CA2314093C - Waterpark recreational installation with improved flotation vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

A flotation vessel is configured for recreational use, and includes a water emitting device having a participant activated pump, which, when activated, produces a discharge stream or spray of water, and which is adapted to transport one or more individuals either above or partially submerged in a water body. A number of water actuated targets are positioned in or adjacent to the water body which include either visual and/or aural effects which are activated when struck with the discharge stream or water spray.

Description

WATERPARK RECREATIONAL INSTALLATION
WITH IMI'ROVED FLOTATION VESSEL
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a recreational installation for a waterpark, and more particularly an installation which includes one or more discrete flotation vessels adapted to transport one or more users in free flotation on a water body, while permitting interaction with users in other vessels and/or with target structures positioned in or around the water body.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recreational installations at waterparks typically consist of a man-made or engineered water body, such as a water chute, water slide or lazy river structure, and a number of flotation vessels which are adapted to transport participants in the water body.

Conventional waterpark recreational installations suffer the disadvantage in that typically, the participants remain passive as they are transported along the water body by the flotation vessel. This in turn may have a deleterious effect on the user's enjoyment of the installation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a recreational installation for a leisure facility or waterpark which iiicludes an engineered or natural water body such as a water slide, chute, river, flume, pool, lake or the like in combination with a vessel used to transport at least one or more participants, and. which enables the participants to interact either with participants in other vessels on the water body or with structures, targets, and/or features which are either in or adjacent thereto.

2 Another object of the invention is to provide a flotation vessel which may be used to transport one or more users on a water body in recreational water play, and which includes a user activated water emitting dev:ice for discharging a stream of water drawn from the water body.

A further embodimerit of the invention is to provide an improved water installation for a waterpark, amusement or theme park, resort or leisure facility, hereinafter collectively and generally referred to as a"waterpark", which permits increased interaction between the users of the installation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flotation tube for a water ride which includes a platform adapted t:o support a user in a position thereon, and a user activated water cannon device which may be operated by the user to discharge a water stream or spray.

In furtherance of at least some of the foregoing objects, the present invention provides a flotation vessel which is configured for recreational use, and which includes a water emitting device having a participant activated pump, and a nozzle or water outlet which, when activated, produces a discharge stream or spray from the water emitting device. By "vessel" as used herein, it is meant any number of types of small watercraft or rafts which may be used at a waterpark, including, by way of non-limiting examples, a float tube, raft, boat, skiff or the like which are adapted to transport one or more individuals either non-submerged or partially submerged, in free flotation on a water body. The term "water body" as used herein would also include by way of non-limiting examples natural or man-made lakes or rivers as well as "lazy river"-type water rides, water slides, chutes, pools or flumes. Preferably, a number of water actuated targets are positioned in or adjacent to the water body. Most preferably, the targets include either visual and/or aural effects which are activated either mechanically, electrically, pneumatically or hydraulical:ly, when the targets are struck with the discharge from the water nozzle.

Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention resides in a recreational flotation vessel for transporting at least one user in free flotation on a water body, said vessel including,

3 a radially extending buoyancy tube having an outermost peripheral edge, a platform for supporting said at least one user thereon in a position substantially above the surface of said water bod.y, said platform spaced inwardly from said peripheral edge, a water emitting device including, a nozzle, a conduit hav:ing an inlet and for providing fluid communication between said water body and said nozzle, a pump activatable to pump water from said inlet, along said conduit and outwardly from said nozzle outlet as a discharge stream.

In another aspect, the present invention resides in combination, a waterpark river ride and a flotation tube for transporting a user in free flotation on said river ride, said flotation tube including a radially extending buoyancy tube having an outermost peripheral edge and defining a tube interior, a platform positioned at least in part within said tube interior and for supporting a user seated thereon, said platform being spaced inwardly from said peripherally extending edge, a water emitting device includ.ing, a nozzle, a conduit having an inlet and submerged in said river ride and an outlet end remote therefrom, a user activated hand pump in fluid communication with said conduit whereby the activation of the pump pumps water along said conduit from said inlet and outwardly from said nozzle as a discharge stream.

4 In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a waterpark recreational installation comprising, a water body, and a plurality of flotation vessels, each of said vessels being sized to support a user thereon in free flotation on a surface of said water body and including, a water emitting device including, an outlet nozzle, a conduit providing fluid communication between said water body and said outlet nozzle, a user activated pump in fluid communication with said conduit, and wherein the activation of said pump pumps water from said water body through said conduit and outwardly from said outlet nozzle as a discharge stream.

In another aspect the present invention resides in combination in a recreational flotation vessel for transporting at least one user in free flotation on a water park ride, said vessel including, a radially extending buoyancy tube having an outermost peripheral edge, a platform for supporting said at least one user thereon in a position substantially above the surface of said water body, said platform spaced inwardly from said peripheral edge, a water emitting device including, a nozzle, a conduit having an inlet and for providing fluid communication between said water ride and said nozzle, 4a a pump activatable to pump water from said inlet, along said conduit and outwardly from said nozzle outlet as a discharge stream; and at least one water activated target disposed in or adjacent to said water ride in a location so as to be activatable by said discharge stream; and wherein said pump is operable to emit said discharge stream with a sufficient force to activate said target, and said nozzle is mounted for pivotable movement in vertical and/or liorizontal directions to enable said user to direct said discharge streain at said target as said vessel moves in free flotation on said water ride.

In a further aspect, the present invention resides in combination in a river ride and a flotation tube for transporting a user in free flotation on said river ride, said flotation tube including a radially extending buoyancy tube having an outermost peripheral edge and defining a tube interior, a platform positioned at least in part within said tube interior and for supporting a user thereon, said platform being spaced inwardly from said peripherally extending edge, a water emitting device including, a nozzle, a conduit having an inlet and submerged in said river ride and an outlet end remote therefrom, a user activated hand pump in fluid communication with said conduit whereby the activation of the pump pumps water along said conduit from said inlet and outwardly from said nozzle as a discharge stream;

a plurality of water target structures disposed in or adjacent to said water body, said water target structures being adapted to produce a visual or aural effect when impacted by water discharged from said nozzle; and 4b wherein the water pump is operable to produce said discharge stream with a sufficient minimum intensity as to activate said target structure to produce said visual or aural effect when said tube is in free flotation on said river ride.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of a waterpark recreational installation in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic front view of a flotation vessel used in the installation of FigU-e 1 floating within the "lazy river"-type river ride;

Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the flotation vessel of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a perspective side view of a flotation vessel of Figure 3;
Figure 5 shows a schematic side view of a flotation vessel for use in the installation of Figure 1 in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 shows a schematic side view of a flotation vessel for use in the installation of Figure 1 in accordance with a third einbodiment of the invention; and Figure 7 shows schernatically the operation of the water cannon mounted to the flotation vessel shown in Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to Figure 1 which shows a recreational waterpark installation 10 in accordance with a preferre;d embodiment of the invention. The installation 10 consists of a "lazy river"-type water ride a 2, and a plurality of float tubes 14 which are provided to support participants 16 in free flotation along the water ride 12.

Figure 1 further shows the installation 10 as including a number of discrete target areas 18 which are provided at spaced locations along the length of the water ride 12. At each of the target areas 18 are mounted one or more individual targets 20 which as will be described hereafter, are adapted to provide a visual and/or aural effect when struck with a pressurized water spray. In addition to the target areas 18, additional targets 20 are also mounted on overhead supports 22 which extend across or in the water ride 12. The targets 20 may consist of numerous possible similar or different target structures which are adapted for either mechanical movement and/or which when struck with a water spray trigger electrical switches or valves to produce a desired effect. By way of non-limiting example, suitable targets 20 could include spinning wheels, water falls, bells, horns, paddles, as well as simulated animal or humans which are adapted for movement or soutnd when activated.

The lazy river water r=ide 12 is of a conventional design and consists of a fiberglass, plastic or concrete trough 24 or the like which is partially filled with water 26 to a sufficient depth, so that the float tubes 14 may move in free flotation therealong. A
pump assembly 28 draws and then reintroduces 'water 26 from the trough 24, to provide a gentle current flow along the trough 24 in the direction of arrows 30. As a result of the flowing current, the participants 16 riding on the float tubes 14 are transported about the river ride 12 in the direction of arrows 30, and past the individual targe ts 20.

Figures 2 to 4 show best the float tubes 14 used in the waterpark installation 10. Each float tube 14 includes a radially extending continuous hollow tube 34 which is sealed along its length to provide the float tube 14 with its necessary buoyancy, and a plastic or fiberglass insert 36 adapted to support the participant 16 (Figure 1) above the surface of the water 26. As seen best in the cross-sectional view of Figure 3, the tube 34 is provided with a generally circular cross-sectional profile, and has an outer diameter D from its radially outwardmost peripheral edge, an open interior of diaineter d taken across its innermost radial edge.

The insert 36 is formed having a double wall construction and includes a generally cylindrical outer she1140 (Figure 3) and an inner platform 42 which are joined along a flanged edge 46. The lower portion of the outer shell 40 has a radial dimension marginally less than diameter d so as to fit within the interior of the tube 34 and extends to the radially projecting flanged portion 46. The flanged portion 46 has a diameter greater than the innermost diameter d of the tube 34 and less than the outerrnost radial diameter D to support the she1140 in a fully seated position within the tube 34. The flanged portion 46 is positioned so that when the insert 36 is in a fully seated position within the tube 34, the bottom pane144 of the shel140 lies in a plane substantially at or above the lowermost peripheral edge of the tube 34.
Figure 3 shows best the bottom panel 44 as further defining a pocket 48. As shown in Figure 3, the bottom panel 44 is configured so that wheri the float tube 14 is floated on the water ride 12, the pocket 48 extends upwardly a distance above the surface of the water 26.

Figure 3 shows best the platform 42 as extending from a top edge 43 and being molded to define a seat 50 which is configured to support a participant 16 (Figure 1) thereon in a partially reclined position. A perforated sub-floor 52 is further provided across a well portion 54 formed in a lowermost portion of the platform 42 immediately above the pocket 48. The perforated sub-floor 52 enables the drainage of watei= from the interior of the float tube 14 outwardly into the pocket 48, via a drain outlet 56.

A water cannon 58 is mounted directly in front of the seat 50 for operation by the participant 16 while seated in the float tube 14. The water cannon 58 includes a hand operated piston pump 60, a nozzle 62 and conduit tubing 64 (Figure 3). Figure 3 shows best the conduit tubing 64 extending from a water inlet 66 which, most preferably, is protectively located in the pocket 46 at a position beneath the surface of the water 26 and providing fluid communication with the pump 60 and nozzle 62. An inlet check valve 69 (Figure 7) and outlet check valve 71 (Figure 7) are provided to maintain one-way fluid flow along the conduit 64.
By locating the inlet 66 beneath the waterline of the water ride 12, but above the bottom periphery of the float tube 14, the conduit tubing 64 advantageously does not hinder or otherwise interfere with the free flotation of the float tube 14 as it moves along the water ride 12. This advantageously pennits unrestricted movement of the float tube 14 and minimizes the possibility of damage if the float tubes 14 are removed from the waterpark installation 10 for winter storage or servicing.
The pump 60 and nozzle 62 are mounted to the top of a cylindrical turret support 68 for both pivotal movement thereabout in the vertical direction of arrow 70 as well as lateral movement in the horizontal direction of arrow 74 (Figure 4).

As shown in the schematic illustration of Figure 7, the piston pump 60 is operated by the participant 16 turning a crank handle 76 in the direction of arrow 78. The rotation of the crank handle 78 in turn reciprocally moves an internal piston 80 (Figure 3) within the pump 60, to draw water into the pump via the inlet 66 and the tubing 64, and discharge it outwardly through an outlet orifice 82 in the nozzle 62 as a pressurized discharge stream. As the crank handle 78 turns, water is drawn into the piston pump 60 through the inlet 66. An intake check valve 69 lifts and the nozzle check valve 71 closes to stop air from entering. As the crank handle 78 completes a revolution, the pump piston 80 changes direction, the nozzle check valve 71 lifts and water is forced out the nozzle outlet 82 as a pressurized stream. The intake check valve 69 closes to stop the water from returning to the river ride 12.

If desired, the water cannon 58 may be adapted for selective and/or timed operation by the insertion of a coin, token or pass key into a control box 73 (Figure 2).
The control box 73 may thus be used to selectively enable or disable the water cannon 58 to lock out participants 16 from using the water cannon 58 on different admission rates andlor age scales.

In use of the waterpark installation 10, the river pump assembly 28 is operated to produce the desired current flows within the river ride 12 in the direction of arrows 30. With individual participants 16 seated in a reclined position on the platform seat 50, the float tubes 14 travel with the current flow along the water ride 12. As each participant 16 moves past the target areas 18 and support 22, the participants 16 may operate the water cannon 58 to direct discharge streams of water at each other or the individual targets 20 which are spaced adjacent to or in the water ride 12. The impact of the d:ischargeci water stream on the targets 20 results in their activation to produce the resulting visual and/or aural effect.

Figures 1 to 4 show the float tubes 14 as being adapted to support a single participant 16, however, the invention is not so limited. If desired, larger float tubes 14 supporting two or up to 12 participants could be provided, either with or without a corresponding increase in the number of water cannon 58.

Although Figures 2 to 4 show the float tube 14 as including a hand operated water cannon 58, the invention is not so limited. Figure 5 shows an alternate float tube 14 in accordance with the present invention, and wlierein like reference numerals are used to identify like components.
In Figure 5, the water cannori 58 is provided with a battery operated electric pump 90 in place of the piston pump 60. The electric pump 90 is activated by a participant depressing a trigger 92 switch. The float tube 14 of Figure 5 is additionally provided with a rudder 94 to assist in steering the float tube 14 as it travels along the water ride 12 (Figure 1).
The rudder 94 extends marginally a distance beneath the bottom panel 44. The rudder 94 is connected to the water cannon 58 for movement the:rewith by means of a shaft 96, whereby the horizontal pivoting of the water cannon 58 produces a corresponding change in the position of the rudder 94. The rudder 94 is shown as being vertically movable with the shaft 96 to a position substantially raised above the bottom panel 44 when the float tube 14 is removed from the water ride 12.

Although not shown, it is to be appreciated that the float tube 14 of Figure 5 could additionally be provided wit11 a propeller or paddle to provide forward or reverse movement of the float tube 14 as it moves along the water ride 12.

Although the preferre;d emboctiment describes a float tube 14 as the type of vessel to be used in the waterpark installation 10, the invention is not so limited. Other types of vessels or water craft including by way of non-limiting example boats, rafts, simulated log tubes, skiffs or the like could also be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Similarly, although the preferred embodiment describes the float tube 14 as maintaining the user above the surface of'the water 26, the invention is not so limited.
If desired, the tube could be formed to suspend a user in a partially submerged position. Figure 6 shows one possible embodiment of sucti a float tube 14 wherein the reference numerals identify like components. In Figure 6, the participant 16 is suspended with his or her legs 100 extending downwardly through openings 102 in the insert 36. This construction advantageously enables the participant 16 to move their legs ]. 00 to assist in the steerage and/or movement of the float tube 14.

While the preferred embodiment discloses the invention as including an engineered and man-made lazy river water ride 12, the present invention may also be used with other indoor or outdoor man-made or natural water bodies including by way of example, swimming pools, wading pools, water play pools, wave pools, lakes, ponds and natural flowing rivers or the like.

Although the preferred embodiment discloses the use of a water cannon 58 as a water emitting device to be used with the present invention, it is to be appreciated that other water emitting devices are also contemplated for use with the present invention and will now become apparent.

Although the preferred invent:ion describes and illustrates various preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the part:icular embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will now occur to a person skilled in the art. For a definition of the invention, reference may be had to the appended claims.

Claims (18)

I claim:

1. In combination a recreational flotation vessel for transporting at least one user in free flotation on a water park ride, said vessel including, a radially extending buoyancy tube having an outermost peripheral edge, a platform for supporting said at least one user thereon in a position substantially above the surface of said water body, said platform spaced inwardly from said peripheral edge, a water emitting device including, a nozzle, a conduit having an inlet and for providing fluid communication between said water ride and said nozzle, a pump activatable to pump water from said inlet, along said conduit and outwardly from said nozzle outlet as a discharge stream; and at least one water activated target disposed in or adjacent to said water ride in a location so as to be activatable by said discharge stream; and wherein said pump is operable to emit said discharge stream with a sufficient force to activate said target, and said nozzle is mounted for pivotable movement in vertical and/or horizontal directions to enable said user to direct said discharge stream at said target as said vessel moves in free flotation on said water ride.

2. A recreational vessel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said platform is sized to support a plurality of said users thereon.

3. A recreational vessel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said nozzle is movable by said at least one user to selectively direct said discharge stream.

4. A recreational vessel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pump comprises a user activated hand pump

5. A recreational vessel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pump comprises a user activated electric motor.

6. A recreational vessel as claimed in claim 4 wherein said supporting platform includes a seat for supporting said user in an inclined position.

7. A recreational vessel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said water ride comprises a waterpark river ride

8. In combination, a river ride and a flotation tube for transporting a user in free flotation on said river ride, said flotation tube including a radially extending buoyancy tube having an outermost peripheral edge and defining a tube interior, a platform positioned at least in part within said tube interior and for supporting a user thereon, said platform being spaced inwardly from said peripherally extending edge, a water emitting device including, a nozzle, a conduit having an inlet and submerged in said river ride and an outlet end remote therefrom, a user activated hand pump in fluid communication with said conduit whereby the activation of the pump pumps water along said conduit from said inlet and outwardly from said nozzle as a discharge stream;

a plurality of water target structures disposed in or adjacent to said water body, said water target structures being adapted to produce a visual or aural effect when impacted by water discharged from said nozzle; and wherein the water pump is operable to produce said discharge stream with a sufficient minimum intensity as to activate said target structure to produce said visual or aural effect when said tube is in free flotation on said river ride

9. A recreational installation comprising, a water body, and a plurality of flotation vessels, each of said vessels being sized to support a user thereon in free flotation on a surface of said water body and including, a water emitting device including, an outlet nozzle, a conduit providing fluid communication between said water body and said outlet nozzle, a user activated pump in fluid communication with said conduit, and wherein the activation of said pump pumps water from said water body through said conduit and outwardly from said outlet nozzle as a discharge stream; and a plurality of water targets disposed in or adjacent to said water body, said water targets producing a visual or aural effect upon receiving water discharged as said discharged stream from said nozzle, and wherein said pump is operable by said user to emit said discharge stream with a sufficient force to impact said targets when said vessel is in free flotation on said water body, and said nozzle is mounted for pivotal movement in vertical and horizontal directions to enable said user to direct said discharge stream at a selected target.

10. A recreational installation as claimed in claim 9 wherein said targets are water spray activated targets adapted to produce a visual and aural effect upon receiving said discharged water.

11 A recreational installation as claimed in claim 10 wherein said flotation vessel further includes a flotation tube having an outermost peripheral edge and defining a tube interior and a platform disposed at least partially within said interior and spaced inwardly from said peripheral edge.

12. A recreational installation as claimed in claim 11 wherein said platform is sized to support a plurality of users thereon.

13. A recreational installation as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein said outlet nozzle is movable by said user to selectively direct said water discharge.

14. A recreational installation as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13 wherein said pump includes a user activated electric motor.

15. A recreational installation as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13 wherein said pump comprises a user activated hand operated pump.

16 A recreational installation as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 15 wherein said platform includes a seat for supporting said user in a seated position substantially above said surface of the water body, and said water emitting device further includes a coin, token or pass key operated controller selectively operable to enable or disable said pump.

17. A recreational installation as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 16 wherein said water body comprises a lazy river-type amusement ride.

18. A recreational installation as claimed in claim 12 wherein said flotation vessel comprises a flotation tube.