Patent Publication Number: US-6991548-B2

Title: Elevated wood and concrete racetrack for go-karts and associated methods

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority from application Ser. No. 09/861,919 which was filed on May 21, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,716, and which was a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/383,771, filed on Aug. 26, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,968, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to the field of racetracks for go-karts and, more particularly, to an elevated racetrack which may be erected over a parcel of land having a stormwater retention basin thereon. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Go-karts and similar motorized amusement vehicles have been popular for many years. Driving a go-cart on a suitably proportioned racetrack is a fun-filled experience for the entire family, young and old. Racetracks for go-karts have been part of the amusement park industry practically since commercially available go-karts appeared on the market. Most go-cart tracks are asphalt or concrete racetracks built at ground level, much as roads for regular vehicles. 
   Because of the technical difficulty and expense involved in building an elevated go-cart racetrack, fewer of these tracks have been built. In addition, building an elevated racetrack using conventional techniques, such as all concrete or asphalt, greatly increases the expense of construction. Therefore, builders have turned to wood as a suitable construction material for elevated go-cart racetracks. Previous to the present invention, however, elevated wooden racetracks have been very difficult and extremely labor intensive and have been subject to undesirable deterioration due to sun and weather effects. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   With the foregoing in mind, the present invention advantageously provides a go-cart racetrack including an elevated wood and concrete racetrack surface supported by a structural frame anchored to the ground below. The wood and concrete racetrack surface includes a wooden support surface having a plurality of floor boards, has a first and second outer periphery defining the outer edges of the racetrack, a concrete layer positioned above the wooden support surface, and extends along a plurality of tiers elevated above ground level. The wood and concrete racetrack surface also includes a plurality of banked curves formed from a plurality of wooden floor boards laid flat to form at least one straightaway, and at least one banked curve. Each floor board has two lengthwise, substantially parallel, spaced apart sides, so that a first floor board of the plurality abuts a second floor board of the plurality so that the two substantially parallel, spaced apart sides of the first floor board are substantially parallel to the two substantially parallel, spaced apart sides of the second floor board. A concrete overlay is positioned on the wooden support surface so as to form a racetrack surface. A racetrack support frame comprising a plurality of vertical support posts anchored on suitable land and a plurality of support members connected thereto supports the wood and concrete racetrack surface above ground. Each banked curve formed by this construction method preferably includes several sections of track having floor boards aligned in parallel. The banked curves are very quickly constructed by this technique, avoiding the need for cutting each individual floor board along a radius of the curve. 
   Furthermore, an additional feature of the present racetrack includes a concrete racetrack surface which is formed by pouring concrete over the wooden support surface. This concrete overlay track provides all of the advantages of a wooden track, such as ease and economy of construction, with the added strength and durability of a concrete track. 
   The wooden support surface is supported on a racetrack support frame having a plurality of vertical support posts positioned anchored on suitable land and connected to a plurality of support beams and support joists and stringers acting as braces positioned abuttingly underlying and connected directly or indirectly to the wooden support surface, to provide elevation above ground and structural support. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Some of the features, advantages, and benefits of the present invention having been stated, others will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an overall perspective view of the elevated wood and concrete racetrack according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the wooden support surface, without the concrete overlay thereon, of a three-level spiral curve built according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation showing an arched bridge section of the elevated wood and concrete racetrack; 
       FIG. 4  is an overall side elevation illustrating the elevated wood and concrete racetrack and its support posts; 
       FIG. 5  is a cutaway view showing construction detail of the wooden support surface, without the concrete overlay thereon, along a banked curve according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the wooden support surface of a banked curve, without the concrete overlay thereon, constructed according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a side perspective view showing construction detail of the elevated wood and concrete racetrack; and 
       FIG. 8  shows an exploded cross sectional view of the wood and concrete racetrack of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. Unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including any definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods and examples given are illustrative in nature only and not intended to be limiting. Accordingly, this invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these illustrated embodiments are provided solely for exemplary purposes so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims. 
     FIGS. 1 through 8  illustrate a racetrack suited for operating motorized amusement vehicles thereon. The invention includes an elevated wooden racetrack  10  positioned on a support frame having a plurality of vertical support posts  12 , best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . As used herein and known to those skilled in the art, the terms for the various members included in the support frame are intended to generally have the following meanings. Vertical support posts  12  are vertically oriented support members having one end sunk into the ground and the other end at a sufficient height to meet the design and engineering requirements for providing support for the elevated track  10 . Beam supports  16  are substantially horizontal support members connected to posts  12  and serving to sustain the various beams. Beam supports  16  are preferably boards having a nominal size of two-by-twelve (2×12), but may be sized otherwise according to the needs of the project. Beams  18  are substantially horizontal support members running generally perpendicular to the track, and connected to posts  12  and/or to beam supports  16 . Beams  18  may be subdivided into two categories, depending on how they are connected in the support frame. Primary beams are connected to at least two posts, generally positioned directly opposite each other along the track, as seen in  FIG. 6 . Primary beams are preferably made by joining a plurality of boards to form a laminated beam, also as seen in  FIG. 5 . Secondary beams are connected to beam support members  16 , or to a post  12  and a beam support member  16 . Beams  18  are generally members having a nominal size of two-by-twelve (2×12), but may be of other sizes required by the construction. Joists are generally horizontal support members running substantially parallel to the track and abuttingly connected to beams, preferably through the use of joist hangers, as known in the art. Stringers are generally horizontal support members running parallel to the track but which, unlike joists, are connected to beams by being positioned on top of the beams, usually standing on edge. Joists and stringers  20  are substantially equivalent support members and may be used essentially interchangeably. 
   Joists and stringers are generally either two-by-six (2×6) or two-by-twelve (2×12), but other sizes may be employed as well. Stringers  20  are shown in  FIG. 6  as laminated support members made up of two two-by-six (2×6) boards. Preferably, stringers  20  are laminated by joining together anywhere from two to four boards, the boards being one-by-four (1×4), two-by-eight (2×8), or any other desired size which provides sufficient flexibility for making bends to support the curved track surface. 
   The posts  12 , in a preferred embodiment, are substantially similar to wooden telephone poles. The vertical support posts  12  may be stabilized by any method known to those skilled in the art, and are preferably sunk into the ground to a depth sufficient to provide sufficient stability for the support frame. The posts  12  may be also further stabilized by being connected to the ground or to each other by supporting cables. As known to those skilled in the art, the posts may be further stabilized by being set in concrete, rock gravel, and the like. The vertical support posts  12  are connected to a plurality of support members, as variously shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 . 
   The support beams  18  and support joists  20  may be positioned abuttingly underlying and directly or indirectly connected to the wooden support surface  22 , as best shown in  FIG. 7 , thereby providing elevation above ground and structural support for the wooden support surface  22 . The whole assembly of vertical support posts  12 , beams  18 , joists  20  and stringers forms an interconnected network of support members which collectively make up the racetrack support frame. 
   The racetrack includes a wooden support surface  22 , best seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5  and  6 , connected to and supported by the racetrack support frame. The wooden support surface  22  has a first and second outer periphery, forming the edges of the track surface, and extends along a plurality of tiers elevated above ground level, creating the multi-level racetrack surface  22  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . 
   In addition, the wooden support surface  22  includes a plurality of banked curves  24 , at times forming spirals, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Each banked curve  24  defines at least part of the circumference of an imaginary circle having a predetermined center. The first outer periphery of the banked curve  24  is positioned toward the center of the imaginary circle so as to define an inside curve periphery. The second outer periphery of each banked curve  24  is positioned toward the circumference of the imaginary circle so as to define an outside curve periphery for the curve. 
   The racetrack surface  22  includes a plurality of floor boards laid flat to form at least one straightaway, and at least one banked curve. When used in the construction, each floor board is substantially rectangular, having two lengthwise, substantially parallel, spaced apart sides. Laid flat to form the racetrack surface  22 , a first floor board of the plurality abuts a second floor board of the plurality so that the two substantially parallel, spaced apart sides of the first floor board are substantially parallel to the two substantially parallel, spaced apart sides of the second floor board, as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  6 . As the floor boards are laid parallel to each other from a straightaway to a curve, shown in  FIG. 2 , the lineup of boards will not follow the curve, but will run off the side of the curve. A single cut is then made along a radius of the curve, and a new set of floor boards is then laid parallel to the cut, to result in the curve surface shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  6 . This construction method is much simpler, and faster than the prior art method requiring that each individual floor board forming the curve be cut into a pie shape along the radius of the curve in order for the boards to fit together into the curve. 
   A racetrack support frame comprising a plurality of vertical support posts anchored on suitable land and a plurality of support members connected thereto supports the wooden support surface above ground. Each banked curve  24  formed by this construction method will include several sections of track having floor boards aligned in parallel, as best shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  6 . The banked curves are very quickly constructed by this technique, avoiding the need for cutting each individual floor board along a radius of the curve, as seen in the conventional curve construction shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   Each banked curve may be banked at a predetermined angle varying from approximately 10 to 45 degrees of inclination, depending on the design of the racetrack. The banks are constructed by angling the support beams  18  and support joists  20 , shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , to create the desired angle in the banked curve  24 . The plurality of banked curves  24  may be combined with straightaway sections of racetrack to create turns, ovals, figure eights, multi-level spirals, or any other desired shape, as generally shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   Several further aspects of a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures. First, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a preferred wood for building the present invention is pressure treated timber or other weather resistant wood. The vertical support posts  12 , in particular, must be resistant to deterioration brought about by ground contact, including wood destroying organisms such as termites. The motorized amusement vehicles are preferably go-karts  40  positioned to operate on the racetrack, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The racetrack also preferably includes a shock absorbing guard rail  26  positioned along at least one outer periphery of the wooden support surface  22 , thereby to absorb the shock of an impact produced by one of the motorized amusement vehicles. The shock absorbing guard rail  26  may include tires  28  as a resilient, shock absorbing material, best shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  6 . In a preferred embodiment the tires  28  are old discarded tires from small aircraft, which can be obtained inexpensively, are particularly strong, and have a relatively small diameter, thus taking up less space along the edge of the racetrack surface  22 . The tires  28  are provided with drainage holes drilled through whichever side of the tire will face down on the racetrack, thereby helping prevent accumulation of rain water within the tire cavity. The shock absorbing guard rail  26  may be low, resembling a curb as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , or may be taller depending on preference or the characteristics of the particular racetrack. In addition, the racetrack preferably includes a safety fence  30  positioned along the first and second outer peripheries, or sides of the wooden support surface  22 . The safety fence  30  preferably includes a plurality of safety wires  32  connected to the vertical support posts  12  and positioned along the first and second outer peripheries of the wooden support surface  22 , thereby serving as a retaining safety fence  30  to prevent the motorized amusement vehicles from accidentally leaving the wooden support surface  22 . Such a safety fence  30  is best shown in side elevation in  FIG. 3 , and an alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   The racetrack surface  22  may have other topographical features to provide a variable terrain tending to promote amusement in the operator of the vehicle. For example, the wooden support surface  22  may preferably include at least one arched bridge  34  section positioned to form an overpass above at least another portion of the wooden support surface  22 , a feature shown in  FIG. 3 . Vehicle operators passing the arched bridge  34  will experience an exhilarating sensation similar to that produced when cresting a hill on a highway, including the slight pull of gravity forces on the way up the hill and the sudden drop in gravity at reaching and passing the crest. A wooden arched bridge  34  is very difficult to build using conventional techniques to create a smooth and even transition up to the crest of the bridge and down thereafter. A feature of the invention particularly useful for construction of such bridges is a laminated support beam including a plurality of wooden boards connected to each other so as to form the laminated support beam. The laminated support beam is positioned connected to and underlying the wooden support surface  22  creating the bridge, thereby providing very strong structural support. Advantageously, the plurality of wooden boards making up this laminated beam is staggered in position relative to each other, so as to create a support beam having a hump along one edge, thereby providing an underlying support structure for the arched bridge which allows the wooden support surface  22  to be smooth and fully supported at the crest of the arch. 
   The present invention also includes an associated method preferably including three steps, as follows. First, providing a wooden support surface  22  having a first and second outer periphery, the wooden support surface  22  extending along a plurality of tiers elevated above ground level and having a plurality of banked curves  24 , each banked curve defining at least part of a circumference of an, imaginary circle having a predetermined center, the first outer periphery of the banked curve positioned toward the center so as to define an inside curve periphery, and the second outer periphery of the banked curve  24  positioned toward the circumference so as to define an outside curve periphery, each banked curve including a plurality of wooden slats positioned vertically on edge and abuttingly adjoining at least one other wooden slat of said plurality, the plurality of wooden slats positioned bent into shape and at a predetermined angle of inclination from the inside curve periphery to the outside curve periphery, thereby to define the banked curve  24 , the wooden support surface  22  useful for racing motorized amusement vehicles thereon. Secondly, providing a racetrack support frame including a plurality of vertical support posts  12  positioned anchored on suitable land and connected to a plurality of support beams  18  and support joists  20 , the support beams  18  and support joists  20  positioned abuttingly underlying and connected to the wooden support surface  22 , thereby to provide elevation above ground and structural support. Then, providing at least one motorized amusement vehicle positioned on the racetrack, the vehicle having a driver positioned for operating the vehicle. A preferred motorized amusement vehicle for carrying on this method is a go-cart, as known to those skilled in the art. 
   Additionally, great commercial utility for this invention is found in a method of producing revenue from land having a stormwater retention basin thereon, by constructing and operating a motorized amusement vehicle ride above the stormwater retention basin or pond  36 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , or an amusement water ride such as bumper boats  42 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The invention embodied in this method allows production of revenue from this otherwise unproductive parcel of land. 
   Environmental regulations are such that stormwater retention ponds are usually required for commercial building projects, to help prevent direct discharge of pollutants into local streams and lakes. The project developer is thus faced with having to reserve part of the available land for use as the stormwater retention pond, which completely restricts the use of that land, decreasing available revenue from the property. A working installation of this invention has obtained required environmental permits and is successfully operating directly over such a stormwater retention basin, thereby creating additional income for the owner of the property. The method includes the steps of providing at least one motorized amusement vehicle positioned on a racetrack erected above the stormwater retention basin, the racetrack sufficiently elevated above ground level such that the stormwater retention basin operates substantially within design characteristics, and allowing drivers to operate the motorized amusement vehicle for a fee, thereby producing revenue. This arrangement is best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . This method, potentially, could be employed anywhere there is a stormwater retention basin on commercially zoned property and would be a particularly attractive addition to a mall or large shopping center. 
   As best shown in  FIG. 1 , the amusement park of the present invention includes another park facility constructed and operated under an elevated portion of the racetrack. The other park facility could include an amusement ride  42 , a building  44 , and a parking lot  46 . For example, a boat ride  42  requiring a pool of water can be operated under an elevated portion of the racetrack, as shown on the right side of  FIG. 1 . The boat ride preferably provides bumper boats as known in the trade. A building  44  is shown constructed in the space below an elevated portion of the racetrack  10 . 
   In the combination, the other park facility constructed and operated under an elevated portion of the racetrack could be a second racetrack, separate from but intertwined with the first racetrack. The park facility located under an elevated portion of the racetrack could also be a pit area  48  where customers begin and end the go-kart ride. The pit area  48  may be shared with an adjacent second racetrack separate from the elevated wooden racetrack, the second racetrack being at ground level or also comprising elevated portions. As can be appreciated by careful examination of  FIG. 1 , three separate but adjacent and intertwined tracks  10 A,  10 B and  10 C are shown. Racetracks  10 A and  10 B share pit area  48 A. 
   The entrance to the park may preferably include a building  44  constructed at least partially on land below an elevated portion of the racetrack, thereby saving space on the parcel of land. A building constructed below an elevated portion of the racetrack may also be positioned elsewhere in the park and have a variety of other uses related to the park&#39;s operation. For example, a building  44  underlying the racetrack  10  would be an ideal location for a game arcade drawing customers finishing their go-kart ride. A retail store for souvenirs, or a food concession would be additional possible operations located in the building under the racetrack. For example, a retail shop could have a racing theme associated with the go-kart track and sell auto racing novelties, memorabilia, and other related items. Additionally, the amusement park&#39;s entrance could be constructed and operated under an elevated portion of the racetrack. Such an arrangement would catch the public&#39;s attention, serving substantially as an advertisement for the amusement park, and tending to draw more customers into the park. 
   One particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention includes a parking lot  46  constructed at least partially on land below an elevated portion of the racetrack  10 C, a feature shown in  FIG. 1 . As previously noted, parcels of land sufficiently large for an amusement park are difficult to find in urban areas. These parcels are also usually very expensive, therefore, it is important to construct the amusement park to efficiently use the available space, thereby producing as much income as possible per unit area. 
   An added feature of the present racetrack includes a concrete racetrack surface  50  which is formed by pouring concrete mix over the wooden support surface  22 . This concrete overlay track provides all of the advantages of a wooden track, such as ease and economy of construction, with the added strength and durability of a concrete track. The concrete overlay track may be built in the same manner as described above, with the concrete overlay added after finishing the wooden construction portion of the project. The concrete overlay process is equally adaptable to refurbishing of an old, existing wooden track which may have somewhat deteriorated due to the effects of sun and weather. 
   In constructing the wood and concrete elevated track combination, the process is similar for new or old tracks to be resurfaced, with some minor exceptions. Before overlaying concrete on an old and weatherbeaten wooden track, it is necessary to first refasten all loose boards, and perhaps even replace any portion of the track surface which may be heavily worn. Guardrails must be removed to allow easy access to the wooden track surface. The wooden track surface is preferably relatively clean and free from oil and the like. An elastomeric membrane  52  is applied over the wooden support surface  22 , the membrane preferably being at least 60 mil in thickness. Following application of the membrane, metal angle members  54  are applied to the track edges so as to secure the edges of the membrane to the track. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the angle members  54  are positioned so that, rather than having one side of the angle downwardly aligned along the side edge of the track, the angle extends upwardly from the track surface to form a containment edge to hold the concrete. The angle members  54  are preferably at least 2 in. by 2 in. galvanized ⅛ in. steel or other weather resistant material of similar strength, but may be any size and strength suitable for the particular project. A layer of light weight concrete approximately 2 in. thick is poured over the wooden support surface, preferably having welded wire, rebar, or other suitable additive material included for strengthening the concrete layer. In addition, the concrete may also include a material effective in enhancing the resiliency of the concrete, so as to aid in preventing cracking of the concrete layer. Such materials, for example, include glass fibers and rubber chips such as obtained from ground rubber tires. The layer of concrete may be any thickness effective for its purpose, however, the skilled will recognize that a thicker layer will be more resistant to cracking, but will also be heavier and require stronger support. The poured concrete overlay is bull floated and troweled for leveling, as known in the concrete arts, and then gently brushed to a textured finish so as to provide improved traction along the track surface. 
   The present invention also includes other method aspects, in addition to the concrete overlay process described above, including a method for generating revenue by operating a motorized amusement vehicle track in an airspace over a parcel of land used for another purpose different from the operation of the motorized amusement vehicle track. The method includes installing a plurality of vertical support posts about at least a peripheral portion of the parcel of land, the support posts extending into the airspace a sufficient vertical distance to support a plurality of tiers of a racetrack, fixing a racetrack for the motorized amusement vehicles to the vertical support posts along a plurality of tiers into the airspace above the level of the parcel of land, constructing the plurality of tiers of the racetrack in the airspace above the parcel of land with multiple levels of generally concentric circles defined by banked racetrack curves, each circle having a predetermined center with an axis of all the centers extending through the parcel of land, and allowing paying customers to operate motorized amusement vehicles on the racetrack supported above the other park facility to thereby generate revenue.  FIGS. 1 and 4  illustrate an elevated racetrack operated in such manner above another park activity, for example, a building or a water ride separate from the racetrack. 
   The method also includes constructing the racetrack with a generally non-circular portion of the racetrack extending away from the concentric circles and into a second parcel of land adjacent the first parcel, and installing customer ingress and egress facilities in the second parcel. Additionally, the method comprises constructing the racetrack with a generally non-circular portion of the racetrack extending away from the concentric circles, and installing customer ingress and egress facilities in the non-circular portion. 
   Other aspects of the method includes constructing the plurality of tiers of the racetrack in the airspace above a stormwater retention basin on the parcel of land, so that the motorized amusement vehicle track is operated at least in part above the stormwater retention pond. Great commercial utility for this invention is found in producing revenue from land having a stormwater retention area thereon, by constructing and operating the motorized amusement vehicle ride above the stormwater retention area or pond  36 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The invention embodied in this method allows generating income from this otherwise unproductive parcel of land. Environmental regulations are such that stormwater retention ponds are now usually required for commercial building projects to help prevent direct discharge of pollutants into local streams and lakes. The project developer is thus faced with having to reserve part of the available land for use as the stormwater retention pond, which completely restricts the use of that land, decreasing available revenue from the property. A working installation of this invention has obtained required environmental permits and is successfully operating directly over such a stormwater retention area, thereby creating additional income for the owner of the property. This arrangement is best illustrated in  FIG. 4 . This method could be employed anywhere there is a stormwater retention area on commercially zoned property, and could be a particularly profitable addition to a mall or large shopping center. 
   In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed a typical preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The invention has been described in considerable detail with specific reference to these illustrated embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that various modifications and changes can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the foregoing specification and as defined in the appended claims.