# US 2014/0189948 A1 · Method and apparatus for producing progressive waves suitable for surfing using staggered wave generators in sequence > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0189948 A1 - Document ID: US20140189948A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/115,415 - Filed: 2011-05-04 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-05-04 - Assignees: Stagger Reef Pte. Ltd. - Inventors: Thomas J. Lochtefeld; Dirk Bastenhof - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140189948A1 ## CPC - E04H 4/0006: {Devices for producing waves in swimming pools (generating current of water in swimming pools A63B69/125)} - A63B 69/0093: {for surfing, i.e. without a sail; for skate or snow boarding} - A63B 2208/03: the user being in water - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for a wave pool having a deep end and a shallow end, wherein a plurality of wave generators is provided for producing wave segments in the wave pool. The wave generators are preferably extended substantially along the deep end in a substantially staggered manner relative to the travel direction of the wave segments. A pair of dividing walls is preferably provided in front of each wave generator, wherein the dividing walls are extended substantially forward in the travel direction and substantially parallel to each other or with a fade angle of no more than about 20 to 30 degrees relative to each other. The wave generators are preferably operated in sequence from one side of the pool to the other, such that a plurality of wave segments is generated at pre-selected time intervals, and such that the plurality of wave segments can travel forward and then, due to the stagger of the wave generators, merge together to form a substantially uniform resultant periodic wave. The resultant wave forms and travels forward and then breaks along the shallow end which preferably comprises a break line. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wave pool comprising: a plurality of wave generators adapted to produce wave segments that travel forward in said wave pool, wherein said wave generators are extended in a substantially staggered manner relative to the travel direction of the wave segments; a pair of dividing walls extended substantially forward in said travel direction in front of each of said wave generators, wherein within each pair, said dividing walls are extended substantially parallel to each other to enable the wave segments to form and merge together to form a single resultant wave; and a sloped floor extended within said wave pool, wherein said floor comprises an incline that enables the resultant wave to break thereon. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The wave pool of claim 1, wherein said wave generators are adapted to be operated in sequence from one side of said wave pool to the other, such that by operating said wave generators in this manner, a plurality of wave segments is generated at pre-selected time intervals, such that as the wave segments travel forward, they merge together to form a substantially uniform resultant wave. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The wave pool of claim 1 , wherein each of said wave generators comprises a caisson and means for generating wave movements within said wave pool. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The wave pool of claim 1, wherein said wave generators are taken from the group consisting of the following: a) pneumatically operated wave generator; b) oscillatory pneumatic wave generator; c) surge wave generator; d) oscillatory mechanical wave generator. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The wave pool of claim 1, wherein said wave generators are extended along a stagger angle and said incline forms a peel angle, wherein 1) said stagger angle and said peel angle are substantially the same and extended at an angle of about 30 to 70 degrees relative to the down-line front or crest of the resultant wave, 2) said stagger angle and said peel angle are not the same but are extended at an angle of about 30 to 70 degrees relative to the down-line front or crest of the resultant wave, or 3) said peel angle is extended at an angle of about 30 to 70 degrees relative to the down-line front or crest of the resultant wave and said stagger angle varies. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The wave pool of claim 1, wherein said wave pool comprises a wave dampening system having a perforated floor for dampening the resultant wave as it breaks along said incline. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The wave pool of claim 1, wherein said pair of dividing walls in front of each wave generator forms three zones comprising a wave formation zone, a partial wave convergence zone and a full wave convergence zone. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The wave pool of claim 1, wherein the distal end of each of said dividing walls extending between adjacent wave generators is tapered or narrowed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The wave pool of claim 7, wherein each of said pair of dividing walls comprises a short dividing wall and a long dividing wall, wherein in front of each of said wave generators, 1) said wave formation zone extends forward from a front wall to a distal end of said short dividing wall, 2) said partial wave convergence zone extends forward from a distal end of said short dividing wall to a distal end of said long dividing wall, and 3) said full wave convergence zone extends forward from a distal end of said long dividing wall in a direction toward said incline. ### Claim 10 A wave pool comprising: a plurality of wave generators adapted to produce wave segments that travel forward in said wave pool, wherein said wave generators are extended in a substantially staggered manner relative to the travel direction of the wave segments; a pair of dividing walls extended substantially forward in said travel direction in front of each of said wave generators, wherein within each pair, said dividing walls are extended with a fade angle of no more than 20 degrees relative to each other such that said dividing walls enable the wave segments to form and merge together to form a single resultant wave; and a sloped floor extended substantially in said wave pool, wherein said floor comprises an incline that enables the resultant wave to break thereon. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The wave pool of claim 10, wherein said wave generators are adapted to be operated in sequence from one side of said wave pool to the other, such that by operating said wave generators in this manner, a plurality of wave segments is generated at pre-selected time intervals, such that as the wave segments travel forward, due to the stagger of said wave generators, they merge together to form a substantially uniform resultant wave. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The wave pool of claim 10, wherein each of said wave generators comprises a caisson and means for generating wave movements within said wave pool. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The wave pool of claim 10, wherein said wave generators are taken from the group consisting of the following: a) pneumatically operated wave generator; b) oscillatory pneumatic wave generator; c) surge wave generator; d) oscillatory mechanical wave generator. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The wave pool of claim 10, wherein said wave generators are extended along a stagger angle and said incline forms a peel angle, wherein 1) said stagger angle and said peel angle are substantially the same and extended at an angle of about 30 to 70 degrees relative to the down-line front or crest of the resultant wave, 2) said stagger angle and said peel angle are not the same but are extended at an angle of about 30 to 70 degrees relative to the down-line front or crest of the resultant wave, or 3) said peel angle is extended at an angle of about 30 to 70 degrees relative to the down-line front or crest of the resultant wave and said stagger angle varies. ### Claim 15 The wave pool of claim10, wherein said wave pool comprises a wave dampening system having a perforated floor for dampening the resultant wave as it breaks along said incline. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The wave pool of claim 10, wherein said pair of dividing walls in front of each wave generator forms three zones comprising a wave formation zone, a partial wave convergence zone and a full wave convergence zone. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The wave pool of claim 10, wherein the distal end of each of said dividing walls extending between adjacent wave generators is tapered or narrowed. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The wave pool of claim 16, wherein each of said pair of dividing walls comprises a short dividing wall and a long dividing wall, wherein in front of each of said wave generators, 1) said wave formation zone extends forward from a front wall to a distal end of said short dividing wall, 2) said partial wave convergence zone extends forward from a distal end of said short dividing wall to a distal end of said long dividing wall, and 3) said full wave convergence zone extends forward from a distal end of said long dividing wall in a direction toward said incline. ### Claim 19 A method of producing waves in a wave pool comprising: providing a plurality of wave generators for producing wave segments wherein said wave generators are extended in a substantially staggered manner relative to the travel direction of the wave segments; providing a pair of dividing walls in front of each of said wave generators, wherein within each pair, said dividing walls are extended substantially parallel to each other or with a fade angle of no more than 20 degrees relative to each other; operating said wave generators in sequence from one side of said wave pool to the other, such that by operating said wave generators in this manner, a plurality of wave segments is generated at pre-selected time intervals; allowing the plurality of wave segments to travel forward in said travel direction and merge together to form a single uniform resultant wave; and allowing the resultant wave to form and travel forward and break or dissipate along an inclined floor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein said pair of dividing walls in front of each of said wave generators forms three zones comprising a wave formation zone, a partial wave convergence zone and a full wave convergence zone, wherein the method comprises the following steps: forming a first wave segment with a first wave generator and allowing said first wave segment to travel within said wave formation zone, and enter into said partial wave convergence zone, and then, into said full wave convergence zone; forming a second wave segment with a second wave generator and relative to said second wave generator allowing said second wave segment to travel within said wave formation zone, and then allowing said second wave segment to merge with said first wave segment along a convergence area extending between said partial wave convergence zone of said second wave generator, and said full wave convergence zone of said first wave generator; and forming a third wave segment with a third wave generator and relative to said third wave generator allowing said third wave segment to travel within said wave formation zone, and then allowing said third wave segment to merge with said second wave segment along a convergence area extending between said partial wave convergence zone of said third wave generator, and said full wave convergence zone of said second wave generator. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the method comprises the additional step of allowing the resultant wave to break along said inclined floor, and then dampening the resultant wave using a dampening system comprising a perforated floor.