Lawn sprinkler play apparatus

• US 7,606,637 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2006
• Issued: 10/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dream Visions
• Original Assignee: Dream Visions
• Inventors: Habing, Theodore G.
• Primary Examiner(s): VON BUHR, MARIA N
• Application Number:
  US11/498,394
• Publication Number:
  US 20080033601A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,176 Days
• Field of Search: 700/283, 700/284, 239 16- 19, 239/22, 239/23, 239/211, 239/536, 446/153, 446/475, 472/128
• 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 and a plurality of water outlets;

a plurality of sprinkler stations connected to respective ones of the water outlets with flexible water conduits such that the sprinkler stations may be arranged at spaced apart locations on a play surface, each of the sprinkler stations including a spray nozzle located therein and a remotely controlled valve located at the respective sprinkler station;

a control unit for selectively activating the valves;

wherein the distribution station and sprinkler stations are configured to be set up non-permanently on the play surface.

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

3. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible water conduits include electrical conductors electrically connecting the valves to the distribution station.

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

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

6. 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.

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

8. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 7 wherein a sprinkler station is activated in response to a signal from the motion sensor.

9. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 7 wherein all sprinkler stations are deactivated if motion is not sensed for a predetermined period of time.

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

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

12. The sprinkler play apparatus of claim 11 wherein the control unit turns off all sprinkler stations when the control unit has not been remotely operated for a predetermined period of time.

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 water inlet is configured to connect to a garden hose fitting.