Boat reversing waterway

• US 6,006,672 A
• Filed: 02/03/1998
• Issued: 12/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hopkins & Roden
• Original Assignee: O D Hopkins Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Newfarmer, Don, Pendelton, Jeremy L. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Mark T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McCarry, Jr., Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US09/018,250
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 104/23.2, 104/59, 104/70, 104/72, 104/73, 104/53
• US Class Current: 104/53
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 3/00 Water roundabouts, e.g. freely floating

Abstract

A waterway for a boat amusement ride comprising first and second water troughs connected by a basin such that water flowing in the waterway changes direction through a sharp turning angle in flowing from the basin inlet to the basin outlet. Vanes in the basin cause a boat buoyantly supported and propelled by the water flow to move laterally such that the end of the boat first entering the basin leaves the basin behind the end of the boat last entering the basin, the orientation of the boat thereby being reversed as it passes through the basin. Optional elements for moving the boat laterally include water jets directed by nozzles on sidewalls of the basin and a rotating pushing member for engaging the last entering boat end. The pushing member may also be actuated laterally while abutting the last entering boat end.

Claims

1. A waterway for reversing orientation of a boat conveyed thereby, said waterway comprising:

first and second troughs each adapted to contain a flow of water for buoyantly supporting and propelling the boat;

a basin for containing a portion of said flowing water and connecting an outlet of said first trough to an inlet of said second trough, said basin being adapted to cause said water flow to change direction through a turning angle in flowing from said trough outlet to said trough inlet; and

means for providing water currents in said basin to cause the boat to move laterally such that a first end of the boat enters the basin via said first trough outlet ahead of a second end of the boat, and the second boat end leaves the basin via said second trough inlet ahead of the first boat end, such that said first boat end is facing forward in said first trough and said second boat end is facing forward in said second trough.

2. A waterway according to claim 1, wherein said turning angle is in the range of about 90°

to about 180°

.

3. A waterway according to claim 1, wherein said turning angle is at least about 120°

.

4. A waterway according to claim 1, wherein said turning angle is at least about 150°

.

5. A waterway according to claim 1, wherein the boat is adapted to carry at least one passenger.

6. A waterway according to claim 1, wherein the boat is adapted to carry a plurality of passengers.

7. A waterway according to claim 1, wherein said current means comprises a curved end wall of said basin and at least one curved vane spaced inwardly from said basin end wall for providing said water currents by directing portions of said water flow as it passes through said basin from said trough outlet to said trough inlet.

8. A waterway according to claim 7, wherein said current means further comprises a plurality of said curved vanes spaced inwardly at different distances from said basin end wall.

9. A waterway according to claim 7 further comprising a pushing member driven by a motor and arranged for engaging said boat to push the second end thereof laterally away from a sidewall of said basin adjacent to said trough outlet and toward a sidewall of said basin adjacent said trough inlet.

10. A waterway according to claim 7, wherein said current means further comprises at least one nozzle mounted on a sidewall of said basin for ejecting a jet of water against the boat while it is in said basin.

11. A waterway according to claim 10 further comprising a pushing member driven by a motor and arranged for engaging said boat to push the second end thereof laterally away from a sidewall of said basin adjacent to said trough outlet and toward a sidewall of said basin adjacent said trough inlet.

12. A waterway according to claim 1, wherein said current means further comprises at least one nozzle mounted on a sidewall of said basin for ejecting a jet of water against the boat while it is in said basin.

13. A waterway according to claim 1 further comprising a pushing member driven by a motor and arranged for engaging said boat to push the second end thereof laterally away from a sidewall of said basin adjacent to said trough outlet and toward a sidewall of said basin adjacent said trough inlet.

14. A waterway according to claim 13, wherein said pushing member is a roller arranged for rotation about a substantially vertical axis.

15. A waterway according to claim 13, wherein said pushing member is an endless belt arranged to travel substantially horizontally in engagement with said second boat end.

16. A waterway according to claim 13, wherein said pushing member is arranged for lateral movement to remain in engagement with said second boat end during movement of said second boat end from a position adjacent to said trough outlet to a position adjacent to said trough inlet.

17. A waterway according to claim 1, wherein said basin comprises:

a main bottom section positioned below respective bottom portions of said first and second troughs,

an inlet bottom section forming an inlet apex with the bottom portion of said first trough and slanting downward from said trough outlet to said main bottom section, and

an outlet bottom section forming an outlet apex with the bottom portion of said second trough and slanting upward from said main bottom section to said trough inlet.

18. A waterway according to claim 17, wherein said outlet apex is at a substantially higher elevation than said inlet apex such that the cross-sectional area of the water flow through said trough inlet is substantially less than the cross-sectional area of the water flow through said trough outlet so that the velocity of the water flow leaving the basin through the inlet of said second trough is substantially greater than the velocity of the water flow entering the basin through the outlet of said first trough.

19. A waterway for reversing orientation of a boat conveyed thereby, said waterway comprising:

first and second troughs each adapted to contain a flow of water for buoyantly supporting and propelling the boat; and

,

a basin for containing a portion of said flowing water and connecting an outlet of said first trough to an inlet of said second trough;

said basin being adapted to cause said water flow to change direction through a turning angle in flowing from said trough outlet to said trough inlet,

and said basin comprising a curved end wall and at least one curved vane spaced inwardly from said end wall for providing water currents in said basin to cause the boat to move laterally such that a first end of the boat enters the basin via said first trough outlet ahead of a second end of the boat, and the second boat end leaves the basin via said second trough inlet ahead of the first boat end, such that said first boat end is facing forward in said first trough and said second boat end is facing forward in said second trough.

20. A waterway according to claim 19, wherein said basin further comprises a plurality of said curved vanes spaced inwardly at different distances from said basin end wall.

21. A waterway according to claim 19, wherein said basin further comprises a pushing member driven by a motor and arranged for engaging said boat to push the second end thereof laterally away from a sidewall of said basin adjacent to said trough outlet and toward a sidewall of said basin adjacent said trough inlet.

22. A waterway according to claim 19, wherein said basin further comprises at least one nozzle mounted on a sidewall of said basin for ejecting a jet of water against the boat while it is in said basin.

23. A waterway according to claim 22, wherein said basin further comprises a pushing member driven by a motor and arranged for engaging said boat to push the second end thereof laterally away from a sidewall of said basin adjacent to said trough outlet and toward a sidewall of said basin adjacent said trough inlet.

24. A waterway according to claim 19, wherein said basin further comprises:

a main bottom section positioned below respective bottom portions of said first and second troughs,

an inlet bottom section forming an inlet apex with the bottom portion of said first trough and slanting downward from said trough outlet to said main bottom section, and

an outlet bottom section forming an outlet apex with the bottom portion of said second trough and slanting upward from said main bottom section to said trough inlet.

25. A waterway according to claim 24, wherein said outlet apex is at a substantially higher elevation than said inlet apex such that the cross-sectional area of the water flow through said trough inlet is substantially less than the cross-sectional area of the water flow through said trough outlet so that the velocity of the water flow leaving the basin through the inlet of said second trough is substantially greater than the velocity of the water flow entering the basin through the outlet of said first trough.