The present invention relates to the field of a water play apparatus that involve the use of water, a basin or tank, and a pump. The water play apparatus may take on different forms such as a fountain and a wheel.
Most young children enjoy playing with water. Young minds are fascinated with the fluid nature of the substance. Further, by examining water and its behaviors when water is subject to different conditions, young children are not only amused, but their young minds are also stimulated by the experience.
There are numerous bath and pool entertainment products on the market that are both fun and stimulating for young children, but in general, there are not many self-contained products that spray or project one or more streams of water. Each of the prior art devices has disadvantages. For instance, using water from a faucet is potentially wasteful of this increasingly limited natural resource. Concerning gravity, either a parent or the child must manually lift a container of water into an elevated reserve from which the water flows. The effort necessary to constantly refill the reserve may detract from the continuous enjoyment of a water play apparatus dynamic water features.
AC-powered pumps are well known that can provide the necessary water flow to enable dynamic water features, yet the use of AC power in or near a tank or pool of water that has a child contained therein is generally not wise. Consider that if the wires of an electrical cord that runs through the pool of water is cut or otherwise exposed to the water, approximately 120 volts of electricity with up to 15 amps of current would be passed through the water. This level of electrical energy would seriously injure any person in or touching the water and might even be fatal. Accordingly, no water play apparatuses are known to utilize AC-powered pumps.
Additionally, no water play apparatuses are known that utilize DC-powered pumps. There are several potential reasons for this: the typical battery powered pump either does not provide a sufficient amount of flow in gallons per hour (GPH), or the battery or battery pack required to operate the device is too powerful to be safely used in a body of water.
The present invention addresses the above stated need by providing an inexpensive apparatus wherein the use of a pump, a tank or water basin and a spraying device is used to re-circulate water in as a water play apparatus.
An embodiment of the present invention is a water play apparatus that includes a tank body wherein water is collected, a manual pump that allows the water to be circulated through the water play apparatus wherein the manual pump is located within the tank body, a deck unit which is located within the tank body which the manual pump is mounted upon, a filter unit which is connected to the manual pump by pipe and is located within the tank body underneath the deck unit, and a spout wherein the water from the manual pump directs water through the filter where water is exerted.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a tank body wherein water is collected, a manual pump that allows the water to be circulated through the water play apparatus wherein the manual pump is located within the tank body, a filter unit which is connected to the manual pump by pipe and is located within the tank body underneath the deck unit, a spout wherein the water from the manual pump directs water through the filter where water is exerted, a tipping unit wherein the water from the manual pump directs water through the filter where water is exerted which comprises of a tube that is connected to the filter wherein water is exerted to a collection unit located below, when the collection unit has a pin through the axis across the center connected to the tube and spills water once a certain level of water is reached, and two deck units which are located at the opposite ends of the tank body which the manual pump is mounted upon at the proximal end and the tipping unit is mounted at the distal end.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a tank body wherein water is collected, two manual pumps that allows the water to be circulated through the water play apparatus wherein the manual pumps are located within the tank body, two filter units which are connected to the manual pumps by pipe and is located within the tank body underneath the deck units, a tipping unit wherein the water from the manual pumps direct water through the filters where water is exerted which comprises of two tubes that are connected to the filters wherein water is exerted to a single collection unit located below, when the collection unit has a pin through the axis across the center connected to the tube and spills water once a certain level of water is reached, and two deck units which are located at the opposite ends of the tank body which the manual pumps are mounted upon at the proximal end and at the distal end.
It is an object of the invention to provide inexpensive fun for the whole family while creating the opportunity to play with water. Moreover, the device may include options as to spout water in the form of a wheel, a fountainhead, a tipper, a racer or a manual pump.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible.
Reference will now be made in detail to various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The following detailed description is presented for the purpose of describing certain embodiments in detail. The present invention may be further illustrated in the following figures, attention being called to the fact, however, that the embodiments described in the description and shown in the figures are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and that changes may be made in the specific constructions described in this specification and accompanying drawings that a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize are within the scope and spirit of the invention. The true scope of the invention is defined by the claims. Further, any features of any embodiment described herein are equally applicable to any other embodiment described herein or envisioned by one of ordinary skill in the art. The detailed description and figures provided herein should not be construed to exclude features otherwise described with respect to another embodiment.
Referring now to
As a non-limiting example, a tank body may be interchanged with the word tank 120 wherein water is collected. The tank 120 is where the parts of the apparatus 100 are assembled and collects the water.
A manual pump 140 allows the water to be circulated through the water play apparatus 100 where the manual pump 104 is located within the tank body 120. As a non-limiting example, the manual pump unit 104 may be a rotary pump 104 and may consist of a polypropylene rotary pump 104 with a 1″ NPT female intake and a ¾″ NPT female output. A 1″ galvanized male to female elbow may be screwed into the intake with the opening facing down. A 15″ piece of 1″ galvanized pipe may be screwed into the bottom of the 1″ elbow. A ¾″ galvanized nipple close may be screwed into the pump's output. A ¾″ to 1″ female elbow may be screwed onto the ¾″ nipple with the 1″ side facing down. A 24″ piece of galvanized 1″ pipe may be screwed into the bottom of the elbow. The filter assembly may ultimately be screwed into the 15″ “leg” of the pump unit. The entire pump unit may then painted with rust resistant paint.
As a non-limiting example, a deck unit 130 which may be located within the tank body 120 which said manual pump 104 is mounted upon. The deck unit 130 may consist of a semi-circle of ¾″ EXTIRA (brand name for waterproof particle board material) that measures 7″ from the radius to the apex. The diameter of the semi-circle depends on the diameter of the galvanized stock tank 120, usually between 23″ and 26″. Two 1½″ holes may be drilled on a parallel line 3″ from the straight edge. Each hole may be 5″ away from the radius. Three anchor points which consist of 3½″×2½″ pieces of ¾″ EXTIRA may be attached to the semi-circle at a perpendicular angle with 2½″ deck screws. The anchor points may be attached at either end of the semi-circle and one at the apex. Holes for screws are drilled 1⅜″ from the semi-circle's edge and 2″ apart. A 3½″×1½″ piece of ⅜″ EXTIRA may be attached to the inside bottom of each anchor point to fill in the gap when fitted to the stock tank 120. ¼″ holes are drilled through the stock tank and anchor points to allow for securing bolts. The deck unit 130 may be attached to the tank 120 with three 2½″ galvanized ¼″ bolts, ¼″×1″ flat washers, ¼″ lock washers, and ¼″ nuts. The pump unit's “legs” may pass through the 1½″ holes in the deck unit 130 and may be secured by two 1″ SPEEDRAIL base flanges. The deck unit 130 may then painted an appealing color.
A filter unit 160 may be connected to the manual pump 140 by pipe 180 and may be located within the tank body 120 underneath the deck unit 130. As a non-limiting example, the filter unit 160 may be designed to keep sand and other debris out of the pump 140. It also may prevent water from back flowing. The filter unit 160 may be comprised of a 5″ piece of ¾″ PVC pipe 180 threaded on one end and capped on the other with ten ½″ holes drilled throughout. A type E pool filter may slip over the pipe 180 and then the whole unit may be screwed into a 1″ threaded check valve via a 1″ to ¾″ threaded PVC reducer. The check valve causes stiff resistance when the pump handle 150 is turned the wrong way and prevents the pump 140 from losing its prime. This entire assembly may then attach to the bottom of the pump unit 140. The type E pool filter may easily be replaced by unscrewing the ¾″ PVC pipe from the bottom.
A spout 110 may be the location where the water from the manual pump 140 directs water through the filter 160 where water is exerted. As a non-limiting example, the spout 110 may be an old fashion milk canister where the water is exerted. The spout 110 may take on several embodiments where the water from the pump 140 is shot through.
Referring now to
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As a non-limiting example, the manual pump 140 may be a rotary pump. Moreover, the tipping unit 410 may be a tube with a Speedrail elbow 420 attached which holds two tube arms. Further, the bearings are mounted on either side of the collection unit 430. As another non-limiting example, the collection unit 430 may be a bucket.
The tipping bucket 430 may include two deck units 130, 450 mounted on both ends of a 4′×1′×2′ galvanized metal stock tank 120, a rotary pump unit 140, a filter unit 160, and a tipping unit. The tipping unit may be a 56″ aluminum tube (1¾″ inner diameter) 410 with a 90 degree SPEEDRAIL elbow 420 attached to the top and an 11″ piece of aluminum tube inserted into the other end of the SPEEDRAIL forming a 90 degree angle. Attached to the 56″ tube, 12″ from the top, may be an external 90 degree SPEEDRAIL elbow 420 that holds two 2′ aluminum tube arms. A ⅜″ steel axle runs horizontally between the arms. Mounted on the axle may be a #10 galvanized bucket 430. ⅜″ DELRIN bearings may be mounted on either side of the bucket just below and slightly behind the center of gravity. This makes the bucket 430 unstable and causes it to tip in one direction when the water level reaches a certain point. An aluminum stabilizing weight may be bolted to the bottom of the bucket 430 which keeps the bucket 430 upright until it becomes unstable. The tipping unit 410 may be plumbed with a 53″ piece of ¾″ PVC with male threaded adaptors glued to each end. One end of the 53″ piece may be screwed into a ¾″ galvanized 90 degree fitting. A 9″ piece of ¾″ PVC may be fitted with a threaded male adaptor on one end and a 90 degree slip adaptor on the other which forms the downspout 440. A ¾″ PVC pipe may run from the rotary pump unit 140 along the bottom of the stock tank to the tipping unit and may be fitted with a ¾″ threaded brass elbow. As a non-limiting example, brass may be used instead of PVC for strength and to prevent corrosion. The tipping unit may be connected to the second deck unit which has one 2″ hole centered in the deck and a 2″ SPEEDRAIL fitting which holds the tipping unit in place via set screws.
The tipping unit may be easily removed from the deck unit 130 by loosening the vertical set screw on the 90 degree SPEEDRAIL elbow and turning the head of the tipping unit counter clockwise. This will unscrew the male threaded adaptor on the bottom of the tipping unit from the brass elbow. Reverse this process for assembly.
When the user turns the pump 140, water is sucked through the filter unit 160, through the rotary pump unit 140 to the tipping unit and fills the bucket 430. When the bucket 430 becomes unstable, it tips and dumps all the water back into the stock tank 120 and then rights itself.
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The user may turn the rotary pump handle 150, which sucks water through the filter unit 160, through the rotary pump unit 140, and through the fountain unit 110 which shoots water up into the air. The faster the user turns the handle 150, the higher the water goes, sometimes as high as 30 feet. The user may pick from a variety of nozzles to differ the fountain effects.
Referring now to
This embodiment of the apparatus 100 may include a deck unit 130 and may have two risers stacked on top of each other. As a non-limiting example, the manual pump 140 may be a cast iron pitcher pump 630 attached to a deck 130. Moreover, when the water from the spout 640 falls on a water wheel 610, the water wheel 610 rotates around an axis.
The water wheel 610 is placed on a stand that is attached to a tank body 120 and the stand is designed to support the water wheel 610 a distance from the mouth 640 of the pitcher pump 640. As a means of clarification, the words mouth and spout may be interchanged.
The water wheel 610 has a plurality of horizontal paddles. More specifically, the wheel 610 had two sides where another wheel 610 sandwiches several horizontal paddles around the circumference of the wheel 610. This allows the water wheel 610 to rotate around the axis when the force of the water turns the water wheel 610.
An embodiment of this invention may include a deck unit 130, a pitcher pump 630, and a water wheel unit 610 mounted to a 4′×1′×2′ galvanized metal tank. “Tanks” are used for this embodiment because the sides of a tank are angled at 80 degrees which allows the wheel unit 610 to be removed easily. The deck unit 130 for this embodiment may differ from the standard deck unit in that it may have two 1½″ rounded risers which elevate the picture pump. The first riser may be a 10¼″ diameter circle and the second may be a 8¾″ diameter circle. These risers may be stacked to give the appearance of steps and glued to the deck 130. The ends of the risers may be cut flush with the strait end of the deck 130. One 2″ diameter hole may be cut through the risers and the deck 2¾″ from the strait end to accommodate the pumps intake pipe. A cast iron picture pump 630 may be bolted to the deck unit 130 with a 13″ PVC intake pipe fitted into the bottom of the pump 360.
This embodiment if the invention may consist of a 2′ diameter×5″ water wheel made 610 from EXTIRA, a ⅝″×15½″ steel axle, two ⅝″ pillow block bearings, and a stand 620 made from 2×2 TREX. The stand 620 may consist of an 18″ square on the bottom and two support legs sticking up with a 5″ bearing mounting block on the top of each leg. The stand 620 may be designed to place the center of the axle 18¾″ from the bottom of the tank 120 which may be 2″ shorter than the mouth 640 of the pitcher pump 630. This 2″ of drop may provide the necessary leverage for the water to turn the wheel 610. The stand 620 may be positioned in the tank 120 so the wheel 610 may be no less than 2″ from the mouth 640 of the pump 630. This 2″ gap may prevent hands from getting stuck between the wheel 610 and the pump 630. A 2″×2″×5″ block may be mounted to the bottom of the tank 120 right in front of the stand 620 may center the water wheel unit 610 and prevent the wheel 610 from being pushed into the pump 630. The user may pump water from the tank 120 onto the water wheel 610 which will turn.
Referring now to
The deck unit 130 for this particular embodiment may differ in that it may have a ¾″×8¾″ diameter riser glued to the deck 130. The edge of the riser may be cut of flush with the strait end of the deck 130. One 2″ hole is cut on the radius 2¾″ from the strait end of the deck 130 which allows for the pumps intake pipe. A 11″×1¼″ piece of PVC pipe with a threaded adapter on one end may be screwed into the pitcher pump 630. When the pitcher pump 630 is pumped by the user, the water is sucked up from the tank 710, through the pump 630 and out of the spout back into the tank 710.
Referring now to
As a non-limiting example, the terms collection unit 850 and tripping bucket 850 are interchangeable. Moreover, the manual pump 140 may be a rotary pump. The tipping unit 850 may be a tube with a SPEEDRAIL elbow 420 attached which holds two tube arms. Further, the bearings are mounted on either side of the collection unit 850. As another non-limiting example, the collection unit 850 may be a bucket.
As a non-limiting example, an embodiment of the water tank apparatus 100 may include a two person racing water machine and may consist of two deck units 130, 130, two rotary pump units 140, 140, two filter units 160, 160, and a racing tipping unit 850 mounted on a 6′×1′×2′ galvanized stock tank 810. The racing tipping unit 850 may consist of two 4′ aluminum poles 1¾″ inner diameter. One ⅜″ DELRIN bearing may be mounted inside each pole 34″ from the bottom. A ⅜″×3″ bolt may run through each bearing from inside the pole and may screw into a “U” shaped bracket holding bucket. The bracket uprights may be 13″×1½″× 1/4″ aluminum bars and may be attached to the bracket base which may be 13″×1½″×2″ aluminum bar with ¼″×1″ bolts. A 6 gallon galvanized bucket 850 may be mounted to the bracket with 2, 1/4″×31/2 ″ bolts on the bottom bracket and a ¼″×2″ bolt at the top of each bracket upright. The mounting bolts may be inserted into 1″× 1/4″ adjustment slots on the brackets. The bucket 850 may be adjusted by loosening the mounting bolts and then sliding the bucket 850 one way or the other in order to achieve a center balance. The racing tipping unit 850 may be mounted to a deck piece 820 which may be made of a 2′×5½″ piece of ¾″ EXTIRA. The deck piece 820 may be mounted across the middle of the stock tank 810 and may have two 2″ holes 18″ apart with SPEEDRAIL fittings in place to secure the poles in place via set screws. The water tank apparatus 100 may be plumbed with ¾″ PVC piece running along the bottom of the stock tank 810 from the rotary pump unit 140 to the racing tipping unit.
Two people at opposite ends pump water into one central bucket 850. Whoever pumps faster by turning the handle 150 faster will be rewarded with the bucket 850 tipping toward them and splashing into the larger tank 810.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible.
This Non-Provisional patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Utility Application Ser. No. 61/798,226 filed Mar. 15, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated by this reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61798226 | Mar 2013 | US |