Method and system of positionable covers for water amusement parks

• US 8,251,832 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2010
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Inventors: Henry, Jeffery Wayne, Schooley, John Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIEN T
• Application Number:
  US12/838,136
• Publication Number:
  US 20110014988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 472/13, 472/117, 472/128, 472/129, 472/136, 472/137, 52/67, 52/66, 52/86, 52/69, 449/8, 135/906
• US Class Current: 472/117
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 3/02 with floating seats

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 may include a plurality of covers forming a covering system over at least a portion of the water transportation and/or amusement system. In some embodiments, at least one of the covers may be positionable. 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 convertible water amusement system, comprising:

at least one water amusement area;

one or more support elements; and

at least one flexible cover positionable to substantially protect at least one participant positioned in one or more portions of at least one of the water amusement areas, wherein at least one of the flexible covers is coupled to one or more of the support elements, wherein at least one of the flexible covers comprises two or more portions, wherein at least a first portion is configured to inhibit a participant'"'"'s exposure to at least a first element, and wherein at least a second portion is configured to inhibit a participant'"'"'s exposure to at least a second element, wherein at least the first portion comprises a translucent flexible material configured to insulate insulates the water amusement area substantially under the first portion by inhibiting air circulation and heat exchange, wherein at least the second portion comprises a plurality of openings configured to allow air circulation and heat exchange for the water amusement area substantially under the second portion, and wherein the water amusement area under the first portion is a different portion of the water amusement area than the water amusement area under the second portion.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a control system configured to position at least one of the flexible covers.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least the first portion or the second portion of the flexible cover is configured to inhibit a participant'"'"'s exposure to elements which may cause discomfort during use.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least two flexible covers, wherein at least two of the flexible covers are positionable independent of one another.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the water amusement areas comprises a water amusement ride, a water channel, and/or a water amusement game.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the flexible covers comprises polycarbonate, polyethylene, and/or polypropylene.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second flexible cover positionable independently from a first flexible cover, wherein the first and second flexible covers are coupled to different support elements.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first portion is configured to inhibit precipitation from contacting participants in at least one of the water amusement areas, and wherein the second portion is configured to provide shade to participants in at least one of the water amusement areas.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the flexible covers is coupled to one or more of the support elements such that at least a portion of the flexible cover is positionable relative to the support element.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the flexible covers is configured such that at least a portion of the cover allows an image to be projected onto the surface of the flexible cover.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the flexible covers comprises a system of visual effects.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the flexible covers comprises a system of visual effects, and wherein the water amusement area comprises a system of sounds effects which correspond with the visual effects.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein at least the first portion is configured to allow a participant'"'"'s exposure to at least the second element, and wherein at least the second portion is configured to allow a participant'"'"'s exposure to at least the first element

14. A method of enclosing at least a portion of a water amusement system, comprising:

positioning one or more flexible covers to substantially enclose at least a portion of a water amusement area, wherein at least one of the flexible covers is coupled to at least one support element, wherein at least one of the flexible covers comprises two or more portions;

inhibiting a participant'"'"'s exposure to at least a first element using the first portion of the flexible cover when the participant is positioned in the portion of the water amusement area, wherein the first portion comprises a translucent flexible material; and

inhibiting a participant'"'"'s exposure to at least a second element using the second portion of the flexible cover when the participant is positioned in the portion of the water amusement area, wherein the second portion comprises a plurality of openings, and wherein the water amusement area under the first portion is a different portion of the water amusement area than the water amusement area under the second portion.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising positioning at least one of the flexible covers using a control system.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising at least two flexible covers, wherein at least two of the flexible covers are positionable independent of one another.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one of the water amusement areas comprises a water amusement ride, a water channel, and/or a water amusement game.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the first element comprises precipitation and the second element comprises at least a portion of sunlight.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one of the flexible covers is coupled to at least one of the support elements such that at least a portion of the flexible cover is positionable relative to the support element.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

allowing a participant'"'"'s exposure to at least the second element using the first portion of the flexible cover; and

allowing a participant'"'"'s exposure to at least the first element using the second portion of the flexible cover.