Amusement devices – Racetrack
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-26
2001-06-12
Nguyen, Kien T. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices
Racetrack
C472S088000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244968
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of racetracks for go-karts and, more particularly, to an elevated racetrack which may be erected over a parcel of land having a stormwater retention basin thereon.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Go-karts and similar motorized amusement vehicles have been popular for many years. Driving a go-kart on a suitably proportioned racetrack is a fun-filled experience for the entire family, young and old. Racetracks for go-karts have been part of the amusement park industry practically since commercially available go-karts appeared on the market. Most go-kart tracks are asphalt or concrete racetracks built at ground level, much as roads for regular vehicles.
Because of the technical difficulty and expense involved in building an elevated go-kart racetrack, fewer of these tracks have been built. In addition, building an elevated racetrack using conventional techniques, such as concrete or asphalt, greatly increases the expense of construction. Therefore, builders have turned to wood as a suitable construction material for elevated go-kart racetracks. Previous to the present invention, however, elevated go-kart racetrack construction produced tracks essentially resembling elevated boardwalks, whose surface was uneven, resulting in a very bumpy ride and causing increased frequency of breakdowns in the vehicles. Additionally, building smooth banked curves has been very difficult and extremely labor intensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the foregoing in mind, the present invention advantageously provides a go-kart racetrack including an elevated wooden racetrack surface supported by a structural frame anchored to the ground below. The wooden racetrack surface includes a plurality of floor boards, has a first and second outer periphery defining the outer edges of the racetrack, and extends along a plurality of tiers elevated above ground level. The wooden racetrack surface also includes a plurality of banked curves formed from a plurality of wooden slats positioned vertically on edge and abuttingly adjoining at least one other wooden slat of said plurality. In constructing the banked curves the plurality of wooden slats is positioned bent into shape and at a predetermined angle of inclination from the inside curve periphery to the outside curve periphery, thereby to define the banked curve. The wooden racetrack surface is supported on a racetrack support frame having a plurality of vertical support posts positioned anchored on suitable land and connected to a plurality of support beams and support joists and stringers acting as braces positioned abuttingly underlying and connected directly or indirectly to the wooden racetrack surface, thereby to provide elevation above ground and structural support.
In addition, the invention includes a method of producing revenue from land having thereon a stormwater retention basin by operating the motorized amusement vehicle ride over the stormwater retention basin. The method includes the steps of providing at least one motorized amusement vehicle positioned on a racetrack erected over the stormwater retention basin, the racetrack sufficiently elevated above ground level such that the stormwater retention basin operates substantially within design characteristics, and allowing drivers to operate the motorized amusement vehicle for a fee, thereby producing revenue.
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Allen Dyer Doppelt Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
Nguyen Kien T.
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