Patent Publication Number: US-6342016-B1

Title: Waterfall diverter

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to amusement apparatus and, more specifically, to a rotating waterfall diverter apparatus. The present invention is a mechanical device which temporarily diverts a supply of water which normally cascades over a portion of roller coaster track as a waterfall as the passenger carrying cars of a roller coaster pass underneath and then returns to a non-diverting configuration whereupon the waterfall resumes. The diverter mechanism does not impede the water flow but directs the flow to the sides so that to the casual observer it appears that the ride occupants on the roller coaster pass through the waterfall. 
     The mechanism is normally obscured from view by the waterfall passing over the exterior surface. As the passenger cars approach the waterfall, it trips a mechanism which causes the diverter to move into an operative position just as the passenger carrying cars pass underneath. The water being ejected to the side appears to be splashing off of the passenger cars. The timing of the diverter mechanism would be set so that even the ride occupants are convinced that they are going to pass through the waterfall. Immediately thereafter, the diverter returns to its default position thus allowing water to continue along its normal arterial flow. The present invention provides the means to increase the thrill to the roller coaster experience adding to the adventure and stimulation experienced by the rider. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are other water diversion devices designed for amusement apparatus. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,778 issued to Benjamin Sheldon on Nov. 11, 1997. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,778 
     Inventor: Benjamin Sheldon 
     Issued: Nov. 11, 1997 
     A ride attraction has vehicles on a vehicle path. An animated figure over or on one side of the vehicle path is concealed from the path, and passengers in the vehicles on the path, by a waterfall. As the vehicles approach the waterfall, a diverter closes off the waterfall or diverts the waterfall into side walls creating an opening and exposing the animated figure. Simultaneously, the animated figure moves forward through the waterfall, or the plane of the waterfall, and approaches the oncoming vehicle. The sudden emergence and movement of the animated figure from a concealed position behind the waterfall adds to the excitement of the ride attraction. 
     While these waterfall diversion devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a waterfall diversion apparatus as part of a roller coaster amusement ride which will maintain the illusion of a continuous waterfall to the ride passengers while preventing them from getting wet. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a waterfall diversion device that will not interfere with the normal course of the falling water when inactive. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a waterfall diversion device in which the falling water path is diverted to the left and right in a splash effect to maintain the illusion of a continuous waterfall to onlookers on either side of the waterfall feature. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a waterfall diversion device in which the falling water path is diverted to the left and right in a splash effect so quickly so as not to visually alert the passengers of the impending change thus heightening their anticipation and expectation of an imminent soaking. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a waterfall diversion device in which the falling water path is diverted to the left and right in a splash effect having sufficient support structures to provide quick and safe operation of the diverting mechanism. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a waterfall diversion apparatus consisting of a modified cylinder in which a supply of water which normally cascades over a portion of roller coaster track as a waterfall is temporarily diverted as the passenger carrying cars of the roller coaster pass underneath before the diverter mechanism rotates back to a non-diverter position and the waterfall resumes. The diverter mechanism does not impede the water flow but directs the flow out the sides of the cylinder so that to the casual observer it appears that the ride occupants on the roller coaster pass through the waterfall. 
     The rotating diverter member is a cylinder like device having a plow like inner divider which when rotated into the path of the water fall diverts the water to the ends of the cylinder where it continues in an outward path to the left and right of the passenger carrying cars of the roller coaster. The rotating diverter member further comprises structural support members positioned on each distal end, which attach to the axis of rotation for the rotating diverter member. 
     The modified cylinder is normally obscured from view by the waterfall passing over the exterior surface of the diverter member. As the passenger carrying cars approach the waterfall it trips a mechanism which causes a pneumatically or hydraulically controlled piston to rotate the cylinder until the scoop and plow-like diverter blade moves to an operative position just as the passenger carrying cars are underneath. The water being divergently ejected from the ends of the cylinder appears to be splashing off of the passenger cars. The timing of the diverter mechanism would be set so that even the ride occupants are convinced that they are going to pass through the waterfall. 
     After passing under the diverted waterfall, sensors trip the piston directing the cylinder into a retracted position thus allowing water to continue along its normal arterial flow. The present invention provides the means to increase the thrill to the roller coaster experience adding to the adventure and stimulation experienced by the rider. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration depicting the present invention mounted under a waterfall. The waterfall diversion device is shown in the diverting configuration wherein the arterial flow of water is diverted into the scoop cylinder, thus preventing the cascade from encountering the passengers or vehicles. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration depicting the present invention mounted under a waterfall. The diversion device is shown in the non-diverting configuration allowing the arterial flow of water to cascade in its intrinsic direction. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention depicting the scoop cylinder or waterfall diversion apparatus and structural supports. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention depicting the scoop cylinder in the diverting configuration allowing the flow of water into the internal cavity of the cylinder, thus diverting the waterfall. Also shown is the piston which provides the means of rotation to the cylinder. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention depicting the scoop cylinder in the non-diverting configuration allowing the flow of water to continue along its intrinsic course. Also shown, the piston retracting providing rotation of the diversion cylinder. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating the flow of water temporarily captured and diverted by the diversion apparatus. The cylinder is shown in the “scoop” or diverting configuration. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view depicting the diversion cylinder rotated back out of the way, allowing the flow of water to continue along its intrinsic course. 
     FIG. 8 is a side sectional view illustrating the continuation of excitement after the unexpected waterfall thrill. As the ride proceeds under the paused waterfall in total darkness, anticipation heightens about what will occur next. 
     FIG. 9 is an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the FIGURES illustrate the waterfall diverter of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures. 
       10  waterfall diverter 
       20  frame 
       22  frame elongated opening 
       24  left end opening 
       26  right end opening 
       28  frame left end 
       30  frame right end 
       32  frame extension 
       40  diverter 
       42  diverter apex 
       44  diverter left side 
       46  diverter right side 
       48  diverter central portion 
       50  frame left support 
       52  frame right support 
       54  axle 
       60  piston mechanism 
       62  shaft 
       64  shaft forked end 
       66  lock pin 
       100  elevated water discharge source 
       102  discharged water 
       104  passenger conveyance path 
       106  passenger conveyance 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 9 illustrate the waterfall diverter of the present invention indicated generally by the numeral  10 . 
     The device  10  is shown in FIG. 1, and in particular detail in FIGS. 3 through 6 and FIG.  9 . The device  10  is a cylinder shaped frame  20  which has an elongated opening  22 , which joins a left end opening  24  and a right end opening  26 , at the left end  28  and right end  30  of the frame  20 , respectively. A frame extension  32  defines a portion of the frame elongated opening  22 , as shown in FIG.  4 . Within the frame  20  is a diverter  40 , which has an apex  42  and left and right sides  44  and  46 , which descend gradually toward the frame left end  28  and right end  30 . A diverter central portion  48  extends from the apex  42 , beneath the diverter left and right sides  44  and  46 . A left support  50  and a right support  52  are attached to an axle  54 , the axle  54  being continuous through the frame  20 . In an alternate embodiment, the frame is sufficiently rigid to allow the removal of the axle from the frame interior as shown in FIG.  9 . 
     The frame  20  rotates on the axle  54  in response to a piston mechanism  60 , which has a shaft  62 , the shaft  62  being attached to the frame  20 , as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The shaft  62  has a forked end  64  that is secured to the diverter central portion  48  by a lock pin  66 . The point of attachment is a sufficient distance from the longitudinal center of the frame  20 , to cause the frame  20  to rotate, in response to the extrusion of the piston shaft  62 , from a first position, shown in FIG. 5, to a second position, i.e. the diverting position, as shown if FIG.  4 . Upon retraction of the piston shaft  62 , the frame  20  returns to the first position. The piston mechanism  60  can be hydraulic or pneumatic, and can be powered by conventional means, e.g. an electric motor. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and  7 - 8 , the device  10  is placed under an elevated water discharge source  100 , which typically discharges water  102  onto the path  104  traveled by passenger conveyances  106 , in typical amusement park rides, e.g. roller coasters. The water  102  is typically discharged in the form of a waterfall. 
     The frame  20  can be positioned with respect to the waterfall such that substantially all of the water  102  falls to the conveyance path  104  without encountering the frame  20 , as shown in FIG.  7 . In this first position, the frame&#39;s elongated opening  22  faces in a substantially downward position, as shown in FIGS.  2 , 5  and  7 . 
     In response to an activation mechanism which is triggered by the approaching conveyance  106 , the piston mechanism  60  is activated causing the shaft  62  to extrude and rotate the frame  20  into the second position, as shown in FIG.  1  and FIGS. 3-4 and  6 . Although the frame  20  is generally cylindrical, the frame extension  32  extends beyond the perimeter of the cylinder&#39;s profile, as shown in FIG.  4 . In this second position, the frame extension  32  encounters and “scoops” substantially all of the falling water  102  that would have otherwise fallen on the conveyance path  104 . Almost immediately before the conveyance  106  would have encountered the falling water  102 , the rotation of the frame  20  causes the water  102  to enter the frame  20 . 
     Water  102  entering the frame elongated opening  22 , is urged toward the frame left end  28  or right end  30 , by the diverter  40 , as illustrated in FIG.  6 . Such water  102  is divided into two portions at the diverter apex  42 , with the diverter left side  44  and right side  46  expediting the waters  102  movement toward the frame left end  28  and right end  30 . 
     In this embodiment, water  102  accumulates near the frame left end  28  and right end  30  until the water level reaches the lower edge of the frame left end opening  24  and right end opening  26 . The size, shape and positioning of the left end opening  24  and right end opening  26 , encourage a more turbulent discharge of the water  102  from the left end  28  and right end  30 . This creates a splashing motion, which contributes to the visual illusion, from the side, that the water  102  is falling on the conveyance, as shown in FIG.  1 . This visual effect is also enhanced by choosing the width of the frame  20  to be wider than the conveyance  106 , but shorter than the width of the waterfall, as shown in FIG.  8 . Depending upon the positioning of the waterfall in the park, the diverter  40  can be relocated, in other embodiments, from its central position in the frame  20 , toward the frame left end  28  or right end  30 . The amount of relocation could be chosen as needed to divert a larger amount of water  102  toward the end most observable by bystanders, thus causing a larger splashing effect on the observed end. 
     Once the conveyance  106  has cleared the portion of the conveyance path  104  that is normally encountered by the falling water  102 , the piston mechanism  60  is again activated by the conveyance-triggered activation mechanism. This causes the piston shaft  62  to retract and rotate the frame  20  back to the first position, as shown in FIG.  4 . Because of the accumulation of water  102  within the frame  20 , this rotation of the frame  20  dumps the water  102  behind the conveyance  106 . Since this dumping occurs almost immediately after the conveyance  106  has cleared the waterfall&#39;s ordinary path, the illusion is enhanced that the conveyance  106  has encountered the falling water  102 , as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7. 
     Conveyance-triggered activation mechanisms are conventional and common in the amusement park ride industry. Conventional mechanical, electrical, and wireless electronic signal activation mechanisms will all provide the necessary response to the passenger conveyance  106  as the passenger conveyance  106  approaches or exits. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.