Methods and systems for active filtration of portions of self-contained floating marine parks

• US 7,828,667 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2006
• Issued: 11/09/2010
• 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:
  US11/513,314
• Publication Number:
  US 20070087853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,532 Days
• Field of Search: 472/13, 472/116, 472/117, 472/128, 472/129, 104/53, 104/69, 104/70, 114/61, 114/66
• 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
• 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 container may include an access point functioning to allow participants to enter/exit one or more of the floating containers. The access point may include a gradually sloping beach portion.

Claims

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

two or more floating containers which float, during use, in a first fluid, wherein two or more of the floating containers are coupled to one another, and wherein one or more of the floating containers contain, during use, a second fluid and one or more participants in water amusement activities using at least the second fluid; and

an access point which allows, during use, participants to enter/exit one or more of the floating containers, wherein the access point comprises a gradually sloping beach portion.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the access point is configurable to function as a filter.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the gradually sloping beach portion comprises granules.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the granules comprise sand.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the access point functions as a filter, during use, for at least some of the second fluids contained within one or more of the floating containers.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the access point comprises a floating island positioned in one or more of the floating containers.

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 contains, during use, 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 which transports, during use, 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 which transports, during use, 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 which couples, during use, 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 allows, during use, participants in a first floating container to view marine life in a second floating container.

20. A method, comprising:

floating two or more containers 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; and

allowing participants to enter/exit one or more of the floating containers through an access point comprising a gradually sloping beach portion.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising filtering at least some of the second fluids contained within one or more of the floating containers using at least a portion of the access point.