Participatory water play apparatus

• US 5,405,294 A
• Filed: 03/02/1993
• Issued: 04/11/1995
• 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): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Aubrey, Beth A.
• Application Number:
  US08/025,143
• Time in Patent Office: 770 Days
• Field of Search: 472/35-37, 472/117, 472/128, 482/35
• 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 water forming means mounted on said frame for directing water in a first direction, said first water forming means forming said water into a first pattern;

means for circulating water to said first water forming means;

a first valve mounted on said frame for controlling the flow of water circulated to said water forming means;

a second water forming means mounted on said frame for directing water in a second direction different from said first direction, said second water forming means forming said water into a second pattern different from said first pattern;

means for circulating water to said second water forming means; and

a second valve mounted on said frame for controlling the flow of water circulated to said second water forming means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first water forming means is mounted on said frame at a first elevation and said second water forming means is mounted on said frame at a second elevation different from said first elevation.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said apparatus further includes 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.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said apparatus further includes second means mounted on said frame for supporting a user of said apparatus 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.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said apparatus further includes a stair for providing access to one of said supporting means.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said apparatus further includes a ladder for providing access to one of said supporting means.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame is formed from interconnected pipe for circulating water to said water forming means.

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

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

10. The apparatus of claim 1 where said apparatus further includes a structure having a roof and side walls mounted thereon.

11. The water play apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water play apparatus further comprises a multiplicity of water forming means.

12. The water play apparatus of claim 11 wherein said water play apparatus further comprises a multiplicity of valves for controlling the flow of water circulating to said water forming means.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes a basin for collecting water sprayed from said water forming means.

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

15. A water play apparatus comprising:

a frame;

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

means for circulating water to said water forming means;

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

16. The apparatus of claim 15 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.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 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.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said apparatus further includes a basin for collecting water sprayed from said water forming means.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said apparatus further includes a pump for recirculating such collected water to said water forming means.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said frame is formed from substantially planar members and wherein aid means for circulating water to said water forming means comprises conduits mounted on said planar members.

21. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said frame comprises a plurality of pipes, some of said pipes being connected for communicating fluid to one another.

22. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said first water forming means is constructed to spray in a first pattern and said second nozzle is constructed to spray in a second pattern.

23. The apparatus of claim 17 where said apparatus further includes a structure having a roof and side walls mounted thereon.

24. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said apparatus further includes a stair for providing access to one of said platforms.

25. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said apparatus further includes a ladder for providing access to one of said platforms.

26. The water play apparatus of claim 15 wherein said water play apparatus further comprises a multiplicity of water forming means.

27. The water play apparatus of claim 26 wherein said water play apparatus further comprises a multiplicity of valves for controlling the flow of water circulated to said water forming means.

28. 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 water forming means 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 water forming means, respectively.

29. The water play apparatus of claim 28 wherein said water play apparatus further comprises a multiplicity of water forming means.

30. The water play apparatus of claim 29 wherein said water play apparatus further comprises a multiplicity of valves for controlling the flow of water circulated to said water forming means.