Water eruption effect and interactive water play structure

• US 8,821,304 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2011
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WhiteWater West Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: WhiteWater West Industries Limited
• Inventors: Ensing, Harley
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIEN T
• Application Number:
  US13/193,480
• Publication Number:
  US 20120028724A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: 472/13, 472/117, 472/128, 472/129, 446/85, 446/86
• US Class Current: 472/128
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/007 involving water

Abstract

A participatory water play structure including a water eruption effect device. The water eruption effect device may include a water eruption jet, lighting devices, sound devices, light towers, mist or smoke devices and fountain devices. The water eruption effect device imitates a geyser, volcanic eruption, or large water spray, dousing play participants in a participatory play structure with a cool deluge of water. The water eruption effect may also be used as a show feature during night-time operation of the participatory play structure. Responsive water play devices may also be used, including RFID and motion sensor systems that respond to the presence of play participants and to identifying characteristics of the play participants.

Claims

1. A water eruption effect device to entertain and cool individuals, comprising:

a support structure having a substantially columnar shape with a lower end configured to rest on a lower surface and an upper end extending upward from the lower surface;

at least one continuous-stream water fountain coupled to the upper end of the support structure and configured to emit water such that the water emitted by the at least one continuous-stream water fountain falls down towards the lower surface; and

at least one air-driven water jet coupled to the upper end of the support structure and configured to emit water driven by air such that the water emitted by the at least one air-driven water jet falls down towards the lower surface.

2. The water eruption effect device of claim 1, wherein the at least one air-driven water jet is a plurality of air-driven water jets positioned circumferentially around the at least one continuous-stream water fountain.

3. The water eruption effect device of claim 1, wherein the at least one continuous-stream water fountain is configured to emit water in a substantially vertical direction, and the at least one air-driven water jet is configured to emit water in a substantially vertical direction.

4. The water eruption effect device of claim 1, wherein a top of the support structure extends from the lower surface at a height of more than about ten feet.

5. The water eruption effect device of claim 1, wherein the support structure is a tower.

6. The water eruption effect device of claim 1, wherein the at least one continuous-stream water fountain is positioned at a greater height from the lower surface than the at least one air-driven water jet.

7. The water eruption effect device of claim 1, wherein the at least one continuous-stream water fountain includes a nozzle configured to allow water pressured by a pump to flow through the nozzle, and the at least one air-driven water jet includes a reservoir configured to fill with water and a valve configured to control a flow rate of pressurized air through the reservoir.

8. The water eruption effect device of claim 1, wherein the at least one continuous-stream water fountain is configured to emit water at a rate of more than about 600 gallons per minute, and the at least one air-driven water jet is configured to emit more than about 40 gallons of water driven by air at once.

9. The water eruption effect device of claim 1, wherein the support structure is positioned within a water play structure, and a fluid conduit extends to the upper end of the support structure to supply water to the at least one continuous-stream water fountain and the at least one air-driven water jet that is collected from a drain of the water play structure.

10. A water play system for entertaining and cooling play participants comprising:

a water play structure positioned on a lower surface;

a conduit system configured to transport water from a water source to water play elements coupled to the water play structure;

a water eruption effect support structure elevated above the lower surface;

at least one continuous-stream water fountain coupled to the water eruption effect support structure and configured to emit water such that the water emitted by the at least one continuous-stream water fountain falls down towards the lower surface; and

at least one air-driven water jet coupled to the water eruption effect support structure and configured to emit water driven by air such that the water emitted by the at least one air-driven water jet fails down towards the lower surface.

11. The water play system of claim 10, wherein a fluid conduit extends to the water eruption effect support structure to supply water to the at least one continuous-stream water fountain and the at least one air-driven water jet that is collected from a drain of the water play structure.

12. The water play system of claim 10, further comprising an electrical control system configured to operate the at least one air-driven water jet based on whether a radio frequency identification signal is detected by a radio frequency identification sensor, or a whether motion is detected by a motion control sensor.

13. The water play system of claim 10, wherein the water eruption effect support structure has a substantially columnar shape with a lower end configured to rest on the lower surface and an upper end extending upward from the lower surface, and the at least one continuous-stream water fountain and the at least one air-driven water jet are coupled to the upper end.

14. The water play system of claim 10, wherein the at least one continuous-stream water fountain is configured to emit water at a rate of more than about 600 gallons per minute, and the at least one air-driven water jet is configured to emit more than about 40 gallons of water driven by air at once.

15. The water play system of claim 10, wherein the at least one continuous-stream water fountain includes a nozzle configured to allow water pressured by a pump to flow through the nozzle, and the at least one air-driven water jet includes a reservoir configured to fill with water and a valve configured to control a flow rate of pressurized air through the reservoir.

16. A method for producing a water eruption effect to entertain and cool individuals comprising:

providing a support structure having a substantially columnar shape with a lower end resting on a lower surface and an upper end extending upward from the lower surface;

operating at least one continuous-stream water fountain coupled to the upper end of the support structure and configured to emit water such that the water emitted by the at least one continuous-stream water fountain falls down towards the lower surface; and

operating at least one air-driven water jet coupled to the upper end of the support structure and configured to emit water driven by air such that the water emitted by the at least one air-driven water jet falls down towards the lower surface.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising a step of signaling, using a sound speaker or a lighting device, that the operation of the at least one air-driven water jet will occur at least within a span of a minute.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one continuous-stream water fountain is configured to emit water at a rate of more than about 600 gallons per minute, and the at least one air-driven water jet is configured to emit more than about 40 gallons of water driven by air at once.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one continuous-stream water fountain includes a nozzle configured to allow water pressured by a pump to flow through the nozzle, and the at least one air-driven water jet includes a reservoir configured to fill with water and a valve configured to control a flow rate of pressurized air through the reservoir.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of signaling that the operation of the at least one air-driven water jet will occur within a predetermined amount of time.