US5662525A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Participatory water play apparatus
Assignee: 07-12690 Inc
•
Filing: 1995-06-02
•
Granted: 1997-09-02
•
Expires: 2015-06-02
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Rick A. Briggs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:36
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63G; A63G31/00; A63G31/007; A63B; A63B9/00; A63B2009/002; A63B2009/006; A63B2009/008; A63B2208/00; A63B2208/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
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.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
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.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
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.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
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.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 7, wherein said play structure simulates the shape of a play fire engine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 7, wherein said play structure simulates the shape of a play whale.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 7, wherein said play structure simulates the shape of a play submarine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
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.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
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.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
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.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
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.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
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.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
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.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
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.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
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.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
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.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
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.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said water forming device comprises a water fall cascading downward onto said play participants.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said water forming device comprises a jumping water ball nozzle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said control valve comprises a wheel operated faucet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
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.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
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.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
47 words
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.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
60 words
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.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
92 words
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.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
92 words
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.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 28, wherein said play structure comprises a substantially open three-dimensional structure.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 30; wherein said play structure simulates the shape of a play fire engine.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 30, wherein said play structure simulates the shape of a play whale.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 30, wherein said play structure simulates the shape of a play submarine.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
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.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
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.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The interactive waterplay apparatus recited in claim 35, wherein said platforms are formed from a non-slip fiberglass material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
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.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
46 words
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.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
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.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
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.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
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.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
28 words
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.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
The interactive water play apparatus recited in claim 28, wherein at least one of said control valves comprises a wheel operated faucet.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
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.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
26 words
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.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
60 words
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.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
106 words
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.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
106 words
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.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-09-01 | 2001-03-03 | 2001-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-01 | 2005-03-03 | 2005-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-01 | 2009-03-03 | 2009-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |