other play media at a second group of participants, and one or more sensor/actuator devices comprising one or more of the following devices;
a non-contact actuator, target actuator, photosensitive actuator, motion sensor, proximity sensor, audio sensor, beam sensor, infrared sensor, electronic tag sensor, weight sensor, lever/flipper actuator, basket sensor, for activating one or more of the associated play elements, the sensor/actuator devices positioned at locations relative to the riding surface and within a predetermined field of view of the first group of play participants with respect to a horizontal and a vertical neutral viewing plane to allow the first group of one or more play participants sliding upon the riding surface along an expected path to safely actuate the sensor/actuator devices.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A participatory water slide play apparatus is disclosed upon which a ride participant can slide from an upper portion to a lower portion. Sensor/actuator devices are positioned on or adjacent the slide at locations intermediate the upper and lower portions thereof and are linked to associated play elements, such as water forming elements, noise making devices, scoring devices, and the like. While traveling down the slide, the ride participant is able to actuate one or more of the sensor/actuator devices to trigger one or more associated play elements and/or effects. Thus, aside from the enjoyment of the ride itself, ride participants can bring about desired effects and/or actively participate or interact with other ride participants located on or around the slide play structure in a fun and exciting manner.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A participatory slide play structure comprising:
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a riding surface upon which a first group of one or more play participants can slide along an expected path;
one or more associated effect-delivering play elements adapted to create desired effects on a second group of play participants or adapted and positioned to shoot water and/or other play media at a second group of participants, and one or more sensor/actuator devices comprising one or more of the following devices;
a non-contact actuator, target actuator, photosensitive actuator, motion sensor, proximity sensor, audio sensor, beam sensor, infrared sensor, electronic tag sensor, weight sensor, lever/flipper actuator, basket sensor, for activating one or more of the associated play elements, the sensor/actuator devices positioned at locations relative to the riding surface and within a predetermined field of view of the first group of play participants with respect to a horizontal and a vertical neutral viewing plane to allow the first group of one or more play participants sliding upon the riding surface along an expected path to safely actuate the sensor/actuator devices.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A participatory slide play structure comprising:
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a riding surface upon which a first group of one or more participants can slide from an entrance point to an exit point along an expected path;
a support structure disposed adjacent the riding surface adapted to support a second group of one or more participants, the support structure being sized and configured such that the second group of participants can view the first group of participants as they slide along the riding surface; and
one or more play elements for creating desired effects or for shooting water and/or other play media at the second group of participants, the one or more play elements positioned at locations relative to the ride surface and within a predetermined field of view of the first group of play participants with respect to a horizontal and a vertical neutral viewing plane to allow the first group of participants to safely actuate the play elements as they slide along the riding surface along an expected path, whereby the first group of participants can actively engage in various participatory activities as they slide along the riding surface along an expected path. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A riding surface having a trigger mechanism for allowing participants sliding along the riding surface to activate one or more associated play effects, said trigger mechanism comprising:
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a sensor/actuator device sized and configured to be disposed on or adjacent the riding surface and adapted to generate an actuating signal when actuated, the sensor/actuator device being positioned at a location relative to the riding surface and within a predetermined field of view of the first group of play participants with respect to a horizontal and a vertical neutral viewing plane to allow participants sliding along the riding surface to use positioning of their bodies or other affirmative acts to selectively actuate or avoid actuating the sensor/actuator device; and
a receiver/controller device for receiving the actuating signal and for generating a control signal to control one or more associated play effects;
whereby participants sliding down the riding surface are able to actively engage in various participatory activities as they slide along the riding surface. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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- 29. A riding surface having a trigger mechanism for allowing participants sliding along a riding surface to activate one or more associated play effects, comprising a photosensitive diode sensor and a translucent portion of the ride surface, the diode sensor and translucent portion positioned at a location relative to the riding surface and within a predetermined field of view of the participants with respect to a horizontal and a vertical neutral viewing plane such that participants sliding along the riding surface can selectively block or avoid blocking ambient light impinging upon the diode sensor to selectively generate an actuating signal or avoid generating an actuating signal.
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31. A riding surface for a slide play structure, the riding surface being formed of a fiberglass material and substantially smooth on at least one side thereof, the riding surface further comprising at least one sensor/actuator device positioned relative to the riding surface and within a predetermined field of view of a ride participant with respect to a horizontal and a vertical neutral viewing plane such that the participant can selectively actuate one or more associated play elements as the participant slides along the riding surface;
wherein the fiberglass material is translucent over at least a portion thereof and wherein the sensor/actuator device comprises a photosensitive diode sensor disposed opposite the smooth side of the riding surface and arranged such that participants sliding along the riding surface can selectively block ambient light impinging upon the diode sensor. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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35. A riding surface for a slide play structure, the riding surface being substantially smooth on at least one side thereof, the riding surface further comprising at least one sensor/actuator device positioned relative to the riding surface such that a ride participant sliding along the riding surface can selectively actuate one or more associated play elements as the participant slides along the riding surface;
wherein the riding surface further comprises a window formed therein or a transparent or translucent material behind which a photosensitive diode sensor is disposed, the diode sensor being arranged such that participants sliding along the riding surface can selectively block ambient light impinging upon the diode sensor.
Specification