Method and apparatus for fastening of inflatable ride surfaces

Abstract

A system, apparatus, and method for constructing or providing a ride surface for an amusement attraction, such as an inflatable surfing attraction. The ride surface may be formed via the connection of a plurality of ride surface portions or segments. A mechanism may be incorporated to smooth the ride surface and define a more continuous ride surface between the plurality of ride surface portions or segments.

Claims

1. A system for connecting a ride surface, comprising: a first ride surface portion; and a second ride surface portion, the second ride surface portion positioned adjacent the first ride surface portion, a flap configured to traverse over at least a part of the first surface portion and the second surface portion such that the flap is urged to lay against the first ride surface portion and the second ride surface portion during operation when presented with a flow of water and define a more smooth and continuous upper surface between the first ride surface portion and second ride surface portion and reduced, turbulence as compared to a mating junction between the first ride surface portion and the second ride surface portion without the flap, wherein the first ride surface portion has a first hook and loop fastening element and the second ride surface portion has a second hook and loop fastening element, wherein the first fastening element is configured to attach to the second fastening element and couple the first ride surface portion to the second ride surface portion, wherein the first hook and loop fastening element and the second hook and loop fastening element are positioned below the flap.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first ride surface portion or the second ride surface portion is made of a drop-stitch material.

3. A system for connecting a ride surface, comprising: a first ride surface portion; and a second ride surface portion, the second ride surface portion positioned adjacent the first ride surface portion, a flap configured to traverse over at least a part of the first surface portion and the second surface portion such that the flap is urged to lay against the first ride surface portion and the second ride surface portion during operation when presented with a flow of water and define a more smooth and continuous upper surface between the first ride surface portion and second ride surface portion and reduced turbulence as compared to a mating junction between the first ride surface portion and the second ride surface portion without the flap, wherein the flap is configured to attach with the first ride surface portion or the second ride surface portion via a zipper.

4. A system for connecting a ride surface, comprising: a first ride surface portion; and a second ride surface portion, the second ride surface portion positioned adjacent the first ride surface portion, a flap configured to traverse over at least a part of the first surface portion and the second surface portion such that the flap is urged to lay against the first ride surface portion and the second ride surface portion during operation when presented with a flow of water and define a more smooth and continuous upper surface between the first ride surface portion and second ride surface portion and reduced turbulence as compared to a mating junction between the first ride surface portion and the second ride surface portion without the flap wherein the flap comprises: a first flap connected with the first ride surface portion and having a first fastening element; and a second flap connected with the second ride surface portion and having a second fastening element, wherein the first fastening element is configured to fasten with the second fastening element, and wherein the first fastening element or the second fastening element is a zipper.

5. A system fix connecting a ride surface, comprising: a first ride surface portion; and a second ride surface portion, the second ride surface portion positioned adjacent the first ride surface portion, a flap configured to traverse over at least a part of the first surface portion and the second surface portion such that the flap is urged to lay against the first ride surface portion and the second ride surface portion during operation when presented with a flow of water and define a more smooth and continuous upper surface between the first ride surface portion and second ride surface portion and reduced turbulence as compared to a mating junction between the first ride surface portion and the second ride surface portion without the flap wherein the flap comprises: a first flap connected with the first ride surface portion and having a first fastening element; and a second flap connected with the second ride surface portion and having a second fastening element, wherein the first fastening element is configured to fasten with the second fastening element, and wherein the first fastening element or the second fastening element is a hook and loop closure.

6. A water ride comprising: a first attraction component; a second attraction component, wherein the first attraction component is adjacent to the second attraction component; a nozzle for providing a flow of water over the first attraction component and the second attraction component; and a fastening mechanism extending over at least a portion of the first attraction component and the second attraction component and defining a smoother and more continuous upper surface between the first attraction component and second attraction component and reduced turbulence as compared to a mating junction between the first attraction component and the second attraction component without the fastening mechanism, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a first mating surface and a second mating surface configured to mate together when an extrusion of the first mating surface is at least partially received by a receptacle of the second mating surface for connecting the first attraction component with the second attraction component.

7. The water ride of claim 6 wherein the first attraction component has a first fastening element and the second attraction component has a second fastening element, wherein the first fastening element is configured to attach to the second fastening element and couple the first attraction component to the second attraction component, wherein the first fastening element and the second fastening element are positioned below the fastening mechanism.

8. The water ride of claim 6 wherein the first attraction component and the second attraction component form at least a part of a ride surface for performing surfing tricks thereon.

9. A system for a ride surface of a surfing attraction comprising: a ride surface material; a sheet configured to fully encapsulate the ride surface material; a water delivery component for providing a flow of water onto the sheet; and a support configured to mate with the sheet, wherein the flow of water is configured to flow over the sheet without making contact with the ride surface material, wherein the sheet is configured to be removable from the ride surface material for replacement of the sheet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. Component parts shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be exaggerated to better illustrate the important features of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the different views, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a ride surface of a surfing or other water or fluid attraction made up of a plurality of components according to one embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of a ride surface of a surfing or other water or fluid attraction made up of a plurality of components according to one embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a cross-section side view of a ride surface of a surfing or other water or fluid attraction made up of a plurality of components according to one embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a ride surface of a surfing or other water or fluid attraction made up of a plurality of components according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

(6) FIG. 5 is a partial cross-section side view of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings and pictures, which show the exemplary embodiments by way of illustration and its best mode. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented. Moreover, any of the functions or steps may be outsourced to or performed by one or more third parties. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component may include a singular embodiment.

(8) FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a ride surface 100 of a surfing or other water or fluid attraction. The ride surface 100 may be made up of a plurality of components. Although the below description focuses upon the ride surface 100 of an attraction for the purposes of illustration, other sections and/or surfaces of an attraction or other device (e.g., entertainment structure) may use one or more of the novel concepts discussed herein in alternative embodiments.

(9) In one embodiment, the ride surface 100 may be a surface configured to have a flow of fluid (e.g., a sheet-flow of water) disposed thereon such that one or more riders may perform water skimming or surfing maneuvers upon the ride surface 100 and/or upon the flow of water. The ride surface may be fully or partially inflatable (e.g., made of a drop-stitch or other inflatable material) that may provide for additional comfort for a rider in the event that the rider loses balance and falls upon the ride surface 100. An alternative embodiment may be any form of surface that would benefit from a secure connection of one or more components while providing increased durability or resistance to wear-and-tear, particularly from a flow of fluid that may be disposed thereon during operation. For example, padding and/or foam materials, whether or not inflatable, may benefit from the secure connection of surfaces as described herein in alternative embodiments.

(10) As illustrated, during manufacture and/or shipment, the ride surface 100 may initially be made up of a plurality of discrete components, for example, a first ride surface portion 102 and a second ride surface portion 104. During setup or installation of a water attraction, such as the previously-mentioned surfing attraction, the first ride surface portion 102 may be positioned near and/or adjacent to the second ride surface portion 104. Such installation may be performed on-site at the location where the attraction is intended to be used or at any of a variety of alternative locations (e.g., a manufacturing or installation location and subsequently transported to the location where the attraction is intended to be used). Once two or more portions are connected together, as discussed in greater detail herein, a substantially contiguous and larger ride surface 100 may be made up of both the first ride surface portion 102 and the second ride surface portion 104.

(11) However, absent special manufacturing techniques (e.g., melting or otherwise mixing of the two components), there exists a small gap 106 between the first ride surface portion 102 and the second ride surface portion 104. It may be desirable to limit the effect of any such gap in order to create the ride surface 100 with as smooth and/or continuous of an upper surface as possible (e.g., so that water flowing over a top surface of the first ride surface portion 102 and/or water flowing over a top surface of the second ride surface portion 104 does not undesirably become turbulent at the mating edge or junction of the first ride surface portion 102 and the second ride surface portion 104).

(12) Moreover, due to the flow of water or other fluid thereover, fasteners that are disposed along the top surfaces of the first and second ride surface portion (102, 104) may encounter disruptive forces due to such fluid that begins compromising their ability to successfully mate the first and second ride surface portions (102, 104) together. To combat this durability concern and/or other issues mentioned above, the first ride surface portion 102 includes a fastening element that is disposed beneath a plane 105 that extends along a surface (e.g., a top surface) of the first ride surface 102. Similarly, the second ride surface portion 104 includes a fastening element that is disposed beneath the plane 105 that extends along a surface (e.g., a top surface) of the second ride surface portion 104. For example, either or both of the first and second ride surface portions (102, 104) may be manufactured with a “cut-out” (e.g., receptacle or cut-out 131) and/or a corresponding extrusion (e.g., extrusion 132) at a level beneath the plane 105, for example, that comprises a part of their perimeter or top surfaces. Any of a variety of cut-outs and corresponding extrusions may be used in varying embodiments.

(13) The above connection between the first ride surface portion 102 and the second ride surface portion 104 allows for one or more matings 120 at the gap 106 of the first and second ride surface portions (102, 104) beneath the plane 105 that extends across the top surface of the ride surface 100. In certain embodiments, the mating 120 may also or alternatively occur at the plane 105 (e.g., flush with the plane 105). Thus, using the matings 120 described above, water or other fluid flowing over the top surface of the ride surface 100 will be less inclined to exert a disruptive force upon the mating 120 of the first and second ride surface portions (102, 104). In one embodiment, the mating 120 may be performed by way of Velcro or other loop-and-pin closure fastening elements. In another embodiment, any of a variety of possible fastening elements disposed below an upper or top surface of the ride surface 100 may be used (e.g., adhesives, brackets, screws, bolts, etc.) such that a secure connection is made beneath the plane 105.

(14) In certain embodiments, as illustrated, an additional fastening mechanism 110 may be provided over the gap 106 (or otherwise in alternative embodiments) to aid in reducing an amount of fluid or water that may seep into the gap 106 and exert a disruptive force upon the mating 120 of the first and second ride surface portions (102, 104). For example, the additional fastening mechanism 110 may have all or a portion of its structure positioned beneath the plane 105, flush with the plane 105, and/or above the plane 105. In one embodiment, the additional fastening mechanism 110 may be a zipper. In an alternative embodiment, the additional fastening mechanism 110 may be any of a variety of possible closure or fluid prevention elements. In still another alternative embodiment, no additional fastening mechanism 110 may be desired.

(15) The plurality of cut-outs 131 and/or extrusions 132 may extend any of a variety of distances or percentages of the total thickness 140 of the ride surface portions (102, 104). For example, although two extrusions 132 are used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, additional or fewer extrusions 132 may be used in an alternative embodiment. Likewise, the number of cut-outs 131 may be the same or different than the number of extrusions 132 in alternative embodiments. Greater number of extrusions 132 may extend further along the total thickness 140 of the ride surface portions (102, 104). Greater numbers of extrusions 132 and/or cut-outs 131 that extend further along the total thickness 140 may provide stronger connection capabilities, but at greater material or manufacturing cost.

(16) FIG. 2 similarly shows a cross-section of one embodiment of a ride surface 200 that is constructed of a plurality of components. The ride surface 200 may include features that are the same as or similar to those previously discussed. For example, in one embodiment, the ride surface 200 may be a surface configured to have a flow of water disposed thereon (e.g., above a plane 205) such that one or more riders may perform water skimming or surfing maneuvers upon the ride surface 200 and/or the flow of water. The ride surface may be fully or partially inflatable (e.g., made of a drop-stitch or other inflatable material) that may provide for additional comfort for a rider in the event that the rider loses balance and falls upon the ride surface 200. An alternative embodiment may be any form of surface that would benefit from a secure connection of one or more components while providing increased durability or resistance to wear-and-tear, particularly from a flow of fluid that may be disposed thereon during operation.

(17) As illustrated and similar to previous discussions, during manufacture and/or shipment, the ride surface 200 may initially be made up of a plurality of discrete components, for example, a first ride surface portion 202 and a second ride surface portion 204. During setup or installation of a water attraction, such as the previously mentioned surfing attraction, the first ride surface portion 202 may be positioned near and/or adjacent to the second ride surface portion 204 in order to construct, once complete, a substantially contiguous and larger ride surface 200 made up of both the first ride surface portion 202 and the second ride surface portion 204. A gap 206 may be present between the first ride surface portion 202 and the second ride surface portion 204 as previously discussed.

(18) Similar to features described in FIG. 1, the first ride surface portion 202 includes one or more fastening elements that are disposed beneath the plane 205. For example, either or both of the first and second ride surface portions (202, 204) may be manufactured with a “cut-out” (e.g., cut-out 231) and/or a corresponding extrusion (e.g., extrusion 232) at a level beneath the plane 205, for example, that comprises a part of their perimeter or top surfaces. Any of a variety of cut-outs and corresponding extrusions may be used in varying embodiments. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 utilizes a greater number of cut-outs 231 and extrusions 232 than were previously described for FIG. 1 and/or extend further along a total thickness 240 of the first ride surface portion 202 and/or the second ride surface portion 204. The cut-outs 231 and/or extrusions 232 may be any of a variety of desired lengths, widths, and/or thicknesses (e.g., they may all be the same length, width, and/or thickness and/or may be different lengths, widths, and/or thicknesses when compared with one another).

(19) In certain embodiments, as illustrated, an additional fastening mechanism 210 may be provided over the gap 206 (or otherwise in alternative embodiments) to aid in reducing an amount of fluid or water that may seep into the gap 206 and exert a disruptive force upon the mating 220 of the first and second ride surface portions (202, 204). In one embodiment, the additional fastening mechanism 210 may be a flap (e.g., inflatable or otherwise) that is configured to extend from either the first ride surface portion 202 and/or the second ride surface portion 204 and cover all or a portion of the gap 206. Extra fastening elements may or may not be utilized in conjunction with the flap (e.g., zippers, adhesives, snaps, buttons, etc.). The additional fastening mechanism 210 (e.g., flap as shown) may be configured to lay in a direction substantially parallel with the expected flow of water (e.g., may be shaped and/or connected with one or more components of the ride surface 200 such that it is urged in its naturally laying direction when presented with the flow of water during operation. Such a configuration may help in reducing wear and tear to the additional fastening mechanism 210 (e.g., because it is being urged in its natural direction via the water flow) and/or the underlying mating 220 within the gap 206.

(20) In other embodiments, the additional fastening mechanism 210 may be configured to lay in alternative directions and/or may he shaped or configured to lay flush with adjacent fastening mechanisms and/or parts corresponding to other ride surface portions. In an alternative embodiment, the additional fastening mechanism 210 may be any of a variety of possible closure or fluid prevention elements. In still another alternative embodiment, no additional fastening mechanism 210 may be desired.

(21) FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of a ride surface 300 of a surfing or other water or fluid attraction made up of a plurality of components. The ride surface 300 may include features that are the same as or similar to those previously discussed. As illustrated, during manufacture and/or shipment, the ride surface 300 may initially be made up of a plurality of discrete components, for example, a first ride surface portion 302 and a second ride surface portion 304. During setup or installation of a water attraction, such as the previously mentioned surfing attraction, the first ride surface portion 302 may be positioned near and/or adjacent to the second ride surface portion 304 in order to construct, once complete, a substantially contiguous and larger ride surface 300. However, absent special manufacturing techniques (e.g., melting or otherwise mixing of the two components), there exists a gap 306 between the first ride surface portion 302 and the second ride surface portion 304.

(22) In one embodiment, the gap 306 may be filled with custom extrusion material 303. In certain embodiments, this extrusion material 303 may be made of flexible PVC, nylon, and/or any of a variety of other materials. The extrusion material 303 may be in the shape of an “I.” In some embodiments, the extrusion material 303 may be low in profile and/or all or some of the extrusion material 303 may be flush with and/or below a plane 305 ride surface portions (302, 304). In such embodiments, the extrusion material 303 may not interfere or may minimally interfere with rideability of the ride surface 300. The extrusion material 303 may be heavy in density and/or otherwise designed not to allow water penetrating into the gap 306, for example, by being shaped and/or configured to match the shape and/or configuration of the underlying gap 306.

(23) The extrusion material 303 may be fastened with either the first ride surface portion 302 and/or the second ride surface portion 304 via a variety of possible connections. For example, the extrusion material 303 may be held in place via adhesives, screws, bolts, Velcro, etc. In another example, the first ride surface portion 302 and/or the second ride surface portion 304 may hold the extrusion material 303 in place without additional material or component connections (e.g., the shape of the extrusion material 303 may cooperate or interface, such as via friction, with a shape of the first ride surface portion 302 and/or the second ride surface portion 304 to remain in place. Fastening of the extrusion material 303 with one or more of the first ride surface portion 302 and/or the second ride surface portion 304 may occur at any of below the plane 305, above the plane 305, and/or at the plane 305. Similar to previously discussions, additional fastening mechanisms (e.g., zippers, flaps, etc.) may additionally be used in an embodiment that uses the extrusion material 303.

(24) FIGS. 4 and 5 refer to another embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a ride surface 400 being pocketed or otherwise partially or fully contained in a sheet 401. In one embodiment, the sheet 401 which may be made of vinyl. In alternative embodiments, other materials for the sheet 401 may be used. The ride surface 400 may sit on top of a support or other surface 402. The sheet 401 may fasten to any of a variety of substructure pieces (e.g., each substructure piece), including the support or other surface 402, by means of a chemical bond (e.g., glue, heat weld), or mechanical fastening (e.g., hook and/or loop), or both. In an alternative embodiment, other fastening manners and/or components may be used.

(25) As illustrated in FIG. 4, the ride surface 400 may be contained within the sheet 401 such that the sheet 401 may be removable and/or replaceable. In this fashion, as the sheet 401 reaches the end of its useful life (e.g., for durability and/or war-and-tear purposes), the sheet 401 may be replaced without having to replace the underlying ride surface 400. The sheet 401 may be made of a different material than the ride surface 400. Moreover, the sheet 401 and/or the ride surface 400 may be made of a different material than the support or other surface 402.

(26) FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section side view of FIG. 4 and shows the connection of the sheet 401 with the support or other surface 402. Water or other fluid may flow 405 from one end and encounter a rolled or otherwise curved portion of the sheet 401. The sheet 401 may be connected with the support or other surface 402 at a location (e.g., beneath) where the flow 405 is otherwise delivered to the sheet 401 in order to reduce the impact the flow 405 may have upon the connection seam or point 410. In certain embodiments, this may help increase the durability of an attraction utilizing the features illustrated since a fluid flow may significantly impact the durability of connection seams where two separate materials meet or are connected. For example, in the embodiment shown, the sheet 401 may mate with the support or other surface 402 along a vertical surface or portion of the support or other surface 402. In another embodiment, the connection of the sheet 401 with the support or other surface 402 may be at any of a variety of desired locations and/or using a variety of possible connection mechanisms.

(27) The previous description of the disclosed examples is provided to enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosed methods and apparatus. Accordingly, the terminology employed throughout should be read in a non-limiting manner. Various modifications to these examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles defined herein may be applied to other examples without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed method and apparatus. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive and the scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the disclosed apparatus and methods. The steps of the method or algorithm may also be performed in an alternate order from those provided in the examples.