Oscillating feature for waterslide attraction

Abstract

A waterslide attraction includes an entrance; an exit; and an oscillating feature disposed between the entrance and the exit, the oscillating feature operable to receive a rider through the entrance travelling in a first direction, oscillate the rider within the oscillating feature along an oscillating path substantially aligned with the first direction, and discharge the rider through the exit in a second direction offset from the first direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A waterslide attraction, comprising:
 an entrance;   an exit; and   an oscillating feature disposed between the entrance and the exit, the oscillating feature operable to receive a rider through the entrance travelling in a first direction, oscillate the rider within the oscillating feature along an oscillating path substantially aligned with the first direction, and discharge the rider through the exit in a second direction offset from the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating path is defined by a shape of a lower portion of the oscillating feature that limits an orientation of oscillation of the rider to one aligned with the first direction. 
     
     
         3 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating feature defines a substantially toroidal geometry. 
     
     
         4 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating feature is a first oscillating feature, the oscillating path is a first oscillating path, and the waterslide attraction further comprises a second oscillating feature. 
     
     
         5 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 4 , wherein the first oscillating feature is in direct contact with the second oscillating feature. 
     
     
         6 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 5 , wherein the second oscillating feature is operable to receive a second rider through a second entrance of the second oscillating feature, oscillate the second rider within the second oscillating feature along a second oscillating path, and discharge the second rider through a second exit of the second oscillating feature. 
     
     
         7 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 6 , wherein the first oscillating path lies substantially in a first plane, the second oscillating path lies substantially in a second plane, and the first plane is substantially parallel to the second plane. 
     
     
         8 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 6 , wherein the entrance is a first entrance and wherein the waterslide attraction further comprises:
 a first flume that ends at the first entrance, and   a second flume that ends at the second entrance of the second oscillating feature.   
     
     
         9 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating feature defines a through hole, and wherein a waterslide attraction pathway extends through the through hole defined by the oscillating feature. 
     
     
         10 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 9 , wherein the waterslide attraction pathway is a waterslide. 
     
     
         11 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 9 , wherein the oscillation feature is a first oscillation feature, and wherein the waterslide attraction pathway is a second oscillation feature. 
     
     
         12 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 1 , further comprising a line queue extending through an opening defined by the oscillating feature. 
     
     
         13 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating feature defines a through hole and wherein a non-waterslide attraction pathway extends through the through hole defined by the oscillating feature. 
     
     
         14 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 13 , wherein the non-waterslide attraction pathway is part of a water-themed playground. 
     
     
         15 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 1 , wherein the first direction is offset from the second direction by at least 45 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 15 , wherein the first direction is offset from the second direction by 90 degrees. 
     
     
         17 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 1 , wherein the entrance is a first flume extending from a waterslide attraction starting position to the oscillating feature, and wherein a portion of the first flume is positioned within and supported by a channel defined by an upper portion of the oscillating feature. 
     
     
         18 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating feature comprises one or more water jets configured to redirect the rider out of the oscillating feature once a velocity of the rider slows below a threshold velocity. 
     
     
         19 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the exit is a first exit;   the waterslide attraction further comprises a second exit connected to the oscillating feature; and   the oscillating feature is operable to discharge the rider through the second exit in a third direction that is different from the second direction.   
     
     
         20 . The waterslide attraction of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating feature defines an open top.