This invention relates to apparatus for simulating a parachute experience.

Recreational parachuting activities of the type where a participant jumps out of an aircraft typically require the participant to undergo a series of training exercises, which can not only be costly for the participant in terms of money but also in terms of time. Moreover, such recreational parachuting activities require the constant use of an aircraft which has associated therewith noise and air pollution concerns. It is also considered by some people that there is too high a risk of an injury or fatality by participating in such recreational parachuting activities and this means that many people do not get an opportunity to experience the feeling of diving from an aircraft.

Apparatus for simulating parachuting activities are described in GB patent application numbers 1514597.2 and 1520739.2, which are each incorporated herein by reference. The subject matter described in these applications relates to apparatus including a device for controlling a participant's descent and a pipe inside which the device is descendable. The apparatus described in these applications solely rely upon a partial vacuum to control a participant's descent within the pipe. The apparatus is configured such that a chamber is formed above the device (from which the participant is suspended), which chamber increases in volume with descent of the device. The upper end of the pipe is configured to be substantially airtight so that the partial vacuum is created in the chamber. A valve is utilised to regulate the partial vacuum within the chamber depending on the type of experience that the participant is seeking. Whilst this configuration of apparatus is advantageous for certain

H13873WO parachuting experiences, such as slow and steady drift descents, there is a need within the adventure tourism industry to provide experiences for the more daring (thrill seeking) participant. Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus that seek to overcome, or at least substantially reduce, the disadvantages discussed above.

Embodiments of the invention also seek to provide improved apparatus for simulating experiences for the more daring participant, when compared to apparatus of the prior art.

In one aspect of the invention, we provide apparatus for simulating a parachute experience, the apparatus including:

a device for controlling the descent of a participant; and

a pipe inside which the device is descendable, the device and at least part of the pipe defining a chamber which decreases in volume with descent of the device,

wherein the pipe includes an uppermost end, a lowermost end and a flow path for permitting displacement of fluid from inside the chamber by descent of the device, the flow path being located between the uppermost and lowermost ends such that when the device descends past the flow path the fluid within the chamber acts to decelerate the descent of the device.

In some embodiments, the fluid may be a gas or a mixture of gases (e.g. air).

The device is therefore able to descend between the uppermost end of the pipe and the flow path, due to displacement of the fluid from inside the chamber. However, once the device passes the flow path it begins to decelerate because of increasing fluid pressure in the chamber acting on the device. This increasing fluid pressure is due to a lack of fluid displacement from inside the chamber (since the flow path is no longer in fluid communication with the chamber). Depending on factors such as fluid leakage from inside the chamber (e.g. between the device and the inside pipe wall), the device may come to a stop once it passes the flow path. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a valve operable to regulate displacement of the fluid from inside the chamber. The valve may be located in the flow path. The valve may be operable between an open state in which fluid is permitted to be displaced from inside the chamber by descent of the device and a closed state in which fluid is prevented from being displaced from inside the chamber. Thus, if the valve is closed before the device reaches the flow path the device will decelerate and may come to a stop before it reaches the flow path, due to a build-up of fluid pressure in the chamber acting on the device. In some embodiments, the valve may be configured to adopt one or more partially open states. In such embodiments, the descent of the device may be at least partially arrested before the device reaches the flow path. By adopting more than one partially open state the valve may be utilised to iteratively arrest the descent of the device before the device reaches the flow path.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may include one or more further flow paths for permitting displacement of fluid from inside the chamber by descent of the device, the or each further flow path being located between the flow path and the uppermost end of the pipe. In such embodiments, the descent of the device may be at least partially arrested before it reaches the flow path without the use of a valve. Similarly, by adopting more than one further flow path it may be possible to iteratively arrest the descent of the device before the device reaches the flow path. At least partially arresting the descent of the device before it reaches the flow path (either by use of a valve or by utilising one or more further flow paths) is advantageous because it lessens any sudden impact which may otherwise be experienced by the device as the device reaches the flow path. Such impact is caused due to the high fluid pressure acting on the device: a consequence of the fact that the flow path is no longer in fluid communication with the chamber.

In some embodiments, the, each or selected ones of the further flow paths may include a valve operable to regulate fluid flow. In some embodiments, the pipe may be configured to be substantially airtight between the flow path and the lowermost end thereof.

In some embodiments, the flow path may be located at least about 20 % of the way along the pipe from the lowermost end.

In some embodiments, the flow path may be located at between about 20 % to about 50 % of the way along the pipe from the lowermost end.

In some embodiments, the outer periphery of the device may be substantially equal to the inner periphery of the pipe such that the device is contactable with the pipe around substantially the entire inner periphery thereof.

In some embodiments, the device may be formed at least partially from a material having low gas permeability, such that at least a part of the device can be inflated.

In some embodiments, at least a part of the device may be urged outwardly.

In some embodiments, the device may be configured such that a participant's head remains above the device during descent of the device inside the pipe. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a braking assembly operable between a first state in which substantially no braking force is applied to the device as the device descends inside the pipe and a second state in which a braking force is applied to the device to at least partially arrest the device.

Further features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims thereto which are appended hereto. Embodiments of the various aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 shows apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows views of the apparatus of Figure 1 , the apparatus shown in a first configuration (Figure 2a) and a second configuration (Figure 2b); Figure 3 shows views of apparatus according to a second embodiment, the apparatus shown in a first configuration (Figure 3a) and a second configuration (Figure 3b);

Figure 4 shows views of apparatus according to a third embodiment, the apparatus shown in a first configuration (Figure 4a), a second configuration (Figure 4b), a third configuration (Figure 4c), a fourth configuration (Figure 4d) and a fifth configuration (Figure 4e); and

Figure 5 shows apparatus including a braking assembly.

With reference to figure 1 , some embodiments of the present invention include apparatus, indicated generally at 1 , for simulating a parachute experience. The apparatus 1 may include a device 10 for controlling the descent of a participant and a pipe 12 inside which the device 10 is descendable (descent of the device 10 is indicated in figure 1 by arrows A). The pipe 12 includes uppermost and lowermost ends 121 , 122 and the pipe 12 may be generally straight. The pipe 12 may be from approximately 50 to 100 metres in length, although shorter or even longer pipes 12 are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. The dashed lines of the pipe 12 towards the uppermost and lowermost ends 121 , 122 indicate that the pipe 12 may have any length deemed appropriate and safe by local legislation.

In some embodiments (not shown), the pipe 12 may be at least partially curved along the length thereof (so that the pipe adopts a ramped or even S- shaped profile, for example).

In some embodiments, a participant is connected to or wears the device 10 before entering the pipe 12. The participant may then enter the pipe 12 near the uppermost end 121 thereof, e.g. via an entry (not shown), and once inside the pipe 12 a chamber 14 is defined between the device 10 and the pipe's 12 lowermost end 122. The device 10 is released by any known manner and as the device 10 descends inside the pipe 12 the chamber 14 decreases in volume. In some embodiments, the outer periphery of the device 10 may be substantially equal to the inner periphery of the pipe 12 such that the device 10 is contactable with the pipe 12 around substantially the entire inner periphery thereof. This may be achieved by a device 10 that is formed at least partially from a material having low gas permeability, such that at least part of the device 10 may be inflated. Non-limiting examples of materials having low gas permeability include tightly woven fabrics, or fabrics having rubber or plastic coatings.

In some embodiments, the device need not be inflatable. For instance, at least a part of the device 10 may be urged outwardly so as to contact the inner periphery of the pipe 12. The part may be urged outwardly, e.g. by a resilient biasing member or by mechanical means.

In some embodiments, the device 10 may be in the form of a suit that the participant can wear. For reasons that will become apparent, the device 10 may be configured such that the participant's head remains above the device 10 at all times during descent of the device 10, as shown in figure 1 .

The pipe 12 includes a flow path 123 located between the uppermost and lowermost ends 121 , 122. The flow path 123 is in fluid communication with the chamber 14 and the pipe 12 exterior, which may be the atmosphere.

In some embodiments, the flow path 123 may be located at least about 20% of the way along the pipe 12 from the lowermost end 122. For instance, the flow path 123 may be located about 16 metres from the lowermost end 122 for a pipe 12 having a length of 80 metres.

As the device 10 descends inside the pipe 12 fluid (e.g. gas or a mixture of gases, such as air) is displaced from the chamber 14 via the flow path 123 (displacement of fluid from inside the chamber 14 is indicated in figure 1 by arrow B). When the device 10 passes the flow path 123 the fluid within the chamber 10 is no longer displaced via the flow path 123 because the flow path 123 is no longer in fluid communication with the chamber 14. Therefore, fluid pressure within the chamber 14 increases which acts on the device 10 causing the device 10 to decelerate.

Advantageously, the arrangement of the apparatus 1 is such that there is no mechanical pressurisation / evacuation above or below the device 10 to control the descent of the participant (for instance, no fans or pumps are required to control movement of the device 10), unlike in apparatus of the prior art. Instead, the invention relies solely upon the increasing build-up of fluid pressure beneath the device acting on the device to cause deceleration thereof.

In some embodiments, the pipe 12 may be configured to be substantially airtight between the flow path 123 and the lowermost end 122 thereof. Advantageously, this means that the increased fluid pressure within the chamber 14 once the device 10 has passed the flow path 123 is maintained, which means that the device 10 may stop descending entirely. Figure 2 shows the apparatus 1 in two different configurations. In figure 2a the device 10 is shown descending within the pipe 12 (arrow A) with fluid being displaced via the flow path 123 (arrow B). In figure 2b the device 10 has reached the flow path 123 and therefore starts decelerating due to the increased fluid pressure in the chamber 14 acting on the device 10. The increased fluid pressure in the chamber 14 is, of course, due to the fact that fluid is no longer displaced from inside the chamber 14 because the flow path 123 is no longer in fluid communication with the chamber 14. The pressurised fluid within the chamber 14 is indicated by double-headed arrow C. If the outer periphery of the device 10 is in contact with the pipe 12 around substantially the entire inner periphery thereof and if the pipe 12 is configured to be substantially airtight between the flow path 123 and the lowermost end 122 thereof it is likely that the device 10 will come to a stop at or around the flow path 123 and will remain stationary. There may, of course, be some further movement of the device 10 due to negligible fluid leakage from the chamber 14, e.g. between the device 10 and the inside wall of the pipe 12.

Once a descent has been completed an exit 13 (located near the lowermost end 122 of the pipe 12) is opened to allow the participant to leave the pipe 12. Opening of the exit 13 may cause the device 10 to continue its descent (due to displacement of the pressurised fluid from within the chamber 14 by the exit 13) to permit the participant to leave the pipe 12. Alternatively, the participant may descend the final part to the exit 13 using stairs or a lift.

Referring now to figure 3, there is shown an embodiment of the apparatus 1 ' in which a valve 16' is provided. The valve 16' may be located in the flow path 123'. The valve 16' is operable to regulate displacement of the fluid from inside the chamber 14'. The valve 16' may be operable between an open state in which fluid is permitted to be displaced from inside the chamber 14' by descent of the device 10' and a closed state in which fluid is unable to be displaced from inside the chamber 14'. The valve 16' may be actuatable between the open and closed states mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically, electrically, thermally or magnetically.

Figure 3 shows the apparatus 1 ' in two different configurations. In figure 3a the device 10' is shown descending within the pipe 12' (arrow A) with fluid being displaced via the flow path 123' (arrow B). In this configuration the valve 16' is in the open state. In figure 3b the device 10' has reached the flow path 123' and therefore starts decelerating due to the increased fluid pressure in the chamber 14' acting on the device 10', as already described above. The pressurised fluid within the chamber 14' is indicated by double-headed arrow C.

In some embodiments, the valve 16' may be configured to adopt one or more partially open states. In such embodiments, the descent of the device 10' may be at least partially arrested before the device 10' has reached the flow path 123'. For example, the valve 16' may be configured to adopt a first partially open state in which less fluid is permitted to be displaced from the chamber 14' than compared to when the valve 16' is in the open state. In some embodiments, the valve 16' may be configured to adopt a second partially open state in which less fluid is permitted to be displaced from the chamber 14' than compared to when the valve 16' is in the first partially open state. By adopting more than one partially open state the valve 16' may be utilised to iteratively arrest the descent of the device 10' before the device 10' has reached the flow path 123'. This may be desirable in instances whereby a sudden impact would otherwise be experienced by the device 10' as the device 10' "hits" the pressurised fluid of zone C.

Once a descent has been completed an exit 13' (located near the lowermost end 122' of the pipe 12') is opened to allow the participant to leave the pipe 12'. Opening of the exit 13' may cause the device 10' to continue its descent (due to displacement of the pressurised fluid from within the chamber 14' by the exit 13') to permit the participant to leave the pipe 12'. Alternatively, the participant may descend the final part to the exit 13' using stairs or a lift.

Referring now to figure 4, there is shown an embodiment of the apparatus 1 " in which three further flow paths 124", 125", 126" are provided. The further flow paths 124", 125", 126" are located between the flow path 123" and the uppermost end (which is not shown in figure 4) of the pipe 12". In some embodiments, the further flow paths 124", 125", 1 26" may be spaced evenly with respect to one another.

The further flow paths 124", 125", 126" are typically provided in place of the valve 16' of the previous embodiment. However, in some embodiments, the further flow paths 124", 125", 126" may have associated therewith respective valves (not shown).

The further flow paths 124", 125", 126" permit displacement of fluid from inside the chamber 14" by descent of the device 10" in the same manner as previously described with respect to the flow path 123". By adopting further flow paths 124", 125", 126" in the apparatus 1 " it is possible to iteratively arrest the descent of the device 10" before the device 10" has reached the flow path 123" in a similar manner as utilising the valve 16' of the previous embodiment.

Figure 4 shows the apparatus 1 " in five different configurations. In figure 4a the device 10" is shown descending within the pipe 12" (arrow A) with fluid being displaced via the flow path 123" (arrow B) and via all three further flow paths 124", 125", 126" (displacement of fluid via the further flow paths is indicated in figure 4 by arrows D, E and F). In figure 4b the device 10" has passed the further flow path 124" and therefore starts decelerating due to the fact that less fluid is being displaced from inside the chamber 14" than when the device 10" was at the location indicated in figure 4a - it will be appreciated that displacement of fluid from inside the chamber 14" is now only via flow path 123" and further flow paths 125", 126" and that there will be an increase in fluid pressure in the chamber 14" which will act on the device 10". In figure 4c the device 10" has passed the further flow path 125" and therefore starts decelerating further due to the fact that even less fluid is being displaced from inside the chamber 14" than when the device 10" was at the location indicated in figure 4b - it will be appreciated that displacement of fluid from inside the chamber 14" is now only via flow path 123" and further flow path 126" and that there will be a further increase in fluid pressure in the chamber 14" which will act on the device 10". In figure 4d the device 10" has passed the further flow path 126" and therefore starts decelerating yet further due to the fact that even less fluid is being displaced from inside the chamber 14" than when the device 10" was at the location indicated in figure 4c - it will be appreciated that displacement of fluid from inside the chamber 14" is now only via flow path 123" and that there will be an even further increase in fluid pressure in the chamber 14". In figure 4e the device 10" has reached flow path 123" and so it decelerates yet further due to the fact that even less fluid is being displaced from inside the chamber 14" than when the device 1 0" was at the location indicated in figure 4d. The pressurised fluid within the chamber 14" at this point is indicated by double-headed arrow C. As above, iteratively arresting the descent of the device 10" in this way may be desirable in instances whereby a sudden impact would otherwise be experienced by the device 10" as the device 10" "hits" the pressurised fluid of zone C.

Three further flow paths 124", 125", 126" are shown in the illustrated embodiment of figure 4. However, in some embodiments one, two or more than three (e.g. four, five and so on) further flow paths may be provided without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is important to note that the participant must be protected and kept safe at all times. As discussed, pressurised fluid is generated in the chamber 14, 14', 14" as the device 10, 10', 10" descends. It is essential, therefore, that the participant's head is kept clear of the pressurised fluid for safety purposes. In order to prevent the participant's head from entering an area of pressurised fluid the head must remain above the device 10, 10', 10" at all times during the descent. To make this practical, the device 10, 10', 10" generally takes the form of a wearable suit that fits to the participant's trunk to allow the head to remain above the device 10, 10', 10".

Referring now to figure 5, in some embodiments the apparatus 1 , 1 ', 1 " may include a braking assembly 15 operable between a first state in which substantially no braking force is applied to the device 10 as the device 10 descends inside the pipe 12 and a second state in which a braking force is applied to the device 10 to at least partially arrest the device 10 in the pipe 12. The braking force may be applied either directly or indirectly to the device 10. In some embodiments, at least part of the braking assembly 15 may be located within a channel 16. The channel 16 may extend along at least part of the length of the pipe 12. In such embodiments the channel 16 may be configured to receive a brake member 100 associated with a respective device 10 or participant. Typically, during the point at which a participant is entering a pipe 12 the brake member 100 (associated with the participant or participant's device 10) is inserted into the channel 16. The brake member 100 is configured to descend inside the channel 16 alongside the device 10 which descends inside the pipe 12. The brake member 100 may exit the channel 16 towards the lowermost end 122 of the pipe 12.

The braking assembly 15 provides a failsafe. For instance, in the event of a component failure, an accident, a participant becomes panicked or begins to descend at a speed / acceleration greater than a predetermined limit, the braking assembly 15 may be triggered to apply a braking force to the device 10 to at least partially arrest (such as stop) the device 10 inside the pipe 12.

The braking assembly 15 may be configurable to apply a braking force to the brake member 100 descending in the channel 16. The braking assembly 15 may be triggered either automatically by the apparatus 1 or by user intervention. To be clear, the braking assembly 15 is only intended for use in emergency situations or when the apparatus 1 is being tested. The braking assembly 15 is not intended to be used during a descent unless there is a problem. The primary arresting mechanism for the device 10 during normal operation is intended to be the location of the flow path 123 in the pipe 12 such that when the device 10 descends past the flow path 123 a build-up of fluid pressure within the chamber 14 acts to decelerate the descent of the device 10. Figure 5 shows a specific type of braking assembly 15 that could be used with any of the apparatus described herein. Other braking assemblies could be utilised, such as any of an inertia governor, a centrifugal governor, a hydraulic ram or a pneumatic ram. Details of suitable braking assemblies may be found in GB application numbers 1514597.2 and 1520739.2, the contents of each is incorporated herein by reference. As will be appreciated, embodiments of the invention provide a safer, more convenient and cheaper alternative to skydiving from an aircraft. It is envisaged that apparatus according to the invention may be installed on sites close to cities making it convenient for thrill seekers to participate in a parachuting experience without having to travel significant distances and / or incur costs and / or time in attending training exercises, as is the case for conventional parachuting from an aircraft. The present invention also has environmental benefits, in that it removes the need for aircraft and hence the noise and air pollution associated therewith.

Embodiments of the invention also provide a greater thrill / feeling of delight / adrenaline rush on the participant when compared to apparatus of the prior art, since the participant experiences free fall until the fluid beneath the device increases to a pressure such that it starts to act on the device to cause deceleration thereof.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.