Abstract:
An improved water play structure, which integrates a single water supply network of conduit with a central support infrastructure, is provided. In one embodiment, a plurality of central pedestals are interconnected to water supply legs in a staircase manner in order to deliver a single water supply to a plurality of interactive water play elements. The size of the water play structure can be increased to accommodate additional play participants by adding decks to the structure. Interactive play modules consisting of water play elements and interactive play apparatuses can be easily interchanged, which facilitates servicing, simplifies design and manufacturing, and adds variety to a play participant&#39;s recreational experience. In addition, multiple water play structures can be interconnected to each other without the need for establishing separate water supply line connections.

Description:
[0001]    Priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Application, Serial No. ______, entitled “MODULAR WATER PLAY STRUCTURE, Attorney Docket No. 4830-4PROV, filed Jun. 28, 2002, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Cross-reference is also made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,048, entitled “PARTICIPATORY WATER PLAY APPARATUS”, issued Mar. 16, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,294, entitled “PARTICIPATORY WATER PLAY APPARATUS”, issued Apr. 11, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,525, entitled “PARTICIPATORY WATER PLAY APPARATUS”, issued Sep. 2, 1997; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,471, entitled “PARTICIPATORY WATER PLAY SYSTEM”, issued Oct. 13, 1998, all of which are incorporated herein in their entireties. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of water play structures, and more particularly to a play system structure with a central pedestal that is pressurized by water.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Water theme parks and recreational water facilities have become quite popular in the last decade. Water parks have proliferated as adults and children, alike, seek the thrill and entertainment of water parks as a healthy and enjoyable way to cool off in the hot summer months. Water play structures have been developed to allow for interactive use by play participants. These play structures often, but not always, resemble multi-level play structures that one might see in parks, etc., and are generally supported by many metal columns.  
           [0004]    Typically, such water play structures are constructed in conjunction with and sit inside a water collection pool or basin. These pools are often pre-existing, but sometimes are purpose-built, and often have unique, or at least non-standard, characteristics. Such characteristics could include pool shape and environmental anomalies.  
           [0005]    There is generally also a pump associated with a water play structure system. The pump is usually designed to force water to, through, and out of various water forming or other devices found on typical water play structures. As the water exits the water forming or other device, it generally cascades downward or outward from the device. That water is typically collected in the pool or water collection basin so that the collected water may be fed back to the pump and re-circulated for essentially continuous use.  
           [0006]    Filtration and treatment of the re-circulating water also generally occurs on a systematic and periodic basis. On occasion, additional water must also be added to the system to account for fluid loss due to any number of environmental and other factors.  
           [0007]    Though many improvements have been made to water play structures over the years, there are still a number of problems which need to be addressed in such systems. One such problem relates to quickly, efficiently, and uniformly installing the water play structures into collection basins of virtually any shape, size or configuration. As stated earlier, there are generally multiple vertical support columns on each water play structure of prior designs, each column needing to be fitted and formed to the particular grade of the collection basin in which the system is to be installed. Tailoring each water play structure vertical support column to accommodate the slope of a particular grade is costly and inhibits mass production and uniform installation procedures. Accordingly, a water play structure is needed that can be adapted to varying collection basins without having to adjust the height of several, independent, vertical support columns.  
           [0008]    One way to address the above-stated installation and fabrication problem is to create a water play structure utilizing a central support pedestal. Such a pedestal can be installed in one location and levels of the play structure can be built therefrom. While central pedestal structures have been used in dry play and other environments, there has never been, to Applicants&#39; knowledge, a central support pedestal structure utilized with regard to water play structures. Moreover, an additional benefit to using a central support pedestal is that the central pedestal can be utilized and adapted to transmit pressurized water from the pump to all of the water forming or other devices which may be installed upon the water play structure. In such a configuration, the central support structure pedestal serves not only a support function, but also a water movement function.  
           [0009]    Another problem with water play structures currently known in the art is that they utilize an independent conduit structure for transmitting pressurized water to the various water play elements disposed throughout the play structure. As a result, as additional play levels, which include additional water play elements, are added to a particular play structure, additional conduit is needed to transmit the water supply to the added level, which can be costly. Thus, there is a need for a play structure that uses a single integrated structure to not only support play participants, but to transmit pressurized water to various interactive water play elements disposed throughout the structure.  
           [0010]    Another problem with water play structures currently known in the art is that if a developer wants to link several water play structures together in a particular site, he or she must use multiple connections to a single water supply or use multiple water supplies. Each additional structure thus requires new connection of feed pipe and the like. Thus, there is a need for a water play structure that can be adapted to accommodate additional play structures without the need for separate connections to a single water supply or to multiple water supplies.  
           [0011]    Finally, water play structures are known that use both interactive water and non-water play elements. However, these play elements, once installed, are not typically interchangeable or easily movable from one site on a play structure to another. This limitation makes servicing the play elements difficult and restricts an operator&#39;s ability to manipulate or add new play elements to vary the play participants&#39; recreational experience. Thus, there is a need for a water play structure which can be easily adapted to accommodate various, interactive water and non-water play elements.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    The present invention is designed to overcome the aforementioned problems and meet the aforementioned, and other, needs. It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a multi-level, water play structure that eliminates the need for various vertical support columns, which must be individually tailored to accommodate various collection basin environmental constraints. It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a water play structure that integrates a water supply network of conduit with a central support infrastructure. It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a water play structure that uses a single water supply line connection to transmit water to adjacently situated water play structures. It is yet a further aspect of the present invention to provide a water play structure having modular, interactive water and non-water play elements that can be easily interchanged and moved, depending on operator needs.  
           [0013]    In one embodiment of the current invention, a water play structure is generally comprised of a hollow, central pedestal interconnected to at least one water supply leg. The central pedestal is further comprised of a water supply line connection, which is used to transmit pressurized water to the water supply leg.  
           [0014]    The water supply leg is made of conduit and is used to transfer pressurized water from the central pedestal to water play elements. The water supply leg may also partially or wholly support a polygonal deck to be used by play participants.  
           [0015]    In one embodiment, the deck may be interconnected to the central pedestal for additional stability or to other structures developed for such purposes. Telescoping support columns may also be used to further support the polygonal deck and/or water supply leg.  
           [0016]    In one embodiment, a water play structure can be linked to a second water play structure without the need for a separate water supply line. Instead, water may be delivered from the central pedestal of the first water play structure to the second water play structure.  
           [0017]    In one embodiment, a water play structure adapted for use in a playground or park is provided, comprising:  
           [0018]    (a) a hollow central pedestal having at least one supply line for receiving fluid;  
           [0019]    (b) a first water supply leg, which is in fluid connection with the central pedestal and may be adapted to, at least partially, support play participants and transport fluid from the hollow central pedestal;  
           [0020]    (c) a deck, at least partially supported by the first water supply leg; and  
           [0021]    (d) at least one water play element capable of dispensing fluid received from the first water supply leg.  
           [0022]    Other objects, features, embodiments, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1A is a front isometric perspective view of one embodiment of a single level modular water play structure;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1B is a right isometric perspective view of the modular play structure showing FIG. 1A;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1C is a rear perspective view of the modular play structure shown in FIG. 1A;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a first central pedestal;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3A is an exploded, front elevation view of one embodiment of an interactive play module for the modular play structure;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3B is a front elevation view of one embodiment of an interactive play module for the modular play structure;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4A is a front isometric perspective view of one embodiment of a four level modular water play structure;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4B is a front isometric perspective view of one embodiment of a four level modular water play structure with play participants;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5A is a front isometric perspective view of one embodiment of a two level modular water play structure;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5B is a slightly rotated front isometric perspective view of the two level modular water play structure shown in FIG. 5A;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 5C is a rear isometric view of the modular water play structure shown in FIG. 5A;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 6A is a front isometric perspective view of one embodiment of a three level modular water play structure;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 6B is a slightly rotated front isometric view of the modular water play structure shown in FIG. 6A;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 6C is a top perspective view of the modular water play structure shown in FIG. 6A;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 6D is an isometric perspective view of the underside of one embodiment of a three level modular water play structure;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 7A is a front isometric perspective view of one embodiment of a four level modular water play structure;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 7B is a front isometric perspective view of one embodiment of the infrastructure for a four level modular water play structure;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 7C is a front isometric perspective view of one embodiment of a four level modular water play structure without interactive play modules;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 7D is a front elevation view of the modular water play structure shown in FIG. 7C;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 7E is a top isometric perspective view of one embodiment of a four level modular water play structure;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 7F is a rear isometric perspective view of the modular play structure shown in FIG. 7D;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 7G is an isometric perspective view of the underside of the modular play structure shown in FIG. 7D;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 8A is a side isometric perspective view of one embodiment of a four level modular water play structure with adjustable support columns; and  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 8B is a side elevation view of one embodiment of an adjustable support column.  
     
    
       [0047]    The following components and numbers associated thereto are shown in the drawings and provided here for ease of reference:  
                                                   No.   Component                            2   Modular Water Play Structure            3   Pool            4   First Central Pedestal            6   Water Supply Line Connector            7   Cap            8   First Water Supply Leg           10   Second Water Supply Leg           12   First Polygonal Deck           14   Railing           16   Interactive Play Apparatus           17   Water Play Element           17a   Stairs           18   Pool Floor           19   Conduit           20   First End of First Central Pedestal           21   Second End of First Central Pedestal           22   Deck Connection Means           23   Water Supply Leg Connection Means           24   Concrete Footing           24a   Spout/Conduit           24b   Blind Flange           25   Drain           26   Pump           27   Interactive Play Module           28   Frame           30   Attachment Means           32   Sprinkler           34   Bucket           40   Second End of Railing           42   Spindle           44   Tic-Tac-Toe Module           46   Gear-Oriented Module           47   Propeller-Mounted Module           48   Spinning Ball Module           49   Maze-Oriented Module           50   Slide Module           51   Second Level           52   Second Central Pedestal           54   Third Water Supply Leg           58   Second Polygonal Deck           60   First Support Member           62   Third Level           64   Third Central Pedestal           66   Fourth Water Supply Leg           68   Third Polygonal Deck           70   Second Support Member           72   Fourth Level           74   Fourth Central Pedestal           76   Fourth Polygonal Deck           78   Third Support Member           80   Fourth Support Member           82   Adjustable Support Column           84   Stationary Post           86   Telescoping Sleeve           88   Aperture           90   Bolt           92   Second Supply Line Connection           94   Gasket           96   Valve                      
 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0048]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention. The reader is to understand that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.  
         [0049]    Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A, 1B, and  1 C illustrate front, side, and rear isometric views of one embodiment of the inventive modular water play structure  2 , which can be easily adapted to a variety of sloped basins or pools  3  (shown in FIG. 2). In general, the modular water play structure  2  is comprised of a first central pedestal  4 , which has a water supply line connection  6  for transmitting water from a water supply. The first central pedestal, in addition, has multiple other ports  23  that can be used to supply water to other areas of the water play structure. The first central pedestal also has two ends. One of the ends  20  is designed to be fastened to a cement footing or other appropriate structure device installed below, at, or near a pool bottom or other appropriate area within a collection basin. A cap  7  may be removably interconnected to the other end of the first central pedestal  4  in order to contain water flow from the central pedestal  4 . Obviously, in lieu of a cap  7 , a separate water play element  17  can be added to communicate with a top of the first central pedestal  4 . See, e.g., FIG. 8A.  
         [0050]    The first central pedestal  4  may be connected, in known fashion, to a first water supply leg  8  and a second water supply leg  10 , etc. A first polygonal deck  12  may be partially supported by the first water supply leg  8  and second water supply leg  10 , etc. A plurality of interchangeable railings  14 , which also may transfer pressurized water, communicate with the first water supply leg  8  and second water supply leg  10 , etc. Further, a plurality of interchangeable, interactive play apparatuses  16  may be interposed between the polygonal deck  12  and the plurality of railings  14 . As further described below, various interchangeable water play elements  17  may be interconnected to the first water supply leg  8 , second water supply leg  10 , and plurality of railings  14 . Play participants may access the polygonal deck  12  via stairs  17   a , a ramp, or similar structure.  
         [0051]    As shown in FIG. 2, the first central pedestal  4  acts as a main conduit for supplying water to the modular water play structure  2 . In addition, the first central pedestal  4  serves as the central support structure for the modular water play structure  2 . Use of such a structure eliminates the need for multiple, individual vertical support columns which often must be individually tailored to the particular configuration of a pool  3 , such as the slope of the pool floor  18 .  
         [0052]    In one preferred embodiment, the first central pedestal  4  is comprised of a substantially cylindrical conduit  19  with a first end  20  and a second end  21 . The pedestal also has a means  22  (e.g., a flange) for connecting a first polygonal deck  12  to the conduit  19 , a means  23  (e.g., flange) for connecting the first and second water supply legs  8 ,  10  to the conduit  19 , and the water supply line connection  6 . The first end  20  of the first central pedestal  4  may be anchored beneath the pool floor  18  via a concrete footing  24 , which varies in shape and size according to the number of polygonal decks supported thereby and other environmental factors. In one embodiment, the concrete footing  24  is six to eight foot square and two to three foot thick, with rebar reinforcements. J-bolts are optionally used to secure the first end  20  of the conduit  19  to the concrete footing  24 . It will be understood by those skilled in this art that other appropriate devices and/or members can be used to secure the first central pedestal  4  to a collection basin surface.  
         [0053]    If no additional polygonal decks are desired, the second end  20  of the first central pedestal  4  may be connected in any suitable manner to a cap  7 , which is designed to prevent water from flowing out of the second end  21  of the first central pedestal  4 . Alternatively, the first central pedestal  4  can be manufactured with a closed second end  21 .  
         [0054]    As shown in FIGS.  1 A- 1 C, the first water supply leg  8  and second water supply leg  10  may partially support the first polygonal deck  12  and may transmit pressurized water to water play elements  17  generally disposed upon railings  14  or on the first and second water supply legs  8 ,  10 , or both. In one embodiment, the first and second water supply legs  8 ,  10  are pipe-like and L-shaped.  
         [0055]    As one ordinarily skilled in the art can appreciate, other manners or shapes of pipe, tubing, or other functionally shaped water-carrying conduit of sufficient strength and size to transmit pressurized fluid are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, the present invention is not limited to a particular type of water play element  17 . For example, a faucet  36  and tipping buckets  34  are shown in FIG. 1A, but other water play elements  17  may be substituted for these elements or these elements may be moved to different positions on the structure.  
         [0056]    Blind flanges  24   b  may be used to cap the first water supply leg  8  and second water supply leg  10  when those water transfer positions are not in use. Additional conduit  24   a  may be attached to flanges formed in first water supply leg  8  and second water supply leg  10  as may be necessary. Such conduit  24   a  can be used to supply pressurized water to additional water play structures or to other types of water play elements, play pods, etc. Alternatively, the conduit  24   a  could be simply used as a water spout.  
         [0057]    As previously noted, water may be emitted from various water play elements  17  positioned about the water play structure  2 . The emitted water is collected in the pool  3 . The pool  3  may vary from a substantially zero depth to a depth of several feet depending on the needs of the operator. As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the pool  3  is further comprised of a drain  25 , which allows the water to circulate back to the water supply. The drain  25  may communicate with a central water supply or the fluid exiting the drain may be held in a storage facility. In either case, a pump  26 , which can be positioned on the pool floor  18 , or on a skid which is anchored to the water play structure  2 , or remote thereto, may be used to move fresh and/or re-circulated water to the water play structure  2 . As one skilled in the art can appreciate, the size and power of the pump  26  will be dictated by the volume of water to be moved, the distance that the water must travel, the pressure required to operate the water play elements  17  on various levels of the modular water play structure  2 , etc.  
         [0058]    An additional aspect of the present invention is to provide the ability to quickly and easily modify and interchange, if necessary, interactive play modules  27  (see, e.g., FIG. 3A) to accommodate operator needs. In one embodiment, the interactive play module  27  is comprised of at least one railing  14  (see FIG. 3B) interconnected to a frame  28 , which houses an interactive play apparatus  16  and which may be secured to the first polygonal deck  12  via an appropriate attachment means  30 . Such an attachment means  30  may be a flange, bracket, bolts, weld, epoxy glue, rivets, or other similar device. This modular configuration provides a myriad of combinations for the operator and facilitates quick replacement of the entire interactive play module  27 , if desired. See FIGS. 3A and 3B. This ease of interchangeability also facilitates servicing of the play structure  2  and the play elements  17 , and simplifies design and manufacture of both the interactive play modules  27  and overall play structure  2 .  
         [0059]    As shown in FIGS. 1A, 3A, and  3 B, the railing  14  can be swapped with various water play elements  17  (e.g., sprinkler  32 , series of swiveling buckets  34  coupled to a faucet  36 , etc.). In one embodiment, the railing  14  has a first end  38  and a second end  40 , each of which is preferably flanged so that the railing  14  can be easily removed for servicing or replacement. The railing  14  can be made out of metal, metal alloy, or other material having similar strength and durability characteristics, or a combination thereof.  
         [0060]    The railing frame  28  can house spindles  42  (see FIG. 3B), the interactive play apparatus  16  (see FIG. 3A), or both. As shown in FIG. 1A, different interactive play apparatuses  16 , such as a Tic-Tac-Toe module  44 , a gear-oriented module  46 , a propeller-mounted module  47 , a spinning ball module  48 , a maze-oriented module  49 , or a slide module  50  (not shown), can be easily interchanged within an interactive play module  27 , depending on the needs of the operator. If the operator so desires, the entire interactive play module  27  can also be removed and replaced by simply disconnecting the attachment means  30  and the first end  38  and, if necessary, the second end  40  of the railing  14 , and replacing the interactive play module  27  with another pre-assembled interactive play module  27 .  
         [0061]    The aforementioned interactive play apparatuses  16  and water play elements  17  are intended to be for illustrative purposes only. As one ordinarily skilled in the art can appreciate, other interactive play apparatuses  16  and/or water play elements  17  may be used alone, or in combination, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0062]    Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a modular water play structure  2  which can easily adapt to accommodate additional play participants. Depending on the projected number of play participants, additional polygonal decks can easily be added to the structure, building off of the first central pedestal  4 . This is accomplished by adding additional decks and corresponding water supply legs to the central pedestal  4 .  
         [0063]    As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in one embodiment, up to a four level water play structure  2  can be achieved by tiering polygonal decks in a staircase manner. The decks may be located at different heights on the central pedestal by adding central pedestal sections. Each additional polygonal deck may be supported, in part, by the polygonal deck that precedes it.  
         [0064]    For instance, in order to achieve a second level  51 , a second central pedestal  52  is connected to the first central pedestal  4  that is anchored near, to, or beneath the pool floor  18 . See FIGS.  5 A- 5 C. A third water supply leg  54  may be connected to the second central pedestal  52  so that water can be carried to water play elements  17  positioned on railings  14  on the second level  51  of the water play structure  2 . In addition, the third water supply leg  54  may partially support a second polygonal deck  58 . The second polygonal deck  58  may also be partially supported by the second water supply leg  10  via a first support member  60 . In one embodiment, additional stairs  17   a  are positioned from the first polygonal deck  12  to an edge of the second polygonal deck  58 .  
         [0065]    If a third level  62  to the play structure is desired, as shown in FIGS.  6 A- 6 D, a third central pedestal  64  may be connected to the second central pedestal  52 . Similarly, a fourth water supply leg  66  may be connected to the third central pedestal  64  in order to carry water to further water play elements  17  on the third level  62  and to partially support a third polygonal deck  68 . The third polygonal deck  68  may be supported in a similar fashion, as described above, by a second support member  70  that spans between the second polygonal deck  58  and the third polygonal deck  68 . Stairs  17   a  may also connect the second polygonal deck  58  and third polygonal deck  68  so that play participants can freely move between the second and third levels  51 ,  62 .  
         [0066]    Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 7A- 7 G, if the operator requires a fourth level  72 , a fourth central pedestal  74  may be connected to the third central pedestal  64 . In one embodiment, the fourth central pedestal  74  is further comprised of means  22  (e., a flange or bracket) for connecting a fourth polygonal deck  76  to the fourth central pedestal  74 . In this embodiment, no water supply leg is used to support the fourth polygonal deck  76 . Rather, the fourth polygonal deck  76  is supported by third and fourth support members  78 ,  80 , respectively. However, the first water supply leg  8  and fourth water supply leg  66  are used to supply pressurized water to water play elements  17  which may be installed on the fourth polygonal deck  76 . The third support member  78  spans between the fourth water supply leg  66  and the fourth polygonal deck  76 ; the fourth support member  80  spans between the first water supply leg  8  and the fourth polygonal deck  76 . Again, stairs  17   a  may be added to interconnect the third polygonal deck  68  with the fourth polygonal deck  76 .  
         [0067]    In order to provide further stability to the modular water play structure, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, optional, adjustable support columns  82  can be positioned beneath the first, second, third, or fourth water supply legs  8 ,  10 ,  54 , and  66 , respectively. Each adjustable support column  82  can be extended to accommodate any height differences between the water supply legs and the pool floor  18 .  
         [0068]    In one preferred embodiment, each adjustable column  82  is comprised of a stationary post  84  in telescopic relationship with a sleeve  86 . The stationary post  84  may be removably or fixedly connected to the pool floor  18  by bolts, glue, or other securement methods known in the art. Alternatively, the stationary post  84  may simply rest upon the pool floor  18 . Even if the stationary post  84  is not secured to the pool floor  18  or, for that matter, if it rests above the pool floor  18 , it will have the effect in many instances of supporting deck structure, especially if the deck structure begins to oscillate as a result of play participant activity. Once the telescoping sleeve  86  is adjusted to a proper height to either partially or fully support a polygonal deck, the telescoping sleeve  86  may be fixedly or removably connected to either a water supply leg and/or the underside of a polygonal deck via an attachment device, which may include a flange, bracket, or other coupling mechanism known in the art.  
         [0069]    In order to ensure that the telescoping sleeve  86  stays in position, in one embodiment, the telescoping sleeve  86  is further comprised of a plurality of apertures  88  to accept bolts  90 , which are temporarily or permanently tightened against the stationary post  84 . See FIG. 8B. As one ordinarily skilled in the art can appreciate, other methods of adjusting and securing the adjustable support column  82  are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, the adjustable support column  82 , as well as the modular water play structure  2  generally, can be made out of a rust-resistant, durable metal, metal alloy, or other material having similar strength and non-corrosiveness characteristics, or a combination thereof.  
         [0070]    If four levels are insufficient to accommodate the number of play participants, additional modular water play structures  2  may be added to the overall system. In such a preferred embodiment, the first central pedestal  4  may be modified to include a second supply line connection  92  (not shown, but identical to water supply line connection  6  in FIG. 2), which connects the first central pedestal  4  to an identical first central pedestal  4  that is similarly anchored at, near, or beneath a pool floor  18  at a sufficient distance from the first modular water play structure  2 . The second modular play structure  2  can be built to the desired number of levels in the manner described above. Additional modular water play structures  2  can be added in like fashion, if desired.  
         [0071]    The first, second, third, and fourth central pedestals  4 ,  52 ,  64 ,  74 , respectively, and first, second, third and fourth water supply legs  8 ,  10 ,  54 , and  66 , respectively, are preferably made out of a rust-resistant, durable metal, such as stainless steel or other metals having similar strength and durability characteristics, and are to be of sufficient size and strength to safely support the modular water play structure  2  and play participants while also supplying pressurized water to the various interconnected water play elements  17 . Similarly, all manners or shapes of pipe, tubing, or other functionally shaped water-carrying channel of sufficient strength may be used for the above-described central pedestals and water supply legs and still be within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0072]    As one ordinarily skilled in the art can appreciate, the first, second, third, and fourth support members  60 ,  70 ,  78 , and  80 , respectively, can take various forms and be constructed of various materials and still be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, railing/spindle configurations, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5A or horizontally-positioned I-beams (not shown) can be used.  
         [0073]    In addition, the previously described interconnections between the central pedestals, water supply legs, and railings can take various forms. For instance, coupling assemblies, threaded conduit, or other connections that are designed to accommodate pressurized fluids are well within the scope of the present invention. Moreover, gaskets  94  (shown in FIG. 7B) may optionally be used between some or all points of connection between water transferring conduit.  
         [0074]    The first, second, third, and fourth polygonal decks  12 ,  58 ,  68 , and  76 , respectively, can also vary in shape, thickness, and size. Preferably, each polygonal deck has at least three sides and is made from fiberglass or other material providing a non-slip, non-corrosive, non-degrading surface. As shown in FIG. 7C, in one embodiment, each polygonal deck is hexagonal. Various means for connecting each polygonal deck to each respective central pedestal or water supply leg can be used, such as flanged connections or brackets. Any such connection method is deemed within the skill of those working in this art.  
         [0075]    In order to operate the water play elements  17  on the various levels of the modular water play structure  2 , play participants turn valves  96  (as shown in FIG. 1B), which are strategically placed along the railings  14  or other areas of the system. Various valves  96 , such as butterfly, gate, etc., may be used alone, or in combination and still be within the scope of the present invention. Water flow may also be increased or decreased to a particular section of the modular water play structure  2  by adjusting the respective valve  96 .  
         [0076]    As noted above, the pool  3  can vary in depth, size and configuration. As one ordinarily skilled in the art can appreciate, filtration and water structures are to be incorporated per local building code or other requirements.  
         [0077]    While an effort has been made to describe some alternatives to the preferred embodiment, other alternatives will readily come to mind to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not intended to be limited to the details given herein.