Amusement devices – Aquatic
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-06
2001-11-20
Nguyen, Kien T. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices
Aquatic
C472S117000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06319139
ABSTRACT:
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a play apparatus for erection in a water, spray or theme park environment and more particularly, a water play apparatus which may be user activated to vary the pattern and intensity of a cooling water spray on play participants.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Water based play structures used in water parks are well known. Conventional water play structures, such as for example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,197 to Briggs, issued Jan. 3, 1995, typically consists of multi-level structures which have slides and/or user operated water cannons mounted at various heights thereon.
While conventional water play apparatus are designed to permit interactive participation by a user, as for example, by having user activated valves or the like, the size and complexity of manufacture makes their manufacture prohibitively expensive for all but the largest theme parks.
Further, conventional water play apparatus suffer the disadvantage in that they are both expensive to maintain and repair should, for example, damage occur to the play structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of prior art devices by providing a water play amusement device which includes an elongated and generally vertically extending water spray tube. The tube is characterized by an upper portion formed having a semi-rigid wall construction so as to permit its deflection when the tube is vibrated or shaken by a user, and one or more water spray nozzles disposed towards an upper end of the tube, from which a participant cooling water spray is emitted.
Another object of the invention is to provide a user actuated water spray device which permits participatory play by the user, and which may be inexpensively manufactured and easily maintained.
Another object of the invention is to provide an amusement device adapted to provide a cooling water spray to play participants and which may be actuated in movement by a user to alter the direction or pattern of water flow and/or water spray.
Another object of the invention is to provide a water play apparatus for installation at a water park, theme park, spray park or amusement park and which permits simplified installation and/or repair.
A participant activated amusement device is adapted for installation in a water park, spray park, amusement park, or theme park, hereinafter collectively referred to as a water park. The device provides one or more sprays or streams of water used to cool users or play participants. The device includes an elongated member which preferably has a generally tubular construction, and which is secured in a generally upright orientation. One or more water nozzles or outlets are positioned towards the uppermost end of the tubular member from which the cooling water spray is emitted. The elongated tubular member is characterized by a generally rigid lower portion and a semi-rigid upper portion. The rigidity of the upper portion is selected so that the application of a rotational, lateral and/or vibrational force on the tubular member by a play participant or user, results in the deflection or vibratory movement of the nozzle or outlet, so as to alter the water spray pattern emitted from the device.
The tubular member may, for example, consist of a hollow member which is coupled to a base for securement to the ground or an underlying support surface such as a deck, swimming pool bottom or the like. Water flow travels beneath the support surface or ground via a supply conduit, and then either along the tubular member or through a centrally extending bore formed therein to the nozzle or water outlets.
In a preferred construction, the tubular member consists of a hollow tube having a length selected at between about 6 and 30 feet, and more preferably between about 12 and 23 feet, however, longer or shorter tubes could also be used. In one simplified construction, the tube is formed with a tapering or sidewall construction which as a result of its thinning construction forms the semi-rigid portion. While the tube may be formed from various metals, plastics and/or composites, a tube consisting of filament fiberglass which is wound in a longitudinal orientation extending generally in the direction of the elongated axis of the tube has been found to be highly preferred.
Preferably, the rigidity of the tube is selected to prevent the downward deflection or bending of the uppermost tip of the tube below a height where it might otherwise strike a play participant. In a preferred embodiment, a tube having an axial length of approximately 18 to 22 feet is provided. The tube has a minimum rigidity selected so that when the tube is mounted in a vertical orientation and vibrated by the application of a maximum lateral force, the upper endmost tip of the tube will deflect or bend downwardly to a height which is a minimum of at least 8 feet above the support surface. More preferably, the rigidity of the tube is selected so as to limit deflection of the uppermost end to an orientation where the end tip is at a position oriented approximately 90° from the axis of the tube when at rest.
In a more preferred embodiment, a user activated valve may be provided which is selectively operable to initiate and/or stop water flow from all or individual water nozzles.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention resides in a user actuated water park amusement device comprising,
an elongated tubular member defining an axially extending bore and having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a water nozzle being spaced proximate said outlet end,
a base for securing said tubular member in a generally upright orientation with said outlet end spaced vertically above said inlet end,
a water supply conduit for providing water flow vertically along said bore and outwardly from said nozzle,
said tube being characterized by a generally rigid lower portion and a semi rigid upper portion, the upper portion having a rigidity selected whereby in a relaxed state the tubular member maintaining said generally upright orientation aligned with said axis, and wherein the application of rotational or vibrational forces on said tube by the user produces deflection of the upper portion of the tubular member relative to the axis, without significant deflection of the lower end.
In another aspect, the present invention resides in a user actuated water amusement device comprising,
an elongated hollow tubular member having a radially extending sidewall defining a hollow axially extending bore, in an unbiased position the tube extending generally vertically along said axis from a lower inlet end to an upper outlet end,
a water supply conduit for providing water flow vertically along said bore and outwardly from said outlet end,
said sidewall including a lower portion having a first minimum radial thickness and an upper portion having a second radial thickness selected less than the first thickness, the first and second thicknesses selected to permit deflection of the upper outlet end to a biased position moved away from the axis upon the application of a manual rotational or vibrational force by said user, without significant deflection of the lower portion.
In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a user actuated water amusement device comprising,
a tubular member elongated along a longitudinally extending axis, and defining an axially extending bore, said tubular member having a lower inlet end, an outlet end, and a water nozzle being spaced proximate said outlet end
said tubular member secured in a generally vertical orientation with said outlet end spaced vertically above said inlet end,
a water supply conduit for providing water flow vertically along said member and outwardly from said nozzle,
said tube being characterized by a generally rigid lower portion having a length selected greater than a height of said user and a semi rigid upper portion spaced above said lower portion, the upper portion having a rigidity selected whereby the application of lateral, rotational or vibrational forc
Nguyen Kien T.
Riches, McKenzie & Herbert
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