Multi-purpose recreational facility
First Claim
1. A multi-purpose recreation facility comprising:
- a base to support one of a layer of frozen fluid and a pre-selected quantity of fluid;
an upstanding wall surrounding said base, and having an opening;
a fluid retaining membrane extending from said wall onto said base;
a door moveable between an open position whereat said door does not block said opening and a closed position whereat said door blocks said opening, and said wall, said door, said base and said membrane define a tank to retain said quantity of fluid; and
a refrigeration system to freeze said layer of frozen fluid on said base.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An ice rink and an aquatic facility are combined into a single multi-purpose recreational facility. A new ice rink can be created or an existing ice rink can be modified. This multi-purpose recreational facility also permits the shared design, use, infrastructure and cost. The multi-purpose facility has modular components that can be added within the rink structure to create lazy rivers, islands, lap pools, bridges, decks, splash areas, water parks, slides and play features. A rink base may be adapted to support both a layer of ice and water. Furthermore, a membrane can be incorporated into the floor and rink boards to create an impervious tank for the water. The rink dasher board or wall system and gates can be modified to create a sealed enclosure which can withstand the force from the static and dynamic loads (water, people, equipment, decking, etc.). The wall may also be adapted to provide a means and support for the pool water recirculation system. Further, the refrigeration piping and plant can be modified to provide both cooling and heating for the pool water or rink ice.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A multi-purpose recreation facility comprising:
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a base to support one of a layer of frozen fluid and a pre-selected quantity of fluid; an upstanding wall surrounding said base, and having an opening; a fluid retaining membrane extending from said wall onto said base; a door moveable between an open position whereat said door does not block said opening and a closed position whereat said door blocks said opening, and said wall, said door, said base and said membrane define a tank to retain said quantity of fluid; and a refrigeration system to freeze said layer of frozen fluid on said base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A multi-purpose recreational facility comprising:
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a base to support one of a layer of frozen fluid and a pre-selected quantity of fluid; an upstanding wall surrounding said base, said wall defining an enclosure, such that said wall and said base define a tank, said wall being adapted to retain said quantity of fluid within said tank; a waterproof seal between said base and said wall; and a heating and refrigeration system comprising a heat exchanger in thermal communication with said base, said heat exchanger operable to heat said quantity of liquid and to freeze said layer of frozen fluid on said base. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A multi-purpose recreational facility comprising:
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an impervious base adapted to support one of a layer of ice and a pre-selected quantity of fluid; an impervious wall upstanding from and secured to said base, said wall defining an enclosure such that said wall and said base define a tank, said wall and base being adapted to retain said quantity of fluid within said tank; a first pipe system having an input end and an output end, said first pipe system located proximate said base and being in fluid communication with a refrigeration and heating system, said refrigeration and heating system comprising a second pipe system having an input end and an output end, both input and output ends being in fluid communication with the output and input ends respectively of said first pipe system, whereby said first and second pipe systems form a pipe circuit; a secondary refrigerant disposed within said pipe circuit; a heat exchanger disposed in said second pipe system for removing heat from said secondary refrigerant carried within said pipe circuit; a pump disposed in said second pipe system and being adapted to pump said secondary refrigerant through said pipe circuit; a heater disposed in said second pipe system for heating said secondary refrigerant carried within said pipe circuit; and a valve means for alternating the flow of said secondary refrigerant either along a first path through said heat exchanger or along a second path through said heater; whereby when secondary refrigerant is driven along said first path, said secondary refrigerant will pass through said heat exchanger and then through said first pipe system to freeze, and maintain frozen, a layer of ice supported on said base, and when said secondary refrigerant is driven along said second path said secondary refrigerant will pass through said heater and said first pipe system to heat a quantity of fluid supported on said base and retained in said tank. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A method of converting an ice rink to a multi-purpose recreational facility, said ice rink comprising:
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a base adapted to support a layer of ice; a wall upstanding from and secured to said base, said wall defining an enclosure, said wall and said base defining a tank;
said method comprising the following steps;a. increasing the load bearing capacity of said base such that base can support a quantity of water; b. strengthening the wall so that said tank can support a quantity of fluid in said tank; c. installing an impervious fluid retaining membrane to cover an upper surface of said base and an inward facing surface of said wall; and d. sealing all openings in said wall water tight. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A multi-purpose recreational facility comprising:
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a base adapted to support a preselected quantity of fluid; a wall upstanding from and secured to said base, said wall defining an enclosure, such that said wall and said base define a tank, said wall and base being adapted to retain said quantity of liquid within said tank; and at least one modular wall component having an interior cavity, said wall component having a sealable opening for permitting a ballast material to be put in and taken out of said cavity; wherein when said tank is filled with said quantity of liquid, and said cavity of said modular component is filled with said ballast material, said modular section may be received into said tank and remain in situ in said tank.
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Specification