Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WATER FLOW ACTIVATED SWITCH
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a water flow activated switch, and more
preferably a
water flow activated switch which, for example, may be used by play
participants to control
water play elements in amusement parks, water parks and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of water play elements in water parks, spray parks, amusement parks
and water
amusement parks (hereinafter collectively referred to as water parks) is
becoming more and more
common. Such water play elements frequently include, by way of non-limiting
examples,
structures which are adapted to produce patterns of water spray or flow to
create visual and/or
cooling effects for the user. Conventional water play elements include water
nozzles, tipping
buckets, spray daisies, water slides, spray fountains and fans and water spray
arches, as well as
water curtains and the like.
To conserve water and energy, and to provide a more interactive play area
which permits
more direct control by the users, water play elements frequently include
switches which enable
the selective activation of water flow or deactivation by the users
themselves. Conventionally,
water play element switches consist of rubber sealed push-buttons or pressure
pads which are
mounted on an exterior surface of the water play element structure. In
addition to creating an
unsightly appearance, conventional push-button and pressure pad-type switches
suffer the
disadvantage in that over time the physical wear caused by repeated pressure
on the switches
cause the buttons to either jam in a continuously closed position, whereby the
water play
elements operate on a continuous full-time basis, resulting in water wastage
and energy loss, or
alternately, the buttons fail altogether.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention seeks to overcome at least some of the
disadvantages
of prior art switches by providing a switch for use in controlling the flow of
water to one or more
water play elements in a water park. In operation, the switch provides a water
flow such as a
water jet, water cascade, stream or spray, which when interrupted or otherwise
blocked by a play
participant or user activates valuing to alter the operation of one or more of
the water play
elements.
Another object of the invention is to provide one or more water flow activated
switches
which are suitable for installation housed within a water play element for a
water park, and
which permit greater interaction and participatory play by the water park
users.
Another object of the invention is to provide a switch used in controlling the
operation of
one or more electrical devices, and which is adapted to provide a water flow,
so as to be operated
by a user selectively interrupting the flow of water.
Another object of the invention is to provide a water flow activated switch
which
includes a pressure sensor, an electrical contact sensor and/or an optical
sensor used to determine
a change in water flow characteristics, and which provides control signals in
response to the
sensed characteristic.
A further object of the invention is to provide a water play element for a
water park, and
which incorporates a user or play participant operated switch which is adapted
to emit a water
flow therefrom, and which is used to activate or deactivate the water play
element water features
by the user at least partially obstructing the water flow therefrom.
The present invention provides a water flow activated switch which is adapted
to emit as
a water flow, a water jet, stream, spray cascade or other flow of water, and
which is operated by
one or more users at least partially obstructing the water flow therefrom. The
switch includes
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CA 02390240 2002-06-11
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one or more water outlets which have a size and shape selected to permit their
at least partial
blockage by a user, and more preferably, are sized to permit blockage by the
users' hands and/or
fingers. In a simplified construction, a primary conduit tube or passage is
used to fluidly connect
the water outlet or outlets to a water source. The primary conduit preferably
defines a flow path
which, under a normal flow condition when the outlet or outlets remain
unobstructed, water
moves from the water source to the outlets, and outwardly therefrom as the
jet, cascade, stream,
spray or other water flow.
A sensor is provided in selective fluid communication with the primary
conduit. The
sensor is located so as to be sufficiently out of the flow path that it
remains substantially
inactivated during normal flow conditions, but the partial or complete
blockage of one or more of
the outlets results in a redirection of water flow from the flow path so as to
activate the sensor. It
is envisioned that various types of sensors would be suitable for use in the
present invention,
including without restriction electrical contact sensors, optical sensors and
pressure or back-flow
sensors.
Preferably, the activation of the sensor is electrically coupled to a
controller to send a
control signal adapted to operate one or more electrically operated elements
such as lighting
apparatus, sound apparatus, and/or electromechanical valves which regulate
water flow to at least
one of the water play elements. The controller could, for example, comprise a
solid state
controller, a microprocessor controller or central processing unit (CPU) used
to selectively
control different electrical elements and/or at least partially open or close
one or more different
valves used to regulate water flow to one or more water elements within the
water park.
In a preferred embodiment, the switch includes a secondary conduit which is
open to or
otherwise provided in fluid communication with the primary conduit with the
sensor disposed or
otherwise in fluid communication with the secondary conduit. Preferably, the
secondary conduit
is sized and/or configured such that under normal flow conditions,
insufficient water flow moves
therealong to activate the sensor, however, the blockage or obstruction of the
switch outlet
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results in the redirection of water flow from the primary conduit into the
secondary conduit to
activate the sensor.
Although not essential, most preferably the switch is provided with suitable
valuing
which, for example, could include a solenoid valve. Following the actuation of
the switch, the
solenoid valve operates to interrupt water flow along the flow path and
outwardly from the outlet
nozzle for a predetermined period of time or until a predetermined event, such
as a second other
switch being operated, to visually signal to the user that the switch has been
actuated.
In one possible use, the switch may be provided as part of a water play
element itself. In
such a configuration, the activation of the switch by the user blocking the
water outlet could, for
example, be used to trigger a control signal from the controller to activate a
solenoid valve used
to regulate water flow from a main water nozzle of the water play element. In
this manner, the
water play element may be activated by the individual play participants to
produce a visual
and/or cooling water spray. Following a predetermined event, as for example
the operation of a
second water flow switch, a manual switch or after a predetermined time and/or
sequence of
events, the controller could thereafter return the activated valve to its
original position, as for
example to shut off water flow and conserve water and energy.
In a more elaborate construction, a series of one or more water flow activated
switches
could be provided in proximity or at spaced locations about the water park.
The operation of the
switches by users blocking selected water outlets could thereafter be used to
operate one or more
water elements in a time specific sequence and/or for a predetermined period
of time. It is
further envisioned that where the sensors of multiple switches are
electronically coupled to a
CPU controller, the controller could furthermore be configured to operate
multiple water
elements in different predetermined or random patterns and/or durations,
having regard to the
specific configuration of switches which are operated.
CA 02390240 2002-06-11
Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention resides in a play participant
activated
switch for use in controlling a valve for regulating water park water effects,
said switch
comprising,
a water outlet having a size selected to permit its at least partial blockage
by a body
portion of said play participant,
a primary conduit providing fluid communication between said outlet and a
pressurized
water source,
a secondary conduit communicating with said primary conduit,
a water activated sensor operable to provide control signals to at least
partially selectively
open or close said valve, said sensor being provided in fluid communication
with said secondary
conduit,
said secondary conduit configured whereby under normal flow conditions water
flows
from said water source and outwardly from outlet via said primary conduit, and
upon said play
participant at least partially blocking said outlet, water flows from said
primary conduit into said
secondary conduit to activate said sensor.
In another aspect, the present invention resides in a user activated switch
for controlling a
valve used to regulate water flow, said switch comprising,
a water outlet having a size selected to permit its at least partial blockage
by said user's
hand or finger,
a conduit for providing fluid communication between said outlet and a
pressurized water
source, at least part of said conduit defining a flow path whereby under
normal flow conditions
water flows from said water source along said flow path and outwardly from
said outlet as a
pressurized stream,
a water activated sensor operable to provide control signals to selectively
open or close
said valve, said sensor being in selective fluid communication with said
conduit and disposed out
CA 02390240 2002-06-11
6
of said flow path whereby the blockage of said outlet by said user's hand or
finger redirects
water from said flow path to said sensor.
In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a play participant
activated switch for
controlling a valve used to regulate water flow from a water park play
element, said switch
comprising,
a water outlet having a size selected to permit its at least partial blockage
by said
participant's hand or finger,
a primary conduit for providing fluid communication between said outlet and a
pressurized water source, said conduit defining a normal flow path whereby
when said outlet is
unobstructed water flows from said source along said normal flow path and
outwardly from said
outlet as a pressurized stream,
a water activated sensor operable to provide control signals to selectively
actuate said
valve from an initial at least partially closed or open position to a second
other respective open or
closed position, said sensor being in selective fluid communication with said
conduit and spaced
from said normal flow path whereby the blockage of said outlet by said user's
hand or finger
redirects water from said flow path to said sensor to actuate said valve, and
a controller electrically coupled to said sensor, said controller operable to
return said
valve from said second position to said initial position following a
predetermined event.
In yet another aspect, the present invention resides in a water play element
for use in a
water park, said water play element being selectively activatable by a user
and comprising,
a water nozzle adapted to produce a desired water effect,
a pressurized water source,
an electromechanical valve selectively operable to permit fluid communication
between
said water source and said water nozzle,
CA 02390240 2002-06-11
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a user activated switch for controlling said valve comprising,
a water outlet having a size selected to permit its at least partial blockage
by said
user's hand or finger,
a conduit for providing fluid communication between said outlet and said
pressurized water source, at least part of said conduit defining a flow path
whereby under
normal flow conditions water flows from said water source along said flow path
and
outwardly from said outlet as a pressurized stream,
a water activated sensor and a controller electrically coupled to said sensor
and
operable to provide control signals, said sensor being in selective fluid
communication
with said conduit and disposed out of said flow path whereby the blockage of
said outlet
by said user's hand or finger redirects water from said flow path to said
sensor to activate
said sensor and provide control signals from said controller to selectively
open or close
said valve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference is now made to the following detailed description taken together
with the
accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates schematically a water park showing a water spray mushroom
incorporating a water flow activated switch in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the
invention, prior to the activation of the switch;
Figure 2 is a schematic partial perspective view of the water spray mushroom
of Figure 1,
illustrating the operation of the spray mushroom following the activation of
the water flow
activated switch;
Figure 3 illustrates an enlarged schematic view of the water flow activated
switch
identified as feature A in Figure l;
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Figure 4 illustrates an enlarged schematic view of the sensor used in the
switch of Figure
3 in accordance with a first preferred construction;
Figure 5 illustrates an enlarged schematic view of the sensor used in the
switch of Figure
3 in accordance with a second preferred construction;
Figure 6 illustrates an enlarged schematic view of the sensor used in the
switch of Figure
3 in accordance with a third preferred construction;
Figure 7 illustrates a partial schematic view of a water park water play
element
incorporating a number of separate water flow activated switches in accordance
with a further
embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 8 illustrates schematically a water park incorporating a number of
different types
of water play elements, each incorporating a water flow activated switch in
accordance with the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is made to Figures 1 and 2 which show a water park installation 10.
The water
park 10 includes as a water play element, a water spray mushroom 12 which as
will be described,
is selectively operable by a park play participant 14 to emit a cooling flow
of water 16 (Figure
2). The spray mushroom 12 is of a conventional design consisting of a vertical
hollow fibreglass
support 18 which is mounted on a concrete pad 20. A dome-shaped top 22 is
secured to the top
of the support 18. As shown best in Figure 1, an underground water supply pipe
24 recessed
beneath the surface of the pad 20 extends upwardly into the support 18 and as
will be described
functions as a pressurized water source for the water mushroom 12. A pvc pipe
21 (Figure 3)
extends along the interior of the support 18 and selectively enables the fluid
communication
between the water supply pipe 24 and a water outlet nozzle 23 located at the
apex of the
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mushroom top 22. Optionally, a master flow control valve 26 may be provided at
a location
spaced from the mushroom 12. The control valve 26 selectively regulates water
flow through the
pipe 24 and to the mushroom 12.
As shown best in Figures 1 to 3, a user operated water flow activated switch
30 is housed
within the mushroom support 18. The switch 30 is operable to enable the user
14 to selectively
control the flow of water 16 from the mushroom top 22, enables the user 14 to
activate and/or
deactivate the mushroom 22, and although not essential, is most preferably
positioned so as to be
within reach of the user's hand 32.
The switch 30 is shown best in Figure 3 as including a primary conduit tube 40
which in
a simplified construction consists of a copper or pvc pipe. The conduit tube
40 extends from an
external outlet opening 42 formed in the side of the support 18 to the water
supply pipe 24. The
outlet opening 42 has a size selected to enable its blockage by the user's
hand 32 and/or forgers.
The internal other end of the conduit tube 40 is selectively provided in fluid
communication with
the water supply tube 24 by means of a solenoid valve 44, which as will be
described is operated
via a controller 60. As shown best in Figure 3, a secondary water conduit tube
46 is provided
which opens at its first end 48 into a side portion of the primary conduit 40.
The second other
end 50 of the conduit tube 46 is provided in fluid communication with a drain
(not shown). The
secondary conduit has a reduced diameter as compared to that of the primary
conduit tube 40.
Figure 3 shows best a water activated sensor 54 positioned in fluid
communication with the
secondary conduit 46. The sensor 54 is provided in electrical connection with
the controller 60,
which in the embodiment shown comprises a solid state controller
electronically coupled to the
solenoid valve 44. The diameter of the secondary conduit is selected so that
when the solenoid
valve 44 is opened to enable water flow from the supply tube 24 into the
primary conduit 40,
under normal flow conditions when the outlet 42 is unobstructed, water moves
along the conduit
42 as a flow path and outwardly from the opening 42 as a pressurized stream 52
(see Figure 1 ),
without significantly flowing into the secondary conduit 46 so as to activate
the sensor 54.
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CA 02390240 2002-06-11
The sensor 54 is operable to direct a control signal to the solid state
controller 60 upon
sensing water flow and/or pressure along the secondary conduit tube 46. Most
preferably, the
controller 60 is operable to actuate the solenoid valve 44 so as to
selectively move from an initial
closed position permitting water flow from the water supply 24 into the
primary conduit 24,
wherein water flow into said pvc pipe 21 is prevented, as for example is shown
in Figure 3, to an
open position wherein the valve 44 is moved to prevent water flow from the
supply pipe 24 into
the primary conduit 40, and the valve 44 redirects water flow along the pvc
pipe 21 and
outwardly from the mushroom nozzle 23 as the water flow 16.
The operation of the mushroom 12 by the user 14 is described best with
reference to
Figures 1 to 3. In an initial normal flow condition, water is fed from the
supply pipe 24 into the
primary conduit 40 and out of the switch outlet 42 as the pressurized stream
52 shown in Figure
1. In this state (shown in Figure 1), the valve 44 prevents water flow from
the supply pipe 24
and into the pvc pipe 21 to the nozzle 23. To activate the spray mushroom 12
so as to produce
the cooling flow of water 16 from the nozzle 23, the user 14 blocks the outlet
42 with his hand
32. The blockage of the outlet 42 results in water flowing from the supply
tube 24 into the
primary conduit 40 where it is redirected along the secondary conduit 46. The
redirection of
water flow along the secondary conduit 46 thereby activates the sensor 54 to
provide control
signals to the controller 60. Upon activation of the sensor 54, the controller
operates to actuate
the solenoid valve 44 from the position shown in solid lines in Figure 3, to
an operating position
shown in phantom wherein water flow is redirected from the supply 24 into the
pvc pipe 21 and
outwardly from the nozzle 23 as a flow 16 shown in Figure 2. In this mode, the
valve 44 acts to
prevent water flow into the primary conduit 40, providing the user 14 with a
visual indication
that the switch 30 is in operation.
Following a predetermined event, as for example the passage of a preset period
of time,
the activation of a second switch or a predetermined sequence of events, the
controller 60 returns
the solenoid valve 44 to its initial position, again redirecting water flow
again from the supply
pipe 24 into the conduit 40 and outwardly from the outlet opening 42. Although
the preferred
embodiment of the invention illustrates the solenoid valve 44 as preventing
the flow of water
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CA 02390240 2002-06-11
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along the primary conduit 40 while water flow from the mushroom nozzle 23 is
actuated, the
invention is not so limited. It is to be appreciated that, if desired, water
could flow concurrently
from both the water outlet 42 and nozzle 23 following the activation of the
sensor 30. Most
preferably, the controller 60 is used to maintain the solenoid valve 44 in an
operating position
permitting the flow of water from the water supply pipe to the feed pipe for a
predetermined
period of time, or until a secondary event occurs as for example the user
actuating a second other
distant water play element (not shown).
Although the preferred embodiment of the invention describes the normal water
flow
from the outlet as occurring as a pressurized stream 52, the invention is not
so limited. It is to be
appreciated that depending upon the desired feature, the switch 30 may produce
a variety of
different types of water effects under normal flow conditions. These could
possibly include, by
way of non-limiting example, a water spray, a cascading water flow, a slow
water dribble and/or
other water stream or jet. In addition, although the preferred embodiment of
the invention
illustrates a solenoid valve as operable to prevent water flow along the
primary conduit 40 and
outwardly from the opening 42 when the sensor 54 is actuated, the invention is
not so limited. It
is to be appreciated that in an alternate arrangement, other electromechanical
valves could be
used.
Figure 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the
sensor 54
consists of an electrical contact sensor which includes a pair of spaced
carbon contacts 70a,70b,
each electrically coupled to the controller 60. With the sensor of Figure 4,
the flow of water
along the secondary conduit 46 acts to complete an electrical circuit between
the contacts
70a,70b to activate the sensor 54.
Although Figure 4 illustrates a preferred sensor configuration, it is to be
appreciated that
other sensor configurations may also be used. Reference may be had to Figures
5 and 6 which
illustrate two alternate possible sensor constructions, wherein like reference
numerals are used to
identify like components. Figure 5 illustrates a pressure actuated sensor 54
construction for use
in the switch 30 shown in Figure 3. In Figure 5, the secondary conduit 46 is
provided at its
CA 02390240 2002-06-11
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distalmost end SO with a reduced diameter passage 74. The pressure sensor 54
further consists of
a pair of spaced flexible curved conductive metal discs. The discs 76a,76b are
each provided in
electrical communication with a microprocessor controller 60, and are held in
a spaced
orientation such that movement of the outer disc 76a into contact with the
inner disc 76b
completes the circuit and actuates the sensor 54. With the sensor 54
construction of Figure 5, the
blockage of the outlet opening 42 acts to redirect water flow from the primary
conduit 40 into the
secondary conduit 46 and outwardly therefrom through the opening 50. The
smaller size of the
reduced diameter passage 74, however, results in an overpressure in the
secondary conduit 46.
This pressure increase causes the biasing of the resilient outer disc 76a
inwardly into contact
with the inner disc 76b, to complete the circuit and provide electrical
signals to the controller 60.
Figure 6 illustrates a further alternate possible sensor construction, in
which like
reference numerals are used to identify like components. In Figure 6, the
sensor 54 is of an
optical-sensor type. The sensor 54 comprises an infrared (IR) emitter 80 and
infrared (IR)
receptor 82, each provided at opposing locations on each side of the secondary
conduit tube 46.
The sensor 54 is triggered by the flow of water along the secondary conduit
tube 46 which acts to
interrupt the transmission of light from the IR emitter 80 to the IR receptor
82, to activate the
sensor 54 and provide control signals from the controller 60 to actuate the
solenoid valve 44.
Although Figure 1 illustrates the water park installation 10 as including a
single spray
mushroom 12 as a water play element, and which incorporates a single water
flow actuated
switch 30, the invention is not so limited. It is to be anticipated that in an
alternate embodiment,
the water spray element (ie. spray mushroom 12) could include two, three or
more switches 30,
as for example is shown in the construction of Figure 7, wherein like
reference numerals are used
to identify like components.
In Figure 7, the mushroom support 18 is provided with 3 separate water flow
activated
switches 30a,30b,30c. Each of the water flow switches 30a,30b,30c includes
respectively a
primary conduit tube 40a,40b,40c, a secondary conduit tube 46a,46b,46c and a
sensor
54a,54b,54c provided in fluid communication or otherwise disposed within the
secondary
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CA 02390240 2002-06-11
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conduit 46a,46b,46c, having essentially the same configuration as the switch
30 shown in Figure
3. The switches 30a,30b,30c are activated by a user selectively blocking a
selected water outlet
42a,42b,42c.
As shown in Figure 7, each of the sensors 54a,54b,54c are provided in
electrical
communication with a simple microprocessor control unit as a controller 160.
The
microprocessor control 160 is electronically coupled to solenoid valves
44a,44b,44c, which are
operable to permit or prevent fluid flow from a water supply pipe 24 to a
respective switch
conduit 40a,40b,40c. As well, the control 160 is also used to partially open
or close
electromechanical valves 100a,100b which are separately operable to permit or
prevent water
flow into the spray mushroom pipe 121.
As described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, the blockage of one or more of
the outlets
42a,42b,42c by a user's hand or finger results in the triggering of the
solenoid valves
44a,44b,44c to prevent water flow from the water supply 24 into one or more
corresponding
primary conduits 40a,40b,40c, depending upon the outlets 52a,52b,52c which are
blocked.
Again, depending upon the activation of the specific sensors 54a,54b,54c, the
microprocessor
control 160 selectively moves the electromechanical valves 100a,1 OOb which,
for example, may
be used to vary the intensity and/or duration of the water flow into the pipe
121 and from a water
mushroom nozzle (not shown).
In one possible embodiment, the simultaneous blockage of all three nozzles
42a,42b,42c
and activation of the sensors 54a,54b,54c could result in the controller 160
fully opening both
valves 100a,1 OOb to produce a higher flow volume from the spray mushroom. In
contrast, only
the blockage of nozzle 42a and activation of sensor 54a could result in the
controller 160 only
opening valve 100a, resulting in either a reduced volume flow from the
mushroom nozzle (not
shown) or a flow of a shorter or longer duration.
It is to be appreciated that the use of multiple switches 30a,30b,30c
advantageously
enables greater participatory play by the users of the spray park 10, in
effect creating a
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CA 02390240 2002-06-11
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combination lock-type water element which achieves different effects,
depending upon the order
or number of switches 30 being activated.
Although Figure 7 illustrates a single water play element (ie. water mushroom
12)
incorporating a number of individual switches 30a,30b,30c, it is to be
appreciated that the
present invention is equally suited for electronically linking under common
control unit a
number of different water play elements at a water park. Figure 8 illustrates
a further water park
installation 10 in which like reference numerals are used to identify like
components. In Figure
8, three discrete water play elements are shown which consist of a water tube
116a, a water arch
116b and a water curtain 116c. Each of the play elements 116a,116b,116c is
mounted on a
concrete pad 20 under which the water supply pipe 24 is recessed. The water
tube 116a, water
arch 116b and water curtain 116c each include a water flow activated switch
30a,30b,30c,
respectively, therein. The switches 30a,30b,30c include respective sensors
(not shown), as for
example is shown in Figure 3, and which are electronically coupled to a
central processing unit
260 as a controller. The switches 30a,30b,30c are each characterized by a
discrete water outlet
42a,42b,42c, a corresponding primary conduit providing fluid communication
between the outlet
and the water infeed pipe, and a corresponding secondary conduit and sensor
configuration
similar to that shown in Figure 3 and described with respect to the first
embodiment of the
invention. The controller 260 is further electronically linked to
electromechanical valves
1 OOa, l OOb, l OOc which may be selectively opened or closed by control
signals received from the
controller 260. In this manner, the valves 1 OOa,100b,1 OOc are selectively
operated by the CPU
controller 260 to permit water flow from the water source into the internal
supply piping
121 a,121 b,121 c of a respective play element 116a,116,116c and outwardly
from one or more
corresponding spray nozzles 123a,123b,123c.
In the embodiment of Figure 8, the CPU control unit 260 is preferably adapted
to provide
different control signals to the valves 1 OOa, l OOb, l OOc depending upon the
combination of water
outlets 42a,42b,42c which may be blocked by a user 14a,14b,14c. By way of non-
limiting
example, by the users 14a,14b,14c selectively blocking water outlets 30a,30b
while permitting
water to flow from outlet 30c, the spray pattern may be altered to first
effect water flow from
CA 02390240 2002-06-11
element 116a for an extended period of time, and play element 116b for a
shortened period of
time. In contrast, where all of the switches 30a,30b,30c are simultaneously
activated, all three
play elements 116a,116b,116c could operate simultaneously for only a shortened
time period. In
an alternate embodiment, the activation of different switches 30a,30b,30c
could result in a
number of water play elements 116a,116b,116c operating in a given sequence for
predetermined
periods of time, with the activation of different switches 30a,30b,30c in
different orders
achieving different sequences.
Although the preferred embodiment of the invention describes the water flow
activated
switch 30 as being used within water play elements such as spray mushrooms 12
housed within a
water park 10, it is to be appreciated that the term water park would
encompass as well water
amusement parks, spray parks, wading pools, amusement parks and other
recreational
installations and/or play structures which include play elements.
Although Figure 1 illustrates the switch as being used in a water mushroom
type water
play element, the invention is not so limited. It is to be appreciated that
the water flow activated
switch 30 may equally be used in various other water park play elements
including without
restriction fountains, water cannons, water curtains, spray daisies, water
fountains, water spray
heads, tipping water buckets, water slides, and other play elements which will
now become
readily apparent.
Similarly, although the preferred embodiment of the invention discloses the
operation of
the water flow activated switch 30 as being used to control electromechanical
valuing for
adjusting water flow from play elements, the invention is not so limited. It
is to be appreciated
that the switch 30 could also be used to control not only solenoid or other
electromechanical
valves, but also other electric or electronic devices which, by way of non-
limiting example,
could be used to produce a visual, aural or other effects, as for example by
light and/or sound
emitting devices within the water park 10.
CA 02390240 2002-06-11
16
Although the detailed description describes and illustrates various preferred
embodiments, the invention is not so limited. Many modifications and
variations will now occur
to persons skilled in the art. For a definition of the invention, reference
may be had to the
appended claims.
