Flotation amusement device

• US 4,429,867 A
• Filed: 11/03/1981
• Issued: 02/07/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wayne P. Comstock
• Original Assignee: Wayne P. Comstock
• Inventors: Barber, Jerry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kramer, Arnold W.
• Application Number:
  US06/317,769
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 272/32, 272/56.5 R, 272/56.5 S, 272/71, 272/72, 272/1 B, 272/26, 104/73, 104/70, 104/58, 104/59, 104/69, 273/140, 182/48, 182/51, 182/52, 4/488, 4/489, 4/491, 4/492, 4/494, 119/61, 46/1 K, 46/91, 193/2 R, 193/2 A, 405/43, 405/119, 405/120, 405/121, 405/122, 405/123, 405/124, 405/126
• US Class Current: 472/13
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 3/00 Water roundabouts, e.g. freely floating
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 51/01 Hydraulic transport of articles B65G51/04 takes precedence; water roundabouts A63G3/00

Abstract

A portable amusement device wherein flotation of participants occurs on a continuous basis within flotation devices comprises a plurality of trough defining segments each being formed with double side walls and end walls with the double side walls defining a hollow section to permit nesting of the individual segments for shipment and storage. The trough segments are joined to one another to form a continous trough with a pump in at least one hollow section to continuously move a flotation medium throughout the trough and thus propel participants therethrough.

Claims

1. A portable amusement device, comprising:

a plurality of trough defining segments;

each of said trough defining segments being formed with double side walls and end walls with said double side walls defining a hollow section to permit nesting of individual segments for shipment and storage;

means for joining said segments to one another to form a continuous trough;

pump means in at least one hollow section connected to said trough for mov ing an aqueous flotation medium through said continuous trough.

2. The amusement device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for joining comprises a flexible seal and clamping means.

3. The amusement device according to claim 1 further comprising alignment means between trough defining segments.

4. The amusement device according to claim 1 further comprising flotation devices upon an aqueous flotation medium within said continuous trough capable of traversing the extent of said continuous trough.

5. The amusement device according to claim 4 further comprising stabilizing means in one of said troughs to assist in entry and exit of said flotation device by a human being.

6. The amusement device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said trough defining segments comprise straight segments and 90°

curved segments so as to provide a plurality of alternative geometries for said continuous trough.

7. The amusement device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said curved segments are both left and right handed.

8. The amusement device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pump means comprises a plurality of pumps for pumping said aqueous flotation medium horizontally through said continuous trough to propel flotation devices and human occupants about said continuous trough.