Play center using structural monoliths for water delivery capabilities

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10576388-B2
Application number	US-201715812711-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 14, 2017
Priority date	Nov 14, 2016
Publication date	Mar 3, 2020
Grant date	Mar 3, 2020

Abstract

A play structure having one or more monolith structures for the connection of other surfaces (e.g., deckings, water-based elements, interactive elements, etc.). Each of the monolith structures may be adjustably connected with a ground surface such that a variety of possible angles may be obtained by the monolith with respect to the ground surface. After the desired orientation of the monolith is obtained to the ground surface via the adjustable connection, the monolith may be secured in such position. Water or other fluid may be provided to the monolith structures via piping that interfaces with the monolith structures by a fluid connection that is in communication with piping disposed within the monolith structures. A fluid dumping or delivery system (e.g., based upon a tipping element that provides water to a fluid flowing surface and/or other water dispersion element) may be provided as part of the play structure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid delivery system comprising:
a fluid delivery element configured to contain a volume of fluid and release such fluid via pivoting of the fluid delivery element;
a fluid flowing element positioned adjacent to the fluid delivery element and configured to receive at least a portion of the volume of fluid from the fluid delivery element, wherein the fluid flowing element is a plurality of rotatable buckets configured to rotate in response to the at least a portion of the volume of fluid from the fluid delivery element; and
a fluid dispersion element positioned adjacent to the fluid flowing element and configured to engage with at least a portion of the volume of fluid from the fluid flowing element.

2. The fluid delivery system of claim 1 wherein the fluid delivery element pivots automatically when the volume of fluid exceeds a predetermined volume.

3. The fluid delivery system of claim 1 wherein the fluid delivery element pivots in response to a signal.

4. The fluid delivery system of claim 3 wherein the signal is based upon a measured weight of the volume of fluid in the fluid delivery element.

5. The fluid delivery system of claim 3 wherein the signal is based upon an elapsed amount of time.

6. The fluid delivery system of claim 1 wherein the fluid flowing element is at least partially translucent.

7. The fluid delivery system of claim 1 wherein the fluid dispersion element is shaped in the form of a corkscrew.

8. The fluid delivery system of claim 1 further comprising a notification element configured to provide a notification that the fluid delivery element is going to deliver the at least a portion of the volume of fluid from the fluid delivery element to the fluid flowing element.

9. The fluid delivery system of claim 8 wherein the notification element emits a sound.

10. The fluid delivery system of claim 8 wherein the notification element receives at least a portion of the volume of fluid from the fluid delivery element that does not release to the fluid flowing element.

11. A fluid delivery system comprising:
a fluid delivery element configured to contain a volume of fluid and release such fluid via pivoting of the fluid delivery element;
a fluid flowing element positioned adjacent to the fluid delivery element and configured to receive at least a portion of the volume of fluid from the fluid delivery element; and
a fluid dispersion element positioned adjacent to the fluid flowing element and configured to engage with at least a portion of the volume of fluid from the fluid flowing element,
wherein the fluid dispersion element is configured to rotate in response to the at least a portion of the volume of fluid from the fluid delivery element.

12. The fluid delivery system of claim 11 wherein the fluid dispersion element is configured to rotate about an axis that is perpendicular to the at least a portion of the volume of fluid from the fluid delivery element.

13. The fluid delivery system of claim 11 wherein the fluid delivery element pivots automatically when the volume of fluid exceeds a predetermined volume.

14. The fluid delivery system of claim 11 wherein the fluid delivery element pivots in response to a signal.

15. The fluid delivery system of claim 14 wherein the signal is based upon a measured weight of the volume of fluid in the fluid delivery element.

16. The fluid delivery system of claim 14 wherein the signal is based upon an elapsed amount of time.

17. The fluid delivery system of claim 11 wherein the fluid flowing element is a sloped surface having a first end adjacent to the fluid delivery element and a second end adjacent to the fluid dispersion element.

18. The fluid delivery system of claim 11 wherein the fluid flowing element is at least partially translucent.

19. The fluid delivery system of claim 11 wherein the fluid flowing element is a plurality of rotatable buckets configured to rotate in response to the at least a portion of the volume of fluid from the fluid delivery element.

20. The fluid delivery system of claim 11 wherein the fluid dispersion element is shaped in the form of a corkscrew.

21. The fluid delivery system of claim 11 further comprising a notification element configured to provide a notification that the fluid delivery element is going to deliver the at least a portion of the volume of fluid from the fluid delivery element to the fluid flowing element.

22. The fluid delivery system of claim 21 wherein the notification element emits a sound.

23. The fluid delivery system of claim 21 wherein the notification element receives at least a portion of the volume of fluid from the fluid delivery element that does not release to the fluid flowing element.

24. A play structure comprising:
a monolith including:
a frame,
a connector for fastening the monolith to a ground surface,
a first surface connected with the frame,
a second surface connected with the frame opposing the first surface, wherein a cavity is formed between the first surface and the second surface, and
a fluid conduit disposed within the cavity formed between the first surface and the second surface;

a decking connected with the monolith; and
a fluid-based element connected with the monolith;
wherein the monolith is configured to rotate with respect to the ground surface via the connector.

25. The play structure of claim 24 wherein the monolith is configured to spin with respect to the ground surface via the connector.

26. The play structure of claim 24 further comprising an interactive element connected with the frame of the monolith, the interactive element configured to be interacted with by a user for a flow of fluid from the fluid conduit to the fluid-based component.

27. A play structure disposed upon a surface comprising:
a base segment;
a leveling element connected with the base segment for adjusting a distance of the base segment from the surface;
a frame connected with the base segment;
a decking connected with the frame;
a fluid delivery element configured to contain a volume of fluid and release such fluid via pivoting of the fluid delivery element; and
a rotatable fluid dispersion element configured to receive at least a portion of the volume of fluid from the fluid delivery element.

28. The play structure of claim 27 wherein the fluid dispersion element is in the shape of a spiral.

29. A fluid delivery system comprising:
a fluid delivery element configured to contain a volume of fluid and release such fluid;
a fluid flowing element positioned adjacent to the fluid delivery element and configured to receive at least a portion of the volume of fluid from the fluid delivery element, the fluid flowing element being a sloped surface having a first end adjacent to the fluid delivery element and a second end adjacent to the fluid dispersion element; and
a fluid dispersion element positioned adjacent to the fluid flowing element and configured to engage with at least a portion of the volume of fluid from the fluid flowing element,
wherein the fluid dispersion element is configured to rotate in response to the at least a portion of the volume of fluid from the fluid delivery element.

30. A fluid delivery system comprising:
a fluid delivery element configured to contain a volume of fluid and release such fluid;
a fluid flowin

Assignees

• Whitewater West Ind Ltd

Inventors

• Briggs Rick A
• Snyder Ryan G

Classifications

• A63G21/22

  Suspended slideways · CPC title

• A63B9/00

  Climbing poles, frames, or stages {(climbing walls for mountaineering training A63B69/0048; endless loop ladders A63B22/04)} · CPC title

• A63G31/007 Primary

  involving water · CPC title

• A63B2009/008

  with water spraying means · CPC title

• A63G21/00

  Chutes; Helter-skelters · CPC title