Water amusement park conveyor support elements

• US 7,762,899 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2005
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Inventors: Schooley, John Timothy, Henry, Jeffery Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Kien T
• Application Number:
  US11/215,351
• Publication Number:
  US 20070066410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,792 Days
• Field of Search: 472116-117, 472/128, 472/129, 472/13, 104/69, 104/70, 104/73, 104/85, 198/837, 198/841, 198/860.1
• 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. An amusement ride system may include a system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water. A system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water may include a belt and a belt movement system. A system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water may include a support structure which functions to provide support for the belt and belt movement system and/or one or more support elements which functions to support and align the belt as the belt moves between the support structure and the support elements.

Claims

1. A system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water comprising:

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

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

a support structure configured to provide support for the belt and belt movement system;

one or more support elements configured to support and align the belt as the belt moves, wherein the support elements are coupled to the support structure, and wherein at least one of the support elements comprises a surface such that movement of the belt over the surface of the support element is facilitated; and

one or more spatial adjustment mechanisms coupling one or more of the support elements to the support structure, wherein one or more of the spatial adjustment mechanisms is configured to spatially adjust one or more of the support elements relative to the support structure such that at least a portion of the belt is spatially adjusted relative to the support structure in an analogous direction as the support element.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein elements of the system comprise materials resistant to deterioration due to exposure to conditions typically associated with a water amusement park.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the surface of one or more of the support elements which contact the belt are curved.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein a cross section of one or more of the support elements comprises a half circle.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein a cross section of one or more of the support elements comprises an oval.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein a cross section of one or more of the support elements comprises an ellipsoid.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein water in the first body of water and/or in the second body of water is adjacent to at least a portion of the belt, and wherein water adjacent to the belt is at a depth in the range of 1 to 3 feet.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a water flow sensor coupled to the first source of water, wherein the water flow sensor is configured to monitor the water flow rate of the first source of water proximate the belt; and

a controller, wherein the controller is coupled to the belt movement system and the water flow sensor, and wherein the controller is configured to produce a control signal for the belt movement system, and wherein the belt movement system is configured to move the belt in response to the control signal.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the belt extends below the surface of water proximate to the belt.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first source of water is at a different elevation than the second source of water.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein a barrier is positioned to cover the outer edges of the belt, wherein the participants are inhibited from accessing the belt movement system by the barrier.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a detection device positioned above the belt movement system, wherein the detection device is configured to produce a detection signal when a participant is in a position above a predetermined height above the belt, and wherein the detection device is electronically coupled to the belt movement system such that the belt movement system is deactivated in response to a received detection signal.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a deflector plate positioned below the surface of water proximate to the belt, wherein the deflector plate is positioned to inhibit the participant from moving to a position below the belt.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a deflector plate positioned below the surface of water proximate to the belt, wherein the deflector plate is positioned to inhibit the participant from moving to a position below the belt, and wherein the deflector plate is substantially angled to guide participants onto and/or off the belt, and wherein the deflector plate is permeable to water so as not to inhibit a current in the water directing a participant onto and/or off the belt.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the belt comprises a width such that only a single participant enters the system at the same time during use.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the belt comprises a width such that at least two participants enter the system at the same time during use.

17. The system of claim 1, further comprising a barrier positioned on one or more sides of the belt, wherein the barrier is configured to inhibit participants from leaving the belt as the participants are conveyed along the belt.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the participant is riding on a floatation device.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the support elements is positionable and comprises substantially no moving parts.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one spatial adjustment mechanism comprises a curved, sloped, or cam structure.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one spatial adjustment mechanism comprises a cam-like structure.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one spatial adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust a degree of incline of at least a portion of the belt relative to the support structure.