Water amusement system and method including a self-contained floating marine park

• US 20070087851A1
• Filed: 08/30/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Inventors: Schooley, John, Henry, Jeffery
• Granted Patent: US 7,811,177 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 472/128
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 3/00 Water roundabouts, e.g. freely floating
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 3/06 Submarine roundabouts
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/007 involving water
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes

Abstract

A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. 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, a floating water park positioned in a body of water is described, as well as, a floating marine park. A floating marine/water park may include one or more floating containers positioned in a body of a first fluid. One or more of the floating containers may function to hold a second fluid, marine life, and/or participants in water amusement activities. At least a portion of a floating marine park may be coupled to at least a water amusement ride.

Claims

1-197. -197. (canceled)

198. A system, comprising:

a water amusement ride; and

a floating marine system comprises two or more floating containers configured to float in a first fluid, wherein one or more of the floating containers is configured to contain marine life, and one or more of the floating containers is configured to contain one or more participants in water amusement activities, and wherein the water amusement ride is coupled to the floating marine system.

199. The system of claim 198, further comprising a channel configured to convey a participant through at least a portion of a water amusement system by using water flowing through the channel, wherein the water amusement system comprises the water amusement ride and at least a second water amusement ride, and wherein the channel is coupled to at least the two water amusement rides.

200. The system of claim 198, wherein two or more of the floating containers are coupled to one another.

201. The system of claim 198, wherein a channel is coupled to the water amusement ride and the floating marine system.

203. The system of claim 198, further comprising a floating queue line coupled to an entry point of at least one of the water amusement rides.

204. The system of claim 199, wherein the water amusement system further comprises:

a first elevation system configured to convey at least one participant from an exit point of the water amusement ride, or a point subsequent to such exit point, to an entry point of the second water amusement ride, wherein the exit point of the water amusement ride and the entry point of the second water amusement ride are at different elevation levels; and

a second elevation system configured to convey at least one participant from the exit point of the second or any subsequent water amusement ride to the entry point of the water amusement ride

206. The system of claim 204, wherein the first elevation system and/or the second elevation system comprises a conveyor belt system.

207. The system of claim 198, wherein one or more of the floating containers allow marine life and one or more participants to interact in a controlled environment.

208. The system of claim 198, wherein one or more of the floating containers allow one or more participants to observe marine life in a controlled environment.

209. The system of claim 198, wherein the first fluid comprises fresh water.

210. The system of claim 198, wherein the first fluid comprises salt water.

211. The system of claim 198, wherein one or more of the floating containers is configured to contain fresh water.

213. The system of claim 198, wherein one or more of the floating containers comprise one or more floatation devices coupled to the floating containers.

214. The system of claim 198, wherein one or more of the floating containers comprise one or more positionable floatation devices coupled to the floating containers, and wherein the position of the positionable floatation devices relative to the floating containers determines the position of the floating containers relative to the surface of the first fluid.

216. The system of claim 198, wherein water amusement activities comprises a water slide.

218. The system of claim 198, wherein water amusement activities comprises an elevation system configured to transport one or more participants from a lower elevation to a higher elevation.

219. The system of claim 198, wherein two or more of the floating containers are coupled to one another with the water amusement ride.

220. The system of claim 198, wherein one or more of the floating containers is coupled to one or more watercraft docking systems.

222. The system of claim 198, further comprising one or more anchor devices configured to couple at least one of the floating containers to the ground.

223. The system of claim 198, further comprising a view window coupling two or more of the floating containers, wherein the view window is configured to allow participants in a first floating container to view marine life in a second floating container.

202. (canceled)

205. (canceled)

212. (canceled)

215. (canceled)

217. (canceled)

221. (canceled)

224. A method, comprising:

floating two or more containers of a floating marine system in a first fluid;

containing one or more participants in water amusement activities in one or more of the floating containers;

containing marine life in one or more of the floating containers; and

coupling a water amusement ride to the floating marine system.

225-297. -297. (canceled)