Multi-purpose recreational facility

• US 5,709,099 A
• Filed: 06/27/1995
• Issued: 01/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bassai Limited
• Original Assignee: Bassai Limited
• Inventors: Bacci, Roger E., Blades, Russell W., Lenko, Brendan J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tanner, Harry B.
• Application Number:
  US08/495,045
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 62/235, 165/48.1, 165/53, 165/54, 4/493, 4/494, 4/506
• US Class Current: 62/235
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 19/10 Ice-skating or roller-skating rinks; Slopes or trails for skiing, ski-jumping or tobogganing chutes A63G21/00; ski-lifts B61B11/00; making or maintaining surfaces of snow or ice suitable for traffic or sporting purposes E01H4/00; removing snow or ice E01H5/00; production of ice or snow F25C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2019/085 Fences; Nets; Barriers
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 3/02 for ice rinks

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.

Claims

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.

2. A facility as claimed in claim 1 whereto said door comprises a seal extending along an edge of said door to provide a fluid seal between said door and said wall when said door is in said closed position.

3. A facility as claimed in claim 2 wherein said seal comprises a neoprene gasket.

4. A facility as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a face board secured to said wall, so that a portion of said membrane covering said wall is between said wall and said face board.

5. A facility as claimed in claim 4 wherein said face board is comprised of a plurality of face board sections, each of said plurality of face board sections being removably secured to said wall.

6. A facility as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a heating system to heat said quantity of fluid when said fluid is retained in said tank.

7. A facility as claimed in claim 6 wherein said refrigeration system comprises:

a piping system located proximate said base having an inlet and an outlet;

a pump to drive a secondary refrigerant through said piping system; and

a heat exchanger adapted to remove heat from said secondary refrigerant prior to it being driven by said pump through said piping system.

8. A facility as claimed in claim 7 wherein said heat exchanger may be disengaged and said heating system comprises a heater adapted to heat said secondary refrigerant prior to it being driven through said piping system, whereby when said heat exchanger is disengaged, said heated secondary refrigerant passes through said pipe system to heat said base and said quantity of fluid.

9. A facility as claimed in claim 8 wherein said pipe system is disposed within said base.

10. A facility as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a decking mountable generally horizontally on said wall and extending outwardly from said tank, said decking mountable in spaced relation to the top of said wall to provide a gap between the top of said wall and said decking.

11. A facility as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a trough positioned proximate said gap for receiving liquid spillage passing through said gap.

12. A facility as claimed in claim 11 wherein said membrane extends into said trough to provide an impervious lining for said trough.

13. A facility as claimed in claim 10 wherein said trough is integrally formed with said decking.

14. A multi-purpose recreational 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, 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.

15. A facility as claimed in claim 14 wherein said wall has an opening, and further comprising a fluid retaining door, said door being movable between a first closed position wherein said door is in blocking relation to said opening and a second open position wherein said door is in a non-blocking relation to said opening, whereby when said door is in said closed position, said quantity of fluid may be retained in said tank.

16. A facility as claimed in claim 15 wherein said door has a peripheral edge and a second fluid seal positioned proximate said peripheral edge to provide a waterproof seal between said wall and said door.

17. A facility as claimed in claim 14 wherein said heat exchanger comprises a piping system located proximate said base having an inlet and an outlet;

said heating and refrigeration system comprises a pump to drive a secondary refrigerant through said piping system; and

a second heat exchanger adapted to remove heat from secondary refrigerant prior to it being driven by said pump through said piping system.

18. A facility as claimed in claim 17 wherein said second heat exchanger may be disengaged and said heating and refrigeration system further comprises a heater adapted to heat said secondary refrigerant prior to it being driven through said piping system, whereby when said second heat exchanger is disengaged, said heated secondary refrigerant passes through said pipe system to heat said base and said quantity of fluid.

19. A facility as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a decking mountable generally horizontally on said wall and extending outwardly from said tank, said decking mountable in spaced relation to the top of said wall to provide a gap between the top of said wall and said decking.

20. A facility as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a trough positioned proximate said gap for receiving liquid spillage passing through said gap.

21. A facility as claimed in claim 20 wherein said membrane extends into said trough to provide an impervious lining for said trough.

22. A facility as claimed in claim 21 wherein said trough is integrally formed with said decking.

23. A multi-purpose recreational facility comprising:

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.

24. A multi-purpose recreational facility as claimed in claim 23 wherein said first pipe system is disposed in said base.

25. A multi-purpose recreational facility as claimed in claim 23 whereby when said secondary refrigerant is driven along said second path and through said heater, said secondary refrigerant will melt any ice supported on said base.

26. A method of converting an ice rink to a multi-purpose recreational facility, said ice rink comprising:

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.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26 further comprising installing a heating system to heat said quantity of fluid when retained in said tank.

28. A multi-purpose recreational facility comprising:

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.