WO2002003353A2

WO2002003353A2 - Restaurant/retail businesses with integral sheet wave surfing attraction

Info

Publication number: WO2002003353A2
Application number: PCT/US2001/012737
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas J. Lochtefeld
Original assignee: Wave Loch, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-06-29
Filing date: 2001-04-19
Publication date: 2002-01-10
Also published as: WO2002003353A3; AU2001255486A1

Abstract

A sheet flow wave riding attraction is provided in combination with a restaurant and/or bar facility. The sheet wave ride attraction is generally centrally located within or adjacent to a seating area of the restaurant/bar facility and is disposed relative to the seating area and sized and configured in a manner so as to permit direct viewing by patrons seated within the seating area of the restaurant/bar facility. The invention thus allows live board-riding entertainment to be enjoyed by patrons of the restaurant/bar facility.

Description

RESTAURANT/RETAIL BUSINESSES WITH INTEGRAL SHEET WAVE SURFING ATTRACTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The current invention relates to sporting facilities and, more particularly to a sporting facility including a restaurant/bar in combination with a sheet flow wave riding attraction. 2. Description of the Related Art

In the restaurant business, it often takes more than good food to establish and maintain a thriving business. It is well established that supplementary attractions can enhance the restaurant atmosphere and therefore attract a greater number and variety of patrons, which in turn, tends to boost food sales. Restaurants have tried things such as creating a distinctive ambiance through original decorating and music as is often seen in seafood, South American or Oriental restaurants; performing live music shows; showing around-the-clock television sporting events; and presenting live entertainment in the form of theater or comedy. While each of these methods has proven successful in their respective market niches, there is always a need for additional new and unique forms of restaurant facilities and entertainment to attract and maintain the interest of restaurant patrons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention expands and improves upon the experience of a unique sporting attraction by providing such sporting attraction in combination with an integrally associated eating/drinking establishment. Such establishment may advantageously offer multiple forms of entertainment, including live action sporting events, live music, and a restaurant seating/viewing arrangement configured such that patrons can enjoy live sporting entertainment conducted within the restaurant facilities itself. Preferably the restaurant venue sports an overall theme that is consistent with and promotes the associated sporting attraction and thereby attracts and maintains the interest of restaurant patrons and sporting enthusiasts alike. In one embodiment the present invention provides a sheet flow wave riding attraction in combination with a restaurant and/or bar facility. The sheet wave ride attraction is generally centrally located within or adjacent to a seating area of the restaurant/bar facility and is disposed relative to the seating area and sized and configured in a manner so as to permit direct viewing by patrons seated within the seating area of the restaurant/bar facility. The invention thus allows live board-riding entertainment to be enjoyed by patrons of the restaurant/bar facility. In accordance with another embodiment the invention advantageously combines a restaurant with an actual sporting event and a surf-riding attraction which showcases a ten-foot surfable sheet wave. The restaurant conveniently offers seating for patrons overlooking the sheet wave generator so that restaurant patrons can enjoy live surfing entertainment within the restaurant facilities itself. Furthermore, the present method of attracting restaurant patrons will also appeal to a larger class of people other than restaurant patrons. For example, incorporated with the sporting destination is an optional live music stage wherein popular local and famous music groups can perform, adding a desirable music venue to attract music enthusiasts. As another example, retail businesses may be located in close proximity to the wave riding attraction and will further promote boardsports by offering sporting goods, accessories, and apparel substantially related to board- riding sports. Thus, the invention provides a sheet wave surfing attraction in combination with retail businesses. Additionally, because of the surge in the popularity of the new sport created by the revolutionary sheet wave generator, it is anticipated this new concept will become a prime venue for competitive sheet wave riding sporting events such as flowriding and boogie boarding. It is the unique combination of venues and sporting events that ultimately leads to the desirable atmosphere that will appeal to, and attract, the younger consumers of today and the youth of tomorrow.

In addition, viewers and patrons may be able to rate each rider's performance. A central computer calculates a score based on the ratings, which is displayed on a scoreboard. The scoreboard may be located in the restaurant and/or bar facility, on the web, or in other similar restaurants.

For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described herein above. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having thus summarized the general nature of the invention and its essential features and advantages, certain preferred embodiments and modifications thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description herein having reference to the figures that follow, of which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one preferred embodiment of a restaurant venue and integral sheet wave riding attraction having features in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective elevation view of a preferred main entrance of the restaurant venue and integral sheet wave riding attraction of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective elevation view of a preferred dining entrance of the restaurant venue and integral sheet wave riding attraction of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective elevation view of one preferred viewing area of the restaurant venue and integral sheet wave riding attraction of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective elevation view from above the restaurant venue and integral sheet wave riding attraction of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a perspective elevation view of a live and video broadcast viewing area of the restaurant venue and integral sheet wave riding attraction of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a simplified overall schematic illustration of a sheet wave ride attraction for use in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 8 is a detail schematic illustration of a water recirculation pump and sheet wave forming structure of

Fig. 7 illustrating its modular design.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A vital demographic market is the market comprised of up-and-coming consumers in the teen-age to late twenty- something age group. This age group is believed to be the largest consumer group and is believed to have more spending money than all other consumer groups, which makes it a vital market for long-term efficacy of thriving businesses. Consequently, several product markets have realized the importance of this demographic market and have attempted to specifically target this audience. Exemplary product markets attempting to aggressively solicit this important age group include clothing manufacturers, car makers, and soft drink companies who each spend millions of dollars to design and air ads specifically targeted to appeal to this consumer group. However, there are very few restaurant establishments that actively solicit and cater to this age group.

One possible way to appeal to this age group is by promoting the boardsports either created or revived by members of this age group. For example, this target age group has been responsible for creating and proliferating many new board-riding sports and sporting events along with reviving existing board-riding sports. Often called "Xtreme" sports, some of these boardsports include skateboarding, earthboarding, snowboarding, wakeboarding, surfing, skysurfing, flowboarding, boogieboarding, and other like sports that require a participant to stand on a board. These boardsports have gained greater popularity over the past decade primarily due to television coverage such as the XGames on ESPN and major company sponsorship of individual riders and competitions. Consequently, these boardsports are growing rapidly with companies continually offering more products to meet consumer demands. Additional extreme sports have also recently gained popularity. Such extreme sports include mountain climbing, bungee jumping, hangliding, skydiving, and other similar, "high-risk" sports.

The present invention enables a restaurant venue to capitalize on the popularity of various extreme sports by incorporating and integrating a board-sporting attraction within the restaurant venue itself. For example, a sport structure supporting unique sporting attractions such as flow-boarding, snow boarding and the like may be integrally provided in combination with an associated eating/drinking establishment. Such establishment may advantageously offer multiple forms of entertainment using such sport structure, including live action sporting events, live music, and a restaurant seating/viewing arrangement configured such that patrons can enjoy live extreme sporting entertainment conducted within the restaurant facilities itself. Preferably the restaurant venue would carry a decor complimentary to the overall theme of the associated sporting attraction(s) and thereby attract and maintain the interest of restaurant patrons and sporting enthusiasts alike. In one particularly preferred embodiment the present invention advantageously combines a restaurant with a surf-riding attraction which showcases a ten-foot surfable sheet wave. The restaurant conveniently offers seating for patrons overlooking the sheet wave generator so that restaurant patrons can actually enjoy live up-close (e.g. within 5-50m) surfing entertainment within the restaurant facilities itself. The facility provides a location for surfers to perfect their maneuvers before taking them out on the ocean, while also providing entertainment to restaurant patrons and viewers. Restaurant patrons may also ride the wave, also providing an opportunity to learn a boardsport. In addition, patrons have a better view of the surfing entertainment than actual ocean surfing. The present invention brings the surfing to the customer, capitalizing on the new interest in extreme sports.

. Furthermore, the present method of attracting restaurant patrons will also appeal to a larger class of people other than restaurant patrons. For example, incorporated with the sporting destination is an optional live music stage wherein popular local and famous music groups can perform, adding a desirable music venue to attract music enthusiasts. Optionally, retail businesses may be located in close proximity and will further promote boardsports by offering sporting goods, accessories, and apparel substantially related to board-riding sports. Additionally, because of the surge in the popularity of the new sport created by the revolutionary sheet wave generator, it is anticipated this new concept will become a prime venue for competitive sheet wave riding sporting events such as flowriding and boogie boarding. It is the unique combination of venues and sporting events that ultimately leads to the desirable atmosphere that will appeal to, and attract, the younger consumers of today and the youth of tomorrow.

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of one preferred embodiment of a restaurant venue and integral sheet wave riding attraction having features in accordance with the present invention. Various views of the preferred venue are indicated in the other figures to be described in more detail below. Basically, the restaurant venue comprises a centrally located sheet flow ride attraction ("Plunge Building") surrounding by subsidiary buildings comprising eating/drinking areas oriented so as to create a direct up-close (e.g. 5-50m) view to the ride attraction. In this manner, restaurant patrons can enjoy a unique dining experience while simultaneously enjoying live up-close water sports entertainment conducted within the restaurant venue itself. Fig. 2 is a perspective elevation view illustrating the main entrance of the restaurant venue and integral sheet wave riding attraction as indicated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective elevation view of a preferred dining entrance of the restaurant venue and integral sheet wave riding attraction as indicated in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective elevation view of one preferred viewing area of the restaurant venue and integral sheet wave riding attraction as indicated in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective elevation view from above the restaurant venue and integral sheet wave riding attraction as indicated in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a perspective elevation view of a preferred live and video broadcast viewing area of the restaurant venue and integral sheet wave riding attraction as indicated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a simplified schematic illustration of a sheet wave ride attraction dubbed the "Bruticus Maximus" for use in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention. This sheet wave generator boasts a flow of over 100,000 gallons per minute, at water speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, generating a ten-foot curling wave suitable for performing surfing-type maneuvers. While the preferred embodiment utilizes a specific sheet wave generator, any similar sheet wave generator known in the art could be substituted to accomplish suitable results. See, for example, my U.S. Patent No. 5,899,633 incorporated herein by reference for a detailed description of one such suitable sheet wave generator.

Fig. 8 is a detail schematic illustration of a water recirculation pump and sheet wave forming structure of Fig. 7. Preferably, the pump and sheet forming structure are modular in design for manufacturing and assembly convenience and so that the size of the wave can be varied as desired.

In addition, the destination may incorporate a scoring system whereby restaurant patrons can score each participant's performance electronically, which scores may be averaged and displayed on a scoreboard. Known remote keypad and computer display technology may be used to implement such a scoring system. If desired, other water play or entertainment attractions, such as a pool or a water screen light laser and fountain show can be provided to complement the overall theme.

Additional extreme sports may also be integrated into the venue, including bungee jumping and mountain climbing. Bungee jumping and mountain climbing, although not boardsports, are also popular extreme sports. Mountain climbing walls are extremely popular in that they allow the extreme sport experience with proper safety and instruction, eliminating the risk of injury and fear because it is a controlled environment, thus, making the activities more suitable for a greater number of people.

In addition, virtual reality systems may be incorporated to allow restaurant patrons to simulate the extreme sports they have observed. The virtual reality machines may incorporate a mechanical design with a computer simulated type experience. In general, positional signals are developed to indicate position and orientation by manipulating conventional controls. The data is subsequently supplied to a computer graphics system to attain a dynamic display. For example, with a surfing simulation system, the system comprises a mechanical support structure for supporting a rider on a board so as to allow freedom of movement. The rider is supported to face a visual display of a wave face dynamically coupled to the mechanical support structure. By maneuvering the board, riders may view the results of their actions by a simulated display. Such virtual reality systems may be incorporated as additional attractions with the restaurant and sports entertainment facility.

In one embodiment, the restaurant may incorporate several extreme sport simulators, including the sheet wave attraction, skatepark, mountain climbing wall and various virtual reality systems to provide a multitude of extreme sport activities, incorporating an even larger class of people. Restaurant patrons can enjoy a unique dining experience while enjoying live extreme sports entertainment conducted within the restaurant venue itself. The foregoing description with attached drawings is only illustrative of possible embodiments of the described method and should only be construed as such. Other persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that many other specific embodiments are possible that fall within the scope and spirit of the present idea. The scope of the invention is indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. Any and all modifications which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims are to be considered within their scope.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A sheet wave surfing generator in combination with a restaurant and/or bar facility, said sheet wave surfing generator being generally centrally located within or adjacent to a seating area of said restaurant/bar facility and being disposed relative to the seating area and sized and configured in a manner so as to permit viewing by patrons seated within the seating area of said restaurant/bar facility, whereby live board-riding entertainment may be enjoyed by patrons of said restaurant/bar facility.

2. The combination of Claim 1, wherein said sheet wave surfing generator is indoors.

3. The combination of Claim 1, wherein seating area of said restaurant/bar facility is located within 5-50m of said sheet wave surfing generator. ^'

4. The combination of Claim 1, in further combination with associated retail businesses, wherein said retail businesses are located generally adjacent to said restaurant/bar facility.

5. The combination of Claim 1, wherein said board-riding entertainment is selected from the group consisting of earthboarding, surfing, snowboarding, flowboarding, wakeboarding, boogieboarding, skysurfing, and water skiing.

6. The combination of Claim 1, in further combination with a music stage and/or studio located adjacent to a seating area of said restaurant/bar facility and configured in a manner so as to provide music entertainment to patrons of said restaurant/bar facility.

7. The combination of Claim 1, in further combination with a scoreboard located adjacent to said sheet wave generator.

8. The combination of Claim 1, in further combination with extreme sport virtual reality simulators located adjacent to a seating area of said restaurant/bar facility.

9. The combination of Claim 1, in further combination with a system for rating each rider's performance, said system comprising a central computer, said computer calculating a score based on viewer ratings.

10. The combination of Claim 9, wherein said score is displayed on a scoreboard in said restaurant and/or bar facility.

11. The combination of Claim 9, wherein said score is transmitted over the internet.

12. An extreme sport entertainment activity in combination with a restaurant and/or bar facility, said extreme sport entertainment activity being generally centrally located within a seating area of said restaurant/bar facility and being disposed within 5-50m of the seating area such that the seating area surrounds the extreme sport activity and sized and configured in a manner so as to permit viewing by patrons seated within the seating area of said restaurant/bar facility, whereby live extreme sport entertainment may be enjoyed by patrons of said restaurant/bar facility.

13. The combination of Claim 12, wherein said extreme sport entertainment activity is an extreme water sport.

14. The combination of Claim 13, wherein said extreme water sport is selected from the group comprising surfing, flowboarding, wakeboarding, water skiing, and boogieboarding.

15. The combination of Claim 12, wherein said extreme sports are selected from the group comprising earthboarding, snowboarding, skysurfing, mountain climbing, bungee jumping, skydiving, and hangliding.

16. The combination of Claim 12, in further combination with additional extreme sport activities in addition to said centrally located extreme sport activity.

17. The combination of Claim 12, in further combination with extreme sport virtual reality simulators.

18. The combination of Claim 12, wherein said extreme sport entertainment activity is indoors.

19. The combination of Claim 12, in further combination with associated retail businesses, wherein said retail businesses are located generally adjacent to said restaurant/bar facility.

20. The combination of Claim 12, in further combination with a system for rating each rider's performance, wherein said system comprises a central computer which calculates a score based on viewer ratings.

21. The combination of Claim 20, wherein said score is displayed on a scoreboard in said restaurant and/or bar facility.

22. The combination of Claim 20, wherein said score is displayed on the web.

23. A method of attracting patrons to a restaurant, said method comprising: providing a sheet wave surfing generator; providing wave riders; providing restaurant seating adjacent to said sheet wave surfing generator such that said patrons can enjoy and be entertained by said wave rider while eating and/or drinking;

24. The method of Claim 23, wherein said wave riders may be restaurant patrons.

25. The method of Claim 23, in combination with providing a live music stage and performers located within close proximity to said restaurant and configured such that restaurant patrons may enjoy live music performed on said stage.