Forked flume segment for a water slide

Abstract

A forked flume segment for a waterslide is provided. The forked flume segment includes a flume slide entrance which receives at least one flume slide entry element. The at least one flume slide entry element launches at least one of a rider, a sliding object or a combination thereof with a pre-defined momentum. The forked flume segment also includes at least two flume slide exits which lead into a first flume slide exit element and a second flume slide exit element respectively which are mechanically coupled to the at least one flume slide entry element via an intermediate flume slide element. Further, the forked flume segment includes a gate mechanically coupled to an actuating device, wherein the gate guides at least one of the rider, the sliding object or a combination thereof towards one of the at least two flume slide exits upon actuation by the actuating device.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A forked flume segment for a waterslide comprises:
 a flume slide entrance configured to receive at least one flume slide entry element configured to launch at least one of a rider, a sliding object or a combination thereof with a pre-defined momentum into the forked flume segment;   at least two flume slide exits, wherein the at least two flume slide exits lead into a first flume slide exit element and a second flume slide exit element respectively, wherein the first flume slide exit element and the second flume slide exit element are mechanically coupled to the at least one flume slide entry element via an intermediate flume slide element; and   a gate mechanically coupled to an actuating device, wherein the gate is configured to guide at least one of the rider, the sliding object or a combination thereof towards one of the at least two flume slide exits upon actuation of the gate by the actuating device, wherein the actuating device is located in between the first flume slide exit element and the second flume slide exit element.   
     
     
         2 . The forked flume segment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the forked flume segment comprises the at least one flume slide entry element, the first flume slide exit element and the second flume slide exit element each inclined at a pre-defined entry element angle, a first pre-defined exit element angle and a second pre-defined exit element angle respectively. 
     
     
         3 . The forked flume segment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the forked flume segment comprises one or more feedback sensors configured to check for a position of the gate upon actuation of the gate by the actuating device. 
     
     
         4 . The forked flume segment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gate is mechanically coupled to the actuating device via a rotary shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The forked flume segment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a shape of the gate is symmetrically aligned with respect to the intermediate flume slide element. 
     
     
         6 . The forked flume segment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the actuation of the gate by the actuating device comprises rotation of the gate about the rotary shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The forked flume segment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the forked flume segment comprises a pump system to pump water to an entrance of a waterslide entry segment for the water to flow down in the waterslide entry segment, the at least one flume slide entry element, the intermediate flume slide element, the first flume slide exit element, the second flume slide exit element, a first waterslide exit segment and a second waterslide exit segment. 
     
     
         8 . A method for forming a forked flume segment for a waterslide, wherein the method comprises:
 forming a flume slide entrance configured for receiving at least one flume slide entry element, wherein the at least one flume slide entry element is configured to launch at least one of a rider, a sliding object or a combination thereof with a pre-defined momentum into the forked flume segment;   forming at least two flume slide exits leading into a first flume slide exit element and a second flume slide exit element respectively;   mechanically coupling the first flume slide exit element and the second flume slide exit element to the at least one flume slide entry element via an intermediate flume slide element; and   mechanically coupling a gate to an actuating device, wherein the gate is configured to guide at least one of the rider, the sliding object or a combination thereof towards one of the at least two flume slide exits upon actuating the gate by the actuating device, wherein the actuating device is located in between of the first flume slide exit element and the second flume slide exit element.   
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein mechanically coupling the gate to the actuating device comprises mechanically coupling the gate to the actuating device via a rotary shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein mechanically coupling the gate to the actuating device comprises the gate comprising a shape being symmetrically aligned with respect to the intermediate flume slide element. 
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein actuating the gate by the actuating device comprises rotating of the gate about the rotary shaft.