Dry interactive play structure having recirculating play media
DCFirst Claim
1. An interactive play system, comprising:
- a multi-level support frame for safely supporting one or more play participants in, on or around said play system;
a lower support surface underneath said support frame for supporting said support frame and said one or more play participants;
a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
a plurality of play elements disposed on or around said support frame at various locations and/or elevations, at least some of said play elements being adapted to receive the play media to create desired effects; and
a collection and return system comprising at least a portion of said lower surface which slopes from a higher elevation to a lower elevation and a play media collection area in the proximity of the lower elevation such that play media may be continuously collected and recirculated using a conveyor and/or suction pump to transfer play media from the collection area to a selected distribution area, the lower surface being accessible to and adapted to support one or more play participants.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interactive play system and structure is provided in which a plurality of interactive play elements are provided for creating various desired effects utilizing soft foam balls or other suitable “dry” play media. In one embodiment the interactive play system comprises a multi-level support structure on which the interactive play elements are disposed. These allow play participants to create desired play effects using a fun and familiar dry play media. Some of the play elements may be multi-order play elements in that they receive play media from a first effect to create yet another effect. Various automated and/or play-participant-operated conveyers and play media collection and return mechanisms are provided throughout the structure for collecting and transporting play media from a source, such as a collection basin, to the various interactive play elements.
168 Citations
66 Claims
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1. An interactive play system, comprising:
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a multi-level support frame for safely supporting one or more play participants in, on or around said play system;
a lower support surface underneath said support frame for supporting said support frame and said one or more play participants;
a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
a plurality of play elements disposed on or around said support frame at various locations and/or elevations, at least some of said play elements being adapted to receive the play media to create desired effects; and
a collection and return system comprising at least a portion of said lower surface which slopes from a higher elevation to a lower elevation and a play media collection area in the proximity of the lower elevation such that play media may be continuously collected and recirculated using a conveyor and/or suction pump to transfer play media from the collection area to a selected distribution area, the lower surface being accessible to and adapted to support one or more play participants. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A dry play media collection and return system for collecting and recirculating play media in a play structure, comprising:
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a lower collection surface which generally slopes from a higher elevation to a lower elevation for collecting spent play media, the lower collection surface being accessible to and adapted to support play participants thereon;
a play media collection basin in the proximity of the lower elevation for accumulating spent play media; and
a conveyor for transferring play media from the collection basin to a selected distribution area whereby continuous recirculation of play media is provided. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining one or more play participants comprising:
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a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to create desired effects using the play media, at least one of the play participant actuated play elements comprising a giant spilling basket adapted to be filled or emptied by play participants; and
a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements.
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20. A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining one or more play participants comprising:
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a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to create desired effects using the play media, at least one of the play participant actuated play elements comprising a geyser adapted to eject play media generally upward; and
a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements.
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21. A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining one or more play participants comprising:
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a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to create desired effects using the play media, at least one of the play participant actuated play elements comprising a second-order play element adapted to receive play media from a first effect to create a second effect; and
a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. An interactive play system, comprising:
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a multi-level support frame for safely supporting one or more play participants in, on or around said play system;
a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
a plurality of play elements disposed on or around said support frame at various locations and/or elevations, at least some of said play elements being adapted to receive the play media to create desired effects; and
a collection and return system comprising a lower surface which slopes inward from a higher elevation to a lower elevation and a play media collection area in the proximity of the lower elevation and generally centrally disposed relative to the play system such that play media may be continuously collected and recirculated using a conveyor and/or suction pump to transfer play media from the collection area to a selected distribution area. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining one or more play participants comprising:
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a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to propel the play media at play participants located in a play area defined within the play structure, wherein at least one of the play participant actuated play elements comprises a giant spilling basket adapted to be filled or emptied by play participants; and
a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media from the play area and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements.
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26. A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining one or more play participants comprising:
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a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to propel the play media at play participants located in a play area defined within the play structure, wherein at least one of the play participant actuated play elements comprises a geyser adapted to eject play media generally upward; and
a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media from the play area and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements.
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27. A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining one or more play participants comprising:
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a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to propel the play media at play participants located in a play area defined within the play structure, wherein at least one of the play participant actuated play elements comprises a second-order play element adapter to receive play media from a first effect to create a second effect; and
a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media from the play area and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements.
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28. A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining one or more play participants comprising:
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a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to propel the play media at play participants located in a play area defined within the play structure;
an interactive target comprising multiple individual target areas at which play media may be propelled to strike or enter and a plurality of bells, lights, whistles, sirens or other play adapted to be activated in response to play media impacting or entering the various target areas on the interactive target so that play participants are encouraged to shoot play media at the interactive target to create a desired play effect; and
a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media from the play area and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining one or more play participants comprising:
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a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to propel the play media at play participants located in a play area defined within the play structure;
a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media from the play area and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements and having at least one floor surface which slopes inward from a higher elevation to a lower elevation and a play media collection area in the proximity of the lower elevation and generally centrally disposed relative to the play structure such that the play media is collected and recirculated using a conveyor or suction pump to transfer play media from the lower location to a selected distribution area in, on or around said play structure to the one or more play participant actuated play elements.
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43. A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining one or more play participants comprising:
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a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to propel the play media at play participants located in a play area defined within the play structure;
said play structure further including multiple levels or platforms for safely supporting a plurality of play participants playing in, on, or around the play structure wherein at least one of the levels or platforms is vertically higher than at least one of the play elements; and
a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media from the play area and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. An interactive play system comprising:
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a multi-level support structure for supporting one or more play participants playing in, on or around said support structure;
a source of dry play media comprising impact-safe foam balls having a diameter of about 2½
inches, and a weight of about 0.15 oz and being formed from an expanded EVA material having a density of about 2 lbs/ft3;
a plurality of ball launchers or accelerators for propelling the play media at one or more targets and/or at other play participants within the play area; and
a collection and return system comprising a lower collection surface adapted to support one or more play participants thereon and within the play area which slopes from a higher elevation to a lower elevation and a play media collection area in the proximity of the lower elevation such that play media may be continuously collected from the play area and recirculated using a conveyor and/or suction pump to transfer play media from the collection area to a selected distribution area and/or to said ball launchers or accelerators. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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66. A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining or more play participants comprising:
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a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to propel the play media at play participants located in a play area defined within the play structure;
a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media from the play area and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements and having at least one floor surface which slopes outward from a higher elevation to a lower elevation and a play media collection area in the proximity of the lower elevation and generally disposed along the periphery relative to the play structure such that the play media is collected and recirculated using a conveyor or suction pump to transfer play media from the lower location to a selected distribution area in, on or around said play structure to the one or more play participant actuated play elements.
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Specification