Water rides which move a user from an upper level to a lower level are well-known in the leisure industry. Such water rides take the form of slides or flumes where the user is carried downhill both by the flow of water and gravity. However, once a user has descended by various routes to the lower levels of a water park, which is a combination of a number of different water rides, the only means of ascending to the upper levels is by way of a traditional stairway or ladder. An object of the present invention is, therefore, to overcome this disadvantage of the current water rides.

Accordingly, there is provided a water ride for use in a leisure park comprising an inclined hollow rotating tube having a screw thread on its internal surface, the first end of the tube being at a lower water level and the second end of the tube being at a higher water level wherein a user entering the tube at one level will be carried to the other level by a body of water moving along the internal screw thread as the tube rotates about its axis.

Preferably, a user is carried by the body of water moving along the internal screw thread by a floating carrying means.

Preferably, the hollow tube is constructed such that the configuration of the internal screw thread provides an unobstructed central area to allow a clear view through the hollow tube.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a side view in section of the water ride; Figure 2 is a plan view of the water ride in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view in direction A in Figure 1 of a user entering the water ride; and Figure 4 is an end view in direction B in Figure 1 of a user exiting the water ride.

Figure 1 depicts three users X, Y and Z ascending from a lower water level Li to a higher water level L2. The water ride comprises an inclined hollow rotating tube 1 having an internal screw thread 2. The tube 1 should be constructed such that the depth of the screw thread 2 is sufficient to carry a body of water which can support a user with or without a floating carrying means 3 such as a tyre. The first end 4 of the tube 1 is submersed in the water at water level L1 and the second end 5 of the tube 1 allows water carried by the internal screw thread 2 to empty into water level L2. It is clear from Figure 1 that the water ride will operate in a similar manner to an Archimedes'screw when the tube 1 is rotated [clockwise about its axis when viewed in direction A] to lift the user from water level Li to water level L2 on the body of water moving along the internal screw thread 2. If the direction of rotation is reversed, a user can descend from water level L2 to water level Li. However, the second end 5 of the tube 1 would have to be submersed in water level L2 if both ascent and descent by the water ride is a requirement.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the water ride and Figures 3 and 4 depict the entry and exit of a user from the water ride. In Figure 3 it will be seen that there is a central hollow area which is not obstructed in any way by the configuration of the screw thread 2 in order that there is a clear view through the tube 1. This feature will improve safety aspects of the water ride and facilitate evacuation should the water ride break down during use.

The hollow tube 1 can be made to different dimensions thereby varying the number of users. However, the depth of the internal screw thread 2 must be sufficient to carry a body of water which will support the user. The angle of inclination of the hollow tube 1 can also be varied to suit location requirements.

The hollow tube 1 will be mounted on standard thrust bearings (not shown) and rotated using a standard electric motor (not shown) or other equivalent power means.

Typically, the hollow tube 1 would be manufactured using traditional moulding techniques, the most economical material being glass reinforced plastic.