Amusement or water ride attraction including sub-elements

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.