Water amusement park conveyors

• US 7,371,183 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2005
• Issued: 05/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Henry Schooley and Associates
• Inventors: Schooley, John Timothy, Henry, Jeffery Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIEN T
• Application Number:
  US11/215,357
• Publication Number:
  US 20070060403A1
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 472117-129, 104/69, 104/70
• US Class Current: 472/117
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 3/00 Water roundabouts, e.g. freely floating

Abstract

An amusement ride system and method are described. In some embodiments, an amusement ride system may be generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be more involved in a water attraction. An amusement ride system may include an elevation system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water. An elevation system may assist in adjusting and/or controlling a participant flow rate through at least a portion of a water amusement park. An elevation system may include two or more conveyor belt systems. An elevation system for adjusting a participant flow rate may include one or more floating queue lines. An elevation system may include a control system. A control system may be automated, semi-automated, or manual.

Claims

1. A system for conveying a participant and/or a participant vehicle from a first source of water to one or more water amusement rides in a water amusement park, comprising:

a first belt configured to convey a participant and/or a participant vehicle, wherein the first belt is coupled to the first source of water and to a channel, wherein at least a portion of the channel comprises water at a depth allowing a participant vehicle to float;

a first belt movement system, configured to move the first belt in a loop;

one or more fluid jets positioned along at least a portion of the channel, wherein one or more of the fluid jets is configured to produce a fluid stream which imparts momentum to a participant and/or participant vehicle such that the participant and/or participant vehicle are conveyed through the channel;

a second belt configured to convey a participant and/or a participant vehicle, wherein the second belt is coupled to the channel and to one or more water amusement rides, wherein the second belt imparts momentum to a participant and/or participant vehicle as the participant and/or participant vehicle enters one of the water amusement rides in order to initiate the participant'"'"'s and/or participant vehicle'"'"'s conveyance through the water amusement ride; and

a second belt movement system, configured to move the second belt in a loop.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a control system configured to control the first belt movement system, the second belt movement system, and one or more of the fluid jets such that the first belt movement system, the second belt movement system, and one or more of the fluid jets function in combination to adjust a flow rate of participants and/or participant vehicles through at least a portion of a water amusement park.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an automated control system configured to control the first belt movement system, the second belt movement system, and one or more of the fluid jets such that the first belt movement system, the second belt movement system, and one or more of the fluid jets function in combination to adjust a flow rate of participants and/or participant vehicles through at least a portion of a water amusement park.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the fluid jets is configured to assist a participant and/or participant vehicle onto a first portion of the second belt.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the fluid jets is configured to move a participant and/or participant vehicle toward a first portion of the second belt.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the fluid jets is configured to move a participant and/or participant vehicle away from the first belt.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the fluid jets positioned along the channel are configured to adjust a participant flow rate entering a first portion of the second belt as necessary.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first belt movement system is configured to adjust a participant flow rate entering the channel.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first belt movement system and one or more of the fluid jets positioned along the channel are configured to function in combination to adjust a participant flow rate entering a first portion of the second belt.

10. A system for conveying a participant and/or a participant vehicle from a first source of water to a second source of water in a water amusement park, comprising:

a first belt configured to convey a participant and/or a participant vehicle, wherein the first belt is coupled to the first source of water and to a channel;

a first belt movement system, configured to move the first belt in a loop;

one or more fluid jets positioned along at least a portion of the channel, wherein at least a portion of the channel comprises water at a depth allowing a participant vehicle to float;

a second belt configured to convey a participant and/or a participant vehicle, wherein the second belt is coupled to the channel and to the second source of water;

a second belt movement system, configured to move the second belt in a loop; and

a control system configured to control the first belt movement system, the second belt movement system, and one or more of the fluid jets such that the first belt movement system, the second belt movement system, and one or more of the fluid jets function, in combination, to adjust a flow rate of participants and/or participant vehicles through at least a portion of a water amusement park.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second belt imparts momentum to a participant and/or participant vehicle as the participant and/or participant vehicle enters the second source of water.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the control system is at least partially automated.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the fluid jets is configured to impart momentum to a participant and/or participant vehicle.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the fluid jets is configured to assist a participant and/or participant vehicle onto a first portion of the second belt.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the fluid jets is configured to move a participant and/or participant vehicle toward a first portion of the second belt.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the fluid jets is configured to move a participant and/or participant vehicle away from the first belt.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein one or more of the fluid jets positioned along the channel are configured to adjust a participant flow rate entering a first portion of the second belt as necessary.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the first belt movement system is configured to adjust a participant flow rate entering the channel.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein the first belt movement system and one or more of the fluid jets positioned along the channel are configured to function, in combination, to adjust a participant flow rate entering a first portion of the second belt.