Participatory water play apparatus

• US 5,194,048 A
• Filed: 10/29/1990
• Issued: 03/16/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 07-12690, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Rick A. Briggs
• Inventors: Briggs, Rick A.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHILCOT, RICHARD E
• Application Number:
  US07/604,946
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 472/117, 472/128, 482/35-37
• US Class Current: 472/128
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/007 involving water

Abstract

An endoskeletal or exoskeletal participatory water play structure comprised of play elements, water carrying conduits with attached water forming devices, associated valves, and issuing water effects, all of which define a three dimensional structure whereupon participants can manipulate valves to cause controllable changes in water effects that issue from the various water forming devices, and thus, alter the embodiment'"'"'s overall appearance, sound and feel resulting in participant and observer recreational enjoyment.

Claims

1. A water play apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a first nozzle mounted on said frame at a first elevation for directing a spray of water into the air in a first direction, said nozzle forming said spray into a first spray pattern;

means for circulating water to said first nozzle;

a first valve mounted on said frame for controlling the flow of water circuitlated to said first nozzle;

a second nozzle mounted on said frame at a second elevation different from said first elevation for directing a spray of water into the air in a second direction different from said first direction, said nozzle forming said spray into a second spray pattern different from said first spray pattern;

means for circulating water to said second nozzle;

a second valve mounted on said frame for controlling the flow of water circulated to said second nozzle;

first means mounted on said frame for supporting a user of said apparatus at a third elevation, said first supporting means being positioned adjacent said first valve to permit a user of said apparatus on said supporting means to adjust said first valve;

second means mounted on said frame for supporting a user of said apparent at a fourth elevation, said second supporting means being positioned adjacent said second valve to permit a user of said apparatus on said second supporting means to adjust said second valve;

a basin for collecting water sprayed from said nozzles; and

a pump for recirculating such collected water to said nozzles.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame is formed from interconnected pipe for circulating water to said nozzles and valves.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame is formed from substantially planar members and wherein said means for circulating water to said comprises conduits mounted on said planar members.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame forms a polyhedron.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes a stair for providing access to one of said supporting means.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes a ladder for providing access to one of said supporting means.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes a structure having a roof and said walls mounted thereon.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said apparatus further includes a basin for collecting water sprayed from said nozzle.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said apparatus further includes a pump for recirculating such collected water in said pipe.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes a second substantially planar platform mounted on said frame adjacent said second valve for permitting a user of said apparatus on said platform to control said second valve.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said apparatus further includes a basin for collecting water sprayed from said nozzles.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said apparatus further includes a pump for recirculating such collected water to said nozzles.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said frame is formed from substantially planar members and wherein said means for circulating water to said nozzles comprises conduits mounted on said planar members.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said frame comprises a plurality of pipes, some of said pipes being connected for communicating fluid to one another.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said first nozzles is constructed to spray in a first pattern and said second nozzle is constructed to spray in a second pattern.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said apparatus further includes a structure having a roof and said walls mounted thereon.

19. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said apparatus further includes a stair for providing access to one of said platforms.

20. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said apparatus further includes a ladder for providing access to one of said platforms.

10. A water play apparatus comprising:

a frame;

first and second nozzles mounted on said frame at different locations, said nozzles being operable to spray water therefrom.

means for circulating water to said nozzles, and

first and second valves mounted on said frame for independently controlling the flow of water to said first and second nozzles, respectively.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said apparatus further includes a first substantially planar platform mounted on said frame adjacent said first valve for permitting a user of said apparatus on said platform to control said first valve.

21. A water play apparatus comprising:

a frame defining a three-dimensional object, said frame being formed from a plurality of pipes connected together for circulating water therethrough;

a plurality of substantially planar members mounted on said frame for further defining said three-dimensional object;

first and second nozzles mounted on said frame at different locations, said nozzles being operable to spray water therefrom; and

first and second valves mounted on said frame for independently controlling the flow of water to said first and second nozzles, respectively.