Method and apparatus for improving sheet flow water rides

[54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR

IMPROVING SHEET FLOW WATER RIDES

[75] Inventor: Thomas J. Lochtefeld, La Jolla, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Blade Loch, Inc., La Jolla, Calif.

[21] Appl. No.: 577,741

[22] Filed: Sep. 4,1990

Related U.S. Application Data

[63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 286,964, Dec. 19, 1988, Pat. No: 4,954,014, which is a continuation-inpart of Ser. No. 54,521, May 27, 1987, Pat. No. 4,792,260.

[51] Int. CI.' A63B 69/00

[52] U.S. CI 405/79; 405/52;

472/13

[58] Field of Search 405/79, 52, 303, 80;

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Primary Examiner—Dennis L. Taylor

[57] ABSTRACT

An amusement apparatus for water sports activities wherein a flowing body of water is provided. The water moves across an inclined, declined or horizontal riding surface upon which the velocity, volume and gravitational dynamics of the flowing body of water is such that a rider may perform water skimming/simulated surfing maneuvers thereon. Composite structures with horizontal and inclined surfaces and varying flow velocity over time across specifically shaped structures permit water skimming/simulated surfing maneuvers on unbroken, spilling or tunnel type wave forms. Asymmetry in the downstream ridge line of an inclined surface allows spilling type wave formations as well as facilitating the removal of a transient surge. A novel fluid "halfpipe" waveform is also introduced.

31 Claims, 19 Drawing Sheets

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