The present disclosure relates generally to amusement rides, and more specifically to water slide rides and portions thereof.
The amusement park industry is competitive and evolving. Park operators strive to offer new, innovative rides to provide exciting and thrilling experiences for patrons.
Some slide-based rides are known. For example, in conventional water slides, patrons enter the ride at a high elevation and travel to a terminal destination at a lower elevation by sliding along a chute or flume. To facilitate sliding, portions of a water slide may be lubricated with a volume of water.
In some water slides, patrons may sit or lie on a vehicle designed to contact the ride surface. In some water slides, patrons may slide along the ride without a vehicle, with their bodies in contact with the ride surface.
In U.S. Pat. No. 7,854,662 B2 to Braun et al., a water slide having at least one loop section is described. One problem with the water slide described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,854,662 B2 is that, due to the use of the loop, there is a need for an evacuation platform at the valley and as well as the apex of the loop. In addition, confining riders to such a loop may decrease the thrill of the ride.
In some commercially available water slides, such as rides sold by ProSlide Technology Inc. under the trademarks CannonBOWL™, BulletBOWL™, ProBOWL™, and BehemothBOWL™, riders are deposited from a chute into a round, horizontally-oriented bowl. Riders enter the bowl along the wall of the bowl and exit from the bottom center of the bowl.
There is a need for water rides that address the problems and disadvantages of previous rides while providing more exciting experiences for riders.
According to an aspect, there is provided a slide feature for an amusement ride adapted to carry a rider or ride vehicle sliding thereon, the slide feature comprising: an inrun permitting ingress of the rider or ride vehicle, an outrun permitting egress of the rider or ride vehicle, a substantially planar sliding surface in communication with the inrun and the outrun, wherein the sliding surface comprises a surface substantially in the shape of a sector of a closed curve; and an outer lip extending from the inrun to the outrun, wherein the slide feature provides that the rider or ride vehicle, at least partially urged by gravity, slides along the sliding surface from the inrun to the outrun in an arcuate path at least partially bounded by the outer lip.
Optionally, the sliding surface is substantially planar.
Optionally, the sliding surface is oriented at a pitch angle around a pitch axis, the pitch angle being measured relative to a horizontal plane; the sliding surface is oriented at a roll angle around a roll axis, the roll angle being measured relative to the horizontal plane, the pitch axis and the roll axis are mutually perpendicular, and at least one of the pitch angle and the roll angle is nonzero.
Optionally, the pitch angle and the roll angle are selected so that an elevation of the rider or ride vehicle increases along a first portion of the arcuate path and decreases along a second portion of the arcuate path.
Optionally, each of the pitch angle and the roll angle is less than 45°.
Optionally, at least one of the pitch angle and the roll angle is 11.25°.
Optionally, each of the pitch angle and the roll angle are between 15° and 18°.
Optionally, the roll angle is 11.25° and the pitch angle is 22.5°.
Optionally, a diameter of the slide feature is between 15 feet to 25 feet.
Optionally, a radius of the sliding surface is continuously reduced from the inrun to the outrun.
Optionally, the radius of the sliding surface at the outrun is 75% of the radius of the sliding surface at the inrun.
Optionally, a radius of the sliding surface is constant from the inrun to the outrun.
Optionally, the sliding surface is uncovered.
Optionally, the slide feature comprises a cover over the sliding surface.
Optionally, the cover has at least one of a hemispherical or domed shape.
Optionally, the slide feature is adapted to carry a ride vehicle and the ride vehicle comprises a raft for seating one human or a raft for seating two humans in an inline configuration.
Optionally, a shape of the inrun and a shape of the outrun each are adapted to interface with water slide chutes having a circular or semi-circular cross-section.
Optionally, the sliding surface comprises a groove for guiding the path of the rider.
Optionally, the sliding surface comprises a flexible material with a textured surface.
Optionally, the outer lip has a substantially flat cross-section perpendicular to the sliding surface.
Optionally, the outer lip has a curved cross-section.
Optionally, an edge of the sliding surface is curved to provide a smooth transition to the outer lip.
Optionally, an edge of the sliding surface is angled to meet the outer lip.
Optionally, the edge of the sliding surface is angled at an angle between 10° and 45° relative to a central part of the sliding surface.
According to another aspect, there is provided a slide feature for an amusement ride adapted to carry a rider or ride vehicle sliding thereon, the slide feature comprising: an inrun permitting ingress of the rider or ride vehicle, an outrun permitting egress of the rider or ride vehicle, a sliding surface in communication with the inrun and the outrun, wherein the sliding surface is substantially planar; and an outer lip extending from the inrun to the outrun, wherein the slide feature provides that the rider or ride vehicle, at least partially urged by gravity, slides along the sliding surface from the inrun to the outrun in an arcuate path at least partially bounded by the outer lip, and wherein the sliding surface is oriented so that an elevation of the rider or ride vehicle increases along a first portion of the arcuate path and decreases along a second portion of the arcuate path.
Optionally, the sliding surface is oriented at a pitch angle around a pitch axis, the pitch angle being measured relative to a horizontal plane; the sliding surface is oriented at a roll angle around a roll axis, the roll angle being measured relative to the horizontal plane, the pitch axis and the roll axis are mutually perpendicular, and both the pitch angle and the roll angle are nonzero.
According to still another aspect, there is provided a slide feature for an amusement ride adapted to carry a rider or ride vehicle sliding thereon, the slide feature comprising: an inrun permitting ingress of the rider or ride vehicle, an outrun permitting egress of the rider or ride vehicle, a sliding surface in communication with the inrun and the outrun, wherein the sliding surface comprises a substantially circular or substantially elliptical surface; and an outer lip extending from the inrun to the outrun, wherein the slide feature provides that the rider or ride vehicle, at least partially urged by gravity, slides along the sliding surface from the inrun to the outrun in an arcuate path at least partially bounded by the outer lip.
According to yet another aspect, there is provided a water slide comprising a slide feature as described above.
Optionally, the water slide comprises a support structure supporting the slide feature, wherein the support structure is configured to dynamically impart movement to the slide feature.
Various aspects and features of the disclosure are described in further detail below.
Examples of embodiments will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The slide feature 102 is adapted to carry a rider or a ride vehicle sliding thereon. In some embodiments, the slide feature 102 may be adapted to carry one or more riders and/or one or more ride vehicles sliding thereon simultaneously.
Although entry chute 104 and exit chute 106 are illustrated as having a certain length, it should be understood that entry chute 104 and exit chute 106 may continue for a shorter or a longer distance than shown and/or interface with another slide feature (not shown) or another portion of water slide 100 (also not shown). In some embodiments, riders or ride vehicles may exit the water slide through exit chute opening 108 and tumble into a pool of water (not shown) below the slide feature 102.
To facilitate sliding, the slide feature 102 may be lubricated with water. In some embodiments, a stream of water may enter the slide feature 102 from entry chute 104, the stream of water being supplied by a start tub (not shown) of the water slide. In some embodiments, the start tub may supply water at a rate of approximately 2500 U.S. gallons per minute. In other embodiments, the start tub may supply water at a rate of approximately 3000 U.S. gallons per minute. In still other embodiments, the start tub may supply water at other rates. In some embodiments, the slide feature 102 may be fitted with water jets and/or other means of supplying water, for example as an alternative to water from a start tub and/or to provide sliding surface lubrication in areas where water supplied by the start tub does not adequately lubricate the slide feature 102. In some embodiments, water may exit the slide feature 102 via exit chute 106. In other embodiments, water may be evacuated through an opening (not shown) in the slide feature 102, or other means of evacuating water that would be known to a person skilled in the art may be provided. In other embodiments, the slide feature 102 may be lubricated with other substances and/or may be formed with a material that does not require lubrication, for example a low friction material.
With reference to
In the embodiment depicted, the entry chute 104 and the exit chute 106 have a cross over point 180 where the entry chute 104 and the exit chute 106 are in proximity and cross over each other when the slide feature 102 is viewed from above.
In some embodiments, the inrun 110 may have a concave, partly concave, and/or partly helical shape, where a low point along the concave, partly concave, and/or partly helical shape of the inrun 110 may assist in guiding riders or ride vehicles entering the slide feature 102 towards an outer lip 122 of the slide feature 102. In some embodiments, the outrun 112 may have a convex or partly convex shape whose edges are tangential to, or intersect with, the exit chute 106, where a raised portion of the convex or partly convex shape may assist in guiding riders or ride vehicles exiting the slide feature 102 towards exit chute 106. In other embodiments, the inrun 110 may have a convex or partly convex shape. In other embodiments, the outrun 112 may have a concave, partly concave, and/or partly helical shape. More generally, the inrun 110 and outrun 112 may have other shapes for interfacing with the entry chute and exit chute. In some embodiments, the lowest point of the inrun 110 and/or outrun 112 may be located so that a person who stops moving or who exits a vehicle being ridden may be flushed out by water circulated within the slide feature 102.
In some embodiments, the location at which a rider or ride vehicle's path transitions between the inrun 110 and the sliding surface 120 occurs proximal to a floor 126 of the sliding surface 120 (i.e., proximal to the plane of the sliding surface 120). In other embodiments, the location at which a rider or ride vehicle's path transitions between the inrun 110 and the sliding surface 120 may occur proximal to an outer lip 122 of the slide feature. Outer lip 122, described in additional detail further below, may serve to partially bound the sliding surface 120.
In some embodiments, riders or ride vehicles may enter the inrun 110 at speeds of between 16 to 18 feet per second. In other embodiments, for example, embodiments in which the entry chute 104 may be designed to provide acceleration, riders or ride vehicles may enter the inrun 110 at higher speeds than 18 feet per second. For instance, in some example embodiments, riders or ride vehicles may enter the inrun 110 at between 22 to 24 feet per second. It should be understood, however, that other embodiments may be configured so that riders or ride vehicles may enter the inrun 110 at other speeds.
The sliding surface 120 may be in a shape that is substantially based on, or derived from, a sector of a closed curve. For example, the sliding surface 120 may be in the shape of a sector of a circle (also referred to as a circular sector) or of a sector of an ellipse (also referred to as an elliptical sector). A sector of a closed curve may be defined by the area formed by two line segments drawn between the centroid or geometric center of a closed curve and the perimeter of the closed curve. Although the sliding surface 120 may in some embodiments comprise a surface substantially in the shape of a sector of a smooth closed curve to facilitate a comfortable ride experience for riders, in other embodiments, the sliding surface 120 may comprise a surface substantially in the shape of a sector of a closed curve having some non-smooth portions. For example, the sliding surface 120 may comprise a surface substantially in the shape of a sector of a piecewise smooth closed curve, where a piecewise smooth closed curve is defined as a closed curve consisting of the union of several individual smooth curves, where the areas in which the individual smooth curves meet may not be smooth.
In alternative embodiments, the sliding surface 120 may be based on, or derived from, other shapes. In some embodiments, the sliding surface 120 may comprise a substantially circular or substantially elliptical surface. In some embodiments, it may be desirable that the sliding surface 120 and/or the slide feature 102 as a whole has a shape that visually suggests to riders and/or other viewers the idea of a dinner saucer and/or of an unidentified flying object (UFO). In some embodiments, for example embodiments where the sliding surface 120 comprises a surface substantially in the shape of a sector of a closed curve, to facilitate providing a shape for the slide feature 102 that may suggest a dinner saucer and/or a UFO, the sliding surface 120 may have one or more portions that extend beyond a portion of the sliding surface 120 substantially in the shape of a sector of a closed curve. In other embodiments where the sliding surface 120 comprises a surface substantially in the shape of a sector of a closed curve, the surface substantially in the shape of a sector of a closed curve may be adjacent to surfaces of the slide feature 102 that are primarily decorative rather than being intended for sliding. In some embodiments, the surfaces of the slide feature 102 that are primarily decorative may be located between the inrun 110 and the outrun 112 and opposite the outer lip 122.
In some embodiments, the shape of the sliding surface 120 may not include a portion of the center of a closed curve. That is, a central portion of the slide feature 102 may have an open aperture towards the center of the sliding surface 120. In some embodiments, an opening or openings may also be located in other areas of the sliding surface 120.
The embodiment depicted in
In the embodiment depicted in
Also identified in
It should be understood that the words “roll axis” and “pitch axis” are arbitrary identifiers, and that other names could be applied to these axes. For example, the identifiers “roll axis” and “pitch axis” could be switched. That is, the words “roll axis” could be used to refer to the pitch axis 132, and the words “pitch axis” could be used to refer to the roll axis 130.
An apex 140 is labeled in
An optional inner lip 150 is depicted extending between the inrun 110 and the outrun 112 opposite the outer lip 122 as a safety feature for preventing riders or ride vehicles from sliding out of the slide feature 102. Alternatively, railings, nets, or other structures may be provided in place of, or in addition to, the optional inner lip 150 to prevent riders or ride vehicles from sliding out of the slide feature 102.
In some embodiments, the slide feature 102 may be configured so that a rider or ride vehicle traveling down the water slide 100 enters the slide feature 102 from the entry chute 104 via the inrun 110. At least partially urged by gravity, the rider or ride vehicle slides along the sliding surface 120 from the inrun 110 to the outrun 112 in an arcuate path at least partially bounded by the outer lip 122, and then exits the slide feature 102 via the exit chute 106. In some embodiments, the arcuate path may be a substantially circular arc.
In some embodiments, because the arcuate path traveled by riders or ride vehicles (including the apex 140 of the arcuate path and a lowest point, or valley, of the arcuate path) is located within the boundaries of a slide feature 102 having a sliding surface 120 comprising a surface that is substantially in the shape of a sector of a closed curve, no evacuation platform or other evacuation provision, for the evacuation of water and/or dirt and/or for the evacuation of riders, may be required in order to safely use the slide feature 102 as part of a water slide 100.
To control the ride path of a rider or ride vehicle so that the rider or ride vehicle slides along the sliding surface 120 from the inrun 110 to the outrun 112 in an arcuate path, the radius of the sliding surface may be continuously reduced from the inrun 110 to the outrun 112. (The radius of the sliding surface may be measured relative to a point 136 proximal to a center portion of the slide feature 102, where this center portion may be a geometric center of the slide feature 102, a radial center of an arcuate path traveled by a rider or ride vehicle, or another centrally located portion of the slide feature 102.) Such a continuously reducing radius may cause centripetal or centrifugal forces to urge the rider or ride vehicle towards the outer lip 122. In some embodiments, the radius of the sliding surface at line 113 where the sliding surface 120 meets the outrun 112 may be approximately 75% of the radius of the sliding surface at line 111 where the inrun 110 meets the sliding surface 120. Other embodiments may provide for the sliding surface 120 to have a constant or expanding radius from the inrun 110 to the outrun 112.
In some embodiments, it may be desirable that the inrun 110 compounds (i.e., transitions) from a large radius to a smaller radius relative to point 136 in order to urge the rider or ride vehicle towards the outer lip 122 as the rider or ride vehicle enters the slide feature 102. In some embodiments, it may be desirable that the outrun 112 compounds in a similar manner in order to urge the rider or ride vehicle into the exit chute 108. In some embodiments, the inrun 110 and/or the outrun 112 may compound in the opposite manner, namely from a smaller radius to a large radius relative to point 136.
In some embodiments, it may be desirable to increase or maximize the centripetal forces acting upon a rider or ride vehicle by gradually reducing radii (measured relative to point 136) of parts of entry chute 104 and/or inrun 110 leading into the slide feature 102. Such a configuration may affect the speed at which riders begin traveling along sliding surface 120. In other embodiments, it may be desirable to gradually increase radii (measured relative to point 136) of parts of exit chute 106 and/or outrun 112 leading out of the slide feature 102. Such a configuration may affect the speed at which riders exit the slide feature 102. In some embodiments, designs such as these may facilitate providing a fast, sweeping experience for riders.
In some embodiments, the roll angle 196 and the pitch angle 194 may be selected so that an elevation of the rider or ride vehicle sliding along the sliding surface 120 increases along a first portion of the rider or ride vehicle's path and decreases along a second portion of the rider or ride vehicle's path. Apex 140 may be the point at which the first portion of the rider or ride vehicle's path ends and the second portion of the rider or ride vehicle's path begins. Riders may experience a zero-gravity sensation along at least one axis in the vicinity of the apex 140. This zero-gravity sensation may be due to the rider or ride vehicle's elevation increasing along the first portion of the rider or ride vehicle's path and then decreasing along the second portion of the rider or ride vehicle's path.
In some embodiments, the roll angle 196 and the pitch angle 194 may be selected so that an elevation of the rider or ride vehicle sliding along the sliding surface 120 remains substantially constant. In some embodiments, at least one of the roll angle 196 or the pitch angle 194 may be zero relative to the horizontal plane 190. In some embodiments, either a portion of the sliding surface 120 or the entirety of the sliding surface 120 may be substantially parallel to the horizontal plane 190.
In some embodiments, the roll angle 196 and the pitch angle 194 may be selected so that an elevation of the rider or ride vehicle sliding along the sliding surface 120 either continuously decreases or is continuously nonincreasing along the length of the rider or ride vehicle's path. In some embodiments, at least one of the roll angle 196 or the pitch angle 194 may be negative (i.e., angled downwards) when measured relative to the horizontal plane 190.
Each of the roll angle 196 and the pitch angle 194 may be adjusted to provide a more or less thrilling ride experience. In some typical embodiments, each of the roll angle 196 and the pitch angle 194 may be less than or equal to 45°. In some typical embodiments, each of the roll angle 196 and the pitch angle 194 may be in the range of 15° to 18°. In other typical embodiments, each of the roll angle 196 and the pitch angle 194 may be in the range of 20° to 25°. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the roll angle 196 and the pitch angle 194 may be 11.25°. In another exemplary embodiment, the roll angle 196 may be 11.25° and the pitch angle 194 may be 22.5°. In another exemplary embodiment, each of the roll angle 196 and the pitch angle 194 may be less than 5°. In some conceivable embodiments, each of the roll angle 196 and the pitch angle 194 may be less than or equal to 80°.
The diameter of the slide feature 102 may also be adjusted to provide a more or less thrilling ride experience. In some typical embodiments, the diameter of the slide feature 102, as measured at the widest point across the sliding surface 120, may be in the range of 15 feet to 25 feet. In other embodiments, the diameter of the slide feature 102 may be larger than 25 feet. In some conceivable embodiments, the diameter of the slide feature 102 may be smaller than 15 feet.
In an embodiment, human riders may travel through the slide feature 102 while sitting atop, or lying down upon, mobile ride vehicles. Some contemplated ride vehicles include rafts designed to seat or otherwise accommodate one or more riders, tubes designed to seat a single rider, and double inline tubes designed to seat two riders. Other amusement vehicles that would be known to a person skilled in the art, including tubes capable of accommodating more than two riders, are also contemplated. In some embodiments, riders may travel through the slide feature 102 without a ride vehicle and with their bodies in contact with the sliding surface 120.
In some embodiments, riders or ride vehicles may be urged through the slide feature 102 by the influence of gravitational forces. In alternative embodiments, the movement of riders or ride vehicles through the slide feature 102 may be at least partially assisted by other acting forces, including but not limited to forces created by water jets or forces applied to, and/or applied by, a ride vehicle. For example, in some embodiments a linear induction motor may be used to accelerate a ride vehicle through portions of the slide feature 102.
In the embodiment illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
In some embodiments, the substantially planar sliding surface 120 may have a shaped groove for at least partially guiding the path of riders or ride vehicles from the inrun 110 to the outrun 112.
In some embodiments, single human riders weighing between 50 and 375 pounds sitting atop a ride vehicle and/or a pair of human riders weighing between 100 and 600 pounds combined sitting atop a ride vehicle may slide along the sliding surface 120 from the inrun 110 to the outrun 112 as contemplated, i.e., in an arcuate path at least partially bounded by the outer lip 122. However, it should be understood that other embodiments capable of accommodating differing configurations of riders and/or ride vehicles having different weight parameters are also contemplated.
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
The portholes 504 and/or base disc 506 may, in some embodiments, be made of acrylic or Lexan®, although it should be understood that other materials are also contemplated. The portholes and/or base disc may, in some embodiments, be transparent, translucent, and/or illuminated at certain times, for example at dusk and/or at night. In some embodiments, illumination may be provided via light emitting diodes (LEDs). In some embodiments, the illumination sources may be solar powered. In some embodiments, open apertures may be substituted for some or all portholes 504 and/or for base disc 506. An interior lip, wall, railing, net, or other structure around such an open aperture may be provided to prevent riders or ride vehicles from exiting the slide feature via the open aperture.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
With reference to
For the purpose of describing the relationship between how a rider or ride vehicle enters and exits the slide feature 1102, it may also be appropriate to utilize different points of reference other than point 1180. For example, it may be convenient and/or instructive to refer to the obtuse angle between a line tangent to the inrun 1110 and a line tangent to the outrun 1112. In some embodiments, such an angle may be 249.50°. In other embodiments, such an angle may be less than or greater than 249.50°.
Referring now to
With reference to
Referring now to
With reference to
In the embodiment depicted, the outer lip 1422 has a compounding outer radius with respect to a point 1436 proximal to a center portion of the slide feature 1402. A compounding outer radius, unlike a constant outer radius, varies in length around the outer lip 1422 of the slide feature 1402. The outer radius may be longest proximal to the inrun 1410 and to the outrun 1412, and may be shortest halfway along the outer lip 1422 between the inrun 1410 and the outrun 1412, with smooth transitions inbetween. Although
In some embodiments, an average outer radius of the slide feature 1402 may be approximately 54, 36, or 27 feet. These respective sizes may also be expressed as an outer diameter of 108, 72, or 54 feet, respectively. In other embodiments, a maximum or minimum outer radius of the slide feature 1402 may be approximately 54, 36, or 27 feet.
In the embodiment depicted in
Also, in the embodiment depicted, the inner lip 1450 and the inner core portion 1452 have a curved shape revolved around the point 1436 proximal to the center portion of the slide feature 1402. The curved shape of the inner lip 1450 and inner core portion 1452 may assist in visually emphasizing that the slide feature 1402 as a whole has a shape that may suggest to riders and/or other viewers the idea of a dinner saucer and/or of an unidentified flying object (UFO). In some embodiments, inner core portion 1452 may have a shape that is primarily decorative, and may not be intended for sliding. In the embodiment shown, the height of the inner lip 1450 is relatively shallow compared to the height of the outer lip 1422, thereby increasing visibility for riders travelling within the slide feature 1402. The curved shape of the inner lip 1450 and inner core portion 1452, as well as the shallowness of the inner lip 1450 may also assist in reducing the “flume feel” of the slide feature 1402, thereby potentially adding or contributing to a psychological thrill factor for riders. Although one particular shape for the inner core portion 1452 and one particular height and profile for the inner lip 1450 are depicted in
Also identified in
Further identified in
Some embodiments having a roll angle only (i.e., a non-zero roll angle and a pitch angle of zero) may reduce or eliminate uphill portions of the slide feature 1402, for example reducing or eliminating portions of the sliding surface 1420 that may have a negative (uphill) gradient. Configurations of the slide feature 1402 with fewer or no uphill portions may reduce or eliminate a need to configure the slide feature 1402 with water evacuation means. Configurations of the slide feature 1402 with fewer or no uphill portions may also improve the performance of inrun 1410 by urging riders or ride vehicles entering the slide feature 1402 to maintain contact with outer lip 1422.
In particular, embodiments featuring a combination of a roll angle only with an angle of revolution of 180° or less may allow uphill portions of the slide feature 1402 to be substantially eliminated. Such embodiments may substantially eliminate the possibility of water pooling before, during, or after the slide feature 1402, thereby substantially eliminating a need to configure the slide feature 1402 with water evacuation means. It should be understood, however, that other embodiments of the slide feature 1402 are contemplated which may include water evacuation means that would be known to a person skilled in the art.
With reference to
Referring now to
The previous description of some embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use an apparatus, method, or processor readable medium according to the present disclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles of the methods and devices described herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20200330885 A1 | Oct 2020 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62011898 | Jun 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16569870 | Sep 2019 | US |
Child | 16920862 | US | |
Parent | 15318202 | US | |
Child | 16569870 | US |