Wet play structure including a non-harnessed course and a harnessed course

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9782682-B2
Application number	US-201113252925-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 4, 2011
Priority date	Oct 4, 2010
Publication date	Oct 10, 2017
Grant date	Oct 10, 2017

Abstract

A wet play structure including a non-harnessed course and a harnessed course. The wet play structure can be located in an amusement park. The non-harnessed course and the harnessed course can be completely, or partially integrated to increase interaction between users. The wet play structure may include an elevated path configured to allow a user to traverse the elevated path. A track is configured to connect to a harness worn by the user while the user traverses the elevated path. In one aspect, the wet play structure may include a fluid conduit configured to transmit water onto the user while the user traverses the elevated path. In one aspect, a pool positioned beneath the elevated path and configured to contain water.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A wet play structure for traversal by a user comprising:
a non-harnessed course; and
a harnessed course adjacent to the non-harnessed course, the harnessed course including:
a harness configured to be connected with the user,
a track configured to connect to the harness via an attachment unit, the attachment unit comprising a puck,
a sensing component configured to detect presence of the harness at a first location along the track,
a fluid conduit configured to transmit water to the first location in response to the sensing component detecting presence of the harness at the first location; and
a zip-line configured to connect to the harness via the attachment unit, wherein the attachment unit is configured to transition from the track to the zip-line without requiring the user to remove the harness or the attachment unit.

2. The wet play structure of claim 1 wherein the track ends adjacent to a starting location of the zip-line such that the attachment unit is configured to move from the track to the zip-line.

3. A wet play structure comprising:
an elevated path configured to allow a user to traverse the elevated path;
a track configured to connect to a harness via a puck, the harness worn by the user while the user traverses the elevated path;
a zip-line configured to connect to the harness worn by the user, wherein the harness can move from the track to the zip-line such that the user does not have to remove the harness in order to transition from the track to the zip-line;
a radio frequency identification reader configured to cooperate with a radio frequency identification unit associated with the user for detecting presence of the user at a first location on the first track; and
a fluid conduit positioned to transmit water onto the user before the water is permitted onto the elevated path while the user traverses the elevated path, the fluid conduit configured to transmit water onto the user in response to the radio frequency identification reader detecting presence of the user at the first location.

4. The wet play structure of claim 3 , wherein the elevated path includes an obstacle, the obstacle selected from the group consisting of a rail for the user to step on to traverse the elevated path, a movable bridge for the user to step on to traverse the elevated path, pods the user steps on to traverse the elevated path, a rope for the user to step on to traverse the elevated path, monkey bars for the user to grip to traverse the elevated path, and combinations thereof.

5. The wet play structure of claim 3 , wherein the track is positioned above the elevated path.

6. The wet play structure of claim 3 , wherein the fluid conduit is selected from the group consisting of a water shooting device, a water spray device, a water dispersion unit, a tipping bucket, a waterfall, and combinations thereof.

7. The wet play structure of claim 3 , wherein the elevated path is configured as a first elevated path and a second elevated path positioned above the first elevated path.

8. The wet play structure of claim 3 , wherein the track is tethered to the harness such that the track stops a falling motion of the user if the user falls from the elevated path.

9. A wet play structure comprising:
an elevated path configured to allow a user to traverse the elevated path, the elevated path having a first elevated path and a second elevated path positioned at an elevation higher than the first elevated path;
a track for connecting to a harness via an attachment unit, the harness worn by the user while the user traverses the elevated path;
a zip-line for connecting to the harness via the attachment unit, wherein the user moves from the track to the zip-line without requiring removing the harness or the attachment unit;
a radio frequency identification unit coupled with the attachment unit;
a radio frequency identification reader for detecting presence of the radio frequency identification unit at a location along the elevated path;
an obstacle included with the elevated path, wherein the user traversing the elevated path interacts with the obstacle; and
a pool positioned beneath the elevated path and configured to contain water.

10. The wet play structure of claim 9 , wherein the obstacle is selected from the group consisting of a rail for the user to step on to traverse the elevated path, a movable bridge for the user to step on to traverse the elevated path, pods the user steps on to traverse the elevated path, a rope for the user to step on to traverse the elevated path, monkey bars for the user to grip to traverse the elevated path, and combinations thereof.

11. The wet play structure of claim 9 , wherein the track is positioned above the elevated path.

12. The wet play structure of claim 9 , wherein the track is tethered to the harness such that the track stops a falling motion of the user if the user falls from the elevated path.

13. The wet play structure of claim 9 , wherein the pool is positioned such that the user contacts water in the pool if the user falls from the elevated path.

Assignees

• Frankowski Hyuma Alexei
• Won Tat K
• Liggett James A
• Whitewater West Ind Ltd

Inventors

• Frankowski Hyuma Alexei
• Won Tat K
• Liggett James A

Classifications

• A63G31/007

  involving water · CPC title

• A63G31/00 Primary

  Amusement arrangements · CPC title