Methods and systems for positionable screen for self-contained floating marine parks

• US 7,780,536 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2006
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2005
• 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:
  US11/513,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20070087854A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,455 Days
• Field of Search: 472/116, 472/117, 472/128, 472/129, 472/13, 104/69, 104/70, 449/6, 449/8
• US Class Current: 472/13
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 3/00 Water roundabouts, e.g. freely floating
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 3/06 Submarine roundabouts
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/007 involving water
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes

Abstract

A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting the at least two water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between the at least two water stations. In addition, a floating water park positioned in a body of water is described, as well as, a floating marine park. A floating marine/water park may include one or more floating containers positioned in a body of a first fluid. One or more of the floating containers may function to hold a second fluid, marine life, and/or participants in water amusement activities. A floating marine park may include one or more convertible roofs functioning to substantially cover at least a portion of one or more of the floating containers.

Claims

1. A floating marine life and water amusement system, comprising:

two or more floating containers configured to float in a first fluid, wherein two or more of the floating containers are coupled to one another, wherein one or more of the floating containers is configured to contain marine life, and wherein one or more of the floating containers is configured to contain a second fluid and one or more participants in water amusement activities using at least the second fluid, and wherein at least one water amusement activity comprises a water amusement ride which uses the second fluid; and

one or more convertible roofs configured to substantially cover at least a portion of one or more of the floating containers.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more convertible roofs are configured to substantially enclose at least a portion of one or more of the floating containers.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the convertible roofs is retractable, and wherein when at least a portion of the convertible roof is in a retracted position at least a portion of one or more of the floating containers is uncovered.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the convertible roofs is positionable.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the convertible roofs is substantially translucent to at least a portion of the visible spectrum of light.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the convertible roofs is substantially translucent to at least a portion of the visible spectrum of light while inhibiting transmittance of at least a portion of ultraviolet light.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the floating containers allow marine life and one or more participants to interact in a controlled environment.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the floating containers allow one or more participants to observe marine life in a controlled environment.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first fluid comprises fresh water.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first fluid comprises salt water.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the floating containers is configured to contain fresh water.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the floating containers comprise one or more floatation devices coupled to the floating containers.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the floating containers comprise one or more positionable floatation devices coupled to the floating containers, and wherein the position of the positionable floatation devices relative to the floating containers determines the position of the floating containers relative to the surface of the first fluid.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein water amusement activities comprises an elevation system configured to transport one or more participants from a lower elevation to a higher elevation.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein two or more floating containers are coupled by a system configured to transport participants from a first floating container to a second floating container.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein two or more of the floating containers are coupled to one another with a water amusement ride.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the floating containers is coupled to one or more watercraft docking systems.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more anchor devices configured to couple at least one of the floating containers to the ground.

19. The system of claim 1, further comprising a view window coupling two or more of the floating containers, wherein the view window is configured to allow participants in a first floating container to view marine life in a second floating container.

20. A method, comprising:

floating two or more containers of a floating marine system in a first fluid, wherein two or more of the floating containers are coupled to one another;

containing a second fluid and one or more participants in water amusement activities using at least the second fluid in one or more of the floating containers;

containing a first fluid or a second fluid and marine life in one or more of the floating containers; and

substantially enclosing or covering at least a portion of one or more of the floating containers with one or more convertible roofs.