Lawn sprinkler play apparatus

• US 20080033601A1
• Filed: 08/01/2006
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dream Visions
• Original Assignee: Dream Visions
• Inventors: Habing, Thesdore G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,606,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/284
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2009/008 with water spraying means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 9/00 Climbing poles, frames, or stages climbing walls for mountaineering training A63B69/0048; endless loop ladders A63B22/04

Abstract

A sprinkler play system has a central distribution station and a plurality of sprinkler stations. The sprinkler stations may be spaced apart on a lawn. The sprinkler stations are connected to the distribution station with flexible water conduits. Each of the sprinkler stations includes a low voltage solenoid valve. Electrical conductors may be included with the flexible water conduits in order to operate the solenoid valves. A control unit permits selective activation of the individual sprinkler stations.

Claims

1. A sprinkler play apparatus comprising:

a distribution station with a water inlet configured to connect to a garden hose fitting and a plurality of water outlets;

a plurality of sprinkler stations connected to respective ones of the plurality of water outlets with flexible water conduits;

a control unit for selectively activating the plurality of sprinkler stations.

2. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sprinkler stations are electrically activated.

3. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 2 wherein each sprinkler station includes an electrically operated valve.

4. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 3 wherein the flexible water conduits include electrical conductors electrically connecting the valves to the distribution station.

5. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sprinkler stations are covered with a cushioning material.

6. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least two of the sprinkler stations have different spray patterns.

7. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control unit includes a timer for limiting activation of a sprinkler station to a predetermined period of time.

8. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a motion sensor.

9. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 8 wherein a sprinkler station is activated in response to a signal from the motion sensor.

10. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 8 wherein all sprinkler stations are deactivated if motion is not sensed for a predetermined period of time.

11. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control unit is remotely operated.

12. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control unit is operable to selectively activate each of the sprinkler stations.

13. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control unit includes means for activating the sprinkler stations in a random pattern.

14. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control unit controls a plurality of water valves, each of the water valves located proximate a respective one of the sprinkler stations.

15. A sprinkler play apparatus comprising:

a distribution station with a water inlet and a plurality of water outlets;

a plurality of sprinkler stations connected to respective ones of the water outlets with flexible water conduits, each of the sprinkler stations including a remotely controlled valve;

a control unit for selectively activating the valves.

16. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 15 wherein the valves are electrically activated.

17. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 15 wherein the flexible water conduits include electrical conductors electrically connecting the valves to the distribution station.

18. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 15 wherein the sprinkler stations are covered with a cushioning material.

19. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 15 wherein at least two of the sprinkler stations have different spray patterns.

20. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 15 wherein the control unit includes a timer for limiting activation of a sprinkler station to a predetermined period of time.

21. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a motion sensor.

22. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 21 wherein a sprinkler station is activated in response to a signal from the motion sensor.

23. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 21 wherein all sprinkler stations are deactivated if motion is not sensed for a predetermined period of time.

24. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 15 wherein the control unit is operable to selectively activate each of the sprinkler stations.

25. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 15 wherein the control unit is remotely operated.

26. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 25 wherein the control unit turns off all sprinkler stations when the control unit has not been remotely operated for a predetermined period of time.

27. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 15 wherein the control unit includes means for activating the sprinkler stations in a random pattern.

28. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 15 wherein the water inlet is configured to connect to a garden hose fitting.

29. A portable sprinkler play apparatus comprising:

a central dispersement hub;

a plurality of spray outlets arranged around the hub;

a water supply connection;

a valve system to supply water to one or more of the spray outlets at a time;

a remote control for controlling operation of the valve system.

30. The portable sprinkler play apparatus of claim 29 wherein the central dispersement hub is covered with a cushioning material.

31. The portable sprinkler play apparatus of claim 29 wherein each of the plurality of spray outlets is covered with a cushioning material.

32. The portable sprinkler play apparatus of claim 29 wherein the valve system comprises an electrically operated valve proximate to each of the spray outlets.

33. The portable sprinkler play apparatus of claim 32 wherein the spray outlets are positionable remote from the central dispersement hub.

34. The portable sprinkler play apparatus of claim 29 wherein at least two of the spray outlets have different spray patterns.

35. The portable sprinkler play apparatus of claim 29 further comprising means for turning off all of the spray outlets after any one of the spray outlet has continuously sprayed for a predetermined period of time.

36. The portable sprinkler play apparatus of claim 29 further comprising means for turning off all of the spray outlets after the remote control has not been operated for a predetermined period of time.

37. The portable sprinkler play apparatus of claim 29 further comprising a motion sensor.

38. The portable sprinkler play apparatus of claim 37 further comprising means for turning off all of the spray outlets if motion is not sensed for a predetermined period of time.