Modular water amusement park conveyors

• US 8,282,497 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2005
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• 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, Jeffery Wayne, Schooley, John Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): DENNIS, MICHAEL DAVID
• Application Number:
  US11/215,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20070060402A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,597 Days
• Field of Search: 472/117
• US Class Current: 472/116
• 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. 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 a support structure which functions to provide support for the belt and belt movement system, one or more coupling mechanisms functioning to releasably couple one or more ends of the support structure to a portion of a water amusement park, and/or one or more spatial adjustment mechanisms coupled to the support structure.

Claims

1. An elevation system for a water amusement park, comprising:

a belt configured to convey a participant and/or a participant vehicle, wherein the belt is coupled to a first source of water and to a second source of water;

a belt movement system, configured to move the belt in a loop;

a support structure configured to provide support for the belt and belt movement system;

a foundation configured to provide support for the support structure;

one or more coupling mechanisms configured to releasably couple one or more ends of the elevation system to a portion of a water amusement ride; and

a plurality of spatial adjustment mechanisms coupled to the support structure and the foundation such that the support structure is inhibited from being disengaged from the foundation, wherein each of the spatial adjustment mechanisms is configured to spatially adjust, at least vertically and horizontally, one or more portions of the support structure relative to the foundation;

wherein one or more of the coupling mechanisms and one or more of the spatial adjustment mechanisms function in coordination to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of portions of a water amusement park.

2. An elevation system for a water amusement park, comprising:

a belt configured to convey a participant and/or a participant vehicle, wherein the belt is coupled to a first portion of a water amusement park and to a second portion of a water amusement park during use;

a belt movement system, configured to move the belt in a loop;

a support structure configured to provide support for the belt and belt movement system;

one or more coupling mechanisms configured to releasably couple one or more ends of the elevation system to the first and/or second portion of the water amusement park; and

a plurality of spatial adjustment mechanisms coupled to the support structure, wherein each of the spatial adjustment mechanisms is configured to spatially adjust, at least vertically and horizontally, one or more portions of the support structure relative to the ground, and wherein each of the spatial adjustment mechanisms comprises at least one locking mechanism configured to inhibit movement of the support structure upon coupling one or more ends of the support structure to the first and/or second portion of the water amusement park;

wherein each of the one or more of the coupling mechanisms and each of the spatial adjustment mechanisms function in coordination to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the first and/or second portions of the water amusement park.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first or second portion of the water amusement park comprises a second support structure.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the spatial adjustment mechanism comprises one or more cams.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the first and/or second portion of the water amusement park comprises a second support structure, wherein when the coupling mechanism couples the support structure and the second support structure such that the two coupled support structures form at least a portion of a single elevation system.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the spatial adjustment mechanism is configured to vertically adjust one or more portions of the support structure.

7. The system of claim 2, further comprising a water flow sensor coupled to the support structure, wherein the first and/or second portion of the water amusement park comprises a source of water, and wherein the water flow sensor is configured to monitor a water flow rate of the source of water proximate the belt.

8. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a controller, wherein the controller is coupled to the belt movement system and at least one water flow sensor, wherein the first and/or second portion of the water amusement park comprises a source of water, wherein at least one of the water flow sensors is configured to monitor a water flow rate of the source of water proximate the belt, and wherein the controller is configured to produce a control signal for the belt movement system, and wherein the belt movement system is configured to move the belt in response to the control signal.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the first portion of the water amusement park is at a different elevation than the second portion of the water amusement park.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the belt comprises a material and design to inhibit the participant from moving in a direction opposite that of the direction the belt is moving.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein a barrier is positioned to cover the outer edges of the belt, wherein the participants are inhibited from accessing the belt movement system by the protective device.

12. The system of claim 2, further comprising a detection device positioned above the belt movement system, wherein the detection device is configured to detect when a participant is in a position above a predetermined height above the belt.

13. The system of claim 2, further comprising a detection device positioned above the belt movement system, wherein the detection device is configured to produce a detection signal when a participant is in a position above a predetermined height above the belt, and wherein the detection device is electronically coupled to the belt movement system such that the belt movement system is deactivated in response to a received detection signal.

14. The system of claim 2, further comprising a deflector plate positioned at one or more ends of the belt, wherein the deflector plate is positioned to inhibit the participant from moving to a position below the belt.

15. The system of claim 2, wherein the belt comprises a width such that only a single participant enters the system at the same time during use.

16. The system of claim 2, wherein the belt comprises a width such that at least two participants enter the system at the same time during use.

17. The system of claim 2, further comprising a barrier positioned on each side of the belt, wherein the barrier is configured to inhibit participants from leaving the belt as the participants are conveyed along the belt.

18. The system of claim 2, wherein the participant is riding on a floatation device.