Pulling arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a pulling arrangement (2) for a water recreation device (1), wherein the pulling arrangement (2) is designed for a submersible arrangement under water and is configured to pull buoyant passenger carriers (3) along a predefined and preferably annularly closed movement path (4). The pulling arrangement (2) comprises a multi-link pulling chain (13), a pulling chain guide (14) and a pulling chain drive (15), wherein the pulling chain (13) has a plurality of chain links (25, 26) which are articulatedly connected to one another by means of bearing points (27) and are guided on the pulling chain guide (14) by means of the bearing points (27).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION Towing arrangement The invention relates to a towing arrangement for a water amusement facility with the features in the independent claims. Water amusement facilities with towing arrangements for passenger carriers arranged submerged in the water are known in practice. The towing arrangements have driven trolleys that are mounted and driven independently on a submerged rail. The buoyant passenger carriers are connected to these trolleys by rope or rod-like carriers and are carried along as the trolleys move along the submerged rail. The trolleys can be moved by a chain or rope running along the rails, by an electromagnetic linear drive, or by stationary or guided friction wheel drives.The object of the present invention is to provide an improved towing arrangement, as well as an improved water amusement device equipped therewith and a towing method. The invention solves this problem with the features in the independent claims. The towing arrangement can be a stand-alone unit that can be supplied as an integral component with a new water amusement device. However, the towing arrangement can also be retrofitted to existing water amusement devices or converted to replace another towing device. The invention relates both to the towing arrangement as a stand-alone unit and to the water amusement device with a towing arrangement. The claimed towing arrangement has various advantages. It requires little construction, assembly, and control effort and is particularly cost-effective. In particular, the towing arrangement can have a very low overall height.This can, in turn, result in a corresponding lowering of the water level above the pool floor when the towing assembly is positioned in a submerged position in a water basin. This, in turn, has advantages for the required water quantity and also the weight of a water amusement device. Furthermore, all parts of the towing assembly can be arranged on the pool floor, which enables a level design of the pool floor and a corresponding simplification of the design of the pool. This is particularly advantageous for concrete pools. In these cases, the previously common floor recesses for accommodating drive or guide elements of conventional towing assemblies can be eliminated. This simplifies and reduces the cost of concrete construction and also has advantages for secure and permanent sealing.Due to the reduced amount of water and the simplified design of a water basin, particularly a concrete basin, the water amusement facility can be mobile or stationary. Due in particular to its weight advantages, it can also be accommodated inside a building without overloading the building's load-bearing capacity. The claimed towing arrangement can be used for a wide variety of water amusement facilities. With the towing arrangement, the floatable passenger carriers can be moved at selectable speeds along a preferred, closed, ring-shaped path of movement. Low speeds can be achieved, which is advantageous, for example, for water amusement facilities with scenery surrounding the water basin. The scenery and environment can be created, for example, by backdrops, picture walls, particularly monitor walls, animated environments with people or animals, etc.The towing arrangement can, however, also move the buoyant passenger carriers at a higher speed along the movement path, thereby achieving special swimming and dynamic effects. The water basin of a water amusement facility can be designed in any way. For example, it can have a canal-like shape, with water currents also being possible in the canal. The water basin can also have a larger, tub-like shape with a larger water surface, corresponding to a pond or lake, for example. The medium water is understood as a general term and includes, in addition to H2O, any other fluids on which passenger carriers can float. The passenger carriers can also be submersible and can dive below the water level at one or more points along the movement path. The claimed towing arrangement comprises a multi-link tow chain, a tow chain guide, and a tow chain drive.The towing arrangement can further comprise one or more buoyant passenger carriers. Buoyant passenger carriers can be arranged in large numbers and at any desired intervals and connected to the towing chain. The buoyant passenger carriers can be designed, for example, as boats and / or fins with a seating arrangement for passengers or in another way. The towing arrangement can also comprise several drivers, each of which is designed as a movable towing connection between the towing chain and the buoyant passenger carriers. Such towing connections can be designed in a 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 towing chain. This can be relative movements in the towing direction and / or in the lateral direction transverse to the towing direction and / or in the vertical direction transverse to the towing direction. The drivers can, for example,be designed as a flexible cable and / or as a movable rod. The drivers can transmit the drag chain movement and the drive force to the connected passenger carrier by pulling and / or pushing. Drivers can be connected, for example, to the front and rear of the passenger carrier. The drivers can also be designed, for example, as height-adjustable scissor rods, e.g. pantographs. They can also be coupled to the passenger carriers with internal rotating devices and support the torsional moments on the drag chain. Pivot bearings are also possible at the connection point to the drag chain. The drag chain comprises several chain links, each of which is articulated to one another by means of bearing points and is also guided on the drag chain guide. The said drivers can be connected to the drag chain at the chain links, in particular at the bearing points.The bearing points allow mutual relative movements, in particular pivoting movements of the chain links, so that the multi-link drag chain can follow a curved path of movement and also a correspondingly shaped drag chain guide. The path of movement can have bending radii that vary in size and direction. The drag chain guide comprises a guide rail that serves to guide the drag chain and its chain links. The guide rail can have a curved and ring-shaped closed shape, at least in some areas. The movement path of the passenger carriers and the drag chain is predetermined by the guide rail. The drag chain guide can have additional components. The guide rail is preferably designed as a post and can be attached to the substrate, in particular to a pool floor. The guide rail can be arranged at a short distance above the substrate or pool floor.This distance can be as small as is necessary for trouble-free mutual guidance engagement between the drag chain and the guide rail. The guide rail can have a simple design and geometry, e.g. with a rectangular cross-section. It can be made of metal, in particular stainless steel. The chain links and the guide rail can have a flat or low design. This can minimize the overall space required by the drag chain and the guide device and correspondingly lower the water level. The drag chain can be designed to be shear- and tensile-resistant. The drag chain drive can push and pull the drag chain. The drag chain preferably has a length that corresponds at least largely to the guide rail. The drag chain can be somewhat shorter than the guide rail and does not have to have a closed ring shape.The drag chain can be of finite design, whereby its free chain ends can be spaced apart in the drag and guide directions. This has the advantage that the drag chain can have chain links with a standard length that are suitable for different lengths of the ring-shaped, closed guide rail. A balance between the guide rail length and the possible drag chain length can be achieved via the permitted distance between the chain ends. Furthermore, tolerances and thermal length changes can 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 guiding and supporting at the bearing points has the advantage that the elongated and, for example,inherently rigid chain links can also follow tight curve radii of the drag chain guide, in particular the guide rail. The chain links have a length of between 30 cm and 200 cm, preferably around 75 cm. Despite this polygonal design, the drag chain can be highly 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 can have a U-shape or hat shape in cross-section. The chain links and their profile bodies can also overlap the central guide rail with a lateral gap and accommodate it in their hollow interior. This is advantageous for a flat design of the drag chain and the drag chain guide, in particular the guide rail, as well as for tight curve radii of the drag chain.The profile body can be thin-walled and made of a stable and water-compatible material, e.g. a corrosion-resistant metal, in particular stainless steel. The profile body can in particular be designed as a bent sheet metal part and can, for example, have a wall thickness of less than 10 mm, e.g. approx. 6 mm. The profile body can have advantageous dimensions for the tight bending radii of the movement path and the flat design of the drag chain. The length (l) of the profile body in the towing direction can, for example, be the aforementioned approx. 75 cm. The width (w) in the transverse direction can be between 15 cm and 40 cm, in particular approx. 17 cm. The overall height (b) of the drag chain above the ground can, for example, be 5 cm to 10 cm, preferably approx. 6.5 cm. At a water level of, for example, 35 cm, there can be a distance of approx. 5 cm between the drag chain and the floor of the passenger carrier.Furthermore, it is advantageous if the chain links, in particular their profile bodies, each have parallel outer walls. Via these outer walls, a drive force can be transmitted from the drag chain drive on both sides to the drag chain and its chain links in the towing direction. The parallel position of the outer walls allows the power transmission to be coupled with a contact force transverse to the towing direction. The outer walls can be connected to the preferably flat roof of the profile bodies at the top and each have an outwardly projecting flange at the bottom. The drag chain can have a coupling bearing with one or more bearing axes at the bearing points between the chain links. The bearing axes can in particular be rotary pivot axes. A translational bearing axes design is also possible.The chain links, in particular their profile bodies, can each have a bearing attachment at their front and rear end region in the towing direction, which enables a connection to the relevant coupling bearing. The chain links, in particular their profile bodies, can be coupled to one another in the towing direction in a tensile and shear-resistant and pivotable manner. The chain links, in particular their profile bodies, can be supported on one another and on the respective coupling bearing, wherein a joint support on the guide device, in particular the guide rail, can also be achieved 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, in a pivotable manner in a single-axis or multi-axis manner.The guide means can be designed to engage the drag chain guide, in particular the guide rail, in a suitable manner and to enable movement in the towing direction. The engagement can be effected, for example, with a preferably multi-axis positive connection. The drag chain can thus be guided laterally and upwards and downwards on the guide rail and can also be movable in the towing 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 curved in a horizontal plane. In a preferred embodiment, the guide rail is laid in a horizontal plane and has no height differences. However, with a corresponding design of the coupling bearing with several pivot axes, e.g. a cardanic design, it is also possible to design the guide rail with height differences.The said guide means of the coupling bearing can be designed in a suitable manner. In particular, they can be configured as freely rotating guide rollers. These can be arranged in pairs. They can also have a circumferential profile. The guide rollers arranged in pairs at the bearing point can accommodate a rod-like guide rail, for example, between them and engage this from the outside in a form-fitting manner and from multiple sides. With a differently designed guide rail, the guide rollers can also engage from the inside. A guide rail can comprise a single guide body or multiple guide bodies with corresponding engagement options 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 projections and the coupling bearings accommodated in the profile interior.The drag chain can be driven from the outside by acting on the chain links or profile bodies and their parallel outer walls. The coupling bearings can be kept free from lateral drive forces. The towing arrangement can have a station area where passengers can board and disembark the floatable passenger carriers. There can be multiple station areas. The towing arrangement can also have a drive area at one or more points along the path of travel. A drag chain drive can be arranged here and act on the drag chain in the towing direction. In the drive area, the drag chain guide, in particular the guide rail, and the drag chain can have a straight extension. The drag chain guide can comprise other components in addition to the guide rail.It can have guide wheels arranged horizontally at at least one point along the movement path and which can preferably rotate freely. These can have upright, in particular vertical, axes of rotation. They can be mounted on the bottom of the tank. The guide wheels can be arranged in parallel rows, e.g. two parallel rows, with a lateral spacing and can be designed to guide the drag chain on both sides. The rows of several, e.g. six, guide wheels can guide the drag chain on both sides between them in the spacing or gap. The guide wheels can be laterally adjustable and, if necessary, capable of deflection. They can be subjected to a lateral, essentially horizontal feed force, in particular spring force. The rows of guide wheels can, if necessary, clamp the drag chain between them. The running surface of the guide wheels can comprise a low-friction and, if necessary, compressible material, e.g. rubber, polyurethane or the like.The spacing of the guide wheels in the rows can be matched to the length of the chain links, so that at least two pairs of opposing guide wheels are always in engagement with the outer walls of the chain links, even if other pairs have a bearing point between them. The drag chain guide can also 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 particularly advantageous in a drive area and in conjunction with a drag chain drive. The drag arrangement can also comprise a guide device for the floatable passenger carriers, which can preferably be arranged in a station area.The guide device can comprise one or more upright support rollers and / or horizontally arranged guide rails, which can be arranged at one or more points on the movement path and which can be designed to support and guide a floatable passenger carrier. These components can prevent or at least minimize evasive movements of the passenger carrier when passengers get on and off in a station area. The drag chain drive can comprise a drive motor and an annular and flexurally elastic drive means driven in rotation by the drive motor, which is designed to drive the drag chain. The drive means can be designed, for example, as a drive belt. The drive motor, which can be electric and rotates, can be designed for a submersible arrangement underwater. For this purpose, it can be designed, for example, to be waterproof.It can also be housed in a sealed environment, with the drive medium being supplied and removed via suitable seals. The drive medium, in particular the drive belt, can be guided over a series of several said guide wheels. The drive medium, 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 rotating drive medium. The guide wheels and the said clamping can ensure secure and force-transmitting contact between the drive medium, in particular the drive belt, and the drag chain and its chain links, in particular on their outer wall. The drive medium, in particular the drive belt, can comprise several layers. These can be adapted to different drive purposes.One layer, in particular the inner one, can be designed for a drive-optimised connection to an output element of the drive motor. This layer can, for example, have a toothing that meshes with a corresponding output gear of the drive motor. The other layer, e.g. the outer one, can be designed for a drive-optimised connection to the drag chain, in particular to the outer walls of the chain links. It can, for example, have a design that is advantageous for transmitting frictional forces. This can include a suitable, e.g. roughened, shape and / or a suitable choice of material. In the drag chain drive, the drive motor can be offset laterally and arranged at a distance from the drag chain and the passenger carriers. This distance can be bridged via the rotating and driven drive means, in particular the drive belt. This can, for example, be guided in a triangular shape. The laterally offset arrangement is advantageous for a low water level.Until now, it was common practice to couple drive motors directly to drive means, e.g. drive pulleys, and to arrange the drive motors above or below the drive means. This required the drive motor to be installed submerged in the ground, which increased the construction and sealing effort for a water basin. With a motor arrangement above the drive means, the interfering contour was raised above the ground, and the water level had to be increased in order to have sufficient distance between the floor of the buoyant passenger means and the interfering contour. With the design according to the invention, both of these are no longer necessary. Due to the lateral offset, the drive motor can also be arranged next to a buoyant passenger carrier, which is preferably guided laterally in the drive area, so that it has no interfering influence on the passenger carrier.The claimed towing arrangement can therefore be designed to be particularly flat and with a low interference contour height and can be installed in a water amusement device. The claimed towing arrangement has various advantages for a water amusement device in which it is installed. The water loading device can comprise a water basin in which the towing arrangement is arranged underwater. The towing arrangement can be suitably designed for such an underwater submersible arrangement. Its components are, for example, designed to be water-compatible. This can relate to corrosion protection, a watertight design, water-compatible bearing and lubrication areas, etc. The water basin can have a water level height (h) of less than 50 cm, e.g., approximately 35 cm. This allows the amount of water and its weight to be reduced compared to previously known water amusement devices.The water basin may also comprise a preferably flat basin floor and one or more lateral basin walls. Furthermore, a drive chamber may be provided, set back from a basin wall, which is designed to accommodate a drag chain drive, in particular the drive motor. The guide rail of the drag chain guide may be attached to the basin floor. This may be done in an elevated position, whereby the distance to the basin floor can be kept small in order to minimize the height of the interference contour. The water amusement device may comprise scenery for the entertainment or information of passengers. This can be located in the area outside and / or inside the preferably ring-shaped, closed movement path. The water amusement device may further comprise an enclosure surrounding the water basin and the drag arrangement, as well as, if appropriate, the scenery.Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0002] The invention is illustrated schematically and by way of example. In detail: Figure 1: a perspective view of a water amusement device with a towing arrangement for buoyant passenger carriers installed therein. Figure 2: a top view of the water amusement device of Figure 1. Figure 3: a bottom view of the towing arrangement of Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4: a fragmentary detailed view of the towing arrangement from below in a drive area. Figure 5: a fragmentary front view of the towing arrangement at a station and drive area according to arrow V of Figure 2. Figure 6: a partially sectioned illustration of the arrangement of Figure 5. Figure 7: a fragmentary top view of a station and drive area of ​​the towing arrangement. Figure 8: a fragmentary perspective view of the towing arrangement in the station and drive area without passenger carriers.Figure 9: a fragmented and enlarged detailed view of the towing arrangement according to Figure 8. Figure 10: a fragmented, enlarged detailed plan view of the towing arrangement of Figure 9. Figure 11: a cross-section through the towing arrangement according to section line XI-XI of Figure 2. Figure 12: an enlarged cross-section of the chain links and the rear coupling bearing. Figures 13 - 15: various perspective views of chain links and coupling bearings. Figure 16: a fragmented and longitudinally sectioned view of chain links and coupling bearings. The invention relates to a towing arrangement (2) for a water amusement facility (1) and to a water amusement facility (1) equipped with the towing arrangement (2). The invention also relates to a towing method. Figures 1 and 2 show a water amusement facility (1) with a towing arrangement (2) arranged in the installed position in a water basin (8). The towing arrangement (2) serves toto tow buoyant passenger carriers (3) along a predetermined and preferred annular closed movement path (4) in a towing direction (5). The water basin (8) comprises a flat basin floor (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 through the water (47). The towing arrangement (2) is designed for a submerged arrangement under water (47). Its components are designed to be water-compatible. This can include corrosion protection, watertight construction, water-compatible bearing and lubrication areas, etc. The towing arrangement (2) comprises a multi-link tow chain (13),a drag chain guide (14) and a drag chain drive (15). These are arranged in the submerged position when installed underwater. The drag assembly (2) can also have a guide device (14') for the passenger carriers (3). The drag chain (13) comprises several straight chain links (25, 26), each of which is articulated to one another 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 a closed, ring-shaped shape. The guide rail (18) can have straight and variously curved sections. It preferably extends in a horizontal plane. Figure 4 shows this in an enlarged bottom view. The guide rail (18) is arranged on a support on the tank floor (9) according to Figures 5 and 6. The guide rail (18) is held by pin-like fastening means (19) at a short distance above the tank floor (9) and is fastened to the tank floor (9). In the embodiments shown, the guide rail (18) is rod-shaped and has, for example, a rectangular cross-section. Figures 11, 12 and 16 illustrate this design. The drag chain (13) is preferably designed to be shear- and tensile-resistant. It can be both 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 several sides on the guide rail (18). The drag chain (13), in particular its chain links (25, 26), are connected in a leading manner to the drag chain guide (14), in particular to the guide rail (18), at the bearing points (27). The chain links (25, 26) are otherwise preferably not connected to the guide rail (18) or guided thereon. Coupling bearings (35) explained below are arranged for this purpose at the bearing points (27). The chain links (25, 26) each have a straight profile body (28) that is open on the underside. This can, for example, have a U-shape in cross-section. In the embodiment shown, the cross-section is hat-shaped. The profile bodies (28) have, for example according to Figures 8 - 16, parallel lateral, upright outer walls (29,30). These can be connected to one another at their upper end by a transverse roof (31). The roof (31) can be plate-like and flat. It can have a closed or openwork shape. Alternatively, a frame-like design 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 shell-like and thin-walled, e.g., as a bent sheet metal part. As Figures 12 and 13 illustrate, the profile bodies (28) can have a length (l) of, for example, approximately 75 cm. Their outer width (w) in the transverse direction can be, for example, 17 cm. The overall height (b) of the drag chain (13) above the ground or pool floor (9) can be, for example, 6.5 cm. The drag chain (13) has a coupling bearing (35) at each of the bearing points (27) between the chain links (25, 26),which has at least one upright pivotable bearing axis (36). The adjacent chain links (25, 26) are pivotally 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 therefore follow curves of the curved movement path (4) and the guide rail (18). The chain links (25, 26) are also mutually and jointly supported on the guide rail (18) via the coupling bearings (35). The profile bodies (28) are preferably rigid and of one-piece construction. As shown in Figures 3 and 4 in the bottom view, the drag chain (13) with its chain links (25, 26) forms a polygonal line which can follow said curves by means of the bearing points (27) and coupling bearings (35). As Figures 12 - 16 illustrate, the coupling bearings (35) each comprise bearing elements (38, 39) and preferably also guide means (40). The bearing elements (38, 39) are designed toto 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 multi-axis positive connection and to be movable in the drag direction (5). As Figures 9 - 16 illustrate, the chain links (25, 26), in particular their profile bodies (28), each have a bearing projection (33, 34) at their front and rear end regions in the drag direction (5) for connection to the respective coupling bearing (35). The bearing projections (33, 34) can each be connected to the roof (31) of the profile bodies (28), in particular formed thereon. The front bearing projection (33) is designed as an angled, flange-like projection on the front side of the roof (31) that is offset diagonally downwards. The rear bearing projection (34) can be designed as an axially bulging projection in the roof (31). The bearing projections (33,34) have a different height position, whereby they also engage the coupling bearing (35) at different heights above one another. Figures 12, 13, 14 and 16 illustrate this design. The bearing elements (38, 39) of the coupling bearing (35) are designed, for example, as mutually rotatable bearing discs and are arranged one above the other. The rear bearing projection (34) rests on the upper bearing element (39) and is connected to it in a rotationally fixed manner by screws. The lowered front bearing projection (33) has, for example, a closed ring shape and is connected to the lower bearing element (38). The bearing projections (33, 34) and bearing elements (38, 39) are thus connected to one another so that they can rotate at least about the one common upright bearing axis (36). The length (l) is measured, for example, via the distance between the bearing axes (36). The bearing elements (38,39) are arranged on a preferably yoke-shaped support body (37) of the coupling bearing (35). They are located at a central location and on the upper side of the support body (37). The guide means (40) are formed, for example, by freely rotatable and circumferentially profiled guide rollers (41), which are arranged in pairs at a distance from one another and on both sides of the guide rail (18). The guide rollers (41) are rotatably mounted on the underside of the support body (37) and on vertical bearing journals there. Their circumferential profiling is adapted to the contour of the guide rail (18). The pair of guide rollers (41) thus engages in a form-fitting manner on the two vertical outer sides as well as on the horizontal upper and lower sides of the guide rail (18). The guide means (40) can also be designed differently, e.g. as sliding elements. The drag arrangement (2) can comprise several drivers (16),which are designed for the movable connection between the tow chain (13) and the buoyant passenger carriers (3). The carriers (16) are indicated in Figures 5 and 6. The carriers (16) are designed, for example, as flexible cables, chains, or the like, or as articulated and, if necessary, length-adjustable rods. During its movement in the towing direction (5), the tow chain (13) carries the passenger carriers (3) via the carriers (16), pulling and / or pushing them. As Figures 1 and 2 illustrate,the towing arrangement (2) can have a station area (7). It can also have a drive area (6) at one or more points on the movement path (4). A drive area (6) can be arranged at least at the station area (7). A further drive area (6) can be arranged, for example, according to Figures 2 - 4, at half the length of the movement path (4). The number of drive areas (6) can also be smaller or larger. The guide device (14') has at least one point on the movement path (4), preferably in the station area (7),upright support rollers (23) and horizontal guide rails (22). These are designed to support and guide the buoyant passenger carrier and can be located underwater. The support rollers (23) are arranged, for example, in two straight rows on either side of the drag chain (13) and the guide rail (18) and can engage the bottom of the passenger carrier (3) for support. They can be mounted on the flat pool floor (9). The lateral, straight and parallel guide rails (22) can hold the passenger carrier (3) between them and can engage its lateral outer wall if necessary. The guide rails (22) are arranged, for example, on a lateral pool wall (10) and on stands on the pool floor (9). The drag chain guide (14) has, at at least one point on the movement path (4), horizontally arranged and freely rotatable guide wheels (20, 21), each of which has upright axes of rotation and is mounted on the pool floor (9). The guide wheels (20,21) are preferably located in a drive area (6). The drag chain guide (14) and the drag chain (13) have, for example, a straight extension in the drive area (6), which is also aligned 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) each, with a lateral spacing, and act on both sides in a guiding manner on the drag chain (13) and its outer walls (29, 30). For this purpose, they are arranged at an appropriate height and opposite one another. The guide wheels (20, 21) can be adjusted laterally by suitable means and, if necessary, braced against the drag chain (13). The rows of guide wheels (20, 21) are aligned parallel to the drag chain (13) and to the drag direction (5). Thanks to the flat chain links (25,26) close to the tank bottom (9). The guide rail (18) can be arranged within the downwardly open profile body (28). The drag chain guide (14) can further comprise two parallel support strips (24) which extend along the drag direction (5) and the guide rail (18) and are mounted on the tank bottom (9). They support the profile bodies (28), in particular their flanges (32) on the underside. The support strips (24) are arranged beneath the guide wheels (20, 21). They are preferably located in the drive area (6). The drag chain drive (15) comprises a drive motor (42), e.g., a watertight drive motor, and an annular and flexurally elastic drive means (44) driven in rotation therefrom. The drive is effected via an output element (43), e.g., an output wheel, in particular a gear.of the drive motor (42). The drive means (44) is designed, for example, as a drive belt. The drive means (44) serves to drive the drag chain (13). For this purpose, the drive means (44) is guided over a straight row of several guide wheels (20) and is clamped between these guide wheels (20) and the drag chain (13). The movement and the drive force in the drag direction (5) are thereby transferred to the drag chain (13). The other, preferably straight row of guide wheels (21) provides a counter-hold for this. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate this arrangement. The drive means (44), in particular the drive belt, comprises several layers (45, 46). This layer structure is shown, for example, in Figure 10. An inner layer (45), for example, is designed for a drive-efficient connection to an output element (43) of the drive motor. This layer (45) can, for example, have a toothing,wherein the output element (43) has a counter-toothing. The other, e.g. outer layer (46) is designed for a drive-efficient connection to the drag chain (13). For this purpose, it can have a design that primarily transmits frictional force. It can, for example, have a roughened surface. The propellant (44) is designed for submerged installation under water and is accordingly insensitive to influences from the water (47). As Figures 2 and 3 as well as Figures 8 and 9 illustrate, the drive motor (42) is offset laterally and arranged at a lateral distance from the drag chain (13). It can, for example, be arranged on a pedestal and have the output element (43) on its underside. The drive motor (42) is arranged outside the projection area of ​​the passenger carrier (3). It can be located in a drive chamber (11),which is formed in the side basin wall (10). Figures 2 and 5 illustrate this design. The guide rail (18) has the aforementioned closed ring shape. The drag chain (13) can also have a closed ring shape. In the preferred embodiment, according to Figures 1, 2, and 7, it has an open ring shape, with its free chain ends (17) spaced apart from each other in the towing direction (5). This spacing or open chain area is located outside the passenger carriers (3). As Figures 5 and 6 illustrate, the water (47) in the water basin (8) has a water level height (h). This can be 35 cm or less. As Figures 1 and 2 illustrate,The water amusement device (1) can comprise scenery (12). This can be arranged inside and / or outside the ring-shaped, closed movement path (4). The scenery (12) can serve, for example, to entertain or inform passengers. The water amusement device (1) can also comprise, according to Figures 1 and 2, a housing (48) which surrounds the water basin (8) and the towing arrangement (2) as well as, if appropriate, the scenery (12). The housing (48) can be formed, for example, by building walls. Modifications of the embodiments shown and described are possible in various ways. The guide rail (18) can be designed in a different way, for example, having a different cross-sectional contour. It can also have a hollow box shape.The guide means (40) can be accommodated therein. Instead of the flat course shown, the guide rail (18) can also have height differences. The coupling bearings (35) are adapted accordingly. A possible submerged travel of passenger carriers (3) can also be realized via height differences. The drag chain drive (15) can have a different drive design, e.g., as an electric linear motor. In the drive shown, the drive means (44) with a correspondingly increased wrap can also rotate the guide wheels (20), which then act as a drive on the chain links (25, 26) and their profile bodies (28).

[0003] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS Water amusement deviceTowing arrangementPassenger carrierMovement pathTowing directionDrive area Bahnhof Water basin, pool floor, pool wall, drive chamber Szenerie Drag chainDrag chain guide' Guide device Passenger carrierDrag chain drive MitnehmerChain endGuide railFastenersGuide wheelGuide wheelGuide barSupport rollerSupport barChain linkChain linkBearing pointProfile body Außenwand Außenwand Dach Flansch Front bearing shoulderRear bearing shoulder35 Coupling bearing36 Bearing axis37 Support body38 Bearing element39 Bearing element40 Guide means41 Guide roller42 Drive motor43 Output element, drive roller44 Drive means, drive belt45 Layer46 Layer 47 Wasser 48 Enclosureh Water level heightl Length of chain linkw Width of chain linkb Height of drag chain

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS Schleppanordnung für eine Water amusement device (1), wherein the towing arrangement (2) is designed for a diving arrangement under water and is constructed to tow buoyant passenger carriers (3) along a predetermined and preferably annularly closed movement path (4), characterized in that the towing arrangement (2) comprises a multi-link towing chain (13), a towing chain guide (14) and a towing chain drive (15), wherein the towing 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 towing chain guide (14) by means of the bearing points (27). Schleppanordnung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch characterized in that the towing arrangement (2) comprises a plurality of drivers (16) which are designed for the movable driving connection between the towing chain (13) and the buoyant passenger carriers (3). Schleppanordnung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurchcharacterized in that the towing arrangement (2) comprises one or more buoyant passenger carriers (3), in particular boats and / or fins, each with a seating arrangement for passengers. Schleppanordnung nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, dadurch characterized in that the drag chain guide (14) comprises a preferably elevated guide rail (18). Schleppanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Claims, characterized in that the drag chain (13) is designed to be shear and tensile resistant. Schleppanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Claims, characterized in that the drag chain (13), in particular its chain links (25, 26), is / are connected in a leading manner to the drag chain guide (14), in particular the guide rail (18), preferably only at the bearing points (27). Schleppanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Claims, characterized in that the chain links (25, 26) each have a straight profile body (28) which is preferably open on the underside and in particular hat-shaped in cross-section. Schleppanordnung nach einem der vorhergehendenClaims, characterized in that the chain links (25, 26), in particular their profile bodies (28), each have parallel outer walls (29, 30). Schleppanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Claims, characterized in that the chain links (25, 26), in particular their profile bodies (28), have a length (l) of 30 cm to 200 cm, preferably approximately 75 cm and a width (w) in the transverse direction of 15 cm to 40 cm, preferably approximately 17 cm, wherein the drag chain (13) has a construction height (b) above the ground of 5 cm to 10 cm, preferably approximately 6.5 cm. 10.) Schleppanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Claims, characterized in that the drag chain (13) has at the bearing points (27) between the chain links (25, 26) a coupling bearing (35) with one or more bearing axes (36), in particular pivot axes, 11.) Schleppanordnung nach einem der vorhergehendenClaims, characterized in that the chain links (25, 26), in particular their profile bodies (28), each have a bearing attachment (33, 34) for connection to a coupling bearing (35) at their front and rear end regions in the towing direction (5). 12.) Schleppanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Claims, characterized in that the coupling bearing (35) comprises 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 lugs (33, 34), in a uniaxial or multi-axial pivotable manner and wherein the guide means (40) are designed to engage the drag chain guide (14), in particular the guide rail (18), with preferably multi-axial positive engagement and movable in the drag direction (5). 13.) Schleppanordnung nach Anspruch 12, dadurch characterized in that the guide means (40) are designed as freely rotatable, preferably pairwise, circumferentially profiled guide rollers (41). Schleppanordnung nach einem der vorhergehendenClaims, characterized in that the towing arrangement (2) has a station area (7) and a drive area (6) at one or more points on the movement path (4). Schleppanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Claims, characterized in that the towing arrangement (2) comprises a guide device (14') which has upright support rollers (23) and / or horizontal guide rails (22) at at least one point on the movement path (4), which are designed to support and guide a buoyant passenger carrier (3). Schleppanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Claims, characterized in that the drag chain guide (14) and the drag chain (13) have a straight extension in a drive region (6). Schleppanordnung nach einem der vorhergehendenClaims, characterized in that the drag chain guide (14) has, at at least one point of the movement path (4), preferably in the drive region (6), horizontally arranged, freely rotatable guide wheels (20, 21), which are arranged in parallel, preferably straight, rows with lateral spacing and which are designed for guiding engagement on both sides of the drag chain (13). Schleppanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Claims, characterized in that the drag chain guide (14) at least at one point of the movement path (4), preferably in the drive area (6), to the drag direction (5) parallel support strips (24) for the drag chain (13). 19.) Schleppanordnung nach einem der vorhergehendenClaims, characterized in that the drag chain drive (15) comprises a preferably watertight drive motor (42) and an annular, flexurally elastic drive means (44), in particular a drive belt, which is driven in rotation thereby and is designed to drive the drag chain (13). 20.) Schleppanordnung nach Anspruch 19, dadurch characterized in that the drive means (44), in particular the drive belt, is guided over a series of several guide wheels (20) and is clamped between these guide wheels (20) and the drag chain (13). 21.) Schleppanordnung nach Anspruch 19 oder 20, dadurch characterized in that the drive means (44), in particular the drive belt, comprises a plurality of layers (45, 46), of which one layer (45) is designed for a drive-efficient connection to an output element (43) of the drive motor (42) and another layer (46) is designed for a drive-efficient connection to the drag chain (13). 22.) Schleppanordnung nach Anspruch 19, 20 oder 21,characterized in that the drive motor (42) is laterally offset and arranged at a distance from the drag chain (13). 23.) Schleppanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Claims, characterized in that the guide rail (18) has a closed ring shape has. 24.) Schleppanordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden Claims, characterized in that the drag chain (13) has an open ring shape, the free chain ends (17) being spaced apart from one another in the drag direction (5). 25.) Wasserbelustigungseinrichtung mit einer Towing arrangement (2) which is designed for a diving arrangement under water and which is designed to tow buoyant passenger carriers (3) along a predetermined 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 24. 26.) Wasserbelustigungseinrichtung nach Anspruch 25,characterized in that the water amusement device (1) comprises a water basin (8) in which the towing arrangement (2) is arranged under water. 27.) Wasserbelustigungseinrichtung nach Anspruch 26, characterized in that the water basin (8) has a water level height (h) of 50 cm or less, in particular approximately 35 cm. 28.) Wasserbelustigungseinrichtung nach Anspruch 25, 26 or 27, characterized in that the water basin (8) has a preferably flat basin bottom (9) and one or more lateral basin walls (10). Wasserbelustigungseinrichtung nach einem der Claims 25 to 28, characterized in that the water basin (8) has a drive chamber (11) set back from a basin wall (10) and designed to accommodate a drag chain drive (15). Wasserbelustigungseinrichtung nach einem der Claims 25 to 29, characterized in that a guide rail (18) of a drag chain guide (14) is mounted on a stand on the pool floor (9). Wasserbelustigungseinrichtung nach einem derClaims 25 to 30, characterized in that guide wheels (20, 21) and optionally support strips (24) of a drag chain guide (14) are fastened to the basin floor (9). Wasserbelustigungseinrichtung nach einem der Claims 25 to 31, characterized in that a drive motor (42) of the drag chain drive (15) is fastened to the pool floor (9). Wasserbelustigungseinrichtung nach einem der Claims 25 to 32, characterized in that the water amusement device (1) comprises a scenery (12) for entertaining or informing passengers. Wasserbelustigungseinrichtung nach einem der Claims 25 to 33, characterized in that the water amusement device (1) is a Water basin (8) and housing (48) surrounding the towing arrangement (2). Verfahren zum Schleppen von schwimmfähigenPassenger carriers (3) along a predetermined and preferably ring-shaped closed movement path (4) in a water amusement device (1) by means of a towing arrangement (2) which is designed for a diving arrangement under water, characterized in that the towing arrangement (2) comprises a multi-link towing chain (13), a towing chain guide (14) and a towing chain drive (15), wherein the towing 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 towing chain guide (14) by means of the bearing points (27).

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