Water amusement park conveyor barriers

• US 7,815,514 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2005
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Inventors: Henry, Jeffrey Wayne, Schooley, John Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Kien T
• Application Number:
  US11/215,736
• Publication Number:
  US 20070049385A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,876 Days
• Field of Search: 472/116, 472/117, 472/128, 472/129, 472/3, 472/13, 104/53, 104/69, 104/70
• US Class Current: 472/128
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes
• 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 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 one or more barriers configured to inhibit participants from leaving the belt as the participants are conveyed along the belt.

Claims

1. A system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water in a water amusement park, 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; and

one or more barriers coupled to the belt, wherein at least one of the barriers inhibits, during use, participants from leaving the belt as the participants are conveyed along the belt, wherein one or more of the barriers is at least partially positioned substantially above the belt, wherein one or more of the barriers is at least partially positioned substantially adjacent one or more sides of the belt, wherein one or more of the barriers comprises a substantially flexible material, and wherein at least a portion of one or more of the substantially flexible barriers coupled to the belt is positionable such that when the portion is in a first position at least a portion of the belt is accessible and when the portion of the substantially flexible barrier is in a second position the portion of the belt is substantially inaccessible.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of one or more of the barriers is configured such that the contours of the portion substantially complement the contours of at least a portion of the first source of water and/or the second source of water.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the barriers are positioned substantially above the belt and comprises a substantially flexible material, and wherein one or more of the barriers are positioned adjacent one or more sides of the belt and comprise a substantially rigid material.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the barriers are positioned adjacent a surface of the belt at a transfer point from or onto the belt, and wherein a surface of one or more of the barriers is compatible with the surface of the belt such that participants are inhibited from accessing an area below one or more of the barriers.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of one or more of the barriers are configured to provide shade for participants.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the barriers comprises a net.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the barriers comprises a net, and wherein the net comprises polymers.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the barriers comprises a net, and wherein the net comprises metal.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the barriers are configured to be removable.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the barriers are configured to be removable allowing access to the belt, the belt movement system, and/or participants.

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

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the first source of water is a channel.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the second source of water is a slide.

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

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of support members coupled to the belt and to at least a portion of one or more of the substantially flexible barriers, wherein at least one of the support members supports and positions the portion of the substantially flexible barrier relative to the belt.