Themed amusement river ride system

• US 8,079,916 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2008
• Issued: 12/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Inventors: Henry, Jeffery Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIEN T
• Application Number:
  US12/338,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20100160054A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 472/13, 472/116, 472/117, 472/128, 472/129, 104/53, 104/69, 104/70, 340/572.7
• US Class Current: 472/128
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 27/00 Russian swings; Great wheels, e.g. Ferris wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 3/02 with floating seats
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/007 involving water
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/16 creating illusions of travel

Abstract

A water transportation system and method are described, 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 actively involved in a water attraction. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting at least two of the water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between at least two of the water stations. In addition, the water transportation system may include conveyor belt systems and water locks configured to convey participants from a first source of water to a second source of water which may or may not be at a different elevation.

Claims

1. A waterpark attraction system, comprising:

at least one ride feature configurable in two or more modes of operation, wherein at least one of the ride features is configurable in one of the two or more modes of operation based on at least one characteristic of an attraction participant; and

an identification device associated with an attraction participant, and at least one sensor device configured to sense the identification device, wherein at least one of the sensor devices is located proximate at least one of the ride features, and wherein at least one of the sensor devices is configured to sense a signature signal of the identification device, wherein the signature signal is associated with a characteristic of an attraction participant, and wherein at least one of the ride features is configurable in a mode of operation based on the characteristic when the participant is at or near the ride feature.

2. The waterpark attraction system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the characteristics of an attraction participant comprises a number of times the participant has used at least one of the ride features.

3. The waterpark attraction system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the characteristics of an attraction participant comprises one or more modes of operation previously experienced by the participant.

4. The waterpark attraction system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the characteristics of an attraction participant comprises an access level.

5. The waterpark attraction system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the characteristics of an attraction participant comprises a type of transportation vehicle used by the participant.

6. The waterpark attraction system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the characteristics of an attraction participant is based on a selection made by the attraction participant.

7. The waterpark attraction system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the ride features comprises one of a router, a wave generator, a sprayer, a video display, a speaker, a light, or a game.

8. The waterpark attraction system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the ride features comprises a router comprising a first mode of operation that is configured to direct the participant toward a first path and a second mode of operation that is configured to direct the participant toward a second path.

9. The waterpark attraction system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the ride features is automatically configurable between modes of operation.

10. The waterpark attraction system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sensor devices comprises an RFID scanner.

11. The waterpark attraction system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sensor devices comprises a biometric sensor.

12. The waterpark attraction system of claim 1, wherein the identification device is configured to couple to an attraction participant.

13. The waterpark attraction system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sensor devices is located preceding at least one of the ride features.

14. A waterpark attraction system, comprising:

at least one ride feature configurable in two or more modes of operation, wherein at least one of the ride features is configurable in one of the two or more modes of operation based on at least one characteristic of an attraction participant, and wherein at least one of the ride features comprises a router comprising a first mode of operation that is configured to direct the participant toward a first path and a second mode of operation that is configured to direct the attraction participant toward a second path; and

at least one identification device associated with an attraction participant, and at least one sensor device configured to sense at least one of the identification devices, wherein at least one of the sensor devices is located proximate at least one of the ride features, and wherein at least one of the sensor devices is configured to sense a signature signal of at least one of the identification devices, wherein the signature signal is associated with a characteristic of an attraction participant, and wherein at least one of the ride features is configurable in a mode of operation based on the characteristic when the participant is at or near the ride feature.

15. The waterpark attraction system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the characteristics of an attraction participant is based on a selection made by the attraction participant.

16. The waterpark attraction system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the ride features is automatically configurable between modes of operation.

17. The waterpark attraction system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the characteristics of an attraction participant comprises a type of transportation vehicle used by the participant.

18. A waterpark attraction system, comprising:

at least one ride feature configurable in two or more modes of operation, wherein at least one of the ride features is configurable in one of the two or more modes of operation based on at least one characteristic of an attraction participant, and wherein at least one of the characteristics of an attraction participant comprises one or more modes of operation previously experienced by the participant; and

at least one identification device associated with an attraction participant, and at least one sensor device configured to sense at least one of the identification devices, wherein at least one of the sensor devices is located proximate at least one of the ride features, and wherein at least one of the sensor devices is configured to sense a signature signal of at least one of the identification devices, wherein the signature signal is associated with a characteristic of an attraction participant, and wherein at least one of the ride features is configurable in a mode of operation based on the characteristic when the participant is at or near the ride feature.

19. The waterpark attraction system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the characteristics of an attraction participant is based on a selection made by the attraction participant.

20. The waterpark attraction system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the ride features is automatically configurable between modes of operation.