# US 9,751,023 B2 · Modular, reconfigurable, aquatic device and method of manufacture

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- Number: US 9,751,023 B2
- Document ID: US9751023B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/777,303
- Filed: 2014-03-17
- Published: 2016-01-21
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15
- Assignees: Raindrop Products, LLC
- Applicants: Rain Drop Products, LLC
- Inventors: Ross Kette
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751023B2

## CPC

- A63G 31/007: {involving water}
- A63G: MERRY-GO-ROUNDS; SWINGS; ROCKING-HORSES; CHUTES; SWITCHBACKS; SIMILAR DEVICES FOR PUBLIC AMUSEMENT

## Abstract

A water play apparatus and associated method of manufacturing the water play apparatus includes a hollow, rigid endoskeleton having a fluid passage formed therethrough. An exoskeleton is received around the endoskeleton and formed from a material (foam) different and less rigid than the endoskeleton (rigid pipe or tube), and a hardener or a polymer skin is received over the exoskeleton.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A water play apparatus comprising:
a hollow, rigid endoskeleton that includes a hollow steel pipe having a fluid passage formed therethrough that provides strength to the water play apparatus to support an associated user;
a base configured to mount the water play apparatus to an associated ground surface of an associated water park, and a first end of the endoskeleton mounted to the base;
an exoskeleton received entirely around the endoskeleton above the associated ground surface and formed from a material different and less rigid than the endoskeleton; and
a polymer skin received over the exoskeleton.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The water play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the steel pipe is stainless steel.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The water play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exoskeleton includes hollow foam received over the pipe.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The water play apparatus of claim 3 wherein the foam includes preformed hollow foam segments.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The water play apparatus of claim 4 wherein the foam includes polystyrene.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The water play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the polymer skin includes polyurethane.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The water play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the polymer skin includes polyethylene.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The water play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the endoskeleton includes plural segments that are joined in watertight sealed relation.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The water play apparatus of claim 8 wherein the endoskeleton segments include a male joining component at a first end and a female joining component at a second end.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The water play apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first and second ends of the endoskeleton segments include threaded regions for mechanically interconnecting adjacent segments.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The water play apparatus of claim 1 wherein an interior surface of the exoskeleton abuts against an exterior surface of the endoskeleton.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The water play apparatus claim 1 wherein an interior surface of the exoskeleton abuts against an exterior surface of the endoskeleton along at least an entire length of the endoskeleton above ground.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The water play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the polymer skin is colored.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The water play apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one outlet extending through the exoskeleton and the polymer skin that is in fluid communication with the fluid passage in the endoskeleton.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The water play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exoskeleton and the polymer skin are formed from non-corrosive materials.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The water play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exoskeleton and the polymer skin form a nonconductive thermal and electrical barrier.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The water play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exoskeleton is variable in shape along a length of the endoskeleton.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The water play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exoskeleton is an elastomer or polymer molded to and completely encapsulating the endoskeleton.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The water play apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one of a control sensor, valve, spray orifice, nozzle, camera, and sound device incorporated therein.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The water play apparatus of claim 1 wherein an interior surface of the exoskeleton abuts against an exterior surface of the endoskeleton along an entire length of the endoskeleton located above the associated ground surface.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The water play apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flange is dimensioned for connection to an associated water supply opening.