Towing arrangement

Abstract

Towing arrangement for a water amusement facility (1), wherein the towing arrangement (2) is designed for a submersible arrangement underwater and is configured to tow floating passenger carriers (3) along a predetermined and preferably ring-shaped closed path of movement (4), characterized in that the towing arrangement (2) comprises a multi-link tow chain (13), a tow chain guide (14) and a tow chain drive (15), wherein the tow chain (13) has several chain links (25, 26) which are articulated to one another by means of bearing points (27) and are guided on the tow chain guide (14) by means of the bearing points (27).

Description

The invention relates to a towing arrangement for a water-closure device having the features in the independent claims.From practice, water-closing devices with towing arrangements for buoyant passenger carriers arranged in a manner lowered into the water are known, with which the passenger carriers are towed through the water along a predetermined and preferably annularly closed movement path. In this case, the towing arrangements have driven trolleys which are mounted and driven independently such that they can be driven in a manner such that they can travel on a rail arranged in a recessed manner. The buoyant passenger carriers are connected to these trolley by cable- or rod-like drivers and are carried along along the countersunk rail during the travel movement of the trolley. The trolley can be moved by a chain or a cable running along the rails or also by an electromagnetic linear drive and also by stationary or entrained friction wheel drives.DE 30 05 131 A1 shows a wild water sheet with a water trough for boats. The water gutter has a slope and connects an upper water basin to a lower water basin. The boats are transported upwards in the dry state from the lower to the upper water basin outside the water trough and the water by a carrying chain conveyor, wherein they rest on the carrying chain conveyor.US 2013 / 0025491 A1 relates to a water-closure device in which the boats are directly connected to one another in articulated fashion and together form a closed ring. In this case, they are driven in an annular, closed channel by a circulating water flow. In the station area, there can additionally be a bottom circulating conveyor on which the boats are seated in the loaded state and are transported in frictional engagement.US 5,020,465 A also teaches a water closure device in which annular floating floats are moved through a water trough by the water flow and a slope. The floating bodies are positively coupled to one another.It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved towing arrangement and an improved water-shutting device equipped therewith and a towing method.The invention achieves this object with the features in the independent claims.The towing arrangement can be a stand-alone unit which can be supplied as an integral part with a new water-occluding device. However, the towing arrangement can also be retrofitted to existing water-closing devices or can be re-fitted in replacement of another towing device. The invention relates both to the towing arrangement as a stand-alone unit and to the water-closure device having a towing arrangement.The claimed tow arrangement has several advantages. It requires a low outlay on construction, assembly and control and is particularly cost-effective. The tow arrangement can have, in particular, a very low overall height. This can in turn result in a corresponding lowering of the water level height above the basin floor when the tow arrangement is arranged in the submerged position in a water basin. This in turn has advantages for the amount of water required and also the weight of a water-occluding device.Furthermore, all parts of the towing arrangement can be arranged above on the basin floor, which enables a planar configuration of the basin floor and a corresponding simplification of the configuration of the water basin. This is particularly advantageous for concrete water basins. In these, the previously customary floor depressions for receiving drive or guide elements of conventional towing arrangements can be dispensed with. This simplifies and makes concrete construction less expensive and also has advantages for secure and permanent sealing. Due to the reduced amount of water and the simplified configuration of a water basin, in particular a concrete basin, the water-blocking device can be arranged in a mobile or stationary manner. It can also be accommodated within a building, in particular, by the weight advantages, without overloading the load-bearing capacity of the building.The claimed towing arrangement can be used for a wide variety of types of water-shutting devices. With the tow arrangement, the buoyant passenger carriers can be moved at selectable speeds along a preferred annularly closed path of movement. In this case, low speeds can be driven, which is advantageous, for example, for water-closure devices with a scene surrounding the water basin. The scene and environment can be formed, for example, by slide blocks, screens, in particular monitor walls, animated environments with persons or animals, etc. However, the tow arrangement can also move the buoyant passenger carriers along the movement path at a higher speed and thereby achieve particular swimming and dynamic effects.The water basin of a water-blocking device can be designed in any desired manner. It can have a channel-like shape, for example, wherein water flows in the channel are also possible. The pool may also have a larger tub-like shape with a larger surface area of water corresponding to a pond or lake, for example.The medium water mentioned is understood as a general term and comprises, in addition to H2O, also any other fluids on which passenger carriers can float. The passenger carriers may also be submergible and may go on submergence travel at one or more points of the path of movement and submerge below the water level.The claimed drag arrangement comprises a multi-link drag chain, a drag chain guide and a drag chain drive.The tow assembly may further include one or more buoyant passenger carriers. Buoyant passenger carriers can be arranged in large numbers and at any desired distances and connected to the tow chain. The buoyant passenger carriers can be configured, for example, as boats and / or fins with a seat arrangement for passengers or in another way.The tow assembly can also comprise a plurality of drivers, each of which is configured for the movable drive connection between the tow chain and the buoyant passenger carriers. Such entrainment connections can be designed in a wide variety of ways and can preferably be movable in such a way that they allow relative movements of the passenger carriers with respect to the drag chain. These can be relative movements in the towing direction and / or in the lateral direction transversely to the towing direction and / or in the height direction transversely to the towing direction. The drivers can be designed, for example, as a flexurally elastic cable and / or as a movable linkage. The followers can transmit the drag chain movement and the drive force with tension and / or thrust to the connected passenger carrier. Drivers can be connected, for example, to the front side and to the rear side of the passenger carrier.The drivers can also be designed, for example, in the manner of height-adjustable scissors linkages, for example pantographs. They can also be coupled to internal rotating devices on the passenger carriers and support the torsion torques on the drag chain. In addition, pivot bearings are possible at the connection point to the drag chain.The drag chain comprises a plurality of chain links which are each connected to one another in an articulated manner by means of bearing points and are furthermore guided on the drag chain guide. The drivers mentioned can be connected to the drag chain on the chain links, in particular at the bearing points. The bearing points allow relative movements with respect to one another, in particular pivoting movements of the chain links, so that the multi-link drag chain can follow a round curved movement path and also a correspondingly shaped drag chain guide. The path of movement can have different bending radii in size and direction.The drag chain guide comprises a guide rail which serves for guiding the drag chain and its chain links. The guide rail can have a shape which is bent at least in regions and closed in an annular manner. The movement profile of the passenger carriers and of the drag chain is predefined by the guide rail. The drag chain guide can have further components.The guide rail is preferably of stand construction and can be fastened to the underlying surface, in particular to a basin base. The guide rail can be arranged at a small distance above the subgrade or basin floor. This distance can be as small as is required for trouble-free mutual guiding engagement between the drag chain and the guide rail. The guide rail can have a simple construction and geometry, for example with a rectangular cross section. It can be made of metal, in particular of stainless steel.The chain links and the guide rail can have a flat or low design. As a result, the overall space requirement of the drag chain and of the guide device can be minimized in height and the water level height can be lowered accordingly.The drag chain can be designed to be resistant to shear and tension. The drag chain drive can push and also pull the drag chain.The drag chain preferably has a length at least largely corresponding to the guide rail. The drag chain can be formed somewhat shorter than the guide rail and does not have to have a closed ring shape. The drag chain can be of finite design, wherein its free chain ends can be spaced apart from one another in the direction of drag and guidance. This has the advantage that the drag chain can have chain links with a standard length which are suitable for different lengths of the annularly closed guide rail. A compensation between the guide rail length and the possible tow chain length can be effected via the permitted distance between the chain ends. Tolerances and thermal changes in length can also be compensated.In an advantageous embodiment, the drag chain, in particular its chain links, can be connected to the drag chain guide, in particular the guide rail, in a guiding and supported manner only at the bearing points. The guidance and support at the bearing points has the advantage that the elongate and, for example, inherently rigid chain links can also follow narrow curve radii of the drag chain guide, in particular of the guide rail. The chain links have a length of between 30 cm and 200 cm, preferably about 75 cm. Despite this polygonal configuration, the drag chain can be strongly curved.The chain links can have any suitable shape. In a preferred embodiment, they have a straight profile body. This can be open on the underside. The shell-like and dimensionally stable profile body, for example, can have a U-shape or hat-shape in cross section. The chain links and their profile bodies can also engage over the central guide rail with a lateral spacing and can receive it in their hollow interior. This is favorable for a flat construction of the drag chain and the drag chain guide, in particular of the guide rail, and for narrow curve radii of the drag chain.The profiled body can be of thin-walled design and be produced from a stable and water-compatible material, for example a corrosion-resistant metal, in particular stainless steel. The profiled body can be designed in particular as a bent sheet metal part with one and can have a wall thickness of less than 10 mm, for example approximately 6 mm.The profile body can have advantageous dimensions for the narrow bending radii of the movement path and the flat design of the drag chain. The length (1) of the profiled bodies in the direction of drag can be, for example, approximately 75 cm. The width (w) in the transverse direction can be between 15 cm and 40 cm, in particular approximately 17 cm. The overall height (b) of the drag chain above the ground can be, for example, 5 cm to 10 cm, preferably about 6.5 cm. At a water level of e.g. 35 cm, there may be a distance of about 5 cm between the drag chain and the floor of the passenger carrier.It is furthermore favorable if the chain links, in particular their profile bodies, each have parallel outer walls. By means of these outer walls, a driving force can be transmitted from the drag chain drive on both sides to the drag chain and its chain links in the drag direction. By virtue of the parallel position of the outer walls, the force transmission can be coupled with a contact force transversely with respect to the towing direction. The outer walls can adjoin at the top the preferably planar roof of the profile bodies and can each have at the bottom an outwardly projecting flange.The drag chain can have a coupling bearing with one or more bearing axles at the bearing points between the chain links. The bearing axes can be in particular rotational pivot axes. In addition, a translatory bearing axis configuration is also possible. The chain links, in particular their profile bodies, can each have a bearing shoulder at their front and rear end regions in the towing direction, which bearing shoulder makes possible a connection to the relevant coupling bearing.Via the coupling bearings, the chain links, in particular their profile bodies, can be coupled to one another in a tension- and shear-resistant and pivotable manner in the towing direction. The chain links, in particular their profile bodies, can be supported on one another and on the respective coupling bearing, wherein a common support on the guide device, in particular the guide rail, can also be effected via the respective coupling bearing.The coupling bearings can comprise bearing elements and preferably also guide means. The bearing elements can be designed to connect the chain links, in particular their bearing attachments, to be pivotable uniaxially or multiaxially. The guide means can be designed to engage in a suitable manner on the drag chain guide, in particular on the guide rail, and to enable a movement in the drag direction. The engagement can take place, for example, with a preferably multiaxial form fit. The drag chain can thereby be guided laterally and upwards and downwards on the guide rail and be movable in the drag direction.The coupling bearings comprise at least one upright bearing axis, so that the drag chain and its chain links can follow a guide rail bent in a horizontal plane. In a preferred embodiment, the guide rail is laid in a horizontal plane and has no height differences. However, it is possible, in the case of a corresponding configuration of the coupling bearing with a plurality of pivot axes, for example a gimbal design, to also configure the guide rail with height differences.The said guide means of the coupling bearing can be designed in a suitable manner. They can be designed in particular as freely rotatable guide rollers. These may be arranged in pairs. They can also have a circumferential profiling. The guide rollers arranged in pairs at the bearing point can accommodate a, for example, rod-like guide rail between them and engage on the latter in a form-fitting manner and from the outside on multiple sides. In the case of a differently configured guide rail, the guide rollers can also engage on the inside. A guide rail can comprise a single guide body or also a plurality of guide bodies with corresponding engagement possibilities for the one or more guide rollers.The chain links and their profile bodies can be coupled with a small distance in the towing direction via the bearing shoulders and the coupling bearings accommodated in the profile interior. The drive of the drag chain can be effected from the outside with engagement on the chain links or profile bodies and on their parallel outer walls. The coupling bearings can be kept free from laterally acting drive forces.The tow assembly may include a station area where passengers may enter and leave the buoyant passenger carriers. A station area can be present several times.The tow assembly may also include a drive portion at one or more locations on the path of travel. Here, a drag chain drive can be arranged in each case and can act on the drag chain in a driving manner in the drag direction. In the drive region, the drag chain guide, in particular the guide rail, and the drag chain can have a straight extension.The drag chain guide can comprise further components in addition to the guide rail. It can have guide wheels arranged lying at at least one point of the movement path and preferably freely rotatable. These may have upright, in particular vertical, axes of rotation. They can be mounted on the basin base. The guide wheels can be arranged in parallel rows, for example two parallel rows, at a lateral distance and can be designed for guiding engagement on both sides of the drag chain. The rows of several, e.g. six, guide wheels can guide the drag chain on both sides between them at the distance or gap. The guide wheels can be laterally adjustable and, if necessary, capable of yielding. They can be acted upon by a lateral, substantially horizontal feed force, in particular a spring force. The rows of guide wheels can possibly clamp the drag chain between them. The running surface of the guide wheels can comprise a material which is frictional and optionally compressible, e.g. rubber, polyurethane or the like.The spacings of the guide wheels in the rows can be matched to the length of the chain links, so that at least two pairs of mutually opposite guide wheels always engage with the outer walls of the chain links, even if other pairs have just one bearing point between them.The drag chain guide can furthermore have parallel support strips for the chain links or profile parts, in particular for their edge-side, lower flanges.The claimed design and arrangement of the drag chain guide is advantageous above all in a drive region and in cooperation with a drag chain drive.The tow arrangement may further comprise a guide device for the buoyant passenger carriers, which can preferably be arranged in a station area. The guide device can comprise one or more upright supporting rollers and / or guide strips which are arranged lying on and which can be arranged at one or more points of the movement path and which can be designed for supporting and guiding a buoyant passenger carrier. These components can prevent or at least minimize avoidance movements of the passenger carrier when entering and leaving the passengers in a station area.The drag chain drive can comprise a drive motor and an annular and flexurally elastic propellant which is driven in a revolving manner by said drive motor and is designed to drive the drag chain. The driving means can be designed, for example, as a drive belt. The electric, rotationally driving drive motor, for example, can be designed for a submerged arrangement under water. For this purpose, it can be embodied, for example, to be watertight. It can also be accommodated in a sealed environment, the propellant being supplied and discharged via suitable seals.The driving means, in particular the drive belt, can be guided over a series of a plurality of said guide wheels. The driving means, in particular the drive belt, can be clamped between these guide wheels and the drag chain. The drive forces can be transmitted to the drag chain via the revolving propelling means. The guide wheels and the said clamping can ensure a secure and force-transmitting contact between the driving means, in particular the drive belt, and the drag chain and its chain links, in particular on its outer wall.The propellant, in particular the drive belt, can comprise several layers. These can be adapted to different driving purposes. An, in particular inner, layer can be formed for a drive-promoting connection to an output element of the drive motor. This layer can have, for example, a toothing which meshes with a corresponding output gearwheel of the drive motor. The other, e.g. outer, layer can be designed for a connection to the drag chain in a manner favorable to driving, in particular to the outer walls of the chain links. It can have, for example, a configuration advantageous for transmitting frictional forces. This can comprise a suitable, e.g. roughened, shaping and / or a suitable choice of material.In the drag chain drive, the drive motor can be laterally offset and arranged at a distance from the drag chain and from the passenger carriers. The distance can be bridged by the revolving and driven driving means, in particular drive belts. This can be guided, for example, in a triangle. The laterally offset arrangement is advantageous for a low water level height.Hitherto, it has been customary to couple drive motors directly to drive means, for example drive rollers, and to arrange the drive motors for this purpose above or below the drive means. This required an installation position of the drive motor recessed in the ground, which increased the construction and sealing complexity for a water basin. In the case of a motor arrangement above the drive means, the interference contour above the ground has been increased, wherein the water level has to be increased in order to have sufficient distance between the ground of the buoyant passenger means and the interference contour. With the embodiment according to the invention, both are no longer required. The drive motor can also be arranged, as a result of the lateral offset, alongside a buoyant passenger carrier which is preferably guided laterally in the drive region accordingly, so that it has no influence on the passenger carrier by interference. The claimed towing arrangement can thereby be designed to be particularly flat and with a low interference contour height and can be installed in a water-closure device.The claimed tow arrangement has several advantages for a water lock apparatus in which it is incorporated. The water loading device can comprise a water basin in which the towing arrangement is arranged under water. The towing arrangement can be designed in a suitable manner for such a submerged arrangement under water. Their components are, for example, suitably water-compatible. This can relate to corrosion protection, a watertight design, water-compatible bearing and lubrication regions, etc.The water basin may have a water level height (h) of less than 50 cm, e.g. about 35 cm. This allows the amount of water and its weight to be reduced compared to previously known water-shutting devices. The water basin can also comprise a preferably planar basin base and one or more lateral basin walls. In addition, a drive chamber set back from a basin wall can be present, which is designed to accommodate a drag chain drive, in particular the drive motor.The guide rail of the drag chain guide can be fastened to the basin floor. This can be done in a raised position, wherein the distance from the basin base can be kept small in order to keep the height of the interfering contour small.The water-occluding device may comprise a scene for entertainment or information from passengers. This can be located in the region outside and / or inside the preferably annularly closed movement path. The water-occluding device can furthermore have an enclosure surrounding the water basin and the towing arrangement and, if appropriate, the scene.The dependent claims specify further advantageous embodiments of the invention.The invention is shown in terms of example and schematic. In detail, the following are shown: FIG. 1 : a perspective view of a water-closure device with a tow arrangement for buoyant passenger carriers installed therein, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the water-blocking device of FIG. 1 , FIG. 3 : a bottom view of the tow arrangement of FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 4 : a broken-off detailed view of the tow arrangement from below in a drive region, FIG. 5 is a broken-away front view of the tow arrangement at a station and drive region according to arrow V of FIG. 2, FIG. 6 shows a partially cut-away illustration of the arrangement from FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a broken-off plan view of a station and drive region of the towing arrangement, FIG. 8 is a broken-away perspective view of the tow arrangement in the station and drive region without a passenger carrier, FIG. 9 : a broken-off and enlarged detail illustration of the tow arrangement according to FIG. 8, FIG. 10 : a broken-off enlarged detailed plan view of the tow arrangement of FIG. 9, FIG. 11 shows a cross section through the tow arrangement according to section line XI-XI of FIG. 2, FIG. 12 shows an enlarged cross section of the chain links and of the rear coupling bearing, FIGS. 13-15 show different perspective views of chain links and coupling bearings; and FIG. 16 : a broken-off and longitudinal sectional view of chain links and coupling bearings.The invention relates to a towing arrangement (2) for a water-occluding device (1) and to a water-occluding device (1) equipped with the towing arrangement (2). The invention also relates to a towing method.FIGS. 1 and 2 show a water-closing device ( 1) with a towing arrangement ( 2) which is arranged in a water basin ( 8) in the installed position. The towing arrangement (2) serves to tow buoyant passenger carriers (3) along a predetermined and preferably annularly closed movement path (4) in a towing direction (5).The water basin (8) comprises a planar basin bottom (9) and one or more lateral and upright basin walls (10). The water basin (8) is filled with water (47) on which the passenger carriers (3) float. During the towing movement along the movement path ( 4), the floating passenger carriers ( 3) are pulled and / or pushed by the water ( 47).The towing arrangement ( 2) is designed for a submerged arrangement ( 47). Their components are accordingly water-compatible. This can relate to corrosion protection, watertight formation, water-compatible bearing and lubrication regions, etc.The drag arrangement (2) comprises a multi-linked drag chain (13), a drag chain guide (14) and a drag chain drive (15). In the installed position, these are arranged under water in the submerged position. The tow assembly (2) may also include a guide means (14') for the passenger carriers (3).The drag chain (13) comprises a plurality of straight chain links (25, 26) which are each connected to one another in an articulated manner by means of bearing points (27). The drag chain (13), in particular its chain links (25, 26), are guided on the drag chain guide (14).The drag chain guide (14) comprises a guide rail (18) which defines the movement path (4) and has an annularly closed shape. The guide rail (18) can have straight and differently bent regions. It preferably extends in a horizontal plane. FIG. 4 shows this in an enlarged bottom view.According to FIGS. 5 and 6, the guide rail ( 18) is arranged upright on the basin base ( 9). The guide rail (18) is held above the basin base (9) by pin-like fastening means (19) at a small distance and fastened to the basin base (9). In the embodiments shown, the guide rail (18) is rod-shaped and has, for example, a rectangular cross section. FIGS. 11, 12 and 16 illustrate this embodiment.The drag chain ( 13) is preferably designed to be resistant to shear and tension. It can be pulled and pushed by the drag chain drive (15), wherein it moves along the guide rail (18) and the movement path (4) and is guided on the guide rail (18) on multiple sides. The drag chain (13), in particular its chain links (25, 26), is connected in a guiding manner at the bearing points (27) to the drag chain guide (14), in particular to the guide rail (18). The chain links (25, 26) are otherwise preferably not connected to the guide rail (18) or guided on the latter. Coupling tools (35) explained below are arranged at the bearing points (27) for this purpose.The chain links (25, 26) each have a straight profile body (28) which is open on the underside. This can have a U-shape, for example, in cross section. In the embodiment shown, the cross section is hat-shaped. The profile bodies (28) have, for example, according to FIGS. 8-16, parallel lateral, upright outer walls (29, 30). These may be connected at their upper end by a transverse roof (31). The roof (31) can be plate-like and planar. It may have a closed or perforated shape. Alternatively, a frame-shaped configuration is possible. At the lower, free edges, the outer walls (29, 30) can each comprise an outwardly projecting flange (32). The profile bodies (28) can be designed in the manner of shells and with thin walls, for example as a bent sheet metal part.As FIGS. 12 and 13 show, the profile bodies ( 28) can have a length ( 1) of, for example, approximately 75 cm. Its outer width (w) in the transverse direction can be, for example, 17 cm. The overall height (b) of the drag chain (13) above the subsoil or basin base (9) can be, for example, 6.5 cm.The drag chain (13) has at the bearing points (27) between the chain links (25, 26) in each case a coupling bearing (35) which has at least one upright pivotable positioning axis (36). The adjacent chain links (25, 26) are pivotably connected to one another via the coupling bearing (35) and the common bearing axis (36) and can rotate relative to one another about the upright bearing axis (36). They can thereby follow curvatures of the round curved movement path (4) and of the guide rail (18). The chain links (25, 26) are also supported mutually and jointly on the guide rail (18) via the coupling bearings (35).The profile bodies (28) are preferably rigid and of one piece. As FIGS. 3 and 4 show from below, the drag chain (13) forms with its chain links (25, 26) a polygonal path which can follow the named curvatures by means of the bearing points (27) and coupling bearings (35).As FIGS. 12-16 show, the coupling bearings (35) each comprise bearing elements (38, 39) and preferably also guide means (40). The bearing elements ( 38, 39) are designed to connect the chain links ( 25, 29) to one another in a single-axis or multi-axis pivotable manner. The guide means (40) are designed to engage the drag chain guide (14), in particular the guide rail (18), with a preferably multiaxial form fit and movable in the drag direction (5).As FIGS. 9-16 show, the chain links (25, 26), in particular their profile bodies (28), each have a bearing shoulder (33, 34) on their front and rear end regions in the towing direction (5) for the connection to the respective coupling bearing (35). The bearing attachments (33, 34) can each be connected, in particular integrally formed, to the roof (31) of the profile bodies (28). The front bearing shoulder (33) is formed as a flange-like shoulder offset and angled obliquely downwards on the front side of the roof (31). The rear bearing shoulder ( 34) can be designed as a projection in the roof ( 31) which bulges in the axial direction. The bearing attachments (33, 34) have different heights, and they also engage the coupling bearing (35) at different heights one above the other. FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 16 illustrate this embodiment.The bearing elements ( 38, 39) of the coupling bearing ( 35) are designed, for example, as mutually rotatable bearing disks and are arranged one above the other. The rear bearing shoulder ( 34) rests on the upper bearing element ( 39) and is connected thereto in a rotationally fixed manner by screws. The lowered front bearing boss ( 33) has, for example, a closed ring shape and is connected to the lower bearing member ( 38). The bearing attachments (33, 34) and bearing elements (38, 39) are thus connected to one another such that they can rotate at least about the one common upright bearing axis (36). The length (1) is measured, for example, over the distance of the bearing axes (36).The bearing elements ( 38, 39) are arranged on a supporting body ( 37) of the coupling bearing ( 35), which supporting body is preferably formed like a yoke. They are located at the central location and on the upper side of the supporting body (37).The guide means (40) are formed, for example, by freely rotatable guide rollers (41) profiled on the circumference, which are arranged in pairs opposite each other at a distance and on both sides of the guide rail (18). The guide rollers (41) are rotatably mounted on the underside of the supporting body (37) and on vertical bearing pins there. Its circumferential profiling is adapted to the contour of the guide rail (18). The pair of guide rollers (41) thus positively engages the two vertical outer sides and the horizontal upper and lower sides of the guide rail (18). The guide means ( 40) can also be designed differently, for example as sliding elements.The tow assembly (2) can comprise a plurality of drivers (16) which are designed for the movable driver connection between the tow chain (13) and the buoyant passenger carriers (3). The drivers (16) are indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The drivers (16) are designed, for example, as flexurally elastic cables, chains or the like or as articulated and optionally length-adjustable rods. The drag chain (13), when moving in the drag direction (5), takes the passenger carriers (3) along via the drivers (16), wherein it pulls and / or pushes them.As FIGS. 1 and 2 show, the tow arrangement ( 2) can have a station area ( 7). It can also have a drive region ( 6) at one or more points of the movement path ( 4). A drive region (6) can be arranged at least at the station region (7). A further drive region ( 6) can be arranged, for example, according to FIGS. 2 to 4 on half the length of the movement path ( 4). The number of drive regions ( 6) can also be smaller or larger.The guide device (14') has upright support rollers (23) and lying guide rails (22) at at least one point of the movement path (4), preferably in the station area (7). These are designed to support and guide the buoyant passenger carrier and can be located under water. The support rollers (23) are arranged, for example, in two straight rows on both sides of the drag chain (13) and the guide rail (18) and can engage the floor of the passenger carriers (3) in a supporting manner. They can be mounted on the flat basin base (9). The lateral, straight and parallel guide strips (22) can accommodate the passenger carrier (3) between them and can engage on its lateral outer wall as required. The guide strips (22) are arranged, for example, on a lateral basin wall (10) and on uprights on the basin base (9).The drag chain guide (14) has guide wheels (20, 21) which are arranged lying at at least one point of the movement path (4) and are freely rotatable and which each have upright axes of rotation and are mounted on the basin base (9). The guide wheels (20, 21) are preferably located on a drive region (6). The drag chain guide (14) and the drag chain (13) have, for example, a straight extension in the drive region (6), which is also oriented parallel to the drag chain guide (14).The guide wheels (20, 21) are arranged in two straight and parallel rows of, for example, six guide wheels (20, 21) at a lateral distance and engage on both sides in a guiding manner on the drag chain (13) and on the outer walls (29, 30) thereof. For this purpose, they are arranged at a corresponding height and opposite one another. The guide wheels (20, 21) can be laterally adjusted by suitable means and, if necessary, braced against the drag chain (13). The rows of guide wheels (20, 21) are oriented parallel to the drag chain (13) and to the drag direction (5). Thanks to the flat chain links (25, 26), they are located close to the basin base (9). The guide rail (18) can be arranged within the downwardly open profile bodies (28).The drag chain guide (14) can furthermore have two parallel support bars (24), which extend along the drag direction (5) and the guide rail (18) and are mounted on the basin base (9). They support the profile bodies (28), in particular their flanges (32), on the underside. The support strips (24) are arranged under the guide wheels (20, 21). They are preferably located in the drive region ( 6).The drag chain drive (15) comprises a, for example, watertight drive motor (42) and an annular and flexurally elastic propellant (44) driven in a revolving manner by the latter. The drive is effected via an output element ( 43), e.g. an output wheel, in particular a gearwheel, of the drive motor ( 42). The driving means (44) is designed, for example, as a drive belt.The propelling means (44) serves to drive the drag chain (13). For this purpose, the driving means (44) is guided over a straight row of a plurality of guide wheels (20) and is clamped between these guide wheels (20) and the drag chain (13). The movement and the driving force in the towing direction (5) are thereby transmitted to the towing chain (13). The other and preferably straight row of guide wheels (21) offers a counter support for this purpose. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate this arrangement.The driving means (44), in particular the drive belt, comprises a plurality of layers (45, 46). This layer structure is shown, for example, in FIG. 10. An inner layer (45), for example, is designed for connection to an output element (43) of the drive motor in a manner favorable to driving. This layer (45) can have, for example, a toothing, wherein the output element (43) has a counter toothing. The other and e.g. outer layer (46) is designed for connection to the drag chain (13) in a manner favorable to driving. For this purpose, it can have a configuration which primarily transmits frictional force. It may have, for example, a roughened surface. The propellant (44) is designed for a submerged arrangement under water and is accordingly insensitive to influences from the water (47).As FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIGS. 8 and 9 show, the drive motor ( 42) is laterally offset and arranged at a lateral distance from the drag chain ( 13). It can be arranged on a platform, for example, and have the output element ( 43) on the underside. The drive motor (42) is arranged outside the projection area of the passenger carriers (3). It can be located in a drive chamber (11) which is formed in the lateral basin wall (10). FIGS. 2 and 5 illustrate this embodiment.The guide rail (18) has the aforementioned closed ring shape. The drag chain ( 13) can likewise have a closed ring shape. In the preferred embodiment, according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, it has an open ring shape, with its free chain ends (17) spaced apart from one another in the towing direction (5). This space or open chain area is located outside the passenger carriers (3).As FIGS. 5 and 6 show, the water ( 47) in the water basin ( 8) has a water level (h). This may be 35 cm or less.As FIGS. 1 and 2 show, the water-blocking device ( 1) can comprise a scene ( 12). This can be arranged inside and / or outside the annularly closed movement path ( 4). The scene ( 12) can serve, for example, for entertainment or information from passengers.According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the water-occluding device ( 1) can also comprise an enclosure ( 48), which surrounds the water basin ( 8) and the towing arrangement ( 2) and, if appropriate, the scene ( 12). The enclosure ( 48) can be formed, for example, by walls of buildings.Modifications of the embodiments shown and described are possible in various ways.The guide rail (18) can be formed in another manner, wherein it has a different cross-sectional contour, for example. It may also have a hollow box shape, wherein the guiding means (40) may be accommodated therein. Instead of the planar course shown, the guide rail (18) can also have height differences. The coupling bearings ( 35) are adapted accordingly to this. By means of height differences, a possible dive of passenger carriers ( 3) can also be realized.The drag chain drive ( 15) can have a different drive configuration, for example as an electric linear motor. In the drive shown, the driving means (44) can also drive the guide wheels (20) in rotation with a correspondingly increased en route, wherein these then act in a driving manner on the chain links (25, 26) and their profile bodies (28).LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS1 Water-closing device 2 Towing arrangement 3 Passenger carrier 4 Movement path 5 Towing direction 6 Drive region 7 Station 8 Water basin 9 Basin base 10 Basin wall 11 Drive chamber 12 Scene 13 Towing chain 14 Towing chain guide 14' Guide device Passenger carrier 15 Towing chain drive 16 Driver 17 Chain end 18 Guide rail 19 Fastening means 20 Guide wheel 21 Guide wheel 22 Guide strip 23 Support roller 24 Support strip 25 Chain link 26 Chain link 27 Bearing point 28 Profiled body 29 Outer wall 30 Outer wall 31 Roof 32 Flange 33 Bearing shoulder at the front 34 Bearing shoulder at the rear 35 Coupling bearing 36 Bearing axle 37 Supporting body 38 Bearing element 39 Bearing element 40 Guide means 41 Guide roller 42 Drive motor 43 Output element, drive roller 44 Driving means, Drive belt 45 Layer 46 Layer 47 Water 48 Enclosure h Water level 1 Length Chain link w Width Chain link b Overall height Drag chainReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 30 05 131 A1

[0003] US 2013 / 0025491 A1

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,465 A

[0005]

Claims

A tow arrangement for a water-closing device (1), wherein the tow arrangement (2) is designed for a submerged arrangement under water and is designed to tow buoyant passenger carriers (3) along a predefined and preferably annularly closed movement path (4), characterized in that the tow arrangement (2) comprises a multi-link tow chain (13), a tow chain guide (14) and a tow chain drive (15), wherein the tow chain (13) has a plurality of chain links (25, 26) which are connected to one another in an articulated manner by means of bearing points (27) and are guided on the tow chain guide (14) by means of the bearing points (27).The tow assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the tow assembly (2) comprises a plurality of drivers (16), which are configured for the movable driver connection between the tow chain (13) and the buoyant passenger carriers (3).The tow arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tow arrangement (2) comprises one or more buoyant passenger carriers (3), in particular boats and / or fins each having a seat arrangement for passengers.The tow arrangement according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the tow chain guide (14) comprises a preferably upright guide rail (18).The tow arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide rail (18) serves for guiding the tow chain (13) and its chain links (25, 26) and preferably has a shape which is bent at least in regions and closed in an annular manner.A tow arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the guide rail (18) defines the movement path (4).A tow arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tow chain (13) is guided on the guide rail (18) on multiple sides.A tow arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tow chain (13) is constructed so as to be resistant to pushing and pulling.The tow arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tow chain (13), in particular its chain links (25, 26), is / are preferably connected to the tow chain guide (14), in particular the guide rail (18), in a guiding manner only at the bearing points (27).A tow arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the chain links (25, 26) each have a straight profile body (28) which is preferably open on the underside and is in particular hat-shaped in cross-section.A tow arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the chain links (25, 26), in particular their profile bodies (28), engage over the central guide rail (18) at a lateral distance and receive it in their hollow interior.A tow arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the chain links (25, 26), in particular their profile bodies (28), each have parallel outer walls (29, 30).The tow arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chain links (25, 26), in particular their profile bodies (28), have a length (1) of 30 cm to 200 cm, preferably about 75 cm, and a width (w) in the transverse direction of 15 cm to 40 cm, preferably about 17 cm, wherein the tow chain (13) has an overall height (b) above the ground of 5 cm to 10 cm, preferably about 6.5 cm.Towing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the towing chain (13) has a coupling bearing (35) each having one or more bearing axles (36), in particular pivot axles, at the bearing points (27) between the chain links (25, 26).A towing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the chain links (25, 26), in particular their profile bodies (28), each have a bearing shoulder (33, 34) at their front and rear end regions in the towing direction (5) for connection to a coupling bearing (35).Towing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling bearings (35) comprise bearing elements (38, 39) and preferably guide means (40), wherein the bearing elements (38, 39) are designed to connect the chain links (25, 26), in particular their bearing attachments (33, 34), in a manner pivotable on one axis or on multiple axes, and wherein the guide means (40) are designed to engage on the towing chain guide (14), in particular the guide rail (18), with preferably on multiple axes and movable in the towing direction (5).A towing arrangement according to claim 16, characterised in that the guide means (40) are constructed as freely rotatable guide rollers (41), preferably profiled in pairs on the periphery.A towing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the towing arrangement (2) has a station area (7) and a drive area (6) at one or more points of the movement path (4).A tow arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tow arrangement (2) comprises a guide device (14') which has upright support rollers (23) and / or lying guide rails (22) at at least one point of the movement path (4) and which are designed for supporting and guiding a buoyant passenger carrier (3).A tow arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tow chain guide (14) and the tow chain (13) have a straight extension in a drive region (6).The tow arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tow chain guide (14) has freely rotatable guide wheels (20, 21) which are arranged lying at at least one point of the movement path (4), preferably in the drive region (6), are arranged in parallel, preferably straight, rows at a lateral distance and which are designed for guiding engagement on both sides of the tow chain (13).The tow arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tow chain guide (14) has support bars (24) for the tow chain (13) parallel to the tow direction (5) at at least one point of the movement path (4), preferably in the drive region (6).The tow arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tow chain drive (15) comprises a preferably watertight drive motor (42) and an annular, flexurally elastic propelling means (44), in particular a drive belt, which is driven in a revolving manner by said drive motor and is / is designed to drive the tow chain (13).A towing arrangement according to claim 23, characterised in that the driving means (44), in particular the drive belt, is guided over a series of a plurality of guide wheels (20) and is clamped between these guide wheels (20) and the towing chain (13).A towing arrangement according to claim 23 or 24, characterised in that the driving means (44), in particular the drive belt, comprises a plurality of layers (45, 46), of which one layer (45) is formed for connection to an output element (43) of the drive motor (42) in a manner favorable to driving and another layer (46) is formed for connection to the towing chain (13) in a manner favorable to driving.A towing arrangement according to claim 23, 24 or 25, characterised in that the drive motor (42) is laterally offset and arranged at a distance from the towing chain (13).A tow arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the floating passenger carriers (3) are pulled and / or pushed through the water (47) during the tow movement along the movement path (4).The tow arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tow chain (13) has an open ring shape, wherein the free chain ends (17) are spaced apart from one another in the tow direction (5).Water-closing device having a towing arrangement (2) which is designed for a submerged position and which is designed to tow buoyant passenger carriers (3) along a predefined and preferably annularly closed movement path (4), characterized in that the towing arrangement (2) is designed according to at least one of Claims 1 to 28.Water-blocking device according to Claim 29, characterized in that the water-blocking device (1) comprises a water basin (8), in which the towing arrangement (2) is arranged under water.Water-blocking device according to Claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the water basin (8) has a water level height (h) of 50 cm or less, in particular approximately 35 cm.Water-blocking device according to Claim 29, 30 or 31, characterized in that the water basin (8) has a preferably planar basin base (9) and one or more lateral basin walls (10).Water-blocking device according to one of Claims 29 to 32, characterized in that the water basin (8) has a drive chamber (11) which is set back from a basin wall (10) and is designed to accommodate a drag chain drive (15).Water-blocking device according to one of Claims 29 to 33, characterized in that a guide rail (18) of a drag chain guide (14) is fastened upright on the basin base (9).Water-blocking device according to one of Claims 29 to 34, characterized in that guide wheels (20, 21) and, if appropriate, supporting strips (24) of a drag chain guide (14) are fastened to the basin base (9).Water-blocking device according to one of Claims 29 to 35, characterized in that a drive motor (42) of the drag chain drive (15) is fastened on the basin base (9).Water-blocking device according to one of Claims 29 to 36, characterized in that the water-blocking device (1) comprises a scene (12) for entertainment or information from passengers.Water-blocking device according to one of Claims 29 to 37., characterized in that the water-blocking device (1) has an enclosure (48) surrounding the water basin (8) and the towing arrangement (2).

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