Patent Publication Number: US-10315121-B2

Title: Floating mobile water park

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/216,873, which was filed on Sep. 10, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to amusement rides and more particularly to a water amusement assembly and more specifically to a stable, mobile, floating amusement apparatus. 
     Description of the Background Art 
     In hot summer weather, it is common to undertake water-based amusement activities. For example, swimming pools, oceans and lakes are typically enjoyed on hot weather days. Often it is desirable to use water-based amusement features such as rope swings, diving boards, water slides, etc. Often these amusement features can be found at a specific location, such as a water park. It is sometimes desirable, however, to have such amusement features at a personal location. For example, inflatable water slides are commonly rented for outdoor home or community parties. 
     Certain conventional systems are known for providing mobile, floating water parks. These conventional systems allow a user to set up a floating water park in, for example, a lake, bay or water front area. 
     Conventional floating water parks, however are not easily moved, if movable at all. Additionally, conventional floating water parks are not stable, and can be easily damaged, as they are often inflated. The conventional floating water parks must be inflated before and deflated after each use. Additionally, the individual amusement features must be individually attached to the floating water park for each use. Thus, the conventional floating water parks are less durable and require increased setup and take down time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing and other exemplary problems, drawbacks, and disadvantages of the conventional methods and structures, an exemplary feature of the present invention is to provide a stable, floating water park apparatus including a plurality of amusement features that is easily mobile. 
     According to a first non-limiting, exemplary aspect of the invention a floating amusement apparatus includes a base, at least one elevated platform secured to and supported above the base and a plurality of user-interactive amusement accessories secured to the base or the at least one elevated platform. The base includes a modular floating dock. The floating amusement apparatus is adapted to be mobile. 
     According to a second non-limiting, exemplary aspect of the invention a floating amusement apparatus includes a base, comprising a modular floating dock, a first elevated platform having a first height secured to and supported above the base, the first elevated platform having an end portion extended beyond an outermost edge of the base, a second elevated platform having a second height secured to and supported above the base, a third elevated platform having a third height secured to and supported above the base, a slide having a first end secured to the third elevated platform; a rope swing mounted on the third elevated platform and a pair of trampolines mounted on the base adjacent to the second platform, each of the trampolines being positioned at a different height. The third height is greater than the first height and the second height. The floating amusement apparatus is adapted to be mobile. 
     As indicated above, conventional floating water parks are not easily moved, if movable at all. The present invention, according to the above exemplary aspects, provides an improved floating amusement apparatus that is completely mobile in a single unit. That is, the floating amusement apparatus described herein can either be self-propelled by a motor or easily towed. The floating amusement apparatus is easily driven, maneuvered and anchored and can, thus, be easily moved into most slips, docks or marinas. 
     Additionally, conventional floating water parks are not stable as they are often inflated. The present floating amusement apparatus is not an inflatable apparatus. Instead, the base of the apparatus is made of a durable plastic modular floating dock, thus providing a stable, rigid unit that can support up to 16 tons of weight. Thus, all of the other components of the floating amusement apparatus can be built and secured to the base (permanently or semi-permanently) in a self-contained unit that can be moved together, further increasing the overall mobility of the floating amusement apparatus. Additionally, the support members and platforms are made from aluminum, further improving the durability and stability of the floating amusement apparatus. 
     The conventional floating water parks must be inflated before and deflated after each use. Additionally, the individual amusement features must be individually attached to the floating water park for each use. Thus, the conventional floating water parks are less durable and require increased setup and take down time. The present floating amusement apparatus can fit on standard trailers and can be easily removed from the water at access ramps and driven on the road in its completely assembled configuration. Accordingly, no on-site assembly is required by the user and the floating amusement apparatus can be left in the water year-round. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, do not limit the present invention, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a floating amusement apparatus  100  according to a first, exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention: 
         FIG. 2  illustrates another perspective view of the floating amusement apparatus  100 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates another perspective view of the floating amusement apparatus  100 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a floating amusement apparatus  200  according to a second, exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another perspective view of the floating amusement apparatus  200 ; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a floating amusement apparatus  300  according to a third, exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1-6 , there are shown exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a floating amusement apparatus  100 I according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Each of  FIGS. 1-3  illustrates the floating apparatus  101 ) from varying perspective views. The floating amusement apparatus  100  includes a base  110 . The base  110  is made of a modular floating dock. The modular floating docket is constructed from a plurality of individual modules  112 . The plurality of individual modules  112  form the hull of the apparatus  110  having a flat top surface  116  and a flat bottom surface  114 . The modular floating dock base  110  advantageously provides a stable base, the top surface  116  of which is able to remain close to water level when the apparatus  100  is in use. All other components of the floating amusement apparatus  100  are mounted to the base  110 , directly or indirectly. The floating modular dock is made from plastic or other suitably durable, stable material. 
     The floating amusement apparatus  100  includes at least one elevated platform. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  100  includes three elevated platforms, which are disposed at varying heights above the base  110 . A first platform  120  is disposed at a first end of the base  110 . The first platform  120  is supported by a plurality of support poles  122 , which are secured at a first end to the top surface  116  of the base  110  and at a second end to a flat bottom surface  124  of the first platform  120 . The first platform  120  has a flat top surface  126 . The top surface  126  is covered with a soft, textured covering. For example, according to certain embodiments of the invention, the top surface  126  is covered with artificial/synthetic turf to prevent users from slipping from walking along the platform. 
     The first platform  120  has a first, closed end, positioned above an interior of the base  110 , and a second, open, end  123 , which extends beyond an outer edge of the base  110 , a first side  125  and a second side  127 . A closed railing  129  extends along the first end  121 . A similar closed railing  129  is disposed along a portion of the first side  125 . The closed railing  129  extends along the first side  125  from the first end  121  to a point above the edge of the base  110 . With this construction, a user is able to run and jump from the platform  120  into the water, while being prevented from jumping or falling and landing on the base  110 . 
     Additionally, a first staircase  130  (see  FIG. 2 ) is attached at a bottom end to the top surface  116  of the base  110  and attached at a top end to the first platform  120 . The first staircase  130  is attached to the second side  127  of the first platform  120  and is configured to allow a user to climb from the base  110  to the first platform  120 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the floating amusement apparatus  100  according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  includes a second elevated platform  140 . The second elevated platform  140  is supported above the base  110  by a plurality of support poles  147 . The second elevated platform  140  includes a flat bottom surface  141  and a flat top surface  140   a . Similar to the first platform  120 , the top surface  141  is covered with artificial/synthetic turf. The second platform  140  has a first end  142  adjacent an outermost edge of the base  110 , a first side  143 , a second end  144  adjacent an interior of the base and a second side  145 . A closed railing  146  extends along the second edge. Another closed railing  146  extends along a portion of the second side  145 . The first end  142  extends beyond the outermost edge of the base  110  to provide another jumping/diving platform. Similar to the first platform  120 , with this construction, a user is able to run and jump from the platform  140  into the water, while being prevented from jumping or falling and landing on the base  110 . 
     The first side  143  of the second platform  140  is also open. A first trampoline  150  is positioned on the top surface  116  of the base  110  adjacent to and below the second platform  140 . The open first side  143  of the second platform  140  is configured to allow a user to jump from the top surface  140   a  of the second platform  140  onto the first trampoline  150  to then propel the user into the water. 
     A third platform  160  is disposed in a generally center portion of the base  110 . The third platform  160  is supported above the base  110  by a plurality of support poles  166 . The third platform  160  has four sides  161 , a flat bottom surface  164  and a flat top surface  162 . Similar to the first platform  120  and the second platform  140 , the top surface  162  is covered with artificial/synthetic turf. A plurality of closed railings  164  are disposed on and extend along the four sides  161  of the third platform  160 . 
     A first opening  163  is disposed on a side  161  of the third platform  160  adjacent an outermost edge of the base  110 . A high-dive extension portion  165  extends from the side  161  of the third platform  160  in the first opening  163 . A second opening  166  is disposed on another of the sides  161  of the third platform  160 . A second trampoline  170  is positioned on the top surface  116  of the base  110  adjacent to and below the third platform  160 . The second opening  166  of the third platform  160  is configured to allow a user to jump from the top surface  162  of the third platform  160  onto the second trampoline  170  to then propel the user into the water. Additionally, a third opening  167  is disposed along another side  161  of the third platform  160 . Furthermore, a slide  180  extends from the side  161  of the platform along which the third opening  167  is disposed. Lastly, a rope swing assembly  190  is positioned along another side  161  of the third platform  160 . 
     The floating amusement apparatus  100  may include any number of platforms. For example, an embodiment of the floating amusement apparatus  100  may include one, two or three platforms. Though any number or combination of platforms may be used. The platforms are disposed at different heights. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the first platform  120  is disposed at a first height, the second platform  140  is disposed at a second height and the third platform  160  is disposed at a third height. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the second height is greater than the first height and the third height is greater than the first height and the second height. This height configuration is merely exemplary and the platforms may be positioned in any suitable height configuration. 
     As identified above, the floating amusement apparatus includes several amusement accessories secured to either the base  110  or one of the plurality of elevated platforms. The slide  180 , above, is attached at a top end  182  to a portion of the railing  164  along the third elevated platform  160  and attached at a bottom end  184  to the base  110  by a mounting beam assembly  186 . The bottom end  184  extends out beyond an outermost edge of the base  110  to allow a user to drop into the water. The slide  180  is illustrated herein as a curved and closed slide. Any size or shaped slide, however, may be used in its place. 
     Additionally, the floating amusement apparatus may include one or more trampolines. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the apparatus includes two trampolines  150 / 170 . This configuration is merely exemplary and any suitable number of trampolines may be used. As is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the trampolines  150 / 170  can be positioned at different heights and angles, and can be of different size. The trampolines  150 / 170  are secured to the top surface  116  of the base  100  using respective mounting beam assemblies  152 / 172 . 
     Furthermore, the floating amusement apparatus may include the rope swing assembly  190 . The rope swing assembly  190  includes a support frame  192  mounted to the top surface  162  of the third platform  160 , a support arm  194  pivotably attached to and extending outwardly from the support frame  192 , a pivot mount  193 , which pivotably attaches the support arm  194  to the support frame  192 , and a hook  196  or other fastener disposed at a distal end of the support arm. The hook  196  is configured to receive and support a rope  195  (illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). The rope swing assembly  190  is configured to allow a user to swing from the third platform  160  and then drop into the water below. 
     Moreover, the amusement accessories may include one of more of the diving area/platforms detailed above. That is, the first platform  120  includes the open end  123  extending beyond the outer edge of the base  110 , the second platform  140  includes the first end  142  extending beyond the outermost edge of the base  110  and the third platform  160  includes the high-dive extension portion  165 . This allows the user to jump/dive into the water from multiple varying heights. 
     The support poles  122 / 147 / 166  for each of the platforms and the mounting beams  152 / 172 / 186  for the amusement attractions are each connected to the top surface  116  of the base  110  through support plates  198 . The support plates  198  are load distributing plates adapted to distribute the load from the support poles and mounting beams to the modular floating dock/base  110 . The support plates  198  are of varying shape and size. In general, the support plates  198  have an amorphous shape to imitate puddles on the top surface  116  of the base  110 . The support plates  198  are attached directly to the top surface  116  of the base  110 , for example, using bolts. The support plates  198  have holes  199  adapted to receive the support poles. The support plates  198  span a wide area of holes to properly disperse the load from the support poles. Since the support pole and mounting beams are connected to the support plates  198 , instead of directly to the base  110 , stability is increased and less force is applied to the plastic floating modular dock. 
     According to certain exemplary embodiments of the invention, a motor  191  is mounted on the base  110 . In the present illustration, the motor  191  is illustrated in the embodiment in  FIG. 4 . The motor  191 , however, may be incorporated into any of the embodiments of the invention. The motor  191  is mounted to the base  110  to power the floating amusement apparatus. The motor  191  allows a user to steer, pull and push the floating amusement apparatus in any direction. 
     The floating amusement apparatus  100  includes one or more staircases for accessing each of the elevated platforms. A first staircase  130  is disposed between the base  110  and the first platform  120 . A second staircase  132  is disposed between the base  110  and the second platform  140 . A third staircase  134  is disposed between the first platform  120  and the third platform  160 . The number and configuration of the staircases is merely exemplary and will vary depending on the number and configuration of elevated platforms. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate a floating amusement apparatus according to a second, exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is substantially similar to that of the first embodiment. Accordingly, only features different from that of the first embodiment will be discuss in detail herein. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the features of the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be interchanged and incorporated into the respective embodiments. As is illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in the second embodiment, the curved slide  180  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  is replaced with a straight, open slide  206 . Additionally, the closed railings illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  are replaced with open railings  129 / 164  in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Though any suitably safe railing configuration may be used on the elevated platforms. Furthermore, the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5  includes additional safety railings  202  disposed along portions of the base  110 . Finally, the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5  includes a ladder or steps  204  for accessing the base  110  from the water. 
     The above configurations of the floating amusement apparatus  100 / 200  are merely exemplary. Any combination of elevated platforms and amusement accessories may be used. Additionally, the size of the base and the size and height of the elevated platforms may be adjusted based on user need. The following Table 1 illustrates some exemplary configurations for the floating amusement apparatus. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Size 
                 large 
                 medium 
                 small 
               
               
                 Slide 
                 enclosed curve 
                 long straight 
                 long straight 
               
               
                 Trampolines 
                 two 
                 one 
                 one 
               
               
                 High Dive 
                 14 feet above 
                 12 feet above 
                 10 feel above 
               
               
                   
                 water 
                 water 
                 water 
               
               
                 Rope Swing 
                 Large pole: upper 
                 Small pole: lower 
                 None 
               
               
                   
                 deck 
                 deck 
               
               
                 Base Width 
                 12 feet 
                 10 feet 
                 8 feet 
               
               
                 Base Length 
                 34 feet 
                 28 feet 
                 24 feet 
               
               
                 Attractions 
                 SIX: Slide, High Jump, 
                 FIVE: Slide, High Jump, 
                 THREE; Slide, High 
               
               
                   
                 Medium Jump, Rope 
                 Trampoline, Rope Swing, 
                 Jump, Trampoline 
               
               
                   
                 Swing, 2 Trampolines 
                 Diving Board 
               
               
                 Delivery 
                 Delivered in pieces and 
                 Delivered assembled, just 
                 Delivered assembled, 
               
               
                   
                 assembled for 1-2 days 
                 45 minutes of prep 
                 just 30 minutes of prep 
               
               
                   
                 at water ramp 
               
               
                 Trailer/ 
                 Due to its size, not 
                 Can easily be taken out of 
                 Can easily be taken out 
               
               
                 Removal 
                 recommended to take 
                 water with flatbed trailer, 
                 of water with flatbed 
               
               
                   
                 out of water frequently, 
                 width is slightly over and 
                 trailer 
               
               
                   
                 but possible 
                 may need permit for 
               
               
                   
                   
                 travel on road 
               
               
                 Capacity 
                 40 people 
                 33 people 
                 25 people 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 6  illustrates a floating amusement apparatus  300  according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6  represents a small version of the floating amusement apparatus as described above in Table 1. The floating amusement apparatus  300  includes a single elevated platform  602  having a ladder  606  for accessing the elevated platform  602  from the base  601 . The floating amusement apparatus  300  also includes three amusement accessories, including a high-dive platform  604 , a slide  608  and a trampoline  610 . 
     In accordance with certain other embodiments of the invention, the floating amusement apparatus may also be designed as a stationary dock model. This would allow the user to permanently or semi-permanently install the floating amusement apparatus at their home or other location. Additionally, the base  110  could be designed a permanent dock having the amusement accessories positioned at one end while allowing boats to be docked at an opposite end. 
     Moreover, certain other embodiments of the invention may include a seating area having seats, tables, coolers, etc. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.