Method and apparatus for controlling break points and reducing rip currents in wave pools

• US 6,460,201 B1
• Filed: 11/16/2001
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas J. Lochtefeld
• Original Assignee: Thomas J. Lochtefeld
• Inventors: Lochtefeld, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US09/987,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20020056157A1
• Time in Patent Office: 326 Days
• Field of Search: 449/1, 490/4, 405/79
• US Class Current: 4/491
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0093 for surfing, i.e. without a sail; for skate or snow boarding
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/0006 Devices for producing waves in swimming pools generating current of water in swimming pools A63B69/125

Abstract

The invention relates to a wave pool wherein a portion of the floor and/or beach is provided with a grated section. With the grated section extending along the beach, the grates will allow water to pass into a cavity, wherein backflows are eliminated and rip currents are avoided. With the grated section extending along the floor, the grated section is able to change the effective depth of the pool floor at that location, thereby altering the wave formation characteristics. One or more channels can be provided to circulate water away from the cavity toward the other end of the pool, which helps keep the pool in substantial equilibrium.

Claims

1. A wave pool comprising:

a container for holding a body of water, said container having a floor with an incline thereon;

a wave generating device for creating waves in said body of water located at or near a first end of said container, and an inclined beach extending above said floor located at or near a second end of said container;

wherein at least a portion of said floor and/or beach comprises a grated section through which water and wave energy can pass, wherein said grated section is sufficient in size to alter the wave characteristics of said body of water in said container.

2. The wave pool of claim 1, wherein at least one grated section is located on said beach, and a cavity is provided under said at least one grated section into which water can pass.

3. The wave pool of claim 2, wherein at least one channel is operatively connected to said cavity and extends substantially between said first and second ends of said container, said channel enabling water passing through said at least one grated section and into said cavity to be circulated substantially from said second end to said first end, wherein said circulation helps to maintain the level of water in said body of water in substantial equilibrium.

4. The wave pool of claim 3, wherein a pump is provided to circulate water in said channel from said second end to said first end.

5. The wave pool of claim 4, wherein water that circulates through said channel can be drawn from said channel by said wave generating device to provide water for creating additional waves in said body of water.

6. The wave pool of claim 3, wherein a flow diverting means is provided to divert the energy of waves created by the wave generating device away from said channel.

7. The wave pool of claim 2, wherein said at least one grated section begins above the standing mean water level of said body of water, wherein water that flows through said at least one grated section is able flow into said cavity, and be prevented from flowing in a reverse direction back onto said floor.

8. The wave pool of claim 1, wherein said cavity has a sloped floor which helps to dissipate the energy of waves passing through said grated section.

9. The wave pool of claim 1, wherein said floor has at least one sloped section within said body of water for creating additional wave effects therein.

10. The wave pool of claim 9, wherein at least one grated section is located on said floor within said body of water adjacent said at least one sloped section, wherein a cavity is provided below said at least one grated section into which water from above said floor can pass, and wherein said at least one grated section helps to change the effective depth of the body of water at that location to alter the wave effects created therein.

11. The wave pool of claim 10, wherein said at least one sloped section and said at least one grated section run substantially parallel to the direction of said beach.

12. The wave pool of claim 10, wherein said at least one sloped section and said at least one grated section run substantially diagonally in relation to the direction of said beach.

13. A method of reducing rip currents in a wave pool, comprising:

providing a wave pool with a wave generating device and a floor having a sloped surface thereon;

providing a beach area above said sloped surface, wherein said beach area is provided with an inclined grate for allowing water to pass through;

providing a cavity extending under said grate in which water passing through said grate can be collected.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one channel is provided to circulate water from said cavity to an opposite end of said wave pool.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein a pump is used to circulate water through said channel and water is drawn from said channel and used by said wave generating device to create additional waves in said wave pool.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the method comprises the step of extending said sloped surface above the standing mean water level of said wave pool, such that as waves are created by said wave generating device, water flows over an upper edge of said sloped surface and onto said inclined grate, wherein water can pass through said inclined grate and into said cavity.