Padded water ride surfaces

• US 20080216427A1
• Filed: 03/09/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flowrider Surf Limited
• Original Assignee: Flowrider Surf Limited
• Inventors: Lochtefeld, Thomas J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,550,926 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/309.9
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improvement in the construction of water ride surfaces and comprises at least one layer of soft permeable material built into the padded substrate of a structurally supported ride surface. The permeable material connects to a drainage system and is preferably sandwiched between a slick skin upper waterproof membrane, and a supporting substrate beneath it. The advantage to this improvement is when water leaks through the waterproof membrane, the permeable material prevents water from building up inside the padded substrate, and allows the water to be drained out, rather than blistering and bubbling up under the waterproof membrane, thereby helping to preserve the integrity and longevity of the ride surface.

Claims

1. A water ride surface, comprising:

a first layer comprising a support member or frame for providing support for the ride surface;

a second layer comprising a foam material;

a third layer comprising a mesh or permeable material which allows water to drain through it;

a fourth layer comprising a waterproof membrane or material; and

wherein said second layer is positioned over said first layer, said third layer is positioned over said second layer, and said fourth layer is positioned over said third layer.

2. The water ride surface of claim 1, wherein said support member or frame is constructed using a steel sub frame, molded fiberglass, and/or concrete.

3. The water ride surface of claim 2, wherein said second layer comprises a closed cell urethane foam material adhered to or otherwise affixed to said support member or frame.

4. The water ride surface of claim 3, wherein said third layer comprises a permeable vinyl mesh material adhered to or otherwise affixed to said second layer.

5. The water ride surface of claim 4, wherein said fourth layer comprises a polyester reinforced vinyl material adhered to or otherwise affixed to said third layer.

6. The water ride surface of claim 1, wherein a fifth layer is provided between said support member or frame and said second layer, and wherein said fifth layer comprises a mesh or permeable material which allows water to drain through it.

7. The water ride surface of claim 6, wherein said fifth layer comprises a stainless steel mesh positioned over and onto said support member or frame, wherein said stainless steel mesh is welded or otherwise affixed to said support member or frame.

8. The water ride surface of claim 1, wherein:

a) said support member or frame is constructed using a steel sub frame, molded fiberglass, and/or concrete;

b) said second layer comprises a relatively thick closed cell foam material;

c) said third layer comprises a permeable vinyl mesh material; and

/or

d) said fourth layer comprises a polyester reinforced vinyl material.

9. The water ride surface of claim 3, wherein said second layer has on top thereof a layer of waterproof material sprayed on or otherwise affixed to said second layer.

10. The water ride surface of claim 1, wherein said second and third layers are physically connected to said support member or frame using a plurality of mechanical fasteners extending through a plurality of openings in said second and third layers.

11. The water ride surface of claim 10, wherein water in said third layer is allowed to drain out through said openings in said second and third layers, and wherein additional openings underneath said openings are provided on said support member or frame, to allow said water in said third layer to be drained out underneath the ride surface.

12. A water ride surface, comprising:

a support member or frame for providing support for the ride surface;

a first layer comprising a mesh or porous material which allows water to drain through it;

a second layer comprising a compressible and forgiving material such as foam;

a third layer comprising a mesh or permeable material which allows water to drain through it;

a fourth layer comprising a waterproof membrane or material; and

wherein said first layer is positioned over said support member or frame, said second layer is positioned over said first layer, said third layer is positioned over said second layer, and said fourth layer is positioned over said third layer.

13. The water ride surface of claim 12, wherein said ride surface comprises at least one of the following:

a) said support member or frame is constructed using a steel sub frame, molded fiberglass, and/or concrete;

b) said first layer comprises a stainless steel mesh positioned over said support member or frame, wherein said stainless steel mesh is welded to or otherwise affixed to said support member or frame;

c) said second layer comprises a relatively thick closed cell foam material adhered to or otherwise affixed to said first layer;

d) said third layer comprises a permeable vinyl mesh material adhered to or otherwise affixed to said second layer; and

e) said fourth layer comprises a polyester reinforced vinyl material adhered to or otherwise affixed to said third layer.

14. The water ride surface of claim 12, wherein said second layer has on top thereof a layer of waterproof material sprayed on or otherwise affixed to said second layer.

15. The water ride surface of claim 12, wherein said second and third layers are physically connected to said support member or frame and/or said first layer using a plurality of mechanical fasteners extending through a plurality of openings in said second and third layers.

16. The water ride surface of claim 15, wherein water in said third layer is allowed to drain out through said openings in said second and third layers, and allow said water in said third layer to be drained out underneath the ride surface.

17. A layered padded surface, comprising:

a support member or frame for providing support for the surface;

a first layer comprising a foam material;

a second layer comprising a mesh or permeable material which allows water to drain through it;

a third layer comprising a waterproof membrane or material; and

wherein said first layer is positioned over said support member or frame, said second layer is positioned over said first layer, and said third layer is positioned over said second layer.

18. The padded surface of claim 17, wherein a fourth layer is provided between said support member or frame and said first layer, and wherein said fourth layer comprises a mesh or porous material which allows water to drain through it, wherein said fourth layer comprises a stainless steel mesh positioned over said support member or frame, wherein said stainless steel mesh is welded to or otherwise affixed to said support member or frame.

19. The padded surface of claim 17, wherein said padded surface comprises at least one of the following:

a) said support member or frame constructed of a steel sub frame, molded fiberglass, and/or concrete;

b) said first layer comprises a relatively thick closed cell urethane foam material adhered to or otherwise affixed to said support member or frame;

c) said second layer comprises a permeable vinyl mesh material adhered to or otherwise affixed to said first layer; and

d) said third layer comprises a polyester reinforced vinyl material adhered to or otherwise affixed to said second layer.

20. The padded surface of claim 17, wherein said first layer has on top thereof a layer of waterproof material sprayed on or otherwise affixed to said first layer.

21. The padded surface of claim 17, wherein said first and second layers are physically connected to said support member or frame using a plurality of mechanical fasteners extending through a plurality of openings in said first and second layers.

22. The padded surface of claim 21, wherein water in said second layer is allowed to drain out through said openings in said first and second layers, and wherein additional openings underneath said openings are provided on said support member or frame, to allow said water in said second layer to be drained out underneath the ride surface.

23. A layered padded surface, comprising:

a support member or frame for providing support for the surface;

a first layer comprising an open cell foam material;

a second layer comprising a waterproof membrane or material; and

wherein said second layer is positioned over said first layer, and said first layer is positioned over said support member or frame.

24. The surface of claim 23, wherein a stainless steel mesh or other porous material which allows water to drain through it is extended above said support member or frame, and said first layer is attached to said stainless steel mesh or other porous material.

25. The surface of claim 23, wherein:

a) said support member or frame is constructed using a steel sub frame, molded fiberglass, and/or concrete;

b) said first layer comprises a relatively thick open cell urethane foam material; and

/or

c) said second layer comprises a polyester reinforced vinyl material.

26. The surface of claim 24, wherein said first layer is physically connected to said stainless steel mesh or porous material and/or support member or frame using a plurality of mechanical fasteners extending through a plurality of openings in said first layer.

27. The surface of claim 24, wherein said first layer is physically connected to said stainless steel mesh or porous material and/or support member or frame using heat weld or adhesive.