Participatory water play apparatus

• US 5,662,525 A
• Filed: 06/02/1995
• Issued: 09/02/1997
• 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): STEPHAN, BETH A
• Application Number:
  US08/460,101
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 472/117, 472/128, 482/35-37
• US Class Current: 472/128
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2009/002 Flat climbing nets
• 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 31/00 Amusement arrangements hoop exercising apparatus driven by the user A63B19/00
• 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. An interactive water play apparatus, comprising:

a play structure formed of a plurality of interconnected pipes, said pipes having sufficient size and strength for safely supporting one or more play participants playing on, in or around said play structure;

at least one water forming device disposed on said play structure for selectively directing or spraying water onto said play participants and/or for creating desired water effects; and

at least one control valve mounted so as to be readily accessible to said play participants, said control valve allowing said play participants to selectively activate said water forming device whereby interactive water play is thereby attained.

2. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said play structure comprises a three-dimensional play structure bounded by said plurality of interconnected pipes.

3. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein said play structure comprises a multi-level play structure having various elevated play areas or platforms upon which said play participants may play and between which said play participants can climb.

4. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 3, whereto said play structure further comprises a climbing structure for allowing access to said elevated play areas or platforms.

5. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 3, wherein said play structure further comprises a roof structure disposed over at least one of said elevated play areas or platforms.

6. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said play structure is formed so as to simulate a play object such as an animal, house or vehicle.

7. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said play structure is formed so as to simulate the shape of a play object such as an animal, house or vehicle.

8. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 7, wherein said play structure simulates the shape of a play fire engine.

9. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 7, wherein said play structure simulates the shape of a play whale.

10. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 7, wherein said play structure simulates the shape of a play submarine.

11. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 7, wherein said play structure further comprises one or more enclosure panels disposed between adjacent water conduits to assist in defining outer surfaces or inner compartments of said play structure.

12. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said play structure further comprises one or more non-water play elements such as a slide or rotating tunnel.

13. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said pipes comprise durable corrosion-resistant metal piping having a diameter of between about 1 cm and 40 cm.

14. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said pipes comprise durable corrosion resistant PVC piping having a diameter of between about 1 cm and 40 cm.

15. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said water forming device comprises a nozzle adapted to spray water onto said play participants.

16. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 15 wherein said nozzle is mounted on one of said pipes substantially recessed or flush with the exterior surface of said pipe so as to prevent possible injurious contact with said play participants.

17. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said water forming device comprises a water gun adapted to selectively direct a stream of water.

18. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said water forming device comprises the combination of a nozzle and a hinged bucket adapted to fill with water and periodically spill over.

19. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said water forming device comprises an overhead water spray adapted to spray water onto said play participants.

20. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said water forming device comprises a water spout adapted to spray water onto said play participants.

21. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said water forming device comprises a water fall cascading downward onto said play participants.

22. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said water forming device comprises a jumping water ball nozzle.

23. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said control valve comprises a wheel operated faucet.

24. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising a wading pool or other receptacle for collecting water spraying from said water forming device.

25. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 24 further comprising a recirculation pump for recirculating water from said pool or receptacle to said water forming device.

26. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 25 comprising a plurality of water forming devices and corresponding control valves and further comprising a control valve manifold for safely regulating a substantially balanced flow of water to said plurality of water forming devices and corresponding control valves.

27. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 26 wherein said control valve manifold comprises a manifold having at least one inlet for receiving water from said recirculation pump and a plurality of outlets each having a corresponding control valve for safely delivering a substantially balanced flow of water to said plurality of water forming devices and corresponding control valves.

28. An interactive water play apparatus, comprising:

a play structure for supporting play participants playing on, in or around said play structure;

a plurality of water forming devices disposed on said play structure at various locations and elevations for directing water onto said play participants and/or for creating desired water effects; and

a corresponding plurality of control valves mounted on said play structure so as to be readily accessible to said play participants, said control valves adapted to allow said play participants to selectively activate one or more of said water forming devices.

29. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 28, wherein said play structure comprises a substantially open three-dimensional structure.

30. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 29, wherein said play structure is formed to simulate the shape of a play object such as an animal, house or vehicle.

31. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 30;

wherein said play structure simulates the shape of a play fire engine.

32. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 30, wherein said play structure simulates the shape of a play whale.

33. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 30, wherein said play structure simulates the shape of a play submarine.

34. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 28, wherein said play structure is formed of a structural support shell covered with a relatively non-abrasive surfacing material.

35. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 28, wherein said play structure comprises a multi-level play structure having various elevated play areas or platforms upon which said play participants may play and between which said play participants can climb.

36. The interactive waterplay apparatus recited in claim 35, wherein said platforms are formed from a non-slip fiberglass material.

37. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 35, wherein said play structure further comprises a climbing structure for allowing access to said elevated play areas or platforms.

38. The interactive waterplay apparatus recited in claim 28, wherein said play structure comprises a three-dimensional frame comprising interconnected water conduits of a sufficient size and separation to permit said play participants to operate and interact with one or more of said water-forming devices or control valves.

39. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 28 wherein at least one of said water forming devices comprises a nozzle adapted to spray water onto said play participants.

40. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 39 wherein said nozzle is substantially recessed or flush with the exterior surface of said play structure so as to prevent possible injurious contact with said play participants.

41. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 28 wherein at least one of said water forming devices comprises a water gun adapted to selectively direct a stream of water.

42. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 28, wherein at least one of said water forming devices comprises an overhead water spray adapted to spray water onto said play participants.

43. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 28, wherein at least one of said water forming devices comprises a water spout adapted to spray water onto said play participants.

44. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 28, wherein at least one of said water forming devices comprises a water fall cascading downward onto said play participants.

45. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 28, wherein at least one of said control valves comprises a wheel operated faucet.

46. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 28, wherein said play structure further comprises one or more non-water effect play elements such as a slide or rotating tunnel.

47. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 28, further comprising a wading pool or other receptacle for collecting water spraying from said water forming devices.

48. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 28 further comprising a control valve manifold for safely regulating a substantially balanced flow of water to said plurality of water forming devices and corresponding control valves.

49. The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 48 wherein said control valve manifold comprises a manifold having at least one inlet for receiving water from said recirculation pump and a plurality of outlets each having a corresponding control valve for safely delivering a substantially balanced flow of water to said plurality of water forming devices and corresponding control valves.

50. A method for interactive water play, comprising the following steps:

providing water to a plurality of water forming devices arranged at various locations and elevations on a play structure so as to direct or spray said water into the air, onto play participants or into a pool or other water receptacle;

adjusting a corresponding plurality of control valves also arranged on said play structure at various locations and elevations to selectively activate or control said corresponding water forming devices so as to create various desired water effects; and

allowing said water spray issuing from said water forming devices to cool off and/or entertain said play participants.