Method and system of positionable screens for water amusement parks

• US 20050090319A1
• Filed: 11/10/2004
• Published: 04/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Henry Schooley and Associates
• Inventors: Henry, Jeffery Wayne, Schooley, John
• Application Number:
  US10/985,178
• Publication Number:
  US 20050090319A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 472/13
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 3/02 with floating seats

Abstract

A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be actively involved in a water attraction. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting the at least two water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between the at least two water stations. In addition, the water transportation system may include conveyor belt systems and water locks configured to convey participants from a first source of water to a second source of water which may or may not be at a different elevation.

Claims

1-63. -63. (canceled)

64. A convertible water amusement system, comprising:

at least one water amusement area;

at least a portion of a channel, wherein at least a portion of the channel is coupled to at least a portion of the water amusement area; and

one or more screens positionable to substantially enclose at least a portion of the channel.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the screens is retractable, and wherein when at least a portion of the screen is in a retracted position at least a portion of the channel is uncovered.

66. The system of claim 64, further comprising at least a second water amusement area.

67. The system of claim 64, further comprising at least two water amusement areas, wherein at least a portion of the channel couples at least two of the water amusement areas.

68. The system of claim 64, wherein at least a portions of at least one of the screens is substantially translucent to at least a portion of the visible spectrum of light.

69. The system of claim 64, wherein at least a portions of at least one of the screens is substantially translucent to at least a portion of the visible spectrum of light while inhibiting transmittance of at least a portion of ultraviolet light.

70. The system of claim 64, wherein the water amusement area comprises one or more water amusement rides.

71. The system of claim 64, wherein the water amusement area comprises one or more eating areas.

72. The system of claim 64, wherein the water amusement area is substantially enclosed.

73. The system of claim 64, wherein the water amusement area comprises one or more water amusement games.

74. The system of claim 64, wherein the channel comprises a portion of a river.

75. The system of claim 64, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the screens is retractable/extendable.

225. The system of claim 64, wherein one or more screens comprise polycarbonate.

226. The system of claim 64, wherein one or more screens comprise two or more

227. The system of claim 64, wherein at least a portion of one or more screens is configured to collect at least some solar radiation.

228. The system of claim 64, wherein enclosed portions of a channel may be configured to function as a heat sink.

229. The system of claim 64, wherein the screen is configured to be manually positioned.

230. The system of claim 64, further comprising a power source coupled to at least one of the screens, wherein the power source is configured to position at least one of the screens.

231. The system of claim 64, further comprising:

a power source coupled to at least one of the screens, wherein the power source is configured to position at least one of the screens; and

a control system coupled to the power source configured to at least activate the power source, wherein at least a portion of the control system is automated.

76. A convertible water amusement system, comprising:

at least one water amusement area;

at least a portion of a channel, wherein at least a portion of the channel is coupled to at least a portion of the water amusement area; and

one or more screens positionable to substantially enclose at least a portion of the channel, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the screens is substantially translucent to at least a portion of the visible spectrum of light.

77. The system of claim 76, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the screens is retractable, and wherein when at least the portion of the screen is in a retracted position at least a portion of the channel is uncovered.

78. The system of claim 76, further comprising at least a second water amusement area.

79. The system of claim 76, further comprising at least two water amusement areas, wherein at least a portion of the channel couples at least two of the water amusement areas.

80. The system of claim 76, wherein at least a portions of at least one of the screens inhibits transmittance of at least a portion of ultraviolet light.

81. The system of claim 76, wherein the water amusement area comprises one or more water amusement rides.

82. The system of claim 76, wherein the water amusement area comprises one or more eating areas.

83. The system of claim 76, wherein the water amusement area is substantially enclosed.

84. The system of claim 76, wherein the water amusement area comprises one or more water amusement games.

85. The system of claim 76, wherein the channel comprises a portion of a river.

86. The system of claim 76, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the screens is retractable/extendable.

232. The system of claim 76, wherein one or more screens comprise polycarbonate.

233. The system of claim 76, wherein one or more screens comprise two or more layers.

234. The system of claim 76, wherein at least a portion of one or more screens is configured to collect at least some solar radiation.

235. The system of claim 76, wherein enclosed portions of a channel may be configured to function as a heat sink.

236. The system of claim 76, wherein the screen is configured to be manually positioned.

237. The system of claim 76, further comprising a power source coupled to at least one of the screens, wherein the power source is configured to position at least one of the screens.

238. The system of claim 76, further comprising:

a power source coupled to at least one of the screens, wherein the power source is configured to position at least one of the screens; and

a control system coupled to the power source configured to at least activate the power source, wherein at least a portion of the control system is automated.

87. A convertible water amusement system, comprising:

a first water amusement area;

a second water amusement area;

at least a portion of a channel, wherein at least a portion of the channel couples at least a portion of the first water amusement area to at least a portion of the second water amusement area; and

one or more screens positionable to substantially enclose at least a portion of the channel.

88. The system of claim 87, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the screens is retractable, and wherein when at least the portion of the screen is in a retracted position at least a portion of the channel is uncovered.

89. The system of claim 87, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the screens is substantially translucent to at least a portion of the visible spectrum of light.

90. The system of claim 87, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the screens is substantially translucent to at least a portion of the visible spectrum of light while inhibiting transmittance of at least a portion of ultraviolet light.

91. The system of claim 87, wherein the water amusement area comprises one or more water amusement rides.

92. The system of claim 87, wherein the water amusement area comprises one or more eating areas.

93. The system of claim 87, wherein the water amusement area is substantially enclosed.

94. The system of claim 87, wherein the water amusement area comprises one or more water amusement games.

95. The system of claim 87, wherein the channel comprises a portion of a river.

96. The system of claim 87, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the screens is retractable/extendable.

239. The system of claim 87, wherein one or more screens comprise polycarbonate.

240. The system of claim 87, wherein one or more screens comprise two or more layers.

241. The system of claim 87, wherein at least a portion of one or more screens is configured to collect at least some solar radiation.

242. The system of claim 87, wherein enclosed portions of a channel may be configured to function as a heat sink.

243. The system of claim 87, wherein the screen is configured to be manually positioned.

244. The system of claim 87, further comprising a power source coupled to at least one of the screens, wherein the power source is configured to position at least one of the screens.

245. The system of claim 87, further comprising:

a power source coupled to at least one of the screens, wherein the power source is configured to position at least one of the screens; and

a control system coupled to the power source configured to at least activate the power source, wherein at least a portion of the control system is automated.

97. A method of enclosing at least a portion of a water amusement system, comprising:

positioning one or more movable screens to substantially enclose at least a portion of a channel coupled to at least a portion of a water amusement area.

98. The method of claim 97, further comprising inhibiting transmittance of at least a portion of ultraviolet light using at least a portion of at least one of the movable screens.

99. The method of claim 97, further comprising allowing transmittance of at least a portion of the visible spectrum of light through at least a portion of at least one of the movable screens.

100. The method of claim 97, further comprising inhibiting at least some of the effects of inclement weather from effecting at least a portion of an enclosed channel.

246. The method of claim 97, further comprising collecting at least some solar radiation using at least a portion of at least one screen.

247. The method of claim 97, further comprising using enclosed portions of a channel as a heat sink.

248. The method of claim 97, further comprising manually positioning at least one of the screens.

249. The method of claim 97, further comprising using a power source coupled to at least one of the screens to position the screen.

250. The method of claim 97, further comprising:

using a power source coupled to at least one of the screens to position the screen; and

activating the power source using a control system, wherein at least a portion of the control system is automated.

101-224. -224. (canceled)